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THE 
 
 ODD-FELLOW'S 
 
 IMPROVED MANUAL: 
 
 4 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 THE HISTORY, DEFENCE, PRINCIPLES, AND GOVERNMENT 
 
 OF THE ORDER; THE INSTRUCTIONS OF EACH DEGREE, 
 
 AND DUTIES OF EVERY STATION AND OFFICE 
 
 IN 
 
 ODD-FELLOWSHIP; 
 
 DIRECTIONS AND FORMS FOR LAYING CORNER-STONES, DEDICATING 
 
 CEMETERIES, HALLS, ETC., MARSHALLING PROCESSIONS, ETC.; 
 
 ALSO, ODES, WITH MUSIC, FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS, AND 
 
 THE MOST NEEDED BUSINESS FORMS. 
 
 EMBELLISHED WITH A PORTRAIT OF GRAND SECRETARY JAS. L. RIDGELY, 
 AND ENGRAVINGS OF THE EMBLEMS, ETC. 
 
 or Tnt 1 " 
 
 \ 
 
 BY 
 
 . A. B. GHOSH, 
 
 P. G. AND P. C. P. OF THE R. W. GRAND LODGE AND R. W. GRAND ENCAMPMENT 
 OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 THEODORE BLISS & CO. 
 
 1871. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 
 THEODORE BLISS & CO., 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 PRINTED BY SHERMAN & CO. 
 
ENDORSEMENT OF THE MANUAL, 
 
 By members of the G. L. U. S. in 1852. 
 
 THE undersigned members of the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States at its Annual Session, 1852, hereby recommend to the 
 brethren at large, the Manual of Odd-Fellowship of Bro. P. G. A. 
 B. Grosh, as a complete and faithful history of the Principles, In- 
 structions, Work, and Organization of the Order. It is full and 
 accurate in its details, harmonious in conception and execution, 
 and its instructions may be confidently relied upon as correct. It 
 is a work that should be in the hands of every brother desirous of 
 having an intelligent comprehension of Odd-Fellowship. 
 
 Signed by 67 R W. Grand Representatives including Past Grand 
 Sire Thomas Wildey. Similar endorsements were given by various 
 Grand and Past Grand Masters, Grand Scribes and Grand Secre- 
 taries, &c., then and since. 
 
 ENDORSEMENTS IN 1867. 
 
 From the correspondence in relation to the revision of the work 
 THE IMPROVED MANUAL we select the following, merely to show 
 that the original work had not been superseded in 16 years by any 
 later production. 
 
 Bro. N. C. Nason, R. W. G. Scribe of the Grand Encampment of 
 Illinois, and Editor of the (Odd-Fellow's) "Memento," published 
 in Peoria, wrote on May 27th, 1867: 
 
 "I am gratified to know that you are engaged on a revision of 
 the Manual. In common with the brethren generally who are 
 familiar with the work, I have always regarded it as by far the best 
 bo: J c on Odd- Fellowship ever published; and, when revised, I doubt 
 not it will be even better than before." 
 
 iii 
 
iv ENDORSEMENT OF THE MANUAL. 
 
 Under date of "July 27th, 1867," he further remarks: 
 
 "I have always considered the work so nearly perfect, that it is 
 not likely that I can suggest any improvements ; nevertheless I will 
 take time, as soon as I can, to give it a thorough and critical read- 
 ing." 
 
 Rev. Bro. W. J. Chaplin, Editor of the (Odd-Fellow's) "Olive 
 Wreath," Chicago, 111., wrote in May, 1867: 
 
 "In relation to the aid you speak of in revising your Manial, I 
 will say that I think it almost perfect as it now is. I regard it a* by 
 far the best book in the market, and I so tell all Odd-Fellows. If you 
 can make it better, I shall say AMEN." 
 
 Under date of "July 29th, 1867," he again writes: 
 
 " As it now is, it is worth all other books combined, which have been 
 written in exposition of Odd-Fellowship. But. if it can be improved, I 
 shall be pleased to bear witness to the superior merits of the new 
 edition." 
 
 Bro. Joseph B. Escavaille, R. W. Grand Secretary of the Grand 
 Lodge of Maryland, wrote under date: 
 
 "Baltimore, July 25, 1867. 
 
 " I have always looked upon your Manual as the best work of the 
 kind published upon the subject-matter of Odd- Fellows hip ; and I would 
 not like to undertake to improve it, with any suggestions of my 
 
 own It would afford me much pleasure, however, to render 
 
 you any assistance in my power, or furnish you with any informa- 
 tion at my command, in the contemplated revision of your Manual." 
 
 Bro. J. W. Bradford, R. W. Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge 
 of Texas, says, June, 1868: 
 
 " I am free to say it is far the best book that I have seen." 
 
 Bro. W. C. Earl, R. W. Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of 
 Ohio, says, June 24, 1868: 
 
 " I shall take pleasure in commending the Manual to all who are 
 interested in the literature of our Order." 
 
 We omit, for want of space, many similar kind notices and offers 
 from valued brethren, and all the numerous notices of our Odd- 
 Fellow periodicals to the same purport, on learning the Author's 
 intention to thoroughly revise the Manual. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE "IMPROVED MANUAL " 18C8. 
 
 THE Manual submitted to the brotherhood sixteen years 
 ago has met with approval and success far beyond my 
 most sanguine hopes. Most members of the Grand Lodge 
 of the United States, at its next session, and (then and 
 since) numerous most eminent brethren, including the 
 Grand Scribes and Grand Secretaries of our State Grand 
 Bodies generally, commended it to all who desired full 
 and correct knowledge of the principles and usages of 
 Odd-Fellowship. For these numerous voluntary com- 
 mendations I was and am very grateful. 
 
 And now, with these sixteen years of added experience, 
 aided by some of our ablest brethren, I have carefully con- 
 formed the Manual to the present condition, usages and 
 wants of the Order. To secure all possible aid and in- 
 formation for this revision, in May, 1867, I addressed 
 every Grand Scribe and Grand Secretary of the State 
 Grand Lodges and Encampments, beside other distin- 
 guished brethren over fifty, in all and solicited copies 
 of constitutions of their Grand and Subordinate bodies, 
 and requested their individual corrections and advice. 
 Every one kindly sent documents, and many added judi- 
 cious comments and advice. A few friends (among whom 
 I must specially name Grand Secretary Ridgely, of the 
 G. L. U. S.) revised the book, noted valuable corrections 
 and remarks on its margins, and sent me these precious 
 tokens of their goodwill. I have most gratefully profited 
 by these numerous documents, criticisms and annotations 
 1* v 
 
VI PREFACE 
 
 The brief historical sketch of the Order has been en- 
 tirely rewritten, and brought up to the present year, and 
 the biographic sketch of Father Wildey added. The lan- 
 guage of the Emblems (so various as to be sometimes in- 
 harmonious, being derived from different authorities) I 
 have simplified, and harmonized with the lessons of each 
 degree to \\hich they belong retaining every explana- 
 tion heretofore most approved. And to each degree I 
 have assigned its special emblem the PECULIAR emblem 
 of that degree being thereto advised by many eminent 
 and experienced brethren. To arrange the emblems con- 
 sistently to give expressive unity, directness, and ful- 
 ness to them cost me more thought, anxiety, and re- 
 writing, than all other portions of the work. I am happy, 
 therefore, in having won the praises of P. G. Master Fred. 
 D. Stuart, of this city, and of P. G. Sire J. B. Nicholson, 
 of Philadelphia, on this portion of my labors ; for they 
 had this subject under consideration for several years, as 
 a Committee of the G. L. U. S. 
 
 Those forms for dedications, &c., which the G. L, U. S. 
 has declared " shall be used, and none other," will bo 
 found here, pure and unmixed. Hence no Encampment, 
 Lodge, or brother need fear that this guide will " lead to 
 bewilder, or dazzle to blind," or conduct into " by and 
 forbidden paths."* 
 
 The additional and original Odes by Mrs. F. W. Gillett, 
 of Michigan, and Revs. D. K. Lee, D. D., of New York, and 
 A. C. Thomas, of Pennsylvania written expressly for this 
 Improved Manual will be read and used with delight 
 and profit. And the Business Forms, so much commended 
 heretofore, have been revised, and added to, as experience 
 suggested. 
 
 I have thus labored to make this a complete Manual and 
 
 * Notice of any error, in doctrine, law, usage or fact, will be 
 gratefully received and promptly corrected. 
 
TO THE IMPROVED MANUAL. VU 
 
 a correct Guide ; but aware of human imperfectic m, and 
 deeply sensible of my own, I dare only hope that it is an 
 improvement on what an indulgent brotherhood has pro- 
 nounced " the standard work of the Order " and as such 
 I offer and 
 
 DEDICATE IT 
 
 To ALL INQUIRERS who desire to know what Odd-Fellow- 
 ship is its aims, means, and measures and how it 
 attained its present form and power. 
 
 To THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF ODD-FELLOWS, that 
 they may be induced to encourage their " loved ones " to 
 be Odd-Fellows in deed and verity. 
 
 To ALL ODD-FELLOWS, of every degree, rank, and 
 station, as a Teacher and Guide to direct them onward 
 and upward in the performance of duty as members and 
 officers as 
 
 "Brethren of our Friendly Order." 
 
 And may our Heavenly Father, who is especially " the 
 Father of the fatherless, and the widow's God," bless its 
 instructions, so as to imbue all our minds and hearts with 
 the love of God and of humanity that thus we may pro- 
 mote the welfare of our Order, the ele" ation of our race, 
 and the glory of our God. 
 
 A. B, GROSH. 
 
 WASHINGTON, D. C., July 1st, 1868. 
 
EXTRACTS FROM THE PREFACE TO THE ODD-FELLOW'S 
 MANUAL OF 1852. 
 
 A FEW remarks will inform the reader why I prepared this book, and 
 what were my supposed qualifications for the work. 
 
 I was initiated in Oneida Lodge, No. 70, at Utica, N. Y., September 
 8th, 1842. The nearest Lodge, on the one hand, was at Rochester on 
 the other, at Schenectady. Few of the members knew much more of the 
 principles, usages, and workings of the Order at large than myself. 
 Periodicals and other publications of the Order were almost unknown 
 among us. The Lodge itself was a new one. Often and sadly, as I passed 
 onward through the degrees, and through the chairs, did I feel the need 
 of such a Manual as that I now present to my brethren of the Order. 
 
 As years rolled over me, my station being among the working men of the 
 bodies to which I was attached, I gained experience and found able coun- 
 sellors, and from time to time furnished such items as I deemed useful to 
 the fraternity for publication in the " Golden Rule," the " Covenant," and 
 the " Ark." Thus gathering experience and materials, with no particular 
 view to making a book, I was urged by several distinguished brethren to 
 prepare a full and complete Manual for the Order. I have done what I 
 could to gratify their wishes. 
 
 The First Part is for the general reader. Yet it may furnish needed 
 information for not a few members of the Order. 
 
 The Second Part is for Odd-Fellows only. Yet those out of the Order 
 may there learn what we are obligated to perform, and may, perhaps, read 
 a page of duty to guide themselves. a 
 
 The Third Part contains ceremonials for all public occasions of the Order, 
 with suitable brief Addresses, Invocations, Prayers, Responses, Ac., which 
 may be interesting, perhaps even profitable, to all. 
 
 Appendixes A and B contain Odes and Music for various occasions, and 
 blank Forms prescribed by our Grand Bodies, besides others which are 
 useful in the transaction of the business of our Order. 
 
 The whole is arranged so as to commence with the Inquirer merely, and 
 proceeds, in regular succession, to instruct and direct all in their duties 
 as Odd-Fellows, and Committee-men, and Officers, from the initiate up to 
 the highest degree and highest office in the Order. 
 
 In all this I have not wrought alone. Professor PATTERSON * has so 
 materially assisted me in the preparation of the various ceremonials, that 
 the credit of this portion of the work is in a measure due to him. He 
 has, moreover, carefully examined and approved the entire work. To 
 WILLIAM CURTIS, Esq., for many years the well-known, efficient Grand 
 Secretary and Grand Scribe of the R. W. G. L. and G. E. of Pennsylvania, 
 I am also indebted for judicious counsel and criticism in preparing the 
 work. To several others I owe gratitude for kind suggestions; and L 
 have freely copied not a few extracts from the essays of my co-laborer.; in 
 our periodicals. But the written as well as the unwritten work of the 
 Order I have considered sacred from revelation. A few quotations it has 
 made from prior sources, I have felt at liberty to use from the same foun- 
 tains; also a few phrases which, by frequent quotation in orations, <fec., 
 have become common property. But beyond this I have not advanced. 
 Yet every doctrine, principle, and precept it enjoins will be found here in 
 regular order, mingled with a few additional remarks of my own. 
 
 * Henry S. Pa terson, M. D., Post G. Master, and Past R. W. Grand Rep reset ta live 
 of the G. Lodge f Pennsylvania since deceased. 
 
 viii 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART FIRST. 
 MATTERS EXTERNAL TO THE ORDER. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER I. History of the Order 13 
 
 Origin and Uses of Secret Societies Antiquity of our Order 
 Origin in Great Britain Convivial Practices The Inde- 
 pendent Order Origin in the United States Biographic 
 Sketch of Thomas Wildey The Order under the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States. 
 
 CHAPTER II. Objections and Inquiries Answered 50 
 
 Our Name Obligations and Penalties Regalia, Emblems, 
 &G. Expense of Regalia Our Secrecy Exclusiveness 
 Exclusion of the Poor, <fec. Our Benefactions arc General 
 Interference with other Institutions. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Our Government, Principles, &c 71 
 
 Our Government Principles Objects Measures and 
 Operations The Duties of Odd-Fellowship Privileges of 
 Odd-Fellows. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Application and Admission 86 
 
 Proposition The Admission. 
 
 PART SECOND. 
 
 MATTERS INTERNAL TO THE ORDER. 
 
 CHAPTER I. On Initiations in General 90 
 
 The Lodge, from the German, (Poetry.) 
 
 CHAPTER II. - Of Initiation 93 
 
 The Initiation Regalia Emblems Conduct of a New 
 Member. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Of the First, or White Degree 107 
 
 Introduction Regalia Color Emblems. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Of the Second, or Covenant Degree 116 
 
 Introduction Scripture Lesson Regalia Color Em- 
 blems. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PA41 
 
 CHAPTER V. Of the Third, or Royal Blue Degree 131 
 
 Introduction Regalia Color Emblems Concluding 
 Remarks Verses by Hampson. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. Of the Fourth, or Remembrance Degree 140 
 
 Introductory Abou Ben Adhem, (Poetry) Scripture 
 Lesson Regalia Color Emblems Additional Remarks 
 on Memory. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. Of the Fifth, or Scarlet Degree 153 
 
 Introductory Colors of the Degrees Emblems of the De- 
 grees Regalia Friendship, Love, and Truth, (Poetry.) 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. Of the Degree of Rebekah 164 
 
 Introductory (to Ladies) Do. (to the Degree) Colors, Re- 
 galia, and Emblems. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. Of the Subordinate Lodge 173 
 
 How Commenced The Petition Preparations for Institu- 
 tion First Business Meeting Increase of Members 
 Opening Lodge Working, with Order of Business Closing 
 Lodge Work out of Lodge. 
 
 CHAPTER X. Duties and Deportment of Odd-Fellows 189 
 
 Lodge Attendance Payment of Dues Conduct in Debate 
 
 Gentlemanly Deportment Correctness in Working 
 Voting and Balloting Duties to Self, Family, and Others. 
 
 CHAPTER XL Of Committees and Committee-Men 202 
 
 General Duties of Committee-men Investigating Commit- 
 tee Finance Committee Auditing Committee Trustees 
 and Curators Charges and Trials Relief Committee and 
 Watchers. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. Of the Appointed Officers 218 
 
 Chaplain R. and L. Scene Supporters R. and L. Sup- 
 porters of the V. G. Do. of the N. G. I. and 0. Guardians 
 
 Conductor Wardens. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. Of the Elective Officers 225 
 
 Treasurer Permanent Secretary Recording Secretary 
 Vice-Grand Noble Grand Sitting Past Grand Rules 
 of Order and Debate Use of the Gavel. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. Of Degree Lodges, Committees, and their 
 
 Officers 247 
 
 Constitution i Conferring Degrees Officers and their Duties. 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER XV. Of Past Official Degrees 251 
 
 Past Secretary Past Vice-Grand Past Noble Grand 
 For what, and by whom, conferred. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. Of Subordinate Encampments 254 
 
 How Commenced and Instituted Opening, Working, Clos- 
 ing Application and Admission Committees and Ap- 
 pointed Officers Elective Officers Conferring the Degrees. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. Of the Patriarchal Degree 263 
 
 Introduction The Ten Commandments Emblems Con- 
 cluding Remarks. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIIL Of the Golden-Rule Degree 271 
 
 Introduction Parable against Persecution Note on Ori- 
 ginals of said Parable, and the Parsee, the Jew, and the 
 Christian Emblems. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. Of the Royal Purple Degree 283 
 
 Review of the Eight Degrees Introduction to the R. P. D. 
 Scripture Lesson Emblems Pilgrimage of Life, (Poetry.) 
 
 CHAPTER XX. Of Grand Encampments 296 
 
 How Commenced and Constituted The G. E. Degree 
 Members, Representatives, and Committees Appointed and 
 Elective Officers. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL Of State Grand Lodges 305 
 
 How Commenced and Constituted The Grand Lodge De- 
 gree Members, Representatives, and Committees Ap- 
 pointed and Elective Officers. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. Of Districts, their Committees and Officers, 312 
 Dist. Grand Committees Appeal Committees D. D. G. 
 Patriarchs D. D. G. Masters Institutions and Installa- 
 tions Insubordination and Disorder Reclaiming Char- 
 ters. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. Of the Grand Lodge of the United States. 320 
 How Constituted and Supported Members, Representa- 
 tives, and Officers Appointed Officers Elective Officers 
 Regalia and Jewels. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. Miscellaneous 326 
 
 Diplomas and Cards Pass-words Examination of Visitors 
 Honors and Courtesies General Interdicts. 
 
xii C O N T E N T^S. 
 
 PART THIRD. 
 OF PUBLIC CEREMONIALS OF THE ORDER. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER I. Of Marshalling Processions 332 
 
 CHAPTER II. Laying Corner-stones for Public Structures. 
 
 For 0. F. Halls 334 
 
 CHAPTER III. Dedication of an 0. F. Hall or Lodge-room. 345 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Public Installation of Subordinate Lodge 
 
 Officers 353 
 
 CHAPTER V. Dedication of an 0. F. Cemetery or ^Burial-lot. 372 
 CHAPTER VI. Funeral Ceremony 377 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 ODES for Various Occasions, with Music 383 
 
 Two Dedication Odes, by A. B. Grosh Dedication Ode, by 
 Rev. A. C. Thomas* Ode for Laying a Corner-stone, by 
 Mrs. F. W. Gillett* Do., by Rev. D. K. Lee, D.D.* 
 Another, Author unknown Hymn, Dedication of a Ceme- 
 tery, by A. B. Grosh* Funeral Ode, by Rev. J. G. Forman 
 
 Do., by Rev. D. K. Lee, D. D.* Do., by Rev. A. C. 
 Thomas* Rebekah at the Well, by Rev. A. C. Thomas* 
 Daughters of Rebekah, by Rev. D. K. Lee, D. D.* The 
 Rainbow, by Mrs. S. J. Hale Dismission, by A. B. Grosh 
 
 Friendship, Love, and Truth, by James Montgomery. 
 
 APPENDIX B. 
 FORMULARY, containing many Blank Forms infrequent Use.. 397 
 
 * Written for the Improved Manual. 
 
THE 
 
 ODD-FELLOW'S 
 IMPROVED MANUAL. 
 
 PART FIRST. 
 
 External 10 lite @rdtr. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 
 
 1. Origin and Uses of Secret Societies. 
 
 THE earliest records of human history furnish proofs 
 of the existence of secret associations among nearly all 
 the nations of the earth. They have everywhere accom- 
 panied, if they have not advanced civilization, and been 
 the conservators, if not the promoters of religious, 
 scientific, and political truth. 
 
 Picture-writing and, afterward, hieroglyphics or ab- 
 breviated symbols, were at first the only means men 
 possessed of recording doctrines or events, or discoveries 
 in science and the arts. And as nearly all learning was 
 confined to the priesthood and royal family of each 
 nation, these hieroglyphics readily suggested, if they 
 did not constitute an exclusive art by which they com- 
 municated with each other, and handed down to their 
 successors those doctrines, discoveries, and state secrets 
 which they deemed it improper to disclose to the world. 
 2 " 13 
 
14 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Hence in nearly every nation in Egypt, Assyria, 
 Greece, Eorae, Gaul, Germany, and Britain religious 
 mysteries were the foundation-doctrines, and the priest- 
 hood were the founders of secret societies. Even the 
 rites of religious worship were, in most cases, but acted 
 symbols speaking of common religious ideas to the 
 multitude, but conveying deeper meanings to the ini- 
 tiated eye. 
 
 That these early societies were often perverted and 
 grossly abused, is readily admitted. But that furnishes 
 no argument against their proper use. All associations 
 have been corrupted or perverted. Written language 
 is abused every day the tongue itself is an unruly 
 member, breathing not only prayers to God, but curses 
 on our fellow-man yet no one, for that alone, would 
 doom society to solitude and silence, or abolish pen and 
 press forever. 
 
 On the contrary, the vast utility of ancient secret 
 associations of priests, philosophers, and patriots, in 
 advancing religion, conserving literature, art, and 
 science, and in ameliorating the condition of states and 
 communities, has commended them to the imitation of 
 the wise and good in all subsequent ages of the world. 
 Christianity availed itself of the principle in its early 
 progress. When the iron heel of the bigot and tyrant 
 was raised to crush the springing germ into the dust, it 
 was removed into privacy and was nurtured in secret 
 until the storm was overblown, or its strength was 
 increased to endure the tempest. Says one, whose 
 opposition to Romanism is undoubted : " No instructed 
 man can deny that the Roman Catholic Church pre- 
 sents one of the most solemn and majestic spectacles in 
 history. The very arguments which are employed 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 15 
 
 against its rites, remind us of the mighty part which it 
 has played on the theatre of the world. For when we 
 say that the ceremonies of its worship, the decorations 
 of its altars, and the evolutions of its priests, are con- 
 ceived in the spirit of Heathenism, how can we forget 
 that it was once the witness of ancient Paganism, the 
 victor of its decrepit superstitions, the rival, yet imitator 
 of its mythology? When we ask the use of the lights 
 that burn during the mass, how can we fail to think of 
 the secret worship of the early Christians, assembled at 
 dead of night in some vault, beyond the eye of observa- 
 tion ? When we wonder at the pantomimic character 
 of its services, its long passages of gesticulation, are we 
 not carried back to the time when the quick ear of the 
 informer and persecutor lurked near, and devotion, 
 finding words an unsafe vehicle of thought, invented 
 the symbolical language which could be read only by 
 the initiated eye?"* That which has proved so bene- 
 ficial, though now it has ceased to be appropriate, or 
 been corrupted, may well be imitated, and superseded 
 by that wherein is life and purity. 
 
 The Albigenses, Waldenses, Cathari and other early 
 Reformers, during the long persecutions of the Papacy, 
 prior to the Reformation, also found in secret associa- 
 tion, remote from the eye of the persecutor, safety in 
 worshiping God. And all through the dark night of 
 feudal ages, the various mechanic crafts and guilds, and 
 other secret associations, kept the feeble light of knowl- 
 edge, virtue, and freedom, glimmering amid the sur- 
 rounding gloom of semi-heathen darkness, until the 
 world at large, awaking from its leaden sleep, lit its 
 thousand torches at the hardly preserved tapers, and 
 
 * Martineau's "Rationale of Religious Inquiry," Lecture II. p. 19. 
 
16 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 threw the blaze of a general revival of religion, letters, 
 arts, and sciences, once more over our benighted race. 
 
 And since that revival, similar associations have 
 aided no less in speeding onward the flood-tide of civili- 
 zation, humanity, and freedom, to its present full-flow- 
 ing progress. The reform that has swept away doc- 
 trines and institutions of Error and of "Wrong, grown 
 hoary with ages of general acknowledgment and reve- 
 rence, replacing them with the True and the Right, has 
 oft been nourished in the silent secresy of a few chosen 
 souls, until it gained strength to go forth boldly and 
 grapple successfully with the monster errors and giant 
 vices of the age. And the revolution that, in a few 
 days, overturned thrones and banished tyrants, replac- 
 ing the one with better institutions, and giving the 
 abused powers of the other into rightful hands, fre- 
 quently gathered its earthquake-power in the privacy 
 of isolated circles, which met to pray and deliberate for 
 their country's welfare, and separated to spread abroad 
 the light and strength whicli Heaven gave the few, to 
 direct the minds and nerve the arms of the many. 
 
 We may be told, however, that error, vice, and diplo- 
 matic despotism have also had their secret organ i/a- 
 tions even a " Holy Alliance!" True; so also have 
 they had their public meetings and national congresses. 
 Shall we reject the latter also, because bold, bad men 
 have used openness and publicity for evil purposes? 
 
 Among so-called secret societies of modern times, we 
 know of none that has excelled the beneficent influence 
 of Odd-Fellowship, within its own pale, in relieving the 
 sick and distressed, and especially in preventing suffer- 
 ing and poverty in the families, of its members. Nor 
 is there one whose measures of relief and benevolence 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 17 
 
 have been more generally copied than those of this 
 " friendly Order ; " and seldom, if ever, (astonishing as 
 it is in this age of improvement,) with any important 
 addition enhancing their efficiency. 
 
 An institution manifesting so much influence, per- 
 forming so much good, preventing so much evil, and 
 increasing so rapidly and widely its numbers and its 
 power, may well attract public attention, and excite a 
 laudable desire to know its origin, progress, principles, 
 resources and measures, its aims and objects. 
 
 2. Antiquity of the Order. 
 
 A love of mystery and blind veneration for antiquity 
 has induced most associations to claim an origin trace- 
 able to the remotest ages of the world. There have not 
 been wanting well-meaning Odd-Fellows to render that 
 doubtful service for our Order. Confounding principles 
 with the institutions embodying them, they have claimed 
 equal antiquity for both. And similarities, which can 
 easily be found between the modes of initiation and 
 other ceremonials of ancient associations and those of 
 our own Order, have been triumphantly appealed to, in 
 proof of the unwarranted assumption. And even where 
 such likeness could not be found, it w r as easy to draw 
 upon imagination for facts, and cover modern inven- 
 tions with a seeming rust of ages. 
 
 A brief enumeration of some of these fabulous histo- 
 ries of our Order may serve to guard the unwary against 
 further imposition. The greatest exertion of tradition 
 was to make our great forefather, Adam, the founder 
 of our Order. Prying Mother Eve was probably ex- 
 cluded, and all her daughters with her! Grand Sire 
 Wildey, during his visit to England, in 1826, procured 
 "2* 
 
18 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 from one of the lodges there, an emblem representing 
 Adam laying the foundation-stone of the Order, which 
 emblem he presented to the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States. 
 
 Another tradition declares that the Order was founded 
 among the Jewish priesthood, by Moses and Aaron. 
 James Spry, C. S., in his " History of Odd-Fellowship" 
 in Great Britain, mentions such an Order among the 
 Jews while captives in Babylon, to enable them to cir- 
 cumvent their oppressors and maintain fidelity to their 
 religion ; and which was kept up until after their sub- 
 jugation by the Romans. Some members being or- 
 ganized as a Roman legion in A. D. 79, and proving 
 faithful, the Emperor named them Fellow Citizens, and 
 Odd Fellows, and gave them a "Dispensation engraven 
 on a golden plate/ 7 with emblems of mixed Jewish and 
 Roman ideas. (Another tradition makes this a Chris- 
 tian legion!) By the Romans the Order was intro- 
 duced into Britain in A. D. 98, and remnants of its 
 practices remained up to Saxon times, when they were 
 lost to public view! 
 
 Other fables have ascribed our origin to the Goths, 
 Huns, Scandinavians, Suevi, Moors down through 
 Spain, Portugal, France thence to England as a 
 " Loyal Grand Lodge of Honor" in the 18th century, 
 when it became the " London Order of Odd-Fellows!" 
 All these and other baseless and silly stories, after 
 repeated calls for testimony, have been utterly discarded 
 as proofless and absurd, by the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States. See Journal, Vol. I., pp. 336, 337, 
 
 Accordingly P. G. M. Ridgely, Grand Secretary of 
 our National Lodge, publicly declared in his Oration, 
 iu Boston, June 19, 1845, after dwelling on the anti- 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 19 
 
 equity and divine origin of our foundation-principle, 
 human fraternity: 
 
 " I know that it has been not unusual, on occasions 
 like the present, to claim for Odd-Fellowship affinity 
 with secret institutions which had their origin in periods 
 of time when the passions of men were fiercest, and the 
 midnight of idolatry overshadowed and blighted the 
 promptings of the human heart. I am here to repudiate 
 such associations." 
 
 " Although we may discover a similitude in the fact 
 of initiation, in rites, ceremonies, and in gradations of 
 degrees, between those institutions and Odd-Fellowship, 
 we will find no traces of the principles of fraternity, 
 
 which distinguish eminently our affiliation." 
 
 "Odd-Fellowship invokes not the aid or sanction of 
 such ages to consecrate its principles ; and if, in truth, 
 these could be summoned to attest its antiquity, they 
 would rather awaken just indignation against its cha- 
 racter, than serve to commend its merits to an en- 
 lightened public opinion. Dismissing therefore, and I 
 hope for ever, the Oracles of Egyptian or Grecian 
 philosophy, and the still more absurd pretences which 
 would discover the sources of Odd-Fellowship in the 
 Roman Camps; and assuming that its benign principles 
 have been drawn from the image reflected upon man in 
 his creation, let us turn to a truthful narrative of the 
 origin of Odd-Fellowship, and its capacity to compass 
 the brotherhood of man." 
 
 3. Origin in Great Britain. 
 
 The origin of Odd-Fellowship as an institution is 
 involved in obscurity. When the small stream first 
 issues into the light of history, it is very humble also. 
 
20 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The Nile, though known long before the days of 
 Joseph, has only lately had its sources discovered by 
 Europeans. Mr. Spry, in his " History of Odd-Fel- 
 lowship," says, that " in the early part of the last cen- 
 tury, the writer Daniel De Foe mentions the Society 
 of Odd Fellows; and The Gentleman's Magazine for 
 1745, speaks of the Odd Fellows' Lodge as a place 
 where very comfortable and recreative evenings may be 
 spent." In 1788, as we learn from his Biography, 
 James Montgomery, the poet, wrote the song given in 
 Appendix A, beginning 
 
 "When Friendship, Love, and Truth abound 
 Among a band of brothers, " 
 
 for a society in London, bearing the motto of our 
 Order, and presumed to be a lodge of "Ancient and 
 Honorable Loyal Odd Fellows." All beyond these 
 dates is mere conjecture. We only know that when 
 Odd-Fellowship comes into the domain of certainty, 
 the Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man are 
 its foundations of precept and of practice. Nor can 
 we trace the precise steps by which our peculiar m en- 
 ures of mutual relief in sickness and distress, and pro- 
 vision for the burial of the dead, and care for the 
 widow and orphan, grew up among our predecessors. 
 But knowing that it was an institution originated, by 
 common circumstances of want and providence* and 
 cemented by social feelings frequently indulged until 
 they warmed into a fraternal glow, we can readily 
 imagine how great principles would be suggested, and 
 measures for carrying them out be successively improved. 
 They were toiling laborers, in a land and under a 
 government where hard-handed industry is less esteemed 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 21 
 
 than here ; where distinctions of rank and wealth are 
 greater than we have ever known. Their daily labor 
 barely sufficed to procure them daily bread. When 
 sickness came, gaunt and terrible want was not far off. 
 When calculating wealth refused them the privilege to 
 toil for bread, they lacked means to seek employment 
 elsewhere, and support their families meanwhile. When 
 on the bed of disease or death, none could spare time 
 to smooth the creased pillow, or moisten the fevered 
 lips, or speak calmness to the delirious mind. When 
 they looked forward to the close of this " fitful, feverish" 
 life, beyond it was only a pauper's coffin to be pressed 
 into, a pauper's grave into which to be huddled out of 
 sight, without a breathed prayer over the dead, or a 
 whispered text of hope and consolation for the living. 
 And for the surviving partner and bereaved children 
 no future was presented, but trundling them from par- 
 ish to parish until they were thrust into the vice and 
 infamy of the almshouse ; or, perhaps, thrusting them 
 into the streets, to grow up beggars or criminals, if 
 they did not earlier perish in the gutter ! Such were, 
 most probably, the circumstances and prospects of not 
 a few who commenced our Order, devised its first crude 
 measures of relief and burial of the dead, and based 
 the whole structure on the Fatherhood of God and 
 the Brotherhood of man. 
 
 Feeling that Rank and Wealth would degrade them 
 if they could, they resolved to support and aid each 
 other, and to contribute weekly a portion of their scanty 
 earnings for that purpose.* Feeling also how sectarian 
 
 * The " Odd Fellow's Keepsake" states, that the early English 
 lodges were supported, and their members relieved, by each mem- 
 
22 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 and party strifes estrange men from each other, and 
 render them powerless and abject by such divisions, 
 they excluded all such topics and distinctions from 
 their meetings, and resolved only to know, to labor for, 
 and to love each other as men as BRETHREN. 
 
 4. Convivial Practices. 
 
 At that period (and is it not too much the case at 
 this?) convivial practices were common everywhere, 
 among nearly all associations and gatherings of men. 
 But especially in Great Britain, all social and moral 
 societies, even vestry, presbyterial, and other church 
 meetings for business, were stimulated freely with in- 
 toxicating drinks and the fumes of tobacco.* 
 
 ber and visitor paying a penny to the secretary on entering a lodge. 
 If a brother needed aid, a sufficient sum was voted him. If out of 
 work, he was furnished with a card and funds to reach the next 
 lodge. If unsuccessful there, that lodge provided for his further 
 progress, and thus he went on until he found employment, when 
 he deposited his card in the nearest lodge.' When a lodge's funds 
 ran out, it sent word to other lodges, and visitors were sent to 
 swell the penny collections. It was common for a whole lodge 
 thus to visit a needy lodge, and hundreds of Odd-Fellows went, 
 week after week, until the exhausted treasury was replenished. 
 
 This contribution system was superseded by our more reliable 
 system of stated benefits, based on regular weekly or quarterly 
 dues making donations on special occasions only. 
 
 But weekly dues were collected weekly up to 1835. The warden 
 with his axe, heart in hand uppermost, went to each member, re- 
 ceived his weekly due, and announced the payer's name to the 
 Secretary. After 1835 larger amounts began to be paid, and reg- 
 ular quarterly accounts kept, as at present. 
 
 * Even so late as 1835, Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., President 
 of Amherst College, Mass, gave a discouraging view of the habits 
 of clergymen and church-members generally in Great Britain. He 
 says, quoting from another, "In some presbyteries, (in Scotland,) 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 23 
 
 We need not wonder, therefore, that Odd-Fellows, at 
 that early day, were addicted to practices which greater 
 light and a purer morality now declare to be " incon- 
 sistent with our laudable profession." Meeting, as they 
 did, in public houses of not the most select character, 
 the only places open to men of their humble pretensions 
 and limited means, the beer-mug, the pipe, and the 
 toast circulated freely, as the song and jest excited 
 their mirth and hilarity ; until, by frequent repetition, 
 calling for increased indulgence, it is no wonder that 
 the noble objects of their meetings were too frequently 
 made but secondary to mere sensual gratifications. The 
 wonder is, not that those early Lodges were so greatly 
 convivial clubs, but that they did not become merely such.* 
 
 the presbyterial dinner is furnished with liquor by fines imposed 
 on various occasions," and paid by the clergy! See Foreign Tour, 
 Vol. 2, pp. 5-32. 
 
 * We give a specimen or two of the songs said to have been sung 
 in those early Lodge meetings, that the reader may see the moral 
 progress of the order, by comparing them with the Odes and Songs in 
 use at the present day, as given in Appendix A 
 
 The following is said to be a chorus : 
 
 "Then let us be social, be generous, be kind, 
 
 And let each take his glass and be mellow ; 
 Then we '11 join heart and hand, leave dissension behind, 
 
 And we '11 each prove a hearty Odd-Fellow. 
 
 And the following is said to have been a long-standing favorite : 
 
 " Oh what pleasure for to meet 
 
 With friends so blithe and jolly, 
 Who all delight for to dispel 
 
 The gloom of melancholy ! 
 Then let us throw all care aside 
 
 Let 's merry be and mellow ; 
 May Friendship, Love, and Truth at 
 
 With every true Odd-Fello^X^\ R A /?*?* 
 
 VWIVERSfTr 
 
24 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The singularity of its name, and humility of its origin, 
 needed not these convivial practices to bring the insti- 
 tution into suspicion and disrepute, nor a defective or- 
 ganization to involve it in trouble and internal dissension. 
 On the extension of the Order to Liverpool, the lodges 
 united in a more general system, under the title of " The 
 Union Order of Odd-Fellows," having London as its 
 seat of government. This arrangement continued until 
 about 1809, when, after the institution of Victory Lodge 
 in Manchester, some intelligent men perceived the ne- 
 cessity of reforming the convivial practices of the brother- 
 hood, and making mutual relief and charity the main 
 
 " True Friendship is a treasure great, 
 
 As such we may regard it ; 
 May discord ne'er our Lodge intrude, 
 
 Nor any thing retard it; 
 But let the song and toast go round, 
 
 And every heart be mellow ; 
 And may our motto still be found 
 In every true Odd-Fellow." 
 
 A contrast no less gratifying can also be made between the Gen- 
 eral Rules and Regulations of that and a later period, and the state 
 of the Order at this time, and especially on this continent. Fines 
 were common then, for going to sleep, for getting drunk, for noisy 
 demonstrations, and for introducing improper toasts or songs, 
 during lodge meetings. No such penalties are needed now, for the 
 General Law of the Order, that "no refreshments of any kind, 
 except water, shall at any time be allowed in the Lodge-room, or 
 in any of the apartments or passages thereto belonging," renders 
 them unnecessary. 
 
 If those early Rules were "behind the age" to which they be- 
 longed, (which we much doubt,) the present General Law in this 
 country was, when framed, in advance of not a few of the associa- 
 tions of that period. Surely an institution capable of such 
 reform and progress cannot be wanting in religious principle and 
 moral power. 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 25 
 
 objects of their meetings. But after agitating the sub- 
 ject for years, they found that even the partial reform 
 they advocated could not be effected without an entire 
 change of the Order. 
 
 5. The Independent Order, 
 
 A Convention of friends of reform was accordingly 
 held in Manchester, in 1813, when several lodges se- 
 ceded in due form from the Union Order, and consti- 
 tuted the " Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. " 
 Under the impulse of improved practices, this new 
 Order advanced rapidly, and soon overshadowed the 
 rival whence it sprang. In 1825 it increased the 
 efficiency of its government by instituting a Central 
 Standing Committee in Manchester, to govern the Order 
 in the interim between the sessions of the Annual Mov- 
 able Committee, as the Chief Lodge is termed. 
 
 But the unwieldy size of the Annual Movable Com- 
 mittee soon led to the assumption and abuse of power 
 by the Central Committee, which, in turn, led to various 
 attempts at reform, and revolutions and secessions on 
 their failure. Plence in 1845, according to the Oration 
 at Boston, by P. G. Master Ridgely, " there are many 
 ramifications of Odd-Fellowship from the parent stock 
 in England, all of which form distinct communities, 
 holding no intercourse with each other, and each claim- 
 ing to strive in the cause of human benefaction, under 
 the banner of Friendship, Love, and Truth." 
 
 Turn we now to the origin and history of Odd-Fel- 
 lowship in America. 
 
 6. Origin in the United States. 
 
 Several attempts were e; rly made to establish Odd- 
 3 
 
26 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Fellowship on this continent, but from various causes 
 all successively failed. The early mode was by self- 
 institution. Any number of Odd-Fellows united to- 
 gether, formed a lodge, and received a charter from 
 any neighboring lodge, with power to grant charters 
 in return. It is claimed that lodges were started in 
 this manner during the last century. Br. John Duncan, 
 at the institution of Washington Lodge, No. 1, in Balti- 
 more, said he had been initiated in a lodge in that 
 city, in 1802. Shakspeare Lodge, No. 1, was instituted 
 in New York, December 23d, 1806; flourished until 
 1811; was heard of again in 1813; shortly after dis- 
 solved, and was revived in 1818, and continued in 
 existence until 1822, part of the time as Franklin 
 Lodge, No. 2, as stated by the "Odd-Fellow's Text 
 Book." Prince Regent's Lodge was instituted by some 
 , Englishmen, in New York, in 1816, but its name gave 
 it an odor of nationality, and prevented its prosperity, 
 and it ceased. The next was Washington Lodge, No. 1, 
 of Baltimore, in 1819 then Franklin Lodge, No. 2, 
 of same city, in 1819 next Massachusetts Lodge, No. 1, 
 in Boston, March 26th, 1820 next Franklin Lodge, 
 No. 2, New York, January 27th, 1821 next Penn- 
 sylvania Lodge, No. 1, Philadelphia, December 26th, 
 1821. Columbia Lodge, No. 1, Washington Lodge, 
 No. 3, and Columbia Lodge, No. 4, New York, were 
 all instituted in 1822. These were all formed by self- 
 institution, and those in each city were generally ignorant 
 of the existence of those in the other cities ; and oven 
 as late as 1823 some of them believed themselves the 
 only lodges in the United States. 
 
 But the earliest successful institution of Odd-Fellow- 
 ship in this country, and the commencement of our 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 27 
 
 v 
 
 present Order, dates no further back than April 26, 
 1819. The history of the Order is so blended with 
 that of its founder, that I give a brief biographical 
 sketch of this remarkable man, principally compiled 
 from a Eulogy on his life and character by P. G. Master 
 Jas. S. Ridgely, of Baltimore, Md. 
 
 THOMAS WIKDEY was born in London, England 
 January 15, 1783. At 14 years of age he was appren- 
 tice to a coach-smith. When 21 years old he was 
 initiated into Lodge 17 of the Order of Odd-Fellows, 
 in London, and served in every station up to the 
 highest, with such ability and zeal as to win the sub- 
 stantial approval of his brethren at the age of 23. 
 Three years after his initiation he led in organizing 
 Morning Star Lodge, No. 38, in a distant quarter of 
 the city, that he might thus extend the influence and 
 benefits of the Order. He was unanimously chosen its 
 first presiding officer ; and during ten years of member- 
 ship he was three times elected to the same chair. 
 These lodges were all self-instituted the Manchester 
 Unity not having yet been organized. 
 
 He embarked for America, July 30th, 1817, and 
 reached Baltimore September 2d, where lie soon found 
 employment at his trade. The prevalence of yellow 
 fever that autumn, exercised his sympathies, and showed 
 the necessity for an order like ours. The following 
 year, meeting with his fellow-countryman and brother 
 Odd-Fellow, John Welch, they agreed in trying to 
 establish a lodge in Baltimore. Their first call for a 
 meeting on March 2d, 1819, though continued for one 
 month, drew only two coadjutors, whereas three were 
 necessary. The call was renewed for April 13th, when 
 Mes-rs. John Duncan, John Cheatham, and Richard 
 
28 THE ODr -FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Rushworth met with them, and arranged preliminaries; 
 and on April 26th they organized Washington Lodge, 
 No. 1, by self-institution. Within one month they 
 changed its organization and working to the Independent 
 Order, and took measures to procure a charter. Frank- 
 lin Lodge, No. 2, was opened soon after. On January 
 17th, 1820, Abercrombie Grand Lodge, of Manchester, 
 granted a dispensation but it never reached them. 
 Through P. G. John Crowder, of Duke of York Lodge, 
 Preston, (who visited Baltimore in 1819,) that lodge 
 issued a charter on February 1st, 1820, which was 
 received and accepted in due form October 23d, follow- 
 ing; and in June, 1821, the General Committee of the 
 Manchester Unity confirmed it, thus constituting Xo. 1 
 "Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States," 
 with power to charter lodges accordingly. 
 
 Prior to this there was no Grand Lodge in our coun- 
 try. The P. Gs. of each lodge were a Committee of 
 Supervision and Grievance, with advisory powers only ; 
 but their decisions were generally sustained. 
 
 The working of a Grand and a subordinate lodge 
 under the same charier, proved very inconvenient, and 
 at the instance of P. (J. John Kntwistle, on Februarv 
 22d, 1821, Washington Lodge surrendered its Grand 
 Lodge charter to the P. Gs. of Washington and Frank- 
 lin Lodges, and the ''Grand Lodge of Maryland and 
 the United States" thus constituted, granted subordi- 
 nate charters to Nos. 1 and 2. Br. Wildey, the first 
 N. G. of Washington Lodge, was chosen first Grand 
 Master. 
 
 At this period the White, Blue, and Scarlet degrees 
 were the only degrees of the subordinate lodge. The 
 I ink and Green, compiled by P. G. Entwistle, were 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 29 
 
 called the " intermediate degrees/' and were yet un- 
 known in England. The Golden Rule degree was con- 
 ferred in Grand Lodge, on P. Gs. only, for a charge of 
 75 cents. The special meetings of P. Gs. were called 
 " Grand Committees," and their proceedings required 
 the confirmation of the Grand Lodge in annual session 
 to render them final. 
 
 For several years the Order made but little progress 
 Its founder and members were comparatively obscure 
 men. Its name excited prejudices, which their con- 
 vivial practices confirmed, and thus obscured its merits 
 from the more strict and respectable class of humane 
 men. But Br. Wildey, conscious of good motives, and 
 confident of the great benefits the Order must confer if 
 successful, persevered, bating no jot of hope or effort. 
 
 In 1822, having ascertained that there were lodges 
 in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, efforts were 
 made to effect a general union. " Massachusetts Lodge" 
 was the first to respond by application to the " Grand 
 Lodge of Maryland and the United States" for a charter, 
 which was granted April 13, 1823, and G. M. Wildey 
 was empowered to institute the same, and open a Grand 
 Lodge also. On his way to execute this mission, he 
 induced " Pennsylvania Lodge, No. 1," to make a 
 similar application. In New York he reconciled the 
 contending lodges, by inducing " Columbia Lodge, No. 
 4" (the only one possessing a charter from England) 
 to give up its charter for one from Baltimore. Thus 
 all disputes about legality, seniority, and supremacy 
 were happily settled by the kind and j ersuasive elo- 
 quence of Br. Wildey, and all the lodges then existing 
 ID the United States were united in one system, under 
 one acknowledged legal Head. 
 8* 
 
30 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The charters having been applied for and duly- 
 granted, the Grand Master instituted them as follows: 
 "Massachusetts, No. I," June 9th, 1823, and the Grand 
 Lodge, June llth, 1823; the Giand Lodge of New 
 York, June 24th, 1823; and " Pennsylvania, No. 1," 
 and " Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania/' June 27th, 1823. 
 
 The complex National and Maryland State Grand 
 Lodge proving dissatisfactory to . other State Grand 
 Lodges, the " Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the 
 United States," resigned its charter to the State Grand 
 Lodges collectively, and united with them in organizing 
 a distinct Grand Lodge of the United States, on January 
 15, 1825, which held its first annual communication on 
 Washington's birthday following. And thus was com- 
 pleted the admirable structure which has proved so 
 effective in promoting the welfare and growth of Odd- 
 Fellowship in this hemisphere. 
 
 Before entering on the history of the G. L. U. S., we 
 will close our brief sketch of the labors of Br. Wildey. 
 
 It was important that our National Head should be 
 legally recognized by the Manchester Unity, and 
 measures adopted to maintain uniformity in ritual and 
 working, in both countries. " Br. Wildey volunteered 
 the pilgrimage, and crossed the ocean at his own cost, 
 reaching Liverpool on the 17th of June, 1826. He 
 was most affectionately received by the authorities of 
 the Order at Manchester, and was greeted as the Father 
 
 and Founder of American Odd-Fellowship He 
 
 was conducted throughout the entire jurisdiction from 
 city to city, from town to town, from village to village 
 everywhere received by Committees of the Order, and 
 brethren anxious to do him honor." He taught them 
 the Covenant and Remembrance degrees which they 
 adopted, and the Grand Lodge degree which they 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 31 
 
 declined, as unnecessary in their organization. They 
 granted his every request, save the great object of his 
 mission the independent sovereignty of the G. L. U. S. 
 in this country. Before his return, they intimated the 
 desire of the Order to present him personally a valuable 
 token of their esteem for him and his labors. He tear- 
 fully and eloquently thanked them, but declared that 
 the common cause would be better served, and himself 
 most highly honored, if, instead of a gift to himself, 
 they would grant to the G. L. U. S. exclusive jurisdic- 
 tion of the Order in America. This self-sacrificing 
 wish was heard in silence ; but on the day fixed for his 
 return, he was surprised by a visit of the Grand Officers, 
 who, after an address by Grand Master Derbyshire, 
 among other valuable tokens, placed in his hands a 
 charter beautifully executed on parchment, dated back 
 to May 15th, 1826. That charter filled the wish of his 
 soul, and completed his great mission, by granting sole 
 jurisdiction over Odd-Fellowship in this country to the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States. 
 
