The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-06-19
1. 0. 0. z.
Continned Llom .Second paae.

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appointed. Also that the Noble Grand, or
Secretary of Subordinate Lodges inform
Secretary of Rebekah Lodges of all suspend
ed members. As the Rebekah Lodge is not
allowed TO keep or receive a member who
has been suspended in the Subordinate
Lodge.
Thursday afternoon Meeting opened in
usual form. Roll call. Election and in
stallation of officers, which resulted as fol-
lows: President Mrs. Tillie G.. Haines, of
Altoona Vice President, Mrs. s. Louise
Erdman Of Philadelphia Secretary, Mrs.
Mary N. Joslyn of Philadelphia Treasurer,
Mrs. Jane Lyon, of Mahanoy City. Mar
shal's conductor and the usual programme
was then appointed by the President and
Vice President. Adjournment. At $3.50
o'clock p. M, there was vast tbrong on
the outside Of the temple, each one struggling
to get inside, TO the Auditorium where the
beautifed work was to be presented. Mrs
Charles Maran, Noble Grand, and her staff,
of Theresa Rebekah Lodge Of Philadelphia
had charge of the special exemplification of
the Pennsylvania beautifed work, and she
with her staff certainly did the work beau
tifully. The scene at the we'll be-
tween Jacobs servant and Rebekah was
fine, as was the representation of Ruth and
Naoma. The march was very fine. There
were two candidates, and the order of in
ltiation, with its signs and secret work,
was the same that we have. The candidat.
es received the obligation under beautiful
canopy or tent, erected in centre of the room.
Under this tent was table on which lay a
large bible. The candidates received the
obligations while standing. After the secret
work had been explained, four members of
the staff were called upon TO illustrate the
signs, which they did by testing each other.
At 10 o'clock the grand march was formed
for the banquet hall. The Grand Officers,
led by the Grand Sire, were followed by
delegates, and then, Odd Fellows. The
banquet hall was pretty sight, with its
abundance of ferns, palms and beautiful
flowers. It's ten long tables, with their
pink and green decorations, the colors of
our order, and their glitteriug lay out of
cut glass and silver. The menu was very
elaborate, and very excellent and we
showed our appreciation by doing justice to
what was placed before us. The farewell's
were then said, and with feeling that we
had been royalty entertained, we turned
away, feeling that it was good for US to have
been the ,e."
Thinking that it would be of interest 70
our Lodge to know something about the
Homes provided for the Homeless, I accent
ed an invitation to accompany a party who
were going to visit the Home, on Friday
morning. We first went to Home for old
men corner 18th and Tioga streets, One
of the founders of the Homes was a mem.
Der OF our party, which was fortuna To for
US as he understood everything so well,
and could answer our questions. The in
mates seemed so glad to see him. 1 came
away from that Home with feeling that
all was right. Those old men have every
comfort that 1t is possible for Odd Fellows
to provide. The rooms are large and airy
well furnished, and clean, and the inmates
looked 80 happy. There were several in
valids in that department, but all improv-
ing. One Old gentleman was 80 anxious
that we should see all, went with us to
the Children Home, escorted us around and
pointed out every place of interest. They
have a large library, with daily papers,
magazines, and books, large airy halls
porches and verandas. They have 68 bed
rooms and SO inmates. We then went to
the Home for Orphans of Odd Fellows,
which is but short Gistvnce away, and /
have very different feeling now, when 1
say Orphans Home, from what 1 had pre-
vious to this trip. Before felt as though
it was sort of prison, with rigid rules,
dry crusts and cold water. But we found
very differently We did not see the child
rem as they were in school, but we were
through their rooms with their rows of
snowy beds, each single one. Everything
VS. 30 neat and clean, and the odor which
came up from the kitchen was suggestive
of good dinner. These Homes are situat-
ed in very healthy locality. And during
the severe scourge of Grippe among the
children as well as older ones in the city,
there was not one case in this Home. The
department for the sick is empty. A yery
fact is, that during the II years
existence of this Home, there has only been
one death. And they claim that one was
sick when admitted. We visited the Chapel
in the school building, this is a large
cheerful room, with two pianos and an
organ. They have Musical entertain
ment one afternoon of each week, donated
to the children by young lady who is a
fine musician. From this trip 1 returned
with heart overlooking with gratitude to
God, who is the acknowledged Father of
Odd Fellowship, for this noble order for
which no one who knows of the noble work
done so quietly and beautifully by them,
can haye any other feeling than the high
est esteem and reverence, and say with
those Old meu and dear little Orphans,
"God Bless Odd Fellowship.
MRS. II. e. RITCHEY.