Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-23
UNION LoDes HEARD sxom.
In Reply 90 the letter of tho Rev.
u. IL, Me \ Inn. ~. ~

npeclluB lne Duflhi VI tHe ntN. We W. soun-
son, late rector Of the Episcopal Church
and also a member OF the Independent
Order OF Odd Fellows, In which controversy,
union Lodge, No. 8, l, o. o. F., OF George
town has been incidentally Involved the
members OF eaid Union Lodge, No. 8, have
decided that u would be highly proper that
they state their relation both TO the late tbs
Rev. Mr.. Johnson and his burial In the
performance of that duty, however, we
shalt take occasion to correct some Of the
mis- statements contained In a letter which
appeared In the EyERr EVENING OF the isth
inst, over the signature of ]. Leighton
Me6im relating to the same matter.
The Rev. Mr.. Johnson, while residing In
our town, which he did Tor some years,
was very enthusiastic and exemplary Odd
Fellow. Being very frequent visitor OF
Union Lodge, he very soon became 10 be
recognized among us as q perfect type OF
Otdfeilo wBhip. and as such he endeared
himself to every member OF Union Lodge.
He was, as We have stated, frequent
visitor of our lodge and upon almost every
occasion he had word OF encouragement
and good cheer, aud especially a word OF
comm andatlon OF Unloa Lodge; aud during
his presence with US he took occasion to
Impress upon us tne fact that when he died
he desired to be buried with the honors OF
the ordeio, and TO particularly enjoin upon
Untou Lodg9 the performance OF the cere.
nony, provided he should die within their
jurisdiction.
LEARNING OF his demise by letter from the
secretary OF Charity Lodge OF Laurel, Del,
and that he would be buried at 81. Georges
Chapel on day therein named, and that
one Of his last requests was that Union
Lodge should assist in his burial, we began
10 make preparations Tor tho occasion and
Invited Atlantic Lodge OF Lewes, 20 assist,
ana upon informing the SAID j. leighton
Mck,m, (who We were informed would
oniciate) OF the arrangement, we wete vary
much eutprlsed to receive from him the
reply that such ceremony could not BIZ held
oyee the remaips ia the church yard, be-
cause, as he stated, It would be In violation
OF the laws OF the church; and when we
informed him that Mr.. johnson had made
a special request 10 5a buried with the
honors Of tho order. he fi'ppautly declared
that he had never made such request,
and that II the whole lodge we're
10 say so he would not believe
,hen. A. d right here We win observe that
be still Insists rhnt Mr.. Johnson new made
such request, us appears by his latter above
mentioned OF this hereafter. Upon peing
Informed that we would be violating the
laws OF the church by holding the oete-
fnony we at once Informed Mr.. hcKim that
We would not do so and Immediately H.
formed the secretary OF Charity Lodge of
OF St. Georges Chapel aud suggested that
the members OF Charity lodge be governed
accordingly. Wnereupon the members OF
the committee OF Charity Lodge having the
body In cbarge called upon vesrryman Of
the Episcopal church At Lsurel and in.
qnired whether the church yard ut 81.
Georges Chapel was mere thoroughly con-
seoratsd than theirs at Laurel, this lodge
having held this ceremony ia the Laurel
church yard. Tho question being ex-
planned, the gentleman informed them
that 1t could not be and suggested that
ha would Telegraph to the bishop OF the
diocese informing him oil the circumstances
II they would pay The cost of tina message,
which was readily assented to. Tbs bishop
replied that he knew no reason why Mr..
Jonnson's request should not BIS granted,
and that he would be at the burial himself.
Union Lodge being informed OF the above
correspondence, the members, Ia quite a
large Number, attended the burial prepared
20 assist In holding the ceremony, sup.
posing that the authority of the bishop was
supreme, but when Mr.. Nekim discovered
that We were clothed In regalla aud hAd
chAtgs OF the remains he caused US to halt
at the church yard gate, and for some time
the boty was detained there in order that
TrF 'f'rhs a HttHin 6uf rights init 4 nYaiflif
MI At ALA Ins 4fbl that we wuuld vlalEfH
tie laws 81 the church, Ehil thB bishUg.H III
was present, informed us tnHt ne nau no
scruples against our service, but that the
parish WA ulder the charge OF Mr.. Mex IN
and he One bishop had no right 10 exer.
a,ae authority In tine matter. whereupon
Mr Mckim pra-emptoliiy refused TO permit
the -etvIce 10 be held
These are the iacts, Mr. Editor. in so far
~ mon Lodge WIS Involved and we
might stop here and rest content and
wpald, but for the uDIasr, ungentlemanly
and unchrlsttan httfek which Mr. McKim
1aA made upon Union Lodge as well
upon Charity Lodge, both by his declara-
tions 10 us III person and by MS letter, " hen
ne virtually says that every member Of our
lodge who states thnt the Rev. air johnson
nhie the request rs ABOVE stated, tells an
untruth. 1t Is an old adaRe and one worthy
/ Df strict observance by every Individual
thRt he who iiv.s in glass house should
not throw stones" II might be stated with
equal truth as eorolary, thar II man OF
fpoi sense and sound discretion lives In q
/ glnss house. he will not throw stones.
For the satisfaction of Nc. McKim We will
| simply state that he and his life are well
kqown to q Ia ge number OF the members
Of Union Lodg-, No 8, I. o. o.. F. Though
portion OF that life was not spent In our
! midst, yet that love al d affection which we
always had for him followed him into his
distant Il eds OF labor, and that soltcituds
| for his destiny which he by his conduct had
/ always excited amcng his friends, could he
fall to know that that too followed him In
| III his Wanderlngs, and that his deyoteeS
Kept constant vigil over his faltering steps?
we say to him that II he failed to know all
! this he has been laboring under very
great mlsapprehension.
Mr.. MeK,m saw 1T 10 say to several mem.
i nars OF uulon Lodge who stated to him
that they had frequently heard the late Mr..
johnson declare that no desired to be
buried with the hnnors of Odd Fellowship
that he did not believe them, and that be
would not believe It should the whole lodge
say 80, and he states In nis letter to EVERY
EVENT Q, that Notwithstanding statements
10 the contrary no request was ever made
by him for any sarvice at his burial other
than those prescribed by the church." We
say 70 AIR. Mekim that notwithstanding hi.
statement 10 he contrary Mr.. johnson did
make the request that his be buried with
the honors OF Odd Fellowship, and for
proof OF this statement we can produce
numerous witnesses against whose repnta-
tlen for truth and veractty that Of Mt. McKim
cou d not prevail. Our friend stultiflet
himself when be declares that mo request
vas ever made by Mr.. johnson ~" It. l.
under very exceptional circumstances thai
q negative statement can ne proved.
His statement would be entitled ta some
weight could he show that he had bsen con.
stAntly With our lamented brother during
the time he lived In our county, or II he
would simply declare that such had Leer
the case, his statement would have heen al
least plausible one. and he would have
saved himself the odium OF making a ri
diculous statement and one unworthy &
sensible man. He further states In hi,
letter that "it Is hardly necessary to So,
that this Anal disposition OF the case wal
very generally and heartily approved of By
the sensible and religious people on th,
ground" In reply to this statemen
we have simply TO say that 4
Mr.. McKim claims that himself AMI
one other little popo" present were Ii,
only sensible and religious people on tn,
ground then his statement bears the sem
blance OF truth, but We ask does he dies
ton the good sense and religion OF BlshoI
Coleman, and Of the entire membership q
81. Georges Chanel L Is a fact and Mr