Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-12-18
visit Of tho Grand Master.

1tl II htliH
visit Of tho Grand Master.
Grand Master ". r. Edwards, Of
Lincolnton, visited the Odd Fellows
os Wilmington at Odd Fellows Hal
on Wednesday night last.
The Grand Master was introduced
to the Lodge by Past Grand Masters
". T.. Smith, ". J. Yopp and ". S.
G.. Andrews, and welcomed to seat
by Noble Grand James NJ. NcGoWan,
If Orion Lodge No. g..
Past Grana Master ". l.. Smith,
after some regular business Of the
lodge had been transacted, delivered
an address of welcome, in which he
alluded to the ties which bind Odd
Fellows together everywhere and to
the fact that Grand Master Edwards
was ole of the first Odd Fellows in
the State to visit Wilmington, and had
been known and identified as O work
ing brother for a great many years.
He had held his Lodge together du-
ring the late war and worked steadily
on. though there were no other Lodges
or any Grand Lodge to aid and en-
courage him, and alluded to the IN
daunted moral power Of the Odd Eel
lows of Liz coin.
Past G. II. Andrews followed in a
few remarks, of which the following
is brief synopsis:
1t has long been the desire of our
city of Wilmington to make intimate
connection with the interior Of our
old North State. For this she has la
bored for many year, and now we
see the fruition of those labors. But
while seeking TO make business ar
Engagements with the West, it had not
entered into the calculation that those
were to lead to a social union as well,
and that the railroad was but the ma
terisl means Of bringing men together
in the warmer and dearer bonds of
Friendship, Love and Truth, as we
witness it tonight. We rejoice that
or this occasion we can give an Odd
Fellows grip to Charlotte and Lin
cotton, and Cur sand-hills can wave
the greeting sign to the everlasting
hills of iron and granite on the west of
the sparkling Catawba, as we'll as the
golden grained valleys of old Meek
lenburg.
We begin to feel already as if our own
family vas increasing as we see the
brothers CT the order entering our
portals as if they were at home, bear
ing imprinted on their hearts the
great principals of our common fami-
", and showing the open hand Of Odd
Fellows ready to help in every dis
tress 10 whatever quarter of the globe
help may be needed, and when no
painting cry for aid comes up, to sit
down and in sweet converse cheer
each other as brothers. Sit down
with US, Grand Master and brethl er,
and let US counsel together how We
may do the most good to our order
and all mankind in distrerss.
The Grand Master responded. CIV
ing a recital Of the progress of the Or
der all over the State, the increase
being steady and bidding fair to equal
that OF last year, when the Order
doubled its numbers. He extended
the greetings of the granite and iron
hills OF Lincoln and the golden fields
Of Mecklenburg to the sand hills of
Wilmington.
?. G. Master Yopp followed in words
of welcome, as did also Vice Grand
lopp and Secretary Gerken, Of Orion
Lodge.
A memter of Mecklenburg De-
claration Lodge No. 9, made res
ponse to the complimentary notices OF
his city.
Mr.. McDuffie, of Cross Greek Lodge,
Fayetteville, made an address which
was warmly welcomed. The whole
occasion was a pleasant exchange OF
good feeling and very much enjoyed
by all who were present.
They have fresh lettuce, radishes
and mustard green's south of US.