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 THE LIBRARY 
 
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 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
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 LOS ANGELES
 
 
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 A STORY 
 
 OF 
 
 FORTY YEARS IN ODD FELLOWSHIP, 
 
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 CYIUTS liAMLm KIJLJJV, 
 
 p. G. AND P. C. P. 
 
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 PlTBLISHEI) nv THE iVlTTHOK. 
 
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 PECK, PHOTO., PORTLAND.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS 
 
 A STORY OF 
 
 FORTY YEARS IN ODD FELLOWSHIP 
 
 BY 
 
 OTEUS HAMLIJSr KILBT 
 
 p. G. AND P. C. P. 
 
 IFIieST ETDXTIOIsT 
 
 PORTLAND 
 Published by tue Author
 
 Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1889, 
 
 By CYRUS HAMLIN KILBY, 
 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington, D. C. 
 
 From Press of Chas. Paine, 
 Portland, Maine.
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The Author does not deem it necessary to inform 
 the reader why he has written this book. It is obvious 
 to the mind of every true Odd Fellow. Forty years' 
 membership in such a noble and humane institution as 
 ours is a history good or bad if never written. If the 
 brother has been a worthy, active and useful member of 
 the Order, his life record will benefit those who come 
 after him, and it is profitable to preserve and transmit 
 it to the generations that follow. 
 
 Whatever there is brought out in the experience of 
 the writer, concerning his days of trial and adversity, 
 as well as those of prosperity, to give joy and inspire 
 courage to others, while passing through like experi- 
 ences, is dispensed with an honest purpose and open 
 hand for the advantage and profit of all. 
 
 The writer does not arrogate to himself greater 
 honor or deference than that which belongs to other 
 faithful Odd Fellows, who have, like himself, "seen years 
 and witnessed many solemn changes." The title of 
 " veteran" for long years spent in any civic or military 
 service or philanthropic cause is an honorable title, 
 and rightfully claims respect. 
 
 There are living to-day scores of worthies who be- 
 came strong pillars in the temple of Odd Fellowship 
 years before the writer was initiated into its mysteries. 
 Some of them are walking our streets with bent forms 
 and tottering steps. They have passed their three score
 
 4 PREFACE. 
 
 years and ten, and are nearing the extreme age of man. 
 Some of them have given the young and middle aged 
 brothers of the Order the benefit of their lonof exi^eri- 
 ences by pen ; others have lived it by word and deed. 
 Their entry into the Order was at a later period in their 
 lives than that of the writer ; their forty years veteran 
 title came when they were past service and no longer en- 
 gaged in the active duties of lodge work. They have 
 faithfully performed the duties of their time and are 
 now reaping the rewards of well-doing. 
 
 The forty years spent in the Order by the writer have 
 not dispossessed him of his mental or physical powers. 
 The experience of those years has furnished material 
 for writing a book to please and instruct a large number 
 of brothers and friends scattered throughout New Eng- 
 land and other States. 
 
 The book contains no dry statistics concerning the 
 Order. Those matters have been correctly and thor- 
 oughly compiled b}' the able Grand Secretary, Theodore 
 A. Ross, in the "History of Odd Fellowship." This is 
 a book of simple narrative ; a real life picture ; not over- 
 drawn, but made up of extracts from the writer's 
 journal and reminiscences. 
 
 The story is told in an every-day style, just as it 
 would be when seated among the brothers in a cosy 
 lodge-room on a long wintry evening. The words em- 
 ployed express the true ideas and intent of what the 
 w^riter desires to communicate, and his hope is that every 
 brother into whose hands the book comes will read it 
 carefully, give countenance to every good and honest 
 thought, and throw the mantle of charity over all its 
 imperfections. c. h. k.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EARLY LIFE OF THE WRITER. 
 
 The author of this book was born November 29, 1828, 
 in a small thriving village on the border section of 
 Maine, in Washington County, twenty-two miles from 
 the county seat. A pleasant three hours drive from his 
 home, on a mid-summer day, brings to view that historic 
 spot known as the "jumping-off place," away down 
 East. Just across the British Channel lies Campobello, 
 St. Andrews, Grand Menan, and other territory belong- 
 ing to Her Majesty's Dominions. 
 
 The early life of the narrator was quietly passed, like 
 that of many other boys, in country villages, in living 
 under the parental roof and attending school, sur- 
 rounded by wholesome influences. There was no lack 
 in moral or religious trainuig to fit a boy for a useful 
 and noble life. His father and mother were the best 
 parents in the world. They were God-loving and God- 
 serving parents. Though many years have passed since 
 their voices were hushed, and their eyes closed in death, 
 their christian influence still lives, and hundreds of good 
 men and women have risen up to pronouuce blessing on 
 their names and deeds. 
 
 At quite an early age, the writer had an aspiration 
 for newspaper work. The hardship imposed, and the 
 di'cad which came into the experience of many scholars
 
 6 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 of olden times, when required to originate and read their 
 own literary productions, as one of the regular school 
 exercises, became an easy and pleasant pastime to him. 
 The more frequently engaged in, the more agreeable the 
 work, and better performed. His efforts were often- 
 times rewarded by words of commendation from the 
 "school-master," who never wasted words in praising 
 that which failed to come up to his standard of merit. 
 
 The fondness for writing continued to grow with ad- 
 vancing years. It was the proudest moment in an old 
 journalist's life when his eye fell upon the first article 
 penned by him in print, in a country newspaper. So it 
 was with the writer, when liis first public production ap- 
 peared in a temperance journal, published in Portland, 
 nearly forty-five years ago. Those carefully spelled 
 words, formed into sentences and paragraphs, occupied 
 two and a half squares in the city newspaper. They 
 have been sacredly preserved in a highly-prized scrap 
 book, and to-day show as bright and readable as Avhen 
 clipped from the paper long years ago. 
 
 The gracious editor-in-chief, into whose hands were 
 committed the destinies of all aspiring young newspaper 
 correspondents, kindly allowed the products of this ju- 
 venile brain to "pass over" the waste-basket into the 
 hands of the typos, to be " set up " for the press, and 
 go forth and be read by men and women everywhere. 
 Whether or not it was for the benefit of the newspaper 
 frateriiity, or the reading public, in after years that en- 
 couragement was given the writer to try again, must be 
 decided by the influence which has been exerted on the 
 minds and character of those who read and were governed 
 by the opinion expressed by the correspondent and
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 7 
 
 editor of a number of newspapers that have been and 
 now are published in the Dirigo State. 
 
 A CHANGE OF SITUATION. 
 
 In 1849 the wi'iter left his home, parted from school- 
 mates and old associates, leaving for others the work in 
 the store, in the counting-room, and among the mail- 
 bags, where he had many years served the public. In- 
 terested relatives, and a position more acceptable, in- 
 clined him to seek a new home among strangers in a 
 foreign land far away, in the city of Halifax, Nova 
 Scotia, now in the Dominion of Canada. 
 
 The journey to the new place of abode was full of ad- 
 ventures. It required hours of slow, tedious traveling 
 in a one-horse mail wagon to reach the extreme bound- 
 ary town, where passengers, mails and all movable arti 
 cles were transferred to the ferry boat, which was 
 propelled by stout men, pulling at the oars, across the 
 bay to St.. Andrews, New Brunswick, where an apology 
 for a team was in waiting to convey the three timid 
 human beings with their personal effects and Her Maj- 
 esty's mail over a long, dismal road to St. John. It 
 was the rainy season in December. The darkness of 
 night and the howling of the winds, accompanied by a 
 pelting rain, made the situation anything but an agree- 
 able one. The warm fur coat and thick wrappings, 
 which were closely fastened to protect the body from 
 the sharp north winds, became burdensome when soaked 
 with rain and stiffened by the frigid atmosphere. 
 
 When arriving at a stream which separates the turn- 
 pike, the weary horse came to a stand-still and refused 
 to proceed, even when urged by the sharp cut of the
 
 8 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 driver's whip. The reason for his halting was quickly 
 ascertained by the disappearance of the bridge, which 
 had been carried away by the freshet. On learning 
 this fact, the occupants of the wagon became quite 
 alarmed, as there appeared no visible way for crossing 
 the stream. Fording it would be impossible. There 
 was but one dwelling house in the vicinity, and that 
 was quite a long distance away. Time was rapidly pass- 
 ing. The inclement weather necessitated prompt ac- 
 tion. The man with wife and daughter was delegated 
 to make quick steps to obtain assistance, and bring a 
 light. The writer stood by the horse and kept things as 
 snug as possible, while the man of whip and rems 
 viewed the surroundings. 
 
 It was not long before the cheering rays from the 
 lantern shone upon the despondent party. Mr. Jones 
 and his two "grown-up sons" accompanied the messen- 
 ger, and joined the travelers in a "committee of the 
 whole," to devise ways and means to help the unfortun- 
 ate ones out of their sad dilemma. By the aid of the 
 lantern, it was ascertained that a portion of the bridge 
 structure was anchored a short distance down the stream, 
 and would afford a safe passage for the people to cross 
 the water. It was with heart-felt joy that their hopes 
 were fully realized. Each person, in turn, stepped cau- 
 tiously upon the vacillating timbers, and breathlessly 
 tip-toed over the turbid water and landed safely on the 
 opposite shore. 
 
 The next important work to be accomplished was to 
 convey the mails across without subjecting the carrier 
 to a fine for getting them wet. In order to prevent 
 such a penal offence, it was necessary to cover the bags,
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 9 
 
 and more particularly the seal bearing the broad " R," 
 which was affixed by the post-office officials at the 
 boundary office. This was accomplished by the use of 
 robes and such water-proof wrappings as were at hand. 
 When all was done that was possible to protect the 
 mail, the bags, one at a time, were laid across the 
 shoulders of the stalwarts and carried safely over the 
 water. 
 
 The most difficult job now remained. How could the 
 horse and wagon be transported? The horse could 
 swim, but would he? That must be proved by driving 
 him into the water. It required much coaxing, but was 
 finally accomplished by a succession of heavy blows 
 from the driver's whip, and other forcible measures. 
 The wagon was the last but not the least movable ap- 
 pendage. That would have to be delivered in pieces. 
 The wheels, body, seat and thills were disconnected, and 
 placed, each side by side, on the opposite shore, to be 
 again reconstructed. If ever there was a time that un- 
 fortunate man might i)ray for the power that was given 
 to Moses, to separate the waters and allow the people to 
 pass over dry shod, it was on that eventful night re- 
 corded by the writer. 
 
 When all was again in moving order, and the good 
 Samaritans, who so kindly came to the rescue, were gen- 
 erously remunerated for their services, the party moved 
 on to the first post-office change at Point Lepraux, a 
 small out village. Here the driver made a short tarry 
 at a tavern for breakfast. The night had been far spent 
 at the stream, and hunger followed the long fasting. It 
 required some little time for mine host to serve the 
 much-longed-for meal. The cooking was done over a
 
 10 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 huge wood fire, in a large, old-fashioned brick fire place, 
 with its ancient pot hooks and trammels. The family 
 board was spread with crockery, patterned and decorated 
 after that which graced the royal table of King George 
 the Third, in " Ye Olden Times." The savory repast, 
 while being prej)ared, came up before the hungry guests 
 in thick clouds of smoke, laden with odors oi" onions and 
 beefsteak spiced with the condiments which were m 
 o-eneral use in those times. 
 
 At the hour of departure a north-east snow-storm set 
 in, and it was not long before it became necessary to 
 substitute runners for wheels, which greatly retarded 
 progress in moving on to St. John, where Her Majes- 
 ty's post-office officials made diligent inquirj^ into the 
 cause of delay in the arrival of the mails. The reason 
 assigned by the carrier — which in ordinary cases would 
 be considered valid — was questioned somewhat, and the 
 testimony of the passengers was necessary to put an end 
 to all dispute. It was required of each person knowing 
 the facts to kiss the Bible, and thereby swear to " tell 
 the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," 
 the officers administering the oath, adding the closing 
 words which give sacredness to the declaration. After 
 a few hours' rest at St. John, the party that had shared 
 in each other's hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, by day 
 and by night, separated, and have never met since then. 
 
 The writer sought out a better and more comfortable 
 mode of conveyance on a fine steamer bound for Annap- 
 olis, Nova Scotia. The delightful scenery along the 
 shores of the bay was obscured by a dense fog, and 
 numerous fine views were shut out from view. At an 
 early hour in the morning the steamer entered " Digby
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 11 
 
 Gut," at the mouth of the river. Here the water be- 
 came smooth. 
 
 The Baj^ of Fundy is remarkable for its high tides, 
 which rise with great rapidity. Strangers sometimes 
 become greatly alarmed by the noise caused by the 
 rushing waves over the flats. Hogs are frequently over- 
 taken, while feeding, and are carried out to sea on 
 the receding surf. There were numerous interesting 
 sights from the steamer's deck. As the joyful party 
 were being borne over the tubulent waters, the eye 
 caught a glimpse of the historic " Blow-me-down," the 
 "Evangeline of Arcadia." There also were the mas- 
 sive irons, from the overhanging high cliffs, in which the 
 bleached bones of a notorious pirate had been exposed 
 to the view of wicked sea-faring men centuries ago. 
 
 The journey by stage from Annapolis to Windsor was 
 a delightful one. Along the fertile Annapolis Valley 
 were thrifty orchards, extensive tracts of dyke lands, 
 where immense (quantities of hay were yearly harvested, 
 also an abundance of grain and fruit. The country 
 was rightly called the " Garden Spot of Nova Scotia." 
 
 A short tarry for refreshment was made at Windsor, 
 with a chancre of team and better coach accomodations. 
 The roads became much improved as the distance short- 
 ened to the objective point. It was near the close of 
 day when the writer reached his new home in the old 
 city of Halifax, and rested himself at the Waverly 
 House, among portly English gentlemen and members of 
 the British Parliament. 
 
 After patiently waiting until 7.30 o'clock, dinner was 
 announced, and the guests were ushered into the spa- 
 cious dining hall, to feast their eyes and satisfy their
 
 12 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 hunger on roast beef, served in Johnny Bull style, et 
 ccetera^ with plum pudding, pies and wines, the Second 
 Regiment Highland Band discoursing enchanting music 
 all the while. 
 
 NEW EMPLOYMENT. 
 
 A few days were spent in looking around the old city, 
 examining the Custom House and Post-office, the Pro- 
 vincial Building, House of Assembly, Council Chamber 
 and Library, Her Majesty's Dock and Ordnance Yards, 
 the Hospital, St. George's Fort, Citadel Hill, the Blind 
 Asylum, St. Paul's Church, Spring Gardens, and many 
 other places of public interest. 
 
 Having satisfied the eye with seeing, the attention of 
 the writer was called to the counting-room, with its day 
 books and ledgers, bills of lading and large correspond- 
 ence belonging to his clerical duties, which furnished 
 employment for weeks and months. 
 
 One day the eye of the city editor of one of the lead- 
 ing morning dailies was attracted by a five-line item, 
 penned by a young newspaper Avriter from the States, 
 asking for a situation in newspaper work. A short in- 
 terview with the managing editor secured the desired 
 place. The propensity to "write something" had be- 
 come so strongly fixed, that it was hard to turn aside 
 the purpose, and very soon the daily routine of gather- 
 ing news on the street became his regular employment. 
 
 HOW HE WAS MADE AN ODD FELLOW. 
 
 It was only a few months prior to the writer's arrival 
 in Halifax that he had become elioible to membershio 
 in an Odd Fellow's lodge, by the laws of the Order.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 13 
 
 He had a strong desire to learn its mysteries when 
 quite young, but there was no lodge in the village 
 where he was born and reared. There were a few 
 worthy representatives of the Order residing in the vil- 
 lage, members of lodges in neighboring towns. The 
 nearest lodge was located at Eastport, seventeen miles 
 distant. There were also lodges at Lubec, Machias, 
 Calais, and Cherryfield, in Washington County, all well 
 reported and in good financial standing at the time of 
 the writer's departure from his old home. And he fully 
 determined to unite with the Order, as soon as he was 
 legally qualified and a favorable opportunity was of- 
 fered. 
 
 In the daily rounds of newspaper work, he became 
 acquainted with Elbridge Gerry Fuller, formerly a resi- 
 dent of Eastport — one of the leading business men of 
 the city — a prominent member of the Order, and Past 
 Grand of Acadia Lodge, No. 26, of Halifax. The writer 
 sought an interview as the ides of March drew near, and 
 made known to his American friend his desire to become 
 a member of the Fraternity. His propositions were re- 
 ceived with favor, and every assistance was given by 
 Mr. Fuller to bring about the desired result. About 
 that time a friendly acquaintance existed between the 
 writer and Mr. Charles Lislie, a zealous member of the 
 Masonic Fraternity. It being contrary to the practice 
 of "good Masons" to proselyte, Mr. Lislie did not use 
 any undue influence to bias the mind of his friend as to 
 which Order he should join; but in a fair, consistent 
 way presented some considerations "which might serve 
 as a pointer."
 
 14 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 It was imioracticable, at that time, for the writer to 
 compass all the good there was to be obtained by member- 
 ship in both Orders, and it seemed necessary that he 
 should then determine which one he would choose, pro- 
 vided that his petition should be granted in either. In 
 the absence of dice, an English penny was called into 
 use to signify which of the blank applications in his 
 hands should be filled out and submitted to a repre- 
 sentative of the Order where it must go to receive 
 proper attention. The dumb arbitrator turned up its 
 crown head, which signified the blank having the in- 
 itials "I. O. O. F." at its head was the one for the writer 
 to fill out. The choice had been made, and it was then 
 left for the ballot to receive or reject the petitioner. 
 
 Those were anxious weeks of suspense and uncer- 
 tainty, while the matter was under consideration witliin 
 the lodge-room, secluded from the eye of hun who had 
 never crossed the threshold of any secret organization. 
 The whisperings about the goat, the greased pole, the 
 branding irons, and various other barbarianisms said to 
 be practiced upon initiates into Masonic and Odd Fel- 
 lows' lodges in those days, appeared to the vision of the 
 writer. His anxiety became more intense as the time 
 drew near for him to pass through the dreadful ordeal 
 whereby he was to be made acquainted with the mys- 
 teries of Odd. Fellowship. 
 
 The Secretary's notice to appear at Odd Fellows' 
 Hall on Bedford Row, April 15th, seemed to come from 
 one whose face and hands were invisible. What took 
 place on that eventful night will never be effaced from 
 the memor}^ of the initiate, or put in print, but the' 
 brother, whom is proved to be sucii, may know it all
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 15 
 
 when he sits in a lawful lodge of brothers with the 
 writer. It was the old work with all its oddities. It 
 only lacked the fine touches ot the sculptor's chisel, and 
 the delicate tints of the artist's brush, to bring out the 
 hidden beauties of thouglit and language. 
 
 The initiatory ceremony was far different from that 
 made use of by members of a secret Order wdiich ex- 
 isted many years ago, and was exposed by a candidate 
 who had been victimized and disgusted by the ridicu- 
 lous performances. To what Order it belonged is not 
 rightly known. Tradition gives it that some disap- 
 pointed applicant for membership in an Odd Fellow 
 lodge, when the Order was first introduced into Amer- 
 ica, as the "Independent Order," hoping to bring odium 
 upon the name of Odd Fellow, published a small book 
 setting forth "that there had been found among the per- 
 sonal effects of an expelled member of 'Ancient Odd 
 FelloAvship,' which existed thousands of years ago, a 
 manuscript copy of the work and lectures of that 
 Order, and the same had been reproduced in print by 
 him." How much credence can be given to such a 
 statement must be left for the reader to determine, after 
 he has been initiated in the work of the degree of " In- 
 gress," which the writer has been granted permission to 
 make public in this book, without violating his obliga- 
 tions as a member of the Independent Order or stilling 
 his own convictions. 
 
 THE ODD fellows' GOAT. 
 
 " To fui'ther their cause they invented a story 
 Of Odd Fellows' rites, horrid, ghastly and gory, 
 Set forth at the lodge were being held nightly — 
 Eevelries shameful and orgies unsightly. 
 Some victims were hung by the hair of the head, 
 And some by the heels were dragged until half dead.
 
 16 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Some broiled ou a grid-iron until done brown, 
 
 Then released on condition they'd forthwith leave town; 
 
 Some even declared they held knives to the throats 
 
 Of candidates on their old soapy goats. 
 
 Of course the lies took: found large hosts of believers — 
 
 No lie so absurd but it fiiids some receivers." 
 
 The ordeal througli which the "victim" — as the can- 
 didate was styled — passed was in the manner here de- 
 scribed. 
 
 The victim having fully complied with all the re- 
 quirements in the form of petitions, payment of fees, 
 and having taken the primary obligations, he was es- 
 corted to the ante-room, apart from the general lodge or 
 working-room, where he was divested of his outer ap- 
 parel and clothed in loosel3^-fitting overalls and frock. 
 His shoes were removed and his feet covered by long 
 stockings. All the valuables on his person were placed 
 in the hands of the "bag holder" of the lodge, for safe 
 keeping. The victim's eyes were then covered by a 
 black bandage, and he was shut out from the world. 
 He was then brought into close contact with the brand- 
 ing iron, that would place upon his person marks which 
 made it certain that he had been an Odd Fellow of the 
 "Ancient Order." He was then instructed to clino- 
 closely to the arms of his guides, and go withersover 
 they might lead him. The road over which he passed 
 was a long and devious one before he reached the door 
 or entrance to the mysterious chamber of the Odd Fel- 
 lows. 
 
 After loud knocking on the wicket door, accompanied 
 by words, in low whisperings, which were responded to 
 by the guardian within, the right ear of the victim was 
 placed close to the open wicket, where the warm breath
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 17 
 
 of a man quickly fell upon it. The victim was then re- 
 quested to strike three heavy blows upon the door with 
 his left foot, which were answered by the guardman in 
 the same manner, and the interrogatory voiced through 
 a long tin horn, "Who comes there?" "Who comes 
 there?" The shock to the victim's ear and sensibilities 
 was so great, that he could scarcely catch the words 
 which came with the reply, but he thought he heard 
 something about " A poor blind traveler who is seeking 
 knowledge of Odd Fellowship." At that moment there 
 was a confusion of sounds coming from conk shells, 
 watchmen's rattles, cow bells, a discharge of small fire- 
 arms, etc., when the door was opened and the victim 
 ushered into the presence of the Grand Noble and his 
 associates. 
 
