Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-20
Governor and Mayor Extend
Welcome of the State and
the City of Manufacturers
Make Response
REPORTS SUBMITTED
ON WORK OF THE ORDER
Grand Sire and the Grand
Treasurer Tell What Sover-
eign Grand Lodge Has AC-
compIiShed-Many Present

Shortly after Q o'clock Monday morn
ing. in the hall of the Georgia house
OF representatives. the supreme body
of the Odd Fellow world. the Sovereign
Grand lodge, met for its 1910 session,
with representatives in attendance from
every state in the North American
union. every district OF California and
from Australia. the latter travelling a
total Of 17.0o0 miles to take part in the
deliberations.
There were no representatives from
the European continent and none from
South America or Japan. i'm which latter
country Of all Asia the Odd Fellow has
his brothers. Not less than one repre-
sentative. and in no instance more than
four answered the roll call.
Proruse decoration OF flag and foIiaca
rendered the big halI attractive. White
roses filled vase at each corner of
the deputy grand sire's desk. British
imperial and colonial ensigns. American
and japanese flags and ,.aOse OF every
country OF Europe were hung about
over the high window and swung pen
.dant from the gallery. A section Of
wedemeyer's band occupied one cor
ner OF the gallery, filling the vast room
with q roar Of music, alternating with
another section OF the same band OUTSIDE
beneath the balcony OF the Washington
street entrance. On every hand showed
the anticipatory courtesy OF the Allan
"a committee on preparations. Placards
displayed throughout the long rows OF
seats told where the respective delega-
tons were gathered. Pennsylvania
here, with Alberta. B. C., alongside and
Ontario at the rear. The distribution
was indiscriminata The press tables
were filled with representatives Of not
emily the Atlanta and Georgia press, but
OF 10 out OF the 40 Odd Fellows publ
cations as we'll
The session began with welcoming ad-
dresses on behalf Of Georgia and ATTAIN
tn by Gov. Joseph ". Brown and Mayor
Robert +. Maddox. These received warm
response from delegates of the grand
lodge. The body then went into execu-
tive session for the rest of the morn
Ing.
HYNDs OPENS SESSION.
At $40 O'Clock John A Hynds, OF At
Ianta. head OF the local committees,
called the session TO order. presenting
OFrfn Roberts. Of Monroe. grand master
of the grand lodge Of Georgia. as the
presiding officer Of the public session.
Grand Chaplain W. l. Canter. of the
sovereign grand lodge. then pronounced
the Invocation which formally dedicated
the session.
America" the national anthem. was
oIayed by the band. while every one
stood
Governor Brown was introduced and
roundly applauded. His words Of well
come on behalf OF Georgia were an
eloquent tribute to the great good OF
fraternity and were a cordial greeting
Nzl
GOVERNORS SPEECH,
IT is indeed a pleasing duty which has
been placed upon me-" said the governor,
ito extend TO you a welcome on behalf
of this which we. its citizens. delight to
believe merits the title. the Empire State
of the Sotuh.
But as 1 look upon this array before
me. and see in these faces stamped the
high order OF intelligence. and am as
sured by your records that you have the
interests of your fellow man at heart,
and know that you have assembled for
the purpose of celebrating as to certain
matters for the good of your order with
its rituals and forms about which l con-
feSs i know nothing, l am led TO the
realization that in all chimes, in all ages
OF the world. among all peoples, there
has been something in the occult which
has held charm for the mind. Mystery
y
veiig What Is there that we do not know,
that moves the hidden spring which eaus-
es the operation Of certain forces, and
brings the effect OF cetrain causes2 We
read that in the ancient times of Chal-
dea and Babylon. in the days OF Sebu-
chadnezzar and later of Belshazzar that
there were the magis. the men who knew
things that were aboce the knowledge
even OF kings and TO whom kings in their
dire extremities sent their petitioners for
help.
Even among the North American In
dams we ind that they had the same
secret society cult. the Society of the
Metal They allowed nobody to come
within the enclosure who was not a mem
Der. There was one white man who had
done great favors for that people, and
to whom IT was allowed TO be initiated
He held enough OF honor 10 maintain
to himself the secrets. except that hi
said that one main thing for which they
maintained reverence was the simple sea
shell, around which clustered tradition:
which even he would not reveal. brins
this for the purpose OF illustration thai
even in that tribe which we esteemed al
more than half barbarian there was thi:
secret order which they held in highest
reverence.
II know that while the ritual OF the
Odd Fellows Is your own, while as &c
the workings Of your order you are ex.
elusive from necessity, yet we all meet
all Georgians. all peoples OF civilization
meet upon the common ground of a com.
mon raith OF love and dependency toward
the one great tribunal above US. / an
looking today into faces whose owners
are uplifting humanity and will join with
all Of US in the common aim
Gentlemen, now let me welcome you
20 this state. You are welcome not only
20 our soil. not only 10 our homes. but q
our hearts. May God aid you in every.
thing you do. guide you. and sustain
you wherever and whenever you may cal
upon his aid"
The band played Dixie at the con-
cIusion of the applause which greeted
the governors welcome. and the ap-
piause became cheers while the assem-
bIage stood once more In salute.
Grand Master Roberts introduced
MAYOR Maddox as the head OF a clean
city" and the mayor received generous