Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-27

| TER HAzARD-AppRrssEs aY OTHERS.
The rain held up long enough yesterday to
/ give the Odd Fellows time to make an elegant
showing on Pennsylvania avenue. as published
in yesterdays STAR. After the parade the BAN
| quet was held at the Hotel Lawrence, where
covers were spread for $50 persons. The BAN
! quet was given in honor OF Canton Norfolk Of
Norfolk and the ladies who participated in the
fair recently heit by Canton Potomac and
Grand Canton Washington and Canton Star OF
the East were among the invited guests.
| The exercises consisted Of an address Of well
! come by Grand Representative Mclean, re-
I Spouse by ID. K Stansbury. P. G. NJ Of Vir-
| ginia. recitation by p. G. NJ. Henry C. Hazard,
singing by Miss Edna G. Allan and Mr.. George
b. Clark. The surprise OF the occasion was the
| presentation OF a magnificent sword by the
members OF Canton Norfolk to Capt. John A.
Shackelford Of Canton Potomac.
The celebration of the seventy-fourth ami
! versary was concluded last evening with an en-
! tertainment held in the hall OF the National
Rifles Armory. The large hall was filed with
member. of the ]. o. q. f., many OF whom
were uniformed, and there were also many Of
the Daughters Of Rebekah present Grand
Master b. +. Crawshaw presided, and on the
stage sat number OF officers and past officers
! OF the different lodges.
HISTORY OF THE ORDER.
Grand Master Cravshsw opened the meeting
with q few Introductory remarks and then in
PRODUCED Past Grand Master II. C. Hazard. who
| read an interesting history Of Odd Fellowship
| in America.
He read: In discussing the history Of an or
ganization it is considered the proper thing to
go back to the very beginning and follow its
origin, growth and advancement through the
| various stages of its existence.
The origin of Odd Fellowship is unknown.
| While various theories and claims have been
made as to its origin prior to the eighteenth
| century. positive knowledge upon the subject
goes back no further than than about the year
| 100, when We tind il existing in the old world
as an organization OF brothers bound together
| under the banner OF friendship, love and
! truth. having for its aim the dissemination of
J fraternity and benevoience.
| In 1886 we find it referred to in English
/ literature By DeFoe the historian.
| In l745 the Gentleman's Magazine, an Eng
/ lish publication. told of al .'Odd Fellows
| lodge as "a place where very comfortable and
recreative evenings may be spent Odd ell
! lowshlp. however As an organization takes no
interest in the question of antiquity. but rather
| in its power for good in the world IN the
| present times. In America only take
cognizance of the American branch OF the
order. which is today celebrating its seventy
| fourth anniversary.
| The early history of Odd Fellowship in
America bears "a striking similarity to that OF
! our beautiful country. While the browning
| feat of discovery was accomplished when
| Columbus first set foot upon our continent we
! are told that others had before him visited our
| country and made unsuccessful attempts at
| colonization and that Columbus himself,
| before starting on his memorable jour-
ney. made pilgrimage to Iceland
| and consulted manuscripts written by
| new world. And while Odd Fellows
| point with pride to the work and life of
! founder. Thomas Wiidey. unsuccessful at
! tempts had before mis- times been made to plant
! the banner of friendship, love and truth in
! the minds and hearts OF the people of the new
| world by emIgrants from Europe. where the
! Order OF Odd Fellows, rs We have already
stated, bad been in existence for many years.
But when the blacksmith Widely, came he
4 Brought with him the fraternal seed. which has
grown TO such a mighty tree that its branches
are scattered throughout every section of our
goodiy heritage. blessing and purifying all who
come under is benign influences.
/ THE FOUNDER OF AMERICAN ODD FELLOWSHIP.
I Thomas Wildey was born in London on Jam
uary 10. 17s2, and at the age of twenty-oae
years was initiated into the Manchester Unity
Of the l. o. o. T. He came TO America in 1877,
| a stranger in a strange land
! mo: as the steel-mailed warrior comes,
! Came he from London far;
| His mission WAS not war and strife,
| Nor vet the spoils OF war:
| Humanity was all his plea,
/ For this the blacksmith came
/ Tina: Odd Fellows might have home
| Odd Fellowship name.
| He settled in the city Of Baltimore. sought
| out few struggling Odd Fellows who had pre-
! ceded him. and inserted notice in the Balti-
/ more american As follows: - few me mbers Of
I the society of odd Fellows will be glad to meet
| their brethren for the purpose Of forming
/ lodge on Friday evening. April g ae the
] Seven Stars I'd street. al the hour OF 7pm,"
One or two additional Odd Fellows were thus
J secured ana from this little group OF five Wash
Z ington Lodge. No. l, started upon its memoir
/ able career on April e. 1919 receiving its war
| rant or dispsnsa:ion u free gift from the
/ Manchester nifty of the l. .. o. F. of England.
| Twas thus the infant lodge was born.
! And from that humble birth
1t has reached forth until its arms
Encirc.e all the earth.
! Its very name. Washington Lodge was
| the KEYNOTE OF that success which has followed
the efforts OF Wildey and his associates, and it
was wise and fitting tina: the mother lodge of
/ tbs grand beneyolen: Institution should bear
/ the name that stands as a synonym Of success
and Philanthropy throughout all the civilized
world.
/ The seed thus sown in good responsive
/ ground has borne fruit and yielded an i'm
| mense harvest. Millions OF our race have been
2
| OF Odd Fellows today stands as n monument to
his memory. gran6er than any ever carved
from marble. From the simple relief of few
/ dollars collected nightly on the wardens sx, 20
/ the collection OF an UNSURPASSED system of dues
/ and benefits, has been a mighty step in human
I bene.action.
From the very beginning OF Odd Fellowship
in this country it's success has been ore cortin-
nous boom, and ii has taken a firm hold upon
the hearts of the people. teaching a. it does
the divine lessons of humanity that God is our
Father and that every child Of man is
brother"
THE ORIGINAL CHARTER.
| The original charter granted to Washington
Lodge, Nc. /. stated THAT the said lodge being
the first established in the United States. ha IN
power to grant warrant or dispensation to a
number OF brothers of the !. o. q. F. into anv
state IL the Union for the encouragement and
| support OF brothers of the said order when on
/ travel or otherwise
! On February 90, 1921, Washington Lodge.
No. i. rendered its charter, with all its powers.
/ to the Grand Lodge of MARYLAND and the United
States. which organization, composed Of past
grsnds. had just been formed. and received in
| return II charter from the said Grand Lodge to
| which 1t thus became subordinate The organ
I iZa,ion increased To such an extent that four
1 years afterward il became necessary to create
Grand Lodges in the several states and ON Jan.
| uary Is. ISIS. the separation of the Grand
J Lodge OF Maryland and the United States TOOK
/ place and the Grand Lodge of MARYLAND be-
! came sllbordIna.e In tho Grand n1',a 81 IL.