The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-01-14
Origin Of the -.
Rebekah Degree

There was an effort made in tho
early history Of our Order by P. G. S.
o. the S. G.. L., Brother I. d Will
hanson, to institute ladies' degree,
but according to his own statement
in a letter to James L. Ridgely, G.
c. and r. S. of the S. L., it was I'M
successful. And in giving the origin
of the degree. it is proper to state
that In the year 1873 several papers
Of wide circulation attributed this de-
gree, as to its authorship to Brother
Williamson. When his attention was
called to the matter he responded by
saying he did not write the ritual
OF the Degree Of Rebekah, nor did he
see 1t or have any knowledge of it
until it appeared in the Ritual The
Rebekah degree was adopted at the
session of the Sc. L. in 1851 but
for two years it had been urged upon
the attention Of the s. G. L. by state
Jurisdictions. The G. L. and G.. E. OF
indiana. through their representative
urged it very strongly in accordance
with the instructions they had receiv-
ed. The G. l.. of the U. S. appoint.
ed select committee to conoider the
propriety of adopting such a degree
and appointed Representative Colfax
one of the committee. The other two
were P. G. S. Kennedy of New York
and Judge Larue Of New Orleans.
The last two named members of
the committee made a majority report
unfavorcble to the formation of a de-
gree for ladies'.
Ihey were men of extensive power
and Influence in the S. G. L. and Oh
position made it look dark for the
enterprise to its friends. Represen.
tative Colfax was unwilling to sur
render his cause and he presented to
the S. G. L. minority report. There
Was considerable discussion on these
reports and able advocates Joined in
with Brother Colfax.
The vote at lenth was reached and
The majority report was rejected. and
the minority was adopted.
Schuyler Colfax was appointed
chairman Of a committee to prepare q
degree to be conferred on the wives OF
Odd Fellows, and was instructed to
report at its next session, 1851.
He wrote lectures of the deprao IN
July and August. exactly as they al.
pear now in the charge book and
without consultation with anyone or
suggestions from any quarter. Tn re.
gard to the workings Of the degree
ne received valuable suggestions bv
a r. &. In Maryland; a few of these
sugg he adopted in a modified
form, but the most of them were in.
appropriate and were not considered.
me degree was adopted as it's ritual
was given in report, by a vote of
Al to 81 This was highly compliment
tary to its distinguished author who
had enjoyed the honor of producing
1t, for many years, and as it is be-
coming more and more popular he will
continue for years to be honored.
With the hold that Odd Fellow
ship has upon woman. l am disposed
to think this degree will last to tho
end Of time, and despite the fears ex-
pressed while it's adoption was pend
ic 1ccf
Of Odd Fellowship; hence the name
of Schuyler Colfax will descend with
it. When making his report at the
next session of the G. l.. of Indiana.
he acknowledged his obligations to
his distinguished colleagues, as also
to other members of the G. l.. OF tho
U. S. for their assistance in secur-
ing an acceptance Of the degree for
ladies. The Ritual lof this degree was
pronounced beautiful by many disting-l
uished men in the order. and a good
addition to the literature of Odd Eel
lowship; an honor to the head and
heart of its composer
1t is likely the author Of this degreoi
gave it the name of "Rebekah" bel
cause the practical workings OF thel
order are SO much like the tender andI
considerable Rebekah's action when al
the we'll of Major, when she first saw
Eleazer, the faithful servant OF Abra-
ham, and with the true feelings OF
true woman ministered to the weary
traveller and watered his thirsty CANT
OILS.
There have been few changes M
the Ritual since it was first institut
ed and the Rebekah degree stanosI
as it did except that the field Is en-
larged and the material Increased