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0' 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE 
 
 A-^o^ — '-•c- 
 
 -n e^- 
 
 1 
 
 ^mmst^jUt ^^m^i^ i!r<&. i. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS, 
 
 OxN THEIR FIRST ANNIVERSARY, 
 
 AT STANSTEAD, 
 
 /^, 
 
 JULY 29, 1846. 
 
 BY REV. ALBERT CASE, D. G. S., GRAND LODGE U. S. 
 
 STAN STEAD: 
 
 L. R. ROBINSON, PRINTER. 
 18t6. 
 
Oriental Lodge Rooms, Rock Island, July 30, 1816. 
 DEAR Sir and BnoTiiEn : 
 
 t.\^'!V^^rT}!!''^T' ^" '"'"'"■'" y""/''^'^ ^"^ undersigned hare been appointed by Oricn- 
 tal Lodge No. 7, to requesm copy for publication of the Address dcUcrcd by yJuon Se 
 first anniversary of sa.d Lodge. Permit us to hope you will fovor u, in iL ^spcS' 
 and we beg leave to say, your compliance with ouVrequest, will be ecTually rali?yif.e to 
 those no having the pleasure of listening to you on that occasion, as to thoJwho i d - 
 Wc would also .mproye this opportunity to tender to you, in behalf of said I^^ ;,- 
 suranccs of cur very high considcraUon. ^' 
 
 With respect and esteem, wc remain, yours in F. L. & T. 
 
 SAMUEL L. FRENCH, 
 JOHN G. OILMAN, 
 
 Rev. Albert Case, D. G. Sire, 5tc. &c., Worcester, Mass. ^ ^' ^"^^^• 
 
 Rock Isl.\.\d, July 30, 1846. 
 Sins AND Brethren : 
 
 Your kind note of this day, in behalf of Oriental Lodge, requesting a copy of my Ad- 
 dress, has been received. I am not insensible to iU many imperfections, and I am ap- 
 prchcnsivc that you may have estimated it too highly ; but as you seem to regard iU pub- 
 lication calculated to advance the fraternal interests of our Institution, I submit it to 
 your disposal, satisfied if it shall in any small degree aid in effec'ing the object designed. 
 
 Be pleased, BroUicrs, to accept for yourselves and for the Lodge you represent, as- 
 suraiices of my gratitude for your kindness, and of my very high regard and considera- 
 tion. 
 
 Very truly thy Brother in F. L. & T., 
 
 „ . ^ ^ „ . „ ALBERT CASE. 
 
 Past Grands— S. L. Fhencii, J. G. Oilman, J. C. Chase. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 '•The DESuiN of Frikndship, is to make two ok aioue one. M 
 
 Pythagoras. 
 
 E.N 
 
 OUGHT TO BE UNITED.' 
 
 Gratified, I trust \vc all feel, that \vc arc pcrmitlod to asscinblo Ui- 
 gother on this intereeling occasion. I feel a groat dcgrco of pleasure in 
 uitnessing the union and harmony of Odd-Fellowship exemplified in thio 
 gathering of Brothers of diflercnt political and religious tenets!, and subjcctH 
 of difiercjit Governments. Among the ancient Jews, wc read tlj^t the 
 people assembled to be numbered, and that on such occasions', the several 
 tribes of Israel, each springing from a common ancestor, assembled by 
 thousands. They went to make a census of their numerical and avalla'- 
 ble warlike strength. But no warlike summons has brought lis logclhcr. 
 We come not to dig up the hatchet, or whet the tomahawk, like Indian 
 tribes — we come not to light the beacon fires of a Scottish forav, nor to 
 draw the line oC fifiy-four forty, or forty-nine ; but in thepcac<?nil garb 
 of brothers have we come into God's tacrcd leujple, on an errant! of 
 peace and love, — an errand fit to be consccraicd in such a place, and by 
 such a band of brothers. I congratulate you, my brethren, on this asK-em- 
 bling. It is matter of gratulation to our wide-spread Order, that we a.-- 
 scmble here in the spirit of Odd-Fellowship this day, 
 '•Nf>« as the conqueror comes, 
 Bi the true and lioncst hearted," 
 have you come up i .t, in accordance with an ancient and honombli: 
 usage, to celebrat(3 ni ;ent which toi/mi is full of deep interest, and to 
 the Order, yea, to the world, important. 
 
 People of all nations have been accustomed to celebrate by festivals or 
 othervvisc, the annual occurrence of days on which events of moment have 
 transpired. They have commemorated by Anniversary celebrations the 
 rise of nations, and communities,— the uprising of philanthropy, morality, 
 nnd virtue, as well as the war-founded throne of power. 
 
 You meet now to commemorate the birth of Oriental Lodge, No! % 
 irfto (he great family of our honorable Fraternity. Twelve months have 
 rolled nwoy, and are numbered with the past, since vour Lodire u as In- 
 stituted. You have the privilege of knowing if your principles as Odd- 
 Fellows, are serviceable when reduced to practice ; and from the retro- 
 ppection to gain lessons of instruction to guide and influence vou in com- 
 ing time. 
 
 That you hove not been disappointed in your carlv formed opinions of 
 the utility bf the Institution, Is evident from the fact,' that you regard the 
 establishment of your Lodge, an event worthy of commemoration. I have 
 ho doubt H is so regarded by the Grand Lodge and the Fraternity of Can- 
 iida, and I the more heartily congratulate vou on this anniversary, on thi.'i 
 ;:.ccount. 
 
 • It matters not to what form of Government the man belongs, whether 
 itbe DespotiCjMrtnarchial,orFree,— arojind the altar of Odd-Fellowship 
 he will alwayp rncor uitii ;i friend, protector and iirotlier. It matters not 
 
Our doom are guarded from llie intrusion of the curious tha irfl. »„J 
 
 s»r-^«drx™d»So\Tr.^^^ 
 
 • , jf i'®*'" '"^"®'' of astonishment to many individuals th«f «n o.. 
 
