Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-24
THE ENTERTAINMENTS
An Odd Fellows Gathering Last
Night

An Odd Fe!EOwS' Gathering Last
Right.
A large crowd assembled at Masonic
Hall last night, on the occasion of an en-
tertainment extended TO members of the
Grand Lodge now in session. The pro
gramme Of exercises commenced with an
anthem by the choir, followed with prayer
by DR.. w. E. Ward, after which came The
Odd Fellows Opening Ode, all tie mem
beTs present joining the choir in this famil
lar song. which was rendered with much
spirit. DR.. Harwell, chairman CT the com
mittee Of arrangements, then stepped for
ward, and in q few remarks introduced TO
tie audience II. I. johnson, Of Humboldt,
Tenn, whom he spoke Of as an Odd Eel
low whose career had been brief and bril-
liant. Mr.. johnson then entertained the
audience for upwards Of half an hour in
discussing the principles on which the Order
was; founded, and what the institution
had accomplished for the improvement of
the moral character Of man. He met the
Questions urged against the Order on ac-
count Of secrecy, referred 10 the growing
and flCITisbing condition Of this jurisdic-
ton particul aTly, spoke of the spread Of
the Order beyond the bounds ofJhe United
States, and said before another winter had
passed, the United States and England
would be cemented together in bonds of
universal peace, and working harmonious
ly under the recognized head which had its
origin in this country.
After the address of Mr.. johnson, there
was music again by the choir.
DR.. HarWoll then introduced the Deputy
Grand Master, w. P. Washburn, remark
ing that be came fom beautiful little
city nestled in the mountain of the SWitzer-
land Of Tennessee.
Mr.. Washburn commenced his remarks
by asking the question, why this assembly
from all portions of the State, and why this
body Of men assembled in Grand Lodge
capacity had left their workshops, their
farms aud their mercantile pursuits 1t
was because there was something in the
teachings and practices of this institution
called Odd Fellowship that eXcites the
deepest emotions of the human heart. II
might be asked what was the necessity of
such an order, and why had those belong
ing to it bonded themselves together, as 1t
were, outside of the church to render aid
where needed. He could answer by say
ing, that the church, divine as its mission
is, had failed to accomplish much that was
necessary in the way of practical benevo-
lence. 'fhe obligation, as q church MEM
bel to alleviate the distressed and aid the
needy was not so binding as upon mem
bers of the Order of Odd Fellows, but the
time will come when churches will carry
out the mission of Odd Fellows and Ma
sons: when men and women inside the
church will band together to do those acts
of brotherly love now performed by others
who are not connected with organizations
that are based entirely upon religion. He
claimed. however, that Odd Fellowship was
a coLaborer in the church, and the church
ought to look with great favor upon such
an order. His address was short but full
of point, and was well received by his hear
ers.
DIR. Harwell afterwards made few Well
timed remarks, and after music by the
choir aud singing of tie closing ode, the
benediction was pronounced anG the con-
| gregs.ion dismissed. A pleasing feature III
the exercises was the exquisite singing by
the choir, who volunteered their services
| for the evenings entertainment. The an
! themfs Using unto the Lord" and snow let
the gates of Zion Ting," were deserving OF
all the good words so laYisAly bestowed up
Oh the singers