 The goat was ordered to be saddled and led to the 
 center of the hall, and the victim was assisted to a seat 
 on his back. The goat is a veritable animal, which has 
 been known to be used in all secret Orders since the 
 early days of Free Masonry. The animal produced 
 on the occasion referred to was indeed a goat, but 
 where there was once life and bleating, the breath had 
 gone out of its nostrils, and nothing remained but the 
 skin, with its long white hair and crooked horns. The 
 frame and bodily structure was wood, and small 
 iron trucks supplied the lack of animated locomotion. 
 The victim was placed astride the so-called goat's back, 
 and cantered around the room by the master of cere- 
 monies and his aids. His goatship behaved well, and 
 the rider held a firm grip on the horns. Three rounds 
 of the hall completed the journey to the cell of the "man 
 of wisdom." It was the bony frame of the first
 
 18 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 discoverer of Odd Fellowship in the world. The blinders 
 of the victim were removed and he looked upon the re- 
 mains of the "ancient of days," who opened his skele- 
 ton jaws and asked in a sepulchal voice the victim's 
 name, age and occupation, from whence he came and 
 whither he was journeying. Having received satis- 
 factory answers to his interrogatories, he stretched forth 
 his long bony hands, grasped that of the victim's and 
 recited a lesson of morality. After this solemn service, 
 the victim was again blindfolded and led up a flight of 
 stairs to the top of the hall, where his hands were se- 
 curely fastened behind him, and he was conducted to 
 the front of the platform. The blinders were again re- 
 moved and the guide pointed to the floor below, where 
 appeared a large table filled with long black spikes. 
 The victim was requested to jump, but fear caused him 
 to refuse. Just then the stentorian voice of the Grand 
 Noble called out, " Throw him down ! " " Throw 
 him down ! " The order was executed and the victim 
 dropped upon a soft inflated rubber cushion. The 
 supposed spikes were also rubber, and inflicted no 
 wounds on the person of the victim. There was more 
 scare than harm. 
 
 After this performance the victim was conducted to 
 the altar and placed in a kneeling posture, with the 
 Warden's axe across his neck, which indicated the 
 doom that would come to the betrayer of the secrets of 
 Odd Fellowship. The victim was then instructed in 
 the manner of working into a lodge, with the signs, 
 pass-words and grip. The entering signal was five 
 scratches on the door with a knife, or any hard mate- 
 rial. The pass-word was, "Presto, — Change." The
 
 BINDING OP THE LINKS. 19 
 
 grand or working sign was made by placing the right 
 thumb on the end of the nose to attract the attention of 
 the challenged party. When recognized by him, the 
 proof of fnll membership was shown by adding the 
 thumb of the left hand to the little linger of the right 
 hand, giving it a zig-zag motion. The words accompa- 
 nying the sign were: "Be you an Odd Fellow?" The 
 reply of the challenged party, if he had been a victim, 
 was : " So be I." The grip was made by locking the 
 little finger with that of a brother, and bracing the toes 
 each against each other, at the same time uttering the 
 words : " I have been there myself." These instructions 
 closed the work of the " Ingress " degree, and the name 
 "brother" was substituted for that of "victim," who 
 was declared to be entitled to all the rights and privi- 
 leges of the Order. 
 
 These ancient rites were not adopted by the wise 
 legislators of the Independent Order, and are not 
 generally known among the pioneers of American Odd 
 Fellowship, and it is well that they have long since 
 passed out of any institution that takes for its motto, 
 Friendship, Love and Truth. 
 
 It did not require much time or observation for the 
 writer to find out what there was of good in the Order. 
 Its teachings and practice of benevolence and charity 
 made it plain to the most casual observer that it was a 
 moral and fraternal institution. 
 
 The writer was constant in his attendance at the 
 meetings of the lodge, and became deeply interested in 
 its duties, which enlarged his capabilities for doing good. 
 It was a privilege highly esteemed to sit among the 
 brethren and participate in the work and business of 
 the evening.
 
 20 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Having been fully instructed in the work of the five 
 degrees, the writer was solicited to take a position 
 among the officers of the lodge, and starting at the 
 outer door — a post of responsibility — he worked his way 
 up through the various stations to the Noble Grand's 
 Chair, and was honored with the gavel. 
 
 During his term as outside guardian, he was induced 
 to take charge of the lodge-room. For services rendered 
 he received a small compensation. The encampment 
 branch of the Order held its stated meetings in the 
 same hall, and in order for the janitor to be in possession 
 of the keys to all the secret closets, he must be a mem- 
 ber in good standing of the Patriarchal Degrees, and 
 they were duly conferred upon him. What might be 
 said concerning those sublime degrees will not enter 
 into the writer's sketch of Odd Fellow usage, or his ex- 
 perience in the Order, but he will note, in passing, that 
 after diligent study and familiarity with the workings 
 of the degrees, he was installed Chief Patriarch of Mam- 
 berton Encampment, No. 10, working under the juris- 
 diction of the Grand Lodge of the United States. 
 
 As years passed the lodge and encampment increased 
 in membership, and became strong and influential fra- 
 ternal organizations in the Lower Province of Nova 
 Scotia. From them were g-athered good sound material 
 to institute lodges and encampments in other towns in 
 the jurisdiction. It was the writer's privilege to assist 
 in instituting prosperous lodges at Londonderry and 
 Cape Breton. The associations in the lodge and en- 
 campment, among brothers and friends, are the happiest 
 recollections during the writer's sojourn in that country.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TIME AND WAR WORK CHANGES. 
 
 To all things in this life there is an end, and a time for 
 a change in the writer's experience was close at hand. 
 A war was menacing in the Crimea, to which the Crown 
 was allied. There were at that time less than a score 
 of American citizens residing in the city of Halifax. It 
 was decreed that they should become loyal subjects to 
 Her Majesty's government. Neutrality in opinions and 
 interests would not suffice. They were Yankees, and 
 must swear allegiance to the government that afforded 
 them protection. A pen in the hand of an alien on the 
 editorial or reportorial staff of a so-called independent 
 daily was a dangerous thing, and might incite the law- 
 less to acts of insubordination. So argued the man oc- 
 cupying a high position in the Provincial Government. 
 In order to prevent any breach in that direction, "The 
 Yankee Reporter" was waited upon and requested to 
 take the oath prescribed to become a loyal subject of 
 the British Government. The open Rible was placed in 
 his hands, and he was directed to "kiss the book" and 
 have the oath administered. This he declined to do, 
 giving as a reason that he expected to return to his 
 home in the United States, and wished to enjoy all the 
 privileges granted to citizens thereof without applying 
 to the court for naturalization. The excuses offered 
 were not sufficient to release him from complying with
 
 22 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 the requirement of the officer, and he was informed that 
 his services in the city would no longer be needed. 
 The facts were quickly heralded through the streets, 
 and commented upon by newspaper men. 
 
 It was an hour of sadness in the lodge-room, when the 
 brothers were informed that a withdrawal card was 
 asked for, and the writer was soon to leave the city, to 
 return no more. Words of sorrow and deep regret were 
 uttered. There were also words of cheer and encour- 
 agement. They hoped that he whom they had re- 
 sj)ected and loved might come among them again. 
 Tokens of brotherly regard and kind remembrance were 
 placed in his hand, accompanied by words of affection 
 and favor. 
 
 Among the number who stood about the writer as he 
 took his departure from the city, were brothers whose 
 names and faces will neyer be forgotten. They were 
 C. H. Hamilton, Noble Grand; Charles Leslie, Vice 
 Grand; James Scott, Treasurer; Henr}^ A.Taylor, Con- 
 ductor; Elbridge G. Fuller, Degree Master; and many 
 others. 
 
 RETUEN TO THE OLD HOME. 
 
 Prior to the gathering war clouds and exciting times 
 in the city of Halifax, friends and relatives of the writer, 
 from Massachusetts, who had been engaged in business 
 in the city and along the coast of Nova Scotia, had re- 
 turned to their home in the United States, leaving the 
 writer and his old associate, J. W. Hartshorn, of Wake- 
 field, Mass., behind to take charge of business and 
 represent the interests of the home comj^any in the 
 Province. The action of the government necessitated
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 23 
 
 a speedy settlement of the affairs, and no time was lost 
 in accomplishing that object. 
 
 In a few days all plans were completed and the good- 
 byes said. Then came the parting. Mr. Hartshorn 
 boarded one of the English steamers and sailed for Bos- 
 ton, and the writer took passage on the old stage-coach 
 and journeyed homeward. His days of traveling were 
 not so eventful as were those in his coming to the city. 
 There was a railroad conveyance from Halifax to Wind- 
 sor, connections by stage and steamboats with Annapo- 
 lis and St. John, onward to Eastport and Calais by 
 boats of the International Steamship Line, extending to 
 Portland and Boston. 
 
 It was pleasant to look into the faces of old acquaint- 
 ances, as they gathered about the boat landing. There 
 were extended warm, friendly hands, with cordial greet- 
 ings. If it was not in the power to sing at that mo- 
 ment, it was impossible for him to suppress giving 
 utterance to those familiar and expressive words: 
 
 " Home ao;ain, home again, 
 From a foi'eign shore; 
 And oh ! It fills my soul with joy, 
 To meet my friends once more." 
 
 And those other words, the true import of which no 
 
 one can fully understand until they have rested under 
 
 a foreign flag: 
 
 "My country 'tis of thee, 
 Sweet land of liberty! 
 Of thee I sing." 
 
 The first question asked by the writer, after inquiring- 
 after the liealth and welfare of old friends and the fam- 
 ily circle at Eastport, was : " How is Odd Fellowship 
 flourishing? " The interrogatory brought not a pleasant
 
 24 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 smile on the countenance of the long-years-ago Noble 
 Grand of Passamaquoddy Lodge. 
 
 The destroyer had been among the brothers of other 
 days, and his works had been made manifest. The five 
 lodges in Washington County, which had prospered by 
 large additions to their ranks and brought money into 
 their treasuries, were now tottering on the brink of 
 ruin and ready to fall. The system of dues and bene- 
 fits was not carefully looked after in those days. The 
 lodge provided liberally for the care and aid of the sick 
 and needy. The beneficial part of Odd Fellowship was 
 then, as it is regarded by some people to-day, the lead- 
 ing object in our affiliation, and consider it a safe and 
 respectable mutual relief association, and nothing more. 
 
 The first command of the Order, to visit the sick and 
 relieve the distressed, they indorse, when it comes to 
 be personally applied to the payment of weekly bene- 
 fits; but burying the dead and educating the orphan 
 have no claim upon them. The history of all human or- 
 ganizations, since the Great Master was on earth, shows 
 that there are unprincipled men in them all. The bad 
 seek to affiliate with the good, for protection and 
 personal advantage. And so it comes about, that ap- 
 parentl}^ strong and beautiful superstructures are fre- 
 quently undermined and demolished by liaving unsound 
 material wrought into them. 
 
 Thus it was in the life and death of many lodges 
 throughout Maine, and in other States, durhig the dark 
 days of 1845 to 1850, when the membership of the 
 Order became greatly reduced and tliere was but little 
 interest taken in it. Some men, who then styled them- 
 selves Odd Fellows, consented to take part and share in
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 25 
 
 the illegal distribution of lodge property, and divided 
 the money that had sacredly been set apart for the re- 
 lief of the widow and orphan, and appropriated the 
 same to their own personal uses. The name of those 
 who ingloriously cut themselves asunder from all the 
 rights and privileges of the Order is legion, and many 
 of them, like Esau, who sold his birthright for a mess of 
 pottage, have diligently sought for the inheritance with 
 tears in days of the Order's prosperity, but they have 
 been denied the coveted blessing. 
 
 It was a moment of great disappointment to the 
 writer, after having expressed his desire to deposit his 
 withdrawal card, which had come from the hands of the 
 true brother and secretary of Acadia Lodge one week 
 before, and become a member of Passamaquoddy Lodge, 
 at Eastport, which was the nearest of any lodge to his 
 home, when the acting Noble Grand uttered the words, 
 " The lodge will shortly be defunct." It was not for 
 lack of members or funds, but it was on the assumption 
 that the Order had outlived its usefulness and must 
 die. The decree had gone forth, and every member in 
 good standing had been notified to appear at the lodge- 
 room and take part in the distribution. At the ap- 
 pointed time, the chosen few assembled around the 
 treasurer and gathered in the shekles. They also 
 parted the raiment of blue, scarlet and purple, and scat- 
 tered it abroad, to be profaned by those who took de- 
 light in casting ignominy on the beautiful temple of 
 Friendship, Love and Truth, which had been erected in 
 honor by the immortal six at Baltimore thirty-five 
 years before. 
 
 The writer survived the shock, and hoped to find a 
 home among those in other towns who had laid their
 
 26 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 hands on the sacred altar of Odd Fellowship and 
 pledged fidelity to its principles. He found but few per- 
 sons to speak words of encouragement. What was true 
 in the history of the lodge at Eastport was also true of 
 other lodges in the county. Influences detrimental to 
 the welfare and perpetuity of the Order had spread 
 throughout eastern Maine, and the glory of the Order 
 had departed therefrom. 
 
 The emblematic golden links, expressive of the three 
 cardinal principles of the Order, which were presented 
 to the writer on the evening he was installed into the 
 office of Noble Grand, in the lodge where he first 
 learned the lessons of Odd Fellowship, appeared on his 
 vestments, while mingling with those who had brought 
 dishonor to the good name of the Order. They were 
 pointed at contemptuously, and the by-standers were 
 told that it was the badge of the " chain gang," who 
 robbed the treasury of Odd Fellow lodges. 
 
 All efforts to gain membership in a lodge adjacent 
 to the writer's home having failed, the thought came 
 over him like a night-mare, that he would never again 
 know "how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren 
 to dwell together in unity." Years came and went, and 
 the cares of busy life engrossed the time and attention of 
 one who had seen years and many changes pass before 
 him. The old adage, "Out of sight, out of mind," was 
 daily being verified in the writer's experience. He was 
 isolated from the companionship of those whose society 
 he loved and honored. He sought comfort in a "one 
 idea" association, which patterned, in a small degree, 
 after the ritualism of Odd Fellowship. Some of the 
 forms were there, but the heart and life were lacking.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 27 
 
 There was no corner-stone of fraternity, tlie soild basis 
 upon which the forefathers wisely buikled the grand 
 superstructure of Odd Fellowship. 
 
 The thought frequently came forcibly into the mind 
 of the writer, "Would he ever meet a brother of the 
 Order in his secluded village ? " That boon was soon 
 to be his. There were commercial travelers in those 
 days, as now, but their visits to country villages were 
 less frequent than in these days of business push and 
 competition . The men who were burdened with heavy 
 trunks and numerous grips, who compassed sea and 
 land to make large sales and get "wealth," occasionally 
 found their way into obscure places, " away back " in 
 the country. They came from the popular cities and 
 large business centers, where all good organizations ex- 
 ist and thrive in spite of opposition and the evil devices 
 of unprincipled man. 
 
 A BRIGHTENING SKY. 
 
 On a bright September day, in the year 1872, the 
 writer entered Allan's Hotel, in his native village, and 
 there was attracted by a gentleman of pleasing address 
 and genial tenor. Within the circle of his unique 
 watch-charm were the three golden links, wrought after 
 the pattern of the little pin belonging to the writer, 
 which had been shut out from the gaze of the unfriendly 
 to Odd Fellowship for nearly twelve years. The sight 
 nearly dazzled the eyes of the beholder. Could it be 
 possible, thought the writer, that there stood before him 
 a brother of the mj^stic tie? There was a rapid ex- 
 change of words, and the story was soon. told. He was 
 my brother and friend, Mr. T. Frank Jones, a worthy
 
 28 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 member of Ligonia Lodge, Portland, Maine, and man- 
 ager of Russell's Mercantile Agency, on Exchange 
 Street. It was then that two hearts melted into one in 
 a fraternal union. The writer can never forget the 
 hour when his longing soul was made glad by the 
 cheering news that " Odd Fellowship lives and moves, 
 and has a perpetual existence in name and principles, 
 throughout the entire globe." The good brother, if his 
 eye falls upon these lines, will recall that pleasant inter- 
 view. 
 
 From that day onward, diligent search was made to 
 gain more light on the life and progress of the Order in 
 Maine. 
 
 INTERESTING NEWSPAPER ITEMS. 
 
 Shortly after the event just recorded, the eye of the 
 writer fell upon a paragraph, published in a stray copy 
 of the Portland Daily Advertiser, giving an account of 
 the public installation of the officers of Ancient Broth- 
 ers' Lodge of that city. Grand Master James E. Hesel- 
 tine officiating. The names of the installing officers, 
 and some of those installed, were carefully noted in a 
 memorandum book for future reference. In due time, 
 while the matter was fresh in mind, the writer indited 
 and penned a letter to Grand Master Heseltine, inter- 
 rogating him on many points concerning Odd Fellow- 
 ship in his city and throughout the State. Being a 
 stranger in person to the officer addressed, it seemed 
 proper that the writer should, in some way, show to the 
 Grand Master that he had once been a member of the 
 Order, to entitle him to a reply to the numerous ques- 
 tions propounded. The only token at hand was the 
 
 \
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 29 
 
 fly leaf of the by-laws of Acadia Lodge, No. 2(3, at Hali- 
 fax, which the writer had preserved all those years. 
 Upon it appeared his name, with title of Past Grand. 
 The letter was forwarded by the first mail, and the 
 much desired information came speedily. The missive 
 contained words of kind regard, and pointed out the 
 way whereby the lost one from the fold might return 
 and find shelter. Thereafter, a friendly correspondence 
 was carried on between the newly acqimkited brothers 
 of the links, and plans were devised to strengthen the 
 bonds of Friendship, Love and Truth.
 
 II 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A VISIT TO PORTLAND. 
 
 Not many montlis passed before the writer made a 
 pilgrimage to the city of beautiful islands, to seek out 
 the one who had sent the light of Odd Fellowship into 
 his beclouded mind on that auspicious September morn- 
 ing, brought to the notice of the reader in the preced- 
 ing pages. 
 
 The steamer arrived at the pier quite early in the 
 morning, which gave the writer an opportunity to look 
 about the "great city," full of wonders and "much 
 people." Inquiry at the Mercantile Agency satisfied 
 him that Mr. Jones would be "out of town" for a 
 number of days. There was only one hope remaining, 
 and that was to find Past Grand Master Heseltine. 
 He, too, was on a business tour in Boston and New 
 York. To whom could he appeal ? He was a stranger 
 among strangers. He had never been instructed in the 
 sign of recognition, if that would be of any service to 
 him. The day was passing, and he must find a resting 
 place somewhere. The name " United States Hotel" 
 sounded well in his ear. The guests must all be loyal 
 to the flag, thought he, and he ventured to book his 
 name under that of Hon. John P. Hale, of New Hamx> 
 shire. 
 
 When the streets were lighted, and pedestrians jos- 
 tled and crowded one against the other on Congress
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 31 
 
 street, it seemed a daring act for a "down-east country- 
 man" to throw Liniself into the sea of moving humanity 
 and hope to come out alive. But the adage that " those 
 who know notliing fear nothing," may have been the 
 saving power of the writer, when beating his way 
 through the panic-stricken crowd, pressing their way to 
 the scene of a great conflagration. It was not the fire 
 he was interested in, but Exchange Street. 
 
 ODD fellows' hall. 
 
 The display of fine goods, in the windows of bril- 
 liantly lighted stores, attracted his attention, until a 
 swinging sign caused him to look upwards, and his eye 
 caught sight of a transparency displayed from the win- 
 dow, on which were painted familiar devices, such as 
 the heart and hand, the three links, and the all-seeing 
 eye, with the initials "I. O. O. F. — Welcome, Brother." 
 
 The invitation was to Odd Fellows. The writer had 
 been one ; he was then " a non-affiliated " member of 
 the Order, and it wiis no fault of his that he was shut 
 out. He hoped that he might be allowed the privilege 
 to take a peep up the stairway. It would do no harm 
 to try. It was twelve long jcars since he had crossed 
 the threshold of an Odd Fellows' lodge. How strange 
 it seemed, now that he was so near the asylum, and the 
 door was closed against him. The encouraging word, 
 "try," nrged him forward up the first flight to the land- 
 ing; tlien those other little words, "go on," helped 
 liiui up the next flight, and gave him safe footing on 
 the broad step at the entrance of the outer door. In 
 moving about in the darkness, his hand accidently 
 struck against the crank of the alarm bell. The sound
 
 32 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 brouglit the veteran guardian, Brother Hcoper, to the 
 door, who opened the wicket to ascertain the cause. 
 Words failed to form a valid excuse from a supposed 
 eavesdropper; but the gracious guardian listened at- 
 tentively to the story recited by the writer, and kindly 
 opened the door and invited "the stranger" to a seat. 
 
 What passed through the mind of the writer at that 
 moment cannot be made intelligible to the readers. 
 There, for the first time after long years of patient 
 waiting, he looked upon the collars in scarlet, green, 
 jjink and blue, and the Past Grand's regalia, appropri- 
 ate to the official rank which he had attained. He 
 craved the privilege to don it, but bided his time until 
 a more gracious opportunity came to him. 
 
 Brother Hooper became very much interested in the 
 recital of events in the writer's experiences, and volun- 
 teered any assistance that it was in his power to render. 
 A pleasant interchange of words followed, and the 
 writer asked if there were any Past Grand Masters or 
 veteran members in the lodge-room. Brother Hooper 
 made the inquiry through the Inside Guardian, and the 
 names of Benjamin Kingsbury and Edward P. Banks, 
 Past Grand Masters, were announced. Those honored 
 brothers of the Order were invited to come to the ante- 
 room, where they were met by the writer, a stranger 
 to them. The pleasant smile on good Brother Kings- 
 bury's face, and his cordial shake of the hand, gave a 
 confidence, which was strengthened by words of cheer 
 and manifestations of brotherly regard by Brother 
 Banks. The interview was a most pleasant one. The 
 honored and faitliful representatives of the Order listened 
 attentively to the narrative of one who had asked for a
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 33 
 
 hearing. The story tokl then was the same as has been 
 recited to the reader, as he has followed the writer up 
 to the present time. At the close of the interview, the 
 Past Grand Masters asked the writer: "What do you 
 desire ? " His reply was : " To enter the lodge-room and 
 sit in the Noble Grand's chair." He was assured that 
 his request should be granted as soon as the lodge was 
 closed. 
 
 The time seemed long, but moments stretch out into 
 hours when the expectant heart is waiting for the com- 
 ing of some looked for good. As soon as the door was 
 thrown open, the Avriter was escorted into the hall and 
 introduced to a large number of brothers, with some of 
 whom he now enjoys a happy acquaintance ; while 
 others have since crossed the river, and know more of 
 the true value of the principles of Odd Fellowship 
 than all the living. It was a late hour when the little 
 group retired from the hall that night, and accompanied 
 the writer to his room at the hotel. 
 
 The dream angel brought pleasant thoughts into the 
 mind of the writer, when sleep had closed his eyes. 
 There appeared bright visions of joy and pleasant asso- 
 ciations among those who are linked together in our 
 friendly Order. 
 
