Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-09
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Odd Fellows
Observe 102nd
Anniversary of Order
HalIoweII Members at Penney
Memorial Church and Rev. Mr..
Brown Gives Splendid Address on
Odd Fellowship

odd Fellowship has had glorious
history in many particulars, a his
tory rcplctc with victories and de-
feats, with days of rapid growth and
days OF SLOW progress, with happy
experiences and sad trials, with
ers were jubilant, and times when
they We're depressed" said Rev.
Howard II. Brown, pastor of the
I'enney Memorial United Baptist
church at the Sunday morning ser
vice in observance of the 102nd ami
versary of the establishment of the
Order in America. Rev. Mr. Brown,
who is member of the Order, paid
Il fine tribute on the occasion to Odd
Fellowship and its real purpose, go
ing to some extent into the history
and meaning of the Odd Fellows,
the status of the Order in England
in the carly days and the wonderful
growth of odd Fellowship.
1t was very Interesting and elo-
quent sermon and was greatly ap-
preciated by the large congrega ton
Asylum Lodge, No. 20, Jeptha En-
campment, No. 3, and the +. B.
Capen Rebekahs marched to the
church and were seated in the front
Of the auditorium. Canton Augusta,
No. Q, p. NJ, the uniform rank of the
Order, acted as escort and music for
the march was furnished by the Au-
gusta Cadet Band. Members of the
Sanborn Lodge of Hallowell and
other Odd Fellows in this vicinity
we're also present, and the observance
was carried out in a splendid man
ner.
Rev. Mr.. Brown spoken in opening
of the fact that the origin of Odd
Fellowship cannot be located in the
dim and misty past; to a period of
history when records were unkept
and the transactions of men shrouded
in uncertainty. The I. O. o. r. as an
damental principles are. essentially
as old as history and as deeply i'm
beded in the heart of humanity as
eternal truth itself.
The earliest authentic record of 4
local lodge of Odd Fellowship is in
n reference found in the Gentle
mems Magazine" of England dated
in the year 1885. This date is en-
tirely within the scope of definitely
recorded history and cannot be rele-
gated to period of uncertainty. In
the statement referred to it is said
that the Odd Fellows Lodge was a
place where the members could
spend the evening in comfort and
suitable recreation. Home-life among
the vast majority of workmen in that
distant time, said Rev. Mr.. Brown,
was not so attractive and helpful as
at the present and fancy our breth-
rem of that day enjoyed their meeting
places to the fullest extent possible.
The status of our order in England
in those days was very interesting
The earliest lodges were supported
by each member and visitor paying
a penney to the secretary on entering
the lodge and special sums We're vot-
ed to any brothers in need. At first
the lodges We're independent of one
another, but finally there was devel-
oped what is known today in Eng
land as the Manchester Unity"
upwards of a million
members.
The first successful lodge of our
order was established in the city of
Baltimore. Md, on April g.. 1919.
Monroe was then president and our
country was still small and undevel-
oped with meager population. Peo-
pie had been busy with the affairs of
the nation and of their homes and
had given little attention to social
OF fraternal organizations. Five men
were involved in that first effort,