Newspaper Page Text
CeMii tie 68tl Anni
versary of tie Oita.
He History of Odd Fellowship
in Savannah.
IMPOSING STREET PARADE.
The Ceremonies at
the New Hall.
GRAND MASTER LaIIATTE’S .ADDRESS.
The Dedicatory Banquet
and Ball.
EVENTS OF THE DAY.
HE Independent Or-
T —r'pfH der of Odd Fellows
/ ffThl | celebrated their sixty-
I [■ J ll eighth anniversary
rip, ' yesterday by dedicat
j| f! . tig their new hall, at
1 * Baniard and State
streets, to the purposes
V fj BJ of the order. Just one
L /\ year a £° the corner
“ - via stone was laid with
Imposing ceremony, in the presence of the
assembled lodges of Savannah and the
grand officers of the State. Yesterday the
order turned out again for the purpose, of
witnessing the acceptation of the new tem
ple by the present Grand Master, and his
formal delivery of it over to the local
lodges.
At three o'clock the procession formed at
Liberty and Whitaker streets. The line
was headed by the Union Cornet Band.
Then came:
Canton Chatham No. 1, Patriarchs Mili
tant.
Golden Rule Lodge No. IS.
Haupt Lodge No. 58.
DeKalb Lodge No. 9.
Live Oak Lodge No. 3.
Oglethorpe Lodge No. 1.
Grand Lodge of Georgia.
From the starting point the line marched
to Drayton, to Bay, and through Bull,
Broughton and Barnard streets to the new
hall. The procession reached about two
blocks. The bright colored regalias of the
lodges with the handsome and rich uniforms
of the Patriarchs Militant gave to the line a
picturesque appearance. At Barnard and
Broughton street* an incident occurred
which, aside from creating a great
deal of auusement, was taken as
I good omen by the Odd Fellows.
The proeessli# was halted on Brough
ton whan the head §Baohed Barnard and
was formed in open order to allow the
trand Lodge to pass through and enter the
building fu-sfi
Tint ODD WLLOWS’ GOAT.
Just as the grand officers started in at the
st end u patriarchal goat of itinerant and
ndependent habits ibarehed in at the west
. > anil LsLtod with the most supreme hir-
Ji,. Biginty to pass through. In the minds
, tne uninitiated the goat plays no unimpor
-ant part m Odd Fellowship.
1 heg. at which met the parade could hardly
a\ e been a member in good standing, for
V SOOl i l *J'dt he hau a gauntlet to run.
tvoryliodv m tb&lino reached for William
le s li®d by, and he got a dozen kicks at
, 7 i'i u . 1 ? p ’ but he refused to bolt and
7''b aU the way through until he met the
to whose rank he deferred,
and. i reakingthn ugh the line, allowed the
“■gh ' Ulcers to pass.
nnmJlfi ATT* 9 ot to® order, including a I
ti|,,i ;y'were present in tiie Ix-au-
t u | ~,‘VT roou , i ’ 1,1 bhc southeast corner of
n ®' w V 11 bhe procession entered,
iirav opeoiim ode was sung a brief
by Gralld Chaplain C. H.
trb Dedicatory ceremony.
~ " aod Master Ist Hat te having signified
■l..'*—JYkh that the ceremony of
MarSwW*® h w* shoulfl proceed, Grand
Lima Mb + “ “• Osborne directed the
d-cum an altar. “Perhaps
bj'.i- ii, 1 ) 0 2, n ‘ thing in liuraan history,”
J*'"' 1 V lshal - “have the
of bitarL fL man ‘•-luxterud With more
altar reverence tlian around tlie
At it* 1 l a " nations have bowed,
ire nil g? s ' u '*ne u!l have worshiped.
Ji fait I ,Tmls - however divergent
ia<Sfk X °® e, iod thou- most hallowed
ilt r i, *l 0 .! lrst authentic account of an
, th, ‘ " ,1 " by Noah after
w ->nderfni aJ ! ’ { ,n commemoration of that
of thil hrjiimhr' w anee ,* Taking nossessitm
vSGm which is about, to bo
atGtl J° 'be ennobling princi
>r ' nof “ ,t j ler ceremonyshould
iIW; * WIUI v proceed until we build an
a „ ■bit, DING THE ALTAR.