 On the following day a committee met at Odd Fel- 
 lows' hall, to learn more definitely concerning the his- 
 tory of a member of the Order who had asked to be 
 admitted to the privileges of lodge fellowship. The 
 writer answered to the members in question, and mani- 
 fested a willingness to submit to any examination that 
 the committee might desire to make. The investiga- 
 tion was strict and impartial. The writer was asked to
 
 34 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 explain and make clear many things in tlie unwritten 
 work that were once his daily study and constant 
 practice ; but time had dulled his conceptions and 
 worked confusion in his miiid. The absence of the 
 withdrawal card or otlier documentary evidence was 
 against him. The card had been cast away among waste 
 paper, in the "dark days" of his isolation from the 
 Order. The ordeal was a most trying one, but the 
 writer satisfied the committee, beyond a doubt, that he 
 had once been put in the possession of the secret work 
 of the five degrees of Odd Fellowship, but how he had 
 obtained them was not clear to their minds, — if they 
 entertained any doubts concerning his veracity. It was 
 fortunate for the writer, when standing before the court 
 of justice asking favor, that there are some things in 
 Odd Fellowship that are known and can be explained 
 only by those who have crossed its portals and taken 
 upon themselves that binding and solemn obligation. 
 When the key which could unlock those hidden mys- 
 teries was produced by the writer, the clouds of doubt, 
 which may have been over the minds of the committee, 
 cleared away, and a favorable and most pleasing verdict 
 was rendered for the defendant. That day was spent 
 in the society of new-found friends and brothers, and he 
 was happy with brightened prospects of future good. 
 
 In the evening, when the members assembled at the 
 hall for lodge meeting, the writer was in the ante-room 
 to see and exchange salutations with those he had met 
 on the previous evening. It was good to be there and 
 stand beside those who had for mau}^ years marched in 
 the ranks of the tried and faithful supporters of the 
 principles of the Order ; to receive their kind attention 
 and listen to words of wisdom.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 35 
 
 At tlie proper time the writer was escorted b}^ Past 
 Grand Masters Kingsbury and Banks to tlie hall, and 
 there introduced to the Noble Grand as "an ancient 
 Odd Fellow." That officer kindly invited him to a seat 
 at his right hand. It was then a moment for thought. 
 How strange the scene ! All about him were brothers 
 clothed in the regalia of the Order, and he who had 
 supposed that Odd Fellowship in Maine was a thing of 
 the past was one of the number, and Avas ready to re- 
 ceive the lessons taught by precept and practice in the 
 lodge. It was then he could sing with the heart and 
 understanding, "Home again, home again." 
 
 There came an opportunity for the writer to give ex- 
 pression to his feelings, but his words failed to convey 
 what was forcing itself upon his mind. It was the pic- 
 ture of a sinkhig ship brought to land and all on board 
 saved. The privilege of attending lodge meetings 
 without becoming a member in regular standing was 
 abridged, as the right of introducing " ancient Odd Fel- 
 lows" was accorded only to Grand or Past Grand Offi- 
 cers of the Grand Lodge of Maine. 
 
 It became necessary, in order that the writer miglit 
 enjoy all the rights and privileges of Odd Fellowship, 
 that another important step should be taken. That 
 was to obtain the requisite certificates of former mem- 
 bership in some lodge of the Order. That could be ac- 
 complished only by correspondence by Grand Secretary 
 Banks, of Portland, and the Grand Secretary of tlie 
 Lower Province. 
 
 In the absence of books and papers belonging to 
 Acadia Lodge, which had lost its property by fire and 
 surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge of the
 
 36 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 United States, the correspondence was referred to 
 Grand Secretary Ridgely, who had in his possession a 
 partly burnt book containing the records of Acadia 
 Lodge, whereon the name of the writer was entered, 
 showing him to have been reguhxrly installed Noble 
 Grand. An attested certificate was also obtained from 
 some of the Past Officers of the lodge at Halifax, mak- 
 ing it clear that the writer had honorably severed his 
 connection with the lodge by a withdrawal card. These 
 certificates were placed in the hands of Grand Secretary 
 Banks, who issued a State card which entitled the 
 holder to the rights and privileges of membership in 
 any lodge that might elect him thereto. 
 
 This iDtricate and i^erplexing part of the transaction 
 having been successfully accomplished, the next matter 
 was to establish the fact of membership in the encamp- 
 ment branch of the Order. That was a more difficult 
 work, as the writer had taken no card of withdrawal at 
 the time of leaving Halifax, and Mamberton Encamp- 
 ment had become defunct a few years later. There was 
 no Grand Encamj)ment in the Lower Province of Nova 
 Scotia at the time, and all reports of Subordinate 
 Encampments were made direct to the Grand Lodge of 
 the United States. The only authentic evidence that 
 could be obtained of the writer's membership in Mam- 
 berton Encampment was established by certificates from 
 past officers of the encampment, sworn to before a Jus- 
 tice of the Peace. These were received by Grand Scribe 
 N. G. Cummings, of Portland, and a State card was 
 granted.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A NEW ODD FELLOW HOME. 
 
 In the spring of 1869, the writer was living in his na- 
 tive village, and had in his possession the State card 
 issued by Grand Secretary Banks. Business called him 
 to Bangor, where he made the acquaintance of Grand 
 Master N. G. Colton, to whom he made known his de- 
 sire to re-unite with the Order. After listening atten- 
 tively to the writer, the venerable Grand Master asked, 
 "For v/hat reason do you desire to renew your member- 
 ship in the Order?" His object for putting such a 
 pointed question was to hnd out the motive that 
 prompted the applicant. The writer's answer was, 
 "That he wished to re-unite with the Order to enjoy 
 the privileges of attending the meetings of the lodge ; 
 to be known and hailed as a member of the Fraternitv." 
 The Grand Master questioned the point of the writer's 
 attending the meetings of lodges in Bangor, while his 
 home was far away in the eastern part of the State. 
 
 The State card with a petition made out in legal form 
 was submitted to the Noble Grand of Oriental Lodge, 
 No. 60, and passed into the Investigating Committee's 
 hands. Accompanying the petition and fee was a writ- 
 ten agreement signed by the writer, pledging himself 
 that under whatever circumstances he might be placed, 
 he would not claim benefits on account of sickness or 
 disability so long as he should make a permanent home
 
 38 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 in his native village, or where there were no lodges of 
 our Order within one hundred miles from his home. 
 The agreement was accepted as a part of the contract 
 of membership and spread upon the records of the 
 lodge, where it has appeared for more than twenty 
 years. The obligation was then administered to the 
 writer, and he was admitted into membership among 
 the brothers in good standing. 
 
 The city of Bangor lay at the west, one hundred and 
 fifteen miles from the writer's home. It required 
 twenty hours of tedious journeying through towns and 
 small villages, over hills, through burnt timber lands, 
 and an uninteresting portion of the country. The 
 journey was made by stage-coach by night and day. 
 
 Having again secured the rights and privileges be- 
 lono-ino; to members of the Order, it was his desire to 
 enjoy them. The one most highly esteemed was the fra- 
 ternal gatherings in the lodge-room at the regular meet- 
 ings. In order to obtain the coveted boon immediately, 
 it was necessary to make a pilgrimage to that city. The 
 sacrifices made and the special efforts put forth to reach 
 the goal greatly enhanced the enjoyments derived from 
 meeting with brothers in the lodge of which the writer 
 was acknowledged a member. The adage, " That which 
 costs the most is the most valued," was verified in the 
 experience of the writer while he was taking rapid steps 
 from the stage office to Odd Fellows' Hall on Exchange 
 street, to spend the evening hours in exchanging greet- 
 ing of an exalted friendship with those who hailed 
 and welcomed him among the fraternity of Odd Fellows. 
 The journey was made regularly for three consecutive 
 years b}^ stage.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 39 
 
 In due time railroad communication was opened over 
 the European and North American route between St. 
 Stephen, New Brunswick, and Bangor, Maine. The 
 distance was increased, but the journey was made less 
 tedious and expeditiously accomplished. The new route 
 gave the writer an opportunity for an early morning 
 drive of twentj'-two miles by private conveyance to 
 Calais, where he arrived in time to connect with the 
 train on the opposite side of the St. Croix River. The 
 road was new and rough and circuitous, and devoid of 
 natural attraction. There were no sie^ns of New Eno-- 
 land enterprise and thrift. 
 
 The train arrived at Bangor on the hour of opening 
 the lodge. The writer had his choice between taking a 
 late supper and tardy attendance at the lodge. It was 
 to meet his brethren in the lodge that he had made the 
 journe}^ The craving of appetite could be satisfied at. 
 a later hour, but the opportunity to sit in his own lodge 
 was limited. The warm shake of a brother's hand and 
 friendly greetings dispelled the desire for food. They 
 were to the mind what manna was to the children of 
 Israel, and had to satisfy the wants of the receiver for 
 a much longer period. 
 
 During the years after the writer had regained his 
 membership in the Order he made occasional visits to 
 Portland, and renewed old acquaintances and made 
 many new and pleasant ones among the members of the 
 city lodges. 
 
 It was his pleasure to witness the grand public cele- 
 bration of the Order by the lodges and encampments of 
 the State in 1873, and enjoy a delightful sail down 
 Casco Bay. A mammouth clam-bake was opened on
 
 40 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 "Big Hog Island" (now Great Diamond.) It was a 
 gala day for members of the Order, who joined in games 
 and sj^orts. The sound of the merry voices still rino-s 
 in the ears of the writer. 
 
 Another interesting event in the memory of the 
 writer was the dedication of the new Odd Fellows' 
 Hall at Bangor, April 27, 1872. The ceremonies were 
 conducted by Bro. F. M. Laughton, D. D. G. M., as- 
 sisted by the officers and members of Oriental and 
 Penobscot Lodges. There were j^resent on that mem- 
 orable occasion : Bros. N. H. Colton, P. G. M. ; Aaron 
 Rowell, P. G.; Dr. M. Preble, P. G.; G. A. Davenport, 
 P. G. ; E. F. Shaw, P. G. ; and C. F. Bragg, P. G. Supper 
 was served in Temperance Hall and the rooms of the 
 United States Pension Agency, followed by dancing in 
 Music Hall to music by Andrews' Orchestra. Brothers 
 Prescott, Daldn, Fuller, Holt and Wyman were the 
 floor managers. It was a red-letter day in the life of 
 Bangor Odd Fellowship. 
 
 IIETUEN TO BRITISH SOIL. 
 
 In the summer of 1872 the writer was employed by 
 the proprietor of the Eastport Sentinel as traveling cor- 
 respondent for that paper, and given a roving commis- 
 sion by Editor Nutt. The wide range of territory 
 afforded him large opportunities for seeing and "writing 
 up" matters of interest; nothing could have pleased 
 the writer more than to be allowed such privileges. 
 
 Among the many places visited was the city of St. 
 John, N. B., Windsor, N. S., and liis old home at Halifax, 
 N. S. A short tarry was made at St. John, en route 
 through the Province of New Brunswick. A day was
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 41 
 
 spent at the elegant residence of B. R. Lawrence, Esq., 
 one of the leading and prosperous business men of that 
 city. Mr. Lawrence became a member of the writer's 
 family (in the little village referred to in the introduc- 
 tory chapter of this book) at an early age. There he 
 was educated and spent most of the years of his minor- 
 ity in the store and counting-room. The re-union after 
 many years of separation was a pleasant and highly en- 
 joyable one. Mr. Lawrence was the possessor of a 
 large landed estate, and was extensively engaged in 
 shipping and mercantile affairs. He had at his com- 
 mand all the prerequisites for intellectual and social 
 enjoyment. A handsome turnout, a span of grays with 
 barouche, and fast sailing steam yacht, furnished all the 
 facilities for delightful drives and harbor excursions. 
 While comfortably resting within the home of one so 
 nearly akin, surrounded by luxury and refinement, it 
 would hardly be possible for an old acquaintance to fail 
 in drinking in a full measure of enjoyment. 
 
 At the close of the day, when the streets of the city 
 were made attractive under gas light, the writer wended 
 his way to Odd Fellows' Hall and there made the ac- 
 quaintance of brothers of the mystic links. Among the 
 earnest workers of the Order in that city and in the 
 Lower Province of British North America, was Hon. 
 Andre Gushing, P. G. M. His name ap})ears among 
 the Past Grand Representatives in that jurisdiction to- 
 day. The Order had made good progress during the 
 writer's absence from the Province, and there was quite 
 a huge membership in the city and in Portland, the ad- 
 junct city, on the opposite side of the St. John's river. 
 There were no familiar faces in the lodge-room. Time
 
 42 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 and the reaper death, had wrought many changes. 
 The fittmgs and furnishings of the "working room," 
 that which constitutes a lodge of Odd Fellows, is always 
 familiar to the eye of a member of the Order, whether 
 he be at home or in a strange land, — these are household 
 pictures in the vast domain of Odd Fellowship. 
 
 Leaving St. John the writer journeyed on to Wind- 
 sor, N. S., where he spent a day and night enjoyably 
 with a relative, the Hon. D. K. Hobart, American Con- 
 sul at that port. A pleasant drive about the town 
 afforded an excellent opportunity to "take in"' all the 
 natural attractions, business operations, and places of 
 historic note. One of interest was the home of the 
 late Judge Halliburton, the humorous author of "Sam 
 Slick." Noticeable changes and improvements had been 
 made since the writer passed through the town sixteen 
 years before on his homeward journey to the "States." 
 Since those days a lodge of the Independent Order of 
 Odd Fellows had been established in the town, which 
 was fast gaining the favor and support of the l>est citi- 
 zens. Mr. Hobart was one of the influential members 
 of the lodge, and he led the way to the place of 
 meeting, where the writer spent an hour in exchanging 
 the greetings of an exalted friendship among new-found 
 brothers. There were present on that occasion mem- 
 bers of the " Manchester Unity Odd Fellows," (the 
 English Order.) Having found much of good in the 
 old Order they sought to know if the latter was a more 
 excellent one. There was, they said, "but a slight va- 
 riation in the 'make-up' of the key Avhicli unlocks the 
 mysterious closets of both Orders." But that small 
 change was the Babel that confounded the speech of 
 the two Orders.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 43 
 
 A few lioiirs' travel on the Intercolonial Railway 
 brought the writer to the City of lialifax, where he 
 sought to find his old home on Hollis street. It had 
 been spared the ravages of a devastating lire which had 
 spread over tlie city years before. In the back yard 
 there stood the large elm under whose branches the 
 writer had sat many an hour during the long summer 
 days for rest and reading. There appeared the initials 
 of his name plainly in sight, bearing the date when the 
 sharp point of his knife cut through the tender Ijark. 
 There were numerous reminders of by-gone days about 
 the premises. The old latch chain still hung on the 
 outer door as it did in ye olden time. The " cat holes" 
 in the door were open as on the night of April 1st, 18 — , 
 when the "bad boy " perpetrated a wicked "all-fools- 
 day " prank on the venerable Grand Sire, by letting 
 loose a large tabby cat with her feet incased in walnut 
 shells, secured by wax. It was in the late hours of 
 night when the feline was "scat" up the long fliglit of 
 stairs, with rapping steps, through the open door into 
 the bed-chamber of the peaceful sleeper, avIio was awak- 
 ened by the strange sound. A cold sweat started from 
 his forehead and he cried out in fear : "Depart from me, 
 oh, ye tormentors ! " Down in the lower hall stood the 
 "good-for-nothing feller," splitting his sides with laugh- 
 ter at " the joke played on the old man." 
 
 Few familiar faces appeared on ^he streets. The 
 " Old City Book Store " which in former days was kept 
 by jSIr. Elbridge Gerry Fuller (whose ukme is associated 
 with that of the writer in the history of Halifax Odd 
 Fellowship forty years ago) was at this time in posses- 
 sion of Mr. " Zeb " Hall, then the efficient head clerk
 
 44 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 of the establishment. He and his associate, Mr. Thomas 
 M. Bemis, quickly recognized the writer as he crossed 
 the threshold of the store and extended to him a cordial 
 greeting. Mr. Hall had followed in the footsteps of his 
 worthy predecessor, and gained an honorable member- 
 shij3 in our Order, and was an office-holder in Mystic 
 Lodge. 
 
 The hours of the day were pleasantly spent in re- 
 viewing places of interest about the city. The site of 
 old Acadia Lodge building was occupied by a large 
 granite structure, but there remained no visible remind- 
 er of the coming and going of the brothers to their old- 
 time weekly gatherings. But the heart of the writer 
 was made glad when he entered the hall of Mystic 
 Lodge. Among the wall decorations and furnishings 
 of the officers' stations were pictures and working tools 
 which were saved from the ruins of old Acadia Lodge. 
 Among these were collars and aprons, a gavel, a few 
 ode cards, the " Venerable Warden's " support, with the 
 initials of the writer's name, cut by his own hand, under 
 the physiognomy of that sage personage. 
 
 Henry A. Taylor, P. G. M., who conducted the 
 writer over the devious road on the night of his initia- 
 tion into the Order, was present and took a lively inter- 
 est in lodge business. He conducted the ante-room ex- 
 amination of the writer on his visiting card, and intro- 
 duced the visitor to tlie Noble Grand. 
 
 A son of Brother Taylor was conductor of Mystic 
 Lodge and performed his part in the initiatory work as 
 creditably as did his father years before he was eligible 
 to membership in the Order. When the proper time 
 arrived, the writer gave utterance to his pent-up feelings
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 45 
 
 and made known to the younger members of the 
 lodge many pleasing and strange tlihigs relatmg to Odd 
 Fellowship in that city in years past. At the close of 
 the meeting he was permitted to appropriate some of 
 the relics belonging to old Acadia Lodge, which were 
 near to his heart. A few of these souvenirs he has 
 sacredly treasured up to the present time.
 
 CPIAPTER V. 
 
 CHANGE OF BUSINESS. 
 
 In the spring of 1874, the writer purchased of Mr. 
 William K. Moody a half interest in the Somerset Re- 
 porter newspaper and job printing office at Skowhegan, 
 Maine, and performed the duties of editor and publish- 
 er to the best of his ability. The writer's experiences 
 during those years of editorial life may be better de- 
 scribed by the words of Carlton than his own : 
 
 " The editor sat in his sanctum, his countenance furrowed with 
 
 care ; 
 His mind at the bottom of business, liis feet at the top of a cliair; 
 His arm-cliair an elbow supporting, liis right liand up-liolding his 
 
 head ; 
 His eyes on a dusty old table, with different documents spread. 
 
 The editor dreamily pondered on several ponderous things; 
 On different lines of action, and pulling of different strings. 
 Upon some equivocal doings, and some unequivocal duns; 
 On how few of his numerous pations were quietly prompt paying 
 ones. 
 
 On friends who subscribed "just to help him" and needy encour- 
 agement lent; 
 
 And had given him plenty of counsel but never had paid him a 
 cent. 
 
 On vinegar kind-hearted people were feeding every hour; 
 
 Who saw not the work they, were doing, but wondered that print" 
 ers are sour. 
 
 It ain't much to get up a paper — it needn't take long for to learn; 
 He could feed the machine, I'm thinkin', with a good strappin' 
 
 fellow to turn; 
 And things that were once hard in doin', is easy enough now to do; 
 Just keep yora- eye on the machine, and crack your arrangements 
 
 through.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 47 
 
 And 'tis thus with our uoble profession and thus it will ever be 
 
 still. 
 There are some who aiipreciate its labors, and some who perhaps 
 
 never will. 
 Uut in the <;reat time that is coming, when loudly the trumi^et 
 
 shall sound; 
 And they that have labored and rested shall come from the 
 
 quivering ground ; 
 
 When they who have striven and suffered to teach and enoblc the 
 race, 
 
 Shall march at the front of the column each one in his God-given 
 place; 
 
 As they pass through the gates of the city with proud and victor- 
 ious tread, 
 
 The editor, printer and 'devil,' will travel not far from the head." 
 
 Two years after talviiig control of the Somerset Re- 
 porter^ the first number of the 3Iaine Free 31ason and 
 Odd Fellow was issued from the same office, published 
 by the proprietors of the Reporter and edited by a 
 member of both Orders. 
 
 During the years in which the writer was engaged in 
 newspaper publishing in Skowhegan, he received kind- 
 est attention from members of the newspaper fraternity 
 in their editorial notices, and the free exchange of 
 privileges in the editorial sanctum and offices. One of 
 the enjoyments afforded was the annual re-union of the 
 members of the Maine Press Association and the vaca- 
 tion excursions to States and countries remote, where 
 new and strange sights enlightened the intellect and 
 pleased the eye. Such rare opportunities for enjoy- 
 ment and instruction could not have come to the writer 
 through any other cliannel than membership in the 
 Maine Press Association.
 
 48 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 EXCURSION TO QUEBEC. 
 
 One of tlie most interesting and memorable events 
 connected with the writer's membership with the Maine 
 Press Association was the vacation excursion to Quebec, 
 Canada, in July, 1878, in which fifty-one members of 
 the association and invited guests participated. 
 
 The party was furnished with a special train by the 
 management of the Portland and Ogdensburg road, and 
 permitted to enjoy a delightful ride through the moun- 
 tains, during which they obtained a fine view of the 
 Franconia range; Mts. Crawford, Pleasant, Franklin 
 and Munroe. 
 
 From the cupola of the Sinclair House the towering 
 peaks of the White Mountains were seen in the dis- 
 tance ; also Mt. Washington and the Summit House. 
 
 Passing on through thriving villages, well-cultivated 
 farms, beautiful lakes and rivers, the tourists arrived at 
 Point Levis, which is the principal station for Quebec 
 and Montreal steamships. At this point the party em- 
 barked on board the staunch steamer " Saguenary," of 
 the St. Lawrence Steam Navigation Company, kindl}' 
 furnished by Henry F. Bellows, Esq., of Quebec. 
 
 A very enjoyable sail of two hundred and twenty- 
 five miles was had down the St. Lawrence and up the 
 Saguenar}-, passing in full view of the Isle of Orleans, 
 where General Wolfe landed. The island is twenty 
 miles long and is an interesting spot to American tour- 
 ists. Near by it is Gross Island, the quarantine station 
 of Quebec. The next point of interest was Murray 
 Bay, a delightful summer resort. At Tudausae, near 
 the entrance of the Saguenary, is the residence of the
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 49 
 
 high officials and populace of the city during the vaca- 
 tion season. Salmon abound in these waters and game 
 is abundant in the woods near by. Lord Duffeiin, then 
 Governor-General of Canada, and his accomplished lady, 
 made that place their summer home. 
 
 At Ha ! Ha ! Bay, an interesting point of landing, a 
 short tarry was made, and some of the party improved 
 the opportunity to look about the quaint village. 
 
 The writer employed a native to drive him and lady 
 friends to the old church. The vehicle furnished was a 
 buck-board, — the French " Calash." The driver was 
 after the Jehu kind. He made free use of the lash and 
 subjected the occupants of the carriage to much discom- 
 fiture when jolting over stones and rough roads. 
 
