The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-27
ANNIVERSARY OF
THE ODD FELLOWS
An Impressive Occasion at the Acad-
envy Of Music.
THE GRAND SIRE'S ADDRESS,
He Gives an Exposition of the Work
ings OF the Order-A Splendid
Musical Programme is
Rendered.
THE GRAND SIRE'S ADDRESS,

A great assemblage. one worthy OF the
OCCASION last night filled the Academy or
Music TO participate in the exercises IN
cident 10 the celebration of the eight
ieth anniversary of the birth OF Odd
Fellowship.
Every seat was filed. and many were
forced to stand during the proceedings
The audience was a representative one
Governor Tyler and Mayor Taylor occu-
pied a box, and in the audience were
many of the best known citizens Of Rich
mond.
Upon the stage were seated the odd
Fellows Of the city and those visiting
here numbering several hundred, while
many others with their families were in
the audience.
GRAND SIRE P1NKERTON.
The occasion was notable on account
Of the presence of Mr.. Alfred 5. Pinker-
ton Of Massachusetts. Grand Sire Of the
odd Fellows, who delivered an eloquent
address.
The proceedings were opened with pray
or by Rev Dr. W. w. Moore. and then
followed a most admirable musical pro-
gramme participated IN by Messrs. Frank
Cunningham and II. T. Cardoza, and
Miss Annie Reinhardt and Mrs. Nellie
w Sherclin.
Miss Reinhardt rendered two violin
solos which evoked the most enthusiastic
applause. Her execution Is perfect, and
she succeeds in getting from her instru-
ment the sweetest and melowest tones.
The singing of Mrs. Sherclin was excel
lent and at the end she was given an
ovation. particularly effective was her
rendition Of Annie Laurie"
Grand Sire'Pinkerton was presented to
the audience in "A graceful speech by
Hon. j. Taylor EllysOn. who in doing so
referred briefly to odd Fellowship. which
was founded. he said. for the glory of
God and the happiness and well-being Of
our fellow men,"
Mr. Pinkerton begun by expressing his
pleasure as being present i'm the Canitol
of this Commonwealth. and standing be-
fore a Virginia. audience. He spoke OF
the bond which had existed between Mas
sachusetts and Virginia in years gone by.
They are the only two he said. that
| call themselves Commonwealth. "A name
signifying the union Of the common peo-
pie.
NO MORE SECTIONALlSM
He referred to the late war when men
from Massachusetts, and Virginia had
fought and slept side by side. had up
held the same flag. and when "Massa-
| chusetts Yankees had followed a. Lee TO
| victory"
He then took up the history of odd
Fellowship: told of how eighty years ago
five men in an obscure Baltimore tavern
had initiated the movement. which had
gone on, gathering force. until to-day
when thousands were enrolled under its
banners.
I'm speaking Of tho work Of mercy done
by the order, he called attention to the
fact that in sixty-nine years there had
been paid out in benefits 81 $50 $50 Ian
almost incredible sum.
"Odd-Fellowship I'm its concrete form"
ne said, "is the best exponent Of what
our Savior taught. II touches the
Fatherhood Of God and the brotherhood
Of man.
He spoke Of the extent Of Fellow
ship and its many works of charity. and
told of how IL had refused TO strike the
Fatherhood OF God out of its ritual. as
the price of obtaining many members
I'm European countries.
He closed with tribute to Virginia's
great men, and a further eulogy upon
the beauties Of Fellowship.