 Encampments were yet unknown. The Patriarchal 
 and Royal Purple degrees, received about this time, 
 were, like the Golden Rule degree, conferred in Grand 
 Lodges, and on Past Grands only. But on June 14th, 
 1827, the G. L. of Maryland instituted "Jerusalem 
 Encampment, No. 1," with Br. Wildey, its originator, 
 as Chief Patriarch; and empowered it to confer the 
 sublime degrees on members of the Scarlet degree. And 
 while he thus labored at home for the improvement of 
 the Order, without stint of money or of time, he 
 travelled and toiled for its extension and welfare abroad. 
 He made official visits to State Grand Lodges, instituted 
 subordinate lodges and encampments in new States, in- 
 structed the brethren, adjusted conflicts, and stilled dis- 
 
32 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 sensions by " pouring oil upon the troubled waters." 
 He carried the Order into Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, 
 Louisiana, and Virginia everywhere a persuasive 
 master-spirit of fraternity and benevolence. 
 
 After serving as Grand Sire from 1825 to 1833, he 
 continued to serve the Order, gratuitously, as General 
 Agent. In this capacity he visited the northern and 
 eastern States in 1835, Virginia in 1837, Pennsylvania, 
 Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, Ala- 
 bama, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa, in 1838, and Ten- 
 nessee, Arkansas, and Texas, in 1839; travels then 
 often toilsome and costly. He thus added State after 
 State to the Order, and bound them by the strongest 
 ties in fraternal union. Session after session the Head 
 of the Order bowed to him in grateful acknowledgment 
 of his self-sacrificing zeal and immensely valuable la- 
 bors ; and a gold medal, at one period, and a service of 
 plate valued at $500, at another time, were presented 
 to him by the Grand Lodge of the United States as 
 tokens of its admiration and esteem.* To the end of 
 his long and useful life, he never was absent from 
 his seat in Grand Lodge, however distant its place of 
 meeting, except on three occasions when severe ill- 
 ness prevented. Nor was he a mere observer he 
 served actively on Committees to near the close of his 
 36 years of membership therein. "Throughout his 
 whole career as an Odd-Fellow, private interests, health, 
 comfort, worldly advantage in all its forms, were sur- 
 rendered freely and nobly upon the altar of that Order 
 which he loved and cherished with a devotion that 
 never wavered, but that, as age advanced upon him and 
 infirmities increased, became more and more intense." 
 
 * These, and other precious tokens from various lodges and en- 
 campments, are now preserved by the Order in Maryland. 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 33 
 
 Thus loving and beloved, seeing his life-work pros- 
 pered and prospering, this aged Father of a numerous 
 brotherhood which soothed and sustained his feeble 
 form, went gently and peacefully down the declivity of 
 life to the boundary river, and there, at the good old 
 age of eighty-one years, passed over into immortality 
 on the 19th of October, 1861 full of honors as of 
 years. Everywhere the Order sorrowed at his depar- 
 ture, yet in gratitude that he had been spared so long 
 and to accomplish so much for humanity ; and, reciting 
 his virtues and his labors, they lovingly and reverently 
 buried his errors and his failings with the aged frame 
 forever, in Greenmount Cemetery, of his adopted city. 
 
 In January, 1865, the corporate authorities granted 
 "a spot of ground in the square located on North 
 Broadway, and bounded by Fayette Street," for a monu- 
 ment to his memory. And in September following, 
 the Order had erected upon that elevated spot, a noble 
 monument to the Father of American Odd-Fellowship 
 a rocky-faced granite base ten feet square, from 
 which rises a marble base, bearing the inscriptions 
 on the northwest, 
 
 The site for this monument was unanimously voted by 
 the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. 
 
 On the northeast, 
 
 He who realizes that the true mission of Man on earth 
 is to rise above the level of individual influence, and to 
 recognize the Fatherhood of God over all, and the Broth 
 erhood of Man, is Nature's true nobleman. 
 
 The opposite sides, 
 
 THOMAS WILDEY, Born January 15, 1783. Died 
 October 19, 1861. 
 
34 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MAXUAL. 
 
 Above this base rises the pedestal, bearing on the 
 south side, the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States, in has relievo and on the eastern and western, 
 carvings in similar style of Faith and Hope. The 
 northern face bears the inscription, 
 
 This column, erected by the joint contributions of the 
 Lodges, Encampments, and individual members of the 
 Independent Order of Odd- Fellows of the United States 
 of America, and jurisdictions thereunto belonging, com- 
 memorates the founding of that Order in the City of 
 Baltimore on the 26th day of April, 1819, by THOMAS 
 
 WlLDEY. 
 
 Above the whole towers a life-size figure of Charity 
 protecting orphans. The entire height of the structure 
 is fifty-two feet, and is executed in chaste and beautiful 
 style. 
 
 The Order as founded by Bro. Wildey, was simply a 
 humane institution its main objects were to relieve 
 brethren, bury the dead, and care for the widow and 
 orphan. But gradually there were infused into its 
 lectures and charges much moral and (unsectarian) re- 
 ligious instruction ; and at each revision these principles 
 were increased, and deepened, and strengthened, until 
 its beneficial and relief measures, from being ends, have 
 become means to a higher and greater end "to im- 
 prove and elevate the character of man ; to imbue him 
 with conceptions of his capability for good ; to en- 
 lighten his mind ; to enlarge the sphere of his affections, 
 and thus to lead him to the cultivation of the true fra- 
 ternal relations designed by the Great Author of his 
 being." Bro. Wildey planted the seed and cultivated 
 the tree. It bore fruit richer and better than he had 
 anticipated. "He builded better than he knew;" but 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 35 
 
 as Founder and Architect he dwelt in the Temple 
 which he had reared for more limited objects. 
 
 His cherished aims and details w r ere all retained, but 
 directed beyond the merely social and physical, to the 
 moral and spiritual to lift its members up to their 
 proper position to hold man "to a strict standard of 
 duty to impress him with the value of character 
 among his fellows, and lead him to a true appreciation 
 of his whole duty, whether tcT God himself, or to his 
 brother man adrift amid the storms and breakers of 
 life." (P. G. M. Ridgeiy's Eulogy.} 
 
 7. The Order under ike Grand Lodge of the United 
 States. 
 
 Thomas Wildey, First Grand Sire 1825 to 1829. 
 The Grand Lodge of the United States, organized 
 January 15th, 1825, held its first annual communica- 
 tion, February 22d, following, but immediately ad- 
 journed to March 30th, following, when its officers 
 were installed, and reports received, showing four 
 Grand and nine subordinate lodges in connection. 
 
 One of its first acts was to step out in advance of 
 nearly all social organizations of that period, by de- 
 creeing that in no case should any refreshments except 
 water be used in any of our lodge-rooms. 
 
 In October, 1826, the Grand Charter from the Man- 
 chester Unity was received through Grand Sire Wildey, 
 and accepted. That Charter ratified and confirmed the 
 former, and " doth also hereby grant, authorize and 
 empower the Grand Sire, Deputy Grand Sire, Repre- 
 sentatives and Proxies of the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States of America, to conduct the business of 
 Odd-Fellowship WITHOUT THE INTERFERENCE OF ANY 
 
36 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 OTHER COUNTRY, so long as the same is administered 
 according to the principles and purity of Odd-Fel- 
 lowship." 
 
 In November 1827, a charter was granted for Central 
 Lodge, No. 1, in Washington, D. C., which was insti- 
 tuted on the 26th of that month. And the year closed 
 with four Grand Lodges, having 17 subordinates be- 
 side two in the District of Columbia. 
 
 In 1828 Stranger's Refuge Lodge, of New York, 
 denied to the Grand Lodge of that State any save ad- 
 visory powers, and refused obedience to its decisions. 
 The Grand Lodge, after all other means failed, expelled 
 the ^subordinate lodge, and was sustained by the G. 
 L. U. S. The expelled lodge applied to England ; but 
 receiving no countenance, it submitted, and was re-in- 
 stated in 1829. The Grand Lodge of the District of 
 Columbia was instituted Nov. 24, 1828. 
 
 Thomas Wildey re-elected Grand Sire 1829 to 
 1833. Degree Lodges were established in 1829, by 
 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Prior to this, de- 
 grees were conferred in the lodge-room <>n Sundays. 
 Though at first resisted as an innovation on the char- 
 tered rights of subordinates, Degree Lodges have now 
 become general where lodges are numerous. Country 
 and other isolated lodges confer degrees after the regular 
 lodge-meeting; and in some States they are conferred 
 by Degree Committees, or Deputies appointed for the 
 purpose. 
 
 This year also, it was decided that the powers of the 
 Grand Sire were confined to those expressly named in 
 the Constitution rejecting vague "ancient usage." 
 
 The anti-masonic excitement, which began in western 
 New York two years before, now spread over neighbor- 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 37 
 
 ing States, and extended to all " secret societies." In 
 Massachusetts, the Order died away. In Rhode Island, 
 where it had just been planted, it took no root. In 
 New York a contention about the seat of the Grand 
 Lodge (New York, or Albany ?) aided the opposition 
 and stopped all growth. In Pennsylvania the. 50 sub- 
 ordinates of 1832 declined to 40 in 1839. In Dela- 
 ware the Grand Lodge was not instituted, though a 
 charter had been granted. Almost everywhere the ex- 
 citement lessened our numbers or prevented increase. 
 
 James Gettys, of the District of Columbia, Grand 
 Sire 1833 to 1835, the term having been shortened 
 to two years. He was succeeded by George Keyser, 
 of Maryland, Grand Sire 1835 to 1837. Efforts 
 were again made to induce the English lodges to dis- 
 continue their convivial practices and to cease changing 
 the work of the order without consulting or notifying 
 us, " that uniformity of action and principle might 
 exist between us." As the Manchester Unity had re- 
 vised the lectures and entirely changed the initiation, 
 &c., the Grand Lodge of the United States now made 
 a thorough revision of our ritual, rejecting much of 
 the old version, and purging out many crudities in 
 style and sentiment. In 1836 James L. Ridgely, of 
 Maryland, was chosen Grand Sire, but declining, Sam- 
 uel H. Perkins, of Pennsylvania, was elected at a 
 special session in May, 1837, and installed at the fol- 
 lowing annual communication ; when, also, further 
 correspondence was ordered with the Manchester Unity 
 in reference to their alterations of the work of the 
 Order. 
 
 In 1838 P. G. Sire Wildey reported what jurisdic- 
 tions he had visited, and among the lodges and en- 
 4 
 
38 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 campments instituted by him was " Lone Star Lodge 
 No. 1, in Texas, opened July 25th, 1838 the first 
 charter granted by the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States to a foreign country. 
 
 In 1839, no quorum appearing, the annual commu- 
 nication was not held; but at a special session in April 
 following they installed Zenas B. Glazier, of Delaware, 
 Grand Sire. The correspondence with the Manchester 
 Unity showed that it agreed to interchange the A. T. 
 P. W,, but made no promise to cease lodge conviviali- 
 ties, or to consult us on alterations of signs, &c. In 
 1840 Grand Encampments were admitted to representa- 
 tion, in despite of earnest opposition, because the quali- 
 fication of the R. P. D. for all G. Representatives suf- 
 ficiently protected the patriarchal branch, whose mem- 
 bers were also represented as members of lodges. The 
 regalia of the Order was also regulated, and the five 
 degrees arranged as they are now numbered. 
 
 In 1841 Jas. L. Ridgely was a second time elected 
 Grand Sire, and again declined, when John A. Ken- 
 nedy, of New York, was elected and installed. The 
 grievances caused by the Manchester Unity continuing 
 and increasing, the Grand Sire, in February, 1842, 
 deputed P. G. M. James Alcock to confer with the 
 English Board of Directors, and arrange for consulta- 
 tions about, and notices of alterations. But the Direc- 
 tors refused to entertain such propositions, and referred 
 the whole subject to the Annual Meeting of Deputies. 
 G. Secretary Ridgely and G. Chaplain I. D. William- 
 son were then deputed to attend that annual meeting 
 where they were kindly received, but their efforts for 
 peace and harmony set at naught. Consequently the 
 annual communication of the G. L. U. S. in 1842 was 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 89 
 
 mainly occupied in considering the report of its depu- 
 ties. And here, that our allusions and the action of 
 our National Lodge may be clearly understood, we will 
 briefly state those difficulties. 
 
 The government of the Manchester Unity of the I. 
 O. O. F. was ostensibly vested in the Annual Mov- 
 able Committee a Convention of one delegate from 
 each lodge, beside deputies from each district, some 
 2000 or 3000 members which met on Whit-Sunday 
 each year. But all power during the interim was 
 vested in a Board of some twenty Directors, all located 
 in Manchester. This Board, few in numbers, located 
 together, and united in interests, exerted controlling 
 influence, and altered ritual and signs almost at will. 
 As we were not notified of these changes, their new 
 members were excluded from working with us, for 
 which we were reproached, censured, and threatened ! 
 The British lodges had a uniform initiation and card- 
 deposit fee ; ours varied according to cost and style of 
 living, as did also our benefits ; yet the Manchester 
 Unity insisted that we should admit to membership 
 and benefits, their members, at a less sum than was paid 
 by our American brethren. Add to this, that their 
 " convivial practices " lowered the character of most of 
 their members below the moral standard here, and our 
 grievances become apparent. Their demands involved 
 an entire change of our government, of our standard of 
 morality, and more than a surrender of our chartered 
 sovereignty ; for we had not the voice granted to their 
 humblest lodge in the alterations made in signs and 
 ritual. As our Order neither used, nor required them 
 to use any " oaths" whatever, the pretence that the 
 insurmountable difficulty on their side was that, by the 
 
40 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 law of the land, they could not adopt our " oaths of 
 initiation/' &c., is not correct. (See Spry's History, p. 
 50.) Of ccurse, the Grand Lodge of the United States 
 approved the acts of its deputies, thanked them for their 
 services, and unanimously severed the connection with 
 the Manchester Unity ; and, in view of the fact that the 
 Unity had altered the ancient land-marks, violated the 
 principles and changed the work of the Order, and 
 attempted to invade our chartered rights, the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States declared itself the only 
 Fountain and Depository of " Independent Odd-Fel- 
 lowship " on the Globe. 
 
 The Manchester Unity, in accordance with its fre- 
 quent threats, subsequently attempted to establish lodges 
 in this country, but failed. Our National Grand Lodge 
 attempted establishing lodges in Great Britain, but 
 failed also. And thus each order has remained pos- 
 sessor of its own jurisdiction. 
 
 In 1843, Howell Hopkins, of Pennsylvania, was in- 
 stalled Grand Sire. A dispensation was issued for 
 opening " Prince of Wales Lodge, No. I/' in Montreal, 
 Canada, under the standing rule of establishing lodges 
 in any country where there is no Grand Lodge of the 
 Order. At this time, also, proxy representation in the 
 G. L. U. S. was happily abolished. 
 
 In 1844, P. G. M. Rev. E. H. Chapin, of Massa- 
 chusetts ; P. G. M. J. L. Ridgely, of Maryland ; P. G. 
 Rev. J. D. McCabe, of Virginia ; P. G. Sire John A. 
 Kennedy, of New York, and P. D. G. Sire Win. W. 
 Moore, of District of Columbia, were appointed to revise 
 the entire ritual of the Order. Originally prepared by 
 different persons without mutual consultation, and since 
 then altered in portions at various periods, changes were 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 41 
 
 required to harmonize it in sentiment and in style, and 
 especially to make it properly solemn, impressive, and 
 attractive to the improved taste and feelings of the 
 brotherhood. " The revision (says Brother Bidgely) 
 may be said to have literally excluded all of the English 
 work, and, in a great degree, to have been original. It 
 wholly rejected the old charge, mainly borrowed from 
 the Masonic Order, and substituted the present Past 
 Grand's charge. This charge is intended as the basis 
 or substratum of our Moral Temple." 
 
 In 1845, Thomas Sherlock, of Ohio, was installed 
 Grand Sire. Honorary membership was now abolished, 
 as inconsistent with fraternal equality and mutual relief. 
 Lodges were permitted to grant travelling certificates 
 to wives and widows of members, securing to them the 
 aid and protection of the Order. The Order in British 
 North America was now constituted separate and inde- 
 pendent ; but as this measure failed after a few years' 
 trial, it is merely named here. The term of office in 
 subordinates was changed from three to six months. A 
 splendid gold watch with chain was presented to G. 
 Secretary Ridgely as a token of appreciation of his 
 services in editing the Covenant and Official Magazine 
 for several years, and of long continued labors as Grand 
 Recording and Corresponding Secretary. And at a 
 special session the revised Lectures and charges were 
 adopted, and the Order put in possession of its present 
 harmonious and beautifully impressive ritual. 
 
 In 1847, Horn R. Kneass, of Pennsylvania, was in- 
 stalled Grand Sire. A movement to change the repre- 
 sentation in Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments 
 had commenced three or four years before this. Origi- 
 nally, every Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch be- 
 
42 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 came a permanent representative of his subordinate, 
 on entering the Grand body, without power of the sub- 
 ordinate to control or remove him. As each subordi- 
 nate passed from two to four chief officers each year, 
 when the subordinates became numerous, the represen- 
 tation in Grand bodies became unwieldy, and their 
 power was generally wielded by the numerous repre- 
 sentatives located in and near the seat of the Grand 
 Lodge and Grand Encampment usually a city, having 
 many subordinates not a few of whose P. Gs. and P. C. 
 Ps., as proxies, cast also the votes of distant lodges and 
 encampments. The election of Grand officers being held 
 only in the Grand bodies, few beside the nearest resident 
 Past Grands and P. Chief Patriarchs could participate 
 therein. All this centralization of absolute power be- 
 came more and more grievous as the Order increased, 
 until a general demand was made for a limited repre- 
 sentation by annual elections in the subordinates ; and 
 for the election of Grand officers by voting in the sub- 
 ordinates. Such a great change was naturally resisted 
 as an invasion of " vested rights " and dangerous to the 
 stability of the Institution. 
 
 New York, which had already 2000 members in her 
 Grand Lodge, and was yearly adding 800 to the num- 
 ber, led the van of the reform. In 1846, when over 
 100 amendments to the G. L. Constitution were pending, 
 the reformers offered, and the conservatives finally 
 agreed, to hold a Convention of delegates to frame a 
 new constitution. The Convention met and adopted a 
 new constitution with only two dissenting votes ; but 
 in the December session of the Grand Lodge the con- 
 servatives set it aside, on the plea that the proceedings 
 had been unconstitutional. The next February session 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 
 
 the country lodges came in great force, making it the 
 most numerous attendance ever known ; but the Grand 
 Master overruled all motions to restore the new consti- 
 tution, and refused to entertain any appeal from his 
 decisions. An appeal was made to the Grand Lodge 
 of the United States, which decided that the new consti- 
 tution in an amended form should be passed upon at 
 the next session of the Grand Lodge of New York. 
 This was done in November, after various efforts to 
 evade or compromise, and the new constitution was 
 adopted by 202 lodges for, and 77 against three 
 lodges giving tie votes. But in December the Grand 
 Master, by proclamation, declared the old constitution 
 yet in force. A session of the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States was petitioned for, but G. Sire Kneass 
 refused to call it, and, instead, sent a Commission to 
 New York to examine the case and report. The 
 Commission being deemed illegal and prejudiced, the 
 reform party refused to attend ; whereupon an ex parte 
 examination and report was made, and the Grand Sire 
 proclaimed the minority to be the legal Grand Lodge. 
 At the annual communication, in 1848, the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States, by a vote of 47 to 24, re- 
 ceived the old constitution representatives, and rejected 
 the others. The dissenting 24 Grand Representatives 
 protested against this decision, and published two 
 addresses signed in full one advising the rejected 
 party not to organize a new Order, but to stand fast, 
 pledging another effort to obtain a just decision; the 
 other, calling on the Order at large to decide whether 
 our government shall be " one of defined powers and 
 limited authority, or of personal discretion and unde- 
 fined prerogative." 
 
44 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 In 1849, R. H. Griffin, of Georgia, was installed 
 Grand Sire. Two delegations from New York again 
 appeared. A special committee reported in favor of 
 dividing the State, granting to the minority the South- 
 ern, and to the majority the Northern District and it 
 was done. The spirit of reform had spread into other 
 States, meanwhile, and now appeared in the National 
 Lodge itself. The Grand Lodge adjourned to meet in 
 Cincinnati (but under protest, that Baltimore was its 
 permanent seat) ; and, that proposed reforms might be 
 fully considered, the annual communication was to be 
 preceded one week by a special session. Unfortunately 
 various difficulties arose, and among them the cholera 
 in the Mississippi valley, which prevented the special 
 session. But at the annual communication Past Grand 
 Sires were declared not entitled to vote unless they 
 were Grand Representatives also. 
 
 In 1851 Wm. W. Moore, of the District of Columbia, 
 was installed Grand Sire. Ample atonement was now 
 made to the Grand Lodge of Northern New York for 
 unintentional injustice of previous years. At this 
 session Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, reported the "De- 
 gree of Rebekah," for the wives of scarlet-degree mem- 
 bers. It is carefully guarded against even the appear- 
 ance of impropriety, and has been received with much 
 favor by many jurisdictions and their " Daughters of 
 Rebekah." In 1852 the " London Order of Odd-Fel- 
 lows," (England,) numbering 233,000 members, pro- 
 posed a union with us. The proposal was respectfully 
 declined, mainly on the reasons that entered into our 
 severance from the Manchester Unity. 
 
 In 1853, in Philadelphia, Wilmot G. De Saussure, 
 of South Carolina, was installed Grand Sire. Grand 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 45 
 
 lodges now existed in all the States and some of the 
 Territories. In 1854, the Grand Lodge of British 
 North America having abandoned its sovereignty by 
 neglect of the subordinates, those lodges yet remaining, 
 again came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge 
 of the United States. A new constitution and by-laws 
 were now adopted, embodying the reforms of previous 
 years. 
 
 In 1855, Wm. Ellison, of Massachusetts, was in- 
 stalled Grand Sire. Every Grand Lodge and Grand 
 Encampment was represented at this session. In 1856, 
 D. G. Sire G. "W. Race presided, the Grand Sire being 
 too unwell to attend. The Grand Sire's address referred 
 very feelingly to the storm already gathering over the 
 nation, and reminded the brethren that Odd-Fellowship 
 has nothing to do with the distinctions of parties and 
 of sects that the earth is our country, and the human 
 race our nation. 
 
 In 1857, G. W. Race, of Louisiana, was installed 
 Grand Sire. F. D. Stuart, of the District of Colum- 
 bia, was voted a testimonial for his arduous services in 
 arranging the secret work of the Order and a silver 
 tea-set was subsequently presented to him. In 1858, 
 Grand Lodges (five subordinates in each) had been in- 
 stituted in Kansas and Nebraska. The Constitution 
 was amended to permit elective officers to make motions 
 and debate, but not to vote; and non-elective officers 
 also, if permitted by a majority vote. By amendment 
 adopted in 1857, the Grand Sire was to be installed at 
 the same session at which he was elected ; and Samuel 
 Craighead, of Ohio, was thus chosen and installed at 
 this session. The Fortieth Anniversary of the Order 
 (April 26, 1819) was directed to be generally cele- 
 
46 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 brated; and in 1859 the good effects were so apparent 
 as to lead to desire its celebration annually. The Order 
 had been planted in the Sandwich Islands, and now 
 came an application from the Grand Lodge (and its 
 seven subordinates) of Victoria, Australia, for admis- 
 sion on which further correspondence was ordered. 
 
 In 1860, at Nashville, Tenn., D. G. Sire E. H. Fitz- 
 hugh presided, the Grand Sire being too unwell to 
 attend. The Legislature had placed the State Capitol 
 at the disposal of the brethren, and the communication 
 was unusually interesting. Visits were paid to the 
 widow of President Polk, and to the tomb of Jackson 
 at the Hermitage. The present forms for dedicating 
 Halls and laying Corner-stones were adopted, and it 
 was ordered " that these forms be used by the Order, 
 and no other." Robt. B. Boylston, of South Carolina, 
 was installed Grand Sire, but this joyous, brotherly 
 meeting was soon followed by the strife of civil war ! 
 
 In 1861, D. G. Sire Milton Herndon, of Indiana, 
 presided ; the civil war had separated the Grand Sire 
 from the Grand Lodge, and only 15 Grand Lodges and 
 7 Grand Encampments were represented. It was a sad 
 session; much business was deferred because of absent 
 representatives. The Grand Lodge was in debt, with 
 diminished resources, and Grand Representatives essayed 
 to lighten the burden by donating a portion of their 
 mileage. In 1862, in addition to the continued separa- 
 tions by war, the venerable presence of Father Wildey 
 was missed ; he had departed October 19th, 1861. Only 
 11 Grand Lodges and 11 Grand Encampments wi-iv 
 represented ; but the Grand Lodge was out of debt for 
 the first time in several years, with ample resources for 
 the current year. J. B. Nicholson, of Pennsylvania, 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 47 
 
 was installed Grand Sire. In 1863, correspondence had 
 been held with the Order in Virginia and Georgia, by 
 flags of truce, and Louisiana had also been heard from 
 Thus far the Order was sundered, but its parts not 
 alienated. In the Sandwich Islands it was prospering, 
 but in Vermont it was in danger of dying out. In 
 1864, the Grand Lodge met in Boston all the juris- 
 dictions represented, except those of the Southern 
 States. Virginia and Louisiana had again responded to 
 our greetings. The law forbidding all edibles or bever- 
 ages, except water, as refreshments, in any lodge-room, 
 ante-room or hall connected with or adjoining thereto, 
 and under control of any lodge or encampment of the 
 Order, was reiterated ; and all processions or use of the 
 name and regalia of the Order forbidden in connection 
 with any celebration, anniversary, ball, or party, where 
 intoxicating drinks were to be used. Isaac M. Veitch, 
 of Missouri, was installed Grand Sire. 
 
 In 1865, those who had been separated by war were 
 again united in peace; all the State jurisdictions were 
 again represented, except North Carolina and Florida ; 
 and the State of New York, long divided, was again 
 to form but one jurisdiction; the two Grand Lodges 
 and the two Grand Encampments petitioned for such 
 union, and the G. L. U. S. granted their petitions, and 
 enacted the unions to take place the following August, 
 which took place accordingly. In 1866, every jurisdic- 
 tion, except the Lower Provinces of British North 
 America, was represented. The monument to Father 
 Wildey was appropriately dedicated by a Grand pro- 
 cession, solemn ceremonies, and an unveiling of the 
 statue of Charity which crowns the monument. The 
 corner-stone had been laid on the preceding anniversary 
 
48 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 of the Order (April 26th) by the Grand Lodge of Mary- 
 land. All use of the name, or sanction of the Order to 
 any lottery, raffle, or gift enterprise, was expressly for- 
 bidden. An appeal was made to all subordinates for 
 aid to the Southern lodges, destroyed or desolated and 
 impoverished by the war; and a duplicate of the por- 
 trait of Grand Sire Boylston, of South Carolina, de- 
 ceased, was ordered to be sent to his widow. James P. 
 Sanders, of New York, was installed Grand Sire. 
 
 In 1867, met in New York city. A charter for a 
 Grand Lodge in Colorado was granted. The 26th of 
 April was established as the anniversary of the Order, 
 and all Grand Lodges and Grand Encampments were 
 requested to instruct their subordinates to celebrate it 
 annually. Several most prominent public institutions 
 of charity, Jewish and Christian, were visited by the 
 Grand Lodge, on invitation, with highly interesting and 
 profitable results to all parties. 
 
 The decided refusal of the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States, at this session, to make alterations in its 
 ritual or secret work, is an indication that, for manv 
 years at least, the Order will remain stable and uniform 
 in its teachings and language, as it ever must be in its 
 deeds. 
 
 We have thus traced the history of our Order, from 
 its first appearance as an institution, as fully as our 
 limits would permit. The feebly glimmering spark, 
 momently threatened with extinction by the want of 
 proper elements on which to feed its fire, has increased 
 to a glowing, generous flame, abundantly able to sup- 
 port its own combustion, and give warmth and life to 
 all around. That band of five brethren in Baltimore, 
 in 1819, has grown into a mighty army; has overspread 
 
HISTORY OF ODD-FELLOWSHIP. 49 
 
 the land with its lodges and encampments ; has 
 mightily grappled with forlorn destitution and suffer- 
 ing, and driven back the waves of ignorance, vice, and 
 selfishness everywhere, and has moulded into a kindred 
 likeness of benevolence, not a few institutions nearly 
 as powerful for good as itself. Surely, when we view 
 the difficulties that beset Odd-Fellowship everywhere, 
 the humble lives and scanty means of its early mem- 
 bers, and then look at its past progress and present con- 
 dition, we may say, "' It is the Lord's doing, and it is 
 marvellous in our eyes!" Says Brother Eidgely, in 
 his "Eulogy on the Life and Character of Thomas 
 Wildey:" "Odd-Fellowship was organized in 1819. 
 During its first decade, it made but little progress. 
 .... Since 1829 [to 1862, only] it has gathered 
 within its folds, by initiation, 426,963 members. Its 
 revenue, derived from weekly contributions (varying 
 from six to twelve cents) from these members, has 
 amounted to $20,368,057. Of these receipts (after dis- 
 bursements for ordinary expenses amounting to $5,- 
 092,000) it has applied, for the relief of the sick, the 
 burial of the dead, and the education of the orphan, 
 the sum of $8,804,000, leaving a balance of $6,472,000 
 for the same objects. These funds, thus employed, have 
 relieved 558,068 members, and 37,567 widowed fam- 
 ilies.'*' In Maryland alone, " where this branch of the 
 Order is much cherished, during this period, 2,744 
 children have been in charge of the Committee on Edu- 
 cation, of which number 1,193 are still under care, and 
 over 500 have been placed at trades or other industrial 
 pursuits." All this in less than one-third of a century ! 
 We would not even seem boastful ; but with gratitude 
 to Him who has given " the increase " to the planting 
 5 
 
50 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 and watering by our Fathers, we humbly ask What 
 institution, of such humble origin, scanty means, and 
 with so many difficulties and obstacles, has accomplished 
 more good and prevented more suffering, in so few 
 years ? With our increased numbers and means, what 
 may not what WILL not be expected from our Order 
 in the next thirty years ! Brethren Daughters of 
 Rebekah Odd-Fellowship expects every member to 
 do full duty; let us be up and doing, in the name of 
 God and humanity ! 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 
 
 Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth ? . . . . Come 
 and see. JOHN i. <!<>. 
 
 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous 
 judgment. JOHN vii. iM. 
 
 ODD-FELLOWSHIP having increased so rapidly, and 
 spread its organizations so widely, within a few years, 
 naturally attracted the attention of nearly all classes of 
 the community. Rising, too, as it seemed, out of the 
 midst, and in defiance of a violent excitement against a 
 supposedly similar institution, every objection urged 
 against that was pressed against this. Some yet regard 
 it with horror. Mystery they deem but another name 
 for evil, and all "secret societies" dangerous to the 
 moral, social, and political well-being of the country 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 51 
 
 A few regard it with contempt, believing it a chiMish 
 mummery, calculated to enroll only weak minds, fond 
 of the notoriety acquired by singularity of name and 
 conduct, and vain of queer titles, banners, and regalia. 
 Others, viewing its rapid increase, are disposed to 
 examine it more closely, to learn what has thus ex- 
 tended its operations in the land. And not a few, who 
 have noted its deeds of benevolence, and its salutary 
 social influences, desire to trace its outer deeds to its 
 inner life, and ascertain what are really its ultimate 
 aims and highest objects, and what the means by which 
 it purposes to accomplish them. 
 
 To all these, and especially to the latter two, we now 
 address ourselves, in all truthfulness and honesty. We 
 will endeavor fairly to state and candidly to answer 
 objections, unfold our principles, and declare fully our 
 objects. And the portions prepared especially for 
 
 " Brethren of our friendly Order," 
 
 of every degree, station, and office, will further disclose 
 the life which animates us in all the obligations, duties, 
 privileges, and operations of our fraternity. 
 
 1. Our Name. 
 
 It seems that of a mere convivial club, Dr> at best, 
 of light-minded persons, who delight to practice "frolic 
 and fun," and affect singularity of conduct to gain no- 
 toriety among the curious and ignorant. 
 
 The names Nazarene and Christian were once terms 
 of even greater obloquy and reproach than is that of 
 Odd-Fellow. Yet, in despite of odium and singularity 
 then, none are now more honorable and honored in 
 
52 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Christendom. Condemn us not, then, merely because 
 of our name. 
 
 True, it is a singular one ; but we chose it not. It 
 came to us, attached to an institution which, for many 
 years, in another country, had fulfilled its great motto, 
 "FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH," by visiting the sick, 
 relieving the distressed, and burying the dead. Hence, 
 singular as that name is yea, odious as it may sound 
 to some it has been rendered dear to our hearts by. 
 the glorious deeds of benevolence and philanthropy 
 performed under it, and by the great moral and reli- 
 gious principles associated with it, until its singularity 
 is lost in its moral value and beauty. To us, Odd- 
 Fellow is an honorable name. We love to wear it, and 
 to bear its reproach we deem an honor. 
 
 To be an Odd-Fellow, in the sense it has in our 
 minds, you must act and speak like an honest man; 
 you must do all the good to mankind that is in your 
 power ; you must reverence God ; do to your neighbor 
 as you would have him do unto you, and keep yourself 
 free from all excess and pollution. Alas, that some 
 who bear the name do not sustain the character ! To 
 do the work of an Odd-Fellow, you must attend the 
 couch of the sick and dying, the side of suffering and 
 distress, the house of mourning, the grave of the de- 
 parted, the abode of poverty and want, and "visit the 
 widows and fatherless in their afflictions," as well as the 
 Lodge-room, where social intercourse and fellowship 
 abound. Become an Odd-Fellow, and sustain the cha- 
 racter, and perform the duties, and share the privileges 
 of that name, and it will sound as sweet to you as it a 
 dear to us. 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 53 
 
 2. Our Obligations and Penalties. 
 
 We have been branded as " an oath-bound association, 
 whose members are obligated, by bloody penalties, to 
 favor each other wrongfully, and to punish violations of 
 these obligations in some severe and terrible manner;" 
 yet there is not a single obligation administered among 
 us, inconsistent with any duty we owe to self, family, 
 country, mankind, or to our Creator. All the aid we 
 are to render each other, is and must be within the 
 limits of strict humanity and patriotism, of morality 
 and religion. We invoke no penalty on life or limb, 
 person or property : nothing but the social and moral 
 consequences which follow the violation of any similar 
 pledge of sacred honor among the rest of mankind; 
 consequently, no one among us is bound, in any way, 
 to revenge any revelation which an unworthy member 
 may make. We are not, therefore, an oath-bound in- 
 stitution, nor are our obligations oaths no jurist would 
 call them such but simply solemn pledges and cove- 
 nants, wherein our yea is "yea and amen." 
 
 3. Our Regalia, Emblems, $c. 
 
 They are denounced as childish, foolish, unbecoming 
 good men and serious purposes and philanthropic 
 deeds. 
 
 An unthinking young man ridiculed a grave gentle- 
 man whom he saw engaged, with soap-suds and a pipe, 
 blowing bubbles in the air. Yet that ridiculed man 
 was Sir Isaac Newton, who, by that seemingly childish 
 employment, was ascertaining the laws of the Almighty 
 in relation to light and colors ! One of our uses of 
 5* 
 
54 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 regalia, is to teach us to beware horf we judge men by 
 mere appearances. 
 
 Possibly the objector himself wears some simple 
 article, given him as a memento by a dear friend ; or 
 keeps near him some seemingly unmeaning thing to 
 remind him of important duties to God and man. Per- 
 haps he statedly observes some ceremony, full of solemn 
 teachings to his soul. However childish that memento 
 or token, however senseless that ceremonial may seem 
 to others, to him they are above all value, because full 
 of precious memories and solemn teachings. 
 
 Such our decorations, emblems, and forms are to us. 
 The light shed on their meaning, as we advance in Odd- 
 Fellowship, and their novel applications to impress on 
 our minds important principles and precepts, render 
 them peculiarly pleasing and highly useful. The thought- 
 ful Odd-Fellow is continually reminded by them of im- 
 portant duties to God and man. 
 
 Besides this, our regalia, jewels, and some of our 
 emblems are used to mark grades and stations among 
 us. As such, they are not more puerile, certainly, than 
 the laced coats and caps, the plumes and epaulettes of 
 the military, or any other badges used among men to 
 distinguish station and office. But they are not only 
 our uniform, the very colors are made to teach us im- 
 portant lessons and duties. 
 
 4. The Expense of Regalia, c. 
 
 It is possible that, in some cases, more money is 
 expended in furnishing our Halls and Lodge-wardrobes 
 than is necessary to instruct mind and heart, to refine 
 the taste, and to administer to comfort and convenience. 
 As with churches and with individuals, so with Lodges 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 55 
 
 and Odd-Fellows the desire for display too often out- 
 runs ability and utility. We will not defend any extra- 
 vagance ; yea, we even condemn it, let the censure fall 
 where it may. But within the reasonable limits of 
 ability and utility, how stands the objection to Odd- 
 Fellowship on the score of useless expense for finery ? 
 
 Our rooms should be made pleasant and comfortable 
 for all classes of our members, to induce their attend- 
 ance, and render the transaction of our business a 
 pleasant duty. If the wealthiest are willing to abate 
 some of the luxurious comforts of their homes, and learn 
 the uses of simple conveniences, the poorer brethren 
 should not object to some expense beyond their frugal 
 accommodations, where they may learn the cares and 
 proprieties belonging to a richer style of living. Even 
 should it lead the humble man to aspire after more 
 comforts and greater neatness than he is accustomed to 
 in his own home, so as to lead to habits of more pro- 
 ductive industry and economy to procure them, we do 
 not think himself or family will be injured thereby. 
 
 But, aside from this homeliest view of the subject, 
 taste and propriety require that there should be a 
 fitness between the means and the end. The emblems 
 by which important truths are illustrated and enforced, 
 should not be so clumsy, inelegant, and coarse, as tc 
 mar the teaching. The decorations among which men 
 meet to learn the gentlest and most beautiful practices 
 of Christianity, should not be ungraceful and tawdry. 
 The school for the elevation of human aspirations and 
 character, should not be clad in uniforms calculated to 
 drag down the imagination and belittle the feelings. 
 
 "But if the Order aims to benefit the poor, why not 
 bestow its cost in charity ?" If the owner of the Koohi- 
 noor diamond, estimated worth thirty millions of dollars. 
 
56 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 were to sell it. to give the money to the poor, some one 
 else must buy and possess it, and so become subject to 
 the same reproach: "Better sell it, and give the money 
 to the poor !" Could it be made to furnish "well-paid 
 employment to hundreds w r ho need it, the case would 
 be different. The cost of our decorations has been 
 employed in giving needed labor (and by that labor, 
 honorable subsistence) to hundreds and thousands of 
 industrious men, women, and children. So far, then, 
 it has not been expended in vain. 
 
 "But of what utility was that labor?'' When the 
 humble and grateful Mary (Mark xiv. 3-9, and John 
 xii. 3-8) took " a pound of ointment of spikenard, very 
 costly j and anointed the head and feet of Jesus," there 
 was complaint that the expensive article had not been 
 sold for the benefit of the poor. But Jesus declared 
 that the act had a utility worthy of its cost ; and re- 
 minded them that the poor could be remembered at 
 any other time and in some other manner. So, if our 
 regalia and emblems tend to increase our benevolence, 
 and stimulate us to greater activity in well-doing, then 
 is their manufacture no idle work, their cost no useless 
 expense. The food or raiment that money would have 
 purchased, would, in a few months, have been consumed 
 or worn out : that is, supposing that amount would have 
 been furnished by its contributors, if they had not been 
 incited by Odd-Fellowship, which is not certain. But 
 here remain these decorations and emblems, still teach- 
 ing their lessons of benevolence, continuing for many 
 years their influence in leading hundreds to remember 
 their poor and distressed brethren, their families, and 
 the widow and the orphan. That they do this, and 
 much more of good besides, we are well persuaded ; and 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 57 
 
 so would be the objector, could he place himself fully 
 under their influence. 
 
 '< For ye have the poor with you always, and when- 
 soever ye will, ye may do them good." When any sick 
 or distressed brother, when any widow or orphan of a 
 deceased Odd-Fellow, asks our aid and receives it not, 
 because we have expended beyond our proper ability in 
 decorations, jewels, or regalia, then let censure come in 
 its severest form ! But till then, we trust that no Odd- 
 Fellow will lack emblems to refine the taste, and instruct 
 mind, heart, and hands in well-doing. 
 
 5. Our Secrecy. 
 
 Ring what changes you may upon the suspiciousness 
 of secrecy, the tendency of evil to seek darkness and 
 mystery, and of good to come to the light that it may 
 be manifest, still, you will hardly contend that secrecy 
 is, in itself, and necessarily, a conclusive proof of evil. 
 If not, then it is uncharitable to condemn any individual 
 or institution on the score of secrecy alone. Now let us 
 fairly understand each other. Our secrecy "hath this 
 extent no more:" 
 
 1st. We are secret (as every family is or should be 
 secret) in regard to the personal affairs of any member 
 which are submitted to us for counsel, aid, admonition, 
 rebuke, or punishment. They are his secrets, not ours, 
 much less the world's. And baser would we be to pub- 
 lish them, than if we were to squander property or 
 money that had been solemnly confided to our keeping. 
 
 2d. We are secret (as a merchant is secret in regard 
 to correspondents and customers) in concealing the 
 names of informants, and their information concerning 
 the character and standing of applicants for member- 
 
58 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 ship. We have no right, morally, to injure those who 
 confide in us ; and even the laws of our country would 
 punish as libel or slander the exposure of the applicant's 
 faults. 
 
 3d. We are secret (as Christ's followers are com- 
 manded to be) in bestowment of donations to distressed 
 brethren or their families. Unfeeling, indeed, must be 
 the prying soul that would insult the relieved by pub- 
 lishing their poverty in boasting of his own charity ! 
 May Odd-Fellows ever be reproached for secrecy rather 
 than be guilty of such unchristian conduct ! 
 
 4th. We are secret (as every banker and business- 
 man is secret) in our modes of ascertaining whether a 
 stranger-applicant is a partner in those funds, a portion 
 of which he is about to withdraw. Each bank or mer- 
 chant has secret signs by which he knows whether the 
 draft presented him is genuine. We have signs and 
 tokens by which to know men, whether they are genuine 
 Odd-Fellows, whether they are entitled to receive what 
 they ask. A meddling, prying fellow, seeking to find 
 out and counterfeit the secret signs of a trader, would 
 be rewarded for his ingenuity with the contempt of all 
 honest and honorable men, even if the worthy forger 
 escaped the penitentiary ! Of what higher estimation 
 is he deserving who impertinently seeks to possess him- 
 self of the secret signs (and expose them to others pro- 
 bably no honester than himself) by which we guard the 
 treasury of the dependent sick and distressed, the widow 
 and the orphan ? 
 
 5th. We are secret in our forms and ceremonies of 
 initiation, and the use of our emblems in the instruction 
 of our members. This use renders the lessons more 
 impressive ; and to disclose the mode of teaching would 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 69 
 
 deprive the instruction of the charm of novelty, and 
 impair its efficacy. 
 
 That this is the utmost extent of our secrecy, honest 
 and truthful men of all denominations among us are 
 ready to testify. These secrets, then, belong to no 
 individual alone, and therefore no one has a moral right 
 to disclose them. They are the Order's only. They 
 concern not the world, and belong not to the public. 
 An individual out of the Order has no more right, in 
 morals or propriety, to pry into them, or demand their 
 revelation, than he has to turn eavesdropper among 
 neighbors, or ask a wife to reveal the confidential con- 
 versations of her husband. The disposition to acquire, 
 and expose the secrets of others, is as wrong as any 
 iniquity it seeks to uncover : as impertinent as peeping 
 into a business-man's letters or a neighbor's market- 
 basket or dinner-pot. And yet there are persons 
 honest, high-minded people in all else who have al- 
 lowed this spirit so far to govern them, that they 
 condemn, without evidence, every so-called " secret 
 society," and pry into its private affairs, and encourage 
 others to expose them to the public. Surely such 
 conduct must arise from a want of due consideration of 
 what is due to their own characters as honest, decent 
 men ! The same principle, applied to individuals, would 
 justify a clergyman for exposing cases of conscience 
 confided to him by his flock ; an attorney for betraying, 
 unto loss of property, character, and even life, his client ; 
 a physician for disclosing the affairs of his patient, 
 and all he sees and hears in the houses he visits; and a 
 military commander who informed the enemy of his 
 plans of action, and the countersigns on which depend 
 the security of his army ! Such anti-secrecy people, to 
 be consistent, should have no secrets of their own, and 
 
60 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 keep none confided to them by their families and friends ; 
 should expose their most private thoughts and feel- 
 ings to the public ; relate their domestic conversations 
 and conjugal endearments; expose purse, pocket-book, 
 and private papers at all times and places ; never vote 
 a folded ticket, seal a letter, receive secret advice, 
 bestow private alms, or offer secret prayer ! For, if 
 secrecy is wrong, or proof of evil, all these things are 
 evils. 
 
 We will only add that, properly speaking, Odd-Fel- 
 lowship is NOT a secret society. Our Constitutions and 
 By-Laws, our times and places of meeting, the names 
 of our officers and members generally, the amounts and 
 sources of our receipts, the items of our expenditures, 
 our principles and objects, the proceedings generally of 
 our National and State Grand Bodies, all these are as 
 public as those of any legislature or other public de- 
 partment in the country. As well, therefore, might 
 you call any individual or family, the United States 
 Senate, or President's Cabinet, or a Grand Jury all 
 of whom have secrets "a secret person," "a secret 
 family," "a secret senate or cabinet," or "a secret 
 jury," as to call us "a secret society," merely because 
 we have secrets. 
 
 6. Our Exclusiveness. 
 
 Some complain that we do not invite all, and receive 
 all who apply, without regard to sex or health; that 
 we select the few, only, who perhaps least need our 
 moral inculcations and pecuniary aid. If our principles 
 are so moral, and our teachings so pure and salutary, 
 and our objects so benevolent, why not throw our 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 61 
 
 portals open to the world at large, and so extend to 
 the utmost the utility of our principles and organization. 
 
 The selection of a few individuals out of the mass, to 
 unite them in associated efforts for the diffusion of im- 
 portant principles, and to exercise them in the practice 
 thereof, that they may become the teachers of others, 
 appears to be the method of Divine Providence itself. 
 
 When God determined to institute among men a pure 
 worship of himself as " God of the whole earth," he 
 called Abram, of Ur, in Chaldea, to be his " friend" 
 and agent in the work. Revealing himself to the pa- 
 triarch, he constituted him the progenitor of that 
 " chosen people" who were to be the depository of 
 Divine truth until the world should be prepared to 
 receive and practice the mysteries of human redemption. 
 Every precaution was taken to make these selected pupils 
 of Grod "a peculiar people." They were to be " Odd 
 Fellows" among the nations around them, not only by 
 hereditary descent, but also by a singular form of 
 government, a singular code of laws, and a singular 
 ritual of worship, all adapted to keep them from mingling 
 with other nations and adopting their idolatries. The 
 decorations of their temple and tabernacle, the regalia 
 of their priesthood, the emblems for their instruction, 
 were all prescribed for them, even to form, color, and 
 material. The mode for initiating proselytes from other 
 nations was clearly defined ; and certain physical de- 
 fects and conditions of health were made causes of 
 perpetual exclusion from "the congregation of Israel." 
 Whole nations, even, on account of their mental or 
 moral condition, or associations connected with their 
 history, were excluded en masse. Thus prepared, these 
 pupils of Jehovah gradually developed the lessons of 
 
62 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Divine Providence, and became, in turn, the teachers 
 of mankind. 
 
 When the Shiloh (according to the Christian faith) 
 appeared on earth, he pursued the same system of se- 
 lecting a few from the mass for the purpose of private 
 instruction and associated effort. Step by step, Jesus 
 advanced his Apostles in the knowledge which they 
 were afterward to teach the world by example and 
 precept. And -when the proper period arrived, in obe- 
 dience to the Master's command, they went forth and 
 proclaimed openly what they had learned in secret. 
 
 The same method was observed by the early teachers 
 of Christianity, in the formation of churches of the 
 faithful. And their peculiar discipline, and their system 
 of mutual aid and relief among themselves, have con- 
 tinued, to a greater or less extent, down to the present 
 day. 
 
 If we leave the theatre of special providences, we 
 find the same system of selection for the inculcation of 
 truth and duty adopted by the wisdom of all ages. 
 The family, if we may consider it as a merely natural 
 institution, is such an association. Private in its cha- 
 racter, secreting from the public its dearest and holiest 
 operations, it teaches its members not only those prin- 
 ciples and precepts which are to be entertained and 
 practiced among its own members, but those also per- 
 taining to the social circle, the political gathering, the 
 worshiping assembly, and the world at large. Each 
 family has its peculiar modes of teaching and training, 
 which it shrinks from exposing to the cold and unsym- 
 pathizing curiosity of strangers. And some of these 
 are secret not only to those that are without, but even 
 to a portion of the household itself. 
 
 Odd-Fellowship stands on the same general basis of 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 63 
 
 necessity and utility in its selections and exclusions. 
 It has its own mission to perform, its special principles 
 and their applications to teach, and its own peculiar 
 methods of culture and training. That its operations 
 may be in fraternal harmony, it requires a selected 
 number, qualified to aid in preparing each other for the 
 proper discharge of their special and general duties to 
 themselves and families, to the Order, and to mankind, 
 and to God. 
 
 7. Our Exclusion of the Poor, Feeble, $c. 
 
 It is sometimes objected to us that we pass by the 
 indigent poor, and the constitutionally enfeebled, who 
 most need our benefits; whereas, if our pretensions of 
 ameliorating human poverty and suffering were genuine, 
 we would admit the crippled, deformed, diseased, and 
 indigent, instead of excluding even the healthy poor by 
 requiring of them pecuniary fees and contributions be- 
 yond their ability to pay. 
 
