Year: 1876

Wednesday last was the 2Gth OF April,
the anniversary of the introduction of
Odd Fellowship into the United States
From the small beginning made at Bal
timore half century ago, the Order has
grown in strength and usefulness until its
benign influence is felt throughout the
United StBtes and British America, and
its organization and principles extending
into South America and the Old World.
In .his State alone the lodges number
about two hundred and thirty-fve, with
a membership of in the neighbo hood of
twenty thousand, or nearly one-sixth of
the adult male population Of the State.


The 26th of April is the great day Of
odd Fellowship, and its annual return is
made the occasion Of great rejoicing. We
have noticed that this year the celebra-
tions have been more general than usual,
in those places where a number Of lodges
were located near each other they have
bined to honor the occasion. We
are glad to see it. The mission Of the
Order is one of good, and its members
regard springing up in the hearts of those
who are working in a commendable
cause.


Odd Fellowship is but one Of the meth
ods which men have adopted to labor for
the good of their race and the alleviation
of suffering. Dating from a period long
puts in its claim as one of the means by
which men are brought into closer rela
tions with each other for their common
good. And those who have taken the
pains to observe its work will admit that
this claim is one which has a sound foun-
dation. 1t possesses this advantage over
Odd Fellowship that while its field of
usefulness is worldwide, the sphere Of
its coadjutor in good works is as yet linn
tied TO this continent.


Newer orders have arisen in late years,
and though known by different appcla-
tions the mission of one and all is the
same. The Knights of Pythias, the Red
Men the Druids each and all found
their claim for footing among US by
their deeds of benevolence and sympathy.
Then we have other societies, having the
same object in view, but limited to ma
tionalities, and without that secrecy which
is Objectionable to the religious creed Of
many who show by their lives and acts
that so far as the cardinal principles of
the orders are concerned they could be
worthy members.


Strange as it may appear, there is a
large class Of people opposed to the soci-
eties we have named and who would
gladly see them suppressed. A petition
signed by sixteen thousand of these ia
natics was recently presented to Con-
gress, praying that the charter Of the
Grand Lodge Of Masons for the District
of Columbia be taken away, and that no
member Of secret society be appoint
ed TO any place under the Government
Their secrecy is the alleged cause of dis





the true one. Those who know why this
restraint is imposed, know also that it is
one necessary to sell-protection. It's the
aim Of each society to have its ranks fill.
ed up Of worthy men-men who will
bring no odium upon it. To effect this,
it works with closed doors. And this is
all.


Some day the secret orders will be
more thoroughly understood than at the
present. Teaching and practicing toler-
alton, they may become nucleus for tho
maintenance Of that principle to which
our country owes its settlement and re-
demption from the dominion of the saw
age. But it will be none the less their
mission to go on doing deeds of charity
and benevoence fastening the hour of
peace on earth and good will to men,"


SzasNEsa~saE1zstz