The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-02
CHURCH OUTDONE.
Odd Fellowship Sur
passes 1t in Good
Accomplished.
A. M. TAFT SAYS so.
Quinsigamond Lodge Cele-
brates Its 55th
Year.

James w. Murray, the first noble
grand of Quinsigamond lodge of Odd
Fellows, was the guest of honor last
night at its 55th anniversary and the
S0th anniversary of Odd Fellowship in
America. 1t was a notable occasion
and a goodly portion of the members
went out in force to take part in this
double celebration of a great fraternal
body.
Quinsigamond lodge has a long and
honorable career, and has always been
a force in the growth and development
of the city. 1t was way back in 1914
that the organization first saw the
light of day at the hands of James w
Murray, who was a Boston man, COM
ing to this city to work upon the court
house. AT the start there were only
seven charter members, while at the
present time there are nearly 600 in
good standing, being the largest in the
city. During the life of the lodge there
have been over 1900 persons who have
been members. This is indeed an en-
Viaible record.
| 1H0 e&eTClSeS OIL COIlUleInOrdIlOn last
night were of an informal nature
There was first reception in the lodge
room, at which the members were in
PRODUCED to the guest of the evening
| Mr.. Murray was presented by Noble
Grand James G. Blake. He made a
few remarks, in which he stated it
was with the greatest delight and
pleasure that he was permitted to at
tend the anniversary of the organiza-
| n xxTIl no hod 80
such prominent part. Mr.. Murray
then held a short levee and about him
were noted the following who had been
| members for over forty years: Col
Levi Barker, Luther Goddard, Samuel
| WessOn, U. T. D. Blake and A. NJ
DriscolI.
At $50 o'clock the party went to the
! Creamerie, where they sat down to an
excellent banquet. This lasted for an
hour, at which time the rather in
formal speaking began, NJ. A. May
nard, on the part of the committee
having the affair in charge, called the
| brothers to order and read a commune
cation from Thomas H, Dodge, who
gave the site for the Odd Fellows
home and has done in many other
ways great deal for Odd Fellowship
in this city. The letter reads:
Mr.. M. A. Maynard, secretary Quinsig-
| amond Lodge, l. o. O. F., city:
Dear Sir-The kind invitation from
the members of your lodge for me to be
their guest on Monday evening, May
list. when they are to celebrate the 18th
anniversary Of the lodge and the S0th
OF the order in America, has been re-
ceived and carefully considered, and
for which please accept my sincere
| thanks; but owing to the infirmities
of old age and the effects of last win
ter's sickness, 1 am obliged to decline
all invitations to large evening enter
talnments. This l regret, but we must
all learn to submit to the inevitable.
| AS l cannot be present with you in
person, l send herewith by the bearer,
my portrait, that you may see how an
| old man looks who has long since passed
the limit of mans allotted life-three-
score years and ten-and one, too,
whose added years have only confirmed
| his faith in and appreciation of your
| order as an instrument in the hand of
an allwise providence in developing the
power of friendship, love and
truth, and in building up a noble and
elevated Christian civilization.
The history of your order in the
United States reads like romance of
the most charming and interesting
character. The collected facts excel
in every way the UtOpian writings of
the author who, few years ago. tried
to forecast the ideal society of 2OOO
years hence. 1t is well, therefore. that
the brothers of your order should gather
In sweet and joyful converse and cele-
brate the past events that mark the
growing light, joy and happiness that
has hitherto attended and ever will at
tend the onward progress of Odd Eel
lowship. 1t appears to me to be based
upon divine truth, and therefore can
never feel the whitening touch of de-
cine OF decay ThOS. Fl. Dodge,
Worcester Mass, April 20, 1899
Mr.. Maynard showed the picture sent
by Mr.. Dodge, and it will be hung in
the lodge room. The toastmaster
Past Grand Daniel A. Harrington. was
then introduced by Mr. Maynard.
Mr. Murray and the present noble
grand, Mr.. Blake, were asked by the
POSTMASTER to rise in their seats, rep
resenting as he said, the two extremes
of Odd Fellowship here in Worcester.
Ihey We're greeted with cheers. Noble
Grand Blake was the first speaker, He
gave a brief history of the order, and
named the surviving members, who
Joined the lodge in the forties. They
We're: Past Grand Luther Goddard.
Worcester, who Joined in 1916; Past
Grand Levi Barker, Worcester. 1875;
Lewis Rabbit, Chicago, 1916; Samuel
Firth, Worcester 1876; Past Grand
Henry Goddard, Worcester 1916; Ebe-
nezer Buttrick, New York, 1847; Lewis
c. Stone, Worcester, 1S47.
Grand Representative Charles C. Full
Ter spoke for the sovereign grand lodge.
Past Grand A NJ. Taft responded to
odd Fellowship in general and Quin
| sigamond in particular" The speaker
| asserted that the organization was DO
| ing more for civilization than he
! church itself. These are bold words
he said, but I say that I believe the as
| sertion can be borne out by facts. A
| Christian minister in Worcester admits
| the fact and he tells his people that the
principles of the Odd Fellows are an
| example worthy to follow"
! Col. Barker made a few remarks. in
which he said he was glad to be at the
anniversaries and to take part in their
| observances. The noble grands from the
other lodges in the city responded, and
| brought the congratulations of the bod
les which they represented. They We're:
Worcester, Charles A Phelps; Central,
oliver NJ. Dean; Ridgely, G. C. Palmer.
| Anchoria, NJ. P. Cole.
p. H. Stearns brought the speaking
to a close, after which the members
| arose and sang AUD Lang Syne." AS
the banquet was breaking up, three
| cheers were given with a will for the
! venerable guest Of the evening Prices
orchestra furnished the music for tile
! oaoa