 As our means are necessarily limited, so must be our 
 plans and efforts. "What king, going to make war 
 against another king, sitteth not down first and con- 
 sulteth, whether he be able with ten thousand to meet 
 him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 
 Or else, while the other is a great way off, he sendeth 
 an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." (Jesus, 
 in Luke xiv. 31, 32.) Our means of relief are but as 
 one thousand compared to the vast army of suffering 
 and want which we are urged to meet, and which num- 
 bers its hundreds of thousands ; how, then, could we 
 hope to prevail against it how save ourselves from 
 overwhelming defeat and utter loss ? We have appor- 
 tioned our labor to our means ; we have selected an 
 
64 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 enemy of our own strength, whom we can keep at bay, 
 and hope ultimately to conquer. Should we succeed, 
 and still have means left, we will then enlarge our field 
 and use our means for additional efforts. 
 
 But how soon would our means be exhausted, if we 
 admitted the impoverished and diseased indiscriminately 
 to share in them. Or, rather, our means would never 
 be accumulated, but drained as rapidly as they flowed 
 into our treasury ; for there would be many to demand, 
 and but few to contribute. And when those who raised 
 the fund, came to need it, they would also be added to 
 the unsupplied many whom even the public charity 
 cannot relieve. Better, then, the constantly increasing 
 good, however limited at present, than the great but 
 decreasing effort which can confer but a temporary 
 benefit, and must end in only another addition to the 
 general misery. For, let the individual of a large 
 fortune attempt to relieve all, by a lavish expenditure 
 of his wealth, and he himself will soon need alms. 
 
 That we require the poorest applicant to contribute 
 as much as the wealthiest, is true, as it is a matter of 
 necessity. Equality in payments is essential not only 
 to equality in benefits, but also in feelings. We aim to 
 abolish all considerations of wealth or poverty in our 
 fraternity; to make all feel that as Odd-Fellows, at 
 least, they are not only brethren, but equals. He who 
 did not pay an equivalent, would feel degraded at re- 
 ceiving benefits : would feel that they were not his just 
 due, but alms. Under this feeling of dependence oil 
 his wealthier brethren, he would not feel free to act and 
 speak in opposition to their wishes would not feel that 
 he had an equal right to direct the expenditure of our 
 funds, or the affairs of the Order. Hence we pay the 
 rich member, when sick, the same amount per week 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 65 
 
 that we pay to our poorer brethren. We would con- 
 serve the independence of the latter, and exclude all 
 feeling of moneyed superiority from the former. They 
 must not only be told that all are equal, but they must 
 be made to know, to REALIZE it in every possible way, 
 that they may freely act on it under all circumstances. 
 
 Even when extraordinary events render it necessary 
 to give extra aid to an unfortunate brother, it still comes 
 from a fund he aided to create for such purposes, and 
 to which even his wealthiest brother may be reduced to 
 apply. His relief comes not, therefore, even then, from 
 one or a few individuals, but from all, himself included. 
 
 Now let us turn from defence to advocacy, from 
 denial to assertion. Not only are we not exclusive in 
 any bad or improper sense, but 
 
 8. Our Benefactions are General. 
 
 The charity of Odd-Fellowship begins at home, but 
 it does not operate there only. The Gospel designed 
 for the whole world, began with its Founder, was ex- 
 tended to his disciples, spread to the Jews, and only 
 after it had been preached for several years at Jeru- 
 salem, was Paul made an Apostle, and sent to preach 
 its "unsearchable riches" to the Gentiles. So with 
 every work of benevolence, every enterprise for the 
 general good. It must have a beginning, then an en- 
 larged theatre in its progress, before it can fill the 
 bounds of its consummation. Girard, in his provisions 
 for the education of orphans, strictly speaking, excluded 
 none ; his aim was to include certain children who had 
 before been excluded. From the entire mass of chil- 
 dren in the world who were excluded previously, he 
 commenced selecting as large a number as the paeans 
 6* 
 
66 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 assigned would allow. He broke the total exclusion 
 always existing, by a partial inclusion, designed to go 
 on increasing toward a still greater inclusion as the 
 means therefor should increase. 
 
 So with any good deed. It is aiming at the general 
 benefit by a breaking up of the exclusion from good, 
 that previously existed. 
 
 So with our Order. It is breaking up the exclusion 
 that exists all around us, by including, one after an- 
 other, as many as our means, measures, and objects will 
 allow. If any thing, it is extending itself too rapidly 
 and greatly. Out of the millions of men and families 
 who need such instruction and aid as we provide, but 
 who were excluded therefrom, we select thousands, and 
 for them we break the bonds of exclusion from these 
 blessings, and by them we extend these blessings again 
 to other thousands still. Thus the exclusion existed 
 before our Order was organized; and its operations 
 have been, not to increase, but to lessen that exclusion. 
 And this work it is pursuing with unflagging energy 
 and unabated power, as rapidly as its means increase 
 and its agencies are multiplied. If the past may be 
 regarded as a prophecy for the future, so rapidly is it 
 lessening the number of the excluded, and increasing 
 that of the included, that a period may arrive when 
 there will be no more exclusion of any. 
 
 But there is another sense in which our benevolence 
 is general. Our benefactions are not confined within 
 the Order. We allude not to the donations sent to the 
 famishing millions of Ireland, or distributed with liberal 
 hand among the uninitiated whom general calamity had 
 reduced to destitution and want. Every good deed 
 performed to a single individual expands its beneficial 
 effect^, directly or indirectly, still further. The aided 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 67 
 
 individual is thereby enabled to aid others : the bene- 
 faction he receives, he passes along the line of humanity 
 till it is partaken of by many. Hence, every want we 
 relieve is so much subtracted from the pressing claims 
 on society at large. And every case of suffering we 
 prevent, (and our prevention far exceeds our relief ^ is 
 so much saved from the general amount of constantly 
 recurring suffering, pauperism, and crime. For we 
 wait not until a brother's illness has utterly exhausted 
 his means, reduced his family to want, and broken 
 down his manly spirit into a tame submission to a life 
 of dependence and pauperism. No ; we step in at the 
 beginning of illness, and we keep afar off the utter 
 poverty which might bring submission to pauperism or 
 drive to crime. The aid we give is received with a 
 proper dignity and self-respect, so that when ability 
 returns, the family resume their usual avocations, bless- 
 ing the Order which sustained and aided it without 
 bestowing alms ! Who will say that a general benefit 
 is not bestowed on society at large, by this peculiar 
 work of Odd-Fellowship ? 
 
 The Friends, (commonly called Quakers,) and a few 
 other religious denominations, are accounted worthy of 
 double honor as members of community, because they 
 not only support their own poor, so that no member of 
 their churches ever becomes a public charge, but they 
 also pay their full share for the support of the poor 
 generally. We, also, support our own poor, and thus 
 relieve the public of so much of the burden that would 
 otherwise swell the demand for more taxes. And yet, 
 as citizens, Odd-Fellows give in private charity and 
 pay in public taxes no less than others who are so 
 ready to sneer at the " benevolence of Odd-Fellowship," 
 and cry out against "the selfishness and exclusiveness" 
 
THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL, 
 
 of the Order. Why not give our institution credit 
 then, for a general as well as special benevolence ? 
 Why continue to assert that our good deeds are con- 
 fined to the Order, and are therefore narrow, restricted, 
 and selfish ? They reach out their tendrils of aid be- 
 yond where the vine runs in its restricted training. 
 And most of those aided by its measures and means, 
 are thus taught that heavenly sympathy which disposes 
 them to use the means thus furnished for the blessing 
 of others in their turn. And thus good offices, which 
 had their spring in Odd-Fellowship, are sent around 
 the ever-widening circle of humanity. 
 
 9. Interference with other Institutions. 
 
 We have sometimes been accused of interfering with 
 other institutions, assuming their duties, operating to 
 their disadvantage ; placing our Order, in fact, as the 
 all-in-all, even to the neglect and abandoning of the 
 religious institutions of all denominations, collectively, 
 "the Church/' 
 
 When the Patriarchs Abraham and Lot were some- 
 what involved by the quarrelsome conduct of their 
 respective herdsmen, the brave, peaceable father of the 
 faithful would not allow his duties to be compromised 
 by a small matter of profit or loss. " And Abram said 
 to Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me 
 and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen : 
 for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? 
 Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me : if thou wilt 
 take the left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if 
 thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the 
 left." (Genesis xiii. 8, 9.) In the same benignant spirit 
 we would say to every good institution, and every be- 
 
OBJECTIONS AND INQUIRIES ANSWERED. 69 
 
 nevolent soul who may harbor a suspicion of our inter- 
 ference : View the vast field of human ignorance, desti- 
 tution, suffering, and crime around us. See how very 
 little of the mighty waste .has ever been improved, or 
 even disturbed by all the agencies ever set in motion. 
 Does it not make the whole heart sick and the head 
 faint to contemplate the almost hopelessness of re- 
 lieving all that destitution and wo, and removing all 
 that ignorance and crime ? Is there not more than 
 enough for us all to do ? 
 
 Odd-Fellowship has not, cannot assume a hostile 
 attitude to any religious, moral, or benevolent institu- 
 tion. We war only with vice and misery. Individuals 
 among us, enthusiastic in praise of the Order, may 
 have incautiously claimed for it more than it merits. 
 Others, alienated from institutions of religion by various 
 causes, may pretend to have found in Odd-Fellowship a 
 complete substitute for any or all other institutions. 
 But the great mass of the Order, by their actions, have 
 shown that they believe our Order to be but one among 
 the many agencies of Divine Providence for the ame- 
 lioration of human suffering, the removal of evil, and 
 the elevation of human character. 
 
 Says the Kev. D. W. Bristol, D. D., of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, " That the Christian Church covers 
 the whole ground of human obligation, civil, moral, 
 and religious, we most cheerfully admit. It is indeed 
 governed by the most perfect and beneficent code which 
 could have been given to the world ; one which bears 
 in its unrivalled excellencies, the indelible impress of 
 its Divine origin. But by such a conception, can any 
 one suppose we should be justified in renouncing all 
 other institutions and societies, because the constitution 
 of the Church had preoccupied the ground ? What, 
 
70 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 then, would become of civil government, and all the 
 moral institutions which have arisen legitimately out 
 of this religious constitution ? Other societies are esta- 
 blished and justified under the same beneficent influence, 
 such as Temperance, Moral Reform, Peace, Tract, 
 Christian Alliance, Seaman's Friend, and all humane 
 societies all having their constitutions and by-laws, 
 boards of officers, with all the attendants of separate 
 organizations, even terms of membership, peculiar to 
 each. But who ever supposed that these excellent 
 societies were substitutes for the Christian Church ? 
 It is judged, and we apprehend correctly, too, that 
 although these came immediately under the rule of the 
 great constitution, yet that they could be better pro- 
 moted by a separate organization than in the usual 
 course of moral charities : hence they were established. 
 We hold, and, we think, justly, the same course of 
 reasoning on the subject of Odd-Fellowship." Golden 
 Rule, Vol. III. p. 365. 
 
 It appears to us that the duty of every true Christian 
 of every good man is, to judge the tree by its fruits 
 every man and every institution by its works. And 
 it appears to us a dictate of common sense, that the 
 institution which is doing works of benevolence and 
 charity cannot be obnoxious to condemnation, or con- 
 sidered in opposition to any other good cause or asso- 
 ciation. The beloved disciple once erred on this point 
 " Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, 
 and he followeth not us ; and we forbade him, because 
 he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not : 
 for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my 
 name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that 
 is not against us is on our part/' (Mark ix. 3840.) 
 
 We repeat it, then, Odd-Fellowship interferes with 
 
or THC 
 WN1VER8ITY 
 
 OF 
 
 ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVESMMff, ETC. 71 
 
 no organization of a moral, religious, or benevolent 
 character. She bids a hearty " God speed" to every 
 association that would rob mankind of their sorrows or 
 vices ; and leaves each to manage its peculiar portion 
 of well-doing in its own way and season, without at- 
 tempt at interference or self-appropriation. And it 
 cannot be that her lessons or labors will effect any 
 deterioration of the characters or influence of her mem- 
 bers, so that they will be worse men in any domestic, 
 social, political, or religious circle in which they may 
 move. That some few in our Order are not made better 
 and wiser, is no more the fault of our teachings and 
 operations, than it is of religion that some of its pro- 
 fessors are ignorant, hypocritical, or vicious, in despite 
 of all its holy teachings and salutary influences. " Judge 
 not," then, "according to the appearance, but judge 
 righteous judgment." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC. 
 
 HAVING given a brief history of our Order, and an- 
 swered the most prominent objections usually offered 
 against it, we will now give a bird's-eye view of its 
 form of government, and then state definitely what 
 Odd-Fellowship consists in, how it operates, and the 
 advantages that may reasonably be expected from a 
 union with it. 
 
72 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 1. Our Government. 
 
 Our form of government is a peculiar one, having 
 grown up, successively, as developed by our circum- 
 stances and our necessities. 'Even the writers in oui 
 own Order are not agreed as to its precise character: 
 one portion declaring that all its power and life flow 
 from the head down through the subordinates, and 
 calling it a patriarchal government ; and another por- 
 tion insisting that the power and being rest in its base 
 and flow upward, and calling it republican. Some 
 designate it as an aristocracy, and others as being 
 nearer a democracy. It will be seen, we think, by the 
 history we have given of the changes which have been 
 gradually made in the government of the Order, that it 
 has assimilated to the government of this country, and 
 is now, really, a fraternal republican union, composed 
 of constituencies in Subordinate Lodges, represented in 
 State Grand bodies, and all united in a Supreme .Na- 
 tional Lodge. 
 
 1. The Grand Lodge of the United States is consti- 
 tuted of Representatives from State Grand Lodges and 
 Grand Encampments, one for each having less than one 
 thousand members, and two for each having more than 
 that number, chosen for two years, but so arranged that 
 one-half retire every year. It claims supreme jurisdic- 
 tion in the general laws and usages of the Order, the 
 lectures, charges, and unwritten work, and as a court of 
 final appeal, and is the National Legislature of the Order. 
 It has power to create Grand Lodges and Grand Encamp- 
 ments where none legally exist, and subordinate Lodges 
 and Encampments where there are no Grand Bodies of 
 that grade, and to recall the charters of the same. Ita 
 officers and members must be Past Grands of the Royal 
 Purple degree must reside in the jurisdiction and be 
 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC. 73 
 
 members of the Grand Encampment or Grand Lov*ge 
 electing them, and therefore contributing members of a 
 subordinate Lodge and subordinate Encampment in that 
 jurisdiction. Its elective officers are chosen every two 
 years at the annual session, held on the third Monday (and 
 week succeeding) in September, and usually in Baltimore. 
 The Grand Corresponding and Recording Secretary and 
 the Grand Messenger are the only officers who receive 
 compensation for their services ; but the travelling ex- 
 penses of the other officers in going to and from the ses- 
 sion are paid, together with five dollars per day while 
 actually employed. Grand Representatives receive five 
 dollars per day, and five cents per mile travelled, in 
 attending the sessions. Its revenues are derived from 
 fees for Charters, the sale of the books and odes of the 
 Order, and a tax of seventy-five dollars on the State 
 Grand Bodies foreach Representative to which they 
 are entitled, beside ten per cent, on the revenue of all 
 Subordinate Lodges and Encampments existing where 
 there are no State Grand Bodies of those branches. 
 
 2. State Grand Lodges consist of the Past Grands in 
 their respective jurisdictions, (not less than seven in num- 
 ber,) who have received the Past JSToble Grand's degree, 
 and been admitted to receive the Grand Lodge degree, 
 the same being contributing members of a Subordinate, 
 in good standing. In most Grand Lodges, the power of 
 voting (except for Grand Officers) and deliberating is re- 
 stricted to a certain portion of their number, chosen for 
 that purpose by themselves exclusively, or by the sub- 
 ordinate Lodges. But all Past Grands in good standing 
 are permitted to attend the sessions, and are eligible to 
 office, in Representative Grand Lodges as in others. 
 Each Grand Lodge is to the subordinate and degree 
 
74 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL,. 
 
 Lodges in its jurisdiction, what the Grand Lo.lge of the 
 United States is in its province; subject, however, to 
 the national head. Its revenue is derived from fees for 
 charters and dispensations, and a percentageon the reve- 
 nues of its subordinates. 
 
 3. Grand Encampments are to the Patriarchal branch 
 of the Order what the Grand Lodges are to the other 
 branch ; are constituted of P. C. Patriarchs, (and in some 
 States of P. H. Priests,) and are generally governed and 
 conducted in the same manner, having supervision and 
 authority over subordinate Encampments only. 
 
 4. Encampments are constituted wholly of brethren 
 who (having received the five subordinate degrees of 
 the Order) have received the Patriarchal, Golden Rule, 
 and Royal Purple degrees the sublime degrees, as 
 they are often termed. They must be duly chartered 
 by the Grand Lodge of the United States, or the Grand 
 Encampment of the State in which they exist, must 
 pay a percentage of their revenue annually to the 
 power under which they exist, and must submit to be 
 governed by the same in all general laws and usages. 
 They transact business in the Royal Purple degree. 
 When a member loses his good standing in his Subor- 
 dinate Lodge, his membership in the Encampment 
 ceases also. They are benefit-paying bodies. 
 
 5. Degree Lodges are chartered by State Grand 
 Lodges only for the purpose of conferring degrees. 
 They can hold no property beside their furniture, re- 
 galia, &c. ; nor receive dues, beyond the mere degree 
 fees; nor pay benefits to their members. They are 
 constituted of the members of the various Lodges in 
 the vicinity, who, after being judged worthy to receive 
 the five degrees, have here attained to the fifth degree ; 
 
ETO. 75 
 
 for Degree Lodges do business in the scarlet (or fifth) 
 degree only. 
 
 6. Subordinate Lodges, like subordinate Encamp- 
 ments and Degree Lodges, derive their powers from 
 the chartering power, and exercise no legislative func- 
 tions except to make their own By-Laws, and in the 
 management of their pecuniary affairs. They consist 
 of free white males, of twenty-one years and upward, 
 believers in a Supreme Intelligence, the Governor of 
 the Universe, who having been accepted and initiated 
 into the Order, continue to pay their dues, and properly 
 demean themselves according to the Laws of the Order. 
 Five are necessary to constitute a Lodge, and while 
 that number desire to retain their charter, the Grand 
 Lodge will not permit the Lodge to be dissolved. A 
 member may withdraw at any time, on application, and 
 by paying up all arrearages, either to unite with any 
 other Lodge, or utterly from the Order. In due season, 
 after initiation, he may apply for and receive certifi- 
 cates entitling him to receive the first five degrees of 
 the Order, for the sums and on the conditions prescribed. 
 And after receiving these, he can apply for admission 
 into an Encampment. All subordinate Lodges require 
 dues to be paid, and pay benefits. 
 
 After a member has served in an appointed office the 
 requisite term of twenty-six nights, he becomes eligible 
 to the Secretary's or Vice-Grand's chair ; and after six 
 months' (or twenty-six nights') service as V. G. he is 
 eligible as N. G. And after the same service as N. G. 
 he is entitled to admission into the Grand Lodge to 
 which he may be attached. 
 
 7. The degree of Rebekah is conferred without charge, 
 in a Subordinate Lodge, on the wives of fifth-degree 
 
76 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 members, (and widows whose husbands died in good 
 standing,) in the presence of their husbands or proper 
 guardians. Xo dues or benefits are attached, but it 
 brings them into closer relations to the Order, and 
 enables them to make themselves known to scarlet 
 members when needing aid or protection. 
 
 2. Our Principles. 
 
 To a good and energetic man, who will use the facili- 
 ties the Order affords for self-improvement and well- 
 doing, its means and advantages are so numerous, and 
 its agencies so far-reaching, that our language may 
 appear faint and cold compared with the reality. And 
 yet we fear to speak unguardedly. We would not raise 
 expectations that may be disappointed. Let it, then, 
 be fully understood here, once for all, that 
 
 1. Odd-Fellowship is not the regalia or decorations 
 of its officers and members, nor the banners and dra- 
 pery of its Lodge-rooms. These have their meanings 
 and uses, but they are not Odd-Fellowship. They 
 should be used as not abusing them, and valued for 
 their teachings ; but they could all be changed, or dis- 
 pensed with, and Odd-Fellowship still remain. 
 
 2. Nor is it its form of government. That has gone 
 through great and almost total changes, (and may be 
 as greatly changed again,) and yet Odd-Fellowship 
 survives, essentially the same as ever in its principles. 
 It is not best, therefore, to be hypercritical about any 
 remaining defects in the forms in which its power is 
 lodged, or the modes by which that power opcr. 
 These, it is true, should manifest fully the beneficent 
 spirit of the Order, and conform to the institutions of 
 the land, and the spirit of the age we live in, and should 
 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC. 77 
 
 operate, in the most kind and effective manner, to ele- 
 vate the condition and ameliorate the present wants 
 and sufferings of our race. But our Order is a pro- 
 gressive one : it has greatly progressed in the past, and 
 progression is even now gently and yet surely at work 
 in it. And, under every form of government through 
 which Odd-Fellowship has passed, or may yet pass, it 
 has always consisted of the same general principles, 
 and wrought out the same general good. Its ability to 
 conform its government and measures to its own spirit, 
 is greater now than ever ; and in due season, therefore, 
 all needed changes and additions will undoubtedly be 
 effected. 
 
 3. Odd-Fellowship is not its mere ritual and cere- 
 monial. Whatever language may be used in its lectures 
 and charges, whatever emblems, signs, or pass-words it 
 may prescribe to insure the instruction and mutual 
 recognition of its members, these are but means ; the 
 objects they aim to effect are the ends. Instruction 
 may change or alter its drapery, but the lessons taught 
 the ideas embodying the principles these are the 
 spirit and the life. It is not well, therefore, to rest in 
 these outer habiliments, or to stumble at any seeming 
 unfitness in them ; but to pass on and secure the reali- 
 ties they unfold and impart. 
 
 4. Nor is Odd-Fellowship even the works of the 
 Order : it consists not wholly in deeds of mercy, be- 
 nevolence, and brotherly love. These, it is true, are 
 its genuine manifestations, without which we might pro- 
 nounce it asleep or departed : these are the outward 
 appearances by which it discloses its inner life and its 
 true self. But to produce these works, there must be 
 an interior spirit, working out for itself this living form 
 and action. 
 
78 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 This internal, truly living spirit of Love and of univer- 
 sal fraternity, pervading all our rituals and ceremonies ; 
 recognized in emblems, colors, and regalia ; using every 
 adjunct for strengthening its influence on the soul; 
 speaking to ear and eye in every lecture, charge, sign, 
 and token, and to the touch in grip and pressure ; and 
 manifesting itself (silently, like rain, and sunshine, and 
 electricity) in beneficent organizations and institutions ; 
 this soul of all its teachings and workings is Odd- 
 Fellowship, the hidden name in the white stone, which 
 he knoweth best who most truly possesses it. 
 
 The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man, 
 then, are the great principles of our Order, embodied in 
 the mottoes thereof, " In God we trust," and "Friend- 
 ship, Love, and Truth." To illustrate these principles 
 on the limited scale prescribed by human abilities and 
 our pecuniary resources, we have united in Lodges, 
 each of which is a mutual improvement and mutual aid 
 association. And further to extend our operations, and 
 increase our advantages and usefulness together, we 
 have united all these Lodges in a general Order, which 
 we desire to render universal as the family of man on 
 earth. 
 
 3. Our Objects. 
 
 It is unfortunate for our Order, and for not a few 
 of its members, that too much prominence has been 
 generally given to its feature of pecuniary benefits in 
 seasons of sickness and death, and pecuniary aid in 
 circumstances of want and distress. This, though a 
 laudable and useful trait in our operations, is hardly a 
 tithe of our aims and objects. By this undue promi- 
 nence of the pecuniary relief afforded, even our own 
 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC. 79 
 
 members hare had their attention and efforts greatly 
 withdrawn from the moral and social influences which 
 the Order is so eminently calculated to promote. But 
 so it is : the sudden, the palpable, the material, more 
 readily gains attention than the gradual, the insensible, 
 and the moral. All can see the visitation of the sick, 
 the relief of the distressed, the bounty bestowed on the 
 widow and the orphan whose necessities called for aid; 
 but few stop to estimate the suffering prevented in 
 thousands of families, by relief given before poverty 
 called attention to thejr situation. 
 
 So men look with interested eye, and a ready appre- 
 ciation of utility, on gurgling spring, and rolling river, 
 and heaving ocean. But how few consider the gentle 
 mist that rises in the morning sun to fall in the evening 
 shower on broad prairie and in fertile valley ; and, 
 after working fruitfulness there, to percolate in crystal 
 drops through every vein of rock and earth, until it 
 shall burst forth again in cooling spring and mountain- 
 rill, to feed the mighty river and replenish the briny 
 deep. 
 
 Men look at our system of weekly benefits, mutual 
 relief, watchings at the sick-bed, burial of the dead, 
 and support of widow and orphan ; but their thoughts 
 seldom stray beyond these to the humanizing influences 
 which the performance of these deeds exerts on their 
 doers; nor yet to the social and moral tendencies of 
 the other means employed by Odd-Fellowship for the 
 improvement and elevation of human character. 
 
 When the dark war-horses of the storm scud across 
 the sky, shaking the rain-drops from their shaggy manes 
 as they snort aloud in thunder, the electric flash is 
 noticed, and all its brightness commented on. As it 
 descends on lofty mansion or towering oak, shattering 
 
80 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 them as in wanton sport, its effects are readily seen 
 and estimated in the destruction it has caused. Even 
 when human skill produces it from the battery, and 
 sends it along the imprisoning wire, bearing messages 
 across continent and ocean with a speed greater by far 
 than that of our earth as it revolves around the sun, 
 men still note its wonders, and speculate on its vast 
 utility to the world. But few consider the daily, mo- 
 mently effects of the same fluid in our own organism, as 
 it passes from point to point, feeding the vital fires 
 within, giving circulation to the fluids, movement to the 
 muscles, and the power of thought to the brain. Few 
 think of its constantly wonderful operations when, trans- 
 fused through the atmosphere and permeating all mat- 
 ter, it imparts vitality to all nature, covering the earth 
 with verdure and filling it with fruitage. 
 
 It is not to be wondered at, then, that so many, even 
 among Odd-Fellows, have overlooked, or at times for- 
 gotten, the most important uses and aims of Odd-Fel- 
 lowship to be, the imbuing of the minds of our brethren 
 with proper conceptions of their powers and capacities, 
 giving them just and practical views of their duties and 
 responsibilities, exhibiting their dependence upon God, 
 and bringing them to a knowledge and practice of the 
 true fraternal relations between man and man. And 
 in this, though we begin in the Lodge, and with Odd- 
 Fellows and their families, we fix no bounds or limits 
 but our abilities and our means : our charity begins at 
 home, but ends only with the removal of all suffering 
 and distress. 
 
 4. Our Measures and Operations. 
 
 Each Lodge is not only a Beneficial, or Mutual Aid 
 Society, but also an Association for mental and moral 
 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC 81 
 
 improvement, whose meetings and operations are de- 
 signed to improve and elevate the characters of its 
 members. But we are farther reaching in our benefits 
 than such associations usually are. All our Lodges are 
 united in one common Order, so that, under certain 
 simple regulations, the member of any one, when absent 
 from home, can receive from any other the fellowship, 
 the attention, and the relief he would be entitled to 
 from his own Lodge. 
 
 Every person who believes in a supreme intelligent 
 Creator and Ruler of the universe ; who is of good cha- 
 racter, sound health, the proper age and sex, and able to 
 earn a livelihood for himself and family ; who has been 
 accepted as a member, and contributes the stated sum 
 regularly, is entitled to a certain weekly stipend during 
 disability to labor, and this, whether rich or poor, at 
 home or abroad. If needing more aid, he is not allowed 
 to suffer. If be needs attendance at night, two watchers 
 are regularly provided every night, without care on his 
 part, or trouble to his family. If travelling, and he 
 needs assistance, any Lodge where he may be will 
 render the same services for him. If he dies, a stipu- 
 lated sum is paid to his family to bury him properly, or 
 his brethren attend to that duty for them. If his wife 
 dies, a similar, but generally smaller allowance is made 
 to pay the expenses of her funeral. If he leaves a 
 family, our covenanted vows embrace their care and 
 welfare in our special duties. And during life, we 
 claim the privilege of observing his deportment in arid 
 out of the Lodge with a brother's love and watchfulness, 
 that we may promote his proper interests, encourage him 
 in well-doing, and correct his errors and irregularities; 
 or, failing in this after reasonable time and efforts, that 
 
82 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 we may save the Lodge from his evils, and his brethren 
 from their bad influences. 
 
 But it is with the restraining and reformatory influ- 
 ences of Odd-Fellowship as it is with its prevention of 
 poverty and physical suffering: 
 
 '* What's done we partly may compute, 
 But know not what's resisted." 
 
 Many who were inclined to narrowness of soul or 
 vicious conduct, have been slowly but surely improved, 
 and even entirely reformed, by the gentle influences of 
 our Order; and many others, if not reformed, have been 
 prevented from becoming worse by their connection with 
 us : and yet one member, grossly vicious and expelled, 
 has drawn on us more public animadversion than all 
 these have brought us in commendation. Yea, often 
 have we been condemned as encouraging the unworthy 
 by associating with them, when we were laboring hope- 
 fully to reform them, and associating with them to pre- 
 serve them from worse influences. 
 
 Our meetings are generally business meetings, to 
 attend to the foregoing duties. But we lose not sight 
 of labors to promote benevolence and charity to all 
 mankind, as well as among our fraternity. In the 
 transaction of our business we pursue strict parlia- 
 mentary rules, that our members may be qualified for 
 any public stations to which they may be called by 
 their fellow-citizens. And when business has been per- 
 formed, we indulge in social intercourse, and even in 
 cheerful and innocent hilarity and amusement. But in 
 all, strict order and decorum, good-fellowship ami pru- 
 dence are constantly to be kept in view. 
 
 The government and arrangement of degrees and 
 stations of the Order will be further unfolded in their 
 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC. 83 
 
 proper place, and we therefore pass them here with 
 the remark that we have few salaried officers, and they 
 earn all they receive. Aside from the necessary ex- 
 penses of sustaining such a wide-spread and efficient 
 organization, our funds are sacredly devoted and ap- 
 plied to the sole objects for which they are contributed, 
 and by the very persons who contribute them. 
 
 5. The Duties of Odd- Fellow ship. 
 
 The great duties of our Order, by and through which 
 we aim to improve and exalt the character of our mem- 
 bers, are few in number: 1. To visit the sick. 2. To 
 relieve the distressed. 3. To bury the dead. 4. To 
 educate the orphan. To these we have added, by 
 charges and obligations, two others, viz., to aid the 
 widow, and to exercise over each other fraternal watch 
 care, and moral discipline. 
 
 Simple as these are they cover the whole ground, 
 when viewed through our great principles. And though 
 designed for special application to the Order, yet are 
 they always stated and enforced in a general sense. 
 The funds contributed for the use of members and their 
 families only, are generally applied as designed. But 
 members are never instructed that they may rest 
 satisfied with performing these duties to Odd-Fellows 
 alone. On the contrary, general benevolence and 
 charity out of the Lodge are inculcated in it. 
 
 6. Privileges of Odd-Fellows 
 
 Let no one unite with the Order merely to learn its 
 secrets, wear its regalia and decorations, or insure him- 
 self provision in case of sickness and distress. These 
 
84 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 are privileges, it is true, to those who have other and 
 nobler objects in view; but they cost more of labor, 
 and time, and money than they are worth to the merely 
 curious, vain, or selfish man. Such will find it a burden 
 to perform an equal share of our duties and labors, and 
 lie may possibly be insured against sickness as certainly 
 and more cheaply, in a mere insurance association. 
 
 But to one whose generous heart delights in well 
 doing, and admires our principles, and desires to find 
 means for increasing his usefulness to suffering man, 
 our Order presents the strongest inducements. We 
 open for him a field beyond the limits of his party or 
 his church, as well as within it, needing his labors and 
 offering joyous recompense for his toils. 
 
 No church in its present state is extensive enough in 
 its fellowship to embrace many good men who need the 
 ministration of kindred spirits, nor far-reaching enough 
 to reach even its own members when distant from it, and 
 needing aid and protection. But if an Odd-Fellow, far 
 away from kindred and home, falls down by the way- 
 side, penniless and faint, he has but to inform the 
 nearest Lodge, and hands arc reached out to provide, 
 and watchers are at his side to uphold his drooping 
 frame. Or, if he falls under the cold suspicions of an 
 unfriendly world, and is cast unmeritedly into a felon's 
 cell, brothers are active around him with counsel, and 
 labor to remove the dark web of circumstances that 
 becloud his fame or endanger his life, to secure him a 
 fair trial, and, if just, a proper acquittal and a safe re- 
 turn to society and friends. 
 
 In doing this, and other deeds of like kindness, we 
 interfere with no individual duty ; call for no neglect 
 of proper interests ; supersede no social, ecclesiastical, 
 or political action. We leave every member free as 
 
ODD-FELLOWSHIP ITS GOVERNMENT, ETC. 85 
 
 before in his obligations, duties, and opinions. But we 
 enlarge his acquaintance around him, and associate him 
 in labor with thousands with whom he has never before 
 acted. We open all around him a field for benevolence, 
 in which his feet had never trod, nor his mind and 
 hands labored. We increase his means and measures 
 for blessing others, and thus happifying himself, by 
 placing the resources of our Order at his disposal. We 
 extend indefinitely his operations, so that the suffering 
 and needy, at the extremities of our vast brotherhood, 
 may feel the succor and share the bounty he aids in 
 directing. And, by the most beautiful lessons, we in- 
 struct him in those great principles which will not only 
 inform his own mind and render more susceptible to 
 goodness his own heart, but will enable him, if he so 
 wills, to become an apt teacher and ready example to 
 others, in all those virtues that adorn and bless hu- 
 manity. 
 
 "If lie so wills." The sands of the arid desert as well 
 as the soil of the fruitful field, drink in the sunshine and 
 the rain that come from above. Pharisee and Sadducee, 
 as well as the loving heart and believing soul, sit under 
 the teachings of the same gospel. But how widely 
 different the effects of these same influences on each ! 
 So in Odd^Fellowship there are those who profit not by 
 precept and example ; who remain exclusive amid all its 
 liberality ; selfish, in the profusion of its generosity ; 
 penurious, surrounded by its charity and benevolence; 
 and vicious and hateful, though enveloped in its atmo- 
 sphere of purity and loving-kindness. We say, therefore, 
 "if he so wills" for, after all, it depends on himself 
 whether he will profit by our teaching and training. 
 
 To all, then, who are willing to learn and to do good, we 
 give the invitation to join our ranks. And to remove 
 8 
 
86 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 any lingering scruple of the conscientious, we say> 
 should Odd-Fellowship tender you any obligation, or 
 require of you any duty, conflicting with the duties you 
 owe to God, to humanity, to your country, your family, 
 or your friends, we enjoin you to leave it for ever, as 
 hollow in its pretensions and unworthy the favor of 
 community. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 APPLICATION AND ADMISSION. 
 
 Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, 
 and it shall be opened unto you. MATT. vii. 7. 
 
 IF you can satisfy your mind and feelings so as to 
 accept the invitation with which we closed the preceding 
 chapter, and if qualified to become a member, apply to 
 some member of the nearest or most convenient Lodge 
 for a copy of its Constitution and By-laws. Having 
 carefully examined these, with such explanations as 
 your Odd-Fellow friends can impart, you will know 
 what is required of you, and be able to send in your 
 application. 
 
 And here, outside the threshold, Odd-Fellowship com- 
 mences its requisitions. Your first step of duty is CON- 
 FIDENCE. Confidence in the principles and aims, the 
 means and operations of Odd-Fellowship, as an institu- 
 tution for the proper development of man's powers and 
 affections, and the relief and amelioration of hum an 
 want and suffering, as an effort to open for man, where- 
 ever he may be, a school for moral and social culture 
 
APPLICATION AND ADMISSION. 87 
 
 a home for the solace of his woes and miseries : Confi- 
 dence in the men and women generally who compose its 
 vast constituency, that though frail and fallible all, and 
 recreant to duty some of them may be, yet generally, 
 their past deeds and progress prove them to possess 
 good motives, right aims, and honest professions : Con- 
 fidence that, as a body, they will faithfully carry out 
 their principles into practice in their conduct to you, to 
 each other, and to the world ; and Confidence in your- 
 self, that you can assume the solemn obligations and 
 pronounce the solemn vows of Odd-Fellowship truth- 
 fully and honestly. 
 
 Such confidence involves a further duty, which you 
 are now required to exercise FRANKNESS, CANDOR. 
 You ask the revelation of important mysteries to be- 
 come a partner in weighty trusts and valuable rights 
 and privileges. Show yourself worthy, by the utmost 
 frankness and candor in relation to all matters that 
 may be lawfully inquired of yourself. Answer every 
 question placed properly before you, promptly and 
 truthfully, as you would that those you seek should 
 answer yours in due season as you desire to be trusted 
 and honored after your admission. We may say further, 
 that evasion or concealment will probably be of no 
 avail ; for the information required, has, in all proba- 
 bility, been already obtained from other sources. Nor 
 need you shrink from scrutiny, if honest and sincere, 
 for no indelicate, no improper, no irrelevant or merely 
 curious question will be proposed. Excepting in regard 
 to your religious faith in God, and your relations to the 
 Order, the questions are merely such as a health or life 
 insurance company require to be answered in good faith. 
 
88 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 2. The Admission. 
 
 Permit here a suggestion on a delicate subject. Re- 
 jection is possible not by any means probable, how- 
 ever even to a good and proper applicant. The Lodge, 
 or some of its members, may desire a further acquaint- 
 ance with the temper, character, habits, or health of the 
 candidate ; and so may reject him to obtain six months 
 more of time. Or even personal prejudices, contrary 
 to every principle and law of the Order, may induce 
 some members to risk the penalty by rejecting the ap- 
 plicant on those grounds alone. It is prudent, there- 
 fore, in view of these possibilities, to confide the know- 
 ledge of your application to no one out of the Order. 
 And should you be rejected, take it meekly and quietly, 
 and patiently wait your time when, if you know yourself 
 to be worthy, you may apply again under more favorable 
 circumstances. A rejection by no means implies con- 
 demnation of your character : it is merely an expression 
 of disinclination to admit you, for whatever reason ; and 
 the reason may be simply a want of knowledge on the 
 part of those who reject. 
 
 But if admitted, having manifested the requisite con- 
 fidence and frankness, go on your way, all attentive to 
 the solemn lessons in store for you. Fear nothing, be 
 appearances what they may. It is contrary to our 
 usages (whatever may have been the customs of " olden 
 time") to treat an initiate with levity or rudeness, or 
 in any manner unbecoming the courtesy with which 
 gentlemen should conduct toward each other. 
 
 The solemnities of initiation may be novel, even 
 startling by their novelty, but they are perfectly chaste, 
 dignified, and serious as the lessons they are designed 
 
APPLICATION AND ADMISSION. 89 
 
 to teach. They might, with perfect propriety, be ad- 
 ministered in the presence of our wives, mothers, sisters, 
 and daughters, so far as speech and correct action are 
 concerned. Give yourself, then, passively to your guides, 
 to lead you whithersoever they will. Answer seriously 
 and plainly all questions proposed ; obey promptly all 
 directions given you : and thus keep your mind atten- 
 tive to the ceremonial, that you may clearly understand 
 its import, and receive the instructions imparted in its 
 lessons, and lay them to heart in your career as an Odd- 
 Fellow. 
 
 Be not afraid of any hopeless entanglement. If dis- 
 satisfied, you may, at any time, withdraw honorably, if 
 free from debt and not under charges or, you may 
 procure a withdrawal card to join some other Lodge. 
 Of course, it is presumed that you will not do so hastily, 
 nor with any purpose derogatory to your honor as an 
 honest, truthful man. (See Part Second, Chapter 24, 
 1, on " Diplomas and Cards.") 
 8* 
 
PART SECOND. 
 
 3flnthni Stehmal in tjjj (Drhr. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ON INITIATIONS GENERALLY. 
 
 I will bring the blind by a way they know not; I will lead them 
 in paths that they have not known : I will make darkness light be- 
 fore them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto 
 them, and not forsake them ISA. xlii. 16. 
 
 EVERY Odd-Fellow should keep clearly impressed on 
 his mind and heart the lessons taught at initiation. 
 They are a guide to understand properly all that follows 
 after an epitomized summary of the great principles 
 and objects of the Order. They contain the germs which 
 after-instruction and his own practice should develop 
 and mature into blossoming and fruitfulness. In one 
 word, what regeneration by the word of truth is in re- 
 ligion, initiation is in Odd-Fellowship. 
 
 In this, as in many other particulars, our Institution 
 has instinctively, as it were, copied after nearly all secret 
 associations of a religious and moral character. "In 
 Egypt, the most ancient among the ancient nations, 
 an institution of this kind existed from the earliest 
 period. Of the nature of that institution we know very 
 little. History informs us that many benefits were sup- 
 posed to be derived from a participation in the secrets 
 of the society ; that those secrets were revealed only to 
 90 
 
ON INITIATIONS GENERALLY. 91 
 
 the initiated, and that the mode of initiation was well 
 calculated to make a serious and abiding impression on 
 the mind of the recipient. 
 
 " Besides the Egyptian Mysteries, as they are called 
 by historians, we find scattered throughout all Europe, 
 and a large portion of Asia, associations founded on 
 similar principles, characterized by similar ceremonies, 
 and having similar objects in view. Of most of these 
 our information is scanty and imperfect ; but enough is 
 known to prove the identity of their origin and object. 
 These were all sometimes spoken of as the Mysteries of 
 the Cabiri, a name which is itself a mystery, and which 
 no learning or research has yet been able satisfactorily 
 to explain." 
 
 " Among all the mysteries of the ancients, those cele- 
 brated at the city of Eleusis, and hence called the 
 t Eleusinian Mysteries,' are best known. These were 
 copied from the Egyptian, and bore a general corres- 
 pondence to all similar institutions ; and hence an 
 account of one is, in the main, an account of all the 
 others. Not that all agreed in the particular detail of 
 their practices or objects, but in their outline they 
 agreed in holding similar principles for similar pur- 
 poses. Now, a careful comparison of all the ancient 
 rites, as they existed anterior to the Gospel, leads to 
 the following conclusion. It was a leading character- 
 istic of all the ancient rites, that they began in sorrow 
 and gloom, but ended in light and joy ; they were all 
 calculated to remind men of their weakness, their igno- 
 rance, their helplessness, and their sinfulness of cha- 
 racter ; of the shortness and uncertainty of life, and of 
 the ills which flesh is heir to ; of the punishment of 
 guilt, the reward of virtue, and the rising of the just to 
 life eternal and immortal. In all, too, the mode of 
 
92 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 initiation was calculated to make a deep and lasting im- 
 pression upon the mind of the candidate. For these pur- 
 poses, striking exhibitions of the consequences of sin, 
 and the pleasures of virtue, were presented for con- 
 sideration, in sudden and striking contrast, and every- 
 thing was designed to impress the candidate with a 
 lively sense of what was thus represented." 
 
 "If, now, we follow down the history of these ancient 
 mysteries, until the religion of the Cross had been pro- 
 claimed throughout the world, we shall find them essen- 
 tially changed in their religious character; no longer 
 professing to convey religious blessings or spiritual 
 privileges, but holding out promises of such advantages 
 and benefits as men can afford to their fellow-men, but 
 still inculcating virtue by the highest and strongest sanc- 
 tions. We might, would time permit, follow down the his- 
 tory of the associations to the present time, and should thus 
 find that, from the earliest ages to the present day, there 
 have been similar associations founded upon the same 
 general principles, with similar rites and ceremonies, and 
 with similar objects in view. Yet the rites and ceremo- 
 nies have not been the same ; for membership in one would 
 not introduce a person into any other. Such an investi- 
 gation, also, would show us that these rites and ceremonies 
 were originally of a religious character, copied, in the first 
 instance, from a divine institution, and that for ages they 
 were mighty agents in preserving and perpetuating a 
 knowledge of the truth, both as regards God and man." 
 
 The great German poet and philosopher, Goethe, in 
 the following Ode, traces an analogy between the ini- 
 tiation in a lodge (undoubtedly Masonic, but equally 
 applicable to one of our Order) and human existence. Its 
 mysterious beauty will speak to every heart ; but the ini- 
 tiated will feel it most, as they will understand it best : 
 
THE INITIATION. 93 
 
 THE LODGE. 
 
 TRANSLATED BY THOMAS CARLYLM. 
 
 The worker's ways are 
 A type of existence, 
 And in his persistence 
 
 Is as the days are 
 
 Of men in this world. 
 
 The future hides in it 
 Good hap and sorrow ; 
 YTe still press thorough 
 
 Naught that abides in it 
 
 Daunting us Onward ! 
 
 And solemn before us, 
 Veiled, the dark portal, 
 Goal of all mortal. 
 
 Stars silent o'er us 
 
 Graves under us silent. 
 
 But heard are the voices 
 The voice of the sages, 
 The worlds and the ages. 
 
 Choose well ; your choice is 
 
 Brief, and yet endless. 
 
 Here eyes do regard you 
 In eternity's stillness; 
 Here all is fulness, 
 
 Ye brave, to reward you ; 
 
 Work, and despair not. 
 
 With these introductory remarks on the general aim 
 and teachings of all ceremonials of initiation, we are 
 prepared, I trust, to understand more clearly the mys- 
 teries, lessons, and duties inculcated in our initiatory 
 rites, and their application to the degrees which follow 
 after. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE INITIATION. 
 
 1. A THOUGHTFUL man's first entrance into a lodge, 
 unknowing what is to be transacted there, is a serious 
 event. There, for a time, he is to be isolated from 
 general society, in a retreat sacred to benevolence and 
 peace, away from the world, with its selfish toils and 
 
94 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 cares, its factitious distinctions and social vices, sur- 
 rounded wholly by those who have vowed to devote 
 their lives to fraternity in Odd-Fellowship. His object 
 is to learn their principles, to assume their vows, to 
 unite in their labors. That he may do so properly, 
 they require him to pass through rites which shall teach 
 him his present condition as a social being, and the 
 primary principles of the condition he is about to enter. 
 
 2. Consider, then, the social state of man without a 
 knowledge and practice of those relations which bind 
 him to his Creator and his fellows. How isolated his 
 position ; how surrounded by the darkness of ignorance 
 on every side; how feeble, helpless, dependent, in a 
 world that appears adverse and antagonistic ! If he 
 find a guide, he knows not whether to trust or doubt 
 him ; and he is yet in such need of one that he follows 
 whithersoever he is led. 
 
 3. Himself bound, by his ignorance and fears, in the 
 indurating fetters of selfishness, he knows not that any 
 have more light and freedom than are his ; and yet, not 
 fully realizing his own need of both, he may marvel if 
 told that nearly all mankind are in darkness and chains 
 which they neither behold nor feel. It is not until 
 some voice greets his ear with a promise of instruction, 
 that he begins to conceive that the chaos around him 
 may be resolved into order, the discord to harmony. 
 This conception leads him to desire that wisdom which 
 shall shed light upon his darkness, and unravel the 
 perplexities which bewilder his soul. 
 
 4. And yet the first ray of light will but increase the 
 apparent gloom ; for it will exhibit more strongly the 
 vanity of human pursuits and possessions, the brevity 
 of life and the certainty of death, and all life's evils 
 fearfully aggravated and increased by the strifes, dis- 
 
OF INITIATION. 95 
 
 cords, and dissensions which flow from human ignorance 
 and folly, and end at last in death itself. 
 
 5. Yet contemplate the scene. From all that gloom, 
 light will shine forth to guide aright. It will humble 
 human pride. It will awaken compassion for others. 
 It will arouse the soul to a just sense of its responsi- 
 bility to God, and its duty to man. It will fill his heart 
 with a salutary horror 'of that monster, SIN, whose 
 power has arrayed man against his fellow-man, and 
 washed the earth with tears and deluged it in blood. 
 It will bid him beware that his own heart does not 
 cherish moral evil, that bane of happiness and peace, 
 that fountain of discord and strife, that inflictor of 
 guilt and shame, and wo and death, which must reign 
 until men learn to obey the law of truth and love, and 
 the earth is filled with righteousness and peace. 
 
 6. As he thus realizes his own mortality, its possible 
 nearness, and his own dependence and helplessness, he 
 will the more willingly ponder the ties that bind him to 
 the woes and sufferings of all around him, and joyously 
 look forward to that bright era when all these woes and 
 pains shall be banished by the prevalence of benevolence 
 and peace, by the reign of brotherhood and love ! Then 
 " the LORD shall judge among the nations, and shall re- 
 buke many people; and they shall beat their swords 
 into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks : 
 nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither 
 shall they learn war any more."* 
 
 7. Even animals would seem to be blessed in the 
 change. " The wolf, also, shall dwell with the lamb, and 
 the leopard shall lie down with the kid ; and the calf, and 
 the young lion, and the fatling together, and a little child 
 
 * Isa. ii. 4. 
 
96 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed ; 
 their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion 
 shall eat straw like the ox."* 
 
 8. And such a period may be expected on the ground 
 of man's origin and nature, also. For God "hath 
 made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all 
 the face of the earth."f 
 
 9. Let him not wonder that he is yet unable to 
 behold steadily this light through surrounding dark- 
 ness. Man advances gradually in light and knowledge. 
 But how can he apply these principles of fraternity so 
 as to enlighten and liberate his own soul, then enlighten 
 the darkness and break the bonds of others, and so 
 hasten the coming of that age when this Aceldama 
 shall be a blossoming Paradise, and clashing interests 
 and jarring strifes give place to a universal union of all 
 energies for the general good, to a community of happi- 
 ness and peace ? 
 
