Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-03-10
ODD FELLOWS lAA<ssIvISe
A Magnificent Street Parade-Rev. w.
f. Graham Delivers an Eloquent
0ratiOn-Cr0wds Flock to
Hear Him-An Inter
estiug Account.

The Odd Fellows were out last Sun
Cay Gin all of their glory" The day
was perfect for such an occasion and
hundreds of the members of the organi-
cation took advantage of it aud Joined
in returning thanks to God for His mani
fold blessings.
1t was 2:30 Z. NJ, when the members
of the subordinate lodges of the G.. u. o
of q. +. assembled at Fishermen's Hall.
The line formed and was headed by
Richmond Patriarchie, No. 6, under com
mand of Senior Captain X. M. Clark, as
sisted by S. II. DESMOND.
1t was a grand sight as this magnificent
body of men with drawn swords, mill
tary tread, white and purple feathers
waving from their black chapeaux while
the uniforms had been SO carefully look
ed after as to give the impression that
they were just from the manufacturer
These were followed by the Past Mas
ter's Council and that in turn by the SUI
bordinate lodges. The First Battalion
Band furnished the music.
The 9TH Street Baptist Church was
crowded to suffocation. The galleries
and side aisles were filed with surginp
mass of people.
| Rev. w. F. Graham, the popular pas
| tor, preached one of the ablest and most
practical sermons to which the Order
has ever listened.
BE touched the audience to such al
extent that the sanctity of the structur,
could not repress the emotion aud they
showed their appreciation by applause
On the rostrum were Rev. DR.. j. Il
Jones. Rev. j. Francis Robinson, Rev
Geo. e. johnson and Rev. w. S. Chris
tan.
Morton Deane, NJ. V. P, presided will
the requisite dignity. He stated the nb
ject of the services, and gave a brie
sketch of the progress of the organiza
; ton. Rev J. +. Jones, ID. D., offered I
fervent prayer. Rev. w. +. Graham
then preached from Psalms 34:3-"(
magnify the LORD with me, and let u
exalt His name together"
He stated that there were now 800
lodges with a membership of 10000
he told of the experiences of the organ
zation. It's history is a cause for thank
giving. 1t is a part of the history of on
race to rise in the scales of civilization
The introduction of the order dates bac
beyond the stirring scenes of the lat
war.
I 1t has been more than 80 years sine
the white lodges rejected the application
of the Philomathian Lodge and Go
sent Peter Ogden across the Atlantic t
speak Co the British Lion, returning t
us with the recognition desired.
In the remote day, 1S43, you coul
not enjoy the full benefits of the thre
; links. We were enslaved chattels. / ne
} er use the word chattel but what / thin
of cattle.
You were waiting a long time whe
the time would come, when you could e
Joy the freedom so long experienced b
the brethren in the North.
Old Harmony Lodge was establishe
in Alexandria, Va, after the war.
We should all remember with gratefl
{ hearts that this Order with Wendell Ph
, lips sent argument which tended TO giN
us our freedom.
, Seeing then what was done, who has
: greater right to return thanks than til
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
The Order resumed it's work in Englan,
but its principles are as old as history
SELF
Progress in this State and in the wor
has assumed dimensions phenomenal. :
q years ago there was one lodge, but t,
day there are 1872 lodges, with a memb
ship of z 200. The amount of none
paid to the sick in one year, 81 .446. N
of brothers relieved, 76S. No. of widow
:. relieved, 1913. No of orphans assiste
119. Have you not right to prai
your Con? Value of property owned
this State alone, 1922. $50.
7 There are 5000 lodges and over ITO
, 900 members.
The Negro race in America is q wOnd
TO the world. Only one race, subject
to similar treatment has history Ii
ours. They were the Jews.
The secret of the prosperity is tn
JEHOVAH is on our side.
The numerous homes secured, our bI
ness men, our success in all profession
u these attest our onward march to t
u highest civilization. Ought we not
10 thank GoD? Praise His name in [
d highest
" One solid army marching upon t
"a principles of friendship, love and trut
81 Let the glory of the radiant perfecti
y. penetrate your soul. What is the OF
is look for the future? 1t is bright. 70
principles, the three which hang out G
based upon GoD.
"a We are friends. He has command
that thou do unto others as we woI
10 have them do to US.
Let Friendship, Love and Tru
abound. No one but a proud, uprip
gentleman can be a good Odd Felle
To be a good Odd Fellow a man must
c. a good straight fellow.
He gave glowing account of the pl
gress of the Order, called attention
the fact that there was lodge in Hay
and Monrovia, Liberia.
At the close of his perorationR pray
as was offered by Rev. w. S. Christian.
n Chairman Deane stated that he lea
m ed that Grand Master Forester was
the house and he would consider it an
L. suit if he could not be induced to co
y forward.
10 With slow tread the Grand Master I
bonded. He stated that he was j
a from bed of sickness and after me
d. painful efforts had succeeded in reach
the church. He had hoped that he wo
n have been allowed to witness the gre
nor occasion unobserved. he was physics
e unable to deliver an address, but wo
ou call upon all TO join in giving thanks.
was enthusiastically received.
ur The members fled out and under
It's marshallship of Messrs. Robert SIN
ID and ). w. Brown, proceeded to Fish
mems Hall. where they disbanded.