New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-19

/. o. O. r.

We learn with pleasure that the ffty-ffth
anniversary of the establishment in the
United States of the Independent order OF
Odd Fecllws will, by the worthy mem bers
OF that mysterious organization, be duly
celebrated in this city on Monday evening,
tie twenty-seventh instant.
This well known fraternity, having for its
motto Friendship, Love ana Truth ap-
peared in England about one hundred
years ago, and from thence was Introduce
into the United States as early as 1899. 1t
attracted, however, but little attention un-
til 1919, when Thomas Wildey, who is styled
the father Of American Odd Fellowship"
became an earnest advocate of the order
and founded lodges in large number Of
places.
Washington Lodge No. ! was organized
at the house OF William Lupton, sign of the
seven stars, Second street, Baltimore, on
the twenty-sixth day of April, 1919. The
first communication Of the Grand Lodge Of
the United States was held at the city of
Baltimore February 25. 1926. At special
session of the Grand Lodge, convened in
Baltimore February 20, 1881, M. w. G. Sire
Thomas Wildey presiding, petition was
presented from P. D. G. NJ. Joel C. Davis,
P. G. Francis c. Davis and Brothers Will
liam j. Orr, Joseph Price, William Willis.
John T. Barnes, William Brown. Joseph T.
Irish, John Malone and Daniel Buckley,
praying for charter for a lodge to be TO-
Gated in New Orleans and hailed as Louis
lana Lodge No. ], which was granted, and
from this noble band Of brothers new lodges
have yearly sprang into existence, until the
order, whose benevolent principles it so
faithfully promulgated, has become one of
the NOS: fOurishing, as well as one of the
most useful charitable institutions Of our
State.
January IL, 1888, the Grand Lodge of the
State of Louisiana was instituted, and Joel
c. Davis, NJ. w. G. NJ; Millville Crossman,
R. w. D. G. NJ; William Collerton, r. w.
G. W.; A. W. Scates, r. w. G. s., and
David Sidel, r. w. G. T., were installed as
grand officers.
Anniversary day this year occurs on Sun
day, and the NJ. w. G. NJ has, in ac-
cerdauce with the orders of the NJ. W.
Grand Sire, wisely ordered that while
the day itself should be observed with
thanksgiving and prayer, that the grand
public demonstration take place on the
evening of the following day, and from
the programme exhibited the entertain
ment will undoubtedly prove source
Of unspeakable pleasure 20 all those who
are favored with invitations to be present
With the name Of the Hon. Silas T. Grisa-
more heading the roll of host of active
mem bers, who are well and favorably
known to this community as men of intelli-
gence and character, the order no doubt
will now enter upon a more brilliant and
prosperous career, and probably again, as
in the fruitful days of good old Father
Wildey, scores Of painting neophytes viii
nightly thrOng the ante-rooms of their
lodges, earnestly endeavoring, hand in hand
with friendship, like David and Jonathan
in the cave Of Adullam, through darkness
and difficulty, in the midst of obstacles and
opposition, manfully to struggle upward
and onward, from the shadowy vale of
doubt and fear and perplexity, to where
love reveals the golden orient, from whence
comes the joyful light of eternal truth.