The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-08-03
SECRET
S0CIET les

The week just closed was rather
poor one for fraternal society news, the
orders being either comparatively idle
or else arranging for their usual sum-
mer excursions. The annual state ex-
cursion of the 1. o. o. F. takes place
on August Is to the lake. 1t is as the
title implies, a state excursion and large
numbers will be present from every
part Of Utah, and it is expected there
will be fair number of visitors from
neighboring states.
The lodges of this order in the city
held their usual meetings, but there
is but little transpiring of interest TO
the public.
The current number of the Utah Odd
Fellow is at hand and it is a very cred
liable number A fine half-tone engrav-
ing and a biographical sketch of Past
Grand Master Lutz is a feature OF the
issue. An editorial on the Rebekah de-
gree is also a good thing in the Utah
odd Fellow, which is reproduced, as
follows:
1t may be truthfully said that Ameri-
can Odd Fellowship was the fore-runner
in secret societies opening the way for
the women of America to enjoy to some
extent the blessings and privileges
which comes from membership in them
AS far back as 1850, one of the men
who has become famous in the history
of his country, sitting as representa-
tive from Indiana, the Hon. Schuyler
Colfax, realized that if Odd Fellowship
was good for the men of America, it
was also good for their wives and
daughters, and after an earnest con-
tlcr Id i,, ahn q n
degree crea Led.
OF course, at its start, it did not
amount to much. 1t was a weak affair,
but it had in it the germs of future
strength. The little fraternal plant
struggled along; cultivated with a little
fraternal kindness, it withstOod all Cp-
position, and after a number of years
had passed, to the surprise Of old fogieS
IL Odd Fellowship, it began to show
vigorous life; it's representative began
knocking at the door of the sovereign
grand lodge, and kept knocking, until
oua day that body Dropped the spec
tacles of the past with which they had
been looking at the Rebekah degree,
put on more progressive spectacles and
TO- they passed a law which gave the
Rebekahs the right to open lodges.
There was to be no more waiting
journed, until the goat was safely
stabbed and hid, but they were to have
lodge of their own. In keeping with
womens will and determination they
went to work harder than ever. The
Re'bekah lodges were instituted here,
there and everywhere. The Rebekahs
had become fraternal power. They
demanded more legislation. They
wanted power to have state
organizations, and finally secured it,
and today Rebekah Odd Fellowship is
in a very progressive and prosperous
condition. And it may be said that
they are going to keep on demanding
legislation. 1t is believed they are not
going to stop until the closed gates of
the subordinate lodges are thrown open
and they be permitted to gaze upon
the mysteries hidden inside, goat and
all.
Whether they will succeed we will
not attempt to say But it is certain
that if some of the op 1osers of the
Rebekahs in the past could rise from
their collins and see women institut-
ing lodges, installing officers, etc, they
would groan.
From the progress of the past there
is no telling when this march of the
women will end but from d small be-
ginning it has grown until in many
places it overshad ows all other depart
ments of the order. And why should
it not? The mission of Odd Fellow
ship is TO reform, to elevate, to min
lister in hours of sickness, to relieve
misery and want. 1t has pledged it
self to the care of the orphan, and
what better help can come to such a
work than the loving help of woman.
The world is gradually readjusting
| itself in its moral and social forces.
We have women lawyers, doctors, edi-
tors, clerks, etc, they win their way.
and are doing their work well. In
many states they vote and hold office.
No progressive movement organized
upon correct Lines ever goes back
ward and it may be safely said that
every step woman has made for rec
ognition will be maintained, only to
| be succeeded by another step. Men
wrapped uD in the narrow conceit of
their own selfishness will be pushed
/ aside. They will, in few. years, be
back numbers, and as they see the
advancing march of triumphant Wo-
men passing them ON the highway of
I life they will realize their own little
ness and woman's greatness.
+, The Rebekah lodges have come to
stay. 1t requires no prophet to see
| that every year will give them increas-
ed power and privileges. and as wo-
man was true and faithful in the
hours of a Saviors misery, as she has
i been brave, loyal and true in every
movement for reform and good through
all the centuries past. so we believe in
1 the years to come she will bear her
increased responsibilities in such a way
as to continue her to be entitled to the
{ grand name of helpmate in every sense
+ of the word.