The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-27
THEIR ANNUAL OBSERVANCE
Odd-FelIows Appropriately Celebrate
Their Sixty-Ninth Anniversary.
Music and Other Exercises at the Temple
An Address by Judge ElIioit-HoW
the Day Was Kept Elsewhere.


tcan continent, and il was celebrated last night
BY very enjoyable literary and musical enter
tainment at the hall OF the society, at the corner
Of Peunsyis ania and Washington streets. All
fhe local lodges Rebekah lodges and encannp-
ments joined in the exercises which were at
tended By large and attractive gathering. It
was the first time the hall had been thrown
open to the public since the repairs were made
20 it. some time ago, and many compliments
were passed upon its improved appearance. It
is now doubtless one OF the handsomest lodge
rooms in the State.
The exercises last night were presided over
By Mr. J. w. MeQuiddy. who called upon Rev.
G. w. Lee. Of Evansville, to lead in prayer.
The programme WAS mostly musical and
recitative, although there were two interesting
addresses-one by Judge Byron K Elliott and
another by the presiding officer, Mr.. McQuiddy.
Judge Elliott's subject "0dd-fellowship."
He said they had cause for thanking God that
the sun had risen bright and clear on one of the
most prosperous anniversaries Odd-felIow
ship ever had Ever since it's
gathering strength, until it was
being upheld by noble hands and devoted hearts
on almost every island and all continents. and
was accom- plisning good divine noble victories
of peace. In the sixty-nine years of it's existence
the society has been devoted, not merely in pro-
claiming noble and pure doctrine. but had been
achieving IN all lands great and practical good.
81 will dare to avow." said the speaker, that
Odd-felowship will challenge comparison with
any institution ever founded by the wisdom
of in the extent of practical good it
has accomplished. There may be others orders
which have just good principles. but they
have not done so much toward systematizing
the teachings eff charity and for organized relief
of the needy. In this regard American Odd
fellowship stands pre-eminent." The growth of
Odd fellowship had been truly surprising The
awryko @ko&% GrsS<
with the expectation OF reaDing any worldly
benefit or glory. All they sought was TO do good
In practical way, to advance the general broth
erhood OF man. Their motives were
humane and their efforts sincere But
wise and coed as these men were. they
builded better than they knew. Hundreds and
thousands OF noble men aud women are now allied
Ia this noble order which they TINS started.
Should they clasp hand in hand, with arms ex-
tended. they would form a circle extending al
most around the civilized world. The success
of Odd-fellowsnip came. however, not of their
numbers. but of their TEACHINGS. Every Odd
fellow knew full well that Odd-felowship was
the champion Of right of justice. Of love. of
truth Of friendship. and of every great virtue of
mank ind. Snch an organization a good
thing considered apart from the principle which
1t taught; it was benefit because brought
men and women together. and their minds were
always broadened by such contact. They thus
obtained better views of themselves besides be-
coming better acquainted with others. Itwas the
duty of every Odd-fellow 10 break down the spirit
of Intolerance and the tyrannicai power OF self
sSBu0eSS Wherever saw q
thing to undertake; history showed that intoIer-
arce had done much mischief in the world as
az anything. The fires Of persecution
ragged throughout the churches of Eu-
rope But Odd-fellowship taught that
hams inhumanity to man made countless thou
sanda weep. Many thought that the great
thing TO be achieved Ia life was material ad-
vnncemens but something still better than that
was mental and moral advancement. and that
was another truth recognized by Oddfellowship.
Ii the Unitarian idea was to rule men the noble
worlds sh0EId 10
torn down. The duty of first to
ennobls and elevate his own mind and
fellow-man to do the same thing.
He who sought and found among his felow-men
weak companions and lifted them ND would go
rejoicing on his way. his pathway growing
brighter and brighter as ne nearsd the end OF
his journey. He felt conscious that he
who aided his fellow men should have
his name written in the Book OF Life.
Scores of men in this city had been led from
paths of evil through the medium of Odd-fellow-
ship. IL was dedicated to the loftiest and no.
bIest OF human virtues. When looked on
the history of d-fellowship. STAINLESS as the
radiance of heaven" he could say with ful1ness
Of heart, 20 noble institution. live, 1--we on for
ever"
Mr.. J. w McQuiddy's subject was the 'Degree
OF Rebekah.n aud he gave brief history of the
foundation of that branch of the society. When
Odd-fellowship was started. In 1919, no oppor-
tunity was given women to become members:
indeed, the convivial nature of the meetings in
the early history of the order made such
years the nature of the meetings
changed and then the question OF taking women
stanch advocate being Schuyler Colfax of In
diana In 1850 committee-one member OF
which was Schuyler Colfax-was appointed to
consider the matter and report to the Supreme
Lodge. The majority report was
against the admission of women. but
minority. report favored SUCH. adj
adopted by vote of 81 to 81. Odd-fellowship
was thus the first secret organization to admit
women to membership. Mr.. Colfax also pre-
me orde which sRs oD,.a s1
ell the States except Maryland and
North Carolina, the former OF which
tionAl councils. Many women. however. re-
fused to take advantage OF the opportunity to
become members because of the restrictions
that were at first thrown about this branch of
the order. and many claimed that il
was merely q pretexs to prevent them
from lecturing their husbands for remaining
ont late OF nights in attending lodge meetings.
The rules governing the ladies' order were,
however, gradually modified until they
beSame acceptable to almost all classes.
The result has disappointed the croakers
became playground The Rebekah Degree was
now the most prosperous of any in connection
with the order. There are $50 lodges and 100.000
mombeTs. The speaker gently predicted that
women were yet to be admitted TO all the
privileges Of Odd-fellowship on equality with
men. just rs they were to-day treated in
churches and colleges. There were portions of
the duties OF Odd-feliows which would be more
successfully accomplished by women than by
men.
The musical features OF .he programme were
enjoyable, among those who participated being
Mr.. and Mrs Ora Pearson. Miss Alice Nc
QuIddy and Mr.. Frank 81. HemstreeG Misa
Lucia Julia Martin and Mr.. Hugh Campbell
also favored the audience with a number of
humorous Rotations. which were highly ap-
preciated.
The Day Elsewhere.
At NATION. ILL.
epecial Co the Indianapolis journal
NATION, ILL.,. April 26.-The anniversary
celebration OF Odd-felowship in this city to-day
was grand affair. thousands participating. A
band composed Of ladies from Nokornis, ILL.,. and