 The writer having only a vague understanding of the 
 Canadian French language, misconceived the true mean- 
 ing of the word '■'"tnush-daw" and used it frequently 
 and with vehemence, supposing the driver would more 
 readily understand than if spoken in English, " go slow." 
 But '•'■ mush-daw^''' repeated, induced the very accommo- 
 dating driver to a freer use of the whip to increase 
 the locomotion of the donkey. The 'French words in- 
 dicating the opposite to " inush-datv,^' or " g'lang," were 
 unknown to the Yankee travelers, and they were 
 doomed to be " well shaken before taken " to the ob- 
 jective point. -■ 
 
 Some idea of the character and style of the dwellings 
 in that country may be had in looking upon the small 
 houses built of wood, stone or logs — one story, with 
 thatched roofs. The outside walls are covered with 
 birch bai'k, secured by a strip of wood. The dwellings 
 constructed of wood are covered by a thin coating of 
 phaster to keep out the cold winter weather. 
 
 3
 
 50 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 The scenery along the coast on our return trip was 
 grand and picturesque. Points " Eternity " and " Trin- 
 ity " came up boldly to view, rising from fifteen hun- 
 dred to seventeen hundred feet. As the steamer neared 
 the overhanging cliffs rising fifteen hundred feet above 
 the water, the company assembled on the steamer's deck 
 and reverently sang "Rock of Ages." 
 
 The party accepted an invitation from Lord and Lady 
 Dufferin to a reception and tea at their quarters in the 
 citadel, and were entertained in royal style. The cita- 
 del occupied an elevation of three hundred feet above 
 the river and afforded a grand view of the harbor. 
 
 The Quebec Press Association tendered the frater- 
 nity a fine reception and accompanied them on a drive 
 in coaches about the city, and to the Governor's Garden, 
 Ursuline Convent, Laval University and other public 
 buildings, making it one of the notable events in the 
 life of the association. 
 
 As no opportunity is allowed to pass to visit lodges 
 and make the acquaintance of members of the Order, 
 the writer sought out the place of the brothers' meeting 
 in that city, and received a cordial welcome from the 
 Past Grand Master Kines and other prominent repre- 
 sentatives of the Order, and learned from them much 
 of interest concerning Odd Fellowship in the Dominion 
 of Canada. 
 
 CAERABASSET LODGE. 
 
 At the time the writer located in Skowhegan, there 
 was a lack of interest in Odd Fellowship among the 
 members of Carrabasset Lodge, No. 34. The old work- 
 ers had become worn and weary " with the heat and bur- 
 dens of the day." Some of them had gone to rest and
 
 BINDING OP THE LINKS. 51 
 
 not many of the young men Avere attraeted b}' tlie sights 
 and sounds of what was represented by the unfriendly 
 to be Odd Fellowship. It was the practice of the 
 writer to attend the weekly meetings of the lodge and 
 speak a word for the " good and welfare " of the Order. 
 There was a call for assistance, and it seemed to be a 
 good opportunity for a member of the Order, who 
 really desired to advance its interests and build up the 
 waste places, to render such aid as he might be able by 
 voice and pen. There was no lack in number of mem- 
 bers enrolled or financial ability of the lodge to meet 
 all the obligations required by the by-laws, but the 
 causes which undermine and sever the fraternal bonds 
 of union in good organizations had begun their work of 
 discord in this old lodge, which had fought its way 
 through much tribulation, and had come off victorious 
 under the valiant leader and protector of the lodge 
 charter, Past Grand Sawyer, whose name will go down 
 through the annals of Maine Odd Fellowship, honored 
 and beloved by all members of the Order. 
 
 After carefully considering the matter the writer 
 called for a withdrawal card from Oriental Lodge at 
 Bangor. 
 
 If the change was made in consideration of better 
 pecuniary advantages in the payment of weekly bene- 
 fits, it must be attriljutable to lack of judgment in the 
 writer, as there was a difference of three dollars a week 
 in the amount paid by the two lodges, the excess com- 
 ing from the lodge the writer had taken his withdrawal 
 from. The matter of weekly benefits or pecuniary aid 
 had never been taken into the account of lodge mem- 
 bership. It would be time to seek such assistance when
 
 52 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 the hour of sickness and want demanded it. The with- 
 drawal card was readily granted by the old lodge and 
 freely accepted by the members of Carrabasset, and the 
 writer came into full membership. The State card 
 which had been granted by the Grand Encampment of 
 Maine was deposited in Colby (now Parmenas) En- 
 campment of Skowhegan, and the connecting link in 
 both branches of the Order was again made complete. 
 
 A new and active life was opening up to the writer 
 in journalism and the work of the Order. It needed 
 line upon line, and precept upon precept, to remove old 
 prejudices and train the minds of well-disposed men in 
 the right channel of thought and action regarding the 
 nature and true objects of Odd Fellowship. 
 
 The members of the lodge resolved to work for the 
 interest of the lodge and Order and put their resolutions 
 into practice. Before many months had elapsed peti- 
 tions for membership were placed in the hands of the Sec- 
 retary. There was a new epoch in the history of the 
 lodge. Men of business and influence sought to know 
 more about the Order, and some of the honored and 
 best citizens asked admission to the lodge. 
 
 The day of prosperity began to dawn and the old 
 order of things rapidly passed away. Years came and 
 went, but there was no retrograde movement in Odd 
 Fellowship. The anniversary seasons were celebrated 
 and made joyful by the presence of brethren and their 
 wives who had been instructed in the mysteries of the 
 Rebekah Degree. 
 
 The writer does not forget that he was made to share 
 largely in the honors which sometimes come to the 
 faithful worker. It is no small honor to be inducted
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 53 
 
 the second time into the chair of the Noble Grand and 
 be twice hailed Chief Patriarch of an encampment. 
 Such honors have fallen to the writer. Althongh, 
 through misfortune, he has been shorn of the proud 
 title he had twice gained among the patriarchs, he will 
 never forget the sublime teachings of the " Golden Rule,' 
 which would have all men imitate the example of the 
 perfect Master : " Whatsoever ye would that men do 
 unto you, do ye even so unto them." 
 
 DARKENING CLOUDS. 
 
 Trouble, change and sickness are the lot of man, and 
 they come unbidden. Such was the lot of the writer. 
 The storms of adversity gathered about him, and the 
 wind of misfortune swept away his property and health. 
 It was then the time to test the sincerity of professed 
 friends. There were many who stood firm and proffered 
 a helping hand, while others vanished out of sight. 
 Like the priest and the robber, " they passed by on the 
 other side." But the good Samaritan was there, and ex- 
 tended a brother's hand and conducted him to the inn 
 of Friendship, Love and Truth, where he was made the 
 subject of tender care because he was an Odd Fellow. 
 
 NEW LODGES AND HALLS. 
 
 It was the privilege of the writer to participate in 
 many social festivities and fraternal gatherings of the 
 Order during the years he was serving in the various 
 appointed and elective offices in the lodge and encamp- 
 ment at Skowhegan. He vividly calls to mind some of 
 the interesting events connected with the institution of 
 Phlentoma Lodge, No. 51, at Pittstield, in 1877; also,
 
 64 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 the gathering at Waterboro, at the institution of En- 
 terprise Lodge, No. 36, in 1880, and the large assem- 
 blage of brotliers and strangers at Fairfield to witness 
 the open-air celebration and dedication of the new 
 hall of Fairfield Lodge. The grand display by uni- 
 formed patriarchs from Portland, Lewiston and Auburn, 
 was a novel spectacle to hundreds of people who had 
 never before witnessed such a demonstration in Odd 
 Fellowship. The public parade, address, banquet and 
 exercises at North New Portland, under the auspices 
 of Lemon Stream Lodge, were among the interesting 
 events of the times which cling to the memory and 
 awaken recollections of what transpired at the gather- 
 ing of tliousands of men, women and children to wit- 
 ness the demonstrations in dedicating Plymouth Lodge 
 hall at Dexter, and the imposing ceremonies at the ded- 
 ication of the new hall of Samaritan Lodge at Water- 
 ville. 
 
 There was an event of special interest which remains 
 fresh in the memory of the writer, and which will con- 
 tinue with him so long as his mind is unimpaired. It 
 was the occasion of the public installation of the officers 
 of Carrabasset, Fairfield and Samaritan Lodges, collect- 
 ively, at Coburn Hall in Skowhegan, in 1876. Brother 
 Horace A. Toward was then Noble Grand elect, and 
 the writer was Vice Grand elect. The installation ser- 
 vice was conducted by District Deputy Grand Master 
 Rackliffe, of Fairfield, assisted by other Grand Officers. 
 The officers elect of the three lodges were seated upon 
 the platform in full view of a large audience of wit- 
 nesses. At the close of the service, a most interesting 
 and able address was delivered by Hon. Benjamin
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 55 
 
 Kingsbuiy, P. G. M., of Portland. The evening of fes- 
 tivities closed with a l)anquet and dancing, in which 
 many persons participated. 
 
 There came into the life and experience of the writer 
 many pleasant events during his term as installing offi- 
 cer in the encampment branch of the Order, by virtue 
 of a commission of D. D. G. P., issued by Grand Patri- 
 arch Joshua Davis, in 187G.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ANOTHER CHANGE. 
 
 It was a sad and trying hour when circumstances 
 made it necessary for the writer to sever his connection 
 with business and the old associations that had bound 
 him for a number of years closely to the people and the 
 town of his adoption. To seek out a new home among 
 strangers was no easy or pleasant thing to do. But the 
 change was made in the opening spring of 1871. 
 
 A quiet home was found within sight of Bramhall, in 
 the " Forest City." Months of sickness and suffering 
 followed the " new departure," but the afHicted was not 
 left without attention and care. 
 
 "A stranger trod with weary feet 
 
 A distant city's crowded ways; 
 Along each thronged and busy street 
 
 He passed with anxious, wistful gaze. 
 No friendly glance returned his own, 
 
 No cheerful greeting bade him stand; 
 Amid the crowd he moved alone, 
 
 And longed to grasp a brother's hand. 
 
 A strange device this sailor bore — 
 
 Three links cut from a golden chain; 
 A passer marked the badge he wore. 
 
 And checked his speed to look again; 
 Then stopped, advanced, by word and tone 
 
 Welcomed the wanderer as his friend; 
 Though stranger's glance had met his own, 
 
 He knew he grasi^ed a brother's hand.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 67 
 
 There were kind brothers of the mystic circle in that 
 city who answered the signal of distress and ministered 
 to his needs. 
 
 There was a worthy member of Ligonia Lodge, 
 Brother Burnell, near at hand, and he promptly obeyed 
 the first command of our Order, and the second com- 
 mand was heartily fulfilled by Brother T. Frank Jones, 
 one of the Visiting Committee of the same lodge as 
 Brother Burnell. The same friendly hand was ex- 
 tended by Brother Jones in the hour of distress that 
 was grasped by the writer, twelve years before, " away 
 clown east" in his native village. Brother Jones spared 
 no pains to render aid and comfort to the sufferer. What 
 was deficient in supplying pecuniary and material as- 
 sistance by the lodge of which the writer was a mem- 
 ber was generously donated by the brothers of the city 
 lodges. They gathered daily about his bed-side and 
 spoke words of cheer and comfort. They were mes- 
 sengers of mercy and good will. 
 
 When the trees were decked with soft foliage, and 
 the bright summer sun carried joy to the heart, return- 
 ing health imparted strength and vitality to the invalid, 
 causing him to rise and stand upon his feet again. 
 
 The writer sought employment to busy his mind and 
 hands and earn an honest livelihood. There were no 
 vacancies in the newspaper offices to be supplied by 
 country editors or reporters ; all the avenues for obtain- 
 ing work in that direction were closed. He applied to 
 Grand Secretary Davis for a clerkship in that office, but 
 no clerical work was required. What could he find to 
 do? That was a serious question and there was no one 
 who could give a satisfactory answer. " To dig he
 
 58 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 could not, to beg he was ashamed." When those words 
 were uttered the way was open that brought an answer 
 to his request. Brother Davis, in his heart of pity and 
 sympathy for one like himself physically disabled, de- 
 vised a plan whereby the writer might benefit himself 
 and at the same time disseminate Odd Fellow literature 
 among the members of the Fraternity. 
 
 Among the various sample copies of Odd Fellow pub- 
 lications lying upon the Secretary's table was The Odd 
 Felloiv's Register — a neat, newsy monthly journal, edited 
 and published by Mr. M. M. Reynolds, at East Green- 
 wich, R. I. The subscription price was fifty cents a 
 year. Brother Davis thought that a large number of 
 subscribers might be obtained for the journal in Port- 
 land and vicinity, there being upwards of twenty-five 
 hundred members of the Order in the six lodges. Let- 
 ters of inquiry were dispatched to brother Reynolds by 
 the writer, accompanied by endorsements from Brother 
 Davis. In due time answer came from the publisher 
 expressing his readiness for the writer to take hold of 
 the paper and work up a large list of subscribers. The 
 compensation offered was liberal and encouraged faith- 
 ful efforts. 
 
 The writer thought he might be able to obtain fifty 
 names in the city. This, as it afterward proved, showed 
 his weak faith. 
 
 It was on a delightful August morning when a jovial 
 company of Odd Fellows boarded an excursion train for 
 a day's outing at Lake Maranacook, a few miles distant 
 from the town of Winthrop on the line of the Maine 
 Central Railroad. The day was fine and the journey 
 was made enjoyable by music and song. Joshua
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 69 
 
 (Davis) was the leader of the chosen people. His gen- 
 ial countenance lit up the way and put the " boys " in 
 good humor. 
 
 It was a day of new adventure to the writer. The 
 first name on the Register'' s subscription list was to be 
 obtained that day. " Who shall it be ? " was the query. 
 In the study of human nature a valuable lesson had 
 been learned, which, if rightly heeded, might insure suc- 
 cess to a person asking favors of his fellow-man. " The 
 man of understanding "' lays it down as a rule never to 
 ask a person to purchase an article that he is not great- 
 ly in need of, or does not fully comprehend its value, 
 while he is watching the hands of the clock, that he 
 may be the first at the dinner table. A full stomach 
 begets sociability, and the man of pleasure lets go his 
 grip from the pocket-book or purse strings while light- 
 ing the match to regale himself with his favorite cigar. 
 It was in such a happy frame of mind that the writer 
 found George E. Kenworthy, Jr., Past Grand of An- 
 cient Brothers' Lodge, on that day. It required but a 
 few words from the representative of the Register to ob- 
 tain that good brother's name and the amount of a sub- 
 scription. 
 
 The ball had been set in motion. Other brothers 
 followed his worthy example, and very soon the heart 
 of the writer was made glad by many names and much 
 money. When the hour for returning homeward came 
 round, twenty names had been placed on the list. 
 There was hope in the fainting heart. The work of so- 
 liciting continued daily on the streets among business 
 men who were members of the Order, in stores, offices 
 and work-shops. There was a ready response to the
 
 60 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 writer's calls. In a very short time the list had in- 
 creased to fifties and hundreds. Kind brothers ever}^- 
 where took special delight m rendering assistance and 
 advancing the work. 
 
 Prominent among those who rendered valuable assist- 
 ance were J. Henry Crockett, P. G. M. ; Philip F. 
 Turner, P. G. ; H. P. Cox, P. G. M. ; Benjamin Kings- 
 bury, P. G. M. ; Wm. H. Smith, P. G. P. ; Brothers 
 David Moulton, Isaac Merrill, Jr., and our late brother 
 George H. Cloudman, P. G., Charles Paine, Simeon 
 Malone, and many others whose names will long be 
 remembered by the writer for their words and deeds 
 of love and friendship. 
 
 Before Portland had been nearly canvassed, the 
 writer extended his work into towns adjoining the city. 
 The members of Ammoncongin Lodge, at Cumberland 
 Mills, were waited upon with a letter of introduction to 
 Past Grand Edward W. Ayer, from Past Grand Master 
 J. H. Crockett. Brother Ayer was superintendent of 
 Messrs. S. D. Warren Co.'s j:>aper mills in that village. 
 
 After reading the communication from Brother 
 Crockett, Brother Ayer inquired into the subject in 
 question, and kindly offered to render any assistance in 
 his power to obtain the subscription of employees in the 
 mills who might be interested in reading Odd Fellow 
 literature. The work was quickly done and the writer 
 not onl}^ had the pleasure of making the acquaintance 
 of the brothers of Ammoncongin Lodge, but also had 
 the privilege of looking over the vast paper manufactur- 
 ing establishment, and being instructed in the modus 
 operandi by one who had been engaged in the business 
 many years, and was thoroughly ac(iuainted with it.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 61 
 
 Tlu'oiigh the efforts of Brother Ayer, tlie name of every 
 member of the Order employed on the "day tower" was 
 obtained. Others were secured on the following day. 
 until the full membership of the lodge were made pa- 
 trons of the Register. 
 
 The writer was also indebted to brothers C. W. Mace, 
 A. C. Chute, C. W. Foy, C. B. Holt, H. A. Hunt and 
 D. T. Swain for favors and friendly assistance. With 
 the opening spring came large additions of names and 
 money. 
 
 It was a part of the writer's duty, in increasing the 
 circulation and welfare of the Iler/ister, to furnish 
 monthly letters for publication, "writing up" lodge 
 news, the week's happenings, and pleasant events con- 
 nected with excursions, social gatherings, etc. This was 
 an agreeable duty to person, but unsatisfactory for the 
 reason that the paper was small and allowed limited 
 space to correspondents. 
 
 The writer's first letter appeared in the September 
 number, 1881. That was a specially marked paper, dis- 
 playing on the first page an excellent wood-cut picture 
 of Odd Fellows' Hall, Boston. The two hundred and 
 fifty subscribers who received that number perused it 
 with great interest. It was a clean, bright sheet filled 
 with interesting and instructive matter of interest to 
 the Order. In addition to the w^riter's letters, it con- 
 tained the usual monthly installment of Maine news 
 from the pen of "R. G. D.," who had been a regular 
 and valuable correspondent of the paper for a number 
 of vears. 
 
 The little paper gained popularity wherever it was in- 
 troduced. The writer visited Saco, Biddeford, Lewiston,
 
 62 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Auburn, Hallowell, Gardiner, Augusta, Belfast, Rock- 
 land and Batli, and within a few months a large 
 portion of the State was canvassed and hundreds of 
 names swelled the list to thousands. The success of the 
 writer far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. 
 It even astonished the editor and publisher, who was at 
 times perplexed in calculating the number of sheets 
 necessary to supply the large orders for "new subs." 
 The good State of Maine with its fourteen thousand Odd 
 Fellows was passed by for a season, and the old " Bay 
 State " was made the field of canvass. 
 
 In order to start right and win success in the "new 
 departure," it was deemed advisible for the writer to 
 carry with him proper vouchers and letters of introduc- 
 tion to obtain the acquaintance and co-operation of 
 brothers and friends. Accordingly, carefully written 
 letters were obtained from Silas W. Cook, G. M.; 
 Joshua Davis, Grand Secretary; Henry P. Cox, P. G. 
 M. ; Byron Kimball, P. G. M.; and William H. Smith, 
 P. G. R.; J. Henry Crockett, D. G. M., with other 
 Grand Officers and prominent members of the Order in 
 Maine. 
 
 The first lodge visited by the writer was Richard W. 
 Drown, in the city of Lynn, and the first brother to ex- 
 tend the hand of welcome on that memorable evening 
 was Brother E. K. Storer, the first Past Grand of that 
 new lodge. He was formerly a resident of Richmond, 
 Maine, and there went out from his heart tender emo- 
 tions of brotherly regard for one who hailed from his 
 native State. 
 
 The young lodge had much business to transact. The 
 attendance was large and the brothers were earnest in
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 63 
 
 their work. It was a late hour when "good and wel- 
 fare " was announced, but the members remained to 
 learn what the visiting brother had to say, and all lis- 
 tened attentively. There was a ready response to the 
 call for subscriptions to the only journal of Odd Fel- 
 lowship j)nblished in New England. 
 
 The writer remained in the city two weeks, visiting 
 shoe shops, climbing long flights of stairs into the third 
 and fourth stories of massive brick blocks. It was a 
 difficult and laborious job to perform. Oftentimes the 
 uninitiated was obliged to depend on a faithful guide to 
 conduct him safely through the devious ways to St. 
 Crispin's retreat. But perseverance and push made it 
 possible to surmount all difficulties. Tlie adage that 
 "Shoemakers spend their money freely," was verified 
 in the experience of the writer, when he appeared 
 among them. In less than a fortnight over two hundred 
 names were added to the subscription list in that city. 
 
 A VISIT TO RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 The ball was kept rolling night and day. When the 
 last installment of names and money had been received 
 by the publisher of the Ref/ister, he sent a kind invita- 
 tion to the writer to visit him at his home in East 
 Greenwich, R. I. The request was in accord with the 
 desire of the writer, who lost no time in making the 
 necessary preparation for the journey, taking the early 
 morning train for Boston and Providence. 
 
 It was at a late hour in the afternoon when the writer 
 entered Mr. Reynold's office and made himself known to 
 the knight of the quill. The portrait which had been 
 drawn in the writer's imagination of the physiognomy
 
 64 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 and corporeal make-up of the person he was addressing 
 was far from being correct. But he was found to be a 
 true gentleman, a genial companion, and an earnest, 
 wholesome Odd Fellow. His hand was open to wel- 
 come, and his home was made a j)leasant and comfort- 
 able retreat for the writer, his most estimable wife 
 putting forth her best endeavors to provide for the com- 
 fort and enjoyment of the sojourner. 
 
 Brother Reynolds was of a musical turn, and he 
 found pleasure and entertainment, after the close of 
 long weary days in newspaper work, in drawing the bow, 
 which brought forth strains of inspiring music from his 
 much-cherished violin. There was -a richness and har- 
 monious blending of sweet sounds under his manipula- 
 tion of the strings. 
 
 The editor of the Register had labored hard for a 
 number of years to give character and influence to the 
 paper, but like many other faithful and well-deserving 
 society journalists, his efforts were not fully appreciated 
 by those who should have given him their support. 
 The maxim that "The prophet is not without honor, 
 save in his own country and among his own kin," was 
 daily verified in Brother Reynold's experience as a pro- 
 ducer of Odd Fellow literature. 
 
 The populous and beautiful city of Providence, six- 
 teen miles away from the home of the Register^ furnished 
 numerous daily and weekly publications, with their 
 bus}^ reporters and correspondents ever on the alert to 
 gather up and spread before the public news and gossip 
 of every kind to interest all classes of readers. The 
 Odd Fellow lodges and encampments in the city and 
 surrounding country furnished their part of the society
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 65 
 
 news, which was caught up by the reporters belonging 
 to tlie Order and by others wlio liad communicative 
 friends who were "posted" on wliat A\as going on that 
 could be worked into newspaper items. The regular 
 Sunday morning edition of the daily papers devoted a 
 liberal space to "Society Melange." Every week's 
 events in lodge, encampment, and particularly in the 
 Rebekah lodges, were chronicled in a most pleasing 
 manner. The clever reporter was sure to get the name 
 of the fair office bearer in the Rebekah Lodge and pic- 
 ture her well-merited accomplishments in pleasing col- 
 ors. Names in print are often as lasting in the memory 
 as those cut deep into the polished marble. The daily 
 and weekly news-gleaners left little that had not been 
 read and re-read by the seekers after society news for 
 the publisher of a monthly journal that was devoted 
 exclusively to the dissemination of whatever tended to 
 the good and welfare of the Order to which it was dedi- 
 cated, and thus it was that the strong pressed hard upon 
 the weak and placed hindrances in the way of the 
 growth and progress of the little paper. 
 