 They have not yet fully learned all the peculiarities of our Institutlnn 
 They have not yet learned that the passions engendered by the bickerlnr: 
 of party, and the more cruel denunciations of theoScaUeL find n*o 
 
 mimmm 
 
 'Tnendship, on wing ethereal flvinr round, 
 Stretches her arm to bless the hallowed ground. 
 Humanity well pleased there lakes her stand. 
 Holding her daughter Pity in her hand : 
 Here Chanty, which soothes the Widow's sieh 
 And wipes the dew^rop from the Orphan's ew; 
 Hero stands Benevolence, whose large embrace. 
 
 *K 111. ^"*'''''="'»«"''«-d, takes in the human race"- 
 
 moralize and bless-3r„m XZZ ^Lfel'tJ.^S.'i? IhT"'"' 
 tives to the Derformanrfi nf h;„i, \i/ ^,*^g6.»» an^ 'earn all the incen- 
 
 ?eep,icis. in ZtlZl lp?o'in7 Od -M;wfhi:,"'Thl" ? ''^,'' 
 

 \ 
 
 N^ 
 
 Iiilidc'l relalive to Christianity. Tlius duod he distruHt iiis own eyes, and 
 declare, inferentially, from the predisposed baseness of his impure heart. 
 Thia dark principle has prevailed long enough. All associations which 
 have stepped forth with an open hand and a generous heart, and labored 
 to ameliorate human siiflering, have been the objects of its hatred. 
 
 Cain hated Abel. The sympathy, aflection and good will of Abel, was 
 not possessed by Cain — who hated and slew his brother. Ignorance of 
 the principle which lived in Abel's breast — together with its concomitant 
 envy, gave birth to wrath ; and then its offspring, murder, all hideons and 
 blood-robed, appeared to shroud the trembling earth in gloom. We do 
 not, however, claim that Abel was an Odd-Fellow, although he manifest- 
 ed the virtues of Odd-Fellowship ; nor di; we rank Cain with the oppo- 
 sersof Odd-Fellowship at this day. Yet we say. Cam was ignorant of 
 the principles of Abel — he haled him for his gentleness and love. Odd- 
 Fellowship is opposed by those who are ignorant of some of its forms ; 
 and who feel that its principles arc too pure and holy to abide in whited 
 sepulchres. 
 
 It is not my intention to detain you long with the antiquity of our Fra- 
 ternity. I have no desire to claim remote antiquity for the organic struc- 
 y ; ture of Odd-Fellowship. It matters not whether the fanciful idea so often 
 ^ put forth, that the foundation stone of Od J-FoIIowship was laid by our 
 forefather Adam — whether it was organized in the Roman camp, among 
 '.he Druids, or Egyptians, or at a later period, be correct or not. We know 
 <J that it has been organized as a system — that it is of human origin, based 
 ^ in principles which are coeval with the great Divinity. We know thatit 
 H ranks among the most honored and useful of human institutions. It has 
 •A withstood the assaults of its enemies. The unbridled fury of the ignorant, 
 sthe more artful falsehoods and subtle insinuations of the demagogue have 
 :;• passed by, without scathing its pillars, or dimming the lustre of its chain. 
 VS Idle and impotent are, and ever will be, the puny efforts of malice, or the 
 strong t of bigotry and superstition, against the inculcation and practice 
 of those St .)lime virtues of our Order, which have a common God for 
 their origin, and a boundless universe for their temple. Their efforts have 
 been put forth against our Institution with a zeal worthy of a better cause, 
 
 "While like a sunny rill, 
 
 Silent, yet gaining still, 
 Deeper and'wider our influence has spread ; 
 
 Soothing the Widow's fears, 
 
 Wiping the Orphan's tears, 
 Strength to the weak— to the fatherless bread." 
 
 It is, however, not surprising that the progress of the Order vras opposed 
 in £urope and America at an early day. Much of the prejudice that 
 was aroused against it, was in consequence of its partaking of the char- 
 acter of a convivial association ; for such was its character in both hem- 
 ispheres. No wonder, then, that an enlightened and moral community 
 would spurn the professions of the members of the Institution which, 
 whilst it claimed to exert a moralizing and elevating influence among 
 men, presented little if any evidence of the truthfulness of the profession, 
 but rather evidence against the profession and the influence, in the cus- 
 tom which was known to exist, and the practice of conviviality in the re- 
 cesses of the Lodge-Room. The ptiblio saw, indeed, a beautiful theory 
 
G 
 
 presented, but tliey mw an example in nnti.^onirt,,. witl. il. .t il . 
 
 il.oy could not trust it a. an agent of K(.ud id Z • ki i 'V "'"^ 
 
 evil pn.ctico«, and its n.cn.bet, in I.e ulsod S c^oadtvT ' •' '"",'• 
 
 rJh„ ;»"''*"• ^""' ^.'■^^'■^'' Odd-Fellows, to whlcl/welook n«our Pa- 
 lit K '■'^'" '".^J^'f''««ter, Great«ritain,inthe year 1819 Odd 
 1-c lowship, m sonic lonn, hnd doubilcss existed indeDCndent of .h. 
 and «o had the name oxis.od, and the lorrn in p t '^.t " o" t ,nich oJX' 
 spinl, aa early aa the middle ..ftlio 18.1. (vn.tui'y ' "''^ 
 
 In 1788, the poet Montgomery compodcd an Ode for n societv in T n„ 
 don, which had for their motto, '•Friendd.in Lovo a. H Tn h '? . 
 own Ridgely say«, ^<,Von. .he perfect .rSt^^rLtween c h^ °"'' 
 used,- and the practice of the ancient Od.l^Sw ve are Lt?n?r^'' 
 heheving that was a society of Odd-Fellow^ '' UV a. p n\. ^ ■ '" 
 
 terctod in those ancient org^ni^at.ons, to a;e their h to fa X'^. I '"^ 
 
 I olimv„ Munc ,cs.cr Uni.y, ,i^„„ „.|,ioh w„ , eri« o'r .„, or ,, Tit 
 The Supreme Head of llic Order on the Westnr.i rnnt;„«„. i 
 
 
 • "When Friendship, Love and Truth abound 
 
 Among a band of brothers, 
 The cup of joy goes gaily round 
 
 t-o.rh share* the bliss of othrrs." 
 
