Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-02
The SIRE press.
THE ODD-FElGOws.
Ahhiversay Exercises Commemorate
ing the FOUNDING OF The n-dcr

Anniversay Exercises Commemorate
ing the Founding or the order.
a very interesting celebration of the sixty
NTH anniversary of Oid-Fclowship in
America, was held at Whcelel's block, last
saturday evening, under the auspices of
treen Mountain Lodge No J. and Hamilton
lodge No. ID, Of this city, and Wnooshi
Lodge No "a, of Winooski. The commits
tee on invitations, consisting of Messrs. Ii.
w. thomson, 9. T. Frisscll and S. Bgwood,
sent out about five hundred invitations, and
the hall was quite comfortably filed
lbc seats were arranged on each
sale lof the hail. 10 line. run.
mug !ength-wise of the room ana facing
the centre. AT either end of the space thus
formed were the platforms occupied Ivy
officers OF the evening and at HE end of the
aisle intersectng this space and leading from
the entrance of the hall to the opposite side
was the Chaplan's Ctsk. The platform at
the west side OF the hall was occupied by the
Nicc-Grand, and that at the cast side by The
Noble Grand, aud the speaker of the evening.
The latter was i1anked on either side by
graceful urns containing some fragrant and
beautiful towering plants, and to the right
was located the stand for the ochesra. ! he
hall was very tastcfullY decorated for the
occasion. National flags were artlstically
draped about famed testimonial and the
chatter, hung to the rear of the platforms of
the N. g. aud V, G.. respcctlvely and var
ieEated bhnling was arranged entirely around
the hall, Topped up at frequent intervals in
graceful folds.
The exercises OF the evening opened with
an overtule-"Aurora,n by Schlepegrrll-
by the Howard Opera house orchestra. This
was followed by prayer by the Chaplain of
the evening, Rev. NJ. d. Jump Stark
Lodge No. 9, Bennington, Vt. Then came
another selection by the orchestra, and after
that the opening address by J. w. Goodcll,
Noble Grand Of the evening, of Hamilton
Lodge. lie spoke Of the growth of the
Order from the banding together of five
men in Baltimore, April g. 1919, to its
present grand proportions, numbering over
100000 members. During the past year
there had been disbursed in the work of re-
lief alone by the Order over $4,000, 600. He
then spoke of the nature of tins work ald
closed his remarks by extending in behalf
of the OId-Felows Of Chttenden county a
hearty welcome to all those pretcnt.
The orchestra played selection from the
opera patience" AT this point began the
anniversary ceremony. The Secretary of
the evening, f. II. Whitney Winooski
Lodge, was called upon and read the
Proclamations of the Grand Sire of the
pTduu LOuBe VI Tue Unlltd : atcS and OF
the Grand Master of the Gra.l Lodge OF
Vermont, calling upon the vari rs lodges to
observe the anniversary of the natal day of
the Order by suitable exercises. This was
followed by the regular interrogatorics made
by the Noble Grand and answered by the
Vice Grand of the evening" L. c. Grant,
Green Mountain L ,dge, M. /, as to the or.
ign, principles, AIM aud progress of the
Order. The Noble Grand then called upon
all to rise aud join in the Thanksgiving hymn.
This was sung to the tune of Coronation
the orchestra leading. The Chaplain Of
fered short prayer The orchestra play
ed CZardas Hungarian dance,) by Hassc-
mann, and then came the address of the
evening by Rev b. NJ 'rillotson of st. Johns
bury, Vt. The speaker, after preliminary
remarks, said he thought that Il secret or
ganizaton should, like everything else, be
judged by its fruits. Those who discussed
Odd-Fellowship should not be like the old
minister. The venerable clergyman, who
was somewhat hostile to secret societies was
called upon to pray at public meeting of a
lodge. He said 'Oh Lord we know not
what this is, hut thou kuOwest all secrets;
bless it If it be good, but cus3 it if it be bad.
People should first examine as to what the
work of the Order was and then they would
be able to discuss the subject intelligently.
He then considered some of the leading
ASdtuiCS vi luC OiuCI. OIl-r CIlOWSllD Is a
social institution intended to make men
social and humane. Man is by nature a
social being but it often needs some outward
influence to develop that quality. Then
again It brings together men of different
opinions, OF various sec,s and hostile parties
1t helps them To lay aside sectaranism, be-
come tolerant and overcome prejudice He
considered Odd Fellowship as organized
charity. Association is the law of the universe,
Cnpoltnr
lessons from the lower orders of life and
from the inorganic world. In religion and
even IN business organized effort is the mos
efhcacIOus. The speaker then stated tha
during the sixty-tve years of the ORDER
existence there had beel 1878 3GS
members initiated, 1874 $50 suffer
lng members had been relieved, 1873 GS
widows had been helped and 1O1 All Odd
Fellows buried by the hands of tbei
brothers. During this time there had bee
disbursed by the Order f.r reief of variou
kinds the vast sum OF 1914, $50 SSS.23. Tn
speaker thought that everyone must admi
IRON these figures that the Order had bee
instrumental In doing much good. He con
cluded his remarks with an eloquent appcs
10 all present whether members of the orde
are not to join In the work OF relieving tb
distressed aud making bright the cath c
the sOrrowfu
The regular exercises OF the evepin
closed with the singing OF "Amelca." Tn
Noble Grand then invited those present t
remaln and exchange social greetings an
ENJOY the music. Quite number arcepte
the Invitation ard very enioyab
socla' meeting was the result The orchestI
rendered several fac selections with i
usual skill and TASTE The sprightliness
the music was reflected in the vivacry of Il
conversation OF those present. and ma i,vo,
peais OF laughter which Wed with the mus
cal n"'es of the performers, told Of the kve
enjoyment Ct the entire sssemh,ape.
nall past ten the visitors fcean to take the
departure, and thus closed one of the plea
ATTEST and most syc1essful celebrations
'pe history OF osd-Felowship in Burlingto
culture and Maple sugar,