Year: 1869

work. fifty years ago to-day, we have met TO celc-
brate, THOMAS WILDBY, oil Maryland; and in con-
temptation Of the vast benevolent objects for which
we are associated that all true Odd Fellows OF what
ever rank or degree, are the equals OF each other.
Standng mere III an official capacity, cannot desist,
without the utterance of thought that occurs and
the delivery Of single word of exhortation; for
thls - tune and scene to awaken o full sense
OF ones responsibilities The cycle of fifty
years since re- our foundation in America is
complete. The patriarchs who lab0red then, who
first bore our symbols, who delivered our charges,
who incucated the lofty truths we profess and en-
they naugurated the orator of the day win depict
IN & its progress and portray in its beauty.


Wlthn tnat time, in our history az an Order, and
in the history Of this continent marvellous changes
have been wrought and wonderful development has
Deen made. From the handful that gathered at the
call Of Wildey We have Increased until near half a
million are enlisted under the standard then set up
otner continents and the islands of the sea own our
fraternity ana acknowledge our laws and principles
as their guide.


But amid all the mutations of that period, whether
they contributed TO the advancement of civilization,
education and morals and to the Improvement of
the race in its higher attributes seemed to retard
them-amld al huctuations and exterior convulsions
Odd Fellowship has preserved its unity as an orgau-
zation, and maintained the steadfastness of single
purpose. From its high duties and behosts it has
known no "variabencss nor the shadow of turn
ing consecrated TO the cause OF humanity,
to the sustenanee and succor OF those stricken PsS
by PrOvidential calamites, to the widow i'm her
grief and need and the orphan in its hclplessness,
1t has, with involable fidelity, performed it's lofty
task The schisms and dissensions which have
occurred about it have not SCARED or scanned its





of discord has never penetrated its halls moved
1t from the even and majestic tenor of its way These
evils, IN the midst OF danger have been avoided by
nneXibe adherence to the grand truths of the ORDER
and would l, and all for whom speak, have it to
be in the future; and would earnestly entreat this
large concourse OF the brotherhood, representing
every secton to lay well the ground for prosperity
nave secured it in the past. This is an inviting
theme and might well be enlarged on, but will not
dwell C9mmsnding ALLY AL who hear me to the work
Almighty Disposer Of events for His hitherto signal
approval of our labors close by again thanking you
sir and the Order in Philadelphia, in the name of the
Right Worthy Grand Lodge Of the United States,
for your cordial welcome.


In the order Of proceedings instituted for the day,
another and veteran in the service, one whose
name IS familiar wherever the Order is known, is
assigned TO pronounce an address suitable to the
occasion. He will do it well and wOrthily, and
will not consume longer your time or transgress


take great pleasure In introducing to the audience
James l. Ridgely, p G. Master of Maryland, and
Secretary of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the
United States who has been designated as the orator
Of the day.


At the conclusion of NJ. w. Grand Sire Farnsworth's
response to the welcoming speech came the


Grafton by james l.. Ridgely, ESQ,


Of Baltimore, Past Grand Master Of the Grand
Lodge Of Maryland, and present Grand Secretary of
the Grand Lodge OF the United States: Mr. Ridgelys
subject was "American Odd Fellowship: its Origin,
History and Development on which he spoke as
follows


Ladies and Gentlemen and aay Brother Odd Feotcs:-


have no words in which to express the gratifca-
ton and thankfulness awakened by the animating
scenes Of this day. and am sure that the occasion
of this anniversary has filled my brethren, wherever
assembled throughout our vast Jurisdiction, with
corresponding emotions of JOY and gratitude.


This is to Odd Fellows a day Of general rejoicing
day of thanksgiving and fervent outpOuring of
hearts to Him who orders all things wisely, for the
aid of an improved and an uplifted humanity. The
delight which swels our hearts is dnnsive it has,


like the little rill not only refreshed the surround
ings OF its source but has scattered profuSely in its
path the rich influences Of its genial power 1t has
moved the heart of this great city, to-day the multi
tuha k1ua hon md n N
thither with restive pulse. Masses OF humanity
are astir-banners are unfurled-the tramp
trio alike upon the heart whether in the palace or in
the howell hOats upon the air-men and women, eager
No quarter OF the city is free from the hum olnni-
present. Gay peDnants stream from the forest of
mast-heads, and from every eminence the suspicious
bunting utters its voice in eloquent unison with the
entire scene and yet the grandeur OF the display on
every side and the noble sympathy OF this great
people OF this great city, responsive to our good cause
witnessed upon her avenues fails to measure up to
the moral spendor of the spectacle which now ra-
wishes the sight within this majestic temple Here
have fastened at this early morn AN array of hu-
manlty solid yet personal, covering every tenablc
point Of space. The thousands that are here repre-
sgGHs sna fashion dG Of 0" the % city, have Caught
the Inspiration of the hour and are here honor the
cause we espouse, for it is just cause a yirtuous
cause, noble cause.-the cause OF humanity itself.
Yet nv friends vast as is our number here, i'm
mense as is the srray with all its gorgeousness com
mandng is the glitter and splendor OF the spec
taclc and beautiful is the moral which underlies





the Offering which our united homage this day rem
ders to the living God. From beyond the great lakes
the North in the land of her Majesty the lusrous
Vctoria from the islands which girt her rock-bound
coast beyond the st. Lawrence to the klo Grande
from the great Atlantic across the desert plains and
mountains TO the Pacific slope; beyond tnaC slope TO
the Islands in the Sea; and still beyond these to the
distant Continent of Australia; from land to land,
from sea TO sea, in every CITY, III every town and
considerable village there goes up at TINS very hour
to the throne ofthe great God OF humanity a COM
bined and ferVent voice OF thanksglvng-a hymn
pure and hearfelt-'the odd Fellows Offering OF the
wear of our Lord 1862 Offering constrained by the
profoundest gratitude the part Of great Brother
mood TO that Providence who has given 10 It's labor
his approving smile. We are here with the spirit
of rejoicing, of gladness and gratulatoh every
thing around lends Joy and pleasure TO the heart,
and an influence indescribably auspCious creates u
general harmony of which all hearts alike partake.
IL is day Of festival the proclamation has gone
forth to people everywhere throughout the earth
where Odd Fellowship dWells, that, from the rising
to the setting of the sum- there is rest to-day from
secular labor; that the sons OF toll respond not to-
day the music of the hammer or 10 the roar of the
furnace that the merchant ana the men OF the pro-
fessons and Of the schools and OF the arts, and of
sciences, shall to-day pause In the work OF mind
| and the thousands that are here have nobly re-
SnOuded to the call, pouring like an avalanche from
| the North and the South, from the East and the
West from every quarter Of the republic TO this great
city; 20 this most hitting shrine OF humanity, this
Mecca OF BrOtherly Love, consecrated as such IN its
baptism by its founder, whose deathless name and
virtues, cherished in the innermost hearts OF all the
people live as freshly to-day as When on the banks
Of Your beautiful Delaware hundred and seventy
wears ago. he achieved, with the wand OF peace us
his cmeter, and the shibboleth Of love as his war
| mower, a victory OF which was born an Empire.
| And what has inspired this mighty, l should pro-
baby say this national movement? Men are not ac-
customed to come together by hazard The throng
OF to-day is not an idle pageant not mere holiday
exhibition; 1t does not mean Il display of numbers
for influence on public sentiment. None of these
it represents an idea, living, breathing, predoml-
nant ana pre-eminent idea, emphatcaly the idea of
|