Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-28

come strong auxiliary to the church,
doing work that the church was not in u
position TO do, and | am sure il our friend,
Mr.. Bunstein, could only know 1t rs we
know it, could come inside and see its
beauties as we SEQ them he would grow
more enthusiastic than he now Is. We
will try to behave ourselves so as to leave
good impression"
The members present then sang the
opening ode OF the lodge.
j. Y. Foulk made brief address, giving
statistics as TO the membership of the
order in the United States, the number Of
lodges, grand lodges and the amount in
cost contributed by the entire fraternity.
He also named the amount of benefits
paid out by the organization which ag-
gregated several millions of dollars.
The Rev. It. Il. Terry, grand chaplain of
the grand lodge, spoke for an hour on the
order. He referred to the organization of
the lodge in this country, which occurred
in Baltimore just 70 years ago, and of its
rapid growth since that time; the benefit 1t
had been to this country. II was next to
the church, he said. He then went into a
long explanation of the terms Friend
ship, Love and TRUTH in which he
pointed ont fully the advantages IN becom-
ing member of the order, and, in CON
clusion, said he might add that 1t Is a moral
and religious institution. It's principles
are so distinctly religious and moral that
il is next to the Christian Church. 1t
teaches sobriety, truthfulness, honesty and
uprightness.
WORK OF EDEN DEGREE STAFF.
In the evening Eden degree staff con-
ferred the degrees and did the degree work
from the initiation through the three de-
grees., The whole proceedings were wit.
messed by members of the lodge only, and
| were held behind iorked doors
| Eden degree staff is undoubtedly the
| finest in this State, if not in the United
| States, and its work was highly appre-
| ciated by all members Too much cannot
| DO said in honor of the staff and its work.
At midnight the special returned to Viii
mington with the visiting lodges, who
were well pleased with the days entertain
ment. Crystal Fount Lodge room was
viewed by all the visitors and was declared
to be furnished better than any similar
lodge in the State, Eden Lodge not ex-
| cepted
Altogether, the day was one that will
long be remembered here.
CELEBRATIONS AT OTHER PLACES.
The new hall of the Independent Order
| of odd Fellows Of Maryland was dedicated
in Baltimore yesterday-the 73d anniver.
sary Of the establishment of the organi
| cation in this country. In connection with
the ceremonies of dedication there was q
street parade and in the evening a recep
ton to the visiting members.
The Odd Fellows of Pittsburg celebrated
! the I'D anniversary of their order yester
day, and j. i. Nicholson of Philadelphia
past grand sire, conferred the Degree OF
| Chivalry" on IL candidates.
Odd Fellows Lodges from Danville
Muncy, Lewisburg, Williamsport, Lock
Haven, Sunbury, Milton and Jersey Shor,
numbering nearly 1000 men, participated
in the district parade and convention in
Shamokin, Pa, yesterday. 4 bushes:
meeting was held last evening.
The Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzern,
odd Fellows held a district convention il
llazleton, Pa, yesterday. Among tn,
other prominent delegations participating
were lodges from Mauch Chunk, Tamaqua
Mahanoy City, Ashland, Girardvile, Der
wick. Port Carbon, Shenandoah, Driftor
and White Haven. There were 1886 mer
in line, without counting the dozen band'
OF music, drum corps, marshals and aids