The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-01-04

"Now we are all right and away he
went pushing himself along. In this
expression he identified his interest
with the interest of the gentleman who
had assisted him. In that "we" was
locked up the true meaning OF brother
hood Here was an illustration Of the
fact that I am my brothers keeper
This is the meaning of Odd Fellowship.
There are lonely hearts to cherish,
While the days are going by;
There are weary souls who perish,
While the days are going by,
II a smile we can renew,
AS our journey we pursue;
Oh, the good We may all do,
While the days are going by.
This is the spirit and origin of Odd
Fellowship.
1. THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER.
This order, which today has grown 10
such immense proportions, originated
in the first half of the 18th century.
The place Of its birth was England, and
it seems to have been an organization
Of mechanics and laboring men united
for social purposes and to aid its men,
bers to obtain employment ss well as
to assist them pecunarily when in need.
In the early part of the eighteenth cen
tury the celebrated Daniel Defoe men
tions the society of Odd Fellows and in
the Gentleman's Magazine for 1745 the
Odd Fellows lodge is mentioned as a
place where very pleasant recreative
evenings are spent. The poet, James
Montgomery, in 1882 wrote a song for
body of Odd Fellows. From these
and other sources tits found that lodges
were originally formed by working
men for social purposes and for giving
employment to those out of work, and
for aiding and and assisting them in
getting employment. A man was given
a card and funds to assist him until he
oould find employment.
The name "Odd Fellow" is ex-
planned to mean that it was adopted
at time when the severance of socie-
ty into sects and classes was so wide
and persons aiming at social union and
mutual help were q marked exception
to the general rule. This being true
what an insight this gives us into the
history Of the eighteenth century The
struggle between the rich and the poor,
the ruling and the ruled, and that state
of society out Of which emerged the
triumph Of public opinion and the vic
tory of the people and the gradual re-
cognition Of the Divine rights Of man,
the fatherhood of God and the brother
hood Of man. The truth is that I am
my brothers keeper.
A book has recently been published
entitled, "The Closing Century's Heri-
tage." Another has been brought
forth entitled, "The Remarkable
Achievements of the Niuteenth Centu-
ry." The century soon to close has in
decd been one remarkable for its
achievements along all lines of educa-
tional, material, political, social and
religious development. What heritage
truly is ours. But on the 26th day Of
April, 1919, an event occurred which
must be recognized as one of the great
achievements of the nineteenth centu
ry, and which will pass into history as
one of the heritages of this the. creates
of all the centuries. On that day Ameri
can Odd Fellowship was born. Tht
first lodge was composed Of five plair
and unpretending citizens. With feebl,
voice it uttered its proclamation O
brotherhood and love. It's banner wa
flung to the breeze of heaven. With itt
noble motto, Friendship, Love ant
Truth. Eighty years have passed ant
todRy it numbers more than millioi
members in all lands and countries ant
climes on the face of the earth. It il
today the largest and most importan
and the Grandest fratenal organiza
tion Of the world. The two great or
ders of Odd Fellows, the Mancheste
Union and the American Order, mum
Der 1888, ,577 male members scattere,
throughout the habitable globe. In 1871
one lodge and five members, and in 1S9
16, 462 lodges and 1, 200, ,968 members ir
America alone.
While during this period arevenue o
over 5000, 900, 900 has been collected an,
more than $50, 900, 600 has been distrib
uted in fraternal and brotherly relief
The human race on its upward marcl
to reach the ideal Of true brotherhoo,
and to have "Thy kingdom come an,
Thy will be done on earth as it is il
heaven" welcomes every agency 0
whatever name or creed that lends
helping hand to those whoo need it O
scatters flowers beneath the bruiseC
and bleeding feet of those who toll upoI
life's pathway. This great organiza
tion of Odd Fellows is contributing it
strength and power to the bettermen
of men, and when the century shal