 But Brother Reynolds had firmly resolved within his 
 own mind, that he would carry on the enterprise even- 
 in the face of all obstructions. The subscription list in 
 his own town, as well as in many other towns and cities 
 in the State, plainly showed that members of the Order 
 did not patronize their home society journal. 
 
 It was the pleasure of the writer to accompany Broth- 
 er Reynolds to Providence, a few days after having 
 made that brother's personal acquaintance, and was in- 
 troduced by him to a number of the prominent officers 
 of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and interested
 
 66 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 members of tlie fraternity, who were solicited to aid tlie 
 writer in obtaining names and subscriptions for the 
 Register. 
 
 PEOVIDENCE NEWSPAPEES. 
 
 The writer visited most of the newspaper offices in 
 the city and enjoyed a pleasant interview with the edi- 
 tors of the city papers. From each he received the 
 kindest attention and courtesies. A card of introduc- 
 tion was published in each Sunday morning paper, 
 which opened the way for the writer to be known 
 among the business men, and told the nature of his 
 work among them. 
 
 The call was met with a ready response. Everywhere 
 the writer went he was received by a friendly hand and 
 pleasant words. Among the first to speak words of en- 
 couragement were our late resj^ected brother Grand 
 Representative William S. Johnson and Grand Repre- 
 sentative Hon. Gilbert F. Robbins. They had been 
 regular patrons of the Register for years, and they now 
 pledged themselves anew to its future supj)ort. Their 
 words and acts were seconded by Past Grand Represen- 
 tative Lindsey Anderson, Grand Master Hollis INI. 
 Coombs, Past Grand Patriarch Edwin A. Beasle}^ 
 Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe Allen Jencks, Past 
 Grand Peter Trumpler, city editor of the Telegraph and 
 formerly connected with the Register., when published 
 in Providence. In a few days nearly one hundred 
 names were placed on the list of city subscribers. 
 Lodges in the suburban towns were visited and success 
 followed the efforts of the writer everywhere. It is 
 pleasant for him to recall the names of the places he
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 67 
 
 [visited and in fancy see before his face those who 
 [greeted him so kindly. 
 
 Miles of territory were traversed in " doing " Auburn, 
 IPawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Westerly, War- 
 [ren, Bristol, Wickford, Appanaug, East Greenwich, 
 [Newport, Little Corapton, and other towns and cities in 
 [the State. 
 
 In all the places where the writer visited there are 
 [many good brothers whose names he recalls as he writes, 
 and he hopes at some future day to take some of them 
 by the hand and enjoy a social interview. 
 
 The special object of the writer's visit to Rhode 
 Island having been satisfactorily accomplished, he re- 
 1 turned to Massachusetts and continued his work, visit- 
 'ing Boston, Lowell, Lawrence, Salem, Lynn, Charles- 
 town, Cambridge, Chelsea, Beverly, Newburyport, New 
 Bedford, and many other places where Odd Fellowship 
 flourishes. His best and pleasantest work was effected 
 in Lynn, Salem, Chelsea and Peabody. 
 
 At Salem he was made the special object of kind at- 
 tention by Grand Master Hon. Wm. M. Hill, then 
 mayor of that city, who stood at the head of the Order 
 in that State. It was an easy and pleasant work to ob- 
 tain subscribers to the Beguter with the mayor and 
 Grand Master in the van. The list in that city was 
 headed "Dirigo," having the largest number of names 
 of any city in the State. 
 
 Mrs. Ellen M. Buxton, of Peabody, Mass., occupied 
 a prominent place in the Rebekah department of the 
 paper, with interesting letters and remittances from new 
 subscribers. 
 
 Later in the season the writer visited portions of 
 Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire, and strayed
 
 68 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 from his quiet New England shores to the great metrop- 
 olis of North America, the city of all nations, tongues 
 and creeds. He also sat among Ijrethren of our friendly 
 Order in the "City of Brotherly Love," where he was 
 warmly greeted by his Dutch brother and partook of 
 food beneath his patriarchal tent. 
 
 The interests of the Ber/ister were carefully looked 
 after in the Nutmeg State by Past Grand D. C. Winans 
 of New Haven, assisted by Brother George C. Lovering 
 of that city. 
 
 On a more recent visit to New Haven, the writer 
 made a most pleasant acquaintance Avith Past Grand 
 Master and Past Grand Representative George N. 
 Moses, Secretary of the Connecticut Odd Fellows' State 
 Relief Association. Brother Moses is among the warm- 
 est friends of the writer's acquaintance in that section 
 of the country. 
 
 There are many pleasing incidents connected with 
 the writer's life while engaged in conducting the affairs 
 of the Register abroad. Some of them have found a 
 special place in his journal and may be wrought into 
 his notes in this publication to add interest to the many 
 things brought forth, though it will be impossible to go 
 fully into detail. 
 
 GEEMAX LODGES. 
 
 On one occasion the writer was kindly asked by a 
 warm-hearted German brother — "Dutchmen" they are 
 called — to attend the meeting of Germania Lodge in 
 the city of New Haven, Connecticut. The writer ac- 
 cepted the invitation and was present with the brethren. 
 The work, in their national language, was creditably
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 69 
 
 performed so far as the floor movements went. The rend- 
 ering of the rituals was spoken in a foreign dialect, and 
 the writer, having never been instructed in that language, 
 was ignorant of whatever errors there might have oc- 
 curred. After conferring the Initiatory Degree upon a 
 stalwart, who manifested delight while passing through 
 the ordeal, the Noble Grand — through an English speak- 
 ing brother and countryman — called upon the writer 
 for some remarks "on the good and welfare of the 
 Order." As a rule resident Germans and other foreiofn- 
 born business men in the United States understand 
 better the speech of Americans than they are under- 
 stood by people untaught in their own language. So it 
 was in the case of the writer. His words they heard 
 and understood quite well. 
 
 The Dutch brethren were not interested in dry statis- 
 tics and matters relating to lodge work. They "wanted 
 something good and funny." The writer's extensive 
 travels had put him in the way of seeing and hearing 
 many things which, if put upon the lips of a glib-tongued 
 narrator, might excite the risibilities of the most fastid- 
 ious. The Dutchmen attribute their good health and 
 corpulency to much laughter and jovial nature. The 
 clamorings for " something good and funny " induced 
 the writer to call back his boyhood's days and tell a 
 story which greatly pleased "the boys," and they invit- 
 ed him to take supper with them. Reader, have you 
 ever been at a "Dutch sit-down?" There is plenty to 
 eat and "lots of fun," as young America speaks it. The 
 menu is a savory one, consisting of esculents generally 
 relished by the Dutch connoisseur. The free use of their 
 national beverage entered largel}^ into the festivities.
 
 70 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 There was no lack of fine vocal music by a volun- 
 teer quartette. The writer was kindly treated and 
 highly entertained by the brothers of Germania Lodge 
 on that occasion, and he has since sought opportunity to 
 mingle in their councils. 
 
 The writer had frequent opportunities for meeting 
 with the brothers at large, in their lodges and social 
 gatherings, on excursions, at banquets, in celebrating 
 anniversaries and memorable events. The occasions of 
 special interest were the meetings of the Grand Lodge 
 of Massachusetts, in Boston, and the session of the Sov- 
 ereign Grand Lodge held at Providence, in 1883, where 
 he was admitted to a seat during the business delibera- 
 tions of that august body, through the courtesy of 
 Henry P. Cox, Past Grand Representative of Maine, 
 Acting Grand Guardian, and William T. Johnson, 
 Grand Representative of Rhode Island. 
 
 i\
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE REGISTER COMES TO MAINE. 
 
 The circulation of the Register up to July, 1883, had 
 reached nearly four thousand. A large portion of the 
 subscribers were obtained by the writer's personal ef- 
 forts. About that time Brother Reynolds had decided 
 to make a change in his business and leave the town 
 where he had been engaged in newspaper publishing 
 and job printing for a number of years. The question 
 then arose, "what disposition should he make of tlie 
 RegisterV "It would have to be sold or discontinued. 
 Who would purchase and continue to publish it?" The 
 larger part of its patrons resided in Maine, and it 
 had fairly become a Maine paper. While these ques- 
 tions were revolving in the mind of the proprietor, he 
 submitted the matter to the writer and offered hiin the 
 property, with the suggestion that Portland be the place 
 of publication. 
 
 The proposition was a fair and liberal one, but then 
 there were serious difficulties in the way of the writer's 
 accepting. It required money to purchase and publish 
 newspapers of any sort, and in this case, as in the pur- 
 chase of "steamboats when offered for the small sum of 
 one dime each," there were no purchasers for the lack 
 of the dime. The would-be buyer closely examined his 
 bank book to see if there was placed to his credit the 
 amount required to make him owner of the The Odd 
 Fellows' llegister and all its belongings. There appeared
 
 72 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 only one cent to his credit on the balance sheet. 
 Freqnent correspondence passed between Brother Rey- 
 nolds and the writer, and at the expiration of three 
 weeks the papers transferring the Register property 
 and a check for the amount required for its purchase 
 were exchanged by the owner of the paper and the 
 writer, making him the new proprietor. The funds 
 needed to change the ownership came from a brother 
 possessing a large heart and able in every way to fulfill 
 his obligations. The name of the benefactor will ap- 
 pear as the reader nears the sequel of the history of the 
 Register. 
 
 In July, 1883, Brother Reynolds, with his wife, vis- 
 ited Portland and passed a week at the home of the 
 writer at Woodford's Corner, one mile from the cMj. 
 Their visit was an enjoyable one to the writer and his 
 family, and there is reason to suppose that it was equal- 
 ly pleasant to the visitors, as every effort was put forth 
 to make their sojourn an enjoyable one. The brother 
 and his wife expressed themselves greatly pleased with 
 the natural beauties of Portland, its fine harbor, expan- 
 sive bay, and attractive islands. The views from the 
 eastern and western promenades exceeded in beauty, 
 they said, anything that they had witnessed in " Little 
 Rhody." Providence clams and scallops are greatly es- 
 teemed by connoisseurs of the delicious bivalve when 
 brought from " Rocky Point," and served in royal stjde 
 to Odd Fellow excursionists from "away down in 
 Maine," but clams fried or baked by the experienced 
 caterer at the Peak's Island House, and served by mine 
 host Sawyer, were pronounced by Brother Reynolds and 
 Mrs. Reynolds equal in quality to any they had ever 
 tasted grown in the flats of Narragansett Bay. 
 
 ^1 

 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 73 
 
 An evening was pleasantly spent by Brother Rey- 
 nolds with the members of Maine Lodge in Portland. 
 Their beautiful hall with its rich appointments was 
 closely inspected by the visiting brother and made the 
 theme of comment. 
 
 The first number of the Register^ under its new man- 
 agement, was issued August, 1883, from the printing 
 office of Ford & Rich, Exchange street, Portland. It 
 contained a letter from Brother Reynolds giving his 
 impressions on visiting Portland and its surroundings. 
 The labors and perplexities of the writer were now 
 increased four-fold by assuming the care and responsi- 
 bility of personally conducting the paper as editor, pub- 
 lisher, solicitor and collector. The position he then oc- 
 cupied was that of man-of-all-work. The duties in each 
 department were as faithfully performed as it was in 
 the power of a feeble man to do. Often times the only 
 consolation to be found came from heeding the admo- 
 nition of the wise man, " Of making many books there 
 is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh," 
 when he laid aside the pen. If Solomon had lived in 
 these days of fast presses, sending forth thousands of 
 daily, weekly and monthly publications, he might have 
 added another maxim, " that the man who does such 
 things will not live out half his days." Half of the 
 writer's days have been spent in editing, publishing, or 
 in some way contributing to the interest and support of 
 many papers at home or abroad. Seldom anything es- 
 caped his eye or pen. It is the notice of little things 
 that tells in newspaper editing. In the words of the 
 esteemed Scottish bard.
 
 I 
 
 T4 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 "If there's a hole in a' your coats, 
 
 I rede you tent it; 
 A chield's amang you taking notes, 
 
 And faith he'll prent it." 
 
 In the publication of the Register the same ground 
 was canvassed over and over again. Long days and 
 sleepless nights were spent in the work necessary to 
 make the paper worthy the patronage of those who con- 
 tributed to its support. 
 
 Lodges and encampments in all parts of the New 
 England States were regularly and frequently visited. 
 The editor's note-book and pencil were always at hand 
 to record any matter new or interesting to the fraterni- 
 ty. Newspaper work requires one continuous round of 
 thought and effort, and more particularly is this the 
 case in endeavoring to make an acceptable society jour- 
 nal. " Your news is past the time, — old and stale," was 
 the oft-repeated salutation uttered by croakers and 
 heartless men. Complaints of large and small slights 
 came to the editor's ears. Whether these so-called 
 slights were really intended to wound the feelings or 
 injure the good name of a brother man, the much- 
 abused (?) ones said naught. Acts sometimes speak 
 louder than words. 
 
 "O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us, 
 To see oursels.as other see us; 
 It wad frae monie a blunder free us 
 And foolish notion." 
 
 The writer of " personals " in a country newspaper, 
 if it be an Odd Fellow or other society journal, occupies 
 no enviable position. Great things are expected of the 
 scribe. Merit must receive its full measure of praise, 
 no matter if the editor has to " slop over " to find adjec- 
 tives in giving color to the picture.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 75 
 
 If everything \y()rthy of note in the conduct of lodge 
 and encampment ofticers ; their excellent manner of 
 rendering the work of the degrees ; the fine exhibition 
 of dramatic or musical talent by scholarly brothers or 
 sister Rebekahs should be printed, every one of them, 
 "I do not think the world itself could contain the books 
 they were written in." 
 
 It was the honest intention of the new editor of the 
 Register to render fair and impartial judgment when 
 commenting on personal merit. If he erred in judg- 
 ment or overlooked important points, he, like the crim- 
 inal under sentence at the bar, is willing to be forgiven. 
 " To err is human,^ to forgive divine." 
 
 In the second round of travels throughout the New 
 England States, the writer's relations to the patrons of 
 the Register were changed from solicitor and corres- 
 pondent to that of editor and proprietor. The change 
 offered him larger advantages and better opportunities 
 for association and acquaintance with members of the 
 Fraternity. He always received a cordial welcome in 
 the lodges and encampments, and around the family 
 board of hospitable brothers. The patriarch's tent was 
 always open to the weary traveler. 
 
 The writer has frequently been called upon to enter 
 the house of mourning and stand beside the casket con- 
 taining the remains of a departed brother with whom 
 he had only a few months before taken sweet counsel. 
 He has seen the mower's scythe cut down a young 
 brother just entering the pride of his manhood, and there 
 learned the lessons of mortality, — that death is in the 
 world, and the destroyer among the works of the Al- 
 mighty : all that is born must die.
 
 76 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 While tlie aged and young were passing out of this 
 life into a brighter and better, scores of worthy, intelli- 
 gent young men Avere coming into the light of Odd 
 Fellowship. It has been the privilege of the writer to 
 welcome to the altar of Friendship, Love and Truth, 
 hundreds of new-made brothers during his visits to lodges 
 in the several States. 
 
 Among the events of special note during the years of 
 the writer's editorial work on the Register^ in which he 
 took a personal interest, was the institution of Old 
 Hickory Lodge at Newport, Presumpscot Lodge at Fal- 
 mouth, Fraternity Lodge at Woodfords, Elizabeth City 
 Lodge at South Portland, Canton Encampment at Can- 
 ton, jNIaine, and Fraternity Encampment at Salem, 
 Mass., with numerous fraternal greetings among Past 
 Grands and Past Chief Patriarchs in the Grand Lodges 
 and Grand Encampments of Maine, Massachusetts and 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 The best opportunity for receiving instruction and 
 enjoyment was in witnessing the conferring of degrees 
 by staffs or teams. The first lodge in Maine to organize 
 a team and render the dramatized work was Norway 
 Lodge, with Past Grand J. W. Crommett, Degree 
 Master. This team gained notoriety throughout the 
 State, and gave a grand exhibition in conferring the in- 
 itiatory and work of the three degrees before the officers 
 of the Grand Lodge of Maine, in 1886. There were a 
 large number present from lodges in the State, and all 
 took a lively interest in the rendering of the work. 
 
 At a later date Norway Lodge Degree Staff, under 
 the leadership of J. W. Crommett, Degree Master, 
 brought honor and praise to itself in the exemplification
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 77 
 
 of tlie sublime work of the iirst and second degrees. 
 The occasion was a fraternal visit of the staff to 
 Iladattah Lodge, No. 118, of Portland, Wednesday 
 evening June 19, 1889. When it became known to the 
 members of the Fraternity of the different lodges in the 
 city, that Norway Lodge Degree Staff was to visit 
 Hadattah Lodge, a general interest was awakened to 
 witness the work performed by the staff that had be- 
 come so famous throughout the State for doing " splendid 
 work." 
 
 Long before the hour for opening the lodge, nearly 
 every seat in the large hall was occupied, and the floor 
 work space was encroached upon to accommodate the 
 large numbers of interested witnesses. Such a pen pic- 
 ture as it might be in the power of the writer to give 
 in this book would fail to convey to the reader more 
 than a faint idea of the beauty and grandeur of the pro- 
 duction and fine dramatic rendering and oratory. 
 Every brother present was fascinated by the pageant. 
 
 At the close of the lodge-room exercises, which came 
 at a late hour of the night, the officers and members 
 escorted the guests to the banquet hall, where a sump- 
 tuous repast was served and the brethren spent a season 
 of pleasant re-union around the festive board. 
 
 Since the organization of Norway Lodge degree team, 
 other lodges have taken up the work and made a fine 
 showing. The writer has been privileged to witness 
 exhibitions by degree teams in Androscoggin, Abou 
 Ben Adhem, Samaritan, Golden Rule, Ancient Brothers, 
 Manufacturers and Mechanics, Penobscot, Waldo, Saco, 
 Granite, Knox, Cumberland, Phlontoma, Fairfield, and 
 Livermore Falls Lodges. A spirit of laudable emulation 
 
 ■
 
 78 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 was manifested among the members of degree teams in 
 the lodges throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and 
 Rhode Island. In many of the lodges the paraphernalia 
 was elaborate and expensive. 
 
 Past Grand C. W. Mutell, of Springfield, Mass., was 
 the first to dramatize the degree work and was degree 
 master of the famous De Soto Degree Staff, which pre- 
 sented the new work before the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
 at Baltimore in 1882. He also designed the first com- 
 plete outfit for conferring the degrees. The equipment 
 was elegant and fully in accord with the place it occu- 
 pied in giving life and character to the impressive work. 
 
 There were few degree teams that could excel Can- 
 onicus Lodge team at Providence, R. I., in the early 
 days of rendering the new work. In 1885, the late 
 Grand Representative W. S. Johnson was at the head 
 of the Order in that city, and brought out his part of 
 the work in the three degrees with pleasing effect 
 before the Representatives of the Sovereign Grand 
 Lodge, then in session in Providence. The writer was 
 made the recipient of many favors on that memorable 
 occasion. It was a red-letter day in the history of the 
 Order. 
 
 By the special invitation of Grand Representative 
 Johnson and members of Canonicus Lodge degree 
 team, the Grand Sire and a large number of the Grand 
 Representatives assembled at Odd Fellows' Hall in the 
 afternoon. The writer, then editor of the Register, was 
 privileged to occupy a seat with Deputy Grand Sire 
 Hon. John H. White, of New York, and witness the 
 work of the three degrees exemplified in fine dramatic 
 style. Brother Johnson entered with life and soul into
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 79 
 
 everything that pertained to the good and welfare of 
 Odd Fellowship. He and Grand Representative Rob- 
 bins were honored and animated by the presence of a 
 large number of colleagues in the highest council of the 
 Order. It was the time for accepting or rejecting the 
 new way of rendering the work by lodges at the South 
 and West and on the Pacific coast. The projectors and 
 earnest supporters of the sublime work wxll understood 
 that first impressions are the best, and will impel those 
 infiuenced by word or act to speedy and effective effort. 
 
 There were present on that occasion men possessing 
 strong prejudices against removing old land-marks or 
 making inroads in the long-traveled path of former 
 days. But after witnessing the sublime work there 
 were no dissenting voices on the adoption and universal 
 practice of the dramatical work as exhibited by the able 
 and efficient staff of Canonicus Lodge. 
 
 The history of the " new departure " in lodges 
 throughout the jurisdiction, represented by those who 
 witnessed the Avork, shows that a pleasing advance has 
 been made in the rendering of degree work and great 
 good has come to the Order thereby.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 
 
 The laws regulating the qualification for office in 
 Subordinate Lodges in former years made it obligatory 
 upon the Noble Grand to be in possession of the Rebek- 
 ah Degree and able to confer the same on all the scarlet 
 members and their wives, when applied for in open 
 lodge. Under the existing laws, while the writer served 
 his term as Noble Grand of Carrabasset Lodge, it was 
 his privilege to admit to the Degree of Rebekah a large 
 number of brothers and their wives. These occasions 
 were made seasons of social enjoyment and pleasant re- 
 union. The object and designs of the degree were fully 
 realized by those who participated in its work and fes- 
 tivities, and there went out from the circle of its mem- 
 bership a genial influence. 
 
 The degree was originated by Grand Representatives 
 Schuyler Colfax of Indiana, Wm. T. Martin of Miss- 
 issippi, and E. G. Steele of Tennessee. Its object ,was 
 to unite the wives and members in the work of Odd 
 Fellowship. 
 
 It is the work of woman to do good. Men need 
 banding together to stimulate their better affection, but 
 in woman benevolence and humanity are spontaneous. 
 The great traveler Ledyard truly says: "I have ob- 
 served among all nations that the women are the same 
 kind, civil, obliging, human, tender beings. They are 
 ever inclined to be gay and cheerful, timorous and
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 81 
 
 modest. They do not hesitate, like men, to perform a 
 hospitable or generous action." 
 
 To the widow and orphan a portion of the benefits of 
 our Order belongs, and it was for holy purposes that 
 the degree was established. When death comes and re- 
 moves the husband and father from the home, there is 
 felt the obligation " to relieve the distressed, bury the 
 dead and educate the orphan." Strong hands and warm 
 hearts form a protection around the afflicted and help- 
 less to supply their wants, and aid her and hers for the 
 sake of him whom they are pledged to love. 
 
 "Fading not when life has perished, 
 Living still beyond the tomb." 
 
 Time changes and new officers enact new laws. The 
 doors of the council chamber of Rebekahs are now 
 closed against those who have not been instructed in 
 the mysteries of the degree in a legally constituted 
 lodge of that degree and pay tribute to its laws and sup- 
 port. A knowledge of that degree work is no longer 
 made a requisite qualification for elegibility to the office 
 of Noble Grand. 
 