 'tin Uio 
 
and 
 
 lowKliip ill North Amenca. f ii Scriptural liiix's, revelations of future gto- 
 ry and grandeur \\cre sulTercd to biint upon »ho visit)n of tho pntriarchit 
 and propheta of thot-c dayn, and the land of promiac was permitted thuM 
 to display itself before the loniringcvfs of some who were never to tct 
 foot therein. When Father VVildoy planted the Order in America, ho 
 flaw not its future glory — he could not by anticipation have beheld it au 
 It now in, numerous, me(u\ and respected, — but he has entered into more 
 than tho land of promise — he sees tliul the hued has taken root and bro't 
 forth abundantly ; and his heart beats with joyous eniotionu, when ho 
 ihinltsthat all over the Continent his brethren are glorying in the priuci- 
 f»lcs of Friendship, Love and Truth. 
 
 Could the old Patriarch be permitted to be with us this day, — as poor 
 Rip Van Winkle was restored to the bosom of his descendants, — with 
 what a shout of joy would we meet hiui and pledge ourselves anew, to 
 adorn the temple he laboreil to rear, and to perpetuate the name and 
 the spirit of Odd-Fellowship, till lime itself shall cease to be. 
 
 The reformation, or regeneration, to which the present condition of 
 the Order is tfo much indebted, took place in 1824. From that time the 
 hitherto languishing Institution, began to gain strength, and after a few 
 years, a new era in its history commenced. It had shaken ofl' the cum- 
 brous customs — turned all its energies and abilities to the proper interests 
 of the Order, and directed its funds in wholesome channels, and it began 
 to be appreciated as an Institution that did much, and promised more in 
 coming time, for the elevation and comfort of mankind. It went on, in- 
 creasing in numerical and moral force, until it extended all over yottr 
 neighboring Union, — it has planted its Altars in the far West, away at the 
 place of the sun's setting — 
 
 '• Whore rolls Uic Oregon, 
 
 And hcarii no sound 
 
 Save his own dashing." 
 
 It has erected its altars in every State of the Union, and here in Canada 
 it is zealous in the performance of its mission. In 1843, it was under 
 the auspices of the Grand Lodge of the Western Continent, introduced 
 into Canada. Prince of Wales' Lodge was then organized at Montreal, 
 afterwards aro^e Queen's Lodge and then Prince Albert's Lodge. — 
 Then succeeded the Grand Lodge of the Province of Canada, which I 
 had the honor of Instituting at Montreal, in Nov., ISi*. It now num- 
 bers nineteen subordinates and many members. There are also four 
 Encampments and one Degree Lodge, all engaged, and all successful in 
 extending the principles which fraternize mankind and cemcpt them to- 
 gether as a band of brethren. The Province of Canada is keeping pace 
 with the neighboring States, and taking the lead of some of them in Odd 
 Fellowship. The germ which was borne from England, in the heart of 
 an Englishman, transplanted in the United States, has extended its bran- 
 ches and its influence, until all North America is favored with its light 
 and warmth. It could not be bounded by national lines, but looking to 
 the good of a common humanity, it reaches out all abroad, — erects its al- 
 tars, gathers its votaries, and inspires them with that Friendship which 
 produces a oneness of sympathy and affection, and causes each to recog- 
 nize in each a brother, whether he be of his own country and tribe, or 
 of a different one. 
 
The i)rogr.'S8 (.r ihc Order in all North America, has l>een ttuch oh to 
 nilon'mh those who have early ntui Inte labored in its behalf. At thid 
 period, there is Romcwhere m the vicinity of a thousand Lodges, and be- 
 longing to these, and enlisted in the grout army that is marching onvvaid 
 under the barjner of Friendship, Love and Truth, are probably 100,000 
 tneml)er8. These lodges and brethren are scattered over the vast extent 
 of the country. Tlicy are found here in her Majesty's dominions, and 
 from your most Northern altar, over tfio vast extent of country are kin- 
 dred altars, around whicli orcthrcn assemble; and vou will find them on 
 the sea hoard and the interior— on the plain and the' hill top— till you reach 
 the Rio Grande. We look back from the lofty eminence to which our 
 Order has attained— we see it in its several stages of progress from its in- 
 troduction into North America until now, with mingled feelings of surprise 
 and delight. A little time has passed since the feeble band congregated 
 to rear the first altar ; and now, after 27 years, it has erected its temples 
 and dedicated its altars to a pru-tical benevolence as deep as the wants of 
 a wide spread humanity. 
 
 The Roman's boast was, that he would stamp upon the earth, and ar- 
 mies would obey the summons. With a power superior even to the Ro- 
 man boast. Benevolence has spoken, and responsive voices have been 
 heard like mighty thunderings from the mountain and plain, the hill 
 top and glen,— proclaiming n continent responsive in tones of manly de- 
 termination ; while relieved Widows nnd redeemed Orphans mingle their 
 shouts with the reverlierating sound, like the chorus of angel voices. 
 