A. Ward of Hnupt
forth,: to bring a white stone
"mud JoS ° t l, ‘ a 'bu-. lie retired and re
'-liitM re Proßontation of a block of
, on "'lnch was the word
•'fi Itiotlm* ,i m, V °" r l j vi * •*’ ns pure
"tnS|illr.es our integrity ns llrni and
1,! nnderiiU „f which it is
UiEVn! t .J'l'nn'i Herald G. H. Stone, of
'tt'l, thatn.f'i'' 1 ",‘ u brought in u pink
tapuwrv £?*i ’ ln " Friendship, hallowed
’Utei.r.hE 1 '" Of life. The
who* ven in every lieatu of light;
! "iMli. It by tile power of the
t’low.uid las'l la | l,> I K * S, !W the warmest
Hi'iiid wu! .'•*** from a straight line,
iCllX 1 V f ,1 ‘" 'r 1 A X M'inucy
lakVm jU "T- which was blue, the
I*,, hmT.oi. ••’ ,,, 'Mi"H | iar. Every brother
iS a® 1 nn'h r the mfliiem-e of the or
iri>; P, Uu, 1 HiM ',,‘'l*rsial| Imtstmea, or
* owar,‘ I!' r'V, 1 ‘ with iove and git
f'-liow. that, like the mug
* wre Kinds to the slrug
Of bh" " ~uu ~,w amid the fiercest
f, _ jLfflg4brAn WHSIIID
altar by the Grand Herald of the West,
Henry McAlpin. It was the symbol of
glory, rank and power, worn not less by
priest than king, beautifully appropriate to
the completed character of the true Odd
Fellow.
“Leaving the subordinate lodge, wo now
ascend still higher to the Encampment
branch,” remarked the Grand Marshal.
“Here cluster virtues more ethereal if not
more excellent,” he added, and he directed
the Grand Heralds of the North and South
to place upon the altar the symbol of Faith,
a green stone. “It points us to that undy
ing trust which, when the body crumbles,
lights the valley of shadows,” said the Grand
Marshal.
Continuing, he said: “Grand Heralds of
the East and West, now in golden beams let
Hope appear and spring the rainbow arch of
promise from out the falling tears of life's
weary pilgrimage.” A gold-colored stone
was then brought in.
EMBLEMS OF THE ORDER.
All four of the heralds w ere then directed
to bring in the emblem of Charity, a roval
purple stone, to complete the altar. Tins
stone was surmounted with an altar railing
painted white.
“Type of highest rank and power, it
comes freighted with earth's richest treas
ures, It brings to mail the highest earthly
good. It spans the river of death. Thus
stands our completed altar, embodiment of
the grand principles that underly the stu
pendous fabric of Odd Fellowship. To-day
we assemble in the name of our order to set
apart and dedicate to these ennohling virtues
this edifice. Purity, Friendship, Love,
/•J
GRANT) MASTER C. B. LA IIATTfc.
Truth, Faith, Hope, Charity, rising in
climatic beauty from the ‘Mystic Seven,’
whose charms liave drawn from the paths
of error many a noble heart.”
DELIVERING THE KEYS.
Capt. David Porter, of Canton Chatham,
stepped forward and as chairman of the
Building Committee presented the keys of
the hall to the Grand Master and said that
it was not the business of the committe, the
other members of which w'ere J. W. Fret
well and Jonas Mendel, to allude to their
own labors. The building is cajiable of
speaking for itself in its proportions and
style, he added.
The Grand Master replied in the name and
in behalf of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows of the State of Georgia. To-day
you witness the consummation of that for
which you have zealously and faithfully
labored, he observed. He congratulated the
GRAND PATRIARCH GEORGE G. WILSON.
committee on the completion of the hall.
Another short prayer was offered by the
Grand Chaplain and the dedication ode, be
ginning, “In God we trust, the builders
said,” was suug.
SPRINKLING THE ALTAR.
Acting Grand Warden C. D. Russell and
the Grand Master read a responsive service,
which was followed by the Grand Herald of
the North sprinkling water in the name
of Friendship about the altar. The Herald
of the South lighted a fire on the altar. The
Herald of the East scattered seed, and the
Herald of the West strewed flowers about
the foundation of the altar. After the
singing of “The Spread of Our Order,” the
Grand Master delivered back the keys of
the hail, saying: “Joy be within its walls
and [>eace a constant guest. May these
walls never echo with the sound of an angry
GRAND SECRETARY JOHN O. DEITZ.
or unkind word. May all tlie intluences
that flow lienee l- good, tuid for gixxl, now
and forever. Amen.”
The song-‘Sound the Glad Chorus" was
followed by Grand Master I.a 1 latte's ad
dress, which was heard with deep interest
by all present .
THE GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS.