 Perhaps any further eulogium on this beautiful de- 
 gree and the manner of its rendering by the scholarly 
 lady officers may be regarded as presumptuous on the 
 part of the writer, who, like many very wise (?) people 
 outside of Odd Fellowship, claims to " know it all," 
 though having never crossed its threshold. 
 
 PATRIARCHS MILITANT. 
 
 Although the writer has no membership acquaintance 
 with this excellent branch of Odd Fellowship, he is 
 conversant with its origin and is as familiar with its
 
 82 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 history and growth as any person who has not been 
 made a chevalier. 
 
 Men in all ages of the w'orld have manifested a desire 
 for rank and title in militar^^ and civic organizations to 
 appear in public and parade on special occasions. It 
 would not be strange that among the large membership 
 of our Order there should be men aspiring to such titles 
 and honors as are conferred by other fraternal secret 
 organizations. 
 
 The legislators in the councils of Odd Fellowship are 
 men of wisdom, discernment and progress. They have 
 labored to make the Order attractive and pleasing, as 
 well as fraternal and beneficial. 
 
 Legislation on a higher degree above the royal purple 
 has been fraught with many changes during the last de- 
 cade, and has called forth much discussion among the 
 friends and opponents of the measures which have been 
 adopted from time to time. 
 
 The degree of Patriarchs Militant is now fully en- 
 dorsed by all loyal members of the Order throughout 
 its entire jurisdiction, and there are large practical 
 advantages growing out of it. The ranks of the Order 
 are swelled by it; the finances of lodges and encamp- 
 ments are made stronger and are less liable to suffer loss 
 by the "non-payment of members dues," wliile they 
 hold coverted positions in the military branch. 
 
 While age, disability and death are di*amng heavily 
 upon the membership and funds of old lodges, their 
 ranks and treasury are being replenished by vigorous 
 youth who must cross the portals of the lodge and ad- 
 vance step by step through all its gradations before they 
 stand with sword erect in the ranks of the chevalier.
 
 BINDING OP THE LINKS. 83 
 
 It is the young blood that keeps alive and active all 
 good organizations, and thus it will be tlu'oughout all 
 coming generations. 
 
 The writer will not devote more space in setting forth 
 the beauties and advantages of this branch of the Order, 
 as they are daily being demonstrated in almost every 
 community where Odd Fellowsliip has its stronghold. 
 
 Among the notable public events in which the Patri- 
 arclis Militant have been the central figure of attraction, 
 the writer takes pleasure in mentioning some of the 
 special occasions on which he was privileged to be pres- 
 ent and witness the grand pageants. On the 26th of 
 April, 1887, Grand Canton Ridgely, No. 2, of Portland, 
 gave a complimentary reception to Maj.-Gen. O. B. Whit- 
 ten and staff at City Hall. There were a large number 
 of prominent members of the Order present — residents 
 of Portland and abroad. Among the invited guests was 
 Brig.-Gen. L. P. Woodbury, of Lewiston, and staff, 
 with officers and Cantons from other parts of the State. 
 
 In the 3ear 1888, Grand Canton Ridgely of Portland, 
 held a fair commencing April 23d, and continuing five 
 days. There were entertainments and a drill every even- 
 ing, calling out a large attendance at City Hall. One 
 of the most interesting and enjoyable features of the oc- 
 casion was a drill by Grand Canton Dearborn of Bidde- 
 ford. It equalled anything in society display that had 
 been witnessed in the city before. The fair and every- 
 thing connected with it wp^s a splendid success. The 
 financial exhibit of the treasui'er. Captain C. F. Tobie, 
 showed a clear cash balance of nearly four thousand dol- 
 lai-s. The figures were lughly satisfactory to those who 
 were in any way interested in the result.
 
 84 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 On the seventieth anniversary of tlie introduction of 
 Odd Fellowship into America, Grand Canton Ridgely, 
 No. 2, of Portland, gave a splendid entertainment at 
 City Hall, comprising a band concert by Collins' Band. 
 The second number on the programme was conferring 
 the "Decoration of Chivalry" upon Maj.-Gen. O. B. 
 Whitten, of the Division of the East, and Major F. L. 
 Moseley, commanding the second battalion of the 
 First Regiment of Maine, which was performed with 
 imposing ceremonies. The entertainment of the even- 
 ing closed with the grand march and ball in which 
 hundreds of Odd Fellows and the lovers of the terp- 
 sichorean art participated. 
 
 On February 27, 1889, Grand Canton Dearborn, No. 
 4, tendered to His Excellency Governor Burleigh and 
 staff a complimentary reception at City Hall, Saco, 
 which was a magnificent affair. Canton Dearborn is 
 composed of members of the Royal Purple Degree in 
 the encampments of Saco and Biddeford. 
 
 After its organization this Canton placed an order 
 for one hundred and thirty-eight uniforms, Avhich is the 
 largest number procured by any Canton in the State at 
 one time. The Patriarchs Militant branch of the Order 
 in those cities is rapidly gaining in membership and 
 public favor. 
 
 Commencing February 12, 1889, the Odd Fellows of 
 Lewiston and Auburn, under the auspices of Grand 
 Canton Worombus, No. 1, held a successful • three-days 
 fair at City Hall, Lewiston, which was largely patronized 
 and brought thousands of dollars into their treasury. 
 On the closing evening, February 15th, a grand reception 
 and ball was given His Excellency Governor Burleigh
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 85 
 
 and staff. It was a most brilliant affair, eclipsing any- 
 tliing of the kind ever given in those cities. 
 
 Canton Colnmbia, No. 11, of North Berwick, Me., 
 made a iine display in a street parade and drill. May 1, 
 1889, under the command of its worthy and honored 
 captain William H. Austin. Nearly every patriarch of 
 Columbia Encampment is a member of the Canton and 
 all take a lively interest in that branch of the Order. 
 
 At the time of the meeting of the Sovereign Grand 
 Lodge, held in Boston, September, 1886, out of the 
 forty-three partiarchs of Columbia Encampment there 
 were thirty-nine uniformed members of the Canton pres- 
 ent, and all took part in the parade on that memorable 
 occasion. 
 
 During the winter of 1888, the writer passed a few 
 weeks enjoyably in the city of New Haven, Conn., 
 among members of the Fraternity. Through the kind- 
 ness of Major George N. Moses, of a flourishing Canton 
 in that city, he was permitted to enjoy a fine band con- 
 cert preparatory to the grand exhibition drill in Music 
 Hall. It was a State affair and elicited the encomiums 
 of a large and appreciative audience. 
 
 Many pages of this book might be devoted to pleasant 
 reminiscences concerning this popular and influential 
 degree of Odd Fellowship, which is a strong link in the 
 binding of the young members firmly together. 
 
 WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE LODGE-ROOM. 
 
 If the members of our Order regard the lodge as their 
 family, it is right and proper that they make the home 
 as pleasant and attractive as possible. The Odd Fellow 
 Fraternity, like other more ancient and wide-spread
 
 86 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Orders, "is progressive in its character." The members 
 are quick to learn and ready to improve in everything- 
 that tends to elevate and ennoble mankind. The laws 
 of our Order make it obligatory upon lodges and en- 
 campments to have a careful watch over the treasury 
 and restricts the extravagant expenditure of mone}^ in 
 the fittings and furnishings of lodge halls and para- 
 phernalia. 
 
 In most of the populous cities and large business 
 centers where there are two or more lodges, there exists 
 a laudable spirit of riva.lry among the members to hold 
 by ownership or rental large and beautifully furnished 
 halls where they can enjoy the weekly meeting, sur- 
 rounded by comfort and costly art decorations. In 
 many places the retreat of Odd Fellows is among the 
 rich draperies of scarlet and blue. 
 
 The attractions of the lodcre-room often have much to 
 do with creating an interest in the business and work of 
 the lodge. Especially is this the case with persons who 
 have never before been brought under the genial influ- 
 ences of social society. The mind of the initiate is 
 diverted from business perplexities and domestic care, 
 when surrounded by bright faces, pleasant smiles, and en- 
 ticed by friendly words mingling in sweet accord with 
 music and song in the beautiful home of pledged 
 brothers. 
 
 Perhaps it may afford entertainment for the reader to 
 accompany one who during the past eight years has sat 
 in hundreds of different lodo-e-rooms in our thrivinsr 
 New England cities and towns, and take special notice 
 of the architectural structure and beautiful internal 
 appointments. Doubtless some reader ^\dll find himself
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 87 
 
 comfortably resting in the chair of the Noble or Vice 
 Grand of the lodge-room which the writer is describing 
 as he journeys from State to State and from city to city. 
 
 As there must be a starting point to everything in 
 this life, the guide will conduct the reader in vision to 
 the hall nearest the pen of the writer. It is located on 
 Congress street in Portland, the beautiful Forest City of 
 Maine. Nearly every Past Grand in the jurisdiction has 
 found it a pleasant resting place during the sessions of 
 the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment within the 
 last twelve years. 
 
 The main lodge hall is a spacious apartment with 
 numerous ante and committee rooms elegantly fitted up 
 and furnished at a large expense by the six lodges that 
 occupy it weekly. It is the fuiest lodge hall in 
 the State. On the same floor is a smaller hall, fully and 
 handsomely equipped for lodge purposes, and is occu- 
 pied weekly by Hadattah Lodge and Ivy Lodge, Daugh- 
 ters of Rebekah. On the third floor is the encampment 
 hall of large dimensions, with its rich drapings of royal 
 purple and gold. Here the tents of the patriarchs of 
 four encampments are pitched, and many a weary trav- 
 eler has found shelter and rest inside their portals. The 
 Patriarchs Militant hold their stated conclaves within 
 its walls and buckle on their armor for duty and public 
 display. There are ample armory accommodations. The 
 room is thirty-five feet by twelve feet, adjoining the main 
 encampment hall. It is fitted up in fine style with all 
 the appliances for convenience and safe-keeping of the 
 chevaliers' equipments. 
 
 In the "Lime Rock City," Rockland, where Knox 
 Lodge occupies a beautiful large hall, Avliich was procured
 
 88 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 a few yeare ago by the expenditure ot many thou- 
 sands of dollars and months of unceasmg effort. It is 
 ample and complete in every respect. The members of 
 the Fraternity in all branches of the Order in that city are 
 fully accommodated, and have no eye of envy turned on 
 brothers in other parts of the jurisdiction who possess 
 better lodge homes than themselves. If a magnificent 
 hall and pleasant surroundings will insure growth in 
 membership and prosperity in lodges, then Knox Lodge 
 must rank among the first in Maine. 
 
 At Belfast, down the Penobscot River, there has been 
 a mighty rushing wind of enthusiasm among the mem- 
 bers of old Waldo Lodge of late. The sound of strife 
 and discord and the smoke of battle of other days, which 
 jeopadized the perpetuity of the institution of Odd Fel- 
 lowship in that city and carried dismay to the hearts 
 of thousands of the tried and faithful tlu-oughout the 
 broad jurisdiction, has died away, and with the restora- 
 tion of peace came brotherly union and a strong rallying 
 around the standard of " Friendship, Love and Truth." 
 
 The officers and members of Waldo Lodge have been 
 willing and ready many years to abandon their old pent- 
 uj), uncomfortable quarters, with all its unhallowed asso- 
 ciations, for a new and better home. Their desires have 
 at last been gratified by the presence of a grand brick 
 structure in the main business center of the city. It has 
 been erected and beautified after the design and work- 
 manship of members of the craft who are thoroughly 
 learned in everything that goes to make up a perfect and 
 noble temple of Odd Fellowship. 
 
 Before the frosts of the winter of 1889 have seared the 
 leaves of the forest there will be a joyful meeting of the
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 89 
 
 Odd Fellows of that city, and hinidi-eds from other parts 
 of the State will unite in dedicating the magnificent liall 
 to the purposes of the Order. With such a zealous, faith- 
 ful leader and director as Brother R. G. Dyer, Grand 
 Warden of the Grand Lodge of Maine, among the exec- 
 utives, there need be no occasion to fear from unsound 
 material or imperfect work in the structure. It will be 
 "push and go ahead." 
 
 On the fifteenth of May, 1889, a beautiful hall was 
 dedicated at Camden, Maine. The building is in part 
 the property of Mount Battie Lodge, to replace the one 
 destroyed by fire one year ago. The dedicating ser- 
 vices were conducted by Brother A. S. Kimball of 
 Norway, Deputy Grand Master, assisted by other Grand 
 Officers. There was a large gathering of ladies and 
 friends of the Order. The new hall is a large sub- 
 stantial brick building, an ornament to the Order and 
 town. The hall is handsomely decorated and elegant- 
 ly furnished. The ceremonies were made interest- 
 ing by excellent music from a select choir. Brother 
 Thomas A. Hunt, Noble Grand of Mount Battie, pre- 
 sented the lodge with a handsome Bible, in the name of 
 Mrs. Henry Rollins of Camden, and a pair of handsome- 
 ly wrought brass gavels, the gift of Brother N. H. Young, 
 the Vice Grand. Speeches were made by the Grand 
 Officers, Rev. Mr. Beal and Hon. Ruel Robinson of Cam- 
 den. At the close of the ceremonies, the company re- 
 paired to Megunticook Hall, v/here a bountiful collation 
 was served. This was followed by a concert, instru- 
 mental and vocal, at Odd Fellows' Hall, under the di- 
 rection of Prof. Studley's Orchestra. The exercises 
 concluded with a dance in the evening at Megunticook
 
 90 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Hall. The lodges at Rockland, Vinalliaven and Bidde- 
 ford were represented by pruiniuent members of the 
 Order. 
 
 There are lodges in the remote eastern and northern 
 portions of the State, at Eastport and in Aroostook 
 County, tliat suffered loss by fu'e during the past three 
 years, now occupying new, commodious halls. These 
 have not yet been inspected by the writer, consequently 
 he is unable to speak from personal knowledge of their 
 merits. " They say," accords much credit to the brothers 
 in those places for "pluck and perseverance" in sur- 
 mounting great obstacles and bringing beauty out of 
 ashes. 
 
 Worombo Lodge, No. 107, at Lisbon Falls, Maine, 
 dedicated its beautiful new hall May 30, 1889, with in- 
 teresting and impressive ceremonies, conducted by Broth- 
 ers Henry C. Bagley, G. M. ; A. S. Kimball, D. G. M. ; 
 Joshua Davis, Grand Secretary; Brothers Stevens, 
 Brimijohn and Applebee, Grand Heralds. There were 
 present a large number of members of the Order, and 
 citizens who are interested in the welfare and prosperity 
 of the Order in the community. 
 
 The members of Franklin Lodge, at Farmington, 
 Maine, are "men who never say die" when brought 
 under the most trying circumstances. Their lodge hall 
 has twice been destroyed by fire within the past six years. 
 The members have rallied themselves after the work of 
 the destroyer each time, and procured the means to 
 build new and larger halls. In the last devastating fire 
 that spread over the town, and laid waste nearly the en- 
 tire business portion of the village, Franklin Lodge 
 shared largely among the sufferers ; but the brothers
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 91 
 
 were not a day behind the most foremost workere in se- 
 curing comfortable lodge (^[uarters. Their new hall 
 ranks equal to any in the State in point of capacity and 
 handsome furnishings. 
 
 During the past few years, Anion Lodge at Oakland, 
 Quinnebasset Lodge at Norridgewock, Norway Lodge at 
 Norway, Asylum Lodge at Augusta, and Kineo Lodge 
 at Dover, all in Maine, have provided themselves with 
 fine halls — owned or leased property. By the judicious 
 expenditure of money they have combined comfort, con- 
 venience and attractiveness. 
 
 There are other lodge halls in Maine worthy of men- 
 tion, which were erected and dedicated during the first 
 year of the winter's connection with the Odd Fellows' 
 Register^ as editor and publisher. There still clusters in 
 the memory pleasant associations of the events of the 
 time when they were the central figure of attraction on 
 the auspicious day which called large numbers of people 
 together to witness and utter words of praise for well 
 doing. 
 
 The reader may desire to learn something concerning 
 the halls of the brotherhood in other New England States, 
 and how they compare with those in the Pine Tree State. 
 The writer has had opportunities to visit very many 
 lodges in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and 
 some in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and in 
 the city of Philadelphia. 
 
 Odd Fellows' Building, Boston, was erected in 1873, 
 and stands among the prominent public buildings in that 
 city. The main hall is fifty -four by ninety-four feet, and 
 twenty-five feet in the clear. There are six lodge or work- 
 ing rooms, with encampment halls. Grand Lodge and
 
 92 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Grand Encampment halls, Grand Secretary and Scribe's 
 offices, committee rooms and banquet halls. The writer 
 has been permitted to mingle with members of each of the 
 lodges at their weekly meetings ; also, to sit among the 
 patriarchs in their assemblages. Within the jurisdiction 
 of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, there are more 
 than two hunched lodges. Many of them occupy mag- 
 nificent halls which are richly adorned. In order to 
 conceive of their finely appointed halls and convey a 
 correct idea of the picture, it is necessary that the reader 
 look though his own eyes. A pen and ink sketch can 
 furnish only a faint and imperfect outline of what would 
 appear before him. 
 
 Among the large number of Odd Fellow halls visited 
 by the writer abroad, were those occupied by lodges at 
 New Bedford, Lawrence, Lowell, Chelsea, Charlestown, 
 Somerville, Salem, Peabody, Lynn, Springfield, Worces- 
 ter, Beverly, Haverhill, Amesbury and Fall River, Mas- 
 sachusetts ; Providence and Woonsocket, Rhode Island ; 
 Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut; Great Falls, 
 Dover, Laconia and Concord, New Hampshire; Phila- 
 delphia, Pennsylvania. These had some peculiarities in 
 their make-up and furnishings which fastened them more 
 fixedly in the remembrance of the writer than scores of 
 others, which in point of beauty and covenience for gen- 
 eral lodge work were fully equal. 
 
 Gorgeously equipped halls, showy paraphernalia and 
 high-sounding titles are not what constitutes true Odd 
 Fellowship. Stripped of all these it is but a band of 
 men who promise on their honor as men to be Idnd to 
 each other under all circumstances, in adversity as well 
 as in the brighter days of prosperity.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE WORD OF COMFORT; THE HELPING HAND. 
 
 "Three charms to guard the heart from sorrow, 
 
 To keep aloof life's woes; 
 Three whispers of a brighter morrow, 
 
 The morrow of repose — 
 Three links amid the golden fetters, 
 
 That heart to heart entwine; 
 Upon life's scroll three mystic letters, 
 
 Placed there by hand divine." 
 
 In • every age of the world's history there has been 
 many and frequent startling events, involving the loss 
 of life and destruction of much property. Even when 
 the tidinofs of such horrors are sent forth on lightning 
 wings and are read by people far remote from the scene 
 of action, it is sickening and heart-rendering. When 
 the disaster occurs in the community where the beholder 
 resides, and the work of death and destruction is exe- 
 cuted before one's own eyes, it awakens in the soul a 
 realization of tlie mental and physical sufferings of the 
 victim. But when the relentless hand of the destroyer 
 is laid upon you or yours, my dear reader — and upon 
 mine — then, and only then, do we fully realize the sharp- 
 ness of the pain and know the full measure of the suffer- 
 ings experienced. That small letter " I " makes wonder- 
 ful changes in the sight and feelings of men and women. 
 " Every heart knows its own sorrow." " Am I my 
 brother's keeper?" is a question frequently asked, but 
 not readily answered, by people busied with worldly 
 cares and encumbered on every hand.
 
 94 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 It is to tlie credit of poor human nature that the rule 
 is, and not exception, that the ear of man is quick to 
 hear the cry of the needy and his hand extended to 
 minister to the calls of the distressed. 
 
 The influence which goes out from the altar of scores 
 of fraternal organizations tlrroughout the land has had 
 much to do with cutting away the "suckers" and off 
 shoots — selfishness — from the stately tree of philantlu-o- 
 phy and allowed it to strike its roots down deep into the 
 soil — the heart of man — and spread its branches far out 
 so that its fruits may be scattered abroad for the healing 
 of the sickened body and desponding soul. 
 
 It is generally considered that the legitimate work of 
 Odd Fellow lodges and encampments, as well as that of 
 kindi-ed beneficial organizations, is to dispense pecuniary 
 aid to members of the Order, in accordance with the pro- 
 visions of the constitution and by-laws of such organiza- 
 tions, consequently there has been but very little known 
 by "the world at large " of what has been and is daily be- 
 ing done by lodges and encampments, as such, and indi- 
 vidual members, for the relief of the sick and suffering. 
 The published reports show only the amount of mon- 
 6}' expended for the payment of weekly and funeral 
 benefits. The actual charities of lodges and the personal 
 contributions of a large body of tender-hearted members 
 do not appear in print. Theirs is a work in which the 
 right hand knows not what the left hand doeth. This is 
 just as it should be, for there are too many examples of 
 Pharisaical alms-giving, where the gift is laid upon the 
 house-top altar, and the benefactor wears a complacent 
 smile wlien he observes the magic typograpliical change 
 of the word " honor " for the donors.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. . 95 
 
 Tbei-e have been thousands upon thousantls of meritor- 
 ious deeds performed by organizations and worthy men 
 and women which will never be known in this life. The 
 record for kind acts and the good done comes into the 
 soul of the benefactor like the genial rays of the bright 
 morning sun upon the lovely rose, causing it to emit 
 fragrant perfumes. 
 
 There are times and circumstances in the experience 
 of individuals and communities wliich require prompt 
 and energetic action. The actor cannot, if he would, 
 cover up his acts from the gaze of the multitude when 
 pestilence walketh abroad at noon-day, and the ravages 
 of the fu'e fiend lays waste the homes of families, and 
 crumbles to ashes massive blocks of merchandise and 
 banking-houses, then the names and good deeds of men 
 are made known. The large heart of the philanthropist 
 beats quick in sympathy and he is prompted to acts of 
 benevolence and charity. The writer calls to mind num- 
 erous events in his forty years' experience in our Order 
 where the "two mite" contribution of the brother of 
 small means has been silently dropped into the treasury 
 alongside of the five and ten-dollar offering of the 
 wealthy capitalist, to relieve the needs of the sick and 
 unfortunate, whether a member of the fraternity or not. 
 
 The reward of " inasmuch as ye did it unto one of 
 these my brethren, ye did it unto me," came in as full 
 measure to the giver of the "two mites " as to him who 
 had an abundance and made but small sacrifices. 
 
 It is with feelings of satisfaction that the close 
 observer of Odd Fellow lodges as a co-operative body, 
 and the men who compose the vast membership, read 
 its noble record of devotion to the cause of humanity.
 
 96 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 There ma}' be isolated instances where the cry of the 
 sick and needy has been heard by an Odd Fellow, only 
 in name, and not heeded and answered by rendering 
 acts of mercy to the suppliant. " Over the hills to the 
 poor-house " should never be said to any uiifortunate, 
 sick or needy brother who has spent years in advancing 
 the interests of the lodge and Order. And no member 
 who possesses any love for the principles of Odd Fel- 
 lowship will imbue his hands in the sacrifice of a 
 brother's feelings or his social comforts by casting him 
 upon the "cold charities" of the alms-house. 
 
