The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-27
sketch,or the order.

an organized body was formed in Man
chester, England, in 1902. Isolated
lodges had been in existence in sun
dry places for several years previous.
They were at first humble limitations
Of FreemasonIy, with similar initiR-
tory rites, ~pbraseoloRy and organiza-
ton, instituted for social and con-
vivial purposes, occasionally extend
ing charitable assistance to members.
The main purpose Of 0dd.Fello wship
was not fully determined upon or de-
clared by laws until the formal estab.
lishment Of the order at Manchester,
as above stated. 1t was then declared
to be the fundamental object of the
order ito render assistance 10 every
brother who may apply through sick.
ness, distress or otherwise, conditioned
that he be faithful to the order and
well attached TO the Queen and gov
eminent" This continues to be the
basis Of all its operations. Its
headquarters are at Manchester,
where the Grand Master and
Board of Directors meet quarter.
ty to hear appeals and transact the
general business OF the order. In jan
uary, 1852, IL had 224,44l members;
in January, 1873, 1t numbered 526, SOP,
with 4l2l lodges spread over 456 dis
iricts, the annual income being ESQ.,.
900, all of which is devoted to the re-
lief OF the sick, afflicted, distressed,
widowed and orphaned. The districts
are responsible for the defalcation Il
the individual lodges, and on failure
OF a district to respond assessments
are made upon the entire fraternity to
make good the deficiency. This feat
uTe is Justly imprsssing its merits up
on the Independent Order OF odd
Fellows, as Ii exists in this country,
aud is a strong tribute to the merit Of
our English brothers. BY this plan
no widow or orphan can be deprived
OF the provisions made for her or them,
by the peculation or dishonesty Of
subordinate lodges. Sooner or later
the same responsibility must attach
to our Grand Lodges and TO the Sow
ereign Grand Lodge. Absolute GER
tainty that our local ones will receive
the benefits which we are providing
for them, is the most sincere desire Of
every true 0dd.Fellow, and forms q
pillar Of strength in our wonderful
structure.
This branch Of dd-Fellowship ex,
lists extensively in England and Scot
land. 1t has a few subordinate
lodges in this country, and som;
in Australia, New Zealand ant
heHWess IndieF. There are lodges
in Canada, Philadelphia, New York
in all the British colonies and n il
Oonstantinople. A quarterly peridicsl
devoted TO the interests OF the order
known as the Odd ellolUs' Magazine, Il
published at Manchester. This period
ical is a bold and able exponent OF the
principles OF the order. IL describes tn,
Odd-Fellow as "like q fox for cunning
q dove for tameness, q lamb for limo
cence, a lion for boldness, q bee 70
industry and a sheep for usefulness.
Qualifications, certainly, which, wheI
combined in one man, form the ele
ments Of q very strong character, ant
II Odd-FellowB will meet the expecta
tions existing in the public mind b,
reason Of the bold ayowal Of ablt
exponent, we shall have no reason h
blush for the order or excuse its short
comines.
The order was introduced into tn
United States in 1906. Certain mem
bers of English lodges orRanized
lodge at Baltimore in 1919, and re
ceived a charter from the Mancheste,
unity.
The lodges in New York, Philadel
phia and Boston accepted charter
from the Maryland Grand Lodge.
Reciprocal relations between the
American branch, now known as thu
Independent Order OF 0dd-Fellows
and the order as IL exists in England
have longsince ceased. Yetthe fraterna
relations between its individual mem
bers are very near and sacred, and
soiourner OF the Independent Orderi II
England is almost as sure to receiv,
the hand Of fellowship there as in thi
country, and vice versa.
The Supreme Grand Lodge Of tn
United States has established lodge
that render ii allegiance in ever!
State and most OF the Territories o
this Union. There are about twent,
periodicals devoted to the interests o
the order published within it's juris
diction. Its fundamental objects, II
addition to those declared by tn,
Manchester Unity, are ITO visit tn
sick, relieve the distressed, bury tn,
dead and educate the orphan" Their
Q in 1881 475,000 members OF thu
order in the United States. The an
nual disbursements for relief o
families, burials, education, etc, wert
over 81, 100000, There are now abou'
$50 600 members of the order in tn,
United States, and for 1884 it spen
for the charities named over ~, $780, 0O
To become a member Of this orde
one must be a free white male per
SOD, over twenty-one years Of age, ant
be a believer in q Supreme being.