Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1899-05-04
8OTH ANNIVERSARY.
At the Opera House the Bridgeton Odd
Fellows Celebrate an Important
Anniversary.

OANDA.SS OIL AhpoEtdht
Anniversary.
The Opera House presented pretty APP
pearance Wednesday, the picture pre-
sented being one that would be most
difficult to reproduce in it's beauty and
pleasing features. The stage, brilliant
with lights, adorned with natures blush
ing flowers, and palms and ferns, en-
livened with the ensigns of the organiza-
ton and the glorious colors of old glory,
was eclipsed in impressive beauty by the
scene in the auditorium. The great seat
ing capacity of the house was taken, and
many of those present were ladies. Their
bright, pretty spring toilets, and the
millinery, with the gay flowers and
colored ribbons gave the entire picture
the semblance of natures gardens in the
glad spring time.
The occasion was the S0th anniversary
of the institution of Odd Fellowship upon
free American soil, and the program had
been arranged under the auspices of the
three lodges of Independent Order of Odd
Fellows that have so long fiourished in
this community, and continued such good
work owing the people.
The object of the anniversary exercises
was to more fully impress the people
with the beauties, the granduer. the
strength, the good of the organization,
and to more widely introduce the organ
1zation to the public, if that be possible;
that impressions were formed, there can
be no doubt. That as a result of this
meeting there will be many who will
learn the advantages of Odd Fellowship
and who will take the first opportunity
of becoming personally interested with
some one of the local subordinate lodges.
George Laning's orchestra presented
spirited music while the audience was
being seated, and later an overture was
given that was much appreciated.
Past Grand Master James w. Trench
ard made the address of welcome, and his
words were cheerful and impressive.
He found it pleasant matter to welcome
the people upon this occasion, and but
briefly referred to the growth of this
widely known order. Eighty years ago
last night it was when five men in the
city of Baltimore resolved upon bringing
TO the people the beauties, the hope, the
good of this great institution, and from
that handful of earnest men, the organi-
cation has spread out until it has become
part, and great part of our American
ism. The welcome he gave the people
was warm and earnest.
Miss Mary Recap, the elocutionist,
appeared three times during the presenta-
ton of the program, and she richly enter
tair ed the audience. Her selections were
aptly chosen, and being of humorous
vein did much to enliven the occasion.
Her first effort was "Our Family Tree" a
bit OF burlesque showing absurd extrava-
gance in the tracing of geaneology; her
second was IA Vote for Marsa," pretty
little rhyme in negro dialect, and "Seein'
Things" selection representing a little
boys story of a night experience. This
latter was most charming.
Mrs. Marie Edwards sang twice, her
first, "Love Me-" being very express
slve selection, and the second, "The Last
Rose of Summer" being most charm
ingly presented.
The three tableaux, "Friendship,"
Love" and "Truth," were very pretty
pictures. The two former were placed
upon the stage in elaborate detail and
We're symbolic of the organization. The
third was bit extravagant, burlesaue
entering into its creation, and the real,
live. Initiating goat was introduced to a
wondering world.
Rev. Charles n. Elder made the address
of the evening. He was presented by
Edward S. Holmes. Mr.. Elder took a
serious, substantial view Of the subject
assigned him, and his address in conse.
"quence was one of solidity, presented
with oratorical genius and most effective
and impressive expression. His Ian
guage was beautiful, and he brought Odd
Fellowship to the people in a most con-
vincing manner.
April, he said. had always been an i'm
portant month in the great achievements
OF this country, and it was in April 1919,
that Odd Fellowship appeared in this God
blessed country, and grew, unfolding it's
beauties until they covered the whole
natiod. Odd Fellowship, founded upon
religion and an auxiliary of the church,
he felt had done and was doing a grand
work. 1t was making men better and
stretching forth an always bountiful hand
in the name Of sweetest charity,
Egypt stood for architecture, Greece for
art, Rome for law. Israel for religion. the
Anglo-Saxon for humanity. Odd Fellow
ship stood for all these combined, and
golden crowns of achievements were the
result
The anniversary was a success. The
entertainment was bright, with sufficient
solidity to make it impressive, and illus
tration to bring to the minds of all. the
objects of the organization.
spain's Greatest Need.
Mr.. R. p. Olivia, of Barcelona, Spain.
spends his winters at Aiken, S. G. Waal,