Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-04-26

Prayer was then delivered bv Rev. J. w.
Nebable, Grand Chaplain. which was followed
by a feiicitous address of welcome in behalf OF
the Grand Lodge OF Pennsylvania.
TIE Address OF WELCOME BY p. G. MASTER
JOHN W STOKES.
John W. Stokes, Esq. Past Grand Master of
the X. W. Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania, aud
Chairman Of the General Joint COMMITTEES of
Arrangements on the Semi Centennial Cele-
bration, stepped forward and addressed the
assembled multitude, saying:
M W. Grand Sire, 06icsrs and Members Of n q
Grdnd Lodge u tie United Stdtcs:-
Through Ine partiality OF my brethren. and
on behalf Of the Il. W. Grand Lodge and X. W.
Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania, it be-
Comes my duty To express to you the grateful
pleasure they feel in having you present with
them upon tins interesting occasion.
The K. w Grand Lodge of the United Sta. as
having resolved that the Fiftieth Ami vepeary
OF me Introduction OF Odd Fellowship in
America be appropriately celebrated this day
through0ut the entire jurisdiction, and that q
Grand National Celebration of the occasion.
under their auspices, should take place IN this
eity, IN obedience 20 this direction a number Of
the brethren OF the Order are assembled to-day
T. extt M 10 yen a cordial and hearty welcome.
We nave also been Joined by the brethren Of
the order from some OF the adjoining iurisdic-
tions IN doing honor 10 the legislative head of
our great Fraternity; and take occasion here
10 thank them tor uniting with US in our en-.
imposing As was demanded by the importance
OF the event which you deemed proper to com.
memOrate.
Inc brethren in this jurisdiction fully appre.
ciae the high compliment paid them in select
ing this city a. the place for tie proper obsery-
ance of The Grand National Scni- Centennial Csle-
trGtion oJ the order. Your presence with us to.
day gives also an additional inte rest to the occa
sion, for which, in the name OF the brethren, 1
tender you their sincere thanks. 1 hope /
shall be pardoned if 1 claim for them some
night 10 this fiatterIng consideration by a brief
reference to the progress OF the Order in this
jurisdiction"
The speaker then reviewed the history of the
Order in Pennsylvania, and gave the statistics
for the last year. After words of hope and
promise for the future, he closed by SAYING:
"Hopng to b. favored IN the future, as we have
been in the past, with fraterEal and united
eounsels with reliance upon an overruling
Providence Tor our preservation and peace. we
snail feel an assurance that our labors In the
work OF human benefactiOn will far exceed in
rs to obey the einstruction:-.sTo visit the sick,
relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and ed
cate the orphan And now, Most Worthy
Grand Sire, in conclusion, on behalf OF the
Order in this jurisdiction, extend to you a
most cordial welcome In behalf of the
widows and orphans whose tears have been
wiped away. and their stricken hearts glad
dened by the kindly Offices of the Brothe Rood
/ bid you welcome. In the name Of the good
people Of this great metropolis, who recognize
and appreciate to the fullest extent ind Vi iduaI
relief OF human suffering, bid you q most
cordial and hearty welcome to our peaceful
city. May your solourn amongst US be pleas.
ant and agreeable, and MY you carry with
you to your families and homes the most pleas.
ant recollectIons of your visit.
REPLY OF THE MOST WORTHY GRAND SIRE z.
ID. FARNsWOETH.
