Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-04-26

the same purposes for which all lodges
since the first nave been organized. But
the first lodges held their meetings in
taverns and cultivated their social Ia
lures by a constant and sometimes too
liberal patronage of the liquid refresh
ments dispensed by their landlords. AS
the order grew in number and influence,
as the ravages of the drink habit became
more pronounced, as public sentiment
became aroused to not only the impro-
pretty, but the danger of excessive in
dulgence in strong drink, Odd Fellow
ship changed it's attitude toward the
drinking saloon and it's associations.
From time to time its laws were amended
to meet the exigencies Of the situation,
first by prohibiting the use of its places
OF meeting in connection with or as
feeders to the saloon. then by the intro
auction IN It's work of lectures applaud
ing the virtues of temperance, then by
prohibiting the use of intoXicants at
lodge meetings or celebrations; and
1lnally by an amendment to its constitu-
\ ton declaring saloon keepers and gam
piers ineligible for membership within
It's lodges, although preserving, as was
right and proper, the membership and
rights OF persons engaged in those occu-
pations who had acquired membership
prior to the passage of The new law.
Among the earliest commands of d
were these: Educate the
orphan, relieve the distressed In the
early days of our history this work was
confined to individual lodges. each taking
care of it's unfortunates as best it could,
AS the order expanded and it's revenues
increased, the membership became i'm
pressed with the thought tina by a on
solldatlon of the revenues of lodges COM
prlsing a grand lodge jurisdiction, work
IN this department of benevoience could
be carried on with more uniformity and
with greater success than by individual
effort. Then began the movement for the
establishment of homes for the widows
and orphans of deceased Odd Fellows,
and for the aged and intirln members of
) the order. So rapidly has this work been
carried forward that to-day in more
than half the states of the federal union
these homes are established or in pro-
cess OF establishment. Already the
homes in successful operation represent
an investment of several hundred thous-
and dollars. No other organization out
side the churches has ever attempted,
much less accomplished, so much in pro-
vidlng for the care of the widows and
orphans of deceased members. or in fur
nishlng asylums wherein their aged and
intirm associates may spend their de-
Ginning days amid pleasant, peaceful sur
rounCJlrlgS and in the enjoyment of the
comforts of fraternal homes. | mention
with pride the fact that Montana Odd
Siio"o eNGI III lllle With lle progressive
measures of the fraternity, nave zeal
ously entered upon the work of blish-
ing such a home in this jurisdiction.
Although Odd Fellowship from it's in
ception had in view the happiness and
the honor of women, it's pioneers had nc
thought Of inviting or permitting women
to actively participate in furthering the
interests of the society. Before the first
generation of Odd Fellows had passed
away, the fraternity began to see tina
in this as in every other work that has
for it's object the welfare Of mankind
the better half of mankind can not b.
ignored without detriment. In this new
field the progressive spirit OF Odd Eel
lowship made small beginnings and SLOW
but steady advancement. First it was
proposed to make some regulation by
| Which the wives and daughters Of ODD
Fellows might, when occasion demanded
make themselves known to and secure
the recognition and aid of members OF
the order. Then a degree which was
designated the female degree was created
. which enabled the women OF the immedi-
ate family of an Odd Fellow to feel that
| they had a slight sort of identity with
, the order, but so i'll defined that the best
INFORMED among them could scarcely tel
l just what kind or degree Of Relationship
they bore to the great fraternity to which
! their husbands and fathers were devoted
Then came the degree of Daughters OF
Rebekah which though a great improve
ment over the female degree, still kept the
ladies at arms length, lest in some way
by too close contact, they might weaker
the strength of the order by the introduc-
ton of WOmen's ways and women's no
tons. They overlooked the fact that al
that is good, pure, ennobling and worthy
in man, has ever been promoted and ir
large measure inaugurated by women's
WAYS and WOmpn'S notions Finally the
Rebekah Degree, in its present form, was
! established and by solemn declaration
made an integral part of Odd Fellow.
ship. The doors of Rebekah lodges were
thrown upon not only to the female
) members of Odd Fellows households, bu,
to all unmarried women over the age OF
IS years who have that degree of good
standing that will enable them to pass
the test of the ballot box. The Rebekahs
are encouraged to fill all the offices il
their lodges with sisters, and nave the
right to organize State Rebekah Assem-.
|. blies in which brothers are not eligible tc
any Office. Under the workings of this
} advanced legislation the Rebekah branch
has grown with astonishing rapidity un.
| til today their membership is in roun(
numbers 300, 900, more than half of whom
+ are women. The history of the Rebekal
Degree is one of the most cOnspicuou:
proofs of the progressive nature of OdC
= Fellowship.
I Woman is heavens heart below,
/ This glory we accord her:
e To her with hOnors bright shall go
The welcomes of our Order:
l While woman found a bolted door
y At Athens, Rome and Mecca,
T Our temple gates unbar before
1 The Daughters of Rebekah.