Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-04-17
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL II, 1877
ODD FELLOWSHIP.

UUU EnhhV " Snl1s
The progress of this Order the past
few years has been remarkable. Com
paratiyely modern In its origin, and
progressive in its character, it has taken
rank with the institutions whose growth
has been the work of centuries. On the
26th instant, will be celebrated the seth
anniversary of its introduction on this
continent, which was practically the be-
ginning of the Independent Order OF
Oddfellowship.
The annual report Of 1874 shows
that there were, the previous year, I'M
der the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge
of the United States, 46 Grand Lodges,
5,4S6 subordinate Lodges, with MEM
bership of Ala, S15; Grand Encamp-
ments SO, subordinate Encampments
1912, with a membership of SO,131;
Rebekah Degree Lodges 512. During
the previous year there had been 81 .454
Lodge limitations. The relief by Lodges
for that period was 81 1886, 1887 SO; by
encampments, $3.50, 1877 O6; by Rebekah
Lodges 50 $50 33; aggregating 81 AGO.
274 ~. The annual revenue was 81
434, 0O1 OS, an increase of 136, 159 "a
over the previous year. 1t will be seen
that the membership is rapidly gravi-
tating towards half o milliSh, and the
aggregate revenue approximates the
large sum OF FIVE millions of dollars.
The Order in this place appears to
be in an exceedingly healthful condi-
ton. The membership Of the two
Lodges is considerably over hundred,
and the Encampment, instituted last
Wednesday evening starts out under ex-
ceedingly encouraging auspices.
In conclusion we present a communi-
cation from a much-respected Christian
minister in this community, relating to
this benevolent brotherhood, addressed
to the STANDARD:
The prejudice existing in some local
tiles against this order, can only be ac-
counted for on the hypothesis that it
is misunderstood. II its principles
were duly considered, no person of
reflection, possessing a heart at all
susceptible of philanthropic impulses,
would say a word that would in the
least mitigate against its success and
perpetuity. The precept of Christ,
GAS We would that men should do to
you, do We also to them" underlies the
superstructure; It's pillars are, "Friend-
ship, Love and Truth" Like every
thing else founded upon correct moral
principles, in its incipiency it had to
pass through the fires of persecution,
but the ordeal only tended to chasten
its membership, and give stability and
permanence to the Order.
The first Lodge in the United States
was organized in the city of Baltimore,
the 26th day of April, 1919.
1t consisted of five members. To-day
there are about 5000 Lodges with a
membership 81 over 400, 600 embraced
within the limits of our commonwealth.
The measures adopted for the relief and
comfort of the sick of its communion
furnishing watches by night-pro-
viding the necessaries, and often the
delicacies Of life when needed; the pro.
vision made for the support of ths
widow, the education of the orphan,
the provision it makes for the comfort
of the sick stranger, and in death tc
gives him decent burial, our Heavenly
Father only knows the extent of its
benefactions yearly through these re-
spective channels. Statistics are totally
inadequate to make faithful exhibit.
Nor does it stop with the relief o
those immediately connected with the
Order. It teaches and practices univer
sal love and charity to all human be
ings upon the habitable globe, ire
spective OF. faith or nationality. AS tt
the objection urged against it on &C
count OF the secrecy observed in rela
ton to its internal workings, we con
ceiye they are too puerile to be enter
tanned by q sensible person. No faul
is found with number of men associ
ated together in co-partnership for the
purpose of doing business, because, for
sooth, they elect to keep their business
operations secret from oil whom it does
NOT concern. Whence then the Justice
of the condemnation in this case when
the two are precisely similar?
The degree of I" Rebekah, ;" which was
authorized by the Grand Lodge of the
United States in 1851, went into oper.
alton the following year, originated
with and was written by ex-Vice Presi-
dent Colfax. BY virtue of it the wives
of members are admitted to the Temples
of the Order. The Mutual Life Insu.
rance Association, established for the
benefit of the Lodges"within the bounds
of this jurisdiction. we opine will great,
ly subserve the interests of the Order
as well as that of those immediatel,
connected by ties Of consanguinity witt
it's membership. q go