 10. Let him hear the voice of Antiquity, speaking 
 through the lips of the aged and wise ; it will utter the 
 lessons of goodness and wisdom acquired by experience 
 and observation. Righteousness secures present pro* 
 vision and protection as well as future prosperity and 
 safety. " Godliness (i. e. God-likeness) is profitable unto 
 all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of 
 that which is to coine."J The Psalmist therefore truly 
 declared, "I have been young and now am old; yet 
 have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed 
 begging bread. " 
 
 This teacher of past ages also says that Friendship, 
 Love, and Truth are not only a safeguard, but a remedy 
 for all the social and moral evils that afflict our race, 
 
 * Isa. xi. 6, 7. f Acts xvii. 26. 
 
 1 1 Tim. iv. 8. J Psalm xxxvii. 26. 
 
OF INITIATION. 97 
 
 Remember well this great lesson forget it not. Ad- 
 vance in it, that further instruction may unfold its ap- 
 plications to our duties and our wants. 
 
 11. Good conduct only, not mere professions and 
 seemings, can procure the esteem and confidence of the 
 good and wise. But let the Odd-Fellow add to good- 
 ness, prudence. Let caution guard his lips and his 
 ways. We would say to him : " Bestow not your con- 
 fidence too hastily. Be just to yourself as well as 
 generous to others. Be just especially to those who 
 confide in you. Keep their secrets more carefully even 
 than your own. Watch over their interests, and pro- 
 mote their welfare with the unsleeping vigilance of a 
 sentinel in the presence of armed enemies. Not only 
 do not wrong a brother, but never allow him to be 
 wronged, if in your power to prevent it or warn him. 
 Fidelity in duty, honesty, then, is the duty of all in 
 our singular fellowship ; the honesty of a warm heart 
 and a sound mind ; honesty to those without and those 
 within ; honesty to yourself and all around. For we 
 are Odd-Fellows only when we act and speak like 
 honest men." 
 
 12. This learned, and a new light will break in upon 
 the mind, and the heart beat more freely. The outside 
 seeming is known not to be the inward reality. The 
 world may move in a vain show, each man striving to 
 disguise himself from others, often even from himself. 
 But in our Lodge-room we expect brethren to lay a^ide 
 the deceitful mask, and look each other lovingly in the 
 eyes, knowing and known of each other as they are. 
 Let those who unite with us learn that the homely garb, 
 the rude appearance, "the rough form, often encloses an 
 unruffled conscience and a humane heart, while the 
 costly dress, the polished manners, and the courtly 
 
98 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 speech often hide a heart festering with corruption and 
 black with selfishness and cruelty. "A man may smile, 
 and smile, and be a villain still." Be not deceived, 
 then, by the exterior appearance of men and things, 
 but wait, and learn, and judge righteous judgment." 
 
 13. Keep in remembrance the signs and words im- 
 parted to you, to enable you to enter these courts, and 
 to recognize and be recognized of your brethren. 
 Trifling as they may seem to some, they are the key to 
 our treasures and our mysteries. And in their use, re- 
 member that they are pledges of secrecy to the brother- 
 hood from you, and to you from us. Remember also, 
 that the OMNISCIENT ONE observes your every dis- 
 charge of duty and use of privilege. Let your hand, 
 then, be open as day to greet a brother with frankness, 
 or to aid him with cheerfulness and love. Show due 
 courtesy to your brethren, and salute respectfully 
 those who preside over the Lodge, as the representa- 
 tives of the Lodge itself. 
 
 14. The forms through which you have passed are 
 not what they seem to many. Under each act and 
 emblem there is deep significance. So in life. Apply 
 your instructions there, and every thing becomes vocal 
 with wisdom. The eyes blinded by the darkness of a 
 dungeon, are naught to the blindness of the moral sense 
 obscured by indulgence in selfishness and sensuality. 
 The fetters on a martyr's limbs, what are they to the 
 chains which evil passions and bad habits impose on the 
 inner man, and whose iron does indeed enter the soul ? 
 May your initiation and consequent practice aid in re- 
 leasing you from all blindness of mcral vision, set you 
 free from the fetters of ignorance and error, and bring 
 you from a death in selfishness into a life of active 
 benevolence and v'rtue. 
 
OF IMITATION. 99 
 
 15. Odd -Fellowship is a miniature representation, 
 among a chosen few, of that fraternity which God has 
 instituted among men. Few as are those who would 
 represent it, the great principle is wide enough for all. 
 On the broad platform of brotherhood, all nations, 
 parties, and sects can meet and freely mingle in offices 
 of needed kindness and mutual well-doing. Fraternity, 
 therefore, is the corner-stone on which our forefathers 
 based our Order; fraternity in the family of mankind, 
 illustrated in our family, the Lodge, and the Order. 
 As all men have God for their Father, all are brethren; 
 and we would illustrate this great fact in all our offices 
 of mutual aid, relief, sympathy, and benevolence. 
 
 16. Recognizing the Fatherhood of God, Odd-Fel- 
 lows bring not into a Lodge the classifications of human 
 society without. No high, no low, no great, no small^ 
 no rich, no poor, no nation, party, or sect do we know 
 among us. All are one, all fellow men, all brethren. 
 As one family we meet together, to counsel and aid in 
 measures for the relief of distress, for mutual instruc- 
 tion, watch-care, and fellowship, and for the discipline 
 and improvement of character. An altar dedicated to 
 such offices must be served with clean hands and sur- 
 rounded with pure hearts. All discord r.ud strife, all 
 alienation of heart must be kept away from our meet- 
 ings. And yet while we exclude all party and secta- 
 rian distinctions from our Lodges, we require no sacri- 
 fice of opinions, no loosening of obligations to Church 
 or State, no swerving from principle, no lessening of 
 devotion to God. On the contrary, we teach that no 
 man can be a good Odd Fellow who neg^cts any duty 
 he owes to his Creator, his family, his country, or his 
 fellow-man. 
 
 17 But guard against a too common error. Ours is 
 
100 1HE ODD-FELLOWS MANUAL. 
 
 not a mere beneficial society, nor designed only to 
 aid its members in danger and distress. Great and 
 good as are these, they are more our means than our 
 ends By associating together for benevolent purpo'ses, 
 we hope to improve and elevate the characters of our 
 brethren, to enlighten their minds, to teach them their 
 capabilities for usefulness, to expand their affections, 
 that they may not "give up to party what was meant 
 for mankind.'' In one word, all our operations are de- 
 signed to lead each other to the knowledge and practice 
 of the true brotherhood of man. 
 
 18. Believing that every one we thus receive and in- 
 struct will be benefited thereby, we gladly greet each ini- 
 tiate as a brother beloved, and welcome him with fraternal 
 grip to the obligations and privileges of our beloved Order. 
 
 19. Remember that when on the surging waters of 
 human life, far from haven and from home, you may 
 summon any brother to your aid. But forget not, also, 
 that the obligation is mutual. When you are sum- 
 moned, you also are bound to fly and save your perish 
 ing brother from sinking in despair. 
 
 2. Regalia of an Initiate. 
 
 The regalia of a newly-initiated brother is a white 
 apron only. 
 
 Without any ornament of colored fringe, its simplicity 
 and purity well denotes the position of its wearer in the 
 Order. The primary principles of Odd-Fellowship, 
 blended in the one, great, all-including principle of fra- 
 ternity, are his ; but only in the germ, waiting the un- 
 folding of blossoming and fruitfulness. The elementary 
 lesson has been imparted ; but it is not yet made appli- 
 cable as a means to acquire tho ibstruser lessons which 
 
OF INITIATION. 101 
 
 follow. He has the materials ; it is his now to apply 
 them in detail, until their utility shall create for them 
 every desired ornament, every needed grace and virtue. 
 
 3. Emblems of the Initiatory Degree. 
 The emblems usually connected with this first stage 
 of our Order, are the following : 
 
 1. THE ALL-SEEING EYE. 
 
 Emblem of Omniscience the special emblem of the 
 Initiate. 
 
 " Enveloped in a blaze of light and glory, it reminds 
 us that the scrutinizing gaze of Our Father is ever upon 
 us," beholding all our actions and even our thoughts ; 
 for He "searcheth the heart and trieth the reins." 
 
 On entering or leaving a Lodge, we note it as a 
 reminder of the instructions at our initiation, and it 
 serves to keep us steadfast in our integrity. Although, 
 to mortal vision, "clouds and darkness are round 
 about" the Invisible One, yet we know that "judgment 
 and justice are the foundations of His throne," and 
 that " He dwelleth in light," and " in Him is no dark- 
 ness at all." "If I say, Surely the darkness shall 
 
 cover me, even the night shall be light about me. 
 9* 
 
102 THE ODD- FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee ; but the night 
 shineth as the day : the darkness and the light are both 
 alike to Thee." 
 
 But this emblem also teaches us the soul-cheering 
 truth that God looketh kindly and pityingly upon us ; for 
 "He remembereth that we are dust;" and that He 
 provideth for all our wants, and is so minute in His pater- 
 nal care, that even the hairs of our heads are numbered. 
 
 Let us, then, gratefully, as well as reverently, so live 
 under His all-seeing eye, that we may thank Him for 
 the past, rejoice before Him in the present, and cherish 
 an humble hope in Him for the future thus fulfilling 
 the great motto of our Order 
 
 " IN GOD WE TRUST." 
 
 II. THE SKULL AND CROSSED BONES. 
 Emblem of Mortality. It reminds us, not merely 
 that " dust we are, and unto dust we must return," but 
 also, " that we are solemnly bound to commit the 
 mortal remains of a departed brother carefully and 
 lovingly to the tomb, to cherish a lively recollection 
 of his many virtues, and to bury his imperfections with 
 his body beneath the clods of the valley." 
 
OF INITIATION. 
 
 103 
 
 It also teaches us the vanity of worldly things the 
 instability of wealth and power, and the certain passing 
 away of all earthly greatness. This lesson, as melan- 
 choly as it is truthful, humbles pride, awakens com- 
 passion for others, rouses the soul to a proper sense of 
 responsibility to God, and of duty to our fellow-men ; and 
 creates a deep abhorrence of SIN that greatest of all 
 evils that bane of human happiness and peace which 
 has bathed the world in tears and deluged it in blood. 
 Thus it inspires us to labor for the spread of that great 
 law of human brotherhood, which shall yet bind all 
 nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, in the bonds 
 of benevolence and peace. 
 
 III. THE THREE LINKS. 
 
 Emblem of F. L. & T. It represents the all-encir- 
 cling chain of sympathy that unites us as one in our 
 aims, labors, and abundant rewards; and reminds us that 
 we are thus bound for our own and each other's welfare. 
 And it teaches us, (as we have learned from the lips 
 of Antiquity,) that the best safeguard against the ills 
 of life will be found in the practice of Friendship, 
 Love, and Truth. " FORGET IT NOT!" 
 
104 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 IV. THE AXE. 
 
 Emblem of Pioneering. It reminds us that as the 
 trees of the wilderness must fall before the axe, ere the 
 sunlight can disperse its gloom and the land become a 
 fruitful field; so must Divine Truth be applied to every 
 cumbering tree and poisonous vine within us, before 
 we can realize the genial glow and fully profit by the 
 influences of Fraternity in our lodge, our Order, and 
 in the family of man. It thus teaches us to clear away 
 every blinding prejudice and passion " every tree that 
 bringeth not forth good fruit " and cast them into 
 the consuming and purifying fires. 
 
 [In many lodges it is customary to collect donations 
 for the needy and distressed on the Warden's axe, which 
 has painted on the side presented for the donation the 
 expressive Heart in HandJ] 
 
 V. THE HEART IN HAND. 
 
 Emblem of Sincerity and, included in this, Candor 
 and Frankness. Though the insignia of the P. G., yet 
 it is an emblem of the initiate, to remind him of the P. 
 Q's. charge that "basis or substratum of our Moral 
 
THE INITIATION. 105 
 
 Temple/' which oar feet press at our entrance, and 
 whose lessons, opening as we advance, precede us through 
 all the degrees and offices of the Order. 
 
 It reminds us that there should be no improper con- 
 cealment of feelings and purposes among brethren 
 that our greetings should be of the heart as well as of 
 the hand "that what the one in love dictates, the 
 other in alacrity should perform." And it teaches us 
 that when distress and suffering call, the hand should 
 be " open as day to melting charity," and the heart 
 warm as mother-love to sympathy and relief, remember- 
 ing that " the Lord loveth the cheerful giver." And 
 it also teaches us, not only sincerity in affection and 
 frankness and candor in expression, but that "with 
 pure hearts and clean hands " must we come to perform 
 the mission of an Order dedicated to Trust in God, 
 and to " FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND TRUTH." 
 
 4. Conduct of a New Member. 
 
 A sense of propriety will, of course, withhold an 
 initiate from taking an active part in the proceedings 
 of his lodge on the night of his initiation. The By- 
 Laws of many lodges expressly prohibit his voting 
 until he has been a member for one week. Let him, 
 then, be careful to observe what must appear to him the 
 odd ways of transacting business and exchanging cour- 
 tesies in the Lodge-room, that he may learn their use 
 and meaning, and acquire facility in their performance. 
 After one, or at most a few evenings, he will understand 
 well his position, and be prepared to discharge its 
 responsibilities. 
 
 Aim to become a working member. There is gen- 
 erally enough to do for all who attend the meetings and 
 
106 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 are willing to work. Signify, therefore, your readiness 
 to serve the lodge in any capacity that may be as- 
 signed you, and then wait patiently until your services 
 are required. 
 
 If called to serve in any office, or on any committee, 
 inform yourself well in regard to the duties thereof, and 
 the best modes of performing them. Apply to the 
 principal officers or oldest members of the lodge for 
 such information, if not found in our books or periodi- 
 cals within your reach. Then devote yourself earnestly 
 to the work assigned you. You will thus be useful, 
 not only to the lodge and the Order, but to yourself. 
 We always get some good when we do good. 
 
 But you will find your knowledge of the Order, and 
 your sphere of action in it, quite circumscribed, until 
 you advance further in its gradations. As soon, there- 
 fore, as the proper probation has elapsed, apply for the 
 degrees. The qualifications for obtaining these, vary 
 a little in the different States. In general, a member 
 is required to have been an initiate three months before 
 he can receive the first and second degrees, a month 
 more before he can receive the third and fourth degrees, 
 and then a month more before he can receive the fifth 
 degree. The prices of the degrees also vary in the 
 different States. In some lodges, also, the benefits 
 during sickness or disability are increased as the mem- 
 bers advance in the degrees. The Constitution and 
 By-Laws of your Lodge will give you all needed and 
 correct information on these particulars. In some cases, 
 the degrees are conferred earlier by dispensation ob- 
 tained through the Deputy Grand Master of the 
 District, 
 
 The mode of applying for the degrees usually is, to 
 
OF THE FIRST, OR WHITE DEGREE. 107 
 
 deposit the amount required for the certificate with the 
 Secretary of the lodge, and then procure a brother to 
 prefer your request in open lodge, at the proper season. 
 On this request a ballot is had, at which none can vote 
 but those who have received the degree applied for, 
 and if favorable, (as it is sure to be if the applicant is 
 an active, well-behaved member, and duly qualified,) 
 the certificate is granted. 
 
 The officers or older members of the lodge will give 
 you the requisite information for further proceedings, 
 which vary according to the usages of different State 
 Grand Lodges. But in no case will you find any diffi- 
 culty in comprehending the steps to be taken, or in 
 complying with the required forms. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 OP THE FIRST, OR WHITE DEGREE. 
 
 1. HAVING acquainted yourself with the elementary 
 principles and general objects of the Order, and exer- 
 cised yourself in its measures and operations, as none 
 but the initiated can do, you can judge your ability to 
 fulfil any further similar engagements into which you 
 may be required to enter as you advance, and whether 
 the obligations imposed by a further development of 
 our principles would prove burdensome. The gratifica- 
 tion of mere curiosity will hardly compensate you for 
 the duties you will thus assume. A higher aim, the 
 love of the beautiful, the good, and the true, can alone 
 yield you a full equivalent for your expenditure of 
 money, time, and labor. 
 
108 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Having decided these questions, and obtained the 
 requisite certificate, you are prepared to advance a step 
 in extending your hand for the relief and comfort of 
 the fraternity throughout the world. 
 
 2. Remember what was before taught you of our 
 general principles, and of the necessity of their prac- 
 tical application in our lodges. No man is so isolated 
 as not to have some fellow-beings in whose joys or suf- 
 ferings he sympathizes. In ministering to the wants 
 of his family or friends, he is taught the dependence of 
 man on his fellow-man. But, unhappily, " the cares of 
 this world or the deceitful ness of riches " too often 
 blunt our natural sympathies. As one beloved object 
 after another is removed, the affections contract ; or as 
 the desires of the merely animal man are ministered 
 unto overmuch, the heart becomes callous, and misan- 
 thropy or selfishness renders us more indifferent to the 
 woes of mankind. Hence the importance of association 
 for philanthropic purposes, that we may keep alive our 
 humanity, and enlarge the sphere of our affections and 
 sympathies, by continual exercise. By such associa- 
 tions, the combined operations of the many are rendered 
 more effective; and all, acted upon by emulation in 
 good works, are rendered more zealously active in well- 
 doing, and thus the world is benefited, and ourselves 
 improved and blessed. 
 
 3. The bonds of our fraternity draw us together in 
 our lodges; they induce us to feel and relieve each 
 other's distresses; they lead us to console the afflicted ; 
 they render our assemblages the image of a family of 
 brothers; they make us respectful to those in authority; 
 they teach us obedience to reasonable requirements; 
 and they gladly constrain us to give advice and support 
 to thone who labor to promote the welfare of our Order. 
 
OF THE FIRST, OR WHITE DEGREK. 101) 
 
 4. Our laws teach us respect for ourselves, temper- 
 ance in our desires, chastity of person, and purity in 
 heart and mind. Drunkenness is a worse than beastly 
 vice. It deprives man of his reason ; it disqualifies 
 him for business ; it wastes his substance ; it ruins his 
 health ; it subverts his morals ; it destroys his domestic 
 happiness and peace ; it overthrows his character and 
 influence ; and if it cuts not short his life, it makes his 
 old age a scene of beggary, disease, and shame. " Be 
 temperate, therefore, in all things/' Impurity in 
 thought and unchaste conduct are as cause and effect; 
 and if the former is cherished, the latter will follow. 
 It is no less fatal to self-respect, to health, to fortune, 
 and to reputation, than intemperance in food and drink. 
 
 "The sacred lowe o' weel-placed love, 
 
 Luxuriantly indulge it; 
 But never tempt th' illicit rove 
 
 Though naething should divulge it: 
 1 waive the quantum o' the sin, 
 
 The hazard of concealing ; 
 But, och ! it hardens a' within, 
 
 And petrifies the feeling." BURNS. 
 
 5. Our laws extend the love of self-good to the love 
 of mankind. The chief attributes of our fraternity are 
 Benevolence, Brotherly Love, and Charity. 
 
 Benevolence, or the willing of good, is the spring of 
 all kindly emotions and exertions for others. Its pos- 
 sessor desires to assuage the woes of the sorrowing ; to 
 heal the wounds of the afflicted; to infuse strength into 
 the weak by his words and example, and to relieve the 
 distressed from his abundance. 
 
 Brotherly Love craves the strengthening influence of 
 frequent association, and increases by the interest thus 
 created in each other's welfare, and by mutual labors 
 10 
 
110 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 to promote each other's happiness. United in morality 
 as well as in honor, our secrecy can be no cloak foi 
 evil no seducing lure to sensuality or vice ; but merely 
 a means to increase our zeal, and unite and strengthen 
 our energies for well-doing, and to guard us from 
 imposition. It makes us powerful for good ; but dis- 
 unites and weakens us when we would use it for evil. 
 The laws of God which regulate our conduct, we urge 
 on all around us, especially that comprehensive law, 
 reaching far as man is found, " WHATSOEVER YE WOULD 
 
 THAT OTHERS SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO 
 
 UNTO THEM." Acting thus in our affiliation, strengthens 
 the ties of our friendship, and widens and deepens the 
 foundations of our Brotherly Love. 
 
 Charity applies Benevolence and Brotherly Love to 
 near and immediate use, and projects them far and 
 wide into society around us. While it incites us to 
 minister to the needy and suffering of our lodges, it 
 also embraces the human race in its desires and efforts. 
 It is patient, persevering, and enduring. Though un- 
 worthy objects may deceive us, and abuse our aid, yet 
 it will not suffer us, on that account, to cease from pity- 
 ing and relieving other and more worthy objects who 
 may come after them. Thus evinced, we feel that " it 
 is more blessed to give than to receive." Like Mercy, 
 its quality 
 
 " is not strain'd ; 
 
 It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven 
 Upon the place beneath ; it is twice blessed; 
 It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 
 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes 
 The throned monarch better than his crown ; 
 ******* 
 It is an attribute to God himself." 
 
OF THE FIRST, OR WHITE DEGREE. Ill 
 
 The charitable are, indeed, " imitators of God, as 
 dear children." The relieved are monuments of their 
 goodness, and their own souls are filled by the All- 
 Good with a joy which the selfish or cruel never know. 
 Respected by all, and beloved by the poor, the home 
 of the charitable is the abode of peace and content- 
 ment. He can say, " When the ear heard me, then it 
 blessed me ; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness 
 to me : because I delivered the poor that cried, and 
 the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 
 The blessing of him that was ready to perish, came 
 upon me ; and I caused the widow's heart to leap for 
 joy." * With " a conscience void of offence toward 
 God and man," he lives in the esteem of the good ; 
 gray hairs are to him a crown of glory ; and his de- 
 parture from earth is but a translation to a blissful 
 immortality. 
 
 6. Fidelity to these principles and practices will, 
 indeed, constitute you a member in this onward step of 
 our beloved Order, make you an honored pillar in our 
 temple, a blessing to community, and an ornament of 
 society in all your relations thereto. 
 
 2. Regalia of ike First Degree. 
 
 The regalia for a brother of this degree is a white 
 collar trimmed with white fringe or ribbon. A white 
 rosette may be worn at the point or joining of the collar, 
 in front. (Aprons are abolished in this and subsequent 
 degrees (and offices] of the Lodged) The color of your 
 regalia, and the emblems of this degree generally, will 
 remind you that the purity and innocence required in 
 your initiation are still to be maintained in connection 
 
 *Job xxviii. 11-13. 
 
112 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 with the more active and enlarging duties to which this 
 advance conducts you. 
 
 3. Color of the First Degree. 
 
 The color of this degree is white, and has its special 
 as well as general significancy. It refers to Faith f 
 especially in its practical form, Fidelity, as well as 
 Purity. An able writer, from whose essay on the 
 colors of our Order, published in the Covenant, in 
 1842, we shall frequently quote, says of the color of 
 this degree : 
 
 " WHITE has ever been regarded as emblematic of 
 purity and sincerity. Thus in the Apocalypse it is 
 said, ' I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a 
 new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he 
 that receiveth it.' * He that overcometh, the same shall 
 be clothed in white raiment.' (Rev. ii. 17, and iii. 5.)" 
 As the white stone and the white raiment were to be 
 the reward of " him that overcometh," it is evident that 
 persistent fidelity Fidelity unto victory is signified. 
 " Near the Capitol at Rome stood the temple of FIDES. 
 When the priests offered their bloodless sacrifices to her, 
 their faces and hands were shrouded in white cloths, 
 thereby intimating that faith, or fidelity, should be 
 close and secret. She is called by Virgil (JEn. i. 292), 
 ' Cana Fides, 9 probably because candor is essential to 
 fidelity. One of the symbols of this goddess was a 
 group of two young virgins clad in snowy vestments, 
 and joining hands ; which act signifies a pledge of faith 
 for future friendship. In Physics, white is a result of 
 the union and reflection of all the primary rays of 
 light: hence it is metaphorically used to signify a col- 
 lection and reflection of those graces and virtues which 
 adorn and dignify the character." 
 
OF THE FIRST, OR WHITE DEGREE. 113 
 
 4. Emblems of the First Degree. 
 The emblems usually assigned to this degree are, 
 
 I. THE GLOBE IN CLOUDS. 
 
 Emblem of the world of mankind the special emblem 
 of the First Degree. It represents the earthly home of 
 man the field of our life-efforts and labors the 
 nursery of immortality. It reminds us that the world 
 in which we have now advanced, as it were, one step, 
 and put forth our hand anew for greeting and labor, is 
 still partly in clouds ; and therefore there is much to 
 learn and to teach in this great field, over which our 
 brethren are so widely scattered ; and it teaches us that 
 as light is dispersing those clouds, so may our light aid 
 in dissipating the ignorance which yet obscures those 
 true relations that bind man to his Creator and to his 
 fellow-man. It thus incites us to meet together as 
 brethren, and apply the light and warmth augmented 
 and strengthened by our union, wherever ignorance 
 needs the one, or want and woe the other. W* thereby 
 10* 
 
114 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 quicken our sympathies become " more helpful to the 
 distressed more regularly thoughtful of the happiness 
 of others" until, by increasing faith and hope, we 
 have a prelibation of that grand period when the whole 
 world shall bask in the light of God's Fatherhood, and 
 all its vast fraternity reflect to heaven, in gratitude and 
 praise, the radiance of His glory. 
 
 II. THE BEE-HIVE. 
 
 Emblem of Associated Industry : It represents order 
 and unity in working good government; and re- 
 minds us of our obligations to meet together as one 
 family, to aid and relieve those in distress thus quick- 
 ening and strengthening our sympathies for suffering 
 humanity, and inducing us to store up all needed sup- 
 plies for their gratification. It likewise teaches us 
 proper subordination, and the distribution of tasks and 
 labors to accomplish common aims, to gather sweets 
 from even the refuse of life, and honey from poisonous 
 weeds to shun idleness, and all misuse of time and of 
 means ; and that <{ if we would pass the winter of age 
 
OF THE FIRST, OR WHITE DEGREE. 115 
 
 in comfort and cheerful abundance, we must improve 
 the summer of our lives under the guidance of economy 
 and well-directed industry." 
 
 III. THE LAMB. 
 
 Emblem of Innocence: It represents the primal 
 state of man, and reminds us that if we would enter 
 the paradise yet left us, we must regain, as far as pos- 
 sible, that primitive condition of soul "a conscience 
 void of offence toward God and toward men." 
 
 To encourage such effort, it teaches us that " we are 
 the people of God's pasture, and the sheep of His hand ; 
 and that, if we are " willing and obedient," He will 
 make us " to lie down in green pastures, and lead us 
 beside the still waters." 
 
 IV. THE SUN. 
 
 Emblem of Light and Heat: It represents the uni- 
 versal beneficence and vivifying power of God ; and 
 reminds us how constantly He blesses all "the evil 
 and the good," "the just and the unjust." It thus 
 teaches us to imitate that goodness, that we " may be 
 the children of our Father who is in heaven." 
 
116 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 No clouds or mists that pass over the sun, sully its 
 brightness or dim its glory. So whatever storms deform 
 our atmosphere, they cannot affect the clearly shining 
 light within the soul, if with divine trust and patience 
 we endure them as merely outward evils, or as Heaven- 
 appointed trials. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OF THE SECOND, OR COVENANT DEGREE. 
 
 1. Having evinced a willingness to enter into any 
 proper obligation within your ability to perform, you 
 are now presented with an opportunity of forming a still 
 closer and more precious covenant with your brethren. 
 
 2. The first degree treats mainly of Charity as mani- 
 fested in Benevolence and Brotherly Love. The great 
 lesson of thi? degree is to show the application of that 
 
OF THE SECOND, OR COVENANT DEGREE. 117 
 
 principle in the action of mutual counsel, relief, and 
 sacrifice, according to our peculiar measures of cove- 
 nanted love. But before we enter on the special obli- 
 gations of this degree, permit some quotations from 
 Holy Writ, to show that such a covenant as ours ha? 
 the Divine sanction. 
 
 3. SCRIPTURE LESSON. 
 
 1 SAMUEL xvii. 57, 58, AND xviii. 1-4. And as David returned 
 from the slaughter of the Philistine, [Goliath,] Abner took him, 
 and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in hi? 
 hand. And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, young man! 
 And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse, the Beth- 
 lehemite. And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speak- 
 ing unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of 
 David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took 
 him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's 
 house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he 
 loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the 
 robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, 
 even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. 
 
 4. But SauPs envy at the superior praises lavished on 
 David by the people, begat bitter enmity in his heart 
 against the shepherd-warrior, arid led him to make 
 several attempts to take the life of David. After 
 which we read 
 
 1 SAMUEL xix. 1-7. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to 
 all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's 
 son, delighted much in David ; and Jonathan told David, saying, 
 Saul, my father, seeketh to kill thee. Now, therefore, I pray thee, 
 take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, 
 and hide thyself: and I will go out and stand beside my father in 
 the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee ; 
 and what I see, that I will tell thee. And Jonathan spake good of 
 
118 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 David unto Saul hip father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin 
 against his servant, against David ; because he hath not sinned 
 against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very 
 good For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, 
 and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel : thou sawest it, 
 and didst rejoice; wherefore, then, wilt thou sin against innocent 
 blood, to slay David without a cause ? And Saul hearkened unto the 
 voice of Jonathan : and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth he shall not 
 be slain. And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all 
 those things : and Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his 
 presence as in times past. 
 
 5. But soon the evil spirit again came upon Saul, 
 and his attempts on David's life compelled the young 
 man to flee to Samuel in Ramah. And being pursued 
 there by the malice of the king, we read 
 
 1 SAMUEL xx. 1-23. And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and 
 came and said before Jonathan, What have I done ? what is mine 
 iniquity ? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my 
 life ? And he said unto him, God forbid ; thou shalt not die : behold, 
 my father will do nothing, great or small, but that he will show it 
 me ; and why should my father hide this thing from me ? It is not 
 so. And David sware moreover and said, Thy father certainly 
 knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes ; and he saith, Let not 
 Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved : but truly, as the LORD liveth, 
 and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. 
 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will 
 even do it for thee And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to- 
 morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king 
 at meat : but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the 
 third day at even. If thy father at all miss me, then say, David 
 earnestly asked leave of me, that he might run to Bethlehem, his 
 city ; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family If he 
 say thus, It is well ; thy servant shall have peace : but if he be very 
 wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him. Therefore thou 
 shalt deal kindly with thy servant ; for thou hast brought thy ser- 
 vant into a covenant of the LORD with thee : notwithstanding, if 
 there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou 
 bring me to thy father ? And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee : 
 
OF THE SECOND. OR COVENANT DEGREE. 123 
 
 for if I knew certainly, that evil were determined by my father to 
 come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee ? Then said David to 
 Jonathan, V ho shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee 
 roughly ? 
 
 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the 
 field. And they went out, both of them, into the field. And Jona- 
 than said unto David, LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded 
 my father about to-morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, 
 if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and 
 show it thee ; the LORD do so, and much more to Jonathan : but if 
 it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send 
 thee away, that thou mayest go in peace ; and the LORD be with thee 
 as he has been with my father. And thou shalt not only, while yet 
 I live, show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not ; but also 
 thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house forever ; no, not 
 when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David, every one from the 
 face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of 
 David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's 
 enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he 
 loved him : for he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jona- 
 than said to David, To-morrow is the new moon ; and thou shalt be 
 missed, because thy seat will be empty. And when thou hast stayed 
 three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place 
 where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and 
 shalt remain by the stone Ezel. And I will shoot three Hrrows on 
 the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. And behold, I will 
 send a lad saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto 
 the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them ; then 
 come thou : for there is peace to thee, and no hurt, as the LORD liveth. 
 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond 
 thee ; go thy way : for the LOBD hath sent thee away. And, as 
 touching the matter which thou and 1 have spoken of, behold, the 
 LORD be between thee and me forever. 
 
 6. The plan thus devised was put in execution. We 
 have the result in the following : 
 
 1 SAMUEL xx. 35-42. And it came to pass in the morning, hat 
 Jonathan went out into the field, at the time appointed with Dfifid, 
 and a little lad with him. And he said unto his lad, Run, find out 
 11 
 
122 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arron* 
 beyond him. And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow 
 which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, 
 haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and 
 came to his master. But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan 
 and David knew the matter. And Jonathan gave his artillery unto 
 the lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. And as soon 
 as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and 
 fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times; and 
 they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David ex- 
 ceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as 
 we have sworn, both of us, in the name of the LORD, saying, The 
 LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed 
 forever. And he arose and departed ; and Jonathan went into the 
 city. 
 
 7. Much as has been said of the devoted friendship 
 of Damon and Pythias, in the days of the tyrant Dio- 
 nysius, of ancient Syracuse, it may be doubted whether 
 its tenderness and fidelity equalled that which bound in 
 one life, as it were, the hearts of David and Jonathan. 
 The heathen friends were of the same station in life; 
 but the Jewish friends were of almost opposite con- 
 ditions at its commencement. David an humble shep- 
 herd ; Jonathan a prince, distinguished in arms, and 
 the heir of Saul, the Hebrew king. The tyrant who 
 menaced the heathen friends was a stranger to them 
 in blood ; but the jealous and bitter enemy of David 
 was Jonathan's own father, whom, in all else, the noble 
 son reverenced and obeyed. And yet, notwithstanding 
 their wide difference in rank, Jonathan honored and com- 
 forted his persecuted shepherd-friend, and defended his 
 character against the suspicions of his vindictive sove- 
 reign. And when the kingly wrath would no longer bo 
 restrained, he entered into the most solemn, intimate 
 c venant with David, by which they vowed to sustain 
 and aid each other even unto death. " Jonathan loved 
 
OF THE SECOND, OR COVENANT DEGREE. 128 
 
 David even as his own soul." And when Jonathan fell 
 on the field of battle, David not only poured out to his 
 memory one of the' sweetest, tenderest elegiac bursts of 
 poetry ever devoted by the living to the dead,* but he 
 extended his attachment to a maimed son of his friend, 
 giving him a home in his own house, and bestowing on 
 him the large inheritance of Saul. 
 
 8. Such is the covenanted friendship we would esta- 
 blish in this degree; such the obligations we would 
 mutually cherish: to consider each other as friends, 
 as brethren in soul, whom we would aid and support in 
 affliction and persecution ; whom we would rescue from 
 impending peril caused by mere imprudence, the evil 
 
 * It is worthy a place in this connection: 
 
 " The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places ; how are the 
 mighty fallen ! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of 
 Askelon ; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the 
 daughters of the uncircumcised triumph ! Ye mountains of Gilboa, 
 let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields 
 of offerings ; for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, 
 the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. 
 
 "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow 
 of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not 
 empty. 
 
 " Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and 
 in their death they were not divided : they were swifter than eagles : 
 they were stronger than lions 
 
 "Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in 
 scarlet, with other delights ; who put ornaments of gold upon your 
 apparel. 
 
 " How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle ! Jona- 
 than, thou wast slain in thy high places ! I am distressed for thee : 
 ray brother Jonathan. Very pleasant hast thou been unto me. Thy 
 love was wonderful : passing the love of women ! How are the 
 mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!" 2 SAMUEL i. 
 19-27. 
 
124 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 designs of enemies, or mere accident; whose advantage 
 and interest we would point out to him, when so doing 
 does not conflict with our duty or the rights of others. 
 And in such covenanted love, we would also aid his 
 family, vindicate his reputation, and save his property, 
 person, or life, when in our power, and consistent with 
 Our other obligations to God and man. 
 
 9. Such covenants may be condemned by the unso- 
 cial, the cold-hearted, and the worldly wise. But 
 though they should not be lightly entered into, neither 
 should they be utterly rejected. They are needed in a 
 world like ours, where wrong and affliction so greatly 
 prevail. The man strong in health and confident in 
 prosperity to-day, may be helplessly weak in adversity 
 and illness to-morrow. No one, therefore, is above the 
 need of such covenants, none so lowly that they cannot 
 perform some of their duties. We would unite the 
 good and the true of all classes and conditions, in one 
 great covenant of friendship for the benefit of all. 
 
 And such covenants have the sanction of the wise and 
 good of all ages. God himself made a covenant with 
 Noah, and set its token in the heavens as a testimony 
 to after generations. He also made a more solemn one 
 with Abraham, by which that patriarch became known 
 as "the Friend of God.'* Similar' was his covenant 
 with the Jewish nation. And among men they seem 
 essential to society itself; for man's necessities ever 
 create mutual dependence, and call for mutual sympathy 
 and support. Labor has them, Commerce has them : 
 they ai*e made on the ocean and on the land, where- 
 ever man goes or dwells ; and in all the concerns of 
 nations and of individuals. 
 
 But we would infuse into ours more of the heart and 
 its kindly feelirgs : more of that inner life which shall 
 
OF THE SECOND, OK COVENANT DEGREE. 125 
 
 give it a greater influence for virtue and humanity. 
 We would make it a covenant of deep, fervent, mutually 
 sustaining friendship, such as cemented David and 
 Jonathan, pledging life-long devotion and kindness OD 
 the altar of honorable affection, and based on the great 
 foundation-truth of human brotherhood. And by such 
 covenant we would illustrate and make better under- 
 stood this universal relation of man to his Maker 
 and his fellows. For, oh, how sadly unnoticed, how 
 grievously neglected are even its lightest claims and 
 lowest applications by the world at large ! Breaking 
 bread to the hungry, holding the cup to the thirsty lip, 
 watching by the sick-bed, succoring the needy, clothing 
 the naked, taking the outcast under the domestic roof, 
 how few do this heartily, especially when the object is 
 an alien to their country and a stranger in blood ! Yet 
 they, also, are children of our Father in heaven, and 
 our brethren. 
 
 Our covenant is to extend these principles and in- 
 crease these practices, by a practical illustration in our 
 fraternity ; to extend them in the world around us, and 
 thus break down the barriers that keep man from feeling 
 for his brother man. We obligate ourselves, not to 
 shield or countenance each other in wrong-doing of any 
 kind, but to realize, as far as possible, in our associa- 
 tion, those benefits which would enure to the world 
 were the souls of all men as truly united in the bonds 
 of true benevolence as were the hearts of Jonathan 
 and David in their covenanted friendship. 
 
 2. Regalia of the Second Degree. 
 
 The proper regalia of this degree is a white collar 
 which must be trimmed with pink fringe or ribbon to 
 11* 
 
126 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 designate the degree. The collar may be ornamented 
 with a pink and white rosette, which is to be worn at its 
 point or joining in front. 
 
 3. Color of the Second Degree. 
 
 The color of this degree is pink, on which the cor- 
 respondent of "The Covenant/' before quoted from, 
 (under the White Degree,) beautifully remarks : 
 
 " PINK was the hue by which the ancients repre- 
 sented youth and modesty. It denotes, in poetry, the 
 spring-time of life, when faith is the most confiding, 
 the affections most vigorous, and friendship is most 
 constant. Nature herself seems to have dictated the 
 choice of this ray as figurative of those very qualities 
 with which the imagination has coupled it. In the 
 prismatic spectrum, the red ray (of which pink is but a 
 modification) is the most calorific and least refrangible 
 of all : the moral paralled is, our covenant love should 
 be ardent, and never turn from its purpose." 
 
 4. Emblems of the Second Degree. 
 The emblems usually assigned to the Second, or Cove- 
 nant Degree, are : 
 
 I. THE BUNDLE OF RODS. 
 
 Emblem of Strength in Union the peculiar emblem 
 of the Covenant degree. 
 
 This memento of a dying father, to teach his children 
 the value of union, speaks no less impressively to our 
 larger brotherhood. It reminds us of the power of 
 each member to sustain, and be sustained by, the others, 
 when all are bound into one bundle by the bands of 
 F. L. & T. making the interests and labors of all, the 
 common property of each. In Odd-Fellowship, union 
 is strength indeed. One rod, separated from the rest, 
 
OF THE SECOND, OK COVENANT DEGREE. 
 
 127 
 
 can easily be broken, one brother, isolated by selfish- 
 ness, may be disheartened and destroyed, but in the 
 firmly bound bundle, each brother can easily resist evil 
 and accomplish good. Each strengthens the others 
 against unhallowed opposition, and all stand firm and 
 unmoved in the mighty power of our Fellowship. 
 
 II. THE QUIVER AND THE Bow. 
 
 Emblem of Preparation. " In peace prepare for war." 
 Truly, the bow is unstrung, the quiver unslung, the 
 arrows undrawn but all are ready! They remind us 
 of the ancient mode of warfare, and of the manifestations 
 of devoted friendship between Jonathan and David. 
 
 The unstri ng bow teaches the benefit of relaxation 
 
128 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 from undue tension of mind or body, when recreation 
 can be safely sought; and the full quiver as impres- 
 sively teaches the importance of preparation for action, 
 even in our hours of ease and enjoyment. 
 
 The true Odd-Fellow will always have ready his quiver 
 and his bow to guard a brother from danger, or to pro- 
 mote his welfare a brother, ever, in war as in peace. 
 
 II J. THE THREE ARROWS. 
 
 Emblem* of War reminders that "we war against 
 vice in all its forms. Friendship towards man prompts 
 the contest the gentle influences of Love supply the 
 weapons Truth consecrates the effort and leads to vic- 
 tory." Thus they teach us to guard the loved one from 
 evil, to repel impending danger, and secure safety. 
 They are not to be used wantonly, or to destroy aught but 
 evil and wrong only for benefit and salvation to inno- 
 cence and suffering. They refer us to "the plan adopted 
 by Jonathan to apprise David (whom he loved with a 
 fondness exceeding woman's) of the good or ill intended 
 by Saul, and teach us that every laudable effort should be 
 put forth to save a brother from the hand of an enemy." 
 
 IV. THE RAINBOW. 
 
 Emblem of Safety God's own Token one of the 
 most beautiful of Nature's emblems, and of the most 
 
OF THE SECOND, OK COVENANT DEGREE. 
 
 129 
 
 
 impressive in our Order. It reminds us of God's cove- 
 nant with Noah for the safety of the earth and man- 
 kind ; and of ours with our brethren, to serve them 
 with ardent love and steadfast purpose. When it ap- 
 pears in the heavens, "all woven with light," the true 
 Odd-Fellow will read its divine language with feelings 
 of admiration and gratitude to Him who set it there, as 
 a sign and a token and its special meaning, with a 
 heart increasing in love to his Covenanted brethren, 
 and strengthening in resolve to render them service 
 with the same fidelity and devotion which he expects 
 from them in his hour of need or peril. 
 
 V. THE STONE EZEL. 
 
 Jonathan and David at the Stone Ezel, though not an 
 emblem of the Order, is so common among our represen- 
 tations, and so suggestive of the devoted friendship our 
 Covenant degree is designed to cherish, that we give it 
 place in the list. The selections of Scripture quoted, 
 sufficiently explain the event that made it memorable. 
 
OF THE THIRD, OR ROY^L BLUE DEGREE. 13] 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 OF THE THIRD, OR ROYAL BLUE DEGREE. 
 
 1. Object of the Third Degree. 
 
 1. THERE is a progressive harmony and consistency 
 in the teachings of our ritual, which may be overlooked 
 by the unobservant brother as he passes through the 
 several degrees. The first degree teaches the loveliness 
 of charity, as manifested by a benevolent heart, feeling 
 good-will to all, and warm sympathy for the afflicted. 
 The second degree teaches the devotion of fraternal 
 love in a covenant for mutual relief. The third degree 
 exhibits the same friendship, not as expecting mutuality 
 of benefits, but self-sacrificing, tested by adversity, 
 exercised toward brethren who may be strangers, though 
 members of the great family of Odd-Fellowship. 
 
 2. The strongest test of that mutual, disinterested 
 regard, is adversity. " Prosperity makes friends, ad- 
 versity tries them," is a motto no less true than ancient. 
 In prosperity, gratitude for gifts or expectation of 
 favors, may call forth warm professions, and we may 
 deceive even our own hearts with a belief of disin- 
 terested regard for each other. But adversity tries 
 these professions, and removes all self-imposed disguises. 
 A call to give up ease or property, or risk life or repu- 
 tation to serve a friend, will test the value of youi 
 professions and the depth of your attachments. Genuine 
 friendship abides this test, meets sacrifice with firm 
 resolve, and smiles encouragement in the darkest hour* 
 
132 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 3. Among the worthies named in Holy Writ, the 
 great lawgiver of the Jews illustrated such friendship 
 on the largest scale, in behalf of his entire countrymen. 
 We present him, then, as an illustration of the principle 
 taught in this degree, and constituting its main obli- 
 gation. 
 
 4. The eventful life of this extraordinary man, fur- 
 nishes many of the symbols and emblems of our Order, 
 the use of which impresses on the mind the virtues he 
 illustrated, and incites us to copy his laudable example. 
 His moral law has become the basis of law and morals 
 for the civilized world, and is the regulator of our con- 
 duct. His strict reverence of the Great Supreme we 
 deem peculiarly worthy of our imitation. And hip 
 command in regard to his distressed brethren, should 
 be adopted by us in reference to ours, and be religiously 
 observed by every brother of this degree: " And if thy 
 brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, 
 then thou shalt relieve him ; yea, though he be a stranger 
 or a sojourner, that he may live with thee." 51 When 
 you behold his want, or hear his cry of distress, let hia 
 appeal to Heaven find in you God's agent to minister 
 rescue or relief. 
 
 5. But the Jewish lawgiver is not the only example 
 history furnishes of disinterested, self-sacrificing friend- 
 ship, Heathen nations, even, have felt its beauty and 
 illustrated its excellence. Damon and Pythias have 
 often been referred to. The mythology of Greece 
 furnishes some probable instances of an early anti- 
 quity; arid its history relates not a few others among 
 its bravest warriors. Homer seems to consider such an 
 affection, on the part of Achilles, to a fellow-chieftain, 
 
 * Leviticus xxv. 35. 
 
OF THE THIRD, OR ROYAL BLUE DEGREE. 133 
 
 necessary to the perfection of his character. And 
 among the Romans, some of their most distinguished 
 citizens were held in high esteem for having manifested 
 such friendships. But, as before remarked, Moses 
 exemplifies the principle of self-sacrificing friendship 
 in a high degree and to a great extent. The more the 
 Jews were oppressed and contemned, the stronger grew 
 his love ; and the higher himself was exalted to wealth 
 and 'honor, the more willingly did he sacrifice his 
 emoluments and prospects, to serve his people, to share 
 their afflictions, and to deliver them from bondage. 
 Delicately reared in a luxurious court, educated in all 
 the learning of the Egyptian monarchy and priesthood, 
 adopted as a member of the royal family, and favored 
 with the highest honors and brightest prospects, still 
 his heart was with his humble kindred, and yearned 
 toward his degraded and oppressed countrymen. And 
 he voluntarily gave up all the worldly advantages of 
 his station, and devoted life and reputation to share 
 the afflictions, and break the bonds, and exalt into a 
 great nation, the Hebrew people, " choosing rather to 
 suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy 
 the pleasures of sin for a season ; esteeming the re- 
 proach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of 
 Egypt/'* So steadfast, so devoted, was the sentiment 
 of fraternity that united him with his race ! 
 
 2. Regalia of the Third Degree. 
 
 The proper Regalia of the Third, or Royal Blue 
 Degree, is a white collar trimmed with light blue ribbon 
 or fringe, to designate the degree. The collar may also 
 
 * Hebrews xi. 25. 
 12 
 
134 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 be ornamented with a rosette of ivhite, pink, and blue, 
 at its point. 
 
 3. Color of the Third Degree. 
 
 The name of this degree declares the color thereof 
 Royal Blue. The writer quoted from, on the colors of 
 the previous degrees, says of this : 
 
 " BLUE is the characteristic color of the Third De- 
 gree. I have already showed that the Roman mythol- 
 ogy arrayed Friendship in white, and that Love was 
 clothed in pink; popular usage has assigned to blue 
 the representation of Truth" and especially of acted 
 truth truth in the performance of duty as we say 
 of one thus characterized, " he is tried and true" or " he 
 is true blue." "Thus, in the order of graduation, ^e 
 present to the eye an allegorical display of the three 
 cardinal virtues of Odd-Fellowship, FRIENDSHIP, 
 LOVE, and TRUTH. The azure vault of heaven, and 
 the deep, blue sea, are also employed to symbolize 
 Truth. In conformity with this exposition, and tend- 
 ing to substantiate its correctness, is the vocal con- 
 comitant of the P. S. (sometimes called the S. of D.) 
 
 of this degree, in which the letters or words 
 
 , when simply considered, are an appeal for the 
 
 truth as well as of the urgency of our condition and 
 desires. Beautifully apposite with its ideal use is the 
 chemical effect of the blue ray : when it is made to fall 
 for some time on the needle, the rod acquires polarity, 
 and points ' true' to its mysterious attraction in the 
 chambers of the north." 
 
 4. Emblems of the Third Degree. 
 The symbols and emblems usually assigned to the 
 Third, or Royal Blue Degree, are 
 
O* THE THIRD, OR ROYAL BLUE DEGREE. 135 
 
 I. MOSES' ROD. 
 
 Emblem of Authority and, Power. The special token 
 
 and emblem of the third degree. It represents the Rod 
 used in the wonders which Jehovah wrought, by the 
 agency of Moses, for the deliverance of his people ; 
 and thus reminds us of that great Lawgiver the vir- 
 tues he illustrated, and the true friendship and self- 
 sacrifice he manifested on so large a scale. 
 