The Grand Muster said:
An occasion like tlil“ is m.i an uncommon one
tou.lil Fellows Olid Fellowship to-day is only
OK veain old. and yet It tins made remarkable
faeielwav in ahuost every city, town and ba< del
ill I lie enlightened world Tlie lodge* of Savan
nab, In- sikl, are to lw conaratiiliiied upon has
liigbuilt tills lemple. and h" wished Hint every
venr nngt t Mud tin- minute Ismlo- of the I lv•-
illleil Willi tile ol set dis di mid eve,
meinlwr - ln-Jirt glowing w-llli Uie r*ss dlection of
a iiuillil, le of 1 nose llltle kuelts-sse ire ml, r.*l
to Ills fellow rraaturna which go mi far towards
mai< teg emth a heaven
l ure foe olheis, the (irand Vaster Hasl, la
one of th l-ttdllis prlm-lples of Odd Fellow
slop l|e nuule a elirrllilf uiljn-ss to * h" ladies
and urged that tiu ) Pools-rale with the order iu
a deco e i i-eptirod for iheio lie then gave a j
abort eket.-h of mid I ellnwallip FiMUMlnd A|<r(l
Ui ISik. dm-iiijr a |s rio l of lie- ilurkeal ift-sHM
llml has evil Ol eraliadowwi I 111. nation lost
ai.er lh - war bad il-swl MUrwl Ivnteii,
THE MORNING NEWS: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1887.
tx-.int was dismal enough, hat most glorious has
been the success. Odd Fellowship Ims grown
with the country in power and influence. It is
an American institution. No claim, he
added, is made by the order to remote
antiquity, but the claim is made that
it has done as much to lighten the burdens
of mankind, and to have spent as much
or more money for benevolent purposes than
any other secular orguui/.atlon in the world
THE GUIDE TO ODD FELLOWSHIP.
The Bible, continued the Grand Master, is our
book, it is God's most sacred gift to man. We
receive it tvs the inspired word of God, from
which there is no appeal. Every true odd Fel
low accepts it as a guide for his faith and a rule
for his practice. Odd Fellowship consists of
two things -theory and practice. They form nu
inseparable, dual compound. The Odd Fellow
must first receive the theory of Odd Fellowship
in his heart; he must then practice it in his life.
Men must approach thoughtfully and solemnly
this august theory—this divine code of precepts
contained in our book, the Bible. Most moment
ous query: Do our lives demonstrate this awful
theory? If so, hail, all hail workmen, that
needeth not to be ashamed I Victorious con
queror of thine own passion, hail; Well done,
gallant hero of thine own stormy spirit: On,
right on. in Emmanuel's might I Thv God will
knight thee and banner thee and send thee in to
%
$
see the King iu ail His beauty, inasmuch as ye
have kept clean His temple.
As Odd Fellows our constant effort and search
is after truth. All truth is the pulse of the heart
of God. One truth we have learned is this: that
all men are children of our Heavenly Parent,
whom to love supremely is our first great duty.
To do this effectively we must love each other.
AVe need not adopt strange or extreme opinions.
Truth never lies in such. We must be select in
our membership. One unworthy or uncongenial
member is a clog, rth! many such make the im
pediment© of the great army of Odd Fellows.
A SOLEMN BAR OF DECISION.
Odd Fellow ship is a solemn bar of decision to
all who approach it. No man is ever the same
after he enters the lodge that he was before.
He approaches as a stranger unlried and un
known. He must establish himself in the confi
dence of good and true men, or ho will sink far
below the position lie was before supposed to
0 j?
IP- e&iiof
m.
\
15/ -%'
GRAND MARSHAL J. H. H. OSBORNE.
occupy. 11- will go in and out before the world
with the strongest vouchers that men can give,
or ho v-111 In* regarded w ith pity and commisera
tion. Let no mail deceive himself, if he has
misgivings in regard to his ability to reach a
firs' rate standard of manhood.
The lodge may lie compared to a potter’s
house. Tlie material of eiu-h man is tested by
the workman's wheel. There are many
vessels of honor and some of dishonor,
and alas! many have marred in the hands
of the ]sitter. What are you who seldom or
never allend the regular communications of
your lodge, are ye vessels of honor or dishonor;
Is there no skeleton in the closet of your
in-art, no qualms "I conscience for a duty that
ye knew hut ye did it not;
I low ever secret may Is- our counsels, the deci
sion is a public iai“. It is known to the fra
ternity. Our IvKiks are for sale by the pul,he
merchant, and they publish to the w orldAmur
iiigli i-i-i-eds ami i< k,..iu ,-.iTfe<si(w, and a liii l -
reading world will not spar,- yon in its Judg
ment. The whole sjstem of Odd Fellowship is
1.0.0.F
ODDFELLOWS HALL
ASSOCIATION
CORIiEK STONE LAID
1 APRIL 2 6T9 A .0. 1886
\) _ -rrriJ
TIIK rOH^KH-MTONIC.
r*n‘ X Mini any tuun
< llh t i hi Muinl.ti'i it* i*> r Ji in
lUh HUiinluni of our liook ilj**
TNIS UMIOI4T 01X1 nct.i/j W.
