The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-04-29
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
History Of the Order in
Honolulu from 1916
to 1859,
Narrated by Brother Parke,
Past Grand.
a Large Attendance and an Interest.
ing Discourse.

Last evening, April 18th, Excelsior Lodge
held their weekly meeting, the officers pres
emit being ]. Emmeluth, n. G.; E. Hughes,
Y. G.; N. N. Kennedy, Sec; J. J. Locker.
Treas; T. Hughes, R. S. n. G.; s. SaVidge
L. s. n. G.; W. NJ. Graham, r. 8. Y. G.;
George tombstone, L. s. V. c.; J. Hupp,
1. g.; P Butler, Warden; L. L. LaPierre,
Conductor; Thomas and W Wright, S. s.;
Rev. Alex. Macintosh, Chaplain; ". E.
Foster at the organ.
( There was q very large attendance Of
brethren to listen to an address on the local
history of the Order by Brother W. G.
+ Parke. P. D. D., G. S. The hall was taste
fully decorated.
Brother PRrke's Address.
After the usual routine of business, under
the head of Good of the Order r. W.
Laine, D. D. G. S., rose and introduced the
orator of the evening.
Brother Parke then said:
Noble Grands, Chief Patriarchs, Officers
and Members of the Lodges and Encamp-
ment of the Independent Order of Odd Eel
lows in the Jurisdiction of the Hawaiian
Islands-Brethren: The task Of addressing
zou on this occasion has been assigned to
my humble self; and as you are we'll aware
that my forte is neither authorship nor
Oratory, you will, have no doubt, grant
me your indulgence, and overlook all de-
feets.
shall now attempt to give you few out
lines of the history of Odd Fellowship in the
Hawaiian Islands, from the institution of
the first lodge, in 1916, to the laying of the
corner stone of the Odd Fellows Hall,
in 1859.
There are many brethren connected with
the Order here who could entertain you
much better than 1 can; but. for thu subject
chosen, think l can modestly say, ''the
task should be mine.' No one else, now in
membership here, has personal recollection
of the first seven years of the order in this
Kingdom; of its trials and difficulties; the
removals from place to place of the first
and, at that time, the only lodge; of its
long struggle for existence; the depar ture
of most of the members for the gold fields
of California; and, later on, the influx OF
sick and distressed visiting brethren, who
came here from the Gland of promise" in
search of health, and who were tenderly
cared for during their sickness, those who
recovered being sent on their way rejoicing,
while those who died were decently laid to
rest by loving hands.
OF all these things I had personal ex-
perience 1 also know how closely we felt
bound to each other; our very trials and
difficulties brought US closer together.
Honolulu was a very quiet place in those
I Ia
excitement. The Order and the lodge were
our especial hobbies. We felt true,
brotherly regard for each other, and friend
ships wore formed that were lifelong. On
all these points I might easily dilats, and
tire your patience with needless detail; but
I shall spare you the infection, and make
no further reference to our charities or
friendships, except where plain statement
Of facts may require it.
A few years ago there were two other
brothers who could have more successfully
accomplished the task that 1 have under
taken. Both were fully conversant with all
she facts of our history, having been con-
Reeted with the order from it's earliest ss-
Enlistment in this Jurisdiction. They
were always active and Jealous in the dis
charge of their duties, and both had at
tanned the rank of P. G., P. G. P, and P. D.
az. Sire. L refer to Brothers G. s. Barlow
ID. n. FIitner, who have gone to their
rest, but of whom we have many kindly
reeollections. With the exception of myself,
and also Of few who withdrew, death has
now claimed all who held membership dur
ing the first i've years of our existence. The
next remaining On our rolls, after that long
interval, are Brothers Abraham Fernandez
and George Williams, both of the rank of
P. G. and P. c. P.
Brethren, the old is constantly giving
place to the new, and this is as true in Odd
Fellowship as in all things else. When I
look around me tonight, see the faces of
many dear friends and brothers, but they
are not the faces of the friends and brothers
of "AuId Lang syne." They have all
passed away, and were it not that the change
has been so gradual to be disregarded, I
should feel almost as if were an interloper,
and had no business here. While 1 rejoice
at the present prosperity of the Order, both
here and elsewhere, and feel proud of the
present mem bsFship, I find it to be impos-
sibls to restrain feeling of sadness when
think of those who have gone before. May
it be many, many years ere there is another
entire change of membership; but, whep it
does take place, let US hope that we may be
held in respectful and loving remembrance
by those who take our places. Asking your
indulgence for this long depression, will
now proceed to my subject.
We must now travel backward in time,
for more than So years, to period when
some of you were yet unborn; some were
mere children; and few we're beyond ma
turity. On tho 18th day of October, A. D.,
1916, the American brig Henry, Captain W.
r. Kilburn, arrived from Newburyport.
after a long and tedious passage around
Cape Horn. Among her passengers was
Brother Gilbert Watson, P. g., who was
3 physician by profession, and had left home
With the intention OF residing in Oregon,