 In the idea of authority and power are included 
 those of discipline, correction, and support ; for God's 
 rod is spoken of as a soother and sustainer : " Thy rod 
 and Thy staff they comfort me," said the Psalmist 
 Probably, the long rod or staff used in traversing rocky 
 and mountainous paths was meant. This token, there- 
 fore, appropriately reminds us of the " large brother- 
 liness " of Moses, who " forsook honors and riches to 
 deliver from bondage his despised and persecuted 
 brethren," and willingly shared their afflictions "for 
 the love he bore them." And thus the brother of the 
 
136 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 Royal Blue is taught to be such a comforting and sus 
 taining Rod to the weak, the needy, and the afflicted 
 as God's agent, steadying their steps, and bearing theii 
 burdens. 
 
 II. NOAH'S ARK. 
 
 Emblem of Preservation. It represents the divinely 
 appointed means for saving the few who re-peopled the 
 world; and teaches us u to give heed to every divine 
 admonition, and seek every refuge of grace provided 
 for us." We are preserved that we may bless others ; 
 and commanded to bless, that we may be blessed. 
 
 III. THE DOVE. 
 
 Emblem of Constancy. It represents the faithful 
 messenger that brought to righteous Noah the olive- 
 leaf of peace the pledge of God's continued favor 
 and teaches us that, if constant in our reverence of 
 God, and in " keeping His commandments," we "shall 
 behold, amid all the storms and tempests of life, tokens 
 of Divine approbation, and receive the visits of the 
 celestial messenger, the Holy Spirit/' The dove is also 
 an emblem of harmlessness and innocencv. 
 
OF THE THIRD, OK ROYAL BLUE DEGREE. 137 
 
 IV. THE SERPENT. 
 
 Emblem of Wisdom. It represents " the brazen ser- 
 pent erected by Moses, according to God's direction, to 
 heal the Israelites when bitten by the fiery serpents 
 sent among them to chastise them for their sins." In 
 the infancy of nations, wisdom included every degree 
 of knowledge, and especially its applications for healing, 
 which, again, was synonymous with salvation . The New 
 Testament makes the raising up of the brazen serpent 
 a prefiguration of the crucifixion of Christ for the moral 
 healing of mankind. 
 
 We are taught by this emblem the wisdom of pru- 
 dence in carefully and rigidly proving all who claim to 
 be brethren, as specially instructed to do in this de- 
 gree thus guarding ourselves and our Order against 
 imposition. 
 
 The serpent with tail in mouth, forming a circle, was 
 an emblem of eternity among the Egyptian/s. 
 12* 
 
J38 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 5. Concluding Remarks. 
 
 The three degrees received, have put you in pos- 
 session of peculiar means for conferring and receiving 
 benefits for and from your brethren in the Order, 
 even when they are utter strangers to you, and you to 
 them. But forget not that every privilege has attached 
 to it a corresponding obligation resting on you to make 
 it a privilege to your brother also, when he requires it. 
 If he is bound to give you timely warning of danger, to 
 caution you against your own imprudence or the evil 
 designs of others, or to risk his property, life, or reputa- 
 tion in a lawful effort to rescue yours ; you are no less 
 bound to him, to render like offices in the day of trial, 
 need, and peril. That demand may never be made: 
 but when made, may it not find you faithless to obliga- 
 tion and recreant to duty ! 
 
 The less trying but equally important and more fre- 
 quently needed duties of ministering to the sick and 
 needy, have thus far been faithfully fulfilled by our 
 brotherhood generally ; indeed, so far as my informa- 
 tion extends, I might say, universally. The dreaded 
 cholera, small-pox, ship-fever, and other malignant 
 diseases, whose terrors have turned hearts to stone, and 
 paralyzed even the domestic affections, have been met 
 with calm resolve by numerous Odd-Fellows in various 
 sections; and stranger-brethren, deserted by conductors 
 of public conveyances, have been housed, and tended 
 with care, rescued from inhumanity and disease, and 
 restored to their families and friends, when, had it 
 not boen for our noble institution, they must have 
 miserably perished by the wayside, and been hurried 
 to unnoted graves ! 
 
OF THE THIRD, OR ROYAL BLUE DEGREE. 139 
 
 Nor have the still more frequent duties fit prepara- 
 tions for these rarer events attention and aid to the 
 brethren of our own vicinities, been less faithfully and 
 devotedly performed. Thus may it ever be and more 
 faithfully, more abundantly, as the Order grows in 
 number?, and increases in means, and extends abroad 
 in the world! 
 
 " No altars smoke, no offerings bleed, 
 
 No guiltless lives expire ; 
 To help a brother in his need 
 Is all our rites require. 
 
 '* Our offering is a willing inind 
 
 To comfort the distressed ; 
 In others' good our own to find 
 In others' blessings blest. 
 
 " Go to the pillow of disease, 
 
 Where night gives no repose, 
 And on the cheek where sickness preyo 
 Bid health to plant a rose. 
 
 " Go where the friendless stranger lies 
 
 To perish in his doom ; 
 Snatch from the grave his closing eyes, 
 And bring his blessing home. 
 
 t; Thus what our heavenly Father gave, 
 
 Shall we as freely give ; 
 Thus copy Him who lived to save, 
 
 And died that we might live." HAMPSON. 
 
140 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 OF THE FOURTH, OR REMEMBRANCE DEGREE. 
 
 1. Object of the Fourth Degree. 
 
 1. A BROTHER who has studied well and practised 
 faithfully the principles of the preceding degrees, is pre- 
 pared and worthy to enter into the obligations of the 
 Degree of Remembrance. 
 
 2. All the preceding had reference to the principles 
 of human brotherhood as applied to the members of the 
 Order especially. This degree extends it to universal 
 love that sentiment, that fact which extends beyond 
 and underlies the distinctive ties of nations, communities, 
 parties, sects to mankind, the great Brotherhood. 
 Every influence that paralyzes goodness, contracts 
 sympathy, limits affection, and generates the exclusive- 
 ness which characterizes clannishness, partyism, and 
 selfishness, comes from a disregard of this great prin- 
 ciple. Man forgets or overlooks the fact that his fel- 
 low-man is a being like himself, and that the interests 
 of each are interwoven with the welfare of all. We 
 would therefore urge our brethren to acquaint them- 
 selves with man as man with man every where. The 
 minor or limited affections for self, for family, for party, 
 for country, are very good, and beautiful, and useful in 
 legitimate operation as they are natural. But they 
 are not "the be-all and end-all" of the soul's duty in 
 love. " Every man is the centre of the universe of 
 souls, and the first circle is his own family. It is truly 
 
OF THE FOURTH, OR REMEMBRANCE DEGREE. 141 
 
 said that < charity begins at home.' All good affections 
 must begin in the centre ; but the defect in general 
 practice is, that they do not travel extensively."* 
 These inner affections are not inconsistent with the 
 outer, not opposed to the universal. The love of 
 mankind and the citizenship of the world coexist with 
 the most ardent affection for family and fatherland. 
 We should remember, then, that mankind is our family, 
 the earth our country, and the race our nation also. 
 Yea, we should even go further. As all, of every 
 grade, station, and clime, are one with us in nature, and 
 all alike immortal, ours is a family of soul or spirit, and 
 not of mere flesh and blood, and we are citizens of the 
 universe. If men could but be imbued with this fact, 
 so as to act upon it, the lesser affections would not be 
 weakened, but would grow stronger in the strength of 
 the larger ; and happier families and more loving 
 nations would banish clashing interests, discordant feel- 
 ings, hoary prejudices and wrongs from our earth, and 
 make the world a Paradise. 
 
 3. Revelation is explicit in making the love of man 
 the pre-requisite to even the love of God. " But whoso 
 hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have 
 need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from 
 him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?" Again, 
 " If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he 
 is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom he 
 hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not 
 seen?"f 
 
 4. The following beautiful little poem, by Leigh Hunt, 
 also teaches that we must love the visible, before the 
 
 * Autobiography of Rev. A. C. Thomas, p. 183 
 1 John Hi, 17. and iv. 20. 
 
142 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 love of the Invisible can grow up in the soul ; that he 
 who loveth truly his fellow-man will also love God, the 
 Father of all humanity. 
 
 ABOU BEN ADHEM. 
 
 Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) 
 Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, 
 And saw within the moonlight in his room, 
 Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, 
 An Angel writing in a book of gold. 
 Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, 
 And to the presence in the room he said, 
 " What writest thou ?" The vision raised its head, 
 And with a look made of all sweet accord, 
 Answer'd, " The names of those who love the Lord." 
 " And is mine one ?" said Abou. " Nay, not so," 
 Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low, 
 But cheerly still, and said, "I pray thee, then, 
 Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." 
 The Angel wrote, and vanish'd. 
 
 The next night 
 
 It came again with a great wakening light, 
 And show'd the names whom love of God had blest, 
 And lo ! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. 
 
 5. Not only is this degree designed to impress uni- 
 versal love on the mind, but also the teachings of Divine 
 Wisdom contained in the Book of Books, in connection 
 with the lessons imparted in the preceding degrees. 
 Hence we term it the Degree of Remembrance. The 
 following selections fr^tn the Bible may serve to show 
 the importance of acquiring that Wisdom, and of per- 
 forming the duties it enjoins. 
 
 6. SCRIPTURE LESSON. 
 
 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to knoxv 
 understanding; for I give you good dc?trine, forsake ye not my law 
 PEOV iv. 1, 2. 
 
OF THE FOURTH, OR REMEMBRANCE DEGREE. 143 
 
 That tliou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep 
 knowledge, my son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my 
 commandments ; for length of days, and long life, and peace shall 
 they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee : bind them 
 about thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart ; so shalt 
 thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and 
 man. PROV. v. 2, and iii. 1-4. 
 
 Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my 
 lips shall be of right things. For my mouth shall speak truth, and 
 wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my 
 mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing froward or perverse in 
 them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to 
 
 them that find knowledge Wisdom is better than rubies, 
 
 and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared with 
 
 it The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride, and arro- 
 
 gancy ; and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel 
 is mine, and sound wisdom : I am understanding ; I have strength. 
 
 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his 
 woiks of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or 
 ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth ; 
 when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the 
 mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth : while 
 as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part 
 of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was 
 there ; when he set a compass upon the face of the depth ; when he 
 established the clouds above ; when he strengthened the fountains of 
 the deep ; when he gave to the sea his decree that it should not pass 
 his commandment; when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 
 then I was by him, as one brought up with him ; and I was daily his 
 delight, rejoicing always before him: rejoicing in the habitable part 
 of his earth ; and my delights were with the sons of men. 
 
 Now, therefore, hearken unto me, ye children ; for blessed are 
 they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse 
 it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my 
 gates, waiting at the post of my doors. For whoso findcth me 
 findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sinneth 
 against me, wrongeth his own soul : all they that hate me love 
 death. PROV. viii. 6-14 and 22-36. 
 
 All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do yo 
 even so to them ; fo^ this is the Law and the Prophets. 
 
144 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all 
 thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great com- 
 mandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy 
 neighbor as thyself. 
 
 Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them 
 that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and per- 
 secute you ; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in 
 heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, 
 and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them 
 which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans 
 the same ? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more 
 than others? Do not even the publicans so? 
 
 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven 
 is perfect. MATT. vii. 12; xxii. 37-40; and v. 44-48. 
 
 7. The above are but a few of the inculcations of 
 Divine Wisdom and Divine Love. In their spirit, per- 
 form your duties to yourself and to your neighbor. 
 
 (1.) Deal justly. Deal justly with yourself, your 
 family, your friends and acquaintances, and with man- 
 kind. 
 
 Consider well your obligations to promote the public 
 welfare and advance the improvement of mankind ; for 
 all such labors will redound to your own good ; but a 
 drone in community is a curse to himself and a burden 
 to others. 
 
 (2.) Be temperate. Be temperate in using the gifts 
 of God's temporal bounteousness. Use, " as not abusing 
 them." Be temperate in indulging the passions of 
 your mind, and in using the physical powers of your 
 frame. Be temperate in exercising even your rights, and 
 your privileges and authority. With the same prudence, 
 form your opinions, express your thoughts, and seek 
 the gratification of your lawful desires. But especially 
 be temperate, and govern thoroughly your appetites. 
 Wine is a mocker ; strong drink is raging ; and who- 
 soever is deceived thereby is not wise/' u He that 
 
OF THE FOURTH, OR REMEMBRANCE DEGREE. 145 
 
 loveth pleasure shall be a poor man ; and he that loveth 
 wine and oil shall not be rich." "Be not among wine- 
 bibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh ; for the drunkard 
 and glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall 
 clothe a man with rags." "Who hath wo? Who hath 
 sorrow ? Who hath contentions ? Who hath babblings ? 
 Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of 
 eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that 
 seek mixed drink." "Better is a little with the fear 
 of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.'' 
 " Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a 
 stalled ox and hatred therewith." 
 
 (3.) Be loving. Be loving unto all, but especially 
 to the suffering and needy. " Love is the fulfilling of the 
 law," " the bond of perfectness," and of it it is written 
 " Charity suffereth long and is kind ; charity envieth 
 not ; charity vaunteth not itself ; is not puffed up ; doth 
 not behave itself unseemly ; seeketh not her own ; is 
 not easily provoked ; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but re- 
 joiceth in the truth ; beareth all things ; believeth all 
 things ; hopeth all things ; endureth all things. Cha- 
 rity never faileth." 
 
 2. Regalia of the Fourth Degree. 
 
 The prescribed regalia of the Fourth, or Remem- 
 brance Degree, is a white collar, which must be trimmed 
 with green ribbon or fringe, to designate the degree. 
 As in the other degrees, the collar may also be orna- 
 mented with a rosette of the colors of this and the pre- 
 ceding degrees usually worn in front, at the point or 
 joining of the collar. 
 
 13 
 
146 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 3. Color of the Fourth Degree. 
 
 The color of this degree is green. " It is he most 
 widely diffused of all the tints which adorn the material 
 world. Nature has clothed herself in this rich garni- 
 ture throughout her solid domain ; yet, although it is 
 so lavishly spread before us, from mountain-top to dell, 
 the eye never rests upon it without a sense of refresh- 
 ment and delight. In very remote ages, green was 
 happily chosen from all its sister rays, to be the symbol 
 of memory and eternity. As an oasis is never forgotten 
 by the traveller who crosses the arid plains of Sahara, 
 so we are accustomed to speak of those scenes and asso- 
 ciations on which the mind lingers with peculiar fond- 
 ness, as things ' dwelling greenly in our memories/ or, 
 as ( verdant spots in the desert of our days 7 
 
 'and lie down at eve, 
 In the green pastures of remembered days.' 
 
 The evergreen, too, which lifts itself over the grave 
 of some loved one, seems to respond to our sighs with 
 an instructive language ' He is not dead, but sleepeth; 
 thy brother shall rise again ! ' ' 
 
 4. Emblems of the Fourth Degree. 
 The emblems usually assigned to this degree, are 
 I. HORN OF PLENTY. 
 
 Emblem of Abundance^- the peculiar emblem of thi* 
 degree, arid fit representation of a memory stored with 
 knowledge, wisdom, and goodness. It reminds us that 
 the end of acquisition is, that we may abound unto 
 others overflow with the gifts received, and find in- 
 crease in giving. And it teaches us to gather knowledge 
 to get wisdom, especially that Divine wisdom, which, 
 rising above the merely selfish and clannish, shall teach 
 
OF THE FOURTH, OK REMEMBRANCE DEGREE. 147 
 
 us to behold man and his true interests in " the light 
 from above." Then shall we love and observe justice to 
 all around us be temperate in the right use of all gifts 
 and blessings, and exercise " love without dissimulation." 
 And it includes in this instruction, the lesson, " that 
 if we are faithful in the discharge of our duty, we shall 
 ever find in the resources of our Order an ample supply 
 for our wants." " When poverty like an armed man 
 threatens us with destruction, and the garments of 
 wretchedness are prepared for our beloved offspring, 
 then shall the Horn of Plenty in our noble Institution 
 empty its stores at the door of our abodes." 
 
 II. THE SCALES. 
 
 Emblem of Equity. It represents the weighing of 
 evidenr.3 and opinions, to determine their true values 
 and relations ; and reminds us that though the love of 
 family and country are natural, and may be made useful : 
 yet we must not stop with these, nor array them in con- 
 flict with our more comprehensive duties to mankind 
 and to God. It thus teaches us " that mankind is our 
 family our country, the earth our nation, the human 
 race that all men are one from the monarch on his 
 throne to the beggar in his rags, all have one nature, 
 all are immortal," and God is the equal Father of all. 
 
THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 III. THP: SWORD. 
 
 Emblem of Justice. It represents the defending and 
 enforcing power of Righteousness and reminds us 
 that God requires us to decide justly, after weighing 
 equitably ; and to defend the right even (if need be) 
 unto death. In this contest the sword is ever drawn, 
 and therefore needs no scabbard. 
 
 These united emblems admonish us to "judge not 
 according to the appearance, but to judge rights >u- 
 judgment" and teach us that "however much of par- 
 tiality may exist in the world, yet among Odd-Fellows 
 both justice and mercy are administered without regard 
 to the artificial distinctions of society. In the lodge, 
 rich and poor, high and low, learned and unlearned, 
 meet as brethren, and unitedly engage in the work of 
 benevolence and charity." 
 
 5. Additional Remarks. 
 
 This degree has many beauties and merits peculiarly 
 its own. And, like its color, there is refreshing in it. 
 The faculty, also, which it addresses and stimulates to 
 action, is so useful and interesting, that it is worthy 
 of a degree devoted to its gratification and c ftlti vaticm. 
 
OF THE FOURTH, <,>R REMEMBRANCE DEGREE. 149 
 
 Though memory luu reference only to the past, it 
 constitutes the foundation of human progress. By it 
 we retain the successive steps of advancement, and each 
 becomes the elevation whence we can reach higher and 
 further. Without memory, we could not advance be- 
 yond the first experience of sensations and perceptions, 
 the first elements of knowledge, and the first essays at 
 exertion. Every effort, however often repeated, must 
 be a mere experiment : every attempt at acquisition of 
 information, only a groping in the dark. Perpetual 
 infancy in intellect and morals would be the condition 
 of the human race ; indeed, even existence could hardly 
 be continued. 
 
 But riot only is the Divine Benevolence manifested 
 in thus enabling us to retain and use all the treasures 
 of knowledge and experience acquired in the past, and 
 thus live over again, at will, the joys arid pleasures of 
 former years ; but more merciful still is the wise ordi- 
 nation which has made the remembrance of even past 
 sorrows and sufferings a pleasure. It must be that they 
 will be remembered. Their lessons are as essential to 
 our improvement as any others we learn : perhaps even 
 more so. Yet were our first acuteness of anguish to be 
 retained in all our recollections of them, life would 
 become a curse under the inflictions of memory alone. 
 Sorrow after sorrow, suffering on suffering, would be 
 added, like the lengthening links of a growing chain, to 
 the already intolerable load of anguish and gloom, until 
 the soul would sink, overwhelmed, under it. Added 
 bitterness would at last convert every drop of the foun- 
 tain to gall and wormwood, without any possibility of 
 again restoring it to pristine purity and sweetness. 
 Cloud comminpling with cloud, the storms of life would, 
 
 at last, have no calm, no sunshire between, during 
 13* 
 
150 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 which blossoming could occur, or the wilted herbage 
 become freshened and green again. 
 
 But now, how different ! The sharp, rending pangs 
 of sorrow and suffering once past, they gradually soften 
 down and become mellowed by time, until it is even 
 pleasurable to recall them to mind, and meditate on 
 their uses, and draw from them salutary benefits. The 
 waters of Marah so insensibly lose their bitterness, that 
 we cannot tell when they were changed. We only 
 know that, whereas we once shuddered and revolted at 
 tasting, we now seek the fountain and feel refreshed at 
 drinking largely there. 
 
 Even the remembrance of guilt, after it is removed 
 by sincere repentance, is not always painful ; at least, 
 not wholly so. And thus the promises of God are con- 
 firmed by our experience, that a period will arrive when 
 the redeemed from sin may find the joys of salvation 
 enhanced by a remembrance of former guilt and shame, 
 having been forgiven much, ami therefore loving most. 
 
 But even without this hope, how much cause have we 
 for gratitude to the Father of our spirits that he has 
 endowed us with memories which may be exercised and 
 strengthened ; that lie has so constituted this precious 
 faculty, that nearly all its exercises yield blissful sensa- 
 tions only ; that seldom are we compelled to say, ID 
 the words of Goldsmith 
 
 44 Oh Memory! thou fond deceiver; 
 
 Still importunate and vain ! 
 To former joys recurring ever, 
 
 And turning all the past to pain." 
 
 Without memory, life would be a stereotyped infancy. 
 Without such a memory, man's progress would be but 
 an increase of agony and sorrow, in perpetually accu- 
 
OF THE FIFTH, OR SCARLET DEGREE. 153 
 
 mulating accretions of shame, torment, and remorse. 
 Surely these facts and reflections should render more 
 precious to every Odd-Fellow, the Degree of Remem- 
 brance. 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 OF THE FIFTH, OR SCARLET DEGREE. 
 
 1. HAVING been duly prepared to receive this highest 
 degree of our subordinate Lodges, by a diligent ac- 
 quaintance with those which have preceded it, and a 
 proficiency in their duties and workings, the candidate 
 will do well to give earnest heed to the instructions he 
 will receive from those who confer this degree on him. 
 
 2. The former degrees have been devoted to the de- 
 velopment and applications of LOVE ; this has for its 
 great theme, TRUTH as a principle of sentiment and of 
 action. Love in the heart and Truth in the understand- 
 ing are closely related. Both issue in the words of the 
 mouth and the actions of the life ; and are unitedly, 
 therefore, the foundation of moral duty. Love is the 
 motive power prompting to right action Truth the 
 guiding light to direct it. Truth is therefore the 
 crowning virtue. It is the great good sought by 
 candor ; the great object of all our researches. Every 
 appeal for righteousness and virtue rests on it ; for it is 
 opposed to all iniquity and wrong, all error and igno- 
 rance. To dwellers in time it may seem tedious in its 
 progress, and hopelessly to struggle for conquest ; but 
 eternity will prove it omnipotent, and show it to be ihe 
 victor at last. So sings the poet : 
 
154 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 " Truth, crush'd to earth, shall rise again, 
 
 Th' eternal years of God are her's ; 
 But error, wounded, writhes in pain, 
 And dies amid her worshippers." 
 
 He, therefore, who has Truth, is the only good, the 
 only strong man others merely seem so. It is in him a 
 perpetual power, springing up continually to eternal 
 life. As such, he is an example in' speech and action, 
 blessing and purifying others, and blessed and purified 
 in return. Whatever mutations, whatever convulsions 
 and storms rage around him, he is stable and he is sure. 
 
 In this spirit, and desiring to be thus truthful, should 
 every Odd-Fellow assume the obligations and discharge 
 the duties of this degree. 
 
 3. As the imperial virtue, Truth appropriates to this 
 degree all preceding colors and emblems. White re- 
 presents its purity, Pink its steadiness of purpose or 
 irrefrangibility, Blue its persistence in right speech 
 and action, Green its perpetual freshness and eternity ; 
 and, as the cardinal virtue, it appropriates to itself the 
 Scarlet badge, and sways a sceptre of dominion over the 
 rest. He, therefore, who has this virtue enthroned in 
 his soul, is priest and monarch of himself and all around 
 him ; for its power gives him ministry and dominion. 
 This is why the brother of this degree finds all stations 
 of the Lodge open to him, and is enabled to speak as by 
 authority concerning the laws of our Order. This is 
 why we expect his life to be an example, and his word 
 a precept. This is why we expect him to understand 
 and preserve inviolate our mysteries, and to observe 
 that his brethren do the same. If faithful in these 
 duties, he will show the world that virtue, only, ennobles 
 men among us, and that our honors have been judi- 
 ciously conferred in his case. 
 
OF THE FIFTH, B OR SCARLET DEGREE. 155 
 
 4. The propriety of the colors heretofore named has 
 already been explained. The selection of SCARLET as 
 the special color of this degree, will be seen to be no 
 less appropriate. For, as justly observed in the article 
 already freely quoted from,* "Scarlet vestments, as 
 allusive to the glory, dignity, and excellence of the 
 sacerdotal office, are given to the Fifth, or Degree of 
 the Priestly Order. God said to Moses, < Thou shalt 
 make holy garments for Aaron, thy brother, for glory 
 and for beauty.' (Exod. xxviii. 2.) In the several spe- 
 cifications which follow the Divine charge, we find that 
 scarlet was ordained to be a constituent part of the 
 robe, the ephod, the curious girdle of the ephod, and of 
 the breast-plate of judgment. (Exod. xxviii. passim.) It 
 also entered into the composition of the ten curtains of 
 the tabernacle, of the vail of the most holy place, 
 (Exod. xxvi. 1, 31,) and of the hangings of the gate of 
 the court. (Exod. xxvii. 16.) Thus it became pre-emi- 
 nently a sacred dye. In its typical character, perhaps 
 it had reference to the blood of the victimsf which were 
 sacrificed by the High-Priest's hands, as an atonement 
 for sin. The prophet Isaiah seems to favor this hypo- 
 thesis : < Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as 
 white as snow.' (i. 18.) As a token of glory, rank, and 
 power, it was worn by monarchs not less extensively 
 than the imperial purple. (Compare Matt, xxvii. 28, 29, 
 where the scarlet robe was put on Christ, in mockery of 
 the regal claim.) 
 
 * " Covenant and Official Magazine of the G. L U. S." for 1842, 
 p 71. 
 
 f "The life of the flesh is the blood thereof;" (Gen. ix. 4; Lev. 
 xvii 11 ; and Deut. xii. 23.) So Truth, the Ufa-giving element of the 
 soul, is emblematically pointed out as the pure and proper offering 
 on the altar of Divine Truth. -A. B. G. 
 
156 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 " Grouping these emblematic colors, as they succes- 
 sively appear in the five degrees, they clearly convey to 
 every Odd-Fellow this sentiment : ' FRIENDSHIP, 
 LOVE, and TRUTH: ETERNAL, GLORIOUS!' a senti- 
 ment as worthy to be had in honor, and to be pro- 
 foundly cherished in the heart, as was the aphorism of 
 Solon, ivjjdi csau76v, (KNOW THYSELF,) to be inscribed 
 on the Delphic Oracle in letters of gold/' 
 
 Such is the language of the colors entitled to be worn 
 by brothers as they advance toward and attain this de- 
 gree ; especially by him whose life makes them his true 
 colors whose mind and affections reflect truly the 
 ideas and moral principles they represent. 
 
 5. All the emblems heretofore explained, belong to 
 this degree, for in their true symbolic meanings they 
 all teach truth. Truth in the abstract pure truth, 
 freed from the attributes of materiality cannot be as 
 easily received and understood by man in the flesh, as 
 when presented in a material garb. Hence parables 
 and apologues, which are but word-emblems, are so ac- 
 ceptable among all nations; and this, too, is why, in all 
 ages, the various objects in nature have been used as 
 symbols. Humanity seems to require such representa- 
 tions. They are found in use as far as history reaches 
 among the mists of the past. Their language seems 
 the only one that escaped and survives the confusion of 
 Babel. 
 
 In using them, only be careful that you attach true 
 and good ideas to them ; for, like men, they may be 
 made to speak falsehood, and instruct in evil. Use no 
 false emblems, nor yet true ones in a false sense. Be 
 your actions (which are deed-emblems,) and your words 
 (which are sound-emblems,) the transcript of your mind 
 
OF THE FIFTH, OR SCARLET DEGREE. 157 
 
 and heart, and may these latter ever be the abode of 
 Truth. 
 
 6. The emblems properly belonging to this degree, 
 are: 
 
 I. AARON'S BUDDED ROD. 
 
 Emblem of Life-giving Truth the special emblem 
 of the Priestly degree. It represents the Rod of Aaron, 
 who was " instead of a mouth " to Moses, and " spake 
 all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, 
 and did the signs in the sight of the people." Exod. iv.: 
 16-30. Thus it reminds us of Aaron, the worker of 
 Jehovah's wonders, and the minister at His altar to 
 speak the words of Divine Life to His people. And 
 as, through Aaron, God interposed " in behalf of His 
 ancient people, it teaches us to look unto the same 
 Divine Being in our day of oppression and trouble, 
 assured that He who made the Rod of Aaron to bud 
 will protect, cheer, and sustain those who trust in Him." 
 
 But the brother of this degree is especially taught, 
 
 that he, himself, should represent the owner of that 
 
 rod, w r ho spake the life-giving words, and wrought the 
 
 works of divine power. To "speak the Truth in 
 
 H 
 
158 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOWS MANUAL 
 
 Love " is the cardinal duty of this degree. Thus cor- 
 rect the errors and confirm the faith of your brethren : 
 it is your office your right your DUTY! Acting 
 the truth in love, deal justly, and be merciful to your 
 brethren of the human race. Living the truth in 
 word and deed, show the moral influence of our Insti- 
 tution. Based on universal fraternity, constructed of 
 the various applications of brotherhood to mutual re- 
 lief and general sympathy, it sends you forth to be a 
 true man among men to illustrate the principles of 
 Friendship and Love with all the power of Truth. 
 Be a true member, then, of that ancient order of which 
 it was said, " The priest's lips should keep knowledge/' 
 and strive to hasten the period when every man shall be 
 " a king and a priest unto God." And as Divine 
 Truth from Aaron's lips gave life to the dried wood, 
 so will it give interest, knowledge, and life to the les- 
 sons of our ritual and emblems, and the application of 
 our principles and measures, if you will but speak it in 
 the demonstration of its spirit and its power. 
 
 II. THE COFFIX. 
 
OF THE FIFTH, OR SCARLET DEGREE. 159 
 
 Emblem of Certain Truth. It represents that most 
 certain but too little heeded truth, that the honors of 
 the world, the applause of men, the distinctions of 
 birth, wealth, fame, all end in that " narrow house." 
 
 "Can storied urn or animated bust 
 
 Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? 
 Can Honor's voice provoke the silent dust, 
 
 Or Flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death? 
 
 "The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, 
 
 And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, 
 Await alike th' inevitable hour : 
 
 The paths of glory lead but to the grave ! " 
 
 " There (so it teaches us) there the distinctions 
 of this life cease, and the rich and the poor, the proud 
 and the humble, the high and the lowly, sleep together! 
 All are on a level at last!" And there, too, ttiustwe 
 meet in a brief period, at longest as weak, as 
 lowly, as mute as the rest. Only the good or the evil 
 we do will survive us, to hallow or to blast our 
 memories in the hearts of those we have benefited or 
 injured. 
 
 Say, my brethren, shall our names live on, after us, 
 for blessing or for cursing ? 
 
 Answer it now and henceforth, in blessing and being 
 blessed ! 
 
 III. MOON AND SEVEN STARS. 
 Emblem of Natural (material) Truth. As the sun, 
 the great fountain of light, represents Truth in its ful- 
 ness and glory too great and too bright for mortal 
 vision to comprehend fully and to behold clearly so 
 the moon and stars represent it in those reflected forms 
 in which it is adapted to our capacities and our wants. 
 But by the aid of science, they remind us that, however 
 
160 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOWS MANUAL. 
 
 plainly seen, they are not what they seem ; but are 
 more and greater not mere surfaces of diminutive 
 
 size, almost within roach ; but immense orbs immeas- 
 urably distant. And thus they teach that even of 
 visible things " we know but in part ;" and understand 
 not the essence and inward modes of their existence. 
 Be humble, then, in your knowledge, for " what we 
 know is little, but what we do not know is immense." 
 Be patient, therefore, with the ignorant and those who 
 differ from you strive to enlighten the one, and to 
 consider v:herefore the other sees not as you do ; that 
 all may glory in the measure of truth God giveth us to 
 profit withal.* 
 
 * "The seven Stars remind us of the seven pillars in the house 
 of wisdom, the seven stars and seven churches in Asia; and they 
 caution us to beware, lest, by a neglect of duty, we are blotted 
 from the horizon of moral goodness, to wander starless in the night 
 of destitution. They also represent the seven spirits of God, and 
 gladden our hearts with the assurance, that if we are wise, and 
 turn many to righteousness, we shall shine as the stars of the fir- 
 mament forever and ever. 
 
 "The Moon, reflecting the light of the Sun, represents to us the 
 
OF THE FIFTH, OR SCARLET DEGREE. 161 
 
 IV. THE BIIJLK. 
 
 Emblem of Revealed (Spiritual) Truth, the re-creative, 
 only real and enduring Truth. " For the things which 
 are seen are temporal; but the things which are not 
 seen are eternal." The Bible is therefore " placed 
 among our emblems, because it is the fountain whence 
 we draw instruction, the storehouse whence our pre- 
 cepts are derived, and most of our emblems are found 
 in its pages." No lodge can be held without it. 
 
 Its teachings of God, and His Fatherhood of man, 
 and human brotherhood as well as " the first and 
 great command," and " the second commandment which 
 is like unto it," on which " two commandments hang 
 all the Law and the Prophets" give this emblem 
 peculiar value' to all Odd-Fellows of every sect and 
 every creed. And in view of our certain mortality, all 
 
 welcome smiles of Friendship, Love, and Truth, shining in the 
 night of misfortune ; and teaches us that as her rays are only re- 
 flected from a greater luminary, so all the glory and beauty of this 
 earth, all the wisdom and goodness man can exhibit, are but re- 
 flections caught from Jehovah, the great Source of life, light, and 
 love." Richmond (Va.) Odd-Fellow, 1842. 
 
162 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 need its teachings of a future life. Assure \ that man 
 must die, we desire to be assured that the ever-living 
 God is our Father, and will make us the sharers of 
 His immortality and eternal life, as revealed in that 
 Book of Books. 
 
 7. The Regalia of this degree is a white collar 
 trimmed with scarlet ribbon or fringe ; and, as in the 
 preceding degrees, the collar may be ornamented with 
 a rosette of the proper colors. 
 
 NOTE. "All members of a Subordinate Lodge may wear I?n.<rttps, displaying tho 
 colors of the degrees they have taken." Digest G. L. U. 8. 
 
 These are usually worn at the point or joining of the 
 collar. 
 
 We would here urge on our brethren everywhere a 
 strict conformity and rigid adherence to the forms, 
 colors, trimmings, and jewels of regalia, &c., as pre- 
 scribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States. Let 
 no lodge allow any member, or visitor even, to wear 
 colors or jewels to which he is not entitled, whether in 
 a lodge-room or a procession. Trifling as these are in 
 themselves, they are important in their use ; and awk- 
 ward and injurious mistakes have occurred by thus 
 misusing them. It is only by general care in this mat- 
 ter that we can hope to avoid former confusion and dis- 
 cordance in the uniform of our Order, and the badges 
 of rank and service established by its authority. 
 
 We feel that we cannot close our remarks on the 
 degrees of a Subordinate Lodge with any thing more 
 beautiful and appropriate than the following, from the 
 pen of (then) Miss Malvina Jane Church, (now the 
 wife of Rev. W. E. Manley,) which appeared in the 
 "Golden Rule" for August 1st, 1846: 
 
OF THE FIFTH, OR SCARLET DEGREE. 163 
 
 "FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH.*' 
 
 Three golden arrows in the quiver, 
 
 Fill'd else with darts of strife ; 
 Three sunny islands in the river, 
 
 Tbe rapid stream of life 
 Three stars in heaven's gem-deck'd attire, 
 
 That never fade or dim ; 
 Three harp-notes in the spirit-lyre, 
 
 Notes angels love to hymn. 
 
 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. 
 
 Three watch-lights on the stormy highlands, 
 
 Of earth's wave-beaten strand ; 
 Three harbors 'mong the rocky islands, 
 
 Begirt with treach'rous sands 
 Three life-preservers on Time's ocean, 
 
 With dangerous reefs below ; 
 Three voices mid the heart's commotion, 
 
 To hush its strains of wo. 
 
 Three blossoms from the land of flowers, 
 
 To cheer the fainting soul ; 
 Three rays of beauty from the bowers, 
 
 Beyond life's utmost goal 
 Three strains of rapturous music swelling, 
 
 Around the burial sod ; 
 Three pillars in the holy dwelling 
 
 The temple of our God. 
 
164 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANI 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 OF THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH, OR LADIES' DEGREE. 
 1. Prefatory Remarks. 
 
 THIS degree was adopted by the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States, at its session in September, 1851, and 
 went into operation with the year 1852. The Com- 
 mittee previously appointed to prepare it, were llepre 
 entatives Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana ; Win. T. Martin, 
 of Mississippi ; and E. G. Steele, of Tennessee. But 
 it is understood that the Chairman, Br. Colfax, is the 
 author of the degree, as he has been from the beginning 
 the earnest and able advocate for it. 
 
OF THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 165 
 
 "The degree of Rebekah is an honorary degree, to be conferred 
 upon such scarlet members and their wives as may desire to receive 
 it." It " is a necessary qualification for office in all lodges that are 
 in possession of it." It is to be conferred without pecuniary charge 
 of any kind, and " on the wives of scarlet members as a matter of 
 course;" so no ballot is had. And it ' may be conferred upon the 
 widows of Odd-Fellows who were in good standing at the time of 
 their death, upon application therefor in open Lodge," they being 
 accompanied by other ladies who have received or are to receive 
 the degree. Any Grand Lodge may charter '* Degree Lodges of the 
 Daughters of Rebekah," (each Lodge of not less than five members 
 of each sex,) to confer that degree on such candidates as present 
 tin required certificates from a proper Lodge to choose officers 
 of the same titles, etc , as in a working Lodge, (except that 
 the N G. must be a P. G , and the Warden and both Guardians 
 must be of the Scarlet Degree,) and to enact By laws regulating 
 membership, dues, bem-fits. etc., as in other subordinates, and as 
 prescribed by the Grand Lodge. Condensed from Jour. G.L US., 
 pp. 2ii<V>, l2(J7o, 4888, 4884; and from Digest, pp. 44, 45. 
 
 Application having been made to the working Lodge, 
 and granted, for this degree and the appointed time 
 for conferring it having arrived the ladies will be 
 brought into the ante-room, and will there take off 
 shawls or cloaks, and bonnets, for their own comfort. 
 As there is nothing improper or offensive in the cere- 
 monial, (which must be conferred in the presence of 
 their husbands and each other,) none need feel the least 
 hesitancy or timidity about entering the Lodge-room. 
 
 As the "Daughter's" standing depends on her hus- 
 band's, it is her interest (and her right) to know that he 
 is " free from all charges," moral and pecuniary, that 
 she may retain her "good standing/' and the benefits 
 and advantages accruing to her family through his 
 connection with the Order. This degree makes mani- 
 fest to both their mutual interests and duties in Odd- 
 Fellowship, and thus qualifies each to be a better u help- 
 mate " for the other. 
 
166 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 2. Of the Degree. 
 
 1. As the degree is designed to unite the wives and 
 widows of members more intimately with the work of 
 Odd-Fellowship, we address our remarks to the women 
 only. 
 
 2. No lady should assume the responsibilities of this 
 degree, who feels not a desire to devote herself for life, 
 when her other duties will permit, to " visit the sick, 
 relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the 
 orphan." She who feels this desire, and is resolved to 
 follow its dictates, whatever the circumstances, or what- 
 ever the opinions of the world around her, is worthy to 
 receive its honors. 
 
 3. Not only should such a resolve exist, but a deter- 
 mination to obey it in the true spirit of our Order and 
 of religion itself, quietly and noiselessly, like the drop- 
 pings of the gentle rain, or the distillations of the 
 silent dew on parched herbage and drooping flower. 
 In Bible language, "let not thy left hand know what 
 thy right hand doeth." 
 
 4. Can you, will you thus promise to do good to 
 your fellow-beings, as good should always be done by 
 the votaries of our Order ? Such is the path we have 
 trodden. The malice of bigotry, the opposition of 
 ignorance, the misrepresentations of prejudice assailed 
 us at every step, but our Order pressed onward, not 
 pausing even for defence ; doing good for evil, giving 
 blessing for curses, and even benefiting those who most 
 aided to injure us. Will you walk with us in this path ? 
 Can you resolve to labor with us in such works of for- 
 bearance and love ? 
 
 5. Before you answer, consider well. Our Order 
 
OF THE DEGREE OF REBEKAiI. 167 
 
 scorns to receive unwilling vows. Though arduous and 
 difficult its duties, they are joyous in themselves and 
 rich in their compensations. We offer you no worldly 
 honor for your sacrifices ; for often the world knows 
 not or understands not either your motives or your 
 deeds. We can only promise our countenance and aid, 
 the approval of your own conscience, the blessings of 
 those you have succored, and the rewards of our Great 
 Parent. Consider, then, what is involved in the duty 
 of loving your neighbor as yourself. It may call you 
 from the bowers of pleasure to the couch of the pained 
 and suffering ; from amid the joyous and gay to the 
 abode of poverty and wo; from a social or domestic 
 circle of peace and comfort to watch through the weary 
 night hours; to wipe the clammy death-sweat from 
 the brow, or press with balmy hand the bounding 
 pulse; to give the healing medicine, or speak calm- 
 ness to the delirious thoughts; to pour oil into the 
 flickering lamp of life, or close the fading eye as the 
 last prayer bears on its wings the departing spirit into 
 the presence of its God. Is this too much, too great a 
 sacrifice for you? Then,' retire in peace: pronounce 
 not the vows we ask ! 
 
 6. You hear all this, you consider it well, but you 
 waver not, you draw not back ! Such is woman's 
 courage and humanity ! We welcome you, therefore, 
 to duties so honorable, so peculiarly adapted to your 
 loving hearts and sympathizing natures. Through 
 long, long years you cheered us onward, rejoicing in 
 our prosperity and blessing our labors. Advance, now, 
 with us, by receiving this degree, which we have esta- 
 blished as a pledge of our confidence in your goodness 
 and fidelity. 
 
 7. Sacredly guard from exposure by any means the 
 
168 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 signs and words by which you may be known as a 
 member of this degree, and demand aid and counsel 
 from the brotherhood in seasons of difficulty, danger, 
 or distress. Make full trial of those whom you would 
 address, and confide in them only after careful and 
 rigid examination. 
 
 8. These signs and words are never to be used in 
 a light or trifling manner, or for purposes of mere 
 curiosity. They are meant to be useful, and their 
 utility makes them important. One of them is changed 
 every year. So long as your husband retains his moral 
 and pecuniary standing in his Lodge, it will be 
 given you, annually, by him, or, in his absence, by the 
 presiding officer of his Lodge. 
 
 9. Having united with our Order, we would direct 
 and stimulate you in the performance of the duties it 
 enjoins, by referring you to illustrious examples in 
 your own sex. And nobler specimens of humanity and 
 true womanhood can nowhere be found in past ages, 
 than are named to us in the Book of Books. 
 
 10. Behold the hospitality of the modest and grace- 
 ful REBEKAH, readily ministering to the stranger and 
 his thirsty, way-worn cattle. It was her character- 
 istic when Isaac became her husband, as God had 
 appointed ; it remained hers when she was the aged 
 mother of a family. Mark the confiding piety of THE 
 WIFE OF MANOAH, encouraging her husband to trust in 
 God, and herself to hold converse with the Angel which 
 gave her promise of Samson. Also, the devotion of 
 HANNAH, dedicating her child Samuel unto God from 
 his infancy. See also the zeal and courage of patriotism 
 in DEBORAH, the widow who was a bright star of hope 
 in her country's trouble ; and at whose word, it was 
 said, " the stars in their courses fought against Sisera." 
 
OF THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 169 
 
 And the self-sacrificing love of countrymen, so like that 
 of Moses, by whom was it better evinced than by the 
 queenly ESTHER ? risking station, and life even, to 
 save from massacre her father's people. The steadfast 
 filial piety and devoted affection of RUTH fills one of 
 the most beautiful biographical narratives of the Bible. 
 How tender and how beautiful her language to her 
 widowed and childless mother-in-law, Naomi ! "Entreat 
 me not to leave thee ; for whither thou goest I will go ; 
 where thou lodgest I will lodge ; thy people shall be my 
 people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will 
 I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to 
 me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and 
 me." Consider also the virgin prophetess, MIRIAM, 
 the sister, the almost mother of Aaron and Moses. 
 From the hour in which she watched over the latter as 
 he was rocked by the waters of the Nile, to the hour of 
 her death, she proved herself a noble, high-minded, 
 generous, brave, loving sister and woman, And thus, 
 from SARAH, the wife of the Friend of God, and the 
 mother of patriarchs, down to MARTHA and MARY, 
 to the women who watched when the disciples fled, to 
 DORCAS who cared for the poor, the history glows and 
 brightens with woman's worth and loveliness. Before 
 these, how the glory of Cleopatra and Aspasia, of 
 Elizabeth of England, or Catharine of Russia, " loses, 
 discountenanced, and like folly shows." We therefore 
 hold up for your imitation the goodness of those whose 
 modesty and worth, whose domestic and public virtues, 
 prove them women indeed. 
 
 11. For woman's work is to do good. Men need 
 banding together, to stimulate their better affections ; 
 but in woman, benevolence and humanity are spon- 
 16 
 
170 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 taneous.* In entering into closer union with our 
 Order, therefore, you need only follow, as before, the 
 promptings of your ever-ready sympathies, to perform 
 its duties and fulfil its obligations. In your families 
 and neighborhoods, wherever misery can be relieved, 
 want supplied, or sorrow consoled, there is the work of 
 a daughter of Rebekah. 
 
 12. And in return for the aid you bring us, we pledge 
 duty and devotion to you. For at no time has woman 
 been excluded from our cares or labors. Rather, for 
 her has our Order been founded and improved. For 
 wife and children, rather than for self, has the husband 
 and the father given it his labors and his means. For 
 them has the largest portion of our benefits been pro- 
 vided. When her partner in the household is laid on 
 
 * The great traveller, Ledyard, truly says "I have observed 
 
 among all nations, that the women are the same kind, 
 
 civil, obliging, humane, tender beings ; that they are ever inclined 
 to be gay and cheerful, timorous and modest. They do not hesitate, 
 like man, to perform a hospitable or generous action ; not haughty, 
 nor arrogant, nor supercilious, but full of courtesy and fond of 
 society ; industrious, economical, ingenuous ; more liable in general 
 to err than man, but in general, also more virtuous, and performing 
 more good actions than he. I never addressed myself in the language 
 of decency and frienship to a woman, whether civilized or savage, 
 without receiving a decent and friendly answer. With man, it has 
 often been otherwise. In wandering over the barren plains of in- 
 hospitable Denmark, through honest Sweden, frozen Lapland, rude 
 and churlish Finland, unprincipled Russia, and the wide-spread 
 regions of the wandering Tartar, if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, 
 woman has ever been friendly to me, and uniformly so ; and to add 
 to this virtue, so worthy of the appellation of benevolence, these 
 actions have been performed in so free and so kind a manner, that 
 if I was dry, I drank the sweet draught, and if hungry, ate the 
 coarse morsel, with a double relish." SPARKJJ'S Life of Ledyard, 262. 
 
OF THE DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 171 
 
 the bed of sickness, for her we pay the benefits. When 
 she is weary with watching at his bedside, we send 
 brethren to relieve her. When death removes him. we 
 give her double what he is allowed when she is taken 
 away. And when the widow's home is hers, with its 
 loneliness and gloom, strong hands and warm hearts 
 form a protection around her, to supply her wants, and 
 cherish her and hers, for the sake of him to whom they 
 pledged a love 
 
 " Failing not when life has perish'd, 
 Living still beyond the tomb." 
 
 But now, more than ever, if possible, do we pledge 
 our means, resources, and powers, to promote your 
 welfare and secure your interests. 
 
 13. You learn, then, that our Odc?-Fellowship is a 
 unity of hearts and purposes to resist the heartlessness 
 and selfishness of the world around us. Having become 
 one with us and of us in that fellowship, and assumed 
 our obligations, we can better demonstrate to you that 
 our greatest duty and highest aim is the promotion of 
 a practical, loving fraternity of mankind. For the 
 entire human race is but one family, not only physically, 
 but spiritually, not only theoretically, but really and 
 truly. Each member, therefore, is bound to aid the 
 rest. Our mission is not a narrow one. "None of us 
 liveth to himself." We are created and placed here to 
 labor for our fellow-men, to advance our age, elevate 
 our country, and improve our race. 
 
 14. With such teachings within our Temple, leading 
 to corresponding practices without, our Order will with- 
 stand all the shocks of opposition* and the changes of 
 public opinion, and grow firmer and stronger in its 
 
172 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 moral power, until < the wreck of matter and the crush 
 of worlds" changes our theatre of action to one of re- 
 pose, our labor to reward. 
 
 3. Regalia of the Degree of Rebekah. 
 
 The regalia of this degree (out of the Lodge) is a pink 
 and green ribbon intertwined and twisted together, 
 which may be worn as a bow, collar, bracelet, or as a 
 trimming on any part of the dress, according to the 
 wearer's taste and fancy. 
 
 4. Colors of the Degree. 
 
 The colors (for there are two) of this degree are pink 
 and green, whose emblematic significations have already 
 been explained in our remarks on the Covenant Degree 
 and the Degree of Remembrance, to which the reader 
 is respectfully referred. 
 
 5. Emblems. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of the United States attached no 
 special emblems to this degree. Our lady readers can 
 find, in the symbolical language we have unfolded in 
 the other degrees, not a few which may be chosen as 
 mementos of duty and encouragement. And every 
 female example of the Old Testament, to whom we have 
 referred them, will furnish an abundance in her eventful 
 history 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 173 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 
 
 1. Members and Qualifications. 
 
 A SUBORDINATE Lodge is constituted of ret less than 
 five brethren in good standing, including one qualified 
 to preside over its meetings.* It must be regularly 
 chartered and instituted by the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States, or by some Grand Lodge recognized as 
 legal by our national Grand Lodge. The following di- 
 rections are deemed proper, for those who desire to get 
 up and organize a Lodge. 
 