Tl# * )M'ht OiH FXJow 1* olio }i/MF
lif* imck Mr'niii l!* |m#* hghl Uml
*\nn** from i!*l win* i>ra<*u<(ni**
wry day ; u L[ iimt in nlI
MIMI lovriy 1 fhM ***& Of) Uil* 1
WHMIS tm>> iumu u>
broad as His creation, and the arms of His
mighty heart embrace all. A man should have
care for others. We are not so dazzled with the
splendors of Odd Fellowship and its virtues that
we are blind to its misfortunes. We Lave no
iufinite prescience to guard us against imposi
tion. Many hold membership whose lives
make no part of an unsullied reputation.
We must endure these for a season. Among
the most hurtful of our misfortunes is the man
who does not leave his private and personal
prejudices outside. He prevents many a better
man from entering. One such is much too many
for any one lodge. But with all its frailties.
Odd Fellowship is an asylum for the true man.
It is the homo and hearthstone of fraternity. It
is true that
“Some feelings are to mortals given
With less of earth and more of Heaven."
A BOND OF FIUKNDSHII*.
Every human being wants a friend. Some
bosom listens to his trials ami woes, some wel
come sharer of his joys. Finally, my brethren,
“Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one
of another, and love as brethren.’’ There is a
vast field before us. Let us therefore
be zealous of the spirit that vexes
the earth, lest it entice us from our noble inten
tion. The “spirit of change’’ is around us.
Death is abroad in the land. Many of our breth
ren, humble and eminent, have gone to their re
ODD FELLOWS’ TEMPLE.
ward in the life to come. Some Bleep in th*
quiet village churchyard, unmarked and ur
known; some under oulptured marble; soni
far aw ay from the haunts of man iu his union
clod mantle, where the wild partridge undi.
tinted whistles at noon, and the sober shadow
that chase the sun assemble at evening; am
then the shy fox at midnight sports with tin
echoes of his own baying, and the lonely wood
cricket tinkles her pensive notes to tin
time of the night beetle s drum. Foryou, too, tin
summons will soon conic. Take heed how you live
that you may be ready to die. Some time and
somewhere you will have to give an account of
your lives here. Live, that when the Divine
Grand Master ca lls for you >*ou may be ready to
enter His holy temple, and sit down to eternal
enjoyment beneath the pavilions of bliss, where
ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with
peace; where the mountains and the hills shall
break forth before you into singing and all the
trees of the held shall dap their hands.
The addresses being concluded, all jollied
in the doxologv, “ braise God, from whom
all blessings flew,” and the assembly was
dismissed with the benediction, pronounced
by the Grand Chaplain.
THE FIHST LODGE IS GEORGIA.
The first Odd Fellows lodge, accord
ing to history, was instituted in
Georgia in 1843. On March 8 of that
year, after due application to the then
Grand Sire Kennedy, a lodge was instituted
in Savannah, 1). D. Grand Sire Albeit Case,
of South Carolina, olliciating. The lodge
was namgd Oglethorpe Lodge No. 1, and
had but five charter members: William Se
well, Jr., Alvin N. Miller, Samuel Court
ney, William H. Keekely and James Reed.
Alvin N. Miller was tin; first Noble Grand
md James Reed the first Vice Grand. The
•slge received its charter Dec. <>, 18-13.
by Jam 31, 1843, the lodge had TO
nemboi’s. Tlio second lodge in the
-itate was instituted at Macon, Jim.
.’7, 1843, aud it took the name Franklin
-odgo No. 2. Live Oak lodge No. 3 was
tie second one organized in Savannah and
he third in Georgia. It was instituted Fell.
, 1*43, with the following eluater members:
f)r. E. Parsons, George \V. Miller, Edward
J. Jones, Edward J. Purse, George Li<eds,
Paul Thoniasson, John W. Evans. Elisha
Parsons was elected Noble Grand and 6. W.
Miller Vice Grand. Sylvan Lodge No. 4,
which was instituted at Milledgeville July
30, 1848, was the next lodge in the State.
It is the only lodge of the first teu in Geor
gia that Is dead.
THE FIRST ENCAMPMENT.
Magnolia Encampment No. 1 was consti
tuted Aug. 10, 1843, and Alvin N. Miller
was elect'd C. P. Application had already
las'ii made Aug. 3 by Oglethorpe Lodge No.
1, Franklin No. 3. Live Oak No. Sylvan
No. 4, and Uni tel Brothers No. 5 for a
Grand Lodge of the State of (ksirgin, to be
located at Savannah. The Grand Lodge
was actsfrdingly instituted with Alvin N.
Miller M. W. Grand Master. Guy L. War
ner 11. W. Deputy Grand Master, Elisha
Parsons 1!. W. Grand Warden.
Tin- liret <'elebiatieri of the order in Sa
vannah took place Jan. 22, 18-44. At tho
session of the Grand 1/Mlgc Aug. 8, 1*44,
Elisha Parsons was unanimously elected the
Hint Grand Representative to the K. W.