 The true character and real soul of an Odd Fellow 
 and Odd Fellowship is tenderness and love. There are 
 exceptions to all rules. All men so named are not men 
 in disposition and practice, and the writer will leave 
 such out of the account when speaking of manly char- 
 acters and noble deeds. 
 
 The Macedonian cry for help frequently comes from 
 the unfortunate and suifering ones where the ravages 
 of fire and destruction of floods have swept away the 
 home and destroyed all the comforts of life. The 
 records of nearly every lodge and encampment, under 
 the jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, show 
 that the calls of the unfortunate and needy ha^w been 
 graciously answered. 
 
 The Order in Maine and in every other New England 
 State has done honor to the good name of the founder 
 of American Odd Fellowship, Thomas Wildey. Prom- 
 inent among the acts of benevolence and brotherly love 
 was when the sad tidings of the Johnstown, Pennsylva- 
 nia, horror (which occurred June 3, 1889) was spread 
 on lightning wings from the center to the circumference
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 97 
 
 of the liabitable globe. Notliiiig in the history of our 
 countiy compared with the work of death and destruc- 
 tion of property. It was a national calamity and the 
 whole nation mourned and offered up sacrifices. The 
 strong bolts of the public and private treasury were 
 forced back, and the gold and silver poured out freely 
 for those who were "setting in the region and shadow 
 of death." 
 
 It is beyond the power of tongue or pen to describe 
 the devastation and suffering which were caused by the 
 bursting of Conemaugh's great reservoir, and the over- 
 whelming rush of the immense volume of water. Then 
 the ear of sympathizing brothers of our Order every- 
 where, was placed close to the ground to catch the first 
 sound of the wails of anguish and cries for help which 
 came from brothers of the mystic tie, and brothers in 
 the great family of man. In the path of destruction 
 and death all the halls and a large part of the member- 
 ship of Morrellville, Conemaugh, Alma, Cambria, and 
 Corona Lodges were swept away, leaving nothing of 
 charters, books or property to mark the place of their 
 existence. The number of brothers who perished in 
 the rushing waters reached to hundreds. 
 
 Application for assistance was made in all jurisdic- 
 tions and answers came quickly with money in large 
 measure. The lodges in the Dirigo State heard the 
 call of Grand Master Henry C. Bagley, which was made 
 in response to a telegram sent out by the Grand Sire 
 calling for funds. In thirty minutes from the time the 
 message was received by Grand Master Bagley the fol- 
 lowing circular was put into the hands of the printer, 
 and sent to all the lodges in Maine.
 
 98 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Geand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Maine. 
 
 Office of the Grand Master, 
 Portland, Me., June 5, 1889. 
 
 To the several Lodges, I. 0. 0. F., of Maine : 
 
 Brothers : — By the recent terrible disaster at Johns- 
 town, Pa., hundreds of 3^oiir brothers lost their lives, 
 and hundreds of others lost all they possessed of world- 
 ly goods, and saw their families perish amid the awful 
 flood. Their sufferings exceed any stretch of the 
 imagination, and call for our warmest sympathy and 
 most speedy assistance. Therefore, in view of the press- 
 ing necessity of the case, I have authorized the Grand 
 Treasurer to immediately forward a check for il,000 
 and solicit contributions to cover this amount and as 
 much more as can be raised. It will all be needed. 
 "Give freely of your abundance for sweet charity's 
 sake." Send all contributions to Joshua Davis, Grand 
 Secretary, Portland, Maine. Given under my hand and 
 the seal of the Grand Lodge, this 5th day of June, 1889. 
 
 Henry C. Bagley, G-rand Master. 
 Attest: Joshua Davis, G-rand Secretary. 
 
 Similar messages were sent by the Grand Sire to 
 Grand Masters in other jurisdictions, bringing like 
 blessed results. For such noble purposes was the in- 
 stitution of Odd Fellowship established by a band of 
 five brothers in Baltimore, more than seventy years ago, 
 which has grown into a mighty army ; spread over the 
 world in lodges and encampments ; has grappled with 
 forlorn destitution and suffering and driven back the 
 waves of ignorance, vice and selfishness everywhere. 
 
 Institutions, like men, are called by odious names, 
 and wear an unseeming exterior while possessing a true 
 heart within. They should not be judged by what they
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 99 
 
 appear. We are Odd Fellows only while we act like 
 honest, sympathizing men. 
 
 Another strikins; illustration of the kind heartedness 
 of Odd Fellows is shown by the humane acts and gener- 
 ous contributions of lodges and individual members of 
 the Order in Massachusetts, January, 1889. At the 
 time Atlantic Lodge of Marblehead suffered by the dis- 
 astrous conflagration in that town, the lodges in the 
 jurisdiction did not wait for the appeals of their broth- 
 ers in distress for assistance, but promptly responded to 
 the request of Grand Master Pinkerton, and forwarded 
 their contributions to the Grand Treasurer, amounting 
 to over three thousand dollars. The recipients of such 
 generous favors did not forget to return thanks to their 
 benefactors, and called to mind that " It is more blessed 
 to give than to receive." When the tidings of the des- 
 olation and suffering occasioned by the bursting of 
 Conemaugh's reservoir came to their knowledge, then 
 the brothers of Atlantic Lodge forgot their own losses 
 and troubles and contributed of their limited substance 
 fifty dollars. Accompanying the money were words of 
 comfort and encouragement to their brothers at Johns- 
 town, Pennsylvania. Such acts of christian philanthro- 
 phy are worthy to be recorded on marble tablets and 
 handed down to all coming generations. 
 
 The old Buy State has many noble hearted men and 
 women within its jurisdiction who are Odd Fellows in 
 princiijle and practice, though having never been in- 
 itiated into the mysteries of the Order. 
 
 It affords the writer much pleasure to record the mer- 
 itorious acts of Mr. Thomas H. Dodge of Worcester, 
 Mass., — not an Odd Fellow — for his generous donation
 
 100 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 of a beautiful site for the location of the Odd Fellows' 
 Home, valued at fifteen thousand dollars, including a 
 lot of ten acres of excellent land overlooking the north- 
 ern portion of the city. In addition to these munificent 
 gifts, he gave the use of pasture land for a term of 
 years, and a cash donation of five hundred dollars to be 
 expended in books for the library. 
 
 There are scores of men in the land like Mr. Dodge, 
 who need not take the obligations of the Order, or be 
 instructed in the lessons of the ritual, to make them bet- 
 ter in principle and practice than many who have knelt 
 at the altar and pledged fidelity to the cause of Friend- 
 ship, Love and Truth. 
 
 Members of the Fraternity in Massachusetts and 
 other jurisdictions made liberal contributions for the 
 sufferers from yellow fever in Florida in 1888. Richard 
 W. Drown Lodge, of Lynn, sent a check for fifty dollars. 
 Grand Master W. N. Baker of Florida was a victim to 
 the dreadful scourge and died in September, 1888, 
 with many other beloved members of the Order in that 
 State. 
 
 THE YOUNG PRINTER BOY. 
 
 It is comforting to the minds of persons advanced in 
 years to recall pleasing events and old associations. 
 The remembrance of evil things is repulsive to the soul 
 of man," and it is well that " the grave covers all imper- 
 fections," so passing years in a large degree assuage 
 the sorrows of life and heal the broken heart crushed by 
 misfortune or death. A kind word is never forgotten, 
 and good deeds are like precious gems. The precepts 
 and practices of the true Odd Fellow begets love in the 
 soul which is made manifest by words and acts.
 
 I 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 101 
 
 No genuine Odd Fellow, old or young, has ever failed 
 of doing some good to his fellow-man, and the world is 
 full of the noble deeds of brothers of the triple link. 
 There are numerous examples of some great and lasting 
 good bestowed upon the friendless and needy by the 
 kind words and the helping hand of an Odd Fellow. 
 Such instances have come into the life and experience 
 of the writer. One now comes fresh to mind. 
 
 Not quite fourteen years ago a young man just step- 
 ping from his teens left his country home to seek 
 employment in a neighboring town. He had little 
 knowledge of business affairs, having passed his boyhood 
 days at school and attending to farm work. Edward 
 had a bright, discerning eye and intelligent countenance. 
 His manly deportment recommended him to the favor 
 of the editor and proprietor of the village newspaper, 
 to whom he had applied for the situation of "printer's 
 devil." He was willing to start at the lowest round of 
 the ladder and work his way up to fame and fortune. 
 His willing assent to comply with all the conditions of 
 the agreement between employer and employee made 
 it possible for him to enter at once upon his work. 
 
 A weighty responsibility then came upon the editor 
 into whose keeping was given the moral and intellectual 
 training of the young man, away from his home and re- 
 moved from parental influences. A new world was 
 opening before the eyes and mind of Edward. 
 
 Boys will and should have young associates. In 
 cities and large towns the choice of companions is a dif- 
 ficult one to make. There are those who " have a rough, 
 unseemingly exterior, but may possess a true heart 
 within ;" while others whose outward garb is fine and
 
 102 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 glittering may be devoid of all moral principle. . The 
 natural eye of the experienced readers of human char- 
 acter is not always quick to discern the true inwardness 
 of his fellow-man. 
 
 The good seed sown by Edward's christian parents 
 had taken root in his young heart and he was slow to 
 turn aside into the ways of evil-doers. He was diligent 
 and faithful in the performance of every duty pertain- 
 ing to his place and occupation. He " despised not the 
 day of small things," and long before the time of service 
 usually required of apprentices had expired, Edward 
 was far advanced as a compositor, having learned "the 
 case," and could do creditable work on the " job press." 
 These advances he made b}^ personal efforts and appli- 
 cation during the hours that other apprentices spent in 
 S]3ort and loafing about the street corners. 
 
 Edward aspired to be a man in character and position 
 in society, and in order to attain to the mark he had set 
 for himself, he put forth earnest efforts. Like many 
 other country lads he possessed no wealth. His capital 
 was his intellect, his time, his opportunities. These he 
 used to the best advantage and obtained the largest and 
 most profitable returns. Edward was a close observer 
 of men, their professions, and their practices. 
 
 On one occasion, while seated beside the editor, 
 Edward's eye caught a glimpse of the golden links upon 
 his vestments, and his curiosity was aroused at the 
 sight. Hesitatingly, but modestly, he inquired " What 
 does it signify?" His query was answered by the 
 editor, much to the satisfaction and delight of the seeker 
 after knowledge. It was then the golden opportunity to 
 impress his young mind with correct ideas concerning
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 103 
 
 the Order, and in a kind way create a desire in his 
 heart to be bound by the chain of Friendship, Love 
 Truth. 
 
 Edward expressed a wish to unite with the Order, 
 having witnessed some of the privileges and blessings 
 that flow from membership therein. He had seen the 
 widow cared for and the orphan protected by the benef- 
 icent hands of Odd Fellows. He had seen the charac- 
 ter of men improved and elevated by the knowledge 
 and practice of the precepts of the Order. He regarded 
 membership in the Fraternity a position of honor and 
 privilege. To learn more of its magnitude and intrinsic 
 excellence, he made it a daily study. Then it was that 
 he wished the wheels of time to roll swifter and bring 
 the day of his eligibility to membership in the lodge in 
 the home of his adoption. 
 
 The editor became especially interested in the future 
 welfare of the young man under his charge, and was 
 glad he had turned his attention to so good and helpful 
 a subject. It became a pleasure for him to render 
 Edward every possiljle assistance in accomplishing the 
 purposes he so earnestly sought for. As time moved 
 on and the last months of Edward's non-age drew near, 
 he was becoming better acquainted with the principles 
 and laws of the Order. His twenty-first birthday was 
 to be made a memorable event. 
 
 When legally qualified his name was appended to a 
 petition for membership in the lodge in the village 
 where he resided, accompanied by the usual fee, a bright 
 gold coin, a natal-day present from his employer. 
 
 On that auspicious night Edward stood before the 
 altar and was duly instructed in the mysteries and
 
 104 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 teachings of Odd Fellowship by the Noble Grand (his em- 
 ployer and instructor in type-setting.) With advancing 
 years he advanced in the degrees and knowledge of tlie 
 Order, until he had become sufficiently learned to per- 
 form the duties of the various offices to which he was 
 elected, and he soon gained rank among his associates. 
 
 When Edward had become master of his trade he 
 followed the advice of the illustrious journalist, Horace 
 Greely, and set his face towards the far West, bearing 
 on his person the golden links and an Odd Fellow's 
 visiting card. His passports among strangers were the 
 best recommendations that any young man can possess. 
 They brought him friends and brothers. 
 
 The sequel to the story of "Edward the Young Print- 
 er Boy," is told in a few words. He soon found em- 
 ployment in a newsjDaper office among brothers of the 
 Order, in a thriving western city, and to-day he occu- 
 pies the managing editor's chair of one of the leading 
 journals in that prosperous State. Odd Fellowship to 
 him is more than a mere beneficial organization, "having 
 for its single purpose the relief of its members in the 
 trials incident to human life." He- has allowed the great 
 principles, benevolence and charity, to influence and 
 "govern his acts, and has found by happy experience 
 that in the practice of Friendship, Love and Truth is 
 found the surest safe-guard against the ills of life." 
 
 Such, kind reader, is the out-growth of right begin- 
 ning and fidelity to the trusts committed to a brother 
 man. 
 
 THE SIGNAL OF DISTKESS. 
 
 Were you, my brother, ever alone in a great city, 
 hundreds of miles distant from your home, among
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 105 
 
 strangers, wlien there were none to speak your name, 
 and thousands passed you hurriedly by without a word 
 or smile ? Many such there are to-day treading the 
 great cities of America and the mother country. 
 
 The adage, "A well-filled pocket-book is man's best 
 friend abroad," may be true, if the stranger is physical- 
 ly sound and able to cope with desperate and unscrup- 
 ulous characters that prowl around under cover of night 
 and lay in wait to kill for plunder. 
 
 It is an encouraging thought that Odd Fellowship and 
 kindred benevolent Orders g-re multiplying and exert- 
 ing their benign influence on the lives and character of 
 men throughout the world, and in whatever part of the 
 globe our brother man may travel he can find some one 
 to hear and answer his signal of distress. Since the 
 days when the scenes in the narrative here related were 
 enacted, hundreds of thousands of names have been 
 added to the roll of brothers in Odd Fellow lodges. 
 
 The subject of our story was a young man residing 
 in a small New England village. He had united with 
 the Order in the early days of its existence. His oppor- 
 tunities for visiting lodges were limited, but he had ap- 
 plied himself in acquiring a knowledge of the laws and 
 usages of the Order, and became quite j^roficient in the 
 use of the means whereby brothers may obtain assist- 
 ance in times of trouble or need. Urgent business de- 
 manded his presence in the great city of New York. 
 He had never before wandered so far from his home. 
 
 It was a trying ordeal for him to pass through to 
 start out on such a long journey, unattended bj^ any 
 familiar face, or lips to speak a word of cheer.
 
 106 BINDING OF THE LINKS, 
 
 The journey was a long and weary one. His only 
 safety and success was in following the direction of one 
 who had years of experience in traveling. 
 
 The young adventurer started out on his journey and 
 arrived safely at his object point. It was at a late hour 
 of night when the steamer arrived at the pier. The 
 young man ordered a carriage to convey him to a 
 "down-town hotel," and was "sent up" to his room on 
 the elevator, a new and strange affair to him. 
 
 The motion of the steamer with other movements to 
 which he was unacustomed had disorganized his system, 
 producing cramps and severe pains in the region of the 
 stomach. He was ignorant of the method used for call- 
 ing assistance, and was too ill to arise and grope his 
 way to where help might be obtained. His pains be- 
 came more intense. He groaned and writhed in agony. 
 At last he became desperate and raised his voice in loud 
 pleading for help. There were words used in his cries 
 for assistance that fell upon the ear of the occupant of 
 the adjoining room. He had heard those words before 
 and understood their import. Having been a resident 
 of the " wicked city " many years and passed his nights 
 in hotels, it was no uncommon occurence for the Good 
 Samaritan to be disturbed by the groans and cries of 
 those who had " tarried long at the wine " and were 
 haunted by 
 
 "The spirits above and the spirits below, 
 The spirits of joy and the spirits of woe." 
 
 His first impulse was to let "the fool suffer the pen- 
 alty of his own folly," but the repetition of those signif- 
 icant words, intermingled with pleadings for help
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 107 
 
 recalled his solemn obligation to assist a brother in dis- 
 tress and he promptly obeyed the second great command 
 of Odd Fellowship. 
 
 It was with difficulty he gained an entrance to the 
 traveler's room, but when the door was opened he was 
 assured that he stood at the bedside of a sick and suffer- 
 ing brother of our Order, and that his condition required 
 immediate and puissant treatment. He realized that 
 the life of his newly found brother was depending on 
 his good judgment and earnest efforts. It was a moment 
 of deep thought and unhesitating action, and no time 
 was lost in summoning medical aid. Messengers were 
 dispatched to call in other brothers of the Fraternity 
 for counsel. They came from the lodge-room and family 
 cu'cles and tenderly took the suffer by the hand and 
 spake to him words of cheer. He was no longer a 
 stranger and alone in the great city. Everything was 
 done that it was in the power of mortals to do. 
 
 When the morning sun shone through the windows 
 of the room, the eyes of the delirious man looked upon 
 a scene which will never be effaced from his memory. 
 "What strange thing," thought he, "has been wrought 
 since I entered this room ? Who are all these, and from 
 whence came they ? " 
 
 By the close attention of kind brothers and effective 
 medical treatment the patient was relieved of his suffer- 
 ings and placed in a fair way for recovery, but the 
 brothers never for a moment left their posts of duty of 
 shortened their alms in performing kindly offices or 
 humane benefaction. 
 
 Letters were written by brothers who had left their 
 pleasant homes, couched in words of tender regard and
 
 108 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 encouragement, and sent to the friends and relatives of 
 tlie absent son and brother, and were freely reciprocated 
 by the anxious and devoted members of bis family many 
 miles away. 
 
 As days passed returning health brought color to the 
 pallid cheeks and strength to the feeble limbs of young 
 Arthur — the hero of our sketch. He had sufficiently 
 recovered his health to enable him to walk about the 
 room and sit by the open window, and look out upon 
 the masterly structures of brick, granite and marble, with 
 their towering roofs and capacious cupolas. Such grand 
 edifices his eyes had never before beheld, but there was 
 a lack in the picture. No beautiful shade trees, green 
 fields and singing birds, with sweet odors from fragrant 
 flowers and blooming peach orchards, came to view. 
 
 On a bright June morning, Arthur was invited to a 
 seat with brothers of the friendly Order, in a comfort- 
 able carriage drawn by a pair of handsome grays, and 
 driven to notable places in the city. It was a day of 
 rare enjoyment to him ; such a generous treat seldom 
 comes to "a country boy." He was dazed by the sights 
 and sounds that met him at every turn. 
 
 He received the assistance of those who had stood by 
 him in the hour of sickness and trouble, in transacting 
 the business which called him from his home, to the 
 satisfaction of all concerned, and was prepared to return 
 and give an account of his stewardship. 
 
 The parting from those who had shown themselves 
 true and devoted friends was among the unpleasant 
 things in Arthur's experience. Their tender words and 
 beneficent acts had kindled a flame of love and affection 
 in his heart that could not be quenched.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 109 
 
 "When Friendship, Love and Truth abound 
 Among a band of brothers, 
 The cup of joy goes f;aily round, — 
 Each shares the bliss of others." 
 
 It was hard for them to separate and they did not un- 
 til the brother who first heard the cries and o-roaus of 
 the suffering one in the room adjoining his apartments 
 weeks before had accompanied Arthur to his home and 
 shared in the privileges and joys of the haj^py re-union 
 of father and son, family and friends. He was fully re- 
 warded for all his labors of love and good deeds by the 
 consciousness of having faithfully performed his duty 
 by answering the signal of distress. 
 
 HE WAS A TRUE BROTHER AND FRIEND. 
 
 In this world of change and scenes there is nothing 
 perfectly secure in business or monetary affairs. All 
 classes and conditions of men, everywhere, are in some 
 measure affected by the fluctuations, suspensions or utter 
 failure of the producing forces. There are few men 
 who possess the courage or the means to start out or 
 continue in any line of business or scheme that fails to 
 bring renumerative returns for the time spent and capi- 
 tal invested. Men of large means and sagacity are gen- 
 erally lacking that quality termed " disinterested benev- 
 olences," wliich prompts men to assist and benefit their 
 fellow men at the sacrifice of their own comfort or loss of 
 money. 
 
 The creed and daily practice of mankind, uncontrolled 
 by the tender influences of brotherly love and charity, 
 is to care for self first and at all times ; but thanks to the 
 benign influences of the principles and teachings of Odd 
 Fellowship, we are permitted to present before the
 
 110 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 reader a true brother and friend, one whose example is 
 worthy to be followed by many persons professing large 
 philanthropy and christian benevolence. 
 
 The friend, for such he was, is introduced to the 
 
 reader as Past Grand B , of a large commercial city 
 
 where there were residing scores of members of our 
 Order. 
 
 It was in the days of unsettled business and fmancial 
 depression. Failure succeeded failure. Mechanics, arti- 
 sans and industrious wage-workers were thrown out of 
 employment by hundreds, and nearly every avenue for 
 obtaining the means of support was closed. It was a 
 time of complaining and earnest inquiry, " What am I 
 to do?" 
 
 Weeks passed and there came no change for the bet- 
 ter. Men of scanty means were compelled to leave 
 their homes to seek employment in towns and cities in 
 distant States. " The calamity " affected every interest, 
 public and private. 
 
 Past Grand B was the financial officer in a lodge 
 
 representing among its membership hundreds of young 
 men dependent upon their daily earning. The credit 
 and debit pages of the ledger in his keeping showed the 
 fiscal standing of the brothers. It was apparent to him 
 that the suspension of certain business operations in that 
 city would work detriment to the welfare of the lodge. 
 The non-payment of dues necessitated the suspension of 
 its members and cut them off from the benefits and 
 privileges of the Order, thereby bringing distress and 
 sorrow upon the innocent and helpless. 
 
 The large, generous heart of Past Grand B , was 
 
 stirred within liim and he resolved to avert the impend- 
 ing evil if possible.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. Ill 
 
 In one of the national banks of the city was deposited 
 two thousand dollars, money earned by his hard labor 
 and careful saving. He solicited the co-operation of 
 able and experienced business men to join him in the 
 manufacture of shoes ; to open and fit up shops with 
 machinery and all needful appliances for "turning out" 
 a style and quality of goods that would furnish employ- 
 ment for a large number of worthy, industrious men, 
 few if any of whom were skilled workmen. His object, 
 he said, "was not to get or make money," but to set "the 
 boys at work to help them and their families over the 
 pinch." 
 