 Thus, the organization of associated benevolence, which in the old 
 world was impaired by associated vice, Hvas transplanted in this Western 
 Hemisphere ; and here the impure was after a few years discarded— and 
 unincumbered Truth, Love and Friendship found a genial soil, and are 
 operating in the heart, fraternizing mankind, and improving the masses. 
 They came under the name of Odd-Fellowship, and while exerting their 
 hallowed influence here, they send their light and warmth back to the Old 
 World. They are there purifying the organized masses— quenching the 
 strange fire upon the altars, and causing a pure incense to arise to heav- 
 en. The objects of our Institution are well understood. We have in a 
 measure manifested the sincerity of our professions. In the world's eye 
 we have been brethren,— we have raised up the weak and down-trod- 
 den, — smoothed the pillow of death,— solaced the widow's wail, and 
 trained the orphan to usefulness and respectability. But yet we have 
 labors to perform— there remains wo and misery — there is yet immoral- 
 ity and orphanage— there is need of our cherishing and practising "love" 
 one to another, and of extending this principle wherever is want, or igno- 
 rance exists. It should be ours to 
 
 "Grasp the whole world of reason, life and sensr. 
 In one close system of benevolence." 
 
 The practice of this height of charity, consiRts mainly in contributing to 
 the permanent good of each other. This is a chief object of our Insti- 
 tution—it would diffuse the knowledge of the great brotherhood— and of 
 ourduties, and thus unite men together in fraternal union. If "the de- 
 sign of friendship is to make two or more one," then is that rrrincipie an 
 important one in our fraternity. Nature has implanted the • necessitv of 
 
this principle in our hearts, niui made the cullurc .>f it an ngreoable ami 
 iiflcftjl labor. 
 
 If the unity of humanity ia tlesiral.le, then \n Friendship important, for 
 It ha« a tendency to unite men, and to btrongthen the bond of union • for 
 it arouscH to duty and to«ympathy— it unlocks the Htore-huuse of Ikjoavo- 
 loncc, and, Howard-like, the individual goc« forth blessing and blessed 
 
 Lonl Bacon Ima well said, that "a crowd is nolcompanv, and faces arc 
 
 buta gallery of pictures, and talk but a cymbal where there" is no love" 
 
 It id a mere and miserable Bolitude to want true friends ; without a friend 
 the world is but a wilderness. A "faithful friend is the medicine of life" 
 —a panacea for many of the ills of existence. One reason of the petty 
 jealousies and wranglings of men, is their wnnt of knowledge of each 
 other. One chief reason why nu;n arc alienated from each other and 
 rcfurtc the kind offices of life, is their ignorance of each other. Our In- 
 stitution brings them together on a common level— the high and the low, 
 the rich and the poor meet together, and feel that the Lord is the maker 
 of them all. Their dir'cordant opinions on church and atate— their preju- 
 dices and uncharitauluness, is here laid aside— they meet at an Altar 
 dedicated to Friendship, Love and Truth— they meet as Brothei-s— they 
 cultivate an acquaintance, they come to sec that which is g.wl and pmise- 
 worthy in each other; their animosity and coldness is removed ; they be- 
 come inspired with the principle of Love, and the trulh of man's' relation ; 
 
 are hound in fraternal 
 
 Friendship exerts her power to unite, and they 
 bonds by the mystic chain. 
 
 True Friendship hath nn sling, no shade of gloom ; 
 
 A lovely blossom 'tis of fatlelcss bloom, 
 
 Whose witching perfume scents alike the air 
 
 Breath 'd 'ncalli the coUao;e roof, or palace fair ; 
 
 A gem emitting rays refulgent, bright. 
 
 Alike in day-light's glare, or darksome night— 
 
 A brilliant lamp wliosc oil, like her's of old, 
 
 In imconsumed— a flame that ne'er grows cold : 
 
 A sparkling stream that gurgles sweet along, 
 
 Brightening the flowery groves it flows among. 
 
 Till sinking with a low and gentle sigh 
 
 Upon some oecan-billow mounting high, 
 
 It mingles with its waves — thenceforth to be 
 
 A TART, a portion of the boundless sea. 
 
 Such is the friendship that, unchanging, throws 
 
 A halo round life's scenes until they close, 
 
 And such the mystic tic that links each band 
 
 Of truthful "Odd-rellows" throughout our land. 
 
 Nor does the influence alTect only those who bow at the altar ; thev t^n 
 forth to the worid, to make known the truth that 'Mnen ought lobe t'mit- 
 cd ; to show that men can fraternize, and, leading the way, thev exert 
 an influence that shall tell on generation after generation, until the Mil- 
 lennium come. 
 
 The principles and inculcations of our Order exert an influence over its 
 members, and that influence extends to their associates, and again to the 
 beholder; and increases the moral order, the social feeling, the friendship 
 and purity, and consequent happiness of the whole community. The 
 Lodge prevents many from running into temptation. We are naturallv 
 
 ROCtal hfinnrn. anH lolian r«>-.^v>'-->n=' •" ««-l- '"— tU- -, W . .. • 
 
 - j,_, ,„i j), ,.>,„,(>,, ,t- FTmiic itn IHt; lilifivrf. ,(i atlil Salla- 
 
 faction of our social nature in the Lodge-Ronin, the aventu"^ i<» nimin-t! 
 
10 
 
 amusement are doscJ, by the more attractive pall.s tliat lead to llie LIch- 
 «ed retreats of Odd-FeIlou«hip. From ti.e.e retreats profanity, intem- 
 .erance, d.ahonesty and haUed are excluded j and temperance, jujce, 
 honor watch ulne«s and good will are inculcat'ed. Many a fond Vifeha^ 
 been blessed by the reforming spirit of Odd-Fellowship, and many a ki ,^ 
 .s^er has hlted her voice in thankfulness, that the father and brother have 
 been rendered letter, and even restored, by the influence of the printi- 
 ph^s mculcated.n the Lodge, and the association with tho.e whS have 
 become imbued w.tb the principles, and do breathe them. 
 
