The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-28
Fifty-fifth Anniversary OF ODD Fci-
IOvvsbip IN the United states.

T. D. Manley, n G.. opened the session,
and prayer was offered by Grand Chaplain
Charles Woodhousc The principal feat
ures of the evening at the hall was an adj
dress by Henry Clark on the subject of
ga half century Of fellowship and charity,
and poem by DR. Chas Woodhousc, on
"The aims of Odd Fellowship" Music of
an excellent character was intcrspersud
throughout the evening by quartcttc con-
sisting of Miss Hattie Edison, Mrs. Allen,
Messrs. George @ Day and A II Cobb, with
Mr. George ii Palmer as accompanies up
on the organ. The selections rendered
were of an entertaining and appropriate
nature. finely sung to the satisfaction of
all.
THE ADDRESS
The speaker prefaced his remarks by say
ing he had hoped one less familiar than
himself would address the assembly upon
the occasion, but had finally consented to
again speak to the order on so suspicious
an occasion as the present He referred
then to the assembling OF the order in obe-
dience to the proclamation of the grand
sire of the grand lodge of the United
States. as well as bya similar recommends
ton of the grand master of Vermont, to
render thanks to Almighty God that lie
has vouchsafed HIS benign favor upon the
labors of the order in behalf of suffering
humanity, and TO add largely TO its pros
pcrity during the past year; that i was
eminently becoming the order to show forth
their gratitude for these signal blessings
and to ask for their continuance. That the
order were commended by the grand mas
ter of this jurisdiction to not forget in its
prosperity the Hand that sustains them, but
to mingle with their thanksgiving the hum
BILE prayer for II continuance Of his aid and
direction in the execution Of their labors.
American Odd Fellowship was Just pass
ing another milestone in the journey of
its life. The light of another year had just
flickcred out-thc winters wind had walled
its departure, and the spring time greets
its new-made grave. Looking through the
pathway of more than half a century.
realizing the fraternal ties that made them
one, Odd Fellowship might be SAID to-
day to be one of the great moral levers of
the age; penetrating every impulse of
mans life, and diffuscd in every noble ac-
ton of the soul.
The speaker would not endeavor to trace
the order in other countries to any great
length, but would speak of its carly days
in this country and the progress made
since lis organization here. The order de-
rived its name and form of the Manches-
Ter Unity of Odd Fellows in England
From there it wended its way and found a
resting place for its foot IN. Baltimore, fifty
five years ago. yesterday. The fraternity
was first organized there, and its promoter
and founder in this country was Thomas
Wildey, who had been a member in his
native land. lie succeeded in a city num-
bering one hundred thousand souls in find
ing four brothers of the mystic tie. Mr..
Wildey repaired to England and obtained a
| charter from the Duke of York, Lodge
Pastor, and returned to Baltimore. The
Grand Lodge of Maryland was organized
April Goth, 1919, and here was dated the
of rise American Odd Fellowship.
The following is summary of the stand
ing of Odd Fellowship at the close of the
last official year, Dec. 81, 1873, as given by
the speaker from official statistics:
Number of lodges, 5,045; number init
ated, 50,250 admitted by card, 1892
number reinstated, 4,SS4 number with
drawn by card, 1880; number expelled
LIZA; number deceased $3.50 total mem
bership, $500 number of brethren re
lieved, 42,2S2; widowed families relieved
6,232 money paid for relief of brethren
1927 ,42S.06; money paid for relief o
widowed families, $1G3, 207.9l; amour
paid for education of orphans, SO, 1862
amount paid for burying the dead, 1888,
1879 total amount of relief, 81 ,342, 800,
0S; total receipts, S3,S2S, 309.95.
Statistics of another branch of the ordc
called the encampment were furnished q
follows: No. of encampments, 1893
No. of limitations, 10,47G; No. admitted b.
card, 1894; reinstated, COZ withdrawn
1870; expelled, 1877 ; deceased, ia tots
membership, 70, 740; relieved, G,1S0 wt
owed families relieved, POI ; amount pal
for relief, $129,7S2.91 paid for relief O
widowed families, $S,37217; education @
orphans, $21S; burying of the dead, 500
25G.S6; total relief, S1G0, GAO "a total r,
ceipts, $4G2, S91.17.
The remainder of the address was dcvo
ed to review of its labors and success, an
I the recalling of "reminiscences and facts
: history appertaining to the work Of the o
der in this country.
b The poem by DR.. Woodhousc had as i
motto; ave seek to elevate man" al
i was devoted principally to the objects
i Odd Fellowship; was written in pleasr
: rhyme and appropriate diction, well bef
4 ting the hour and the occasion whit
brought it forth.
At the close of the exercises at the ha
l. the assembled brethren and friends were i
J. vited to the Bardwell house, where
1t sumptuous collation. was served IN honor