The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-06-19

inanueu an audience.
Then with impressive silence. to music
PLAYED slowly and softly, the High Priest
entered, followed bv the patriarchs car
| rying three blocks of marble, engraved,
| Faith, Hope and Charity. The three
| symbolic stones were placed upon the
altar, and consecrated to the Lord by the
High Priest, who then withdrew. The
choir sang: "Hark the trumpet blast is
sounding"
The great key was then delivered by
the architect and received by the Grand
Master. The choir sang "Keystone
Brotherhood" A bible was carried in
by four men and placed upon the altar.
The Grand Master and the four bearers
of the bible recited the 23rd Psalm. An
anthem by choir and instrumental mu-
sic followed. The Heralds now pro-
claimed to the four quarters of tho earth,
the solemn air of dedication. Water
was sprinkled, fire was Ii lhted upon the
alter, wheat was scattered and flowers
strewn.
And now 10 my view, came the most
beautiful part of this most beautiful
and again the High Priest entered.
slowly and solemnly followed by
Rebekah and her attendants, followed in
their turn by the matrons and the dear
little orphan children, go in number.
from the "Orphans' Home" Flowers
were profusely strewn in their way.
Then followed beautiful tribute to Wo-
mans work in the order. The Grand
Master and High Priest. now wove the
Scriptural story of Abraham and Rebe-
kah, and addressing Rebekah said
Sister, in the name of industry, of or
der and of peace, 1 welcome YOU to a full
share in all of our noble aims.'' The
High Priest confirmed the covenant with
the Daughters of Rebekah. "Even as the
raf al s,F - IL
our Rebekah," responded the High
Priest followed by a beautiful welcome.
The choir sang "Miriam's Song and an
anthem, "Ring the glad tidings from
ferret to doom, the temple is finished"
The exercises were concluded by singing
the doxology, and benediction.
Two o'clocS p. m. was the hour set for
the great parade, but was abandoned on
account of rain. Water is an important
feature in the ritual of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellowship, but rain seems
TO be the "hoodoo" of the order in this
part of the country. 1t was rain that
stopped the great procession in Balti-
more four or five years ago, at the dedi-
| cation of Ridgeway monument. Rain
made the parade impossible when Penn
aylvania Odd Fellows went to Whining
ton to assist in dedication services three
years ago. Rain again appeared, to stop
the procession that had prepared to
| celebrate the annual gathering at the
Grand Lodge at Altoona last year. Rain
again makes the parade impossible in
| 1895.
Lodges, encampments and cantons had
come with banner and band, from many
distant towns and cities, to join with the
hosts of the old keystone State.
followers of the triple links in the great
parade of Tuesday, May 22nd. Public,
private, and business buildings were
richly decorated with national colors, as
well as the pink and green emblems of
feature of the program of festivities of
this eventful week, this mammoth pa
rade, in which $1,000 Odd Fellows and
/ 100 bands were ready to march, must be
abandoned on account of rain. At 5
| O'Clock, p. m, we left the Bingham
House and went to private boarding
| house, l20S Race ST., where Messrs.
Heath and Haslet had procured perma-
nent lodging. Here we were made very
comfortable notwithstanding the rain.
In the evening we went to the Acad-
emy of Music, in honor of Grand Sire
Stebbines. Grand Master Harry Neill
presided. He introduced the Mayor of
Philadelphia, who gave us hearty well
come. He said, 1--WE are all linked to-
gsther in friendship, love and truth.
| We open wide our gates and give you
the keys, asking you to abide with us,
and it can't be too long"
A pretty feature of this occasion was
the parade of the different bands of the
city, through the academy, and their re-
ception Of the Grand Sire with heads un-
| covered. Mrs. Eunice Melville, editor
of the "Rebekah National" Milwaukee,
was introduced and made an address.
| She was very enthusiastic in her praise
OF Odd Fellowship. Said they had kept
bachelors halr' long time, but after
realizing fully the need of "helpmeet'
they accepted 'better half" and the
Rebekahs were organized.
Mrs. Abbie Lynch, Past President,
of Pittsburg, also made an address, fol-
lowed by the Graud Sire, and he was
held in such reverence that when he
arose, silence was Insured, no matter
how great the crowd.
Wednesday morning, May 22.-The first
meeting of Rebekahs convened in the beau.
iiful room set apart for their work, in the
Temple Meeting called to order by State
President, Mrs. Lutz. Grand Sire Stebbins
was then presented and made an address.
said he was the Oldest Rebekah living Has
been member for over AZ years, having
Joined in England in 1852. At first this like
all other great undertakings met with great
opposition. Since 1869, when separate de-
gree ledges of the Daughters of Rebekah
| were instituted, the growth of the order has
been phenomenal, and is at present beau.
uful and indispensable auxiliary TO Odd
Fellowship. There are at present $500 Re-
0ekah Lodges, with total membership of
202, ,642, comprising 10s, 1888 Sisters and 9S,-
9lO Brethren In Pennsylvania alone there
are over 200 Rebekah Lodges with not less
than 15, 900 members.
The subject of the law that was passed a
year ago, which opened the doors of our
order to the admission of outsiders, mean
ing the daughters of those who are not Odd
| Fellows, was warmly discussed, some hold.
ing that the order was no longer the Daught.
ers OF Rebekah, but was fast becoming a
common society lodge, and wished to have
1t tannulled. This however was overruled
by large majority, who not only favor
the new law, but wish soon TO have il
broadened to the reception of widows,
mothers, and in fact any who are of good
moral character, and of good reputation.
Severed addresses were delivered. The
Secretary's report was then read followed
by that OF the Treasurer and President.
adjournment
On Wednesday evening we attended
America" Musical and Pictorial Allegory.
given in the Academy of Music,6 for
benefit Of Home for Orphans of Odd Eel.
lows This was magnificent work of art,
and the music representing four centuries,
was hne. l wished you were all with me
TO hear 1t. Several thousand Joined In sing
ing ''The Star Spangled Banner"
thursday morning, 0 o'clock
opened In usual farm. Roll call of delegates,
PAT present. Presentation of cards 10 the
evening meeting, and banquet" given by
Philadelphia Lodges, in honor of delegates
TO the "Rebekah" Grand Lodge, to be given
IN Auditorium and Banquet Room OF