 Ihe benehcial influence of our Institution has to a great extent been 
 acknowledged by the world. It tends to unite men of difler^nt nation" 
 and coinmumt.es, and thereby cements the bond of human brotherhood, 
 
 mlS"""' %l '" 'TJ^'I''^ ""'^ •" ^"'^'«' intercourse to promote hu- 
 man welfare. I he sick Brother, at home or abroad, ia provided for to a 
 greater extent than in any other human institution-^yea, Jven greater than 
 .nUiechurc . The Brother disabled, is strengthen'ed^yTyS^^^hyanJ 
 funds; and dying, he receives all the attention that could be paid by hi« 
 ovn family cicle. Then, again, his companion and his little ones are 
 puvided lor,-.they are protected, and made as comfortable as the sym- 
 pathy, counse^ care and moneys of brothers can make them. This at- 
 teiition to the Brother is paid, whether he be at his own fire-side, or abroad 
 lom his lamily and his home; for, in the pecul-r language of Odd-Fel- 
 lovvsh.p, he reveals himself a Brother, and fin.s BrothL, as companions 
 
 land, lor Odd-Fe lowship cannot be bounded, and her votaries dwell in 
 every civilized cliine. Numerous are the instances v% hich might be cited 
 to assure you of the facts I have stated. 
 
 An Odd-Fellow, a citizen of New England, J.J. Rogers by name, was 
 late ly vvreeked in the South Pacific Ocean, and afterwaixls carried to New 
 
 of Od l^^iS' ^^' ' ''f /"''"'• I ^" ''•""'"e there, he found two Lodges 
 ot Udd-Fellows-made known his circumstances, the fact of his shio- 
 wreck, &c., and the brethren furnished him with all necessary clothine 
 paid his passage to England, and gave him forty dollars to support him 
 until by his own labor he could provide for himself. A seaman from 
 New York City was wrecked on a Southern coast-he reached the city, 
 where brethren provided for him, and eent him home with a month's 
 wages to (eed his family. * 
 
 A lady, with her husband, came from England some years since- 
 hit h"..h^^Ki^K^"" ""''? 'uf'^ ^^^y '''^'^ '" comfortable circumstances ; 
 but he husband became feeble, and lingered long, till their little all was 
 expended. He died, and left her destitute and needy, far from home 
 among strangers. The last mite had been expended-slie was in want 
 Her husband had bowed at an Odd-Fellow's altar in the Old World : but 
 the circumstance had not been brought to her mind until, in examining 
 his papers after his death, she found the card he received from his Lodee 
 Ml England. She did not then think it would become a talisman to ad- 
 niinister to her wants. But a short time after, she heard that a Lodge of 
 Odd-I ellows vvas to be formed on a particular evening, in the town where 
 sue dwelt. She wrote a note stating her necessities, enclosed the card, 
 ana on the nicjht of Insialla«ion of jKp T v,j~^ .i.^ _„_. ■.. rp, * 
 
 uas immediately raised for her relief and comfort, and with tears of g rati- 
 
1 1 
 
 tude slie ackiiowlcilgfil her tlitmks, calling down bles.-iing.s on otn- then iii- 
 larit Inslitation. In the language of Inspiration she said— "The blessing 
 of him that was ready to jierish shall descend upon thee ; for thou dost 
 relieve the stranger, and cause the widow's heart to rejoice." 
 
 I need not cite to you the numerous instanret^ on lecord, where the wid- 
 owed mother has publicly blessed our Institution for its benefactions to 
 herself and her offspring ; many of them are known to the world, and 
 they have secured for the Institution the blessings of the widows and or- 
 phans, and their prayers for its progress and future triumphs. Orphans 
 are provided for, reared up and educated, in all sections of the country 
 where Odd-Fellowship exerts her power. Thousands of children who 
 have been left fatherless, on this continent, have found fathers and pro- 
 tectors in Odd-Fellows' Lodges. They camo like those little ones who 
 approached the Savior, when he took them in his arms and blessed them 
 —they came, and are receiving the benefactions of the Order. The 
 Lodge is a father to them. And not content with this, the Fraternity has 
 the praise-worthy object in view, of raising and endowing a College for 
 the reception and education of the orphans of Odd-Fellows. 
 
 I have told you of one instance where the widow of an Odd-Fellow 
 received the benefits of our Order, and that among strangers. Thanks to 
 the generosity of the Brotherhood, the wife or widow of a worthy Brother 
 may now receive from the Lodge such evidence as will enable her in any 
 land, to convince the Odd-Fellow that she is entitled to all the attention 
 and support the Brother himself would be ; and by that evidence she can 
 secure respectful attention and relief, if need be, even among strangers ; 
 for she can appeal to Broth rs, and wherever the banner cf Odd-Fellow- 
 ship is unfurled, her appeal will be responded to by those who will delight 
 to counsel, relieve, protect and bless. I would suggest to ladies the pro- 
 priety of urging their husbands to become Odd-Fellows, if they are not, 
 that they may secure the privilege of a card to themselves. And to the 
 parent, I would say, you can recommend to your son no better way of 
 gaining friends, advisers, and good moral, temperate associates, than by 
 joming an Odd-Fellow's Lodge. He will, by that means, obtain a pass- 
 word to the best of society, and find brothers as parents and protectors in 
 every land. 
 
 Odd-Fellowship exerts a moral, social and beneficial influence. It is 
 a moral society — a life and trust association ; and its praises are sung by 
 happy voices throughout the land. While it does not claim to be a reli- 
 gious institution, only in the practice it require.^, and in manifesting the 
 fruits of "pure and undefiled religion," which is "to visit the widow and 
 fatherless in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" 
 — yet, ho Atheist can become an Odd-Fellow. If he refuse to acknowl- 
 edge, while yet his foot is on the threshold of the Temple, that he believes 
 in God the Supreme Governor of all, the door will not open to his view. 
 It admiLsof no sectarian views; but, like the rainbow of heaven, while 
 It circumscribes all mankind, it gathers into its symbolic chain men of 
 
 every kind, creed, nation and fiiith, and inculcates chm-ity to all men. 
 
