Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1905-04-20
ODD FELLOWS ARE
DOWN TO BUSINESS
First Session Of the Grand Lodge
Was Held Tuesday Morning.
GRAND MASTER RALPH PRESIDED

FtttSfF9affeN N0SNfhSH ~
lows at the 0ornitory Tonight.
From Wednesdays Daily Sun.
The opening day OF the seSsiOn OF the
Grand Lodge Of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows was one full Of glory as
far 80 nature was concerned. There
was Just the proper temperature to
cause those who proposed TO partici'
pate to feel good, and those who were
managing the affair were happy when
they aWoke early In the morning TO
nDd clear, blue sky, with every iDdi-
cation Of the weather being favorable.
A great many OF the representatives
from various sections Of the State
sWOke early and walked about the city,
admiFing the beautiful water oaks and
the surroundings, and returned TO
their respective boarding houses and
stopping places 70 thank themselves
and the actions Of their brothers at the
last Grand Lodge meeting for select
ing Gainesville ~ the meeting place
for 1905.
The days program was opened with
q march from the Masonic Hall, where
the Grand Lodge meetings are being
held, TO the Tabernacle, where the
opening ceremonies were held. The
procession formed at the Masonic Hall
at . few minutes before nine in the
following order:
The Formation.
Battalion OF cadets from East Florida
Seminary, under command of Cadet
MajoF Graham.
Young lady students OF East Florida
Seminary, under direction Of Major
w L. Floyd, aud commanded by Cap
tains Miss DsCosta and MiSs McLain.
OOlfsx RebekAh Lodge and visitors
Of Rebekah degree.
Grand Lodge officers aud represent
Atives.
Members Of Center Lodge No. IL. /.
o o. r.. and visiting brothers.
The procession when complete Was
fully block aud halt long, and pre-
scented 4 most inspiring spectacle.
Opening Exercises.
The procession moved TO the Taber.
nscle, where the opening ceremonies
we're held. The meeting was opened
by prayer by Rev. 5. b. Rogers, pastor
OF the Fivst Baptist Church, who dsliv-
cred a most beautiful and appropriate
Invocation for the health, happiness
and safety OF the members Of the or.
der" etc, concluding with the re-
mark that he hoped their stay among
the people al Gainesville would be
pleasant, and that they would receive
great good from the meeting which
was about IN tFRnspire.
In the absence OF His Honor Mayor
w 4, Thomas, Who is in Tallahassee,
Hon. HoFatio Davis, in = most eloquent
and friendly manner, welcomed the
visitors 10 Gainesville, and hoped they
would enjoy themselves while guests
OF our lhtle city.
Captain George NJ. Lynch, one OF
the most eloquent speakers in the
State, welcomed the visitors in behalf
Of Center Lodge No. IL. Captain
L. nch delivered one Of the most Inn
pressive addresses OF bis life, which 10
sGylnG . great deal, and at lie con
eluslon he vas Applauded heartily.
The response TO the address OF vel
come was responded to by Grand Mas
ter Thos. W, Ralph Of Sc. Augustine,
who is an exeellens and eloquent
speaker. His remarks regarding the
city were very complimentary aud the
order most appropriate.
Grand Lodge Organizes.
AZ the conclusion OF the ceremonies
AZ the TAbernAele the officers aud
members Of the Grand Lodge returned
20 the Masonic Hall. whore they held
morning and afternoon session.
These sessions vsre foil OF interest, ~
there WAS . great deal OF important
work % be attended 20.
In the evening the Rsbeksh degree
held y meeting &c the opera house,
when wOrk NAs conferred upon several
candidates BY . team from Naomi
lodge. Pensacola. The wOrk was said
10 b. very impressive. the members OF
vhis lodge mAnlisstiAR especial pride
Ia the secret Work.