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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