 Charity, that heaven-born principle, which, like Meicv — 
 
 '*"Qt»rjr 
 
 : ihr ■■ 
 
 r-nt 
 
 Upon the earth bpnoath. 
 srircji. 
 
 Blessed in him that 
 
 view fiOni IiCuVcii 
 
 It is twice blest — 
 and him that U\kts.' 
 
12 
 
 I trust it will not lie il.oi.gl.t egotistical, if I i„(Wm you l!,.. ti.e funds 
 
 Iw th^t thp"'' '■"'•''' '^r^'l"' ^'"•■P'*«^«' and the returns of the Orde 
 show that they are sacred to those purposes, viz: of relief and sunnort 
 
 to Brothers, their widows and orphans. "^ 
 
 iJ^r*"'"' *" ^''r ^'"f"^ ^•■^"'^ J^^^g^' ''o^^''^ year ending June 30 
 184.0, show a gain of membera by initiation, in one year: of ^2 862 Thp 
 revenue amounted to $449,194. The ihole nu2r o? cSbuul^ 
 members was near 100,000, Relief had been extended t^eS Broth? 
 e 8 and 476 w.dowed families. The total amount paid for r^Hef dir ne 
 that year, was $124,669, to which we may add 9 Grand LoTes wh c h 
 faded to make report of relief extended, and doubtless showCar wo 
 hundred thousand dollars expended for the benefit of the sS bSJ 
 the support of the Widows and Orphans of our beloved o2r 
 son V' w^^ '^ ''"' *^""^' T '.^""^'■^^ broad-cast to every wanting per- 
 
 men ThZ "V^'^V "^' ^f'"'^' T^^^ ^iven as freely as those of any other 
 men. The Lodge funds bemg held sacred to the Order, we must have the 
 pnvilege of preserving them exclusively fcr the Order Wc must have 
 
 cnmTeZ'tharrf '"^" "r''^'^^ ^'"^" "'" ^^'^"'^ appropriatell, ^e 
 entitled to that privilege. In protection to Brothers-to widows and or- 
 phans, our .nst.tut.on is eminently distinguished. See ye the lone orphan 
 for whom no mother's bosom throbs in soft sympathy ! '*'"^°'^P"»''' 
 
 ^Sec ye the widow forced in age for bread. 
 To stnp tlie brook, wifii mantling cresses spread : 
 To pick the winter's faggot from the thorn, 
 1 hen seek some nighUy shade and weep till morn." 
 These are the objects of the Odd-Fellow's tender regard. Perhaps 
 there is no association of men that can with more truth say :-«Whe' 
 he ear heard tne, then it blessed me, and when the eye saw me, it gave 
 witness to me, because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatheriess 
 and h.m that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was Sy 
 to perish came upon me, and I caused the vtidovv's heart to sing for W 
 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to 
 thepoor, and the cause which I knew not, I searched out." 
 
 Hut It is often alleged that ours is a secret society, and that the secrecv 
 ^^IZiV """""' ^ '''''''^'^ ^^'^h the benevolence it profc se We 
 .emark that ours is not a secret society. Is that a secret society, whose 
 principles are spread out all bare and beautiful before the worij^who^ 
 membe,^ are publicly known as members-whose laws, plac^of meet- 
 ings, and practices are understood by the whole community. No • That 
 .8 a secret association whose plans, purposes, places of meeting and mem- 
 bership, are all concealed-who keep banded together like robbers and 
 assassins, unknown to others. The Carbonari of Italy, or the band' n- 
 
 fes °L?ST' '7r" T'^ '''H' ' '^''^ ""^y •'^ ^^^^^ secret sec". 
 ^ZL ' ?"'"' ^'^^°"Sh we observe the principle of secrecy. The 
 
 nroSltP?"^!^ '' "°^ r """'" *° Odd-Fellowship. We use Ufor iff! 
 
 one to r^n:! Tr"""" r">"' '"^'"^7 '' '""^^ ^° ^^ «" «?«» ^<^'^'^ ^o^ every 
 one to read. If our Lodges were thus open, we might expect hat everV 
 
 WntZ ^"VT l-u' ^'' *" Powei^of locomotion, wo^ld Sones7 
 y live on our funds, till none would be left for the sick nnrl H;«t«.«co-i 
 tnc wndovv and the orphan among ourselves. " ' 
 
 
13 
 
 are 
 
 Lvei) p^o^o^■sion, every firt, every trade, lias it« bccrcls. Einpires and 
 states have tlieir secrets. Families and churches have their secrets, and 
 I doubt mucli il' there is a heart in this assembly but what is the repository 
 of some secret. Secrecy is observed m every condition of soci«ty. And 
 yet, vvc don't think of speaking of secret empires, secret states, secret 
 churches, and secret families. Why, then, charge Odd-Fellowship with 
 the crime of being a secret society 1 It observes the secret principle, but 
 we have j^et to learn that it is more sinful for our Order to seal its letters, 
 than it is for a church or state to do the same. 
 
 This secrecy is no novel doctrine. The Egyptians veiled their religion 
 and politics under its impenetrable mask. Lycurgus, among his consti- 
 tutional laws, required that eveiy one keep secret whatever was done or 
 said. The duty of secrecy is taught and enjoined in the Scriptures. — 
 Solomon forbade drunkenness in a King, because it is an enemy to secre- 
 cy — and added, "He that discovereth secrets is a traitor, and he that con- 
 ceals them is a faithful brother." A wise man also said^-" Whosoever 
 discovereth secrets loses his credit." 
 
 The fust Christians were accustomed to pledge themselves to one an- 
 other by a solemn declaration similar to the covenant among Odd-Fel- 
 lows. Pliny who wrote in the first century, reports to the Emperor Tra- 
 jan, that "the Christians were wont to meet together in the night and bind 
 themselves to secrecy,"— that though they might recognize each other 
 in the multitude, they should not be known as associates by the world. 
 