Grand Lodge of the United States.
Feb. 0, 1845, the second celebration of the
order in tlas city was belli. At this time
there were eight subordinate lodges in Geor
gia, with it memlierahip of 932. DeKnlb
fsurge No. 9 was iustituted in Savannah in
February, 1845, with John W. Anderson, N.
(>. ALmtu month later Waslungton luillpx'-
eupixl by Ogh thor|ie lsslge uir.l Magnolia
Encampment was burned and the most of
their records, regalia and furniture wux de
stroyed. There is it ley -ml to the effect that
the spectators nt the tire Isilievcd that the
hlstorie gout nm burned.
TMK oil DICK'S I PS AND DOWNS
The three bslges and the "muhipmcnt
proe|isl, arid, when in JS.V4 Kuvuinmb was
visited by the yellow fever, tiie order nhownl
its principles rind lb. work. The sii k were
iai ed for and ire- dead were nlfttlelvd to
then lust nt:ng phem liy msimi bivUe r.
The w-blow and the < upturn w-re
•tsi pru'lli.l ior, U ltd noun will forget
wtuhi Urey live tie’ devotion nt lh* rrii-b is
to out anodes dus my that tarribUttpklotoi’
Nothniz ml-sloi.d With o| the I
Odk-r til Ul Us> bf.rluil_ out of Um civil,
M *4‘. Ever J ust Of APti* Uti%li u ipA'tud
it. Very few wore loft at homo to look after
lodge business. Many never returned, and
when the struggle was ended the roll was
greatly reduced. During the war the rela
tions bet ween the (fraud Lodg. of the United
States and the Grand lodge of this State
and of other Southern Stabs were broken
otf. but in 18<M they were resumed. Early
in 1868 Wildey Degree Lodge No. 1 was in
stituted. The subordinate lodges did not
take mueh interest in the Degree lodge, and
after an existence of six years its charter
was surrendered.
THE OLD ODD FELLOWS’ HALL.
In 188S an Odd Follows’ Life Association
was formed and located in Savannah, but it
diil not prove a success and was wound up
in 1876. July 24, 1607, the hall occupied by
the order, up to the completion of tne new
temple, was dedicated ns an Odd Fellows’
Hall by Grand Master James L. Haunt.
On Feh. 14, 1869, llaupt Lodge No. .VS was
instituted, taking its name from P. G. SI.
James L. Hmipt. In 18? J a charter was
given for a Reliecoa Degree Ixxigein Savan
nah, and it was instituted March 29, 1860,
by Deputy Grand Mastei David Bailey. It
vns named Mission Lodge No. 1. Some
me later the lodge ceased to work. Aug.
i, 1874, the R. W. Grand Ixxlge of the State
eld its session in Savannah. Golden Rule
jodge No. Id was instituted bv Grand Mas
er Simmons Nov. 10. 1875, and George N.
.'fichols was elected N. G.
SOME LATEH HISTORY.
During the epidemic of 1870 the lodges
ounded a relief association which did much
'ood work in relieving the sick. Assist
ance was also rendered to other cities when
ver they were in need, as Chicago after the
great lire, Memphis during the plague, Pen
sacola and Shreveport vrnen their citizens
were suffering. In August, 1881, the Grand
Ixxlge again mot in Savannah. Thomas A.
Askew, of Oglethorpe, was Grand Master.
The last branch of Odd Fellowship insti-
F. T. LINCOLN, N. 0. HAUPT LODGE.
tuted hero was Chatham Uniform Degree
Camp No. l, on Oct. 15, 1888, of which
David Porter was electod Commander.
THE ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES.
At 8 :d0 o'clock last night the sixty-eighth
anniversary of the order was celebrated
with imposing ceremonies. The handsome
lodge room was thronged with Old Fellows
aud their guests, a large number of whom
were ladies. Many who had been invited
were unable to gain admission at all, so
great was the crush. The anniversary oxer
!
i
1
!
)
i
I
I
I. wxr.TT, x. o. live oak lodoe.
ciw* went very brief, and did nut orcnpjr
over half an Dour. The memhe! of trie
(irand I/via* wart- prowmt but did not |iar
in tin' amnimijr,
THE BANQUET AND BALL.
The Cloelnir Event* of the Day's Cele
bration.
The iimu hiding, if not b* crowning fee
turn of U day, wa the liamjU't end
|n hi # tit fU^td. At "dm H :,KJ (/r'tji'lc
■nurUiuK the regular mutuvvfmuy iitruMi,
bit'll are |*<i formed evticy year, were held.
VVlmiu unit was evr tint auitiMv-naan doors
'U the upper floor of the building were
thrown upon.
