The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-08-12
Vermont'S Grand Lodge
Journal.

We are in receipt of the Grand lodge
proceedings of the Grand lodge of Yer
mont for the current year. Externally ii
is handsome volume, comprising nearly
250 pages of printed matter and presents a
careful compilation of the work of the order
in our sister state during the year ending
May Is. Its Typography is excellent and
the arrangement of the material is a cred
it to the Jealous and faithful grand Secre-
tary, Brother Harry E. Parker, who was
born i'll New Hampshire and instructed in
the principles of the order before removing
from the state. We were sorry to lose
him from our jurisdiction; but we rejoice
that his pathway in the business world led
him to Vermont, where for several years
he has done valiant service for the order as
one of the officers of the Grand lodge.
During the period of his labors as grand
secretary the order in the state has made
rapid advances and now occupies an envl-
able position among its sister Jurisdictions,
Long may the order flourish among the
green hills of Vermont, where, in 1865, the
writer was sent by the Sovereign Grand
lodge as a special commissioner to revive an
interest among the subordinate lodges.
The copy of the proceedings now before
us is handsomely embelished by fine
semi-tone group picture of the grand mas
tiers of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and
Delaware, in the centre of which is the
rotund figure of Gen. John c. Underwood,
with his ever genial face. The picture was
taken on the tented field during the great
Bennington celebration on the 18th OF Au-
gust, 1891. Brother Bourlet occupied a
place on the right of the group when the
picture was taken and fills the position
with dignity end grace, being the young
est of the grand masters. 1t is a compl1-
ment to our junior past grand master to
have his likeness appear in the pApeeed-
ings of two side-by-side Jurisdictions at
about the same time.
The book of proceedings contains an
other item of special interest to the editor
of this department.. The Grand lodge OF
Vermont provides for committee on for
eign correspondence which by the way, is a
proper thing for any jurisdiction to do. 1t
might not be outotplacetor New Hampshire
to make the same provision in its legislation,
The chairman of the committee IN YER
mont and the writer of the report is Past
Grand Representative Henry Clark, a
whilom friend of ours in the Sovereign
Grand Lodge many years ago The report
besides a valuable summary of the business
and standing of the various grand jurls-
dictions, contains the views of the writer
i'll terse and lucid language on great yarie-
ty of matters relating to the welfare of the
order. His concluding words are both
eloquent and instructive. He says:
Others may misuse and abuse the
name of Fraternity, but Odd Fellowship
lifts 1t up out OF the mire INTO which 1t may
have been trodden by unhallOWed feet, and
holds it alOft as one of its brightest gems on
earth, OF more worth than the mines of Col
c0nda, or of all the gold that was ever taken
from the hills and plains of California. 1t
bleSses, 1t humaniZeS, eXaltS all with whom
it comes in contact. 1t Injuries no one
wrongs none, causes no tears to flow, nor
slghs OF anguish to spring from any living
soul. Our order is brotherly in its ministra
tiOns. Brothers enter a sick room, not IN
lofty patroniZing manner, as if it was con-
descensiOn on their part, and they were
about to throw aims to beggar They en-
ter in a brOtherly spirit; they clasps broth
er'S hand; their hearts are filled with SYM
pathy, and voices vibrate with sorrow: they
feel for a brothers woe. They leave with
him the material that belongs to him OF
right, after the laws have been complied
with, full measure given; and if illness
continues and threatens want, then hearts,
instinct with the teachings of the ritual,
speak in the holy name of friendship and
love and the doors of the treasury are
opened wide at the appeal. Should hui
man love and human skill fail, the brother
does not sink into pauper's grave. no
matter how poor he may be; for the order
commands that to a brothers remains there
shall be given decent sepulchre, and the
brothers gather at the open grave and pay
due honOrs to his memory. This is true
brotherhood: and these are the InculcatiOns
Of the great Master who went about doing
good. In word this is Odd Fellowship"
Manchester Union, Aug. 10, 1892.
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