The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-05-02
H, N, MAoUrRE's SPEECH.
An Able Address Delivered At the 64th Ami
vsrsary Of Odd Fellowship Last
Tuesday Evening.
Brothers and Invited Friends:

tined to illuminate all the new world
aye, to reflect its light throughout Chris
tendon. Brightly emerging from the
storm-clouds that have environed it, it
has steadily advanced towards the zenith,
until the whole civilized world is aglow
with its golden beams. 1t is the star Of
American Odd Fellowship. Sixty-four
years ago tonight, in an inconspicuous
public house in the city of Baltimore,
five men, all Of limited education, and
occupying humble positions in life-hon-
est working men, whose big hearts swell
ed with brotherly love and sympathy for
human suffering organized the first Odd
Fellows lodgein the United States of Am
erica. What great moral revolution, per
manently affecting the race, did not thus
humbly originate? Look over the list Of
the worlds typical men-they can all be
counted on the fingers mention one
who did not come in lowly guise and
scarcely heralded. A superficial observer,
glancing in upon those five Jealous
spirits, obligated to each other, and
pledged to all mankind, by the sacred
principles Of fraternity and brotherly
love seeing each decorated with the in
sigma of Office, but without constitu-
ency-would have smiled at the seeming
righteousness of the picture. But what
mighty significance was involved? Vol
umes would be required to fully unfold
its importance, as measured by the re-
suits. In that little kno} of friends were
the germs of grand moral possibilities
since become glorious realizations Then
was lighted the lamp, fed with oil from
the inexhaustible stores of friendship,
love and truth, to be inextinguishable
forever, which has guided to the ark of
the covenant of Odd Fellowship hundreds
] of thousands of the wisest and noblest,
the most refined and cultivated, the most
charitable and sympathetic, of the race
then was inaugurated, or at least made
possible of Inauguration, that plan of
benefactions and mutual relief in distress
which has grown into monetary and
property interests computed by tens of
millions, and brought back the sunlight
of hope to thousands upon thousands Of
stricken families.
This is the anniversary of that grandly
significant event-a festival commemora-
tive of the organization Of the first Odd
Fellows lodge in America. That associa-
ton of five fraternal and humanitarian
spirits "a years ago has proved the fruit
full mother of nearly 5000 distinct organ
izations, extending throughout the
civilized world-a mighty influence for
works of charity and benefaction-cumu-
latively increasing its strength in the
ratio that it expends it aggressively-
which must continue to increase and con-
solidate its energies as long as there are
human hearts to beat in sympathy with
human suffering.
It is we'll that imposing shafts of mar
BILE have been erected to the memory Of
Thomas Wildey, the rugged Baltimore
blacksmith. who was the founder of Am
erican Odd Fellowship, but his true
monument, which will stand through the
generations, will be the gratitude of the
countless multitudes whom the influ-
ences of Odd Fellowship have elevated
morally, and inspired with new hopes
and higher conceptions of human des-
tiny-the gratitude of the generations
yet unborn to be thus blessed. But an
others name is inseparably linked with
that of the illustrlous founder. Without
the assistance of the splendid mind Of
John Payson Entwisle, enriched by an
intimate acquaintance with the classics
and stirred with the choicest fruits of Eng.
fish iterature-who wrote with the
graceful simplicity of Addison and the
logic of Bacon-it is doubtful whether the
iron will and daring energy of the life
devoting Wildey would have been
crowned with success. Though Entwisle'f
name does not conspicuously appear in
the early records, and he did not enter
the pioneer lodge as charter member
it may with truth be said that the ser
vices he rendered were indispensable
his place no other brother could fill
While Wiley, throughout his life, wa!
the master executive spirit of the order
II NAV with e0ual truth Ike said that En-