At the inclusion OF the address of welcome
the Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Grand
Lodge OF the United States, f. ID. Farnsworth,
Esq, OF Tennessee, responded. saying:
.'Pdst Grand Master John W. Stokes Chairman
# tie General JOINT Comaittee cf -iyTapge-
msafs
In behalf of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge
OF the United States, and Of the assembled
brethren of the Order from other iurisd. .ctious,
who are to-day the guests OF the bers OF the
Pennsylvania jurisdiction, and especially OF
those OF the city Of Philadelphia. l return
thanks for the hearty and fraternai welcome
which has been extended. and acknowledge INV
inability fittingly to reply to the eloo uent and
impTs ssiyeterms in winch you have expressed
it. BE assured, sir. that the pageant which
your great city presents To-day, prepared in
the broad spirit of lIberality hich character.
iZss our Fraternity, and in devotion to the
noble prir ciples which constitute the corner
stones of the Order OF Odd Fellows, in
spires the souls OF all who witness and all
who participate in il. Tfe Right Worthy
Grand L6dse, in this dutitul celebration OF the
Stmi-Centennial ~ Anniversary of the founding
OF the Order in America, IS sensible that Phil.
adelphia and Pennsy sylyania, in this magnif-
cent display, has enhanced, If possible, the in
terest which every true Odd Fellow feels Ia
he occasion, and congratuIates itself in the
selection OF the City OF Brotherly Love, with
It's more than one hundred and twenty-five
Lodges, and more than twenty-seven thousand
meIr bers, AS the scene OF the commemoration
OF an event which marked the inauguration of
an Order for me effioieLt utilization of the
principles Of Eriendshi Love and Truth. the
peer OF any known In ancient or modern times;
and destined. 1t is hoped and confidently be-
lirved. to spread rs far as human civilization
ne fhp 6tSr -
the Jereaved and sick, and TIE needs Of the or.
phaned and lonely shall claim the sympathy
he assistance, and the fostering care of their
elloW-crea.nres- p"
After few words commendatory o. Penn
sylyania Odd-Fellowship, aud a feeling allu.
son 10 the memory OF Thomas Wildey, who
fifty years ago founded the Order IN this coun-
try, the speaker continued: ssThe cycle OF fifty
years since our foundation in America is com.
plete. The patriarchs who labored then. who
first bore our symbols, who delivered our
ctarges, who ,inculcated the lofty truths we
profess and endeavor TO practice, have gone to
their rest. What they iuaugurated, the orator
of the day Will depict in Its progress and por.
tray in It's beauty. Within that tune, in our
history as an Oruer, and In tie history OF this
continent, marvellous changes have been
wrought and wonderful development has been
made. From the handful that gathered at the
call of Wildey. We have Increased until near
half 4 million are enlisted under the standard
then set up. Other continents and the islands
or the sra own our fraternity and eckno wledge
our laws and principles as their guide. But
amid all the mutations OF that period, whether
they contributed TO the Advancement OF ciyili-
ZauOn, education, and morals, aud 10 the i'm.
provemeni OF the race in its higher attributes,
or seemed to retard them-ami ID all fluctuations
and exterior convulsions, Odd Fellowship has
preserved its unity as An organization, ana
maintained the steadtastness of 4 single purpose.
This rs an invitlng theme, and might well be
enlarged on. but will not dwell. Commend
Ing ali who hear me 10 the work, and that ttey
should yield profound gratitude 10 the Al
mighty hsposer OF events for HIS hitherto
signal approval OF our labors, 1 close by again
thanking you SIR, and the Order IN Philadel.
Phla, IN the name OF the Right Worthy Grand
Lodge OF the United States, for your cordial
welcome.
In the order of proceedings instituted for the
day another aud veteran in the service. one
whose name is familiar wherever the Order is
known, is assigned 10 pronounce an address
wOfthily, and l will not consume longer your
time OF transgress against your patience
! lake great pleasure IN Introducing 10 the
audience James L. Ridgely, p. g. Master of
Maryland, and Secretary Of the Right Worthy
Grand Lodge of the United States. who has
been designated as the orator OF the day.
ADDRRss OF p. @. u. RIDGKLY.
Past Grand Master James L. Ridgely, the
Grand Secretary, then delivered an Grafton ON
the history, mission, and purposes OF Odd Eel.
lowshIp. -
The address Of Past Grand Master Ridgely
was an eloquent and Interesting exhibit Of the
origin. history and development Of American
Odd Fellowship. He spoke OF the grandeur Of
the scene presented by the immense masses Of