Wichita eagle., 1889-09-17
ODD FELLOWS PROSPEROUS.
The Order Shown to be Exceedingly Strong
and Increasing.

COLUMBUS, o., Sept. 16.-The sovereign
grand lodge OF Odd Fellows convened in
annual session at noon today with repre-
sentatiyes from every state and from
Canada and the British provinces. The
delegates We're welcomed to Ohio by Gov
ernor Foraker, to the city by Mayor Bruck
and on behalf of Ohio Odd Fellows by
Grand Master Mckinley and Grand Patri-
arch Frost Grand Sire j. c. Underwood,
president, and all the grand officials
were present. The usual standing COM
mittees were appointed and reports of the
grand officers were submitted at this after
moons session.
A steady rain pouring down all after
with the musical and military programs
OF the sovereign grand lodge, and making
the reception Of visitors uncomfortable
work
The lodge was called to order at noon by
Grand Sire John G. Underwood. There
were present 1G2 delegates, representing
every state and territory in the United
States, all Jurisdictions of Canada, Den
mark, besides all Europe. First Guardian
John \. Perkins, of Massachusetts, was
quaiiGed, ana Past Grand L. II. Archer, of
tins city, was appointed assistant grand
messenger OF the session.
The report OF grand sire Underwood says
that the l. o. o. L. has never been i'll a
more prosperous condition than now, the
increase IL membership during the past
year being greater than the annual in
crease has been within the past fifteen
years. Inc following figures show the
strength OF the order: Number of white
ODD Fellows On the globe January |, 1889;
Independent order 652, Isl; Manchester
Unity 66S, 433; total 1,34l,215, fully one
quarter OF million more than that report
ed by the next largest civilized secret So
ciety,
The grand sire makes number Of rec
concentrations, amOyg them that the con-
stitution be changed SO as 10 admit TO the
order with the consent Of guardians young
men 10 years Old; that the sovereign grand
Iodge reIterate its recognition of the mill
tary movement III the order, with the
statement that the patriarchs mill
tant are the only organized branch
OF Odd Fellowship, and the uni
form prescribed for chevaliers
OF Canton shall not herafter be changed;
that the grand masters, grand patriarchies
ana grand lecturers OF jurisdiction have
access to secret work; thai the promiscu
Gus publication of degree floor work in
unauthorized books be prohibited; that all
classes OF ritualistic papers be published
and promulgated by authority of the
sovereign grand lodge and be sold by the
grand secretary thereof as supplies.
The most important recommendation
the grand sire makes is that suggesting
the raising Of a million dollars or more to
bulid temple or permanent home for the
highest body OF the order. The strength
of he order on December 81, 1858, is as
follows: Sovereign grand lodge, two in
dependent German empire and Australia
fortyeight subordinate grand encamp-
ments: siXty-fOur subordinate grand
lodges, 2,lO1 subordinate encampments
0,194 subordinate lodges, 1O7, 344 encamp-
menU members, COS, 537 lodge members
/, 103 Rebeckah lodges, with 1850 female
and 47.5l6 members, lot cantons of patri-
arches militant with 1900 cheyeliers
rank and file