Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-04-27
WAUSAU LODGE NO. 215, l. @. @. F
Observed the Goth Anniversary of Odd Fellow
ship in America Last Evening

for lodge work, and tribute to their
labors of humanity
Odd Fellowship, under the jurisdic-
| ton of our Sovereign Grand Lodge,
aside from The United States and
Canada, is firmly established in eighteen
foreign countries. Its membership ex-
ceeds one and half millions, and its
contribution for the afflicted, annually
exceeds five millions dollars In addi-
ton, homes for the aged are maintained
IN nearly every state, and in many of
the foreign jurisdictions.
| have said that Odd Fellowship of to-
day is product of evolution. Ameri-
can Odd Fellows soon found the foreign
ritual unsuited to the spirit of American
institutions or to that of modern
society.
The work of revision was inaugural
ed soon after the organization of the
grand lodge. John p Entwistle, the
] hrst grand secretary, made the begin
ming, and the great~minds of James l..
Ridgely, James b. Nicholson, j M
Veitch and Schuyler Coifay continued
| the great work and produced a ritual
sublime in its nature. They have placed
| the Odd Fellows lodge upon the highest
| plane of human endeavor. To improve
du0 CiCNdbC lHC Vi W
Undue him with proper conception of
his capabilities for doing good, to en-
tighten his mind and TO enlarge the
sphere of his affection, and the great
seal of Odd Fellowship contains the
command to visit the sick, relieve the
distressed, bury the dead and educate
the orphan. The last century, especi-
ally in more recent years, has been
prolific in the production of beneficiary
associations; mostly based, however,
upon some experiment of insurance
These all seem to be destined to have
their periods of growth, stagnation and
decay. Odd Fellowship, however, is an
everlasting necessity in the human
family. 1t has within it the elements of
permanent youth, and the dissemina-
ton of its principles will bring happi-
ness TO mankind, until the coming of
that period when the tears and woes ef4
this world will be submerged by the
healing tide which shall flow from the
fountain of benevolence and peace.
Lodge membership is desirable when
it is understood that circumstances and
lodge association make an impression
and are important in the development
of persons, No one has yet had mem
bership and become imbued with the
6RlIlI VI Ottu EtlIOWSulP WIN has HOI
protited hundred fold in his ability to
safely keep the pathway of life. One
feature of the Odd Fellows lodge | con-
slider invaluable, especially TO the young
man who has measure of ambition.
1t is the opportunity the lodge offers to
cultivate the ability of speaking to
others or perhaps passing the chairs and
becoming proficient in taking part in
public affairs No one need hesitate in
speaking their mind in an Odd Fellows
lodge, You are among brothers and Dy
practice proficiency is reached which
in government like ours offers many
opportunities during life
And far beyond its membership, Odd
Fellowship exerts aniniuence for good,
in government and society The first
reunion of the Blue and Grey took
place at the Odd Fellows Grand Lodge
at Baltimore, in 1865 In every great
calamity it is usually first to render aid. |
1t is said of the San Francisco fire, that
before the earth had ceased to tremble
and while the heavens were Illuminated
by the flames of destruction, came the
Odd Fellows response to the cali for
relief, which shows that although the
future may seem clouded in inn
penetrable gloom, Odd Fellowship
cones like an angel of peace to shed
across the dreary prospect, bright rays
of light and happiness. May the time
come when all the nations of the earth
will concentrate their efforts for the
principles peculiar to Odd Fellowship
Let us gather up the sunbeams,
Lying all around our path;
Let us keep the wheat and roses
Casting out the thorns and chaff;
Let us md our sweetest comfort
In the blessings of today;
With the patient hand removing
All the bria-s from the w6y.
Following the address the program
was carried out as follows:
Duet, by the Misses Kriskey and Roach
Recitation, by Miss Deutsch.
Duet. by the little Misses Werle
Violin Solo, Gustav Mueller, accompanied ON
the plano by Miss Roach.
The evening was cone.1ded with a
supper and dance. 1t was an evening
filed with pleasure and greatly cpjoyed
L. I'LL