West-Jersey pioneer., 1869-02-19
ODD-FELLOWsHIP.

On Monday evening last, our citizens,
who were present in large numbers, at
Grosscup's hall, were treated to a spicy
and interesting address on Odd-Fellow-
ship, by W. II. Barnes, P. G.. NJ, of
Georgia. The Bridgeton Lodges and
members of the order from the surround.
ing country filled the central part of the
hall. The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. VIM. NJ. Staulcup. Mr..
Barnes is evidently self.made man Of
more than ordinary natural and acquired
ability; full of earnestness, wit and music.
As mimic he excells. His performance
on the melodeon and songs at the close of
his address proved that he had talent also
in that direction. He gave an interesting
account of the origin, rise and progress Of
the order in Europe and its rapid increase
in America and other portions of the
world. The Order existed in the Old
World long before its introduction in
America. 1t was more of conviyial So
ciety than anything else century ago.
1t early incorporated the benevolent fea-
ture aud was really the first temperance
society in this country. Long before the
Washingtonian movement originated, the
Odd Fellows adopted regulations in their
orders forbidding the use of stimulating
beverages. Its rapid increase of numbers
and respectability was largely owing to
the stand it took in favor of temperance.
In 1880 the order had extended in six
States aud the District Of Columbia, with
a membership Of about 5000. There
we're lodges in twenty-one States and Ter
ritories in 1S4l, with q membership of
nearly twelve thousand. In 1850 there
were two thousand three hundred and fifty
subcrdinste lodges, with one hundred and
eeventy-fye thousand membership. The
Order in the United States under the
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, numbers
about three hundred thousand contributing
members, in three thousand three hundred
lodges, located in every State snd Terri
tory in the Union, in British Columbia,
Australia. the Canadian Dominion and in
the islands of the ocean. At least one
million men are now numbered In the
different branches of the Odd Fellows,
e-fourth of whom are in America. The
total revenue Of the Order in the New
World during the past year was nearly
TWO and a-half million, while the disburse-
ments in the same time for relieving the
wants of the sick and needy brothers,
burying the dead, assisting the widow
and educating the orphan, we're about
$800,0 900. The resources Of the Order
are about s5O,O00,000. In April %,
1919, Thomas Wildey, the "Father and
founder of Odd Fellowship in America" !"
established Washington Lodge, No. l, at
Baltimore, Maryland. Several lodges
had been started on the Continent pre-
vious to the above date, but all failed to
prosper and we're discontinued.
The speaker stated that the Order was
nSt secret society or an oath-bound as
sociation, and stood intact during the
war He paid handsome compliment
to woman, and gave encouragement to
the daughters of Rebecea, many of whom
we're present. The requisites for member
ship were given, and the order of business
and all that was done in the lodges, (ex.
cept some things which he could not
The address vas inter-
spersed with anecdotes and apt illustra-
tions. The speaker acted the drunkard
to perfection, bad principles were de-
nouneed and the good and virtuous ex-
tolled. His address was received with
considerable applause, and his songs and
music at the close kept the audience in
q roar of laughter, and at late hour all
returned to their homes, instructed, edi-
fed, and especially amused with the en-
tertainment.
The Order in Bridgeton is composed of
many of our most worthy citizens and is
in fourishing condition.