Five tallies extended the whole length of
the immense hall, another reached nearly
the length of the hall, anil smaller tables
"'ere placed about here and there. These
rented fully 500 members of the order and
their relatives and friends.
An officer of the order was seated at each
end of the tables. Grand Master LnHatte
was at the head of the third table
from tlie east side of the hall.
At the north end of the table sat
G. M. J. 11. H. Osborno, and P. G. David
Porter occupied the head of the table on the
Grand Master’s right, iuid P. G. J. R. Saus
sy was at the other end of the table. Lieut.
J. IV. Jackson, of Canton Chatham,
was at tho Lead ot the tlrst table on
the east, and G. S. A. N. Manucy was at
the north end. At tho respective heads of
the tables on the Grand Muster’s left were:
P. G. YV. H. G. Ward and P. G. George G.
Wilson, G. S. John Deitz and G. H. I’. C. D,
Russell, G. T. J. S. Tyson and V. (i. H. YV.
Rail, Chairman Floor Committee
Immense as is the hall, it could not com
fortably seat all the guests who were pres
ent. The Rectory Society of St. John’s
church furnished the supper. Buskets of
fragrant flowers were suspended from tho
gas jets, and the long stretches of snowy
linen, set off with the delicacies, made a
DAVID TORTER, COMMANDING PATRIARCHS
MILITANT.
pretty picture .which gradually melted away,
or rather, perhaps, changed to another when
the guests lx'gan eating.
The supper finished, the speaking com
menced.
THE TOASTS.
The first regular toast was:
The Grand Lodge of Georgia The legisla
tive head of the order within the State. Re
sjionse by Grand Master C. B. Lallatio.
The Grand Master in responding thanked
the subordinate lodges in behalf of the
Grand Lodge for the spread. The subor
dinate lodges bear the same relation to the
Grand Lodge, said he, that children do
their parents. Continuing, he compliment
ed Savannah highly. • and added that the
beaut,if ul City by the Sea has a good number
of of! ■■ rs oi the Grand Lodgo. Tho order
throughout the State is growing steadily,
and is now on a higher plane of morality
than evor bef< >ro.
THE SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE.
The second toast was:
The Sovereign Grand Lodge—The fountain
of American Odd Fellowship, ever ‘rue to itself
and the teachings of the Order.
Response by Grand Representative C. H.
Dorsett. Mr. Dorsett wm absent, but his
Wi
J. S. COLLINS, N. O. DE KALB LODGE.
address was read by Grand Marshal J. H.
H. Osborne as follows:
I have often been impressed with that pecu
liarity of our natures which leads us to regard
with admiration, and something akin to venera
tion, the governing power. The patriot feels
thus to his legislative counsel; the churchman
to his synod or conference; and the Odd
Fellow to his Grand and Sovereign
Lodge. This feeling, I think, in
creases -gains force- in proportion as the gov
erning body is possessed of dignity, wisdom and
extended authority. It easily grows into love,
as the ability and inclination to protect, guide
and foster are shown. It is not strange, there
fore, that the loyal Odd Fellow should regard
with feelings of admiration find love 1 he supreme
tribunal of our order, the Rnvereign (Iraud Lodge
This supreme head has been Justly termed by
you the “Fountain Head of Odd Fellowship."
While it claims no monopoly of the wisdom,
loyalty and conservatism of the order, yet Its
I lister} for more than a half century has proven
it. a pure fountain, from which has proceeded
that which has given to American Odd Fellow
ship life and vigorous growth.
To its wise legislation, prudent counsels and
uniform and consistent regard for the rights of
W. It. FLEETWOOD, N. G. OGLETHORPE LODGE
individuals und Htate orguuizaUons Is largely
due that onh"*lvenesH which has never been Im
paired or even threatened. Forini'd at a time
alien. from the iinuclty of lodges, Its members,
I r force, were Identical with tue memU-rxiilp
of the Hiute grand body from which ll originated,
ils individuality was us den met, Its dignity as
go at and its wisdom as marked as at (his ilav.
when it tlss for Its constituency fifty four State
grand bodies, representing 7,!i' subordinate
lodges, and luiuilsirs atnug its members some
of tiie greatest minds of the country,
Tho careful student of the acta of the Sov
rrelirn (irand Ixslge cannot tint tiotks its vene
ration for Its ooustltutioo. Tb* right* guar
Hiitc-d under that 1 us-i'll'o'-ut to the IndlvTdiisl
(idd Fellow,the Huhordlnat* l/xigcesi and the Stale
Grand Lodges an (iiarded with jealous cam ami
OOUIttM a sai ril InK 'Die uniformity of ita
law,, and decisions touching these matters run
ning through all these years, which mark a
period of lime prsguiud with i bangwi In all
Ibuigv larthly. evljetsa the great fact that
prfntipU, tsiro hi HeAvi-n an l an tilled by
Wrtus ojtntiactr has nil'-I and governed aud
■ ■obi l olled Imss uounaeia
Ha sovuiegti 'iraod l/sige, tiwyeforr, seek*
to teach Ita ueunhei ship, now rouua ail over tbs
world tlial In die practice of frMtduditp has
gud truth pah '*>l' lie found Its* safeguards for
tbs Ills of b union I*%^
tmk **a* i, gtaaii tv
The I*ool son <gla TV- WO
who lan atdod s hadtaonebi * hoddms uu Uw
order and upholding its principles and teach
ings.
