The New York herald., 1872-09-16
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Its Origin, Progress and Wonderful Success
Meeting Of the g. L. D. S.-Liss Of Officers and
Representatives Status at Home and
Abroad-Important Legislation.

When the initials ]. q. O. F. are seen in print,
on banner or hall, in these days, the majority Of
those who read are aware that they behold the
monogram Of fraternal organization known as
Odd Fellows but very few, save the initiated, are
familiar with the great progress it has made since
its introduction into this country or the extent Of
its operations. To glance briefly at these win be-
found fraught with interest to the reader.
Societies bearing the title .Odd Fellows" existed
in the Old World, and were spoken Of a. early a.
1745. These were OF the nature OF convivial clubs
with perhaps crude system of relief attached and
were Of different kinds, having different ''w0rk>
or ceremonies and regulations. In 1900 one or
more had assumed quite large proportions with
something OF q presiding government, or general
head from which lodges were authorized to be in
stituted or formed. Yet II was In an unsystematiG
state. In 1900 member Of q London (EnglandN
lodge, on his own account or otherwise, formed a
lodge at Manchester, which increased and muItf-
"ad and induced the formation Of other lodges
nnt,, a large number OF "Odd Fellows" were in,
said city. ~ ~'
Among those joining in Manchester were sonlo
men Of enlarged ideas, who thought that shey d.s1
covered within this Order the germ OF something
better, and introduced and proposed reforms which
did not seem to be favorably received by the
majority. After few years. trying the Manchester
brethren withdrew or seeded from the old organ-
izaton, and in 1913 formed what was and rs still
known as the Manchester Unity" ~
From this Organization Is American Odd Fellow
ship descendant Although lodges Of "Odd Fell
lows" of some kind were instituted as early as
1906 In New York city, yet permanent Organiza-
tion dates from April 20, 1910, when Thomas Wdey,
John welch, John Duncan, Richard Rushworth and
John Cheathem organized washington Lodge, No..
/, at the Seven stars Inn Baltimore, Maryland.
From 1919 to 1912 the order in America used the.
Manchester "workn or ritual. Some changes,
alterations, &C., having taken place in England a.
delegation consisting Of James L. Ridgely ana
Rev. J. D. Williamson, made trip over to reconcile.
differences without eect, returned, reported. and
unity neS McrK auS se n
were adopted in 1s45, the one now in use.
Prominent in the American Order is the excfu-
sion OF ''refreshmcnts OF any kind from tine ledge
benefits, funeral benefits, certain sums to be paid
on the death OF wife, system or visitation.
among the sick, care for thew the wid9M @ % and orphan,
known attention was arrested, the name "Odds
Fellow" which had been somewhat OF by-word
rejecting minds were led to investigate. The re-
suit was large accessons and q sreviHal,r as it..
Joined for personal aggrandzement, to further ~
dvidual ends of political, sectarian or other char
acter but finding an immatable law to be that no
would be allowed, and also discovering that Odd
Fellowship meant work outside OF, as well. az in,-
the lodge room, hundreds dropped or and were
suspended.
A fixed law of this association is, that if any
weeks he not entitled to benefits, and If he neg
lects to do SO for year he is dropped IRON mem
members ;.ve mem are meant-those who are con.
tributors to lodges and In full fellowship. 'Once
member on when regular ESs
peculiar system OF relief, &C., requires this strict
discipline and IT. IS s%s Sss1 enoresd Hence the
The status OF the order to-day is most gratifying
to It's projectors and laborers some Of the Oldest o
stand James L. Ridgely, the veteran Grand secre-
tary, OF Baltimore, Md, and John A. Kennedy,
each one Of the United States and the Territories
and has some four thousand eight hundred lodges,
three hundred and atty thousand With I1 net over
crease OF about thirty thousand members per wear
The revenue reaches three and q hall milhons
OF dollars and tile sum paid for relief at least one
and quarter millions annually.
Lodges are also located in Australasia, Peru,
sandwich Islands, Ontario, Quebec, Prussia, wurt-
temberg, SaxOny and Switzerland.
Connected with the order Is degree known as
the Degree OF Rebekah," to which the wives Of
members who have attained the fifth or scarlet de-
gree are entitled. 1t Is estimated that there are
between sixty thousand and seventy thousand
ladies' who have received this degree.
AS an illustration Of the practical workings Of
American Odd Fellowship, without referring to the
at Portland, attention is invited to the late conna
gratlons in Chicago and the West In Chicago, ere
tHe nuU DuTucu, u uclcgaIiOu IIOUi CINCINNATI
was present with supplies. Tho first organized
relief committee was that Of this Order; and, not
firms, &C., In every section had contributed to the
general relief fund, yet this Order through Its own
board, took entire charge OF the suffering brethren
and their families, amounting to 5000 persons and
relieved the general fund to that extent The
Order, as an Order sent to the Chicago Relief Board
$123, IA SO, Of which was returned $33s8 TO- the
donations being in excess OF the demand. The
same occurred In Wisconsin and Michigan.
The system OF government Is As fOllows:-Each
lodge elects one Of its members as o
representative to the Grand Body OF the state
l0r Jurtsdiction) In which said lodge 10 located;
lhese representatives form said Grand Body which