 His ]iropositions were received with contempt and he 
 was looked upon as a " wild man " that needed to be 
 placed under guardianship. To entertain such notions 
 was suicidal. "Business of every kind" they said, was 
 tottering on the brink of destruction. Men dare not 
 trust the banks ^vith their money, much less invest in 
 wild speculations; but the humane brother thought not 
 so, but put far off the evil day and moved boldly for- 
 ward in the course he had marked out. Sufficient funds 
 and material were obtained, mechanics were employed, 
 and everything required to accomplish his purposes were 
 at his command. 
 
 In due season the building, with its machinery and fit- 
 tings, was completed and occupied by practiced work- 
 men to instruct novices. A call was issued by the 
 proprietor for men, preference being given to brothers of 
 the Odd Fellow Fraternity, to fill the places, and where 
 there were vacancies others were admitted to the work- 
 rooms and became members of the " Crispin Union." 
 
 The movement which Past Grand B made at the 
 
 time of financial chaos proved to be a wise and felicitous
 
 112 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 one, notwithstanding many wise men (?) predicted evil 
 and wicked tilings against him. Prosperity and blessing 
 followed his humane and noble acts. His Odd Fellow 
 obligations led him to put forth earnest effort to aid his 
 brothers at a time most needed. He was suj)ported by 
 the strong pillars of Faith, Hope and Charity, and was 
 able to overcome almost unsurmountable obstacles. 
 There is such a quality in man as "true disinterested 
 benevolence," and it was clearly and faithfully exempli- 
 fied by the "true brother and friend." 
 
 A UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD. 
 
 The mission of Odd Fellowship is not confined to 
 works of benevolence and charity among the member- 
 ship of the Order. The ear of the truly humane brother 
 is quick to hear the cries of the needy and sorrowing, 
 when it comes from the soul and is spoken from the lips 
 of those outside the circle of lodge membership. 
 
 Men may and often do possess all the qualities of a 
 good Odd Fellow though they may never cross the thresh- 
 old of a lodge-room or take any of the obligations re- 
 quired of initiates. It is what men do, and not what 
 they think or say, that builds character and tells for good 
 or evil on the lives of their fellow-men. The writer has 
 had large opportunities for gaining a knowledge of the 
 great good that has been accomplished by the individual 
 efforts of members of lodges. A voluminous book of 
 interesting and authentic narratives might be written on 
 the noble deeds of love and mercy performed by philan- 
 throphic men and women, members of Rebekah Degree 
 Lodges. Those possessing naturally tender hearts have 
 been incited to earnest action by the divine lessons of 
 humanity taught in our rituals.
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 113 
 
 It would be impossible to entertain the reader with a 
 recital of one in a hundred of the pathetic cases that 
 have come under the writer's observation and personal 
 experience. Among those of special mention and prom- 
 inence was the case of Mrs. M , a poor widow with 
 
 a family of four dependent children, residing in a small 
 manufacturing village in Rhode Island. The husband 
 and father was an industrious man without the means 
 or the advantages of a trade or any regular occupation. 
 He was dependent upon such employment as he could 
 obtain from day to day to earn a support for his family. 
 To add to other discomfitures he was the subject of 
 feeble health, which not only deprived him of the great 
 boon of life's joys and comforts, but shut him out from 
 privileges and advantages which men of rugged consti- 
 tution possess. Mr. M was a man of correct 
 
 habits, intelligent, and amiable disposition. He drew 
 about him many friends and sought the society of the 
 good and worthy. So far as he had the opportunity and 
 ability he acted well his part in promoting the welfare 
 of his fellow men. 
 
 The beneficiary system of Odd Fellowship affected his 
 chances for membership in the Order. It v/as no fault 
 of his that sickness and disability had put a barrier in 
 the way of liis uniting with an institution that he re- 
 garded with much favor, but " sound health " was one 
 of tije constitutional prerequisites to membership. It 
 was one of the strong safeguards against pecuniary loss 
 and for the perpetuity of the Order. It was for this 
 cause only that his petition was not granted. In all 
 other respects his name and influence would have been 
 far more worthy and honored than some whose only
 
 114 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 title to membership was their enrolbneiit and certificate 
 of " paid up dues." 
 
 Tliere came trouble into the poor man's home in the 
 days of his declining years. Sickness and misfortune 
 had cut off his resources, and it became a diificult mat- 
 ter for him to provide even the necessities of life ; but 
 he and his were not forgotten in the days of their trial 
 and despondency. 
 
 The question propounded at the weekly lodge-meet- 
 ings, "is any brother in need of our aid or sympathy?" 
 had a deeper and broader signification in the minds of 
 a few tried and faithful brothers than is regarded by 
 members of the Order generally. It was not enough 
 for them to know that those of their own household 
 were looked after and kindly cared for, but wherever 
 the cup of sorrow had been drunk, they felt in duty 
 bound to sweeten the draught and bring joy to the ach- 
 ing heart. They felt the force of the great command to 
 "Visit the sick and relieve the distress," and thought- 
 fully asked, " Who is my neighbor ? " Then copying 
 after the exam[)le of the Good Samaritan, they per- 
 formed the same kindly offices as if the sick man had 
 been a member of their own band and a supporter of its 
 laws. 
 
 During all the days and months of Mr. M 's sick- 
 ness they gathered around his bed and ministered to his 
 comfort. His name was among those mentioned in the 
 weekly reports of the lodge Visiting Committee and pro- 
 vision was made for providing the family with food and 
 the comforts of home. 
 
 When wasting disease made it necessary for watching 
 at uight, kind brothers of the lodge volunteered their
 
 BINDING or THE LINKS. 115 
 
 services to relieve the weary, anxious wife and mother. 
 And when the angel of death summoned away the loved 
 one of the household and caused fond hearts to mourn, 
 everything that it is in the power of mortals to do was 
 done to aid and comfort the stricken ones. The mem- 
 bers of the Order faithfully performed the duties of 
 protectors, advisers, and benefactors. Through their 
 interposition the little family circle was unbroken and 
 kept sacred. The mental and moral training of the 
 children was cared for, their lives made useful and 
 honorable. To-day the writer reads the name of one 
 member of the little family among the honored graduates 
 in a celebrated New England literary institution. The 
 other children are growing in years and usefulness. 
 They will all make their mark in the world. 
 
 The bereaved mother lived a few years in sorrowing 
 over her loss, but had the comforting assurance that a 
 loving Heavenly Father cared for her and doeth all 
 things well. When death's cold hand was laid upon 
 her brow she uttered blessings upon the institution of 
 Odd Fellowship, and thanked God for the devotion of 
 true brothers. 
 
 The good that men do lives after them, but " man's 
 inhumanity to man makes coimtless thousands mourn." 
 Tlus life is too short to utter one unkind word or 
 harbor one unfriendly feeling.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 Along life's liigliway appear way-marks which can 
 be passed only once by the traveler, and no time is al- 
 lowed for halting to review the past. These way-marks 
 remind the traveler that his " days are swifter than a 
 weaver's shuttle." Anniversary birthdays or dates of 
 special events are breathing places in the journey of 
 man through life. 
 
 To the true and faithful Odd Fellow there are few 
 events of greater interest than the anniversary of his 
 introduction into the Order. If the instruction he has 
 received has been abitling, and inspired him to lofty 
 purposes and honorable actions, causing him to practice 
 in his daily life Friendship, Love and Truth, then he has 
 been a consistent Odd Fellow, a good and noble man. 
 But the best efforts of mankind to do right in all things 
 are lacking and sometimes show a signal failure. " There 
 are none perfect; no, not one." 
 
 One of the most interesting and pleasing events in 
 the writer's life was the commemoration of his initiation 
 into the Order forty years ago. The place and associa- 
 tions connected with that memorable event are vividly 
 recalled. 
 
 The sun of April 15, 1889, arose clearer in a far-away 
 village and country from where it sat on the night of 
 April 15, 1849, when he was first made acquainted with
 
 » 
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 117 
 
 « 
 
 the mysteries and o1)jects of the great Fraternity that 
 has bound by its links about a hirge expanse of country 
 in distant hinds, recognizing alike men of every nation, 
 tongue and creed, as members of the one great brother- 
 hood. 
 
 The writer's fortieth Odd Fellow's anniversary was 
 made an occasion of special interest by the members of 
 the Order and genial friends, under the roof of Hotel 
 Willows, with landlord Brother Will H. McDonald and 
 family to contribute to his comfort and enjoyment. 
 
 The writer cannot give a better idea of the house and 
 its beautiful surroundings than that penned by a fasci- 
 nated tourist from a western city who spent his vaca- 
 tion season at " The Willows," and failed to find words 
 to express his delight and high appreciation of its 
 merits : 
 
 " The Hotel Willows, with its elegant grounds laid 
 out in lawns and parks, is located in the thriving vil- 
 lage of Farmington, which is beautifully situated in 
 close proximity to the mountain region of North-western 
 Maine. Though devastated by fire but little more than 
 two years ago, the place with its new business blocks 
 and elegant and tasteful residences, now presents a 
 more attractive ap])earance than ever. The town is 
 prettily laid out with avenues and streets delightfully 
 shaded by long rows of maple and elm-trees, and charm- 
 ing drives may be enjoyed in every direction. Close at 
 hand is the somewhat noted Powder House Hill, a high 
 eminence which commands a sweeping and unobstructed 
 view of the valley in every direction, and many hills 
 and mountains in the distance." 
 
 At the close of the day the writer mingled with the 
 brothers of Franklin Lodge and passed an enjoyable 
 hour.
 
 118 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 WOETHY OF SPECIAL MENTION. 
 
 Those divine words uttered more than eighteen him 
 dred years ago, conoerning the good and faithful, " Inas- 
 much as ye have done it unto one of these, my brethren, 
 ye have done it unto me," express the feelings of the 
 writer when he recounts the comforts and blessing's 
 which have come to him from the lips and hands of those 
 who showed him special favor and assistance during the 
 years when he was journeying up and down the land 
 in pursuit of names and patronage for the Odd Fellows' 
 Register. Many of them are endeared in his memory. 
 Their names are worthy to be enrolled on the pages of 
 this book ; to be remembered so long as it shall have a 
 place in the household of the great and noble brother- 
 hood. 
 
 The following names appear in the writer's journal, 
 though there are hundreds of others who are deserving 
 of like mention : 
 
 Augusta. — Wm. R. Smith, R. B. Capen, M. C. Black- 
 well, E. Storer. 
 
 Auburn. — John Read, C. M. Lander, L. W. Haskell, 
 R. M. Mason, Geo. W. Bumpus, A. E. Verrill, Capt. 
 Lamb, F. W. Brooks. 
 
 Biddeford. — C. H. Brackett, John Haley, G. N. 
 Weymouth. 
 
 Bangor. — Otis Kaler, John E. Booth, J. B. Packard, 
 C H. Thombs, Lesie Kellen, L(ew W. Hawthorn, A. M. 
 Yeaton, Clavin Jones. 
 
 Bridgton. — Byron Kimball, M. Gleason, Geo. G. 
 Wight. 
 
 Belfast. — R. G. Dyer, C. W. Haney, Ivory H. Har- 
 mond. 
 
 I
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 119 
 
 Berwiclc. — J. L. Stone, M. J, Huntress. 
 
 Bath.—W. E. Hogan, V. P. Emery, F. Shepard, A. 
 Humphries. 
 
 Cumberland Mills.— C. W. Mace, E. W. Ayer, C. W. 
 Foy, Charles Holt. 
 
 Calais. — W. H. Nichols, L. C. Bailey. 
 
 Dexter.— O. W. Bridges, N. S. Roberts, E. E. Sturti- 
 vant, N. L. McCrillis, Charles T. Moses. 
 
 Dover. — W. H. Blethen, J. B. Mayo, J. T. Lougee. 
 
 Deering. — E. E. Adams, A. R. Huston, A. A. Huston, 
 O. A. Lowell, W. T. Sawyer, A. F. Hill, C. Rogers, 
 Frank Stevens, C. W. Davis, Alex. Hannah. 
 
 Farmington. — C. W. Keyes, E. Gerry, Will H. McDon- 
 ald, J. M. S. Hunter. 
 
 Fairfield. — John R. Foss, Wm. H. Evans, Simeon 
 Merrill. 
 
 G-ardiner. — Frank Purinton. 
 
 Hallowell. — Thomas Burnham, C. F. Kelbrith, Ira W. 
 True. 
 
 Kennebunk. — J. W. Sargent, E. W. Mendnm. 
 
 Leiviston. — Silas W. Cook, O. G. Douglass, L. P. 
 Woodbury, Geo. A. Callahan, Geo. W. Goss. 
 
 Lisbon Falls. — B. F. Thorn. 
 
 North Berwick. — David Austin, W. H. Austin, E. W. 
 Perkins. 
 
 Norway.— K. L. F. Pike, J. W. Crommett, W. W. 
 Whitmarsh, A. S. Kimball, Edward Ames. 
 
 North Anson. — C. P. Smith. 
 
 Norridgewock. — C. H. Knowlton, C. A. Harrington, 
 Henry Murphy, A. F. Spaulding, Bi'os. Ingalls and 
 Moore. 
 
 Oakland. — E. C. Blackwell.
 
 120 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Oldtown. — E. W. Conant. 
 
 Portland. — Henry C. ' Bagiey, Freeman T. Merrill, 
 Milton Higgins, Howard Winslow, O.T. Hodsdon, M. R. 
 Williams, F. T. Littlefield, J. V. Bradley, W. R. Bohan- 
 on, W. W. Kemp, Charles J. Butler, John C. Merrill, 
 Thomas A. Hood, Fred W. Thompson, Geo. S. Winn, 
 Isaac F. Clark, W.E.Plummer, Hiram C. Jordan, Leroy 
 S. Sanborn, A. D. Smith, Geo. W. Green, M. S. Gibson, 
 Geo. E. Davis, and Charles B. Nash. 
 
 Fittsfield.—E. C. Bryant, O. W. Blackden, O. S. 
 Haskell. 
 
 Rocklayid. — Geo. W. Hicks, John Colson, John Simp- 
 son. 
 
 Skowhegan. — R. D. Baker, H. W. Gushing, J. S. 
 Gushing, William Nesbitt, Joseph Wood. 
 
 Saco. — E. P. Burnham, W. T. Simmonds, W. S. 
 Hasty, Thomas Johnston. 
 
 In Massachusetts Odd Fellowship the writer recalls 
 the names of many brothers in whose society he has 
 spent many enjoyable hours. Without consulting his 
 note-book or diary he is able to bring before his mental 
 vision the names and familiar faces of some who in 
 other days showed him brotherly kindness. Among 
 them was the veteran Grand Secretary, Charles D. Cole, 
 Boston ; Grand Representative Robert W. Tabor, 
 New Bedford ; Grand Instructor James M. Price, East 
 Cambridge ; Past Grand Representative John U. Per- 
 kins, Past Grands Geo. W. Perkins, C. J. Tinkom, Otis 
 Merriman, Jr., Chelsea; Grand Treasurer Julius L. 
 Clark, West Newton; Past Grand Wesley K. Bell, 
 Ipswich; Past Grand Master Horace W. Stickney, 
 South Boston ; Past Grand Masters A. B. Plimpton and
 
 BINDING OB^ THE LINKS. 121 
 
 Francis Jewett, Lowell ; Past Grands R. B. Gifford, D. 
 B. Hagar, E. B. Phillips, N. A. Very, Moses H. Sibley. 
 John F. Raymond, W. S. Nevens (of Boston Herald), 
 and Brother James Kenny, Salem; the late Brother 
 Giistavus Ober, Past Grand, Brother Ezra Stanley, Sec- 
 retary, and D. S. Ingersoll of Bass River Lodge, Beverly ; 
 Past Grand William T. Litchman of Atlantic Lodge, 
 Marblehead; Brother W. Ward Child, Secretary of 
 Columbia Lodge, Stoneham ; Past Grand James L. 
 Bryant and Charles W. Fogg, Secretary of Richard W. 
 Drown Lodge ; Brother Leander Giftbrd, Permanent 
 Secretary of King Phillip's Lodge, Taunton ; Brother 
 J. L. Allen, Secretary of Framingham Lodge, at South 
 Framingham; Brother Jesse H. Wade, Secretary of 
 Agawara Lodge, Ipswich; Brother C. E. Adkins, Secre- 
 tary of Powow River Lodge, Amesbury; Brother J. H- 
 Sherman, Secretary of Acushnet Lodge, New Bedford; 
 Past Grand W. F. Sa\vyer and Brother James Buxton, 
 Peabody; Past Grand Geo. H. Stickney, Haverhill. 
 
 In connection with the special attention and favors 
 shown the writer by individual members of lodges while 
 he was engaged in the publication of the Reyinter^ he 
 does not forget to make mention of the material aid and 
 comfort given him in later days, when far away from 
 his home during the frosts and snow of mid-winter, 
 when his resources had been cut off by decline of busi- 
 ness, and sickness in the family necessitated a speedy 
 return to his home. In such a trying hour the ear and 
 hands of the tender-hearted brothers of Hope and 
 S warts Lodges in the City of Providence, R. I., were 
 open to hear and graciously answered the petitions of 
 the needy.
 
 122 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 Prominent among these was Past Grand George H. 
 Munroe, the veteran janitor of Odd Fellows' Hall in 
 that city. Brother Munroe had faithfull}' served the 
 lodges and encampments nearly fifteen years. Mrs. 
 Munroe his most estimable wife also spoke cheering 
 words and presented the writer with tokens of remem- 
 brance on that happy Christmas morning. While the 
 kind words and smiles of the anniversary season were 
 being exchanged by brothers and friends, the writer was 
 not left out of the circle or forgotten, but received the 
 friendly salutations of Past Grand Representative Lind- 
 sey Anderson, Past Grand Master Lester S. Hill, Grand 
 Master Eugene H. Lincoln, Grand Secretary W. H. T. 
 Mosley, Past Grand Patriarch Edwin A. Beasley, Grand 
 Representatives Gilbert F. Robbins and Wm. R. Du- 
 temple, with scores of others who performed numerous 
 offices of benefaction. 
 
 Eight years have passed since the writer assumed the 
 editorial management of the Register. Those years 
 were full of changes and experiences. Whatever of 
 good was accomplished, the readers of the paper are the 
 best judges. The work of editing and publishing the 
 paper brought much of pleasure as well as hardships. 
 It opened the doors of three hundred and forty-five 
 lodges and gave the writer an honorable reception among 
 people of distant States where one law governs all, and 
 that was the law of our Fraternity. 
 
 Unavoidable circumstances made it necessary for the 
 writer to surrender the Register.^ with all its interests, 
 into the hands of Past Grand Representative Wm. H. 
 Smith, its legal and rightful owner. The changes and 
 success that have come to it under its new management
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 123 
 
 are better known and told by those who now de- 
 vote their time and ability to its publication. That it 
 should receive a large support, there can be no question, 
 where there are thousands of Odd Fellows in New Eng- 
 land, with no other journal devoted to the interests of 
 the Order published within its border. 
 
 CLOSE OF THE PILGRIMAGE. 
 
 Thoughts of the past crowd the mind of the writer as 
 he draws toward the closing pages of this book. The 
 past can never be recalled. There is much in the pres- 
 ent life of our noble Order to inspire the soul of its 
 members to laudable zeal in promoting benevolence and 
 fraternity, wliich are the solid rocks upon which the 
 superstructure has securely rested during the past 
 seventy years of its existence in America. 
 
 The present and future prosperity of the Order de- 
 pends upon the united efforts of those who have enrolled 
 their names among its membership. 
 
 If the great and important interests which especially 
 belong to Odd Fellowship are neglected or left to take 
 care of themselves, decay and dissolution are sure to fol- 
 low ; but there is no danger that so great and good an 
 institution will be deserted, fall into disrepute, or pass 
 into obscurity. The thoughts of what the Order has 
 been, or what it now is, do not exercise the mind of the 
 writer so much as what it may be. This creates an al- 
 most resistless desire to lift the curtain which shuts out 
 the future, to catch a glimpse of its magnitude and in- 
 fluence in the world tliirty years hence, on that day 
 when the sons and daughters of every tongue and creed 
 will raise their voices in songs and loud rejoicings over 
 its triumphant progress.
 
 124 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 
 
 The writer sees before him, in imagination, one of the 
 grandest pictures which it is possible for an artist to 
 paint of the demonstrations that will be made in honor 
 of the centennial of Odd Fellowship, April 26, 1919. 
 Who will take part in that notable event ? " The days 
 of our years are three score and ten, and if by reason of 
 strength they be four score, the years will be full of pain 
 and sorrow." With such truthful teachings before us, 
 we are assured that the chance of a large per cent, of the 
 members of the Order having part or share in that 
 auspicious event are daily and hourly diminishing. 
 
 These thoughts ought not to cast a gloom over the 
 minds of those who have been long and faithful workers 
 in the Order, but should inspire them with new interest 
 and earnest effort to benefit the Order by precept and 
 example during the remainder of their days. They 
 should strive to rid it of everything injurious or offen- 
 sive, build up its waste places, enlarge its borders, and 
 strengthen its protectings, labor to bring within its 
 fold young men possessing high moral character, large 
 business experience and intellectual endowment. Then 
 there will be no cause to fear that all its future anni- 
 versary days will not be regularly and properly honored. 
 Odd Fellowship is the exponent of noble and humane 
 principles — broad, deep and strong, able to withstand 
 the revolutions of religious or political creeds and the 
 ever-changing opinions of men. 
 
 CLOSING WORDS. 
 
 Reader ! our work is finished. We part, it may be, 
 never more to meet in this life. The desire of the writer 
 is that the " binding of the links " may unite us more
 
 BINDING OF THE LINKS. 125 
 
 closely in the bonds of universal brotherhood, and when 
 our sun goes down.it shall not become obscured behind 
 the darkened clouds, but shine forth in refulgent bright- 
 ness in that better and purer life beyond. Brothers, 
 
 "Goodnight! and as you go, 
 Bear hence and fully show 
 Stamped on your ])reasts. 
 The seal of Friendship pure, . 
 And Love through life endure, 
 And Truth which still secure 
 With honor rests." 
 
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 
 
 The author takes pleasure in making special mention 
 of the following brothers and friends who have kindly 
 assisted him in placing his book before the public. 
 Their encourasino' words embodied deeds which moved 
 the arm that set the press in motion : 
 
 Captain William H. Austin of Canton Cohunbian, 
 Patriarchs Militant, and P. G. of Eagle Lodge, North 
 Berwick, Maine ; Past Grand Owen E. Blackden of 
 Carrabasset Lodge, Skowhegan, Proprietor of Lancey 
 House, Pittsfield, Maine; Past Grand J. M. Peck, of 
 Maine Lodge, No. 1, Photo, artist, Portland, Me. ; Mr. 
 Robert Rexdale, author of " Drifting " and " Saved by 
 the Sword ; " editors and publishers of daily and weekly 
 papers throughout the State for kind notices of the work.
 
 'H 

 
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