It was responded to by Grand Secretary
John G. Deitz. His response was devoted
almost entirely to enumerating the Grand
Masters, tho Deputy Grand Masters, tho
Grand Wardens, the Grand Secreta
ries, the Grand Representatives, the
Grand Patriarchs. the Grand High
Priests, the Grand Senior Wardens, the
Grand Junior Wardens. The Grand Sec
retary prefaced his remarks witu some
pleasantries about the object of his and tha
Grand Master’s visit to Savannah. From
I’d!! to the present the Grand Lodge ot
Georgia has had 41 Grand Masters, of which
number Savannah furnished 15, the first be
ing G. M. A. N. Wilson, who served from
1848 to 1845, and the last being Dr. George
H. Stone, who served in 1884-’BS. Of the
40 Deputy Grand Masters Savannah fur
nished 9, of the 40 Grand YVardens she haa
had 12, of the 7 Grand Sectaries ii, of the
s Grand Treasurers 4, of the 28 Grand
Representatives 14, of the 88 Grand Pa
triarchs IP of the 88 Grand High Priests 8,
of the 88 Grand Senior YVardens 11, of tho
87 Grand Junior Wardens 6, of the 0 Grand
Treasurers 2, of the Grand Seribee 1 for 17
years, and of 11 Grand Representatives to
Sovereign Grand Lodge for Grand Encamp
ment 4.
THE ENCAMPMENT BRANCH.
Grand Patriarch George G. Wilson re
sponded to tho fourth toast:
Th" Encampment Branch of the Order—The
crowning excellence of American Odd Fellow
ship.
lie said: ‘‘As tho representative of the
Grand Encampment of Georgia I am happy
to be able to say a word for the patriarchal
department ot Odd Fellowship which is
most assuredly the coming excellence of our
beloved order. The man who wears tha
regal purple and lives up to the sublime
lessons (aught within the shadow of our tent
is worthy of the confidence and esteem
of his fellow men everywhere. Tho Grand
Encampment of Georgia is tho legislative
lx>dy, composed of the past officers and the
subordinate encampments within the State.
The meetings are annual, at which time
such legislation is bad as is deemed mod:
.conducive to the welfare of the subordinate
encampments. Meetings are held in va
rious cities and towns. This year it will be
held in our lovely City by tho Sea in tha
mouth of August.
There are within the State eleven encamp
ments. Their membership is mode up of
such metubers of the subordinate lodges as
are in good standing, and are not objection
able to the patriarch with whom they pro
pose to associate. The Grand Encampment
was Instituted in the city of Macon July
12, 1847, by Jhe representatives
from five encampments. Those from
Savannah were Robert H. Griffin, John R.
Johnson and others, of whom Bros. A. N. Mil
ler, John N. Lewis and Adams are the
ones living now.”
In concluding he said
ti '
::i !im’!- '-I ' ■lffinfjfog i>jP MgSmEl
oive i h i -taCjM ffce (Jrw;d
ogrees.”
THE PATRT S.RCHS 'iffWANT.
The fifth sentiment, “The Patriarchs
Militant, tho Chivalrous Department erf
Odd Fellowship,” was responded to by Maj,
David Porter. He said:
The Patriarchs Militant is the result of a pro
cess of evolution. We have first the uniformed
I’atriacli of 1874, for which Representative Tur
ner. of Ohio, was res)Hm.ible; then the "Uni
formed Degree Camps ” of 1882, far which Rep
ret. native Crocker, of Illinois, was responsible;
and. finally, the “Patriarch Militant” of 1885,
created by a committee of three from the
Sovereign tlrand I-odge, Representative Under
wood, of Kentucky, now Deputy Crand Sire and
Lieutenant General, giving tlie military por
tions of the degree.
In this degree we have a complete army or-
Sanitation. Beginning with the canton, which
i the same us the company, wo
have battalions, regiments, brigades,
divisions. For instance, we have present
to-night a portion of Canton Chatham
No. 1, belonging to the First battalion of Geor
gia. attached to the Fourth brigade of the di
vision of the Ohio. The different divisions com
bine to form the army, of which the Grand Sir*
Is the commander-in-chief, the Lieutenant Gen
eral having the active command, assisted by
Major Generals in command of divisions, Brian*
dices in command of brigades, with Colonels,
Lieutenant Colonels and Majors for regiment*
and battalions. Captains, lieutenants and En
signs for cantons, and a full staff and non-com
missioned corps to complete the organization.