 TcrtuUian, a Presbyter of Caithage, who died about A. D. 216, says, 
 "None are admitted to religious mysteries without having secrecy enjoin- 
 ed." Minacius Felix, who wrote a learned and eloquent defence of the 
 Christian religion, which Lardner thinks was published in A. D. 210, 
 states that "the Christians know one another by secret signs, and love one 
 another almost before they are acquainted." 
 
 The Master of Christians enjoined secrecy upon bis followers, and 
 thereby recognized the principle for which we are contending. "When," 
 said Christ, rMatt. 6, 3) "thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand 
 know what thy right hand doeth ; tnat thine alms may be in secret." 
 
 If the secrecy we enjoin is beyond this, it is only to protect our funds 
 from imposition, that we may be able to Jo "alms" ; but it is further objec- 
 ted that the privileges of the Order are conferred upon the worthless and 
 immoral. We desire not to receive such, until they shall have reformed. 
 But, we may be deceived. We cannot see the motives of every individ- 
 ual. We are sometimes imposed upon, no doubt. If we are deceived, 
 the Institution ought not to he censured, but those who are guilty of the 
 deception. It is unjust to blame any society, for the evil couduct of its 
 members, unless the society sanctions, or is blind to that ill conduct. — 
 The best things may be abused. Our holy religion has been perverted 
 to base ends. Have ye not seen hypocrisy and sin in the church — at the 
 altar of God 1 Have ye not seen wrangling and strife on account of a 
 slight difference in creeds? But Christianity is not to blame for these a- 
 buses. They furnish no argument against Christianity ; nor should the 
 immoral conduct of a member, be attributed to Odd-Fellowship. 
 
 It has been objected further, that our Order requires the time of it» 
 members, and that females are not permitted to enter our Lodges. But if 
 it be a useful institution, if its privileges arc invaluable, it must of course 
 
14 
 
 require some time on the part of those who uonKl participate in itn toils 
 and prmleges. There is little of good acquired without toil, a, at e 
 
 AnS'if . ^ r 'l'"'^!!?'''?'' *"■ ""y P"-"**"'* ^^'^'^•h >ie'd« as great reward 
 And It 18 not for himself alone that the votary at the shrine of Odd Fn 
 
 owBlnp, pay« hi, weekly visits. It is to seeure the ble n's of U 1 S" 
 
 iraVerl"%t''r.''l ^'(' ^""'""' ?"' "" g--;tioCthiT Si 
 live alter him. But what shall we say to the objection that ladies ai-e nnt 
 suffered to beeome Odd-Fellows 1 We say the ihct that they can^T b^ 
 admitted, .s a comphment as high as we can pay them, -^hey require 
 not the mcenfves of Odd-Fellowship to induc!e them to practice tK 
 tues .t enjoms. Where else can the repository of truth, so readflv be 
 found as m wonjan? Temperance which is taught and enjled in the 
 Wge, .s her hab.t. Where will you seek prudence, but in the mode,? 
 chalwtr^h rr"",--. P^'"'^ '''' '^^'•'"V ^' Per-nined, ut Tn t he 
 
 «n Jll! '"*^,l"se"t Ledyard, who had visited every quarter of the globe 
 and carefully observed the disposition and habits of both sexe< .afs •--' 
 
 hospitable; bum no country, savage or civilized, have I ever addressed 
 
 ZZhU L"n ' ''"^"?«' °^ '^'''ry ^"^ P°''^*^'»«^«' but I was responded 
 llT If Z T "?'^ «"5"/'«"-" Odd-Fellowship, although entirdy "en. 
 
 should bo vaHtrnh^'' V f'P'^'?'"- ""^ .^^"^^^'""2 ^^•<>"''^ "«t ^'^ tifat she 
 enouiii bow at its altar, oC whom it is said,— 
 
 "Hers is a mild and gentle power 
 
 That prospers in affliction's hour ; 
 
 And when the heartlessness of friends 
 
 Falls, like a pestilence, and brings 
 
 To Hope's own fair imaginings 
 
 Us withering breath ; then woman lends 
 
 Her words of solace ; and her smile 
 
 Like moonbeams on a ruined pile, 
 
 Comes with an influence to bless 
 
 Where all seemed diear and comfortless : 
 
 And sheds around such holy light, 
 
 As makes e'en desolation bright." • 
 Such are the sentiments of our Institution, in reference to woman, and 
 the regulation which forbids that she should participate in our mysteries 
 .s equally as proper as her exclusion from seats in ParliaZnt/o f om 
 the command of navies and armies, or from 
 
 "the tented field, 
 
 Where column after column w heel ; 
 Where cannons roar and chargers jeel, 
 Amid deptruction's revelry." 
 
 fhill Tr^^ her influence and her approval, and she can bid Odd-Feilow- 
 sh^ «God speed » without sullying the chastity of her pure spirit We 
 
 i 'It nl: rllS '" '^r' '' ^"^ P""^'P'-' -^ - ^-y love gl' 
 oiTexertfons to mnr ^'"r°'^" companions and neighbors, to'-approbate 
 
 o3d Fellowship" '''^"■^^^'^'^"^^^ perpetuate and extend the blessings of 
 Brothers,— you have seen the triumphs of Odd-Fellowship over sect 
 
