Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-31
VETERAN ODD FELLOWS.
THEY HOLD THEIR EIGHTH ANNUAL
REUNION AND BANQUET.
Election of New Oficers and Directors
Grove L. Johnson's speech-His-
tory of the Order.

The Veteran Odd Fellows of Sacramento
held their eighth annual meeting and
banquet last evening al Odd Fellows Hall.
There were 118 present
The feature of the reunion W Is, of course,
the banquet. President George 3. Dean
called the assemblsge to order after the
snmptuous supper had been disposed of,
and called upon various Of the members
for remarks.
The principal speech of the evening was
that of Veteran Grove L. johnson. After
referring briefly to the Hcutisbing condi-
ton OF the order, Mr.. johnson said he de-
sired to say something in defense of the
principles OF Odd Fellowship. Last week,
he said. he attended the funeral of a de-
ceased member of the Veterans Associa.
ton, and listened with interest to the elo-
q1ent words uttered by the minister who
officiated at the ceremonies. The
words of this reverend sc, tleman i'm
pressed him deeply. He said that it mat
tered not how good and true man might
be in this world no matter what may be
written on the rolls Of history OF his VIC
tories and kindness no matter how much
of his time, labor and life ne devoted
toward charity and the lifting up of bis
wearied brethren-that man would be
doomed to eternal death unless he ayowed
some religious creed. Mr.. johnson SAID
that this may DE SO. But he, himself, pro.
fessed no religious belief to force upon any,
body, but he was foolish enough to believe
in the doctrine that he who practices what
he ought to practice-such as is taught by
the principles and doctrines of Odd Fellow
ship-be he Christian or Jew, Moham-
medan or Confucian-he stands an eunal
chance with anybody of entering the King
dom of God.
1T is not a repetition of words" con-
tinued Mr.. Johnson, that c.rries a man
through the dark shadows of the valley of
death, but bis acts and practices while in
this life. l listened to the eloquent Ian
guage of the reverend gentleman, and l
have no doubt he believed what he said. l
may be wrong in saying what do. but it
seemed to me that something should be
said for cur order God, himself, has set
his seal of approval on the principles and
teachings of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Follow the setting sun the
world around and you will find Noble
Grand calling lodge to order-and you
will find the Holy Bible, the Word of God,
in front of him. 1t is only on the princi-
Piles laid down in that grand work can a
man become good Odd Fellow. l believe
that when brother lays down a life that
has been full of good works in Odd Fellow
ship, he can say, 1 have fought q good
fight, and l can trust in the Father, because
l have exemplifed by my life the princi-
Piles He taught on earth.'"
Speeches were also made BY Veteran W.
r N0rprNSS of San ErapciSof, IT Topos
Z Glover, III. 3. Nelson, John We'll, P. f.
Dolan, Joseph Arnold, c. NJ. Harrison,
Samuel B. Smith and others.
The Veteran Odd Fellows is bat one of
the many organizations of the great frater.
nal brotherhood, the Independent Order
OF Odd Fellows, but it has come to be con-
sidered by the thoughtful Odd Fellow the
acme of his ambition, and as soon as he
has arrived at the period of eligibility his
application is found upon the Veteran Sec
retary's file and, if found worthy, is speed
lily enrolled as an honored member of the
Association, which gives him renewed
recognition among those of his co.laborers
who have spent life service in building
up an organization that has done untold
good in the cause of human beneiaction.
The Veteran ODD Fellow Associations
were first Suggested by that good old Patri-
arch of the Order B P Shillaber, otherwise
known as Mrs. Darlington" recently de-
ceased. AT his suggestion, in correspond
ence with Brothers Nathan Porter, Frank
+. Austin, and others IN San Francisco, the
first organization of the Veterans on this
coast, known as The Odd Fellows Veteran
Association of California. was Instituted in
San Francisco in 1876, since which there
has been instituted ar organization in Sac
ramento, and subsequently one in Los
Angeles. The qualification for membership
is similar in each, /. e., necessarily, a
membership in the OEder of twenty wears,
and present membership in some lodge
of Odd Fellows west of the Rocky mount
aims.
The objects and aims are mainly of
social character, fees and dues nominal
the meetings are held quarterly, having
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treas
urer, Marshal, and Board of Directors.
Visitations IN body to subordinate lodges
are made periodically, funerals of members
OF the Association faithfully attended, and
at the annual session the inevitable bau-
quet is INDUCED in, at which, the expert
ences of the older members and many in
teresting "reminiscences of the past are re-
lated. The Sacramento Association was
Instituted in 1888, with w. B. Davies,
President; Ezra Pearson, Vice-President;
James McCleery, Secretary; John We'll,
Treasurer; G. X. Van Heusen, Marshal,
and about twenty FIVE members, and now
number one hundred end sixty-five to
which we're added twenty-five last evening.
This association is in prosperous con-
diIion; the following named have passed
the Presidents chsir: w. B. Davies, Ezra
Pearson, S 3. Smith, Thomas G. Jones,
Fl. B. Nelson, A. s. Hopkins, W. D.
Stalker and George B Dean, having Just
closed the eighth years term. Following
are the Officers elected for the ensuing
year: John We'll President; P. F. Dolan,
Vice-P President; E. J. Clark, Secretary; NJ.
Miller, Treasurer; W. H. Sherburn, Mar
shall, and Directors: S. Morris, Peter New
man, r. II. Petit, Sparrow Smith, N. w.
Robbins.
Several amendments were offered to the
existing bylaws, and motions were passed
to visit Elk Grove Lodge and the Lodge at
Folsom in the near future.
NEARING THE END.