Tne name Patriarch Militant is a compound
term created by the committee, who, in explain
ing it, say that patriarch should be defined us a,
peaceful ruler, and militant serving at)
a soldier, hence the term means a j-eaoefuj
ruler serving as a soldier, and, with a license
which is reasonable, for the committee assures
us that it is so, they say it is to be construed "a
just soldier," h*noe the appropriateness of the
motto of the degree, “Juiuitia VnivericUis,"—
universal justice.
The teaching of the degree is chivalrous and
manly, tsith honorable and military, the mem
ber, therefore. Is termed “Chevalier," synono
moua with Knight, and a gentle reminder of
that, chevalier who coroes down to us on tha
pages of history, as “without fear and without
reproach, ”
A principal tenet of the degree Is that right
shall lie adv, ic-uted at all times and by peaceful
methods, yet dial it shall lie defended by force
if necessary; hence the battle cry, pax aui
helium peace or war.
Under this order of organization jiatriarchal
memiiers ware invited to enroll themselves, aud
by Jan. 1, 188(1, the movement was under head
way. On Sept. 1, 1886, the Lieutenant General
made his first report to the Sovereign Grand
Ixxlge. which showed that 13.548 liad been mug
tered into the service, and on Feb. 34 last tie
estimated tirnt Itf.UOO swords supported the
banners of the degree.
A memtx-rof a subordinate Uslge M obligated
to be friendly, to be brotherly, to Ix3 trutnfuk
A member of an encampment is taught to lie
faithful, tolerant, charitable. Are they Odd
Fellows? We are mom: Engrafted upoii these
fruitful virtues Is an obligation io promote har
mouy, peace and concord; to avoid discord and
strife.
We are taught that, as the true soldier en
gaged in a just warfare presses forward and
strikes valiantly against the stionghold of ibe
adversary, never yielding until that adversary
capitulaics; und as he Is not easily turned
aside, fearing no danger, heeding no voice bus
that of his commander, and whe- the conflict
Is ended is ready to grant quarto, and protect
the helpless, so we. too, soldiers in a good cause,
must always earnestly contend for those re
forms best culculatod to promote the
moral welfare and advance the condition
of mankind Upon all questions affecting the
good and well-being of the community in which
we live we are to have opinions of our own, and
to fearlessly express them whenever occasion
may require, at all times bearing in mind that
others have an equal right to entertain honest
opinions of their own.
We an- taught that we should condemn no
one hastily, but strive, rather, bv kindly words,
lo correct and counteract the Influence of error,
never forgetting that "universal justice” is the
first principle of soldierly manhood to be
carried into effect, first, by means of peace, but
that the right of every cause should bo enforced,
even to the waging of war.
THE BAVANXAH LODGES.
President Thomas A. Askew responded In
a long and well prepared speech to "The
kslgesof Savannah aud the Odd Fcllovyp*
HaH Association. The former, by their Ac
tion, have enabled the latter to give us some
thing more than a hall on pa|>or, which hoa
appropriately been dislicutod to the serviced
or Odd Fellowship <>n this, the day we eele
brute, the sixty-eighth anniversary of the
establishment of the order in America.
"In responding to the sentiment just an
nounced, lie began, "which embraces
one subject, but thus-, namely the < idtj
Fellows of Huvaiuiah, the Odd Fellows' HgJ|
Addociatkm and the ilay we celebrate, 1)
would lie impossible for me on ail - •> axu-p
lilt" this, wlien my heart is overflowing with
joy, to do justice oven to one of the sub
ject*, much less to all. Therefore,
when with such feeling pul
sating in every beat of my heart,
you must prrinit me to isx-upy a little nm
lime than is usually aJlowed to redpCdti
to a sentiment. Why this grand -1 <*utyo
st rat ion on April 3ti t Why tins gathering:
of over half a million of men with their bum.
lie* and friends throughout thi Iwid of mm
and ot her lauds I Wu-isa Im ib-iay do wit
cdrUik-l Our hearts respond to Aini-nnM
(kid Fellowship, tiie groail and noble otvta
of fraternity aud love, that has done uu
speakabW dseds for the amelioratiou of the
human roes aud tin idftiusaiwl of
morality aud truth, Tiam cnimof
tiie inquiry: Wtial M Odd FeliowaUM
What mao** U* love this myMe order!
Why devote our hour* of l-daer* within toe)
Cvttfo-usd ♦* AsFUk i'lllas.
5