 2. How Commenced. 
 
 If desirous of forming a Lodge in your vicinity, 
 ascertain first how many brethren can be found willing 
 to unite in that object. This may be done by private 
 inquiry, or by calling an informal meeting by public 
 notice. Should a sufficient number of the proper cha- 
 racter (for this is an all-important consideration) not be 
 found, ascertain whether any members of the Order, at 
 
 *In some States, under particular circumstances, there must be 
 more than five petitioners for a Charter In others, all the officers 
 must receive, or have received, the five degrees, which may be con- 
 ferred on the first officers of a new Lodge by special dispensation. 
 Previous service is also dispensed with in the same manner. The 
 Constitution and By-Laws of each Grand Lodge, or any of its officers 
 or active members, rill furnish the necessary information. 
 15* 
 
174 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 a distance, can be induced to unite with you temporarily. 
 Or, what is better, find the necessary number of proper 
 individuals willing to proceed to the nearest Lodge, and 
 be there initiated for the purpose of uniting in a peti- 
 tion for a charter. 
 
 Much prudence and forecast are necessary in these 
 preliminary operations. Guard against imposition. 
 Scrutinize the moral and social fitness of proposed 
 associates. Calculate carefully the probabilities of 
 being joined, after the Lodge is instituted, by proper 
 persons, and in sufficient numbers, to render the Lodge 
 truly respectable, morally, and to secure it sufficient 
 pecuniary ability. For on first impressions may de- 
 pend its entire acceptability to those who are worth 
 having ; and the expenses of starting a Lodge, furnish- 
 ing a room, &c., are too great to be made a matter of 
 mere guess-work and risk. Consider well, therefore, 
 every step before it is taken, and make haste very de- 
 liberately. 
 
 3. The Petition. 
 
 Having obtained the number of properly qualified 
 coadjutors, ascertain, from some reliable person, pre- 
 cisely what is required of petitioners. In most juris- 
 dictions, withdrawal cards, stating each brother's rank 
 and station, must accompany the petition. (See No. 9, 
 Appendix B.) The Charter fee, which varies in diifer- 
 ent States, (but usually thirty dollars,) must accompany 
 it, and will be returned, if the petition is not granted. 
 Sometimes, instead of the cards, there is sent merely a 
 certificate from the nearest D. D. G. Sire or D. D. G. 
 Master, (as the case may be,) stating that they are in his 
 hands, and are correct, as set forth in the petition. 
 
 If the Lodge is to be located in a State or Territory 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 175 
 
 where there is no Grand Lodge, the petition, &c. must he 
 addressed to :he R. W. G. Lodge of the United States, 
 and forwarded to the Grand Secretary of the same, (at 
 Baltimore, Md.) But if where there is a State Grand 
 Lodge, address it accordingly, and make the Charter 
 fee and other requisites correspond with its require- 
 ments. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of the United States requires the 
 expenses of its Grand Officer or Agent who opens the 
 Lodge to he paid by the petitioners. But in most of 
 the States, the Grand Lodge pays this expense. Of 
 course the brethren will provide him and those who 
 assist in opening, with proper quarters and accommo- 
 dations, and thus honor their visitors and themselves 
 with fraternal hospitality. But great care should be 
 taken to ascertain clearly all the probable expenses, and 
 keep an accurate account thereof, for future settlement. 
 
 4. Preparations for Institution. 
 
 Having ascertained that a Charter can be had, get 
 applications for admission and initiation from all whom 
 you design receiving, (having first canvassed their cha- 
 racters, and unanimously agreed to elect them,) with 
 the proposition fee of each. Arrange your Lodge- 
 room, making it and premises secure against eaves- 
 droppers and burglars, and rendering it as convenient 
 and comfortable as your means will allow. Neatness 
 and comfort are secured cheaply, in comparison with 
 mere show and splendor ; and the latter without the 
 former are very dear, indeed ! Purchase your regalia 
 and jewels, your furniture, wardrobe, &c. ; and see that 
 they are substantial, as well as appropriate in appear- 
 ance arid cost. Refresh each other's memories as much 
 
176 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 as possible in the ceremonials and work of the Order, 
 that the institution, installation, and initiations may be 
 impressive and correct. Agree on the officers, so as to 
 have the election brief and unanimous, and the ap- 
 pointments promptly made and accepted. All these 
 and kindred matters should be determined and arranged 
 before the arrival of the person who is to open the 
 Lodge. Then when the time arrives for institution, &c., 
 every thing is ready in turn ; the petitioners are on hand, 
 the Lodge is opened, the officers are elected and in- 
 stalled without delays and strifes, the applications for 
 membership are referred to the proper Committee, and 
 forthwith reported on in due form ; and the initiations 
 follow with all the facility and impressiveness of an old 
 and well-working Lodge. How much more delightful 
 and salutary, than where every thing is left to the last 
 moment, and then crowded through with contentions, 
 anxieties, and bungled performances, to be remembered 
 with shame and vexation for years afterward ! 
 
 5. The First Meeting. 
 
 At the first meeting after institution, as there need 
 be no initiation, see that all the new officers and mem- 
 bers understand correctly their duties, and are practised 
 in their performance. Have all the bills duly made out, 
 certified to be correct by the proper Committee, and pass 
 a vote providing for their payment out of the first funds 
 in the Treasury. Of course, provision has been pre- 
 viously made for a loan of money or of credit, by one 
 or more of the members, to meet such demands ; but 
 this vote by the Lodge is necessary to sanction ancl 
 adopt such proceedings, and to relieve those brethren. 
 Appoint (or continue) the Committees to procure neces- 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 177 
 
 saries yet needed, to audit accounts, &c. And thus 
 prepare for the correct working and prompt transaction 
 of business by the Lodge at future meetings. 
 
 6. Increase of Members. 
 
 The great aim of a new Lodge generally is to in- 
 crease its membership. This desire, if not regulated by 
 great wisdom and prudence, will work incalculable and 
 lasting injury to the welfare of the Order. Our views, 
 gained by experience and observation in a wide field, 
 will be found in our remarks on "The Ballot," and on 
 the duties of "Investigating Committees/' in a subse- 
 quent part of this work. But allow us to add here, that 
 numbers are not always strength: they may even prove 
 weakness. 
 
 Suppose that in looking around for members, you 
 find the most desirable men generally averse. Some 
 are afraid of your debt ; others of popular opinion ; 
 others still of family prejudices and opposition, and so 
 they promise to "consider the subject, and decide by- 
 and-by." In other words, they will "wait and see.'' 
 Can you remove the difficulty by inducing men careless 
 of character, of doubtful health and habits, or stil) 
 more objectionable tempers and dispositions, to propose ? 
 Suppose you try it. Your brethren, equally anxious for 
 increase, or tender of your feelings, elect them because 
 you have urged them to join. So they are initiated ; 
 and what is the effect ? 
 
 Popular prejudice is increased ; the objections of 
 families to their members uniting with you are 
 strengthened; the m'erely indifferent are not excited to 
 feel an interest in a Lodge composed of such materials. 
 But new members have been added and the debt is 
 
178 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 lessened. Yes ; and they feel desirous of controlling 
 a,ifairs in return. One is brought up under charges for 
 neglect of his family, or violation of some of the de- 
 cencies or moralities of life. The others, being similarly 
 disposed, acquit him in despite of proofs. The habits 
 of the doubtful grow decidedly worse under such disci- 
 pline, but it is vain to try to expel them. Good mem- 
 bers grow disgusted, neglect attendance at Lodge-meet- 
 ings, and thus criminally resign the reins wholly to 
 bad hands. Claims for benefits come in. It is pretty 
 certain that they are false, or were caused by immo- 
 rality ; but how prove it ? And if proved, how prevent 
 their being granted notwithstanding ? More doubtful 
 candidates are proposed ; for crows flock to the carcass ; 
 and you rouse up and reject them. Then, essaying to 
 redeem the Lodge from bad management, you induce a 
 few resolute, good men to apply. They are rejected, 
 because you rejected the others. How, now, stands the 
 case ? 
 
 Members have been gained, but public confidence has 
 not been gained ; character has not been improved ; 
 money, even, has not really been gained. Your num- 
 bers are not strength, but weakness, and unless help and 
 health come by your vigorous action, and aid from 
 abroad, or from the Grand Lodge, your Lodge must 
 die ; and the whole Order, and all good men, will say, 
 AMEN ! 
 
 Be cautious, then, whom you propose. Remember 
 that admission into the Lodge is admission to your 
 family at sickness and death, and admits you to share 
 in their characters in public estimation. A charge 
 anciently given to an initiate of our Order, contained 
 the following excellent advice and admonition : 
 " Should yo*i, at any time, propose a friend to become a 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 179 
 
 member of this Order, see that he is such a one as will 
 be likely to conform to the laws of our Society ; since 
 nothing is so painful to the feelings of faithful Odd- 
 Felloivs, as to see the requirements of the institution pro- 
 faned and trodden underfoot." 
 
 7. Opening Lodge. 
 
 All rites and ceremonies should have for their aim, 
 the instruction and improvement of those concerned. 
 They should be simple in character, adapted to the 
 purposes designed, and easy of performance. And 
 they should be performed with earnestness, precision, 
 correctness, and in proper time ; and attended to with 
 due observation and silence. Such are the ceremonies 
 of opening, working, and closing a Lodge of our Order. 
 The officers and members, therefore, should make them- 
 selves perfectly familiar with all their details, so as to 
 understand and perform them correctly. 
 
 Precisely at the appointed time, (allowing but a few 
 minutes for differences of time-pieces,) the proper officer 
 should put on his regalia, take his chair, and give the 
 signal. Punctuality in this matter is highly important. 
 It will not only avoid late hours for closing, which 
 cause so much inconvenience and dissatisfaction in 
 families, but it will secure prompt attendance and 
 proper despatch of business. The officers, therefore, 
 should be rigidly punctual themselves ; and if not, 
 should be held accountable for all delay in opening by 
 those whose patience they abuse, 
 
 At the signal, if not before, each member will quietly 
 put on the appropriate regalia previously provided by 
 the Warden, and move to his station, there to await in 
 silence the examination. This should be carefully made 
 
180 THE ODD-FELLOW\S MA NTT 41, 
 
 by the proper officer, at least once a month not omit- 
 ting any, to refresh the memories of brethren, and make 
 them attentive to the word. 
 
 In the same respectful silence, all should listen to the 
 recital of duties by the several officers. It is a mistake 
 to suppose that these concern the officers only. Every 
 member should know what duties he may lawfully re- 
 quire each officer to perform. And as any brother may 
 be called on to fill a vacancy for an evening, or may be 
 appointed or elected to fill the offices, it is his duty to 
 learn in season what duties he will then be required to 
 discharge. Even those who have learned, should be 
 silent and attentive, so as to present a proper example 
 to new members, and not distract the attention of others 
 from any business of the evening. 
 
 Careful heed should be given to the solemn charge 
 of the N. G. to each officer and member to perform his 
 duties, and to observe those principles which constitute 
 each lodge a family and secure fraternal feeling and 
 humane conduct among its members. These recitals 
 are not mere forms, nor an empty sound of words ; they 
 have deep significance, and are designed to subserve 
 important ends. Let us guard, then, against a listless 
 delivery or an inattentive hearing of them. 
 
 In those State jurisdictions where it is customary, 
 the following prayer is offered by the Chaplain or bro- 
 ther designated for that purpose ;*- 
 
 * Adopted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, to exclude 
 prayers offensive to members of the Order in many of our lodges. 
 It is also ordered that on all occasions of the Order, * the same 
 spirit as observed in the foregoing, shall be strictly followed by the 
 officiating clergyman or chaplain." 
 
 *' It i,s desirable and eminently proper that all lodges should open 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 181 
 
 PRAYER. Thou King eternal, immortal, and invis- 
 ible ! the only wise God, our Saviour ! Thou art the 
 Sovereign of universal nature, the only true object of 
 our best and holiest affections. We render Thee hearty 
 thanks for that kind providence which has preserved us 
 during the past week, protecting us from the perils and 
 dangers of this life; and for permitting us now to 
 assemble in Thy name for the transaction of business. 
 
 We humbly beseech Thee, our Heavenly Father, to 
 preside over our assembly, to breathe into our hearts 
 the spirit of love and of a sound mind ; and may each 
 and all be governed by an anxious desire to advance 
 Thy glory and ameliorate the condition of mankind. 
 
 Let Thy blessing rest upon our Order, upon all the 
 Lodges, Grand and Subordinate, belonging to our entire 
 family of brothers. Let Friendship, Love, and Truth 
 
 and close with prayer." "Each subordinate lodge may determine 
 for itself upon opening and closing its sessions with prayer, and may 
 determine upon the form to be used." Digest, G. L. U. S., p. 123. 
 The following excellent form, long used in New York, and still 
 offered in some lodges there, is equally free from objections with 
 that prescribed by the Grand Lodge of the United States: 
 
 PRAYER AT OPENING. Almighty and most merciful God, we adore 
 Thee as the Creator of all worlds and the righteous Governor of all 
 beings ; upon whom we are dependent for life and all its blessings, 
 and without whose favor no human enterprise can permanently 
 prosper. Lift upon us, we pray Thee, Lord, the light of Thy 
 countenance, and bless us while we are together this evening. May 
 all things be done in the spirit of charity and brotherly kindness, 
 and may our labors of love be blessed to the promotion of the best 
 interests of our beloved Order. Hear us, God, in behalf of the 
 stranger, the sick, the afflicted, the widow, and the orphan ; and 
 bless them as Thou seest they may need. Keep us ever in Thy fear 
 and wisdom, and save us all with an everlasting salvation : and to 
 Thy Great Name be all the glory, as it was in the beginning, is 
 now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 
 16 
 
182 THE ODD-FELLOAV'S MANUAL. 
 
 prevail, until the last tear of distress be wiped away, 
 and the Lodge below be absolved by the glory and 
 grandeur of the Grand Lodge above. This we ask in 
 humble dependence upon, and in most solemn adoration 
 of thy One mysterious and glorious Name. Amen. 
 
 In all Lodges the ceremony is then concluded by 
 singing an appropriate Ode, when the Lodge is declared 
 duly opened, all sectarian, political, or other improper 
 utterance prohibited under penalty, and the brethren 
 are expected to enter on the proper business of the 
 evening, and the diffusion of principles of benevolence 
 and charity. 
 
 8. Working of the Lodge. 
 
 Subordinate Lodges are termed " working Lodges," 
 (in distinction from Grand Lodges, which are legislative 
 bodies,) because in them candidates are initiated, moral 
 and social instructions given, and provision directly 
 made for performing the active works of Odd-Fellow- 
 ship, by the officers and members, during the ensuing 
 week. But even the business transactions have an aim 
 beyond themselves, the salutary exercise of the moral 
 and mental powers of the members in social communion, 
 and the increase of their affections in all that relates to 
 our great fraternity. 
 
 As the prescribed "Order of business" is merely 
 general, we will designate the special items properly 
 coming under each rule : 
 
 I. Calling the Roll of Officers. 
 
 1. Charge each absentee in the Roll-book with the proper fine for 
 non-attendance, or other neglect of duty ; and note his absence on 
 the minutes. 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 183 
 
 II. Reading Minutes of the preceding Lodge-night. 
 
 1. If any special or adjourned meetings have been held within the 
 week, read them in collection, and call for corrections. 
 
 2. If no objection be made to any of the Minutes, they are con- 
 sidered approved, of course. 
 
 3. Read the names of absentees on previous nights ; if excuses are 
 accepted, erase the lines from Roll-book. 
 
 III. Does any brother know of a sick brother, or a 
 brother in distress? 
 
 1. Announcement of new cases of illness. 
 
 2. Report of Relief Committee, by their Chairman. 
 
 3. Appointment of watchers for the sick during the ensuing week, 
 including the next Lodge-night ; so as to allow time to notify absent 
 watchers. 
 
 4. Ordering drafts in favor of brethren, widows and orphans 
 entitled to benefits or needing aid. 
 
 IV. Consideration of previous proposals for member- 
 ship. 
 
 1. Reports of Committees of Investigation. 
 
 2. Acceptance of Reports and balloting for Candidates. 
 
 V. Candidates admitted. 
 
 N. B. Special care should be taken to have every officer prepared 
 and at his post, and every thing ready, that perfect order and 
 silence may be maintained. 
 
 VI. Has any brother a friend to propose to become a 
 member of this Order ? 
 
 1. Propositions received and read. 
 
 2. Propositions accepted, if correct, and Committees appointed, 
 and endorsed thereon. 
 
 VII. Unfinished Business appearing on the Minutes^ 
 to be attended to. 
 
 1. Reports of Standing Committees received and acted upon. 
 
 2. Reports of Special Committees, also. 
 8. Other unfinished business, in order. 
 
184 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 VIII. Has any brother any thing to off er for the good 
 of the Order? 
 
 1. Communications from the Grand Lodge, from Dist. Grand Com- 
 mittees, from the Dist. D. Grand Master, from other Lodges, and 
 miscellaneous, in the order here named. 
 
 2. New business, applications for degrees, cards, &c. 
 
 3. Permanent Secretary's Report of the receipts since previous 
 meeting, which must be entered on the Minutes. 
 
 IX. Closing the Lodge. 
 
 N. B. Allow sufficient time for any excitement to subside, officers 
 to complete business on hand, &c., before closing, that all things 
 may be "done decently and in order." 
 
 The above order of business should be adhered to at 
 all stated meetings. If circumstances require an early 
 attention to some item coming late in order say, the 
 Report of a Committee it can be reached thus : As 
 the N. G. announces each item in order, a motion is 
 made and carried to lay it on the table until after the 
 Report. Thus each item is passed until you reach 
 "unfinished business," when the Report is received and 
 acted on. Then the items "laid on the table" are in 
 order, and are taken up regularly as before, and com- 
 pleted. 
 
 It will be seen that our duties to the sick, the dis- 
 tressed, the widow, and the orphan, are especially 
 considered at every Lodge meeting, and (if need be) 
 provided for during the ensuing week. 
 
 While all business, debates, &c. should be conducted 
 in a strictly parliamentary manner, care should be taken 
 not to render the intercourse of the brethren cold and 
 formal. Respect and courtesy to all, mingled with 
 that deference to motives, if not opinions, which fra- 
 ternal love inspires, should never be forgotten in the 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE. 185 
 
 Lodge. But if forgotten by the speakers, the proper 
 officer should promptly and firmly, yet gently remind 
 them of their temporary aberration. Those personali- 
 ties and sarcasms which many mistake for wit and 
 humor, but which ruffle the temper, wound the feelings, 
 and excite ill-will among brethren, are as entirely out 
 of place in a Lodge-room as in a Church. But plea- 
 santry, real wit and humor, without a sting, are com- 
 mendable when time allows and the subject invites 
 their indulgence. 
 
 But when serious things and solemn rites are before 
 the Lodge, especially during initiation and while con- 
 ferring degrees, every thing like levity and jesting 
 should be promptly repressed, and, if need be, rebuked 
 or punished. 
 
 By properly and earnestly performing the work of a 
 Lodge, every member and officer has his work as an 
 Odd-Fellow duly laid out, prepared and furnished, that 
 he may carry forward and complete it during the week 
 If he does his duty out of the Lodge as prescribed 
 within it, he will be made a wiser, better, and happier 
 man; the brethren will be edified and stimulated to 
 good works, and the Lodge will become a powerful 
 agent, in God's providence, for promoting among men 
 the manifold blessings of Friendship, Love, and Truth. 
 
 9. Closing the Lodge. 
 
 Appropriate to the opening and working of a Lodge, 
 is the impressive ceremonial of closing the same. 
 
 The business of the evening having been transacted, 
 the Vice-Grand, Officers, and brethren are requested 
 to place themselves in proper position to aid the desig- 
 nated officer who is to close the Lodge. The desire of 
 10* 
 
186 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 the N. G. being formally declared, the Lodge is pre- 
 pared for closing, and an appropriate Ode is sung. 
 
 The particular duties of each officer at closing are 
 then rehearsed, and should be attentively listened to, 
 in order that none may be delinquent for want of know- 
 ledge, or be held accountable for neglect of duties not 
 pertaining to his charge. Members are commended for 
 their attention to the business of the evening, and bro- 
 thers thanked for their presence, and all are invited to 
 attend on any future evening. Arrangements are made 
 for collecting the regalia and implements of the Lodge, 
 inspecting their condition, and placing them in their 
 depositories. And finally, the brother in charge of the 
 entrance prepares the way for the departure of the 
 brethren. 
 
 Thus admonished and prepared, in some jurisdictions, 
 the Lodge unites with a Chaplain in the following 
 
 CLOSING PRAYER. Almighty Fatner : dismiss us, we 
 implore thee, with thy blessing. Let all we have done 
 upon this occasion, meet acceptance and favor in thy 
 sight ; and may we still continue, through thy aid and 
 assistance, to increase the usefulness of our institution 
 to ourselves and to all mankind. Amen.* 
 
 * The following is the form that was formerly used in New York, 
 and yet is in at least some Lodges : 
 
 CLOSING PRAYER. We bless thee, Lord, that we have been per- 
 mitted to enjoy this, another Lodge-meeting. Pardon what thou 
 hast seen amiss in us : and now, as we are about to separate, may 
 thy blessing be with us, and with all our brethren throughout the 
 globe. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social 
 virtue adorn our lives, while members of this Lodge below ; and at 
 last may we be admitted to the joys of a better world : and thine 
 be the power and glory, forever and ever. Amen. 
 
OF THE SUBORDINATE LODGE- 187 
 
 After the prayer, the Lodge is declared duly closed, 
 the time of the next meeting is proclaimed, and the 
 brethren separate, as brethren of one family always 
 should depart from any assemblage, IN PEACE. 
 
 We close this section with the earnest admonition of 
 Past D. G. Sire, Albert Case : 
 
 fc < Brethren, may it never be said by the uninitiated, 
 that we are deficient in those practical characteristics 
 of the Order, which, when truly and systematically 
 adhered to, cannot fail to distinguish us above those 
 who refuse to knock at the door of our temple, and 
 gain a knowledge of our mysteries. Let us not forget 
 that, while we cultivate the perfection of our fraternal 
 duties, we shall improve in the knowledge of Deity, of 
 our duty to Him, to our neighbor, and to ourselves : 
 Friendship will bind us together, Truth will direct us, 
 and Love will make our labors easy; so that, at the 
 last, when we are summoned from the terrestrial Lodges 
 to the Grand Lodge Celestial, we may leave form and 
 ceremony behind, find our work approved, and, as the 
 mysteries of Heaven are unveiled to our admiring vision, 
 we may arrive at its perfection, and enjoy its benefits 
 throughout ages eternal." Even so may it be ! Amen. 
 
 10. Work out of Lodge. 
 
 Closing the Lodge does by no means suspend the 
 work of its officers and members. Proper provision 
 having been made and instructions given, in the Lodge, 
 the Committees are now to pursue their labors : the sick 
 are to be systematically and kindly visited, the dis- 
 tressed are to be relieved, the widows and orphans to be 
 attended to, and the needy and suffering to be searched 
 out preparatory to being reported at the next meeting. 
 
188 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The principles of good-will and brotherly love are to be 
 carried out in social and domestic intercourse, outside 
 the walls of the Lodge-room. The world itself is one 
 vast Lodge of brethren, and the lessons acquired in the 
 weekly meeting of the few, should be reduced to daily, 
 constant practice among the many. And especially is 
 that temple, the body, which is the residence of the 
 Holy Spirit, to be further enlightened and purified, and 
 rendered the abiding-place of Friendship, Love, and 
 Truth. 
 
 To prepare the Odd-Fellow for these daily duties and 
 privileges of life, and to direct him in their proper per- 
 formance and use, is the great end and aim of the 
 weekly meeting in the Lodge-room. The work of the 
 Lodge being but a school to exercise him in his proper 
 work of Odd-Fellowship in his own heart, in his family, 
 and in the world at large. The tokens and emblems of 
 the one are designed to direct his mind to the sun, the 
 moon, the stars, the light-woven bow on the cloud, the 
 open hand, and all the other visible and invisible ob- 
 jects in the other, which speak of God's goodness, and 
 man's duties, and nature's blessedness, and make them 
 incitements to the pursuit of knowledge and virtue. 
 
 Careless, indolent, or ill-instructed, therefore, must 
 he be, who rests satisfied with a mere attendance on 
 Lodge-meetings, and whose mind and heart reach not 
 beyond the mere routine of its workings, the letter of 
 its lectures and charges, or the outward appearance of 
 its forms, emblems, and allegorized representations. 
 The true Odd-Fellow, using these but as an outline 
 map, will study them that he may fill up their vacancies, 
 understandingly mark out his journey in the world, and 
 pursue his life-pilgrimage, knowing whence he cometh, 
 whither he goeth, and what he doeth. 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS, 189 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS. 
 
 EACH member, whatever be his rank or station in the 
 Order, has certain duties to perform and obligations to 
 discharge by virtue, simply, of his membership, as an 
 Odd-Fellow. These exist and surround him in every 
 situation and condition in which he may be placed in 
 life, public and private, in the Lodge and in the bosom 
 of his family. He is an Odd-Fellow, first, middle, and 
 last: an Odd-Fellow always, whether a Grand Master 
 or a mere initiate, wherever and whatever he may be. 
 
 And in consequence of these acknowledged duties 
 and obligations, we claim the privilege of observing the 
 conduct of all our brethren, as well out of the Lodge as 
 in it, for brotherly approval, advice, admonition, or 
 correction. A few special remarks, then, on those 
 duties which each member of our Order owes, as an 
 individual Odd-Fellow, seem appropriate in this place. 
 
 1. Lodge Attendance. 
 
 Some members are very faithful in Lodge attendance 
 until they have "passed the Chairs," or until they find 
 they cannot succeed in doing so, and then their zeal 
 suddenly cools down, and they seldom attend, except to 
 pay their dues, and even these they sometimes send in 
 by a neighbor ! Be not one of these. And never vote 
 for, or aid in any way to elevate to the honors of the 
 
190 THE ODD-FELLOWS MANUAL. 
 
 Order, any brother whom you have good reason to 
 believe one of this class. They love not the principles 
 their hearts are not in the works of Odd-Fellowship. 
 It is time that those who unite with us, not because 
 they love to do good, but for " the loaves and the 
 fishes," should learn that they have mistaken their aim, 
 that we prefer to honor, above all others, the workers in 
 our ranks, the lovers of our principles. 
 
 P. G. M. A. E. Glenn, Editor of The Ark/' Columbus, 
 0., speaks very plainly to those who, from any light 
 cause, have allowed their zeal to cool down into ab- 
 senteeism : 
 
 "Tell us why you neglect the Lodge? Where are 
 you on the evenings of our meetings ? What has hap- 
 pened to wean you away from the Hall, where, in other 
 days, you were always present ? Are you tired of Odd- 
 Fellowship ? When you were sick, and in distress, 
 were you neglected ? When you needed watchers, did 
 you not have them ? When you were entitled to bene- 
 fits, were they not paid you? If you have been neglected 
 in any manner, have you made complaint, and has no 
 remedy been applied ? If so, then we must acknowledge 
 you have had some cause for absenting yourself fr< m 
 the Lodge. But we think few cases of neglect, such as 
 we have mentioned, have ever occurred. We do not 
 know of one ; and consequently there must be other 
 reasons for being absent from the Lodge. We hope 
 and trust brothers have not found other places, apart 
 from their families, where they can spend their evenings 
 more agreeably than among their brothers in the Lodge- 
 room. We would not insinuate such a 'thing; but we 
 know there are many who never come to the Lodge, 
 that could do so as well as not, and who should attend.'* 
 
 The same writer also properly adds " What is more 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS. 191 
 
 discouraging to those who always attend, upon whom 
 mainly depends the Lodge business, than to see a thin 
 attendance ? It would oftentimes seem as though but 
 few had any regard for the Order ; and yet, those who 
 do not attend are generally the first to complain if 
 they are neglected in sickness, or fail to receive benefits 
 when entitled to receive them. 
 
 " The sociability which should always exist among 
 Odd-Fellows, and particularly between members of the 
 same Lodge, cannot exist if they do not meet once a 
 week in the Lodge-room. These meetings make us 
 more familiar, we know each other better, and are 
 more sociable and friendly. When one is summoned to 
 watch with a sick brother, and he goes to the house of 
 one he has not met in the Lodge for a year, does he feel 
 like watching with a brother ? Does the sick brother 
 feel as though Odd-Fellows were with him ? Certainly 
 not to the degree he would, if they had met weekly in 
 the Lodge-room." 
 
 P. D. G. Sire, Albert Case, while editor of "The 
 Covenant," also urged to the same purpose: " There 
 are many reasons to be urged in favor of a general 
 attendance on the meetings of the Lodge. Our Lodges 
 are deliberative assemblies, and the business they transact 
 is, I apprehend, of more importance than many of the 
 members imagine. The reception of members, the dis- 
 position of the funds, and all the immediate and direct 
 operations of the institution, is the work of the Subordi- 
 nate Lodges. The entire character, standing, and sue 
 cess of the Order, depend, in a great degree, on the 
 manner in which the business of these Lodges is con- 
 ducted. 
 
 "If the meetings of subordinate Lodges are neglected 
 by the members, the business may be transacted in B 
 
192 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 careless, loose, and injudicious, if not in an unlawful 
 manner. In such an event, negligence will be apt to 
 mark all its operations, the inevitable consequence of 
 which must be, that, from want of suitable attention to 
 the qualifications of candidates, bad men will obtain 
 admittance, the funds will be squandered or misapplied 
 to improper purposes, and the Lodge ultimately ruined, 
 and an injury inflicted upon the character and interests 
 of the institution generally. Therefore it is the duty of 
 every member to attend the meetings of his Lodge as 
 often as circumstances will admit. He should not ne- 
 glect them for any trifling cause. The interests of the 
 institution and his Lodge, which it is his duty to watch 
 over, and labor to promote, and to guard against abuse, 
 demand it." His own interests, in case of sickness, 
 travel, and distress ; and the interests of his family, in 
 case of his decease, demand it. 
 
 2. Payment of Dues. 
 
 Even heaven-born benevolence must have material 
 means by which to operate in this world. Hence 
 another important duty of each member is, the prompt 
 payment of his dues. He owes it not only to himself 
 and family, but to the Order. John Randolph professed 
 to have found that the philosopher's stone consisted 
 simply in these four words "Pay as you go." But an 
 Odd-Fellow will more surely find it in the three words 
 "Pay in advance." There are few old members of the 
 Order who cannot relate some case of peculiar hardship 
 caused by non-payment of dues. Some good, but care- 
 less brother, who neglected this small item of duty until 
 he was suddenly called out of this life, was found to be 
 not beneficial, and his widow and orphans, when most 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS. 193 
 
 in need, were left destitute of all legal claims on the 
 funds he had for years been aiding to accumulate. 
 Such cases, too frequently occurring in our Lodges and 
 Encampments, may be yours. Let every member, then, 
 be careful to keep himself " good on the books." Arid 
 as the surest mode of providing against occasional 
 scarcity of cash, or sudden and long absences from 
 home, see that you are always in advance of the claims. 
 Let a memorandum be kept in some book or place where 
 it will be seen frequently, not only by yourself, but by 
 your wife or other interested person, lest you may forget 
 it and fall behind the times. Better even pay for six 
 months ahead, at the commencement of a term, than 
 fall in debt to your Lodge or Encampment. But, at all 
 events, be sure to "pay in advance." 
 
 3. Conduct in Debate. 
 
 Exercise yourself in the discussions of your Lodge ; 
 not for the purpose of mere debate, contention, or "love 
 of opposition," but to improve yourself in suitably exr 
 pressing your sentiments, and to render yourself useful 
 to the Order. For this purpose, make yourself well 
 acquainted with the rules of order and debate, that you 
 may not violate them. Note what is peculiarly easy 
 and correct in the style and manner of others, that you 
 may engraft it on your own. Study well each subject 
 you intend to discuss, in all its bearings and tendencies, 
 that you may have a well digested opinion of your own 
 to express. Avoid every appearance of disrespect for 
 the opinions and motives of others, and strive, not 
 merely to repeat what others have said as well, before 
 you, but to shed new light upon the question. And 
 clothing your ideas in few words, fit and expressive, de- 
 17 
 
194 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 liver them in a clear tone, in a calm but impressive 
 manner, and then take your seat. A wordy, windy- 
 speaker, or one who " tears a passion to tatters, to very 
 rags," every time he rises, as well as one who is always 
 "bobbing up and down" to sputter out his ideas, is sure 
 soon to lose all respect and influence, if, indeed, he does 
 not so vex the Lodge as to induce it to vote down nearly 
 every measure he advocates ! 
 
 Do not, then, suffer your temper to be ruffled by any 
 opposition, or misrepresentation even. If the latter is 
 plausible, and seems likely to mislead others, a calm, 
 plain correction will put all right again. If it is forced, 
 and evidently made to gain a point, depend on it, the 
 good sense of your brethren will perceive it as clearly 
 as yourself, and rebuke it more effectually than you 
 could do. Be sure to be always "in order." 
 
 4. Gentlemanly Conduct. 
 
 The world once thought, as a few seem yet to sup- 
 pose, that to be an Odd-Fellow, a man must be " a jolly, 
 roystering blade," full of quirps and jests, ready to 
 crack his joke, or sing his song, or play off some rude 
 trick on a stranger, or engage in a drinking bout or 
 gormandizing feast. And though a very few among us 
 may furnish some faint shadow for such an opinion, how 
 widely different is the requirement of every part and 
 portion of all our lectures and charges ! Odd-Fellows 
 should all and always be gentlemen. And by this term 
 we mean precisely what the word itself means men of 
 kind, gentle, affectionate hearts; conjoined, if possible, 
 with refined tastes and cultivated minds, with courteous 
 speech and easy manners. But let the mental qualifica- 
 tions and outward appearance be whai they may, the 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT "F ODD-FELLOWS. 195 
 
 heart must be right. That right, and the man will be a 
 gentleman one of nature's making. 
 
 Honesty that primal qualification, without which no 
 man can be an Odd-Fellow absolutely requires that 
 brethren whose mottoes are "Ih God we trust/' and, 
 "Friendship, Love, and Truth," and whose work is 
 " the diffusion of the principles of benevolence and 
 charity," should, in all their intercourse with the world 
 and each other, (and especially in the Lodge,) illustrate 
 those mottoes and diffuse those principles by a living 
 example. And whoso does this, is a gentleman, belongs 
 to the highest style of man. We care not what rnay be 
 his descent, his occupation in life, (provided it be honest,} 
 his personal appearance, or his dress : true gentility re- 
 sides not in these fortuitous, factitious, or external cir- 
 cumstances, but in the heart of the man. And hence 
 every true Odd-Fellow he who is friendly, truthful, 
 sympathizing and benevolent in soul, is, and will be 
 always, a gentleman. 
 
 Cheerful, or mirthful even, he may be in all proper 
 times and places ; but he will not jest with sacred 
 things, nor treat the solemnities of our mysteries with 
 a levity unbecoming one who understands their mean- 
 ing and importance : least of all will he indulge in 
 rudeness of speech or vulgarity of action on any occasion 
 requiring decency of conduct and seriousness of mind. 
 
 5. Correctness in Working. 
 
 We have treated elsewhere of the importance of re- 
 membering what is called the written and unwritten 
 work of the Order, but its utility induces a few addi- 
 tional remarks in this place. 
 
 The ideas as well as language employed in the initia- 
 
196 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 tory ceremony, and in the lectures on the degrees, are 
 beautiful and instructive enough to pay for the labor of 
 carefully stowing them away in the memory. But where 
 the verbal memory is not very good, the sentiments 
 themselves, in their regular order, should be thus 
 treasured up. Many an hour of meditation may be 
 profitably occupied in considering their teachings. 
 
 And especially should the working language of every 
 Lodge-night be committed to memory by every brother 
 aspiring to bear an office or pass the Chairs of his 
 Lodge. The recitals of each officer are brief, and in 
 familiar language, and may be readily committed in 
 turn by any one who will give attention to them. The 
 practice of using the book is a clumsy and embarrassing 
 one ; one that greatly impairs the intended effect of the 
 work of each evening and of initiation ; and one, too, 
 which all State Grand Bodies should utterly abolish and 
 forbid, as a few have already done. 
 
 When we consider our unwritten work, however, that 
 it is the universal language by which alone we may 
 know, or be known of, a brother of whatever nation or 
 language, and give or receive aid without fear of impo- 
 sition, its correctness becomes a matter of very great 
 importance. Our former illustration of a common vault 
 and lock, with separate keys for each owner, is an ap- 
 propriate one. Look at those keys. They are precisely 
 alike; each slit and curve in any one is found in all the 
 rest; and each finds a corresponding projection or in- 
 dentation in the lock to answer to it. The lock of the 
 treasure-vault is unalterable ; but the keys may be 
 filtered if their owners please. Suppose several of 
 these proprietors (considering these slits and curves t<> 
 be u mere trifles") alter their keys to suit the fancy of 
 each. What is the consequence ? Needing some of 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS. 197 
 
 the treasure in the vault, they apply their keys to the 
 lock, but they will no longer fit and open it. Having 
 no other proof of part-ownership, they must lose their 
 share of the treasure, unless they can alter their keys 
 back again to the original pattern. So with our un- 
 written work, and the immense moral, social, and pecu- 
 niary treasures of the Order of which that work is the 
 key. Let no one presume to alter it, to suit an idle 
 fancy, or neglect to render himself perfect in its use. 
 Obtain the correct mode of performing it, from the 
 proper sources, and then impress it strongly on your 
 memory, that you may retain it. 
 
 6. Voting and Balloting. 
 
 As the laws and acts of our Lodges are designed to 
 be an expression of the will of the members, it becomes 
 the duty of every member to vote when required, on any 
 subject of interest or importance to his brethren or the 
 Lodge. But especially is this the case in the admission 
 of new members. Here each vote counts, and the omis- 
 sion of a single negative may work great injury to a 
 Lodge and the Order. The responsibility of each 
 member is therefore increased, just in proportion to the 
 power vested in him to prevent the evil. Now, while 
 some of our brethren are too ready and willing to use 
 the black ball, there are others far too many, who 
 shrink from using it under almost any circumstances, as 
 if it were a base instrument. And not a few others, 
 irritated by an occasional wrong use of the secret nega- 
 tive, would abolish it altogether, and require every 
 brother to state his objections in the open Lodge. Let 
 us, therefore, consider the uses and abuses of our ballot. 
 
 The secret ballot was instituted to afford the utmost 
 17* 
 
198 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 freedom in expressing the individual will. By it, the 
 most timid is enabled to give his assent or dissent to 
 the placing of every stone in the great Temple of our 
 Fraternity, unawed by the wealthy or influential brother 
 at his side ; fearless of the betrayal of his vote to the 
 candidate by any weak brother who may happen to be 
 in the Lodge ; secure from the knowledge of the can- 
 didate, even should he afterward be admitted to mem- 
 bership. Thus the absolute freedom of choice is secured, 
 as fully and perfectly as human wisdom can contrive 
 means to do so. And, surely, in a brotherhood so 
 closely united, the fullest freedom in rejecting proposed 
 associates should not only be allowed, but insisted on. 
 And every brother who will rightly consider the subject, 
 will perceive that it is his duty not only to maintain 
 that right for others, but to exercise it himself. 
 
 True, it may be, and sometimes is abused. But this 
 only calls more loudly for its right use and careful 
 preservation in its greatest purity. And for this pur- 
 pose, our laws providing against the indulgence of 
 personal pique, or party or sectarian prejudices, should 
 be rigidly enforced against all offenders. Nor only 
 this, but every brother should, by unvarying precept 
 and example, enforce the right use of the ballot, by 
 carefully abstaining from any wrong use of it in his 
 own case. 
 
 If a candidate is proposed, with whom, unfortunately, 
 we have had a collision in business, in politics, in 
 religion, or in social intercourse, we should at once 
 institute a rigid scrutiny of our opinions and feelings 
 concerning him. The circumstances which led to that 
 collision should be inquired into anew. Our own doings, 
 and sayings, and deportment, during it, should be passed 
 in careful review. If this still leaves us averse to him, 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS. 199 
 
 we should inquire concerning his principles and disposi- 
 tion, of his most intimate friends. If these are good-* 
 if no other act than that collision testifies against him, 
 we may be sure that we rest under some mistake or 
 misunderstanding which a friendly interview would 
 remove. Seek him, then, and an enemy may be lost 
 and a friend gained, in whose favor we may conscien 
 tiously vote. A worthy brother once observed, "If 
 the difficulty is only between the candidate and myself, 
 I always vote for him; because I know that if he will 
 only come into our Lodge, and heed the principles of 
 the Order, we shall soon be friends again." He, under- 
 stood the uses and tendencies of our Order. 
 
 But if, after all efforts, you are compelled to consider 
 a candidate deficient in moral or social qualities, your 
 duty is clear, is imperative CAST THE BLACK BALL. If, 
 in safety to yourself, you can forewarn his friends of 
 your intention and the reasons therefor, do so, that he 
 may be duly admonished, and, if possible, reformed. 
 
 Many brethren, not considering all the doubts and 
 motives which may induce a brother to cast a black 
 ball, nor all the meanings that ball is therefore intended 
 to express, have come to consider this small but powerful 
 weapon of an Odd-Fellow's will as having only an evil 
 meaning. This is a great and injurious error. It 
 expresses not only a sense of condemnation, but of 
 doubt or indecision. It may imply that the voter knows 
 the candidate to be unworthy, but it may also mean 
 that he lacks evidence to satisfy him that he is worthy. 
 Black-balling a candidate, then, is not "branding him 
 as a bad man," as some brethren suppose, and who 
 therefore refrain from using it in cases of mere doubt, 
 to the great injury of the Order. 
 
 In most cases of doubt, or want of sufficient evidence, 
 
200 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 ask a postponement of the ballot, giving the reasons, 
 that information may be furnished, and that you may 
 vote understandingly and decidedly. 
 
 Remember, then, that the secrecy of the ballot must 
 be maintained in its purity. Resist every attempt to 
 impair or lessen its security ; above all, to abolish it. 
 Let no abuse of it ever induce you to deprive the Order 
 of this safeguard to a free expression of the will of each 
 member. If a man is not positively known to be 
 worthy of admission, let no motives of false delicacy, 
 or fear of giving offence, induce you to refrain from 
 casting a black ball. But in casting it, be careful to 
 avoid even the appearance of mere personal, party, 
 sectional, or sectarian motives. And be vigilant in 
 preventing any abuse of it by others. However disa- 
 greeable and painful the duty, see that our laws in this 
 respect are faithfully obeyed by others as well as your- 
 Belf. 
 
 7. Duties to Self and Family. 
 
 The love of self is made, by Christianity, the measure 
 of love for our neighbor, not forgetting that " our 
 neighbor is the suffering man, though at the farthest 
 pole." We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, not 
 better than ourselves. While we do unto others as we 
 would have them do unto us, we must also remember 
 that " he who provideth not for his own, and especially 
 for those of his own household, hath denied the faith, 
 und is worse than an infidel." Odd-Fellowship in its 
 teachings is perfectly accordant with this instruction. 
 Its groat, first qualification, Honesty, covers the entire 
 ground of all man's relations and connections in life. 
 No man can be a good Odd-Fellow, who neglects his 
 
DUTIES AND DEPORTMENT OF ODD-FELLOWS. 201 
 
 business, suffers his affairs to become embarrassed, pro- 
 vides not well and truly for his family, leaves his duties 
 rest with added care on his wife and children, to 
 attend to Odd-Fellowship." Attend to dd- Fellow ship ! 
 Mistaken man: in that very neglect he is neglecting 
 our Order. He is providing trouble for his brethren in 
 the accumulation of troubles for himself and family. 
 He is imbittering the minds of that family, and arraying 
 its influence and the influence of its friends, against the 
 Lodge. He is bringing reproach on himself and on us ; 
 for we are likely to be censured as the cause of his 
 neglect, and his seducers from duty. 
 
 There are special occasions enough, when duty to the 
 Order, or to its sick and distressed members and fami- 
 lies, calls our members from their domestic affairs, 
 without making ordinary occasions an excuse for wast- 
 ing whole days and half nights in mere talking, loitering, 
 and idleness, under pretence of " attending to the duties 
 of the Order." Two, or at most three evenings a week, 
 to attend subordinate and Degree Lodge, and Encamp- 
 ment, are usually sufficient. And if these be rightly 
 improved, your family will willingly submit to your 
 absence on the few special calls that occur in the course 
 of each year. Only be faithful and attentive to your 
 home duties, and you will find no difficulty in gaining 
 their hearty assent to your attention to Lodge and 
 Encampment duties. 
 
 So in the other relations of life. Odd-Fellowship 
 requires of her members attention to them all, public 
 and private. It is the mark of a narrow soul or an ill- 
 regulated mind, to become absorbed in one set of duties 
 and relations, to the abandonment or partial neglect of 
 the rest. And it is a sad mistake to spend the precious 
 moments waiting to perform some great deed of good, 
 
202 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 when every hour may witness some small kindness 
 shown, some little utility performed. For, after all, 
 life is made up, not of great necessities and wants, not 
 of great acts and performances, but of numerous small 
 ones. Each passing hour bears on its wings some call 
 for duty to self and others. Do that, hour by hour, 
 and your whole life will 'be one of utility and blessed- 
 ness. It were as absurd to ask to live your life by 
 years at a time, instead of moments in succession, as to 
 dream of performing your duty in great deeds alone, 
 to the utter neglect of the small but constantly recur- 
 ring kindnesses to your family, your friends, and com- 
 munity around you. Be an Odd-Fellow, then, always 
 and everywhere; in your closet, at your fireside, in the 
 social circle, at the festal board, in the abode of poverty 
 or house of mourning, at the public gathering, and in 
 the Lodge-room, remember and live the teachings of 
 Odd-Fellowship, that you may be a blessing and a 
 praise to it and to the world. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 
 
 IN large Lodges, or those whose situation and cir- 
 cumstances create a large amount of business, special 
 meetings and long sessions may generally be avoided 
 by intrusting the arrangement arid consideration of 
 matters requiring much time and labor, to well-chosen 
 Committees. But men who are careless in attendance, 
 or indolent in working, or deficient in patience or judg- 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 203 
 
 merit, should never be placed on such Committees, or, 
 indeed, on any Committees ; or if placed there, should 
 be compelled to perform the duties assigned them by a 
 rigid enforcement of the laws. 
 
 1. General Duties of Committees. 
 
 The first-named member of a Committee is the Chair- 
 man thereof until the Committee meets and chooses its 
 Chairman in due form. As a false delicacy frequently 
 prevents any movement to elect a Chairman, care should 
 be taken to place the most active and best qualified 
 brother at the head of each Committee. But as this 
 cannot always be done, any error in the appointment 
 may easily be remedied by the person appointed. 
 
 Thus, if appointed on a Committee for which you are 
 sure you are not qualified, and cannot qualify yourself, 
 or whose meetings you cannot attend, at once respect- 
 fully decline serving, frankly stating the reasons, that 
 another better qualified or prepared may be appointed 
 in your stead. Never accept an office of any kind 
 which you feel confident you cannot render yourself 
 competent to fill, or to whose duties you cannot attend. 
 
 If appointed, and induced to accept, resolve to attend 
 to it as if you alone were the Committee. Fix a time 
 and place for the meeting, with consent of the other 
 members, and notify the absent ones accordingly. Be 
 there yourself precisely at or before the minute ap- 
 pointed. If others are negligent in such promptness, 
 impress upon their minds the importance of punctuality, 
 even if it has to be done, as a last resort, by reporting 
 their neglect to the Lodge. No man has a right, social 
 or moral, to waste the precious time of others by keep- 
 ing them waiting on his tardy movements. Even fifteen 
 
204 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 minutes thus lost would make an aggregate of one hour 
 where four brethren are concerned in it. 
 
 If you are the first named of the Committee, as soon 
 as the first meeting assembles, require them to elect a 
 Chairman, on the ground that every body of men has a 
 right to choose its own officers. This done, urge the 
 entire attention of the Committee to the business in 
 hand, until all is accomplished that can be, at that 
 sitting ; until, if possible, the whole affair is thoroughly 
 investigated, and the full report is understandingly 
 agreed to and signed. " Business first, pleasure after- 
 ward." It is wrong to spend time in chit-chat, or idle 
 discussions, to the delay of business. It only confuses 
 the mind, and often keeps brethren from other engage- 
 ments, or their families, and leads them to feel careless 
 about attending thereafter, when such waste of time is 
 the consequence. Postpone, therefore, every thing till 
 after the main object of your meeting has received 
 proper attention. 
 
 Some Committees are so important, and their duties 
 so regularly recurring, as to require more than the 
 above general remarks. We give them, therefore, 
 special directions. Their number and their names vary 
 in different Lodges, but the following subjects embrace 
 them all :- 1st. Investigation of applications for mem- 
 bership. 2d. Examination of articles furnished and 
 bills presented. 3d. Examination of the accounts of 
 the Treasurer and Secretary at the close of each term 
 or quarter. 4th. Disposal and management of the 
 funds, loans, bonds, &c. held by the Lodge. 5th. Su- 
 pervision of the regalia, furniture, fixtures, and other 
 properties of the Lodge. Gth. Trial of members 
 charged with offences. 7th. Relief of disabled mem- 
 bers and distressed brethren. In some Lodges the *2d 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 205 
 
 and 3d are performed by the same Committee ; and in 
 others the 3d, 4th, and 5th are discharged by the 
 Trustees of the Lodge. The interested reader will ex- 
 amine accordingly, under those several sections. 
 
