Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-02-23
A THRILLING SCENE.

mitted to read such a glowing tribute to D
grent and benefcient Order as that con-
tained in the following extract from an
article in the Ne'0 Age, entitled "The
Grand ReUnion of 1865, " written by VIM.
II. Barnes, P. G. NJ, who was an eye
witness the scene therein depicted. The
Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the
United States met in Baltimore on Mon.
day, September Is, 1865. and the "grand
love feast occurred on the following day.
The war had ended and Grand Sire Veitch
had proclaimed ''the unbroken unity oil
the Order that no hinderance existed to
the full establishment of former fra
ternal reations-requestin every juris-
diction to send up its representative, and
guaranteeing a fraternal greeting to all"
And here we leave the writer to tell OF
that eventful session
The morning Of the 18Th came, and we
assembled at old Odd Fellows Hall, Bal
timore 1t was my first session, and with
what mingled emotions, under the pecu
liar circum stances, did |, in common with
my Southern brethren, take my place nt
the seat allotted TO me. On the elevated
platform sat Bro. Witch, Grand Sire, his
face bcaming with joy; to hi right Bro.
Sanders, D. g. Sire, OF New York to
his left, Bro. kidder, Grand Marshal, of
\. II. Above them was ifs-.ize pict-
ure Of Father wildly" nnd portraits Of
the P. G. Sires hung around the walls.
In front of the officers mentioned. on n
lower platform, with his books before bin
was the brother whom TO speak Of means
American Odd Fellowship man
whose life has bean, snd ia 50 iaterwoven
every thread Of the web and woof Of our
Order, that to separate them is impossible
james L. Ridgly TO his right, the
genial Treasurer of the Grand Lode,
Joshua Vansant to his left, the honored
and venorated Chaplain, Rev. |. d. WI
hanson. How vivid does that scene pre-
sent itself, ms ] write, although twelve
years has passed since then, and many
eyea that sparkled in life and health that
day, have long ago been closed in death,
their noble owners crossed the river. and
bright angels have accorded them wei.
come in another and better world. viii
any Of The Representatives, Of '65 forget
lint sssambjezet Never, while life md
reason remain.
How solemn and Fo'voot was The pray
e offered by The Grand Chaplain ; every
word sank into hearing minds that
prayer OF alteration and gratitude, of
thankfulness for unbtoken unity, of sup
plicalion for strength and harmony. He
who uttered ii has been called home to
reap the reward Of n long, earnest ard
faithful service, but his memory il en-
balmcd in thousands Of fratornal hearts.
Reports were submitted, committecs
appointed, food Of invitations from au-
thorities, business men, etc. presented ;
but little done else. Under the law jur-
isdictions faling to pay Representative
tax are entitled to neither seats, voice,
vote, or privilege. For four yesrs the
Southern States paid no tax, and silent
and more or less embarrassed, their Rep
rsscntativcs sat ut their respective desks.
Tuesday arrived, with but little of in
terest, until the Finance Committee sub
mittcd "A report, through its Chairman
Ell. Burnham, OF Maine. The great
hearted Finance Committee (James Ter
willger, Dan Norcross, [of California;
Thos. Coleman and Theodore Ross, }
knowing their opinions were identical
with those Of their brethren, submitted the
following:
Rcsolrcd, That the Grand lodge Of the
United States hsrebg remtfs the tdc oi
;he Grand Lodges aud Grand Eucap-
mrnts of Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, G origin, Alabama, Mississippi
Louisiana, Texas, Florida and Arkansas
This was the pivot upon which turned
the rights of Southerners to seats. Their
slight bu lit man Of the PennsYlvanis
delegation rose. His voice trembled will
feeling, but it strengthened ms he proceed
ed, and torrent Of burning eloquence
Of mighty love, Of grand etornal friei l.
ship and sublime truth leaped from his
| lips and permeated every heart. Strong
men did not essay to check tho tears thai
chased down their checks, or concealed
the swelling of their manly breasts. -
Many head was bowed upon tho desks
and holy feeling Of fraternity like sacred
incense seemed to impregnate the very
| atmosphere ms the voice Of the gNlnn
Lsmberton rang through the old hal
hallowed by so many associations, snt
now witnessing n scene unparalleled il
I history.
Thundcrs OF applause, rs he took hi.
seat, spoke the endorsement and approba
ton OF his brethren. Then Nicholson
| [P. G. Sire of Pennsylvania sprang t.
his feet, and his great soul poured fortl
its gratitude and words OF inspiration and
cheer. The building re echoed to the
members as he struck, with master
hand one after another the vibrating
chords OF the heart of American odd
Fellowship.
Logan, OF Kansas, in few brief words
moved that the rus requiring reports tt
lie over one day be suspended. 1t pre-
vailed. Then motion came to "adDp
| the report" The Grand Sire 80 put th,
motion. and every man (oxcept the South
ern Representatives with one accorc
stood erect. 1t was tha seal that attosteC
the value Of the proceeding. We locke,
upon our brethren from the North, Eas
nnd West a' they stood there, cvincn,
TINT Odd Fellowship meant Friendship
Love mud Truth--and our hearts wen
over to them completely, and to that grea