Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-30
ODD FELLOWSHIP
BY IOHN T. BOIFEUILLET


tant event in Georgia Odd Fellowship.
Whence came the name Odd Fellows? I
have read that it was adopted at time when
the severance into sect and classes was so
wide that persons aiming at social union and
material help were marked exception to
the general rule. Since then membership in
the order has been extended to all ranks of
society from the humblest to the highest.
Including the women members, known as
Daughters of Rebekah, the membership of
the OF anization is the largest of any secret
society in the world. do not vouch for the
accuracy of the figures, but my sources OF
information say that the members number
more than two and half millions of which
there are over eight hundred thousand
women. One published enumeration puts
the number at 925,S40, with 1852 lodges.
The Rebekah degree was originated in 1851
by Schuyler Colfax.
The Encampment was established in 1927.
Odd Fellows lodges confer three degrees,
and any member of the third degree is eligi-
BILE to membership in the Encampment, which
also has three degrees There $500
subordinate encampments, with a member
ship of about 100000.
The uniform degree, known as the Patri-
archs Militant, came into existence in 1884.
Only encampment members who have taken
the Royal Purple degree are eligible.
More Than Century of Life
This year, American Odd Fellows will
celebrate the 104th anniversary of their or
der. 1t was instituted at Baltimore on
April 26, 1919. Thomas Wildey ranks
the founder of the American Independent
Order of Odd Fellows He was the first noble
grand of Washington Lodge No 1, of Balti-
of hic oh
John Duncan, John Cheatham and Richard
Rushworth co-operated with him in the
formation of this lodge.
The five came to the United States from
England where they had been members of
the Manchester Unity, the Independent Or
der of Odd Fellows which was formed in
1913 at a convention held in Manchester,
England I understand that the Manchester
Unity constitutes the largest branch of the
Order in England at the present time.
grand lodge of Odd Fellows for England
was formed at London in 1903. II 1909 one
of its subordinate lodges at Manchester, de-
clared itself independent and started as
grand lodge to form a new order of Odd
Fellows By 1913 the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, had been
fully established.
The American Independent Order of Odd
Fellows which had been organized at Balti-
more on April 26, 1919, under the leader
ship of Wildey, declared itself, in 1S43, indie
pendent of the Manchester Unity, and has
since remained an entirely distinct organiza
tion
The general government of the American
order was modelled Tomewhat from that of
the United States," subordinate lodges being
controlled by state grand LODGES and the
latter by supreme lodge for the order at
large.
Outgrowth of Rivalry
1t is historically related that the first Odd
Fellows lodges in England were an out
growth of rivalry to the Masons who had &C
uuired prominence in the early half of the
eighteenth century, particularly among the
so-called upper classes, in the army, navy,
diplomatic service, and among the nobility.
1t is further stated that some disgruntled
Masons were founders of the early English
Odd Fellows lodges. Many independent
lodges were the outgrowth of dissensions and
rivalries. Aristarchus lodge, No. 8, which
met in 1745, London, is the first lodge Of
which there is authentic record. 1t is claim
ed, however, that similar lodges were IN
England twelve years before chat date.
According to the record, upon the petition
of negroes, the Grand United Odd Fellows of
England established lodge In the United
States. A similar petition had been previous
ly refused by the American Independent Or
der of Odd Fellows on the ground of social
incompatibility. OF rse, the two Ameri-
can organizations are in no way connected
or associated
Lofty Elaboration
The great seal of the Odd Fellows contains
this exalted obligation upon the members:
1--WE command you to visit the sick, relieve
the distressed, bury the dead and educate
the orphan" Nobly has this injunction been
followed by the members. Since the organl-
zation of the American Odd Fellows they
have expended the great sum of about one
hundred and seventy-five million dollars in
benevoence, charity and brothery love. Odd
Fellows Homes have been established in
nearly every state in the repu5li. at a cost OF
more than five million dollars. These 1nstl-
buttons are for the care of orphans of Odd
Fellows, INDECENT or other dependent mem
bers, or members of their families. This is
grand charity. The members of the order
have dedicated themselves to a splendid
work. There is no fraternal organization in
existence with toftier mission, or one that
has accomplished more good.
While the flames of the Civil War were
raging over the south, of course, there could
be no attendance of Odd Fellows from this
section at the annual sessions Of the sover-
eign grand lodge held at the north, but the
brotherly and touching practice was followed
at each yearly meeting of calling the roll OF
the southern jurisdiction.
Reunion of Blue and Gray
The Odd Fellows brought about the first
determination of the Blue and the Gray fol-
lowing the sanguinary conflict. It is re-
corded on the pages of the official historian
of the order that at the close of the awful
strife, the officers and members in the south
were welcomed to the chairs and seats which
had been held for them during the four years
Of the bloody harvest of war.
The calling of the southern roll at Baltl-
more September Is, 1865, by the venerable
Grand Lodge Secretary Ridgely was an event
of great interest and attracted attention in
all fraternal circles throughout the United
States Every survivor answered to his name,
niY1tyra 1fc hod hnO