 2. Investigating Committee. 
 
 There is no Committee more important than this, 
 especially in new Lodges, where there is a strong desire 
 to increase the membership rapidly ; or in large towns 
 and cities, where men are not personally so well known 
 to each other, and where, therefore, the Lodge must 
 rely wholly on the report made to it respecting a can- 
 didate. If this Committee is careless in the performance 
 of its duty, or lax in its standard of social and moral 
 qualifications, in but a single instance, a grievous if not 
 irreparable injury may be inflicted on many brethren, 
 on the Lodge, and on the Order. Years may elapse 
 before the evil can be arrested ; certainly before its 
 consequences can be repaired. 
 
 Even a man esteemed to sustain a good moral cha- 
 racter, may be socially such that his admission will be 
 worse than that of an outright bad man. The latter 
 would be ejected at once, easily and lawfully ; but the 
 former may foment disturbances and strifes, and get up 
 factions and divisions, and introduce annoyances in the 
 shape of unpleasant words and looks, so cunningly, that 
 charges and specifications cannot easily be preferred, 
 or conviction procured ; and yet a nest of wasps would 
 be scarcely a less evil in the Lodge each night, than all 
 would at last acknowledge him to be. But before such 
 unanimity can be produced, the injured, the peaceably 
 disposed and the honorable will have left, disgusted and 
 grieved, and the Lodge is not only weakened, but its 
 18 
 
206 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 character almost ruined in public estimation. And all 
 this, merely because an Investigating Committee was in 
 an easy humor, or too indolent or careless to make the 
 necessary inquiry. 
 
 Therefore we say, let no man be placed on that Com- 
 mittee as a mere compliment. Select active, resolute 
 men, who understand the duty, and will perform it 
 faithfully; men of good moral and social character, 
 and who will require the same in others. 
 
 And let every member of such a Committee feel re- 
 sponsible, as if he were the Committee ; as if the entire 
 character, funds and welfare of the Lodge rested on his 
 decision. Let him, in making inquiry, insist on having 
 sufficient time to write abroad, if the candidate is not an 
 old resident. Demand at least as careful inquiry as you 
 would concerning an individual to whom you are about 
 to lend a large sum of money. Reflect that our Lodge 
 is our family, and that admission into it, frequently, 
 almost necessarily, admits into our domestic circles also. 
 
 Now, what characters are we willing to receive into 
 the intimacy of a fraternal intercourse with ourselves, 
 our wives, brothers, sisters, sons or daughters? Does 
 this question go too far ? Consider a few consequences 
 of admission into our Order. 
 
 1st. If laid on the bed of sickness, the candidate (if 
 become a member) may be the visitor to call on you 
 freely, mingle with your family, and impart to them the 
 benefits allowed by your Lodge. Is he such a one as 
 you would allow in this intimacy when you are, perhaps, 
 unconscious of his doings, and at all events unable 
 closely to observe his conduct ? Is he a man of princi- 
 ple, of honor, of goodness of heart ? If not, why report 
 in his favor ? 
 
 2d. When you are sick or dying, he, if a member, 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 207 
 
 may be detailed to sit at your bedside during the silent 
 watches of the night. He will mingle with your loved 
 ones when they most need sympathy and support, and 
 when this want will render them most open and con- 
 fiding. He will administer the medicines on which your 
 life depends, when your family sleep under the double 
 influence of deep grief and great weariness, and he is 
 required to attend you with all a nurse's prudence and 
 a brother's tenderness. And should death invade the 
 citadel of life, he will be amid your mourning family ; 
 perhaps at midnight ; their aider, consoler, and friend. 
 Is he the man of kindly feelings and purity of life to be 
 thus deeply, confidingly trusted in the craving want of 
 sympathy, in the unguarded hours of mourning agony ? 
 If not, how can you, in justice to your own and your 
 .brethren's families, refrain from doing your utmost to 
 keep him out of your Lodge ? 
 
 3d. When your mortal life has been dissolved by the 
 chemistry of death, your widow and orphans may become 
 the charge of your " brethren of the mystic tie." Then 
 the proposed candidate, if a member, may be brought 
 into a peculiar nearness to them as an official guardian 
 and adviser. These duties may pave the way to many 
 opportunities to pervert the tender principles of youthful 
 gratitude and confidence, and abuse the trust of the widow 
 and her orphans. Though a majority of the Lodge guard 
 carefully their interest in its funds, his injuries may reach 
 deeper, far deeper than they can guard against. Has 
 he, then, that humanity which will make him truly fra- 
 ternal in watching over their interests and welfare? 
 Will he often "visit the widow and the fatherless in 
 their afflictions," and yet prevent his visits from being 
 a blighting curse, by keeping " himself unspotted from 
 
208 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 the world ?" Can you answer positively in the affirma- 
 tive ? If not, how can you report favorably ? 
 
 The man of lax morals or loose principles ; the de- 
 spiser of public opinion in matters of reputation; the 
 slanderer and contemner of female virtue ; the man who 
 readily infers evil of others, and is free to insinuate his 
 surmises against reputation; the unfeeling, the selfish, 
 the vindictive, the jealous, the avaricious, the mean 
 in conduct, are unfit to be members in our living 
 Temple sacred to Friendship, Love, and Truth. That 
 some such are already within its walls, but adds to the 
 earnestness of our entreaty, to bring in no more such to 
 fill up the vacancies we are making among their number 
 by suspensions and expulsions. 
 
 But if satisfied, from an examination of the candi- 
 date's life, and especially his conduct in his family or 
 among his intimate associates, that, notwithstanding the 
 frailties common to our nature, he is still a man of 
 humanity and sound principle, and worthy a seat in 
 "our family," report in his favor at once. The influ- 
 ences of Odd-Fellowship cannot render such a one worse, 
 but will certainly make him a better man. But if 
 doubtful, merely DOUBTFUL, report it, and give the 
 Lodge the benefit of your doubt. Rejection is but for 
 a few months, not for all time. It does not decide that 
 he is positively unworthy, but only that he is not known 
 to be worthy. 
 
 3. Finance Committee. 
 
 The members should be practical men, well acquainted 
 with business in general, that they may judge correctly 
 concerning charges made for work done or articles fur- 
 nished, and therefore of the quality of workmanship, 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 209 
 
 materials, and goods. They should be in attendance at 
 each Lodge meeting, and not only read each bill, and 
 know that the work or articles were ordered, (of which 
 the Recording Secretary can inform them,) but they 
 should ascertain from the Committee or officer ordering 
 the same, that the bill is correct ; and then examine the 
 work or articles themselves, and see that they are what 
 were ordered. At least a majority of the Committee 
 should endorse the bill as correct, and the Secretary 
 should not read it, nor the Lodge order it paid, without 
 such endorsement. 
 
 4. Auditing Committee. 
 
 The members of this Committee should be careful 
 accountants and good bookkeepers. They should meet 
 for their quarterly work at least before the first night 
 of the new quarter. When assembled, the Permanent 
 Secretary and the Treasurer should also be present to 
 aid them in their investigation, and the Recording 
 Secretary with his books, should also be on hand, with 
 all bills, receipts, and other vouchers. If the books have 
 been properly kept, and the vouchers regularly labelled 
 and filed, the task will be comparatively easy and brief; 
 and if they have not been, it is the Committee's duty to 
 report the neglect and the delinquent to the Lodge. 
 And in no case, and under no circumstances, not even 
 with the most exact and scrupulous officers, should any 
 pecuniary act be taken for granted, or any part of the 
 examination be lightly or carelessly hurried through or 
 passed over. No man is infallible ; none are exempted 
 from occasional mistakes ; and the very portion thus 
 slighted may contain the important error. 
 
 Now for the mode which frequent experience has 
 18* 
 
210 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 taught us is the best in which to conduct the examina- 
 tion. 
 
 The Chairman, the Permanent Secretary, the Re- 
 cording Secretary, and the Treasurer, (each of whom 
 has a Report to draw up,) will provide themselves with 
 materials for taking notes of all such items as they may 
 desire to embody in their Reports. Then, one of the 
 company will take the Record Book and the bills and 
 receipts; a second, the Draft Book and cancelled drafts; 
 a third, the Treasurer's Book and his receipts to the 
 Permanent Secretary; a fourth, the Permanent Secre- 
 tary's Blotter or Nightly Book, and a fifth, his Ledger. 
 The whole can be gone through with, in the order here 
 named, night by night, beginning with the last Quar- 
 terly Reports and the first night's record of the quarter." 
 Each, in turn, will find in his book, or vouchers, the 
 items or amounts named, (if there,) and call them out, 
 and check each with a pencil to note it as correct. If 
 not correct, make it so, or, if doubtful, make a memo- 
 randum of item, book, and page, for future reference. 
 If every thing is correctly entered and properly vouched, 
 then go through again, as before, to add up the amounts 
 of each entry or page, and see that the footings are 
 correct, and your work of auditing is completed. 
 
 The Chairman, Secretaries, and Treasurer, having 
 taken down the items for their Reports, can now pro- 
 ceed to draw them off in due form for presentation to 
 the Lodge. 
 
 If the auditing is carefully performed, in the above- 
 described method, it will not "need doing over again." 
 Only remember that nothing is gained, but much time 
 and labor may be lost, by being in a hurry; therefore 
 "make haste slowly," and as you proceed, be sure of 
 each item and of each figure; for every figure is &fact 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 211 
 
 5. Trustees and Curators. 
 
 In nearly all our Lodges, the duties of these two 
 offices are vested in the Trustees alone ; we therefore 
 treat of both in the same section. 
 
 These officers should, at regular intervals say, semi- 
 annually carefully inspect all the regalia, furniture, 
 and other personal effects of the Lodge, noting their 
 condition, putting them in good repair, and report their 
 probable value to the Lodge, with suggestions for addi- 
 tions, or their better preservation. To facilitate their 
 labors, they should enter a list thereof in the Trustees' 
 Book, (for every Lodge should insist on such a book 
 being kept by its Trustees and Curators,) with the 
 original cost of each article. And in the same book 
 they should also enter this Report in full. 
 
 The funds of the Lodge, whenever they accumulate 
 in the Treasury to an amount greater than is necessary 
 to meet the probable demands of the Lodge for current 
 expenses, should be promptly and carefully invested by 
 them, to the best advantage. They should ask the best 
 security the first bond and mortgage on real estate of 
 double the value of the loan, if it can be procured and 
 at least ample security besides the mere credit of the 
 borrower, however fair his reputation or ample his 
 means. For as they will demand this of the poor bor- 
 rower, who will find it difficult to procure security, fair 
 dealing should lead them to require it of the wealthy 
 one, who can easily procure it. 
 
 A regular statement of all such transactions, with the 
 payments of interest, should be kept in the Trustees' 
 Book, ready for immediate use, arid the reference of 
 the Lodge, and of the Auditing Committee. 
 
212 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 It is their duty, also, to consult the Lodge in regaid 
 to making all loans, or withdrawing them. They should 
 collect all interest moneys as soon as they become due 
 to tho Lodge. 
 
 They should never be authorized to draw money, 
 except from the Treasurer, by draft ordered by the 
 Lodge ; and should be required to pay over promptly 
 all moneys received by them for the Lodge, to the Per- 
 manent Secretary, to be reported in his receipts to the 
 Recording Secretary, and paid over to the Treasurer. 
 This regular proceedure in money matters should never 
 be departed from, lest confusion scarce to be remedied 
 creep into the financial affairs of the Lodge. 
 
 6. Charges and Trials. 
 
 Except for non-payment of dues, (in which case no 
 trial is needed,*) no brother can be suspended or ex- 
 pelled without opportunity afforded him for a fair trial. 
 Nor can he be put on trial, unless charges specifying 
 the particular acts of his offence be first submitted to 
 the Lodge of which he is a member, by a brother of the 
 
 * The ordinary operations of a Lodge for non-payment of dues, 
 are 1. When a member is in arrears for thirteen nights, he is de- 
 prived of the right of visiting any Lodge except his own, (and that 
 only by special permission of the N. G.,) by having the Term P. W. 
 withheld from him. He is also declared not entitled to benefits ; 
 though in no case would a donation be refused to him in case of 
 need. 2. When he is twelve months in arrears, he is duly notified of 
 the fact, if within reach of a notice ; and if payment be not made in 
 proper season, he is reported to the Lodge, and declared by the 
 N. G. to be suspended for non-payment of dues. The process of his 
 restoration diifers in the several States, but is generally given 
 clearly in the By-Laws of each Lodge 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 213 
 
 Order. When such charges are presented, or a brother 
 asks the mediation of the Lodge in regard to some 
 fellow-member by whom he feels aggrieved, the Lodge 
 refers the case to a special committee of five members, 
 the peers of the accused. This Committee, whose 
 duties are sometimes so arduous and painful, is one of 
 the most difficult to instruct in their duties. A few 
 very general directions and remarks are all we can 
 pretend to offer them. 
 
 1st. The charges should be brief, clearly expressed, 
 and must embrace, besides the general charge, distinct 
 specifications of the particular words or acts complained 
 of, and the time ivhen, and the place where committed ; 
 and it would be well if there could be added the circum- 
 stances which go to make up the intent or character of 
 the offence. But if there be only a general, vague 
 charge, without specification of the offence, the Com- 
 mittee should return the charges to the Lodge, without 
 further action. 
 
 2d. If the charge or complaint is in due form, and 
 the offence is not probably a heinous one, they will do 
 well to examine the parties alone, separately, and see 
 whether it may not be satisfactorily adjusted, without a 
 formal trial. Not a few difficulties may thus be settled, 
 alienated friends reconciled, and the peace and har- 
 mony of the Lodge be preserved. In this case, they 
 will report to the Lodge that the case has been settled 
 to the mutual satisfaction of the parties, and ask to 
 have themselves discharged from the further considera- 
 tion thereof. 
 
 3d. If a mutual adjustment cannot be effected, or if 
 the case is one that should not be settled privately, a 
 trial is inevitable. Good common sense directing a 
 sincere desire to do justice in ihe_lpye of salutary 
 
214 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 mercy, is the best guide for the Committee. No spec- 
 tators should be allowed in the room. In some States, 
 we believe, even counsel for the parties are not allowed: 
 the parties must plead and manage their own cause. 
 The witnesses should be admitted one at a time, an<l 
 examined fully, separate and apart from each other. 
 The parties should not be allowed to prompt them, or 
 interfere with or interrupt them in any way ; nor, when 
 examining them, to put to them leading questions. 
 Yet every opportunity should be afforded to either 
 party (and especially to the accused) to elicit all the 
 information necessary to a full and fair decision of the 
 case. The " Digest of the Laws of the Order," pub- 
 lished by the Grand Lodge of the United States,* directs 
 that, "If a member of a Subordinate refuse to stand 
 trial upon charges duly preferred, he cannot in his 
 absence be tried, but may be expelled for contempt. 
 If a member acknowledge his guilt upon charges pre- 
 ferred, the penalty may be imposed without trial. 
 Upon the trial of a member charged, an ex parte state- 
 ment cannot be produced as testimony; his wife cannot 
 be permitted to testify ; but all evidence tending to a 
 fair investigation of his case may be admitted." Di- 
 gest. G. L. U. S., various Sections. 
 
 4th. Having fully examined the case, and taken 
 down, carefully, minutes of the testimony, they will 
 dismiss the parties, and consider it maturely, and make 
 up their verdict. If, in the judgment of the Com- 
 mittee, the accused is innocent, they will at once acquit 
 
 * Every brother who designs being active in Lodge or Encamp- 
 ment should be well acquainted with this Digest and that of his 
 State G. L. and G. E. Each Lodge should place its copies of these 
 where officers and members may study them. 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 215 
 
 him. If guilty, but not meriting suspension or ex- 
 pulsion, their decision, whatever it may be, terminates 
 the case, (unless either party appeals to the Lodge,) 
 and they simply report their decision. But if an appeal 
 is made to the Lodge, the whole case is opened by 
 presentation of the minutes of testimony, and the state- 
 ments of the parties, when, (if no want of formality or 
 , of fairness on the part of the Committee, be shown,) a 
 vote of the Lodge determines the matter. If defect is 
 pointed out in the proceedings of the Committee, the 
 case may be referred back again, with instructions, or 
 be given to a new Committee. 
 
 The Committee are competent, also, to present the 
 accuser for trial and punishment, if they believe he has 
 been actuated by unworthy and improper motives in 
 bringing charges which he was unable to prove. 
 
 But if the case is one involving suspension or expul- 
 sion, the Committee must report to the Lodge a reso- 
 lution to that effect, along with their report of the trial. 
 The Lodge will then appoint a time for considering the 
 resolution, (fixed by the Constitution and By-Laws of 
 the Lodge, and usually two weeks,) and notify the 
 accused to be present. At that time, the resolution is 
 acted upon, and the Lodge may vary the penalty at its 
 pleasure. A vote of two-thirds of the members present 
 is necessary to suspend or expel ; but a majority only 
 is necessary on an appeal from a decision by the Com- 
 mittee : that is, for a penalty less than suspension or 
 expulsion. 
 
 If a brother feel aggrieved by the decision of tho 
 Lodge, he can appeal to the Grand Lodge, or its Grand 
 Master stating specifically wherein the rules or forms 
 of trial are believed to have been violated, or injus- 
 tice done. A few additional remarks on the subject 
 
216 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 will be found under the head of District Grand Com- 
 mittees and Appeal Committees. 
 
 7. Relief Committee. 
 
 This Committee usually consists of the N. G., V. G v 
 and Recording Secretary of the Lodge ; but in some 
 Lodges an addition is made to it of the Treasurer and 
 three others, so as to have one member for each day of 
 the week. In this case, the N. G. visits the sick or 
 distressed brother the day after the Lodge-meeting, 
 and leaves with his family the order drawn for benefits. 
 The Treasurer visits him the day after this, and pays 
 the order. The other members follow in succession, 
 one each day. 
 
 A few remarks on the manner of visiting the sick, 
 may not be unnecessary here. This most important 
 duty of our Order should never be neglected ; but it 
 should also be performed with due regard to the welfare 
 of the sick brother, and the comfort of his family. 
 
 1st. Ascertain the condition of the sick, and the 
 propriety of visiting him at his bedside, either from the 
 family, or, what is better, from his physician ; and 
 govern yourself strictly by the directions of the latter 
 in all subsequent calls. 
 
 2d. Be gentle, easy, and noiseless as possible in your 
 approach toward a very sick man, to whom you should 
 be announced, before you enter the room, by some one 
 of the family or his nurse. Be calm in appearance, 
 gpeak in a moderate, smooth, and pleasant voice, (a 
 whisper is more annoying to most persons than a loud 
 voice,) ask but few questions, and be careful not to 
 converse too much, or on trying subjects. When a 
 patient is very weak, speaking and hearing are quite 
 
OF COMMITTEE-MEN AND COMMITTEES. 217 
 
 fatiguing. From two to five minutes, in such cases, are 
 long enough for an ordinary visit. 
 
 3d. When the patient is recovering, and needs com- 
 pany to cheer him up and occupy his time, give him 
 due attention yourself, and induce those brethren to 
 call upon him with whom he was particularly intimate, 
 or to whom he felt great attachment. A wealthy bro- 
 ther, of respectability and influence, can at such times 
 show his sense of our principles by visiting his more 
 humble brethren with whom he is well acquainted, and 
 by leaving with them books and papers to occupy their 
 time, or sending them such little delicacies as their 
 varying and capricious appetites may crave. And the 
 visits of the brethren generally will be acceptable, and 
 should be paid. 
 
 4th. In visiting widows and female orphans of the 
 Lodge, greater circumspection generally is needed than 
 in visiting those of our own sex. Let two of the Com- 
 mittee, in such cases, visit in company, or one with the 
 physician, or, better still, if married, or if you have 
 near female relatives, induce one of the ladies to ac- 
 company you ; or, best of all, organize a Visiting 
 Committee of Daughters of Rebekah, to whom, in con- 
 nection with their husbands, brothers, or sons of the 
 Committee, all visitation might be confided. No man 
 can equal woman's tenderness and tact in the sick-room, 
 or with the distressed family, or the mourning group. 
 
 Lastly. Time your visits to suit the most convenient 
 hours of the family, and especially to meet the best 
 intervals of the patient. Be sympathising, but hopeful 
 and cheerful in your intercourse with them ; for much 
 depends on the state of feelings that may be inspired 
 in the patient by the countenances and words oi those 
 around him. 
 
 19 
 
218 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Watchers with the sick will find in the above direc- 
 tions a few hints that may guide them in the propel 
 mode of performing their duties. The rest they will 
 receive from the physician or the regular nurse. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 OF APPOINTED OFFICERS. 
 
 1. Appointment and Service. 
 
 THE Officers of a Subordinate Lodge are divided into 
 elective and appointed. The appointed officers are the 
 R. and L. Scene Supporters, R. and L. Supporters of the 
 Vice Grand, R. and L. Supporters of the Noble Grand, 
 I. and 0. Guardians, the Conductor, and the Warden ; to 
 which is added, in some Lodges, the Chaplain. All these 
 are appointed by the N. G. on his installation into office, 
 except the R. and L. Supporters of the V. G., who are 
 appointed by the V. G. at his installation. Twenty-six 
 nights' service in one or more of these offices qualifies 
 the incumbent to be a candidate for the Vice Grand's 
 chair, provided he has attained sufficient degrees and is 
 competent. The general and special duties and powers 
 of each officer are defined in the charge books, installa- 
 tion service, and in the Constitution and By-Laws of 
 each Lodge. But it may be useful to enumerate the 
 most importan* of them in this \york. 
 
OF APPOINTED OFFICERS. 
 
 219 
 
 2. The Chaplain. 
 
 JEWEL. The proper and usual jewel of this office is 
 the Holy Bible, made of white metal.* 
 
 REGALIA. A white sash, (usually silk or satin,) 
 trimmed with white or silver fringe and lace, and orna- 
 
 * To save repetition, we will say here, once for all, that in Subordi- 
 nate Lodges, the jewel is usually suspended from the side of the collar, 
 on the left breast ; and in Grand Lodges, in front, at the joining of 
 the collar, or is suspended by a ribbon or chain around the neck, so 
 as to depend in front, in about the same position. Where officers 
 wear the sash, it is suspended from that, where it crosses the left 
 breast. 
 
 Another tasteful mode is to suspend it from the point or joining of a 
 gorget, or smaller collar, worn over and within the larger one, so 
 as to have it suspended n front, on the breast. There is no specific 
 law or usage regulating his subject, that we know of. 
 
220 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 mented with rosettes exhibiting the colors of the degrees 
 received by the wearer, or with white rosettes only. 
 
 STATION. Usually at the right hand of the Past 
 Grand, (about the middle of one side of the room,) 
 whose chair he occupies during service. 
 
 DUTIES. To open and close the Lodge with the ap- 
 pointed prayers, and to officiate at the funeral of a 
 brother, and on other public occasions. 
 
 3. R. and L. Scene Supporters. 
 
 REGALIA. White sashes sometimes trimmed with 
 white ribbon or fringe and rosettes. The manner of 
 wearing the sashes is sometimes varied by different 
 Lodges, for the sake of effect. There is no jewel at- 
 tached to this office ; the skull and cross bones, or band 
 and links, have been proposed. 
 
 STATION. In front, but a little to the right and left 
 of the Vice Grand's chair. Their chairs are usually 
 placed on the floor of the Lodge, in front of the plat- 
 form occupied by the V. G. and his Supporters. 
 
 DUTIES. They deliver the charges of their office at 
 initiations, bear their wands of office (white) in proces- 
 sions ; and at funerals, the same, trimmed with crape. 
 
 4. R. and L. Supporters of the V. Gr. 
 
 REGALIA. Blue sashes may be trimmed with 
 white lace or fringe and should be worn as those of 
 the Scene Supporters, to produce uniformity. 
 
 STATION. On the right and left of the Vice Grand, 
 as their titles indicate. In some Lodges, they are 
 
OF APPOINTED OFFICERS. 221 
 
 placed a little forward of the V. G., and on the second 
 step of the platform. 
 
 DUTIES. The Right Supporter should be proficient 
 in the business and work of a Lodge, as he is the official 
 adviser of the Vice Grand, and occupies his chair during 
 any temporary absence of that officer. And both should 
 be quick in detecting any irregularities in entering or 
 leaving the Lodge, as it is their duty to correct every 
 member or visiter who is not in proper regalia, or who 
 addresses the chairs incorrectly. 
 
 5. R. and L. Supporters of the N. Gr. 
 
 REGALIA. Scarlet sashes may be trimmed with 
 white lace or fringe. The sashes should be worn in 
 uniformity with those of the other chair. 
 
 STATION. At the right and left of the N. G., to cor* 
 respond with those of the opposite chair. 
 
 DUTIES. The Right Supporter should be well versed 
 not only in the business and work of the Lodge, but also 
 in the rules of order and debate ; as he is the official 
 adviser of the N. G., and must occupy his chair during 
 the temporary absence of that officer. It is also his 
 duty to open and close the Lodge in due form when di 
 ^ected by the N. G. 
 
 The duty of the Left Supporter is to correct every 
 brother (whether visiter or member) who is not in 
 proper regalia, or does not address the chair correctly. 
 
 The Supporters of both chairs occupy their respective 
 posts in regard to the principal officers, at funeral and 
 other processions, bearing their wands of office, of the 
 proper colors, (blue and scarlet}) and trimmed suitably 
 ^r the occasion. 
 19* 
 
222 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 6. I. and 0. Guardians. 
 
 JEWEL. The prescribed jewel of 
 these offices is Crossed Swords made 
 of white metal. 
 
 REGALIA. For the Outside Guar- 
 dian,(a scarlet degree member,) a scar- 
 let sash and for the Inside Guardian, 
 a blue sash. They may be trimmed 
 with white lace or fringe. Both Guar- 
 dians wear swords while on duty. 
 
 N. B. We have given the above as the general usage in those 
 States in which we are acquainted. The usage in some sections may 
 be different. 
 
 STATION. The Outside Guardian is stationed at, or 
 within sight and hearing of, the outer door, after the 
 Lodge is opened. Before it is opened, at the proper 
 signal, he must secure the outer door, return to the 
 Lodge-room and wait for orders beside the inner door. 
 The Inside Guardian 8 station is in the Lodge-room, at 
 the inner door. 
 
 DUTIES. The Outside Guardian has charge of thfe 
 anteroom. He must prevent any one from entering 
 from without, who has not the regular P. W., except by 
 special orders from the N. G., to whom he will imme- 
 diately communicate any unauthorized demand for ad- 
 mission, or other questions of doubt, through the I. G. 
 Guarding the first entrance to the Lodge, his office is a 
 very responsible one, and requires much courtesy, com- 
 bined with great decision and energy of character. 
 
OF APPOINTED OFFICERS. 
 
 223 
 
 The Inside Guardian must always be ready to com- 
 municate with the G. He is to admit no one (except 
 by special orders of the officer in charge of the Lodge) 
 who is not in propjr regalia, and in possession of the 
 explanation of the P. W. ; and must allow none to pass 
 out and return, who has not the evening word, or 
 V. G.'sP. W. He will always report to the officer in 
 charge of the Lodge. When an intruder or disorderly 
 member is to be ejected from the Lodge-room, both 
 these officers should act promptly and vigorously, but 
 with as much mildness as is consistent with the necessity 
 of such a painful duty. 
 
 7. The Conductor. 
 
 JEWEL. The jewel of this office 
 is Crossed Axes of white metal. In 
 some Lodges the Conductor bears 
 the Axe as an emblem of his office ; 
 in others, a long black staff, sur- 
 mounted with a white or gilt globe, 
 or an open hand bearing a heart in 
 the palm. 
 
 REGALIA. A black sash, some- 
 times trimmed with white lace or 
 fringe. 
 
 STATION. " The Warden should sit to the right and 
 in front of the N. G. The Conductor's place is to the 
 left, and in front of the N. G. These places are the 
 ones recognized by the most established usages of the 
 Order, and we do not think it right to deviate from the 
 jld customs." Editorial in Covenant, vol. iv. p. 238. 
 Deviations are made, however. In some Lodges, the 
 
224 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Warden, and in others the Conductor occupies a chair 
 fitted up purposely, opposite the P. G. 
 
 DUTIES. The Conductor is ex-officio the assistant of 
 the Warden, when not engaged in his own special duties. 
 But in Pennsylvania, (and possibly in some other States,) 
 a "Junior Warden" is appointed, and the Conductor con- 
 fined to the duties proper to his own office. This, though 
 a deviation from law and usage, is a very convenient and 
 useful arrangement. 
 
 The Conductor is to receive the candidates in the ante- 
 room, and deliver the charge of his office at the proper 
 season. He should have a ready memory and be a good 
 speaker, as he is to make the first, and therefore most 
 important impression. 
 
 8. The Warden. 
 
 JEWEL. Crossed Wands, of 
 white metal. He sometimes 
 bears, as a badge of his office, a 
 long black staff, usually sur- 
 mounted with a ball, gilt or 
 white. 
 
 REGALIA. A black sash 
 should be trimmed and worn to 
 correspond with the Conductor's. 
 
 STATION. This has been treated of under the pre- 
 ceding section. 
 
 DUTIES. The office is an important one, and requires 
 much personal attention. He has charge of the entire 
 wardrobe of the Lodge, and must place the regalia for 
 the use of the officers and members before the Lodge 
 opens, and replace it in its proper depository, after the 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 22o 
 
 Lodge closes, reporting any damage it may have sus- 
 tained to the N. G., and receiving his orders in relation 
 to it. In short, he has a general supervision of the fur- 
 niture of the Lodge-room, and his duty is to make it 
 comfortable. He must examine every person present 
 before the Lodge is opened, reporting promptly to the 
 N. G. every one he finds not fully qualified to remain in 
 it. At least once a month this examination should be 
 thorough, passing by no one. He is to deliver all sum- 
 monses that may be issued by the Lodge, and is the 
 Messenger of the Lodge during its sessions. Surely 
 such an office requires an active, attentive, and obliging 
 brother for its incumbent; and even the aid of a 
 " Junior Warden" will hardly make it a sinecure ! 
 
 His official charge is an important one, not easy to 
 deliver effectively, and requires, therefore, not only a 
 good memory and delivery, but talent besides, of a 
 peculiar order. The office accordingly ranks high in 
 the Lodge, and is rarely too well filled. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 
 
 THE elective officers of a Subordinate Lodge are the 
 Treasurer, the Permanent and the Recording Secretaries, 
 the Vice Grand, and the Noble Grand. The Treasurer 
 and the Permanent Secretary are usually elected for 
 one year. Sometimes the duties of both Secretaryships 
 are performed by one person; and in Pennsylvania, 
 both are divided between two persons ; the Secretary, 
 who is elected for one year, having supervision of the 
 accounts and records; and the Assistant Secretary, who 
 
226 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 is elected for six months, aiding in either or both de- 
 partments, and acting as a member of the Relief Com- 
 mittee. Other officers, as Trustees, &c., may be elected, 
 by provision of the By-Laws of each Lodge, but are not 
 necessarily considered as known to the Order. And 
 the N. G., after serving his term, becomes for the next 
 term the " Sitting Past Grand" of the Lodge, without 
 election or appointment. 
 
 The qualifications for onrce, as to aegrees, differ in 
 various States ; but in nearly, if not quite all, the elec- 
 tive offices must be filled with Scarlet Degree members. 
 As no one should wear a color in his regalia to which 
 he is not entitled by degree, all the offices should be 
 filled with members of the degree implied by their 
 regalia. 
 
 To constitute an election to the elective offices, a 
 majority of all the votes cast is necessary. And twenty- 
 six nights' service as Vice Grand is necessary to eligi- 
 bility to the Noble Grand's Chair. 
 
 The special duties of officers vary in different juris- 
 dictions, and even the general duties prescribed by the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States are varied in some 
 States by regulations peculiar to themselves. The Con- 
 stitution and By-Laws of each subordinate, and the in- 
 structions given at installation and by the Grand Lodge 
 of each State, will be their guide in all that is peculiar 
 as well as general. Here we can only note what we 
 deem most important in either. Though the Treasurer 
 has precedence of the Permanent Secretary, yet for 
 convenience in consulting the duties of both Secreta- 
 ries continuously, we here consider first. 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 227 
 
 2. The Treasurer. 
 
 JEWEL. Crossed Keys of white 
 metal. 
 
 REGALIA. A green collar, 
 trimmed with white (silver) lace or 
 fringe, to correspond with the other 
 official regalia. 
 
 STATION. On the left of the No- 
 ble Grand, on a line and a level with 
 the Recording Secretary. 
 
 DUTIES. He is the Banker of 
 
 the Lodge, and should therefore be a good bookkeeper, 
 a rigid accountant, and a man of strict integrity and re- 
 spectable business talent, Whatever his wealth and 
 standing in society, his bond, with ample security, should 
 be as rigidly required, before installation, as if he were 
 the poorest member. As the ability of the Lodge to 
 aid its members in distress and furnish relief to their 
 families depends mainly on the proper management of 
 its funds, the Lodge cannot be too careful in filling this 
 office well, and then in keeping it well filled. 
 
 He should keep careful watch over all the moneyed 
 affairs of the Lodge. He should insist on receiving all 
 moneys through the Secretary, and on having all the 
 forms and safeguards of business observed before he 
 receives or pays out a cent. His books should ever be 
 ready for an exhibition of the Lodge funds, and every 
 voucher be properly labelled and filed. He should be 
 present, if possible, at every stated meeting, to receive 
 the receipts at the close ; and at the end of each term 
 lie should present his books and vouchers to the Auditing 
 Committee, aid them in their labors, and make out a 
 full report of his own department for the Lodge. 
 
228 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 3. The Permanent Secretary. 
 
 JEWEL. Crossed Pens of white 
 metal. 
 
 REGALIA. A green collar, 
 trimmed with white (or silver) 
 lace or fringe, to correspond with 
 the preceding. 
 
 STATION. This varies in dif- 
 ferent Lodges. At the side of the 
 room, opposite the P. Grand's 
 chair, when not otherwise occu- 
 pied, or at the side of the V. 
 Grand's chair, opposite the I. G., 
 
 is a good place, convenient of access, and aside from 
 the other business of the Lodge. 
 
 DUTIES. He is the bookkeeper and accountant of 
 the Lodge. He receives all moneys paid the Lodge, 
 giving a receipt therefor, in each case, and pays the 
 same over to the Treasurer each evening, taking his re- 
 ceipt for the same in a small book kept for that purpose. 
 His accounts should be regularly posted, that he may 
 render to any brother a statement of his account, on 
 demand, or to the N. G. a statement of the arrears of 
 the brethren, at any time. At the end of each term he 
 will aid the Auditing Committee in their duties, and pre- 
 pare the semi-annual Report for the Grand Lodge to 
 which his Lodge is attached. 
 
 As so much of the peace and prosperity of the Lodge 
 depends on a careful attention to the accounts of the 
 same with its members, too much vigilance and exact- 
 ness cannot be exercised by this officer. We hope to be 
 excused, therefore, for occupying considerable room 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 
 
 with some remarks on Lodge bookkeeping, a confused 
 or vague subject even to some businessmen; and one 
 that has cost not a few Lodges many dollars in the pur- 
 chase of successive sets of books to meet the change of 
 system introduced by each new officer in succession. 
 We give the results of the experience of several able 
 officers and past-officers in that department. 
 
 (1.) The System by Double Entry. 
 
 A correspondent of the "Ark," published in Colum- 
 bus, Ohio, in October, 1849, published directions on this 
 subject, which he carefully revised and republished in 
 December, 1850, with the approval of the editor, him- 
 self a Past Grand Secretary, as " the best that can be 
 adopted." We therefore give it nearly entire, as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 System. No system of bookkeeping will combine all necessary 
 debits and credits as that known as "double entry." If the single 
 entry system is adopted by a Lodge, or by the bookkeeper of the 
 Lodge, in order to make all the necessary debits and credits it will 
 require much more labor and care to keep the accounts correct, and 
 is more liable to omissions and errors. It is found to be advantageous 
 to a Lodge to continue a competent bookkeeper a longer time than 
 the term prescribed by law. 
 
 Benefits shall be drawn and paid weekly by the N. G. or V. G. of the 
 Lodge, and ought to be announced weekly, or at the first ensuing 
 meeting of the Lodge, in order to be entered on the minutes. Debit 
 benefit account and credit the brother the amount of benefits an- 
 nounced, then debit the brother and credit Treasurer for the amount 
 of the order. Accruing quarterly dues must be deducted and paid 
 from benefits as they become due. Benefits ordered to be placed to 
 the credit of a member is the same as that much cash paid. 
 
 Petitions. The money accompanying a petition ought to be kept 
 in the petition until the night of initiation, when the full amount 
 should be credited, and the candidate debited to " initiation fee. " 
 20 
 
230 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The dates and amount of debit and credit should correspond. The 
 card deposited with a petition of a member of the Order ought to be 
 well secured by wafer to the petition, and both filed away together. 
 
 Letters. You ought to preserve a copy of your official letters sent 
 away, particularly those regarded as important. 
 
 Fines. A good time to debit fines is when the brother fails to be- 
 come excused, and when the record is made that he is fined. To de- 
 bit each absent officer at each meeting when he is absent, would in- 
 crease the number of entries of debits and credits, which can be 
 avoided as above stated. 
 
 Deposite of Cards. In opening the books of a new Lodge, or at any 
 time thereafter, the fee must be debited to the brother who is elected 
 to membership, and credited to card deposite account. The initia- 
 tion account and this account ought not to be mingled together. The 
 date of membership should commence with the introduction of the 
 member, and his signing the Constitution of the Lodge. But what- 
 ever date is prescribed, he is chargeable with dues from that date. 
 
 Degrees and Cards. Debit the applicant for degrees or cards only 
 on the evening the same is granted. The cash for degrees is required 
 by law to be paid on the evening of application ; if not then paid, 
 payment ought to be made on the evening of election. Degrees con- 
 ferred on a member to qualify him to fill an office in opening a new 
 Lodge, must be charged up against such member [if not gratuitous] 
 as though he had applied for them at any other time. 
 
 Notices. It has been customary to notify each member of the time 
 of the election of officers. In a corner of the written or printed no- 
 tice the amount of arrearages might be stated, so as to enable the 
 brother to come prepared to pay his indebtedness. 
 
 Quarterly Dues. In the week previous to the last meeting, [at the 
 end of each term,] charge up the term dues under the date of the 
 last meeting [of the term]. On the night preceding the last, meet- 
 ing in each term, have prepared a list of the members who are 
 indebted, with the amount due by each. In that list include the 
 dues of the expiring term. In cases of withdrawal, expulsion, or 
 death, debit the account of the expelled, &c , with the amount of 
 dues up to the time of withdrawal, &c. 
 
 Collection of Dues. It is the duty of the Permanent Secretary to 
 receive all moneys due the Lodge. It is the interest of the Lodge to 
 have payments made regularly as the dues accrue, and the Perma- 
 nent Secretary ought to consider it his duty to call on all the mem- 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 231 
 
 bers, as far as he can, who are not prompt in paying up. He ought 
 also to see that the requirements of the laws in regard to the appli- 
 cations for degrees and cards are complied with. In the absence of 
 any provision in the Constitution, requiring collections to be made 
 by the P. S., it might result to the advantage of some Lodges if they 
 would adopt a provision in their By-Laws imposing that duty on him. 
 
 Cash. The money accompanying petitions ought not to be entered 
 or credited on the cash receipts until initiation, or election on card 
 deposited, for fear the petition may be withdrawn, or the applicant 
 rejected. If the money should be entered on the account-book pre- 
 vious to election, and afterward the petition be withdrawn, you 
 would be opening a new account which would not be continued. It 
 is no advantage to fill your account-book with such names. Cash is 
 debited and the members credited for payments. The P. S. is ac- 
 countable for all cash entered. 
 
 Receipts. The Treasurer's receipts to the P. S. ought to be taken 
 in a small book kept for that purpose. 
 
 Fractions. Avoid fractions of a cent, as they are very trouble- 
 some. [Doubted whether the saving of trouble would pay for the 
 loss of money where the dues are six and a fourth cents weekly.] 
 
 Watch Notices and Sick List. The P. S. is required to make out 
 these notices, but no law says he shall serve them. A small book, 
 that can be carried in the pocket, should be kept as a sick list, to 
 contain, first, a list of the members of the Lodge, with parallel lines, 
 in which a mark should be made to credit watching with a sick bro- 
 ther ; second, to give the date, the names of the watchers, and the 
 name of the person with whom he watched. The first list to occupy 
 a few pages in the first part of the book ; the second list requires 
 more paper. 
 
 Register. You are required to keep a correct register of the mem- 
 bers, with the date of initiation, name, number, how admitted, age, 
 occupation, residence, date and number of degrees taken, time of 
 withdrawal, [or suspension, expulsion, &c.,] and a column for P. 
 Grands. Also a register of notices of expulsion from and by othei 
 Lodges, with the cause, &c. 
 
 Letter Book. The Letter-Book should contain an abstract of your 
 Semi- Annual Reports. A copy is required to be taken and kept. 
 
 Reports. You are required to report to the Grand Lodge semi- 
 annually the amount of receipts: viz., initiations, cards deposited, 
 term dues, degree fees, fines, and donations. Ascertain exactly on 
 
232 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 what basis the Grand Lodge requires the percentage to be estimated, 
 and calculate accordingly. If the following course is pursued, justice 
 will be done to both Lodges. It has been adopted by the one in 
 Columbus. At the end of each term, take the amount placed to the 
 credit of each of these accounts, first deducting all the debits that 
 occurred during the term, and report them as receipts. Some in- 
 dividuals may be in arrears at the time, but they must be overlooked 
 until any one of such may be expelled. When any member is expelled, 
 debit the account of term dues with the amount of arrears, and deduct 
 that amount from the amount credited to that account during that 
 term, and report the remainder as the receipts on which to pay per- 
 centage. The reason for this procedure is this : The Lodge has 
 already paid percentage on the amount of arrears of the expelled 
 member, and as the Lodge has not received any money, it is but 
 justice to cancel an equal amount of dues of the current term. In 
 the event of reinstation and full payment of dues, then the amount 
 paid by the person reinstated must be reported as receipts during 
 that term. In your Report, if you put opposite each name of mem- 
 bers initiated or admitted on card, their number on the Register, it 
 will enable the officer of the Grand Lodge to discover any omission, 
 and to find the proper name on his Register, where two or more may 
 be nearly the same. 
 
 Great care should be taken in making out the Report, to have it 
 declared " correct," and it should be ready for approval at the first 
 meeting of the term, [and be signed by the N. G. of the past term,] 
 and immediately forwarded to the Grand Lodge, with the amount 
 of percentage due ; also, if possible, with a certificate in favor of 
 the new Past Grand. A list of Past Grands is required to be fur- 
 nished at the end of the year, on your Report. In some conspicuous 
 place, write the day of the week on which your Lodge meets. This 
 Report should be ready to be enclosed, with amount of percentage 
 and P. Grand's certificate, to the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of 
 Ohio, on the day following the first meeting of the term. 
 
 Balance Sheets. You will prepare a balance-sheet of all debits and 
 credits standing in your Ledger, for the Auditing Committee, and 
 file it. 
 
 Balancing Accounts. Often balancing accounts consumes paper 
 without effecting much good. In accounts, such as quarterly dues, 
 initiations, &c., where there is no debit, avoid the common practice 
 of balancing bj merely drawing a line under the credit column, and 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 233 
 
 setting down the total amount. This may be done with initiation 
 account, degrees, &c., where there are a number of entries. In the 
 account of quarterly dues, once a year is often enough. 
 
 Accounts. In order to keep a good set of books, it is necessary 
 that the following accounts be opened, viz., Cash, Treasurer, Initia- 
 tion, Cards deposited, Quarterly Dues, Degrees, Expense, Benefits, 
 Grand Lodge, Charity ; and it may be necessary, for convenience, 
 k> add the following: Travelling and Visiting Card, Widows and 
 Orphans, Percentage, Representative Tax, Regalia, Emblems, and 
 Jewels. It will be found convenient to the accountant to have a 
 number of pages left for each of the first, second, third, sixth, 
 seventh, and eighth accounts named above. 
 
 The foregoing directions, though intended only for 
 the meridian of Ohio, are applicable generally. And 
 though adapted for the system of double entry, many 
 of them will be found equally useful where the system 
 of single entry alone is used : as it is used in our 
 Lodges very generally, especially in Pennsylvania, in- 
 cluding Philadelphia. 
 
 (2.) The System by Single Entry. In. many Lodges, 
 keeping the books by double entry would only increase 
 trouble and perplexity, and is totally unnecessary, 
 especially where the duties of accountant and recorder 
 are performed by but one Secretary. We add, then, 
 in addition to what is applicable in the foregoing, a few 
 remarks. 
 
 The Permanent Secretary will need 
 
 1. A Blotter, (or Day or Night Book, as some term 
 it,) in which to record each payment of any kind as 
 soon as made. Enter it carefully, and legibly, stating 
 for whom, for what, and by whom it is made. At the 
 close of each Lodge-meeting, add up the receipts since 
 the last meeting, and report the amount, with the names 
 of payers, to the Lodge, that errors may be corrected, 
 
 and the amount be entered on the Minutes. 
 20* 
 
234 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 2. A Ledger, in which allot to each member a portion 
 of a folio, whereon to post the payments from the Blotter. 
 The charges for dues should be made quarterly. 
 
 3. Book of Blank Receipts , so that he can readily 
 fill and cut out one for every payment, and mark in the 
 margin the amount, date, and name of payer. 
 
 4. Receipt Book, in which to take the Treasurer's 
 Receipt for each evening's payment. 
 
 5. Register, containing a list of members in order of 
 initiation or admission, when admitted, and how; age, 
 residence, occupation ; date of taking each degree, and 
 office held ; time of withdrawal, death, suspension, &c. 
 This book is generally kept by the Recording Secretary, 
 as also Nos. 6 and 7 following. 
 
 6. Black Book, containing a list of rejections, sus- 
 pensions, and expulsions, of your own or neighboring 
 Lodges, with dates and causes, when known. 
 
 7. Sick and Watch Rolls may be in the same book. 
 The first should contain the name, when reported, dates 
 of benefits, dates of watches, and date of recovery. 
 The latter, a complete list of members, should have a 
 column to enter date of service, (or neglect, paid by 
 fine.) 
 
 8. Letter Book, containing copies of all important or 
 business letters sent, numbered to correspond with those 
 to which they reply, or with the replies, on your files. 
 In this book copy at length your Reports, and an 
 abstract of the Reports of the Treasurer and the Au 
 diting Committee, for reference. 
 
 When benefits are awarded, immediately calculate 
 the brother's indebtedness, ^if any,) and hand the memo- 
 randum (with a receipt) to the Treasurer, to be deducted 
 by him, paid to you, and credited to the sick brother. 
 This saves the sick the trouble of sending his arrears 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 
 
 235 
 
 to the Lodge by a special messenger, and is a safe- 
 guard against his running into arrears sufficient to work 
 loss of benefits during his illness. 
 
 The foregoing, it is hoped, will prove sufficient to 
 guide the unpractised officer of a new Lodge; at least 
 until experience shall make him acquainted with the 
 many details of his duties. One thing let the Lodge 
 be resolved against frequent changes in its modes of 
 keeping accounts. They are not only costly and 
 troublesome, but by the copying which they render 
 necessary with every new set of books opened, they 
 render mistakes almost unavoidable and past searching 
 out for correction. Adhere, then, to the system first 
 chosen, and keep in office your Permanent Secretary so 
 long as he performs well and can be retained. 
 
 4. The Recording Secretary. 
 
 JEWEL. The jewel of this is 
 the same with the preceding 
 officer Crossed Pens of white 
 metal worn suspended from the 
 collar. 
 
 REGALIA. Also the same as 
 the preceding a green collar, 
 trimmed with white (or silver) 
 lace or fringe, to correspond with 
 the Permanent Secretary's. 
 
 STATION. On the right of the 
 Noble Grand not on the same 
 level, though sometimes a little in advance ; but always 
 on a line with the Treasurer. 
 
236 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 DUTIES. He is the recorder of the proceedings ot 
 the Lodge, and its general corresponder, and the cus 
 todian of its seal and its documents generally. 
 
 As the rights and privileges of members, and the 
 existence of the Lodge itself, in cases of charges against 
 either, may depend upon the records, it is very im- 
 portant that they be correctly kept, and by some regular 
 system. Let the first draft be taken down on a quire 
 or two of paper stitched in a cover, from whence, after 
 being approved by the Lodge, they should be carefully 
 and neatly copied into the Minute or Record-Book. 
 
 The following general directions we copy from the 
 "Ark," for December, 1850, where they appear with 
 the approval of its practical Editor: they are as good 
 as our own experience could offer : 
 
 Minutes. Much care should be taken to keep a neat record of the 
 transactions of your Lodge. There ought to be the space of three 
 to six lines left between the proceedings of each meeting. Leave a 
 blank line between the record of each subject: it will enable you 
 more readily to find any matter of record at any future day. After 
 reading the minutes of the previous meeting, and approval, is a good 
 time to require absentees, if present, to offer their excuses. When 
 absentees offer their excuses, the result should be recorded imme- 
 diately after the approval of the minutes, that the record of the 
 absentees and the excuses for previous absence may be near together, 
 and easily found. All unimportant unsuccessful motions might be 
 omitted, and yet the record be true as to the proceedings. The 
 record of each meeting ought to be headed with the name and number 
 of the Lodge, and the date ; and closed by the attest and signature 
 of the Secretary. The By-Laws of the Lodge ought to be neatly 
 copied in the Minute-Book, [or Constitution and By-Laws, when 
 printed, pasted in,] when the same is adopted, with sufficient space 
 for adding all amendments, whenever made. [All questions of order 
 and precedents, should also be entered in a separate place for con- 
 venient reference, as well as in the minutes.] A list of payments 
 by members, or aggregate of receipts of the evening, as reported by 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 237 
 
 the Per. Sec., ought to be embraced in the minutes, just previous to 
 the signature of the Secretary. [If degree certificates are granted, 
 enter the fact, payment, &c. ; but the conferring of degrees by the 
 officers of the Lodge belongs to a separate book, kept for that pur- 
 pose, A. B. G.] 
 
