Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-03-28

which it is not fully conversant,
therefore, knowing that the inter-
ests of our order would be well
represented by Brother Hill during
my absence from London, thought
best to visit Belgium, Germany,
Itiay, Switzerland and France, thus
giving our English friends proper
time for deliberaticn.
After an absence Of two months
| returned to London and found
that the efforts Of our good Brother
Hill, in our behalf, had been con-
tinued during my absence with a
good degree of success, and that
my many friends and acquaintahces
were quite anxious to know as
much as possible about our Order,
and that after investigating it, if
they were satisfied that it would
not conflict with any Of the exalt-
ed duties they owed to their God,
their government, their families or
themselves, they would be willing
to proceed to the establishment of
the Order. To satisfy themselves
on this subject, Mr. James Terry,
one of Britain's noblest souls, call
ed a meeting of fifteen of the
leading active men Of London, all
of whom came to meet me as your
deputy and representative, to hear
the leading princip'se OF The Inde-
pendent Order of Dad Fellows ex-
planned. The meeting was called
at the Masonic Lodge room of one
the leading Lodges Of that time
honored institution in England.
/ was called to the chair, ard Mr..
James Terry appointed eecretary.
After spending many hours in ex-
planning the working of our Order,
much to my surprise and gratifica-
tion every person present joined In
d petition for the immediate estab-
lishthent of Lodge of our Order.
| took the petition and requested
the Secretary of the meeting to
read my commission and authority
from you. then informed the ap-
plicantsj which included ell present.
that / was only authorized to act
with great caution, and that /
would take the application under
consideration, and at future meet
ing | would render my decision. i
therefore took the petition under
consideration, and the meeting ad-
journed until the 18th of Novem-
ber. After informing myself thor
oughly regarding every applicant,
and being fully satisfied that they
were not only men of far more than
ordinary ability and qualifications,
but in every instance gentlemen of
large influence, leading thembers Of
society and, above all, possessing
superior moral worth, on the 18th
day Of November; 1875, in the
Lodge room of Friars Masonic
Lodge, No. so, Crutched Friars, in
the heart Of the city of London, l
proceeded with the necessary cere-
mohy of initiation, and organized
Thomas Wildey Lodge, No. 1, Of
the jurisdiction of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire
land, and installed its officers.
After the installation we initiated
ten new members, among whom
we're three worthy members of the
Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows.
The business being completed, l
gave the Lodge such instruction as
was necessary. All seemed deeply
impressed with the solemnity OF
our ceremonies, and highly pleased
with our Order; and / can assure
you, Most Worthy Grand Sire, IL
has never been my lot to leave a
Lodge room with more satisfaction
or more assurances OF prosperity
attending thy efforts than on that
occasion. IL being the unanimous
wish OF the above-named brethren
that | should accept of their petit
ton for the establishment OF an
Eneampment, proceeded with the
necessary prelimlnaries to the or
ganization Of Anglo-American En-
campment, No. !, to be located in
the same rooms rs the Lodge, and
after installing their officers ] gave