 I 
 
15 
 
 and party ; you have seen it oiijtling in fruternar iniion those who were 
 estranged by political and religious tenets. It takes men of the most dis- 
 cordant opinions in politics and religion, and brings them together, in- 
 structs them ir. the good qualities of heart they jjossese — leads them to 
 see they are brethren — to labor and fraternize together as such. This 
 has been one tendency of our institution, — where party spirit, strife and 
 animo.sity raged, severing friends and relatione, it has calmed the elements 
 of strife— brought mfn of all parties together, and consolidated them in- 
 to an union that has been efficient in banishing discord and contention 
 from the community, and establishing the reign of friendship and good 
 will. We have witnessed its eflects where christian sects have been ar- 
 rayed against each other; when they have associated in Lodge, they have 
 discarded the spirit of hatred and come to respect and love each other. — 
 Odd-Fellowship raises above and controls party, and therefore is it de- 
 signed to make men one in purpose, one in affection. Its power has been 
 felt among men of different sects, diflerent parties, different nations and 
 governments. It unites them together upon principle, and never, no, nev- 
 er, let the relative positions of their governments be what they may — can 
 these Odd-Fellows forget that they are Brothers. The links of that sym- 
 bolic chain that encircles them cannot be sundered by the waters that 
 separate, or the lines that bound the nations. Odd-Fellowship is doing its 
 part to prepare the way for the coming of that glorious era foretold by 
 the old seers of God, when the spirit of the Supreme Majesty shall walk 
 forth in power, and say to the raging winds of human passion — "Peace ! 
 be still" — and a holy calm shall ensue — a calm in which the spirit of 
 war shall be forgotten, and 
 
 "To ploughshares men shall beat their swords, 
 To pruning hooks their spears," 
 
 and man shall be redeemed from every antagonistic principle, and united 
 in Friendship, Love and Truth. 
 
 Methinks I see this day, reasons that strengthen my hopes in this ^reat 
 triumph. Bright and prosperous be the career of Odd-Fellowship, and 
 when men are thus redeemed and united, when they shall "learn war no 
 more," but there shall be universal peace and good will that shall ever 
 prevail— may it be seen that Odd-Fellowship— the hand-maid of Christi- 
 anity, has faithfully performed its mission. 
 
 Brethren, a year has passed away since your Lodge was organized. 
 You hail its anniversary with delightful emotions. You have cause to re- 
 joice at the triumphal arches you have erected, and with becoming so- 
 lemnity to acknowledge your gratitude to the God in whom you trust. 
 
 Brethren — I congratulate you, on y«ur success and prospects. Ye 
 have done well. Bright and inviting are the prospects before you. I re- 
 joice with you on your first annfversary ; at peace among yourselves and 
 with the fraternity, respected by all around whose respect can do you 
 good ; if you go on in the practice of the benign principles, you shall re- 
 main a firm pillar of the Grand Lodge of Canada — you shall aid in ce- 
 menting the whole fraternity throughout the worid in one form and spirit 
 and family ; having one desire, one purpose, and a uniformity of pr«c- 
 tice ; one Word^and Grip, and Sign. Brethren, let us hope, while we 
 labor, that Odd-Fellowship may yet possess a universal language. Then 
 shall we realize the bright visions of Glory that now appear to beam on 
 
16 
 
 the future, and sec yet noMor triumphs oi" our Order. Then will the 
 linkainour chain be bright and well riveted, and our Institution will 
 stand, 
 
 " Like sninc lull cliff that lifts its awfnl form, 
 Swells fl-om Uie Tale, and midw ay loaves the sloim ; 
 Though round its bust the rolling clouds arc spread, 
 Eternal sunshine sultlcs o'er its head." 
 
 The work has been well begun. I beseech you, Brotkeis, pei-sevcre. 
 
 The edifice has been reared and adorned with beauty ; let its name be 
 embalmed in the heart's bestaflections — and its pillars be entwined with a 
 wreath of glory. Go on Brethien, and if in after time, the destitute and 
 the homeless come up to where your banner waves, may it be said 
 
 "And he who came of all bereft. 
 
 To whom malignant fate had left 
 
 Nor home, nor friends, nor country dear. 
 
 Finds home, and friends, and country here." 
 
 As members of the Fraternity, high responsibilities rest up#n us. The 
 highest blessings which Odd-Fellowship enjoys and conveys, arc to be 
 perpetuated, unimpaired and untarnished, by us, to be delivered down to 
 our successors — or as they descend, go with the seeds of decay and death 
 implanted by our neglect or selfishness. The importance of our position 
 cannot be overrated. This Order is to stand, a monument of the benevo- 
 lence of man and of the blessings of the Supreme. 
 
 Throughout our whole jurisdiction otir Order is prosperous and respec- 
 ted. I shall carry with me evidence of your prosperity, and your devotion 
 to Odd-Fellowship. I shall assure the Parent Grand Lodge that with all 
 her children Odd-Fellowship is the same. I congratulate you on the fact 
 that you are aiding to enlighten and fraternize humanity,'and as others 
 have the happiness to make your acquaintance, may they find it agreea- 
 ble as I have. I can ask for them nothing more at your hands. I am 
 satisfied that deep in your hearts you cherish a desire that men should be 
 united ; and that you will steadily inculcate and practice the principles 
 which tend to make them one. 1 know you will labor, that Odd-Fellow- 
 ship shall go out wider, and yet with power, until the vast universe is 
 flooded with its light, and animated with its spirit; until those who now 
 cherish selfishness, enmity and hatred shall come in peace and good-will, 
 and prove men, all united in Friendship, Love and Truth shall go up the 
 song of oneness and joy like the mingled voices of many waters ! 
 ^ From the kindness I experienced on a former visit to the Brothers in 
 Canada— from the known hospitality of the people of your Province, and 
 of the Odd-Fellows in particular, I anticipated a fraternal and happy in- 
 terview with the members of Oriental Lodge. Geat as were my antici • 
 pations, they compare not with your kindness and courtesy. I came a- 
 mong you a stranger ; I was greeted by warm-hearted brothers— I am sur- 
 rounded by such ! This is Odd-Fellowship— I feel it in the warm grasp, 
 I see it in your generous countenances— I hear it in kindly breathings of 
 aflection. I judge not alone by external appearances, when I say* you 
 are Odd-Fellows. I speak in all sincerity, your ivindness makes ine 
 feel, 
 
 "That iU)s around my heart are spuit 
 That cannot, will not be undone."