Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-04-27
THE ODD FELLOWS CELEBRA'
TIONS.

Oh bue eSUdDISlluleuG VI olle lhSiCpSA
pent Order of Odd Fellows i'll this coun-
try was duly celebrated yesterday by
appropriate ceremonies in nearly every
important town and city throughout
the United States and Canada. De-
tailed reports of the observances which
took place in the principal cities of the
United States will be found below. In
this city the more elaborate ceremonies
which marked the occasion took place
in the evening at Odd Fellows Hall,
First street The programme, embrac-
ed speaking, singing, &c. The hall
was crowded, and the iveliest interest
manifested in the exercises.
Addresses were delivered by Mr..
Charles H. Covcll, Rev. J. |. Boswell,
Samuel L. Moore, ESQ, and others.
The evening was most pleasantly pass
ed, and the 50th anniversary of Odd
Fellowship in the United States will
long be remembered. As the country
itself has expanded from mere hand
full of people between the eastern slopes
of the Alleghauies and the Atlantic to
a grand nation. covering the CONT
nent from ocean to ocean, and second
to none in power, influence and wealth,
so have also increased all the institu-
tions among the people, and none more
rapidly nor to greater degree than
the order of Odd Fellows. Where on
the day of its birth in America it num-
bered but five people, who ventured to
father its introduction, it numbers now
a million and half of souls, directly
or indirectly interested in its welfare
and prosperity. AS time rolls on and
the country grows larger and more
prosperous still. so will this order grow
with its prosperity.
The festivities of the day at Philadel-
phia opened with exercises at the
Academy of Music. The only decora-
ton on the stage was the standard of
the Grand lodge Of the United States.
At 91$ o'clock in the morning the
officers of the Grand Lodge of the
United States appeared on the stage,
headed by Mayor Fox and the Grand
Sire of the Order, and took the posi-
ton assigned to them. The officers Of
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and
officers of the Grand Encampment of
Pennsylvania, in full regaha, occupied
seats behind the officers of the Grand
Lodge OF the United States, and be-
hind and around the latter hundred
singers were ranged The center of
the parapet was occupied by the Grand
Lodge of Maryland, the right by the
Grand Lodge of New.Jersey, and the
left by tho Grand Lodge of the District
of Columbia. The front of the parquet
was assigned to officers of grand lodges
of different jurisdictions. The mem
bers Of the Grand Encampment OF
Pennsylvania occupied the left of the
parquet circle. The scene was very
brilliant, and the exercises of a most
impressive character. The proceedings
were opened by the singing of an ami.
versary hymn, written for the occasion
by Brother B. p Shillaber of Sloan
Lodge, Boston, hundred voices &C
companying the orchestra.
The Rev. j. W. Venable, Il. w
Grand Chaplain, then made prayer
after which John w. Stokes, P. G. M
of Pennsylvania, delivered an address
of welcome.
E. d. Farnsworth of Tennessee, NJ
W. Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge O
the United States, made an appropriate
reply.
James L. Ridgeley, P. &. Master o.
Maryland and Secretary of the Right
Worthy Grand Lodge of the United
States, was introduced as the orator Of
the day, and delivered long and very
interesting account of the origin, his
tory, and development of Oddfellow
ship. The amount expended for benevo
lent objects in New York city alone il
1868 reached 100000, in Philadel
phia about 81, 900, 900, and in Boston
over $4,000, 1000. After the delivery Of
the Grafton the exercises were closed by
the singing of an appropriate hymn tc
the air of "Old Hundred" the audi
ence joining in the singing.
The grand procession was the mex
order of the day and the principal fea
ture of the celebration. There were Al
least 1000 members in line wearing
the scarf and insignia bat not the apron
the latter having recently been dispens
ell with by order of the Grand Lodge
The members were well dressed, and the
line of procession, which extended
many miles, was gaily decorated will
flags and banners emblematical of thu
principles of the Order.
At Richmond, Va, the day WAS cele
I1ua4oI 1,xy 4bo n,.Ja,. ~ f,a d. IL,