 Cards. The dues of an applicant for a Visiting Card must be 
 paid up to the time the card extends, with cost of card, previous to 
 its delivery for final card to the time of granting the same, to- 
 gether with the cost of it as fixed by law. It is the duty of a mem. 
 ber having a Visiting Card, to return it at the expiration of the 
 time for which it was given. 
 
 Degrees. The applicant for degrees is required by law, [in Ohio,] 
 to be free from indebtedness to the Lodge. The degrees must be 
 paid for at the time of application, or previous to balloting for the 
 same, as the election for degrees, where payment is not made, is not 
 valid. 
 
 Filing. Letters and other valuable papers received, ought to be 
 carefully folded, numbered, nature and date intelligibly endorsed on 
 one end, and filed away : the letters and notices by themselves, and 
 the following in different packages, viz. Petitions, Reports, Bills and 
 Accounts, Bonds and Agreements, Certificates for Benefits, Visiting 
 Cards returned, Miscellaneous. 
 
 Postage, $c. Keep an account of postage paid and stationery fur- 
 nished, and present a bill of the same at the end of the quarter or 
 term. 
 
 Officers' Bonds, as required by the Constitution, ought to be 
 prepared by the Secretary for .the signatures of the officers elect 
 and their sureties, and the same presented to, and approved by, the 
 Lodge, before their installation. 
 
 Seal. All official documents, to be legal, must have the seal of the 
 Lodge impressed legibly thereon. [No seal is legal that is not im- 
 pressed upon the document itself pasting, or otherwise merely 
 attaching a seal, will not answer; for it might be wetted and 
 removed to any other document, and thus dangerous imposition be 
 practised hence the propriety of this decision. A. B. G.] An 
 improper use is sometimes made of the seal. The Secretary has no 
 right to put the seal to letters which are not properly official letters: 
 letters that the Lodge did not order him to write, and which it is 
 not his duty, as that officer, to write, are not official. 
 
 Reports. At the end of each term make out a correct report of 
 
238 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 initiations, &c., for the use of the Per. Sec. and the Auditing Com- 
 mittee, whose meeting you should attend with your books, ready to 
 give any explanation or information they may require. 
 
 The above, prepared for the meridian of Ohio, may 
 require a little modification in a few States ; but will be 
 found, generally, very correct and useful to the new 
 officer. 
 
 No person is privileged to interfere with the books 
 and papers of either of the Secretaries, except the 
 Noble Grand, the M. W. Grand Master, or the R. W. 
 D. G. Master of the District, and the proper Committee 
 appointed in pursuance of the Constitution and By- 
 Laws of the Lodge. They are subject to examination 
 by a Committee trying any member on charges, as any 
 other witness, when their books and papers may be 
 required to be produced ; but only under their charge 
 and custody. 
 
 In no case, should any vote or resolution actually 
 passed by the Lodge be omitted or erased from the 
 record, however erroneous in spirit, or unlawful in 
 import. It may be rescinded or annulled at a future 
 meeting, but the record of the act and of its correction 
 should both appear on the minutes. 
 
 As the Permanent Secretary is a paid officer, usually, 
 (his arduous duties requiring pecuniary compensation,) 
 the Past Secretary's degree is conferred only on the 
 Recording Secretary, who is ex officio a member of the 
 Visiting or Relief Committee. 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 
 
 239 
 
 5. The Vice Grand. 
 
 JEWEL. The Vice Grand's jewel is 
 an Hour-Glass of white metal. 
 
 REGALIA. A blue collar, trimmed 
 with white or silver generally lace or 
 fringe of silver bullion, (and sometimes 
 ornamented with silver stars,) to corre- 
 spond with the other official regalia. 
 
 STATION. At the end of the room 
 nearest the entrance, and in the chair 
 trimmed with blue. 
 
 DUTIES. As the second officer of the Lodge, and 
 the probable and almost certain successor of the Noble 
 Grand, his requisites and qualifications should in no- 
 wise be inferior to those demanded by the first chair. 
 He should be as well acquainted with the merits and 
 qualifications of the members, and with the business of 
 the Lodge, and with the rules of order and debate. 
 
 His express duty is to advise and (if need be) correct 
 the N. G. if that officer commits an error even pub- 
 licly, if necessary. When the N. G. is absent from his 
 post, the V. G. must take his chair and regalia, and 
 perform all his duties, except delivering the P. G's. 
 charge. At initiations he will place a P. G. or P. V. 
 G. in the V. G's. chair ; and he may then, or in con- 
 ferring degrees, place a P. G. in the N. G's. chair. 
 
 He has the appointment of his own Supporters, and 
 should select competent persons. His Right Supporter, 
 especially, should be an experienced brother, capable 
 of advising him in cases of doubt and difficulty, and 
 
240 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 filling his chair during a temporary absence. In some 
 States, he appoints a portion of each Committee. He 
 assists in examining each ballot, and in maintaining 
 order generally. He superintends the entrance and 
 exit of the brethren, and furnishes the P. W. for the 
 evening to his R. Supporter, as soon as the Lodge is 
 opened. He is entitled to the A. T. P. W., that he 
 may properly examine visitors. He is also, during his 
 term of office, a member of the Relief Committee. And 
 he should use all diligence, while in the second chair, 
 to commit the entire ritual of the first chair, and other- 
 wise qualify himself for performing well its duties. 
 
 6. The Noble Grand. 
 
 JEWEL. The Crossed Gavels, 
 made of white metal, are the jewel 
 of this office. 
 
 REGALIA. A scarlet collar 
 trimmed with white or silver gen- 
 erally ornamented with lace and 
 fringe of silver bullion, and with 
 stars, to correspond with the other 
 official regalia. 
 
 STATION. At the upper end of 
 the room, in the principal chair, 
 which is designated by scarlet hangings or decorations. 
 This is usually placed on a platform of three steps. 
 
 DUTIES. He is the Presiding Officer of the Lodge, 
 the superintendent of its officers and its members, and 
 the custodian of its Charter, Charge-books, and pro- 
 perty generally. He has not only his own special 
 duties to perform, but must see that all his subordinate 
 officers properly and promptly perform theirs also ; and 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 
 
 must allow no invasion of the rights and interests of 
 his fellow-members or of the lodge. He should be an 
 example in obedience and respect to superiors, and to 
 the constitution and laws of his lodge and of the Grand 
 Lodge. In the absence of all P. Gs. he may deliver 
 the P. G.'s charge at initiation, and install his successor 
 and other officers of his lodge. 
 
 He will give the Term P. W. to none but members in 
 good standing, or to such brethren as he may be law- 
 fully directed to give it. He will find the welfare of 
 the Lodge, and of each member, best promoted by 
 rigidly enforcing a prompt payment of their dues, and 
 withholding from delinquents the proper privileges of 
 the Order. 
 
 The Charges and Lectures placed in his custody, he 
 will especially secure and guard against exposure or 
 damage. Making copies of portions, though allowed, 
 should be sparingly and cautiously permitted ; and the 
 return, for destruction, of such written parts should be 
 strictly insisted on. 
 
 To understand his duties properly, he should care- 
 fully study the Installation service, the Constitutions 
 and By-Laws of his Grand and subordinate lodges, the 
 Digests of the Laws of the G. L. U. S., and of the 
 State Grand Lodge, and Cushing's Manual;* and 
 should read attentively the latest proceedings of the G. 
 L. U. S., and of his State Grand Lodge, that he may 
 be well advised of late decisions. An ignorant man, 
 
 * Every lodge should have two copies of the Manual and Digest, 
 for the use of its V. G. and N. G., and an additional copy of each 
 for the use of members generally during sessions. But the diligent 
 and active Odd-Fellow, especially if he aspires to pass the chairs, 
 should have a copy of each for his own use. 
 21 
 
THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 one inattentive in the proceedings of the legislative 
 bodies of the Order, is unfit for a Noble Grand. 
 
 It is of the utmost mportance that he really preside 
 over his lodge during exciting debates, which will some- 
 times arise. Pie should then be especially calm, atten- 
 tive, wary, prompt, firm, and decided. Better, even, 
 decide a point of doubt wrong, but promptly, than 
 decide it right after much irresolution and delay. But 
 although he must even seem stern at periods of excite- 
 ment, let there appear no tumult, no passion, no preju- 
 dice or partiality in his mind or manner. His voice 
 should be rather more subdued than usual, instead of 
 louder ; and in giving his decision, let it be done " in 
 few words fitly chosen." State the positions of both 
 parties fairly, add the reasons for deciding, and then 
 pronounce it firmly, and invite an appeal if any are dis- 
 satisfied. Happy is the Lodge that has Noble Grands 
 able thus to act, and competent thus to preside over it. 
 
 As guardian of the widows and orphans of the lodge, 
 and as the chief official visitor of its sick and distressed 
 brethren, he has great means and powers for usefulness 
 and good. By advising with the able and influential 
 brethren he can procure needed employment for the 
 poorer and more needy, and secure little attentions and 
 kindness most grateful and salutary for the sick and the 
 suffering. It is not enough that he coldly and formally 
 visits the sick and dependent at stated intervals as a 
 mere officer. He is the representative of the humanity 
 and benevolence of the Lodge, an embodiment of the 
 spirit of our Order, the father, as it were, of his 
 brethren ; consequently there must be heart in his looks 
 and words, and sympathy in his every action. He must 
 not only visit in person, but see that every member of 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 24o 
 
 the Committee and the appointed watchers attend 
 j: roper ly, heartily, to their duties ; and if needed or de- 
 sirable, let him spare no efforts to induce members gen- 
 erally to visit the languishing with offices of brotherly 
 love and kindness. 
 
 Much depends on his appointments. Good readers 
 or speakers are needed for Conductor and Warden. 
 The latter, also, should be a lover of order, neatness, 
 and cleanliness, who will not allow a litter in the 
 lodge-room, nor confusion and rags in the wardrobe. 
 On Committees, of which he generally appoints the ma- 
 jority, if not the whole, no idlers and incompetent men 
 should be placed for chairmen ; and it were better still 
 if they were left off entirely. And his Right Supporter 
 should be experienced, observant, and trusty, that he 
 may be a reliable adviser and aid. 
 
 In transacting the business of the Lodge, let no time 
 be wasted. See that everything is ready before open- 
 ing, and then quietly and orderly proceed from item to 
 item, without delaying to invite discussions. If debates 
 arise, seek to confine them to the point in dispute, that 
 they may not be unduly prolonged; and allow no dis- 
 cussion except on a clearly stated motion, duly made 
 and seconded. The most tedious and irritating debates 
 frequently arise on some " suggestion," when, had all 
 discussion been repressed until a motion had been made, 
 none would have occurred. A Lodge is an assemblage 
 for transacting important business, not for mere exer- 
 cise in discussion. Do the business, then, in the shortest 
 time and best manner, allowing just as much explana- 
 tion and discussion as are necessary to its being well 
 undrrstoc d and generally acquiesced in by those inte- 
 
244 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 rested. If, after this, there is time to spare, let it be em- 
 ployed in social and fraternal intercourse and innocent 
 enjoyment. 
 
 7. The Sitting Past Grand. 
 
 JEWEL. A five-pointed 
 star, with a heart and hand 
 in the centre, made of 
 white metal. The heart 
 may be of cornelian, or 
 other red substance. 
 
 REGALIA. " Past 
 Grands shall wear scarlet 
 collars or sashes trimmed 
 with white. The collars or 
 sashes may be trimmed with 
 silver lace or fringe, and 
 those having attained the 
 
 royal purple degree may have trimmings of yellow 
 metal."- -Journal G. L. U.S., 1868, p. 4357. The 
 sash is generally worn at the East and in New York, 
 and the collar in Pennsylvania, &c. 
 
 STATION. About midway, at the side of the room, on 
 the right of the N. G. The chair is decorated with 
 scarlet trimmings or drapery. 
 
 DUTIES. The office is simply a sequel to that of N. G., 
 who becomes the sitting P. G. of the Lodge, as a matter 
 of course, on passing his chair. His duties are to de- 
 liver the charge to a candidate at initiation, and, in 
 many Lodges, to officiate as outside Conductor, and in 
 examining and introducing visitors, in which latter case 
 he must possess the A. T. P. W. 
 
OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. 245 
 
 In the absence of the N. G. and V. G., a P. G. should 
 take the K G's chair ; and if no V. G. or P. V. G. is 
 present, place a scarlet-degree member in the V. G's 
 chair. 
 
 8. Rules of Order and Debate. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of the United States, and nearly 
 all the State Grand Lodges and Encampments, have 
 enacted rules for the governance of their subordinates ; 
 and the former has adopted " Cushing's Manual " * as 
 the guide and authority of our Order. These works 
 being accessible and easily procured, renders unnecessary 
 any attempt to furnish rules in this place. 
 
 9. Use of the Gavel. 
 
 This instrument has two uses in Odd-Fellowship, one 
 as the tongue or voice of the lodge in the hands of its 
 officers, the other as an emblem or jewel. It is not 
 used as an operative instrument, as in Masonry ; nor do 
 our books ever contemplate its use in Encampments, 
 though some do use it, but, as we think, improperly. 
 The presiding officers of Patriarchal bodies, by consult- 
 ing the charges and emblems of authority delivered at 
 their installation, will perceive that, not the gavel, but 
 another instrument is given them for the purpose of 
 signifying their authority and wishes. 
 
 But the use of the gavel seems to be not so well 
 understood in our lodges as it should be. A frequent 
 or continual rapping, instead of promoting order and 
 attention, increases noise and confusion. Custom re- 
 quires it to be used in commanding attention or silence, 
 
 *" Manual of Parliamentary Practice. Rules of Proceedings 
 an</ Debate in Deliberative Assemblies." By Luther S. Gushing. 
 21* 
 
246 THE ODD-FEL1 DW's MANUAL. 
 
 or requiring members to be seated, &c. One rap, and 
 that by the N. G. only, (or his E. H. S., by his direc- 
 tion,) is sufficient for that purpose ; and, after custom 
 has established this use, will be more effectual than 
 many. Rarely should it be repeated immediately ; and 
 never should it be repeated by the V. G. for that pur- 
 pose. The V. G. may give it when the N. G. is so 
 engaged that he cannot attend to it. 
 
 The raps of the N. G. are never to be repeated by the 
 Y. G., except in cases where the written work calls on 
 him specially to do so, or in the case above named. The 
 directions of the books are special, and are to be strictly 
 complied with. By carefully observing this rule, much 
 unnecessary noise will be avoided ; and, when once 
 established, every member will be saved the perplexity 
 now so frequently caused by a too free use of the in- 
 strument. 
 
 The P. G. is not an executive officer, and is therefore 
 no more entitled to use a gavel in his chair than the 
 Secretary or Treasurer. He is to command order only 
 by his example. 
 
DEGREE LODGES COMMITTEES OFFICEES. 247 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 OF DEGREE LODGES, OR COMMITTEES, ETC., AN ) THEIR 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 VARIOUS modes have been adopt- 
 ed in the several States for confer- 
 ring degrees. Subordinate lodges, 
 to ballot for (or confer) degrees, 
 must close finally, in full form, 
 and then open in the first degree, 
 confer it, and close. Dismissing 
 those not further qualified, it opens 
 in the second degree, and so on, 
 regularly, through all the degrees 
 required to be conferred. In this case the regular 
 officers of the Subordinate Lodge, or persons selected 
 by them, officiate. In some States a Lecture Master, 
 appointed by the D. D. G. Master, calls qualified 
 brethren to his aid, and confers the degrees awarded by 
 the lodge, usually soon after the lodge closes ; in others, 
 a Committee of Past Grands, or of the officers and 
 qualified members of the lodge, confer the degrees at 
 stated seasons; but as in all these modes the same duties 
 are performed that occur in a Degree Lodge, we have 
 thought proper to present our general directions in 
 treating of that organization and its officers. 
 
248 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 1. Constitution of Degree Lodges. 
 
 The legality of Degree Lodges is recognized . y the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States, but their establish- 
 ment is left to the option of the State Grand Lodges, 
 who, again, leave the matter to the discretion of their 
 subordinates and fifth degree members. The price for 
 degrees is left to the control of State Grand Lodges. 
 
 When the requisite number of scarlet degree mem- 
 bers of any locality wish to establish a Degree Lodge, 
 they will proceed to organize informally, and petition 
 their Grand Lodge for a charter, as directed in the case 
 of a Subordinate Lodge. This charter empowers them 
 to confer the five degrees on those who present the pro- 
 per certificates, to elect as members all fifth degree 
 members in good standing, who apply for admission, to 
 receive the prescribed fees for conferring degrees, and 
 for membership ; but to impose no dues, pay no benefits, 
 hold no property beyond what is necessary for perform- 
 ing their work, and enjoy no representation in the 
 Grand Lodge. It opens in the fifth degree, and can 
 transact no business (save conferring degrees) in any 
 other. 
 
 2. Conferring Degrees. 
 
 Too little care and attention, generally, has been 
 bestowed on this important portion of instruction. They 
 are generally conferred at the close of the ordinary 
 Lodge-meeting, when members are tired, and desire to 
 go home to rest, and few therefore remain to give the 
 work due effect. In Degree Lodges, also, the attend- 
 ance is generally thin, and the work is treated with too 
 
DEGREE LODGES COMMITTEES OFFICERS. 249 
 
 much indifference, and hurried through as a thing more 
 desirable to be rid of than to perform. The offices 
 not being legal qualifications for other stations beyond, 
 having no official degrees when passed, and no special 
 honors or emoluments attached, are frequently poorly 
 filled and irregularly served. Frequent absences re- 
 quire frequent changes in temporary supplies, many of 
 whom are but imperfectly acquainted with the written 
 and unwritten work, and therefore differ considerably 
 from each other in their instructions to the candidates. 
 All these evils combined, in some sections, tend greatly 
 to mar the beauty and harmony of the instructions of 
 our subordinate degrees. 
 
 The evil suggests its own remedy : let it be applied 
 wherever possible. If conferred by the Subordinate 
 Lodge, let it set aside one evening every month to con- 
 fer degrees, omitting initiations and all other than 
 absolutely necessary business. Let them be conferred 
 deliberately ; by none other than good readers ; and 
 have the candidates carefully and correctly instructed 
 by a competent Teacher. If by a Committee, let them 
 secure a good attendance of well qualified brethren. If 
 by a Degree Lodge, let it secure competent and zealous 
 officers, who will perform their duties correctly. And 
 if the number of candidates is too great, as frequently 
 happens in large cities, let them meet oftener, that the 
 work may be well and understandingly performed. 
 
 3. Officers and their Duties. 
 
 The officers of a Degree Lodge, as prescribed by the 
 Lectures, are a Noble Grand, a Deputy Noble Grand, 
 an Assistant Noble Grand, a Vice Grand, a Past Grand, 
 a Conductor, ind an Inside and an Outside Guardian, to 
 
250 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANILA L 
 
 which are added, for the transaction of its business, a 
 Secretary or Scribe, and a Treasurer. In Pennsylvania, 
 where these Lodges originated, the ancient names are 
 retained of High Priest, Deputy, and Assistant High 
 Priest, Warden, &c. 
 
 The jewels, regalia, and robes of these offices are not 
 prescribed by law, and consequently vary more or less 
 in nearly every Degree Lodge. In Pennsylvania, gene- 
 rally, they approximate closely toward those of Encamp- 
 ment offices ; in other States, those of the Subordinate 
 Lodge, except that the colors are for the fifth degree. 
 
 The duties of the several officers correspond generally 
 to those of similar officers in the Subordinate Lodge. 
 Where there is any deviation, it is clearly noted in the 
 book of Lectures. The Assistant and Deputy of the 
 principal officer are seated, respectively, at his left and 
 his right hand. The stations of the others correspond 
 precisely to the stations of the corresponding offices of 
 the Lodge. 
 
 The Principal and his Assistants should be good, 
 ready readers, as should the Vice Grand (or Warden) 
 and the Past Grand. If the Conductor is to instruct 
 the candidates, as is sometimes done, he should be 
 thoroughly instructed himself, and regular in attend- 
 ance. But the chief officer should perform that duty 
 in person, aided (if need be) by his Assistant. 
 
 The same remarks, as to reading and instruction, 
 apply to a Lecture Master. And great care should be 
 used to impress the candidate with the importance of 
 remembering the mode of proving strangers, and our 
 rule in regard to challengers. 
 
 The Scribe should be required to notify each Lodge 
 what degrees are conferred on its members, and when 
 they were conferred, that the Secretary may enter the 
 
OF PAST OFFICIAL DEGREES. 251 
 
 information on his books for the use of the Subordinate 
 Lodge. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 OF PAST OFFICIAL DEGREES. 
 
 THESE belong properly to the Grand Lodge, but we 
 introduce them here for convenience. They can be con- 
 ferred only by some one specially authorized to confer 
 them by the Grand Lodge itself; usually some Grand 
 Officer, or the D. D. Grand Masters, and sometimes by 
 a Degree Lodge. 
 
 They are conferred only for services rendered, save, 
 in the case of a new Lodge, the first N. G. may receive 
 the Past V. G.'s and the P. Secretary's degree ; and the 
 first V. G. the Past Secretary's. In some States they 
 are made requisite to holding office in the Grand 
 Lodge. 
 
 The Past Official Degrees for the Encampment were 
 abolished years ago ; and as there are no prescribed 
 lectures to accompany these, they might as well have 
 been treated in the same manner. Seldom do any 
 remarks accompany the imparting of the unwritten 
 language. We have therefore but few comments to 
 offer. 
 
 1. Past Secretary's Degree. 
 
 If with proper integrity you have recorded the pro- 
 ceedings of your Lodge, you are entitled to receive the 
 honors of this degree, and the S." and P. W. by which to 
 
252 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 be known of all others of similar merit. You have 
 magnified and made honorable a toilsome office, already 
 rendered illustrious by the many great and noble men 
 who have performed its duties. Ezra, and Daniel, and 
 the prophets generally are classed as Scribes. But the 
 Great Scribe, who writeth his laws on the universe and 
 in the hearts of men, as his Finger inscribed THE LAW 
 on the tables of stone, has Himself crowned the office 
 with the excellency of glory. How terrible that writing 
 on the palace-wall, which only His prophet could inter- 
 pret to the dismayed Belshazzar : " MENE, MENE, 
 TEKEL, UPHARSIN!" (Daniel v. 25.) May a similar 
 sentence never be written against any Odd-Fellow ! 
 
 There is no prescribed Emblem, Jewel, Regalia, or 
 Color for this degree. Its recipient retains those of the 
 office passed. 
 
OF PAST OFFICIAL DEGREES. 
 
 253 
 
 2. Past Vice Grrand's Degree. 
 
 If you have faithfully aided the Noble Grand in re- 
 straining and suppressing all disorder, and enforcing the 
 laws of our institution ; and if you have carefully ad- 
 ministered the obligation and impressively delivered the 
 charge in every case, you are worthy of this honorary 
 degree. For by your fidelity has your (color] been 
 honored and ita illustrious exemplar been imitated. 
 And in truth there is no ' inapt resemblance between 
 your humble duties and those of Moses at Sinai. Both 
 delivered the law, obligation, and charge of their office 
 faithfully, and bound those under their instruction to 
 order and obedience. 
 
 The Emblem, Jewel, Regalia, and Color of this De- 
 gree are simply those of the office passed. 
 22 
 
254 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 3. Past Noble Grand's Degree. 
 
 Having, with proper 
 dignity and paternal re- 
 gard, extended the arm 
 of authority over your 
 Lodge, and maintained 
 its order and promoted 
 its welfare, you are trans- 
 ferred to a chair of equal 
 honor but greater repose, 
 and are prepared to enter 
 a Lodge of higher rank 
 and more extended duties. 
 In your comparative ease here, and more extended field 
 of active duty there, cease not to remember gratefully the 
 kind partiality and unbought favors of your brethren, 
 whose suffrages carried you through the chairs of the 
 Lodge, and have thus elevated you to the dignity of 
 membership in the Grand Lodge of your State. 
 Jewel. A five-pointed star. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. . 
 
 OF SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 
 
 IN this department of our labors, references to our 
 former remarks will be necessary in all matters where 
 Lodges and Encampments are similar. 
 
OF SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 255 
 
 1. How Commenced and Constituted. 
 
 To become a member of an Encampment, an Odd- 
 Fellow must have received the Fifth Degree. And to 
 retain membership in it, he must continue in good stand- 
 ing in a Subordinate Lodge. In fact, good standing in 
 the Subordinate Lodge* is absolutely essential to his 
 good standing everywhere else in the Order in En- 
 campment, Degree Lodge, State Grand Lodge or En- 
 campment, or in the Grand Lodge of the United States. 
 Remember this. 
 
 An Encampment is chartered by the Grand Lodge of 
 the United States, or a Grand Encampment (recognized 
 by the same) of the State, District, or Territory wherein 
 it is located. It must be constituted of at least seven 
 Odd-Fellows who have received the "Sublime Degrees," 
 as its three degrees are collectively termed. And it 
 should be commenced and organized preparatory to in- 
 stitution, as recommended for Subordinate Lodges, 
 Chap. IX. 1-4, with these differences. There must be 
 seven petitioners, their cards deposited with a D. D. G. 
 Patriarch, if not forwarded ; (or a D. D. G. Sire, if to be 
 chartered by the Grand Lodge of the United States ;) 
 and the Petition is forwarded to a Grand Encampment, 
 (if not to the Grand Lodge of the United States.) See 
 form of petition, No. 1 0, Appendix B. It will be insti- 
 tuted by a G.P., or a D. D. G. P., or a P. C.P. specially 
 authorized ; by a D. D. G. Sire, if chartered by the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States. 
 
 * Which signifies contributing membership therein, and freedom 
 from any disability by reason of non-payment of dues, or from 
 charges under the penal provisions of the Order. 
 
256 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 2. Opening Working Closing. 
 
 For general information, see Chap. IX. 7-9. The 
 Encampment working differs from that of the Lodge 
 chiefly in this. The Lodge is of the tivie type : the En- 
 campment is of the military; but Patriarchal, and 
 therefore pastoral, also. The Encampment opens, and 
 closes finally, in its highest degree, as it transacts all 
 its business in that degree only. It opens and closes in 
 each degree (with peculiar ceremonies) which it confers 
 during each session. But while the military forms are 
 observed in its opening and closing, the business is 
 transacted as in the Subordinate Lodge, the officers re- 
 cite their duties at opening, and it is always opened and 
 closed with prayer by the proper officer. 
 
 With the additional instructions afforded by the 
 sublime degrees, the Patriarch will find our general 
 remarks on the duties of Odd-Fellows, in Chapters IX. 
 and X., applicable to the duties devolving on him as 
 an Encampment member. But we must first conduct 
 him into that honorable station. 
 
 3. Application and Admission. 
 
 Having received the degrees of the Subordinate 
 Lodge, you will naturally desire to advance further. 
 The Sublime Degrees, with their rich stores of instruc- 
 tion, lie before you, only waiting your application to be 
 opened to your eager mind.* Procure, then, a copy of 
 
 * Some Encampments do not, others do, pay sick and funeral 
 benefits generally the same amount as the Subordinate Lodges 
 in their vicinity. These benefits, of course, enhance the price of 
 admission. The three degrees of an Encampment usually cost 
 from nine to twenty dollars. The prices, as well as the benefits, 
 vary considerably, not only in different States, but even in neigh- 
 boring Encampments. 
 
OF SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 257 
 
 the Constitution and By-Laws of the nearest Encamp- 
 ment, and study them by the aid of some friendly 
 Patriarch of your acquaintance. Then procure from 
 the N. G. and Secretary of your Lodge, a certificate of 
 your standing and grade therein. Sign an application, 
 (forms are in Appendix B,) and deliver these docu- 
 ments, with the proposition fee, to your friend, who 
 will do the rest. If elected, go forward with a stout 
 heart, fearing nothing ; for others have passed the way 
 before you, and invite you onward. Novelty, even 
 startling novelty, you will find, as once before; but 
 let it not deter you from close attention to the more 
 valuable lessons concealed beneath it in every degree 
 through which you pass. 
 
 4. Committees and Appointed Officers. 
 
 For the duties of Committees in the Patriarchal 
 branch, we refer to Chap. XL ; they are as applicable 
 as in the Subordinate Lodge. And as the Patriarch is 
 already familiar with the duties of Lodge officers, (Chap- 
 ters XII. and XIII.,) but few words will be necessary to 
 define the peculiar duties of officers of an Encampment. 
 
 The Appointed Officers of an Encampment are the 
 1st and 2d Guards of the Tent, appointed by the High 
 Priest, and the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th Watches, the Sen- 
 tinel,* and the Guide, who are appointed by the Chief 
 Patriarch. 
 
 1. GUARDS OF THE TENT. They act as the Sup- 
 
 * In Pennsylvania, and probably elsewhere, to save the Junior 
 Warden the necessity of frequent visits to the ante-room, to examine 
 and admit members and visitors, an Outside Sentinel is appointed 
 also. Such an office, though evidently not contemplated by the 
 work, nor authorized by the Grand Lodge of the United States, is, 
 like that of Junior Warden in the Lodge, a very useful and con- 
 venient one. 
 22* 
 
258 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 porters of the High Priest, and as his Messengers. 
 They should always be on duty as sentinels, at each 
 side of the Tent. 
 
 2. THE WATCHES. When on duty, each should 
 have a specified station, which he should not leave on 
 any account. They should know their parts well, and 
 rehearse them effectively. 
 
 3. THE SENTINEL. His Jewel 
 is Crossed Swords, in a Triangle of 
 yellow metal. 
 
 His duties correspond to those 
 of the Inside Guardian of a Lodge. 
 Where there is an Outside Sentinel, 
 his duties correspond to those of 
 the Outside Guardian. 
 
 4. THE GUIDE. His duties are similar to those of 
 Conductor in the lodge. 
 
 5. The Elective Officers. 
 
 The Elective Officers of an Encampment are a 
 Junior Warden, a Treasurer, a Scribe, a Senior Warden, 
 a High Priest, and a Chief Patriarch. Usually service 
 for one term, or twenty-six nights, in an appointed 
 office, renders eligible to an elective office; and one 
 term in any of the inferior elective offices renders the 
 incumbent eligible to the chair of the High Priest or 
 Senior Warden ; and after one term 
 in that office, he is eligible for elec- 
 tion as Chief Patriarch; but this 
 arrangement depends on the regula- 
 tions of each Grand Encampment. 
 1. THE JUNIOR WARDEN. The 
 Jewel of this office is a Crook, within 
 a Triangle of yellow metal. 
 
OF SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 259 
 
 His duties are, to examine the Patriarchs at opening ; 
 to see that the officers are at their stations ; to open and 
 close the Encampment in each degree; to assist the 
 Chief Patriarch and High Priest as required ; to pre- 
 side in the absence of the superior officers, (if the local 
 laws permit ;) to examine every brother that applies for 
 admission, and see that he is in proper regalia, and 
 addresses the chairs properly. 
 
 2. THE TREASURER. His Jewel 
 is Crossed Keys, within a Triangle 
 of yellow metal. 
 
 His duties correspond to those of 
 the same officer in a Subordinate 
 Lodge. 
 
 3. THE SCRIBE. The Jewel is 
 Crossed Pens in a Triangle of yel- 
 low metal. 
 
 His duties are the same as tnose 
 of an only Secretary in a Subordi- 
 nate Lodge. 
 
 4. THE SENIOR WARDEN. The 
 Jewel is Crossed Crooks within a 
 Triangle of yellow metal. 
 
 His duties are analogous to those 
 of a Vice Grand, whose chair he 
 occupies when the encampment 
 meets in a Lodge-room. He pre- 
 sides in the absence of the C. P.. 
 and is entitled to the T. P. W. 
 
260 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 5. THE HIGH PRIEST. The 
 Jewel is a Breastplate within a 
 Triangle : the former may be co- 
 lored appropriately, the latter of 
 yellow metal. 
 
 His station is within the Tent, 
 behind the Altar, and the Tent is 
 usually placed at the side of the 
 room, on the right of the C. P. 
 
 His duties are to offer up the prescribed prayers at 
 opening, closing, and in conferring the degrees ; to 
 instruct candidates and members in the Lectures, &c. ; 
 and to administer the other dutie's of his office. 
 
 6. THE CHIEF PATRIARCH. 
 The Jewel represents an Altar with 
 Crossed Crooks, within a Triangle 
 of yellow metal. 
 
 His duties are similar to those 
 of the Noble Grand of a Lodge, 
 whose chair he occupies when the 
 Encampment is held in a Lodge- 
 room ; and, like him, he is entitled 
 to the T. P. W., and superintends the examination of 
 visitors by card. He should possess the same high 
 moral and social qualifications ; the same mental activity 
 and acquirements ; the same business tact and energy ; 
 the same intimate acquaintance with the characters and 
 abilities of the brethren under his charge ; the same 
 ready knowledge of the laws and usages of the Order, 
 and the rules of debate ; the same dignity of carriage, 
 evenness of temper, firm decision, and courtesy of 
 manners ; and the same kindness of heart, that are 
 pre-eminently required in the Presiding Officer of a 
 Lodge. 
 
OF SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 261 
 
 The regalia of the Patriarchal and Golden Rule de- 
 grees is black gloves and a black apron, only; and of the 
 Royal Purple degree, the gloves with a purple collar 
 only, the collar to.be trimmed with gold-colored lace or 
 fringe, or both. The Past Chief Patriarch wears no collar, 
 and no apron only a purple sash, trimmed as above. 
 
 Thus it will be seen that the apron is abolished in the 
 royal purple degree, (as in all Lodge degrees except the 
 initiatory,) and in all offices of the Order. Notice, also, 
 that no sashes are to be worn instead of, or in addition 
 to, the above Encampment regalia the words being 
 " purple collars only " and for Past Chief Patriarchs, 
 " collars or sashes " only. (For Past Grand Patriarch's 
 jewel and regalia, see close of Chapter XX.) 
 
 We would repeat here what we have said on the use 
 of the Gavel, Chap. XIII. 9. In the Encampment, 
 the officers use their emblems of authority in the same 
 manner as the gavel is used in the lodge : always con- 
 forming, of course, to the directions of the written work. 
 The C. P., only, commands silence and order, and the 
 rising and seating of the Encampment, in all those 
 cases where the book does not direct otherwise. And 
 the Senior Warden assumes to do so only when the 
 C. P. is so engaged that he overlooks or cannot attend 
 to it. A careful examination of the installation cere- 
 mony and the charges, in connection with the above 
 remarks, will, it is believed, tend to lessen the per- 
 plexity often occasioned by the abuse of the emblem of 
 authority, and abate not a little of the unnecessary 
 noise occasioned by its too frequent use by the second 
 officer. 
 
262 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 6. Conferring the Degrees. 
 
 But one degree should be conferred on an applicant 
 at any session ; and this should be well and properly 
 conferred. Not only impart and use correctly, and 
 with precision, the P. W., S. and G., for they are 
 the keys which admit a man to the privileges and be- 
 nefits of our meetings, but strive also to excel in the 
 appropriate manner of delivering our lectures and 
 charges, and conferring the Patriarchal degrees. We 
 have not yet given sufficient attention to this subject. 
 They are of a higher order and different character, and 
 require more care than those that have preceded them. 
 And yet we have given them less attention and labor. 
 Encampments generally have looked at each other, not 
 to copy improvements but to justify defects and excuse 
 irregularities. If this practice is continued until it be- 
 comes general, our course must be downward, and end 
 in riot and disorder. 
 
 We have said elsewhere that the Odd-Fellow should 
 be always a gentleman, in the proper sense of that 
 word. The Patriarch should be especially such, " seri- 
 ous and thoughtful." He should ever conduct as one 
 in the Encampment, and never subject any one entering 
 it to any treatment that is boorish. Every part of our 
 Patriarchal work is designed to set forth and illustrate 
 serious and important lessons, and to make a salutary 
 impression on the minds of our members. But if per- 
 formed in a hurried or confused manner, no proper or 
 definite impression can be made. If performed in a 
 burlesque or trifling mode, it will excite only ridicule or 
 disgust. By converting serious things into jest, and 
 mingling buffoonery with prayers, we lower our OWD 
 
OF THE PATRIARCHAL DEGREE. 263 
 
 self-respect and blunfc our moral feelings, while we out- 
 rage decency and wound the sensibilities of others. If 
 we perform the work in a rude, coarse manner, we 
 rouse feelings in the candidate directly opposed to those 
 it was designed to inspire, destroy the entire effect of 
 our beautiful ritual, and wound the feelings of the can- 
 didate, if not injure his person, and drive him from us 
 disgusted. Depend upon it, that if a public excitement 
 is ever got up against our Order, the improper modes 
 of performing our work pursued by some Encampments 
 will be the fuel to feed its destroying flames. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 OF THE PATRIARCHAL DEGREE. 
 
 1. Introduction to the Degree. 
 
 1. THOUGH teaching peaceful lessons, the Encampment 
 assumes military forms. The candidate is therefore 
 met with a more rigid scrutiny and in a sterner man- 
 ner than on his entrance into the Subordinate Lodge. 
 He need not wonder, then, at the strict watch which 
 will be kept over him, nor the restraints that will be im- 
 posed on him until he has passed the ordeal, and proved 
 himself to be no enemy in disguise, but a true Odd-Fel- 
 low. Let him rely on the kindness of his guardian to 
 sustain and defend him until justice awards him release, 
 and the benevolence of the Patriarchs greets him with 
 hospitality and fraternal welcomes. 
 
264 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL, 
 
 2. The pilgrimage of human life has many such trials. 
 The impatient and passionate, acting on impulse, but 
 aggravate their evils ; but he who wearies not in duty, 
 acting on principle, at last passes beyond the darkness 
 and difficulty, and, trusting in God, finds those who re- 
 fresh his spirit with counsel and repose. 
 
 3. A true Patriarch never closes his tent against a 
 stranger in distress. Hospitality is not only a sacred 
 but a pleasing duty, acknowledged such in all ages and 
 among all nations. As a Patriarch who has needed it, 
 be therefore ready to grant it. Our God is the universal 
 Father. He teaches us to be kind even unto the evil 
 and the unthankful, by his sunshine and his rain, which 
 
OF THE PATRIARCHAL DEGREE. 265 
 
 he dispenses to all alike. But while it is our dity to 
 minister to the wants of the stranger, without inqiiring 
 into his country, or his creed, or even the causes of his 
 misfortunes, it is also a duty we owe to self and family 
 to admit no treacherous or vicious person into our con- 
 fidence, or give him power to harm ourselves or others. 
 We have a right, therefore, after relieving immediate 
 necessities, to examine carefully the pretensions and 
 characters of those with whom we hold intercourse. 
 On these principles every Lodge and Encampment 
 claims to examine rigidly all who ask admission to their 
 mysteries, or claim to enter their portals as Odd-Fel- 
 lows. 
 
 4. And here you will find your previous instructions 
 in Odd-Fellowship of essential service to you. May 
 you be able to show that you have not been an inatten- 
 tive hearer, nor a heedless performer of their inculca- 
 tions, that you may enter, without difficulty or delay, on 
 the privileges and duties now opening before you in the 
 Patriarchal degree. 
 
 5. Your first lesson of duty, as a Patriarch, will be 
 found in the following admirable summary : 
 
 EXODUS xx. 1-17. 
 
 And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, 
 which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house 
 jf bondage. 
 
 I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 
 
 II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any like- 
 ness of. any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth be- 
 neath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow 
 down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, the Lord thy God, am 
 a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 
 unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me : and 
 showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my 
 commandments. 
 
 23 
 
266 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain : 
 for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 
 
 IV. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
 thou labour, and do all thy work ; but the seventh day is the sab- 
 bath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work ; thou, 
 nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-ser- 
 vant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates ; for in 
 six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in 
 them is, and rested the seventh day ; wherefore the Lord blessed the 
 sabbath day, and hallowed it. 
 
 V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long 
 upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 
 
 VI. Thou shalt not kill. 
 
 VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 
 
 VIII. Thou shalt not steal. 
 
 IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 
 
 X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not co- 
 vet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his rnaid-servant, 
 nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 
 
 6. As if prostrate at the foot of the Sacred Mount, 
 receive this Law to govern your future actions. For 
 Virtue founded on Truth is the basis of our affiliation. 
 It should be the aim of your life, for by it only can the 
 great and good in your nature be developed. All the 
 feelings, passions, and impulses lead only to evil, without 
 it. But with it, all tend to good, to happiness, which 
 vice promises but never bestows. Virtue increases and 
 exalts even the common joys of sense. Its influence 
 extends to all the avocations of life, strengthens the 
 affections and sympathies, gives wisdom to youth, ac- 
 tivity to manhood, and glory to age : it is a safeguard 
 in prosperity, a solace in adversity, a comforter in 
 affliction: it opens to us every true enjoyment of life, 
 ind passes with us into life eternal. 
 
 7. The regalia of this degree is, a black apron, and 
 
OF THE PATRIARCHAL DEGREE. 
 
 267 
 
 gloves of the same color ; for black is the color of this 
 degree. Its signification is explained in the lecture. 
 
 You will remember, also, the signs and tokens of 
 this degree ; for by them, only, can you establish your 
 claim to admission to the Encampment. 
 
 The explanation of the symbols of the Order, given 
 in this degree, are worthy your attention and remem- 
 brance ; especially as presented in three great divisions 
 teaching our duty to God, to our fellow-men, and to 
 ourselves. 
 
 2. Emblems of the Patriarchal Degree. 
 
 I. THE TENT. 
 
 Emblem of Hospitality: the peculiar emblem of 
 this degree. It is always represented open, to remind 
 us that when we needed hospitality we found it, and 
 should, therefore, be ready to grant it when needed by 
 others. But while it is our duty, and should be our 
 pleasure to " entertain strangers," we are admonished 
 that we owe it to ourselves and our families to admit 
 "no enemy in disguise" no treacherous or vicious 
 person, to our homes and our bosoms. 
 
 This emblem discourses "to us of the ancient patri- 
 archs, who abode in tents ; " and teaches us, " that in 
 this world we have no continuing city," but are " pil- 
 
268 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 grims and sojourners" who seek one to come. "Soon 
 will our earthly tents be struck, and we pass beyond 
 the swelling waters." 
 
 " Here, in this body pent. 
 
 Absent from heaven I roam, 
 Yet nightly pitch my tent 
 
 A day's march nearer home " 
 
 II. THE CROOK. 
 
 Emblem of Guidance and Protection: It represents 
 not merely the instrument whereby the shepherd directs 
 his flock in its migrations, and protects his sheep from 
 the wolves; but that higher reality, of which the shep- 
 herd's crook is but an emblem the guiding wisdom 
 and protecting power of the Great Shepherd, who has 
 led and defended us that we, in turn, might be good 
 shepherds unto all those placed under our care, or con- 
 trol and influence. 
 
 III. THE THREE PILLARS. 
 
 Emblems of Faith, Hope, Charity: the Wisdom, 
 Strength, and Beauty of Religion, and the supports and 
 ornaments of our Temple of Universal Brotherhood. 
 
 Every time we enter an encampment they remind us 
 of the Wisdom of humility, the Strength of trust, and 
 the Beauty of kindness which brought us to the emblem- 
 atic Tent, and before its solemn altar. And they teach 
 us to cherish and cultivate these treasures and virtues 
 of the soul, by an observance of the Great Law of duty 
 to God, duty to our neighbor, and duty to ourselves. 
 
 3. Concluding Remarks on this Degree. 
 Th/3 simplicity of the Patriarchal life, and the purity 
 of fa'th by which the Patriarchs were guided, form a 
 pleasing picture in contemplating antiquity. The world 
 has advanced in civilization and knowledge, but still 
 the heart looks back with regret at its departure froir 
 
OF THE PATRIARCHAL DEGREE. 269 
 
 those simpler, though ruder habits of early virtue and 
 goodness. In our Tents we may revive much of what 
 thus charms us. And in our lives we may copy that 
 confiding faith and guileless simplicity. By practising 
 universal fraternity, we may extend further and further 
 around us, the golden links which chain heart to heart 
 in a stronger and broader sympathy, till at last they 
 bind the earth in concord of virtue and peace. 
 
 To effect this, let each heart combine its wishes and 
 energies with every other heart having the same object, 
 irrespective of sect or nation, that all may work together 
 for the general good. Cherish, then, the teachings of 
 our Order, till your soul, imbued with their spirit, gives 
 forth their beauty and their power. Consider the 
 stranger still as a man : give him needed sustenance 
 and repose, whatever his country or his creed, his vices 
 or misfortunes, that you may influence him for good. 
 But your brother Patriarchs, let them especially share 
 your sympathy and experience your aid. Unite with 
 them in all good works. Let not contention or envy 
 separate you, for ye are brethren. If one injure you, 
 consider well. It may have been undesignedly, or 
 under some misconception. Be candid with him, and 
 frank. State the wrong fairly and kindly. If he re- 
 pent, wipe oif even the remembrance of the wrong, that 
 it stand not against him. Remember that you, too, are 
 fallible ; that you, too, may need kindly correction ; that 
 you, too, may stand in need of fraternal forgiveness. 
 
 Such are the principles a Patriarch must practise. 
 Not alone entering our Tents, not alone learning our 
 mysteries, not alone wearing our badge, not alone bear- 
 ing the offices and honors of our Order, can make a 
 man an 'Odd-Fellow ; but living an Odd-Fellow's life. 
 "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." 
 
 23* 
 
OF THE GOLDEN RULE DEGREE. 271 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 OF THE GOLDEN RULE DEGREE. 
 
 1. Introduction to the Degree. 
 
 1. THE candidate for this degree should be firm and 
 decided in his answers to all questions asked him, and 
 patient in all required of him, that he may the better 
 understand its instructions as they are successively 
 unfolded : especially its great lesson of charity, evinced 
 in what is usually termed toleration. 
 
 2. Behold the necessity of this lesson in our world. 
 Religion is often measured by state lines and regulated 
 by statute law. The Christianity which is lawful on 
 one side of a mountain, or stream, or even an imaginary 
 line, is punished with confiscation, imprisonment, or 
 death, on the other side. Does God require this at the 
 hands of one portion of His children toward the other 
 portion, their brethren ? Has He instituted such laws : 
 does He inflict such penalties for differences of opinion ? 
 Then, if we take into consideration all the religions in 
 the world, how much greater the intolerance ! Not 
 only between the North and the South of Europe, but 
 the European, living amid the refinements of art and 
 science, is but little in advance of the Asiatic, who, 
 though living in the land of Adam, of Noah, of Abra- 
 ham, and other Bible worthies, rejects that Book and 
 clings to the Shaster or the Koran, and calls all infidels 
 who acknowledge not the authority of Confucius, or 
 Mahomet, or Brahma. The African who bows before 
 
272 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 his many gods, also deems all the world sinners against 
 Heaven, because they kneel not at his altars. Thus 
 the Tables of the Law, the Cross, and the Crescent are 
 clashed in angry warfare, which convinces none and 
 debases all, and must therefore be abhorred of the God 
 of the whole earth, who is the Father of all spirits. 
 For when did not persecution and intolerance rather 
 confirm than convince those against whom it was waged? 
 A standing proof, it would seem, that Providence would 
 rather prosper wrong ideas than bloody practices. Error 
 of the head, even though it mislead the heart, appears 
 more favored than that bloody zeal which would immo- 
 late on its altar a brother who is deemed in error. 
 
 3. Is it not desirable that among all these nations, so 
 diverse in faith, in manners, and in customs, but so 
 similar in cruel zeul and bloody intolerance, a better 
 principle should obtain : one that would not only gently 
 remove the fetters of the body, but those of the soul 
 also, that the mind might freely examine truth : one 
 which would trample under foot those prejudices which 
 deprive the freeborn soul of its priceless birthright to 
 seek God freely and worship him voluntarily, as the 
 best information may lead judgment and conscience to 
 dictate ? 
 
 Brethren, let this be our work. Boldly, freely, 
 unawed by danger, let us assert our right to seek and 
 obey divine truth : assert it not only as our right, but 
 as the right of others, of ALL. The authority of con- 
 science in religion must be paramount. Those high 
 moral affections and duties which have the Creator as 
 their object, no human legislation can or should restrain 
 or suppress. In our Tents no sectarian or national 
 distinctions are recognized. All are entitled to the 
 rights which each claims fur himself. All are equal, 
 
OF THE GOLDEN RULE DEGREE. 273 
 
 all are brethren : owning one origin, one nature, one 
 destiny. Living the same life, one interest thrills alike 
 in every heart. If our brother suffer, we feel his an- 
 guish ; if he prosper, we share his joy. The pains and 
 woos of each swell the common tide of humanity's 
 evils, in which we have an equal share and a common 
 lot. All our rights are based on the same great founda- 
 tion. He, therefore, who assails a brother's rights, 
 attacks our own : an invasion of his welfare is an ag- 
 gression on ours ; for our rights are the same, and our 
 happiness is increased by the enjoyments of those who 
 surround us. It is our recognition of this great prin- 
 ciple that leads us to claim and to grant sympathy in 
 suffering, unity in working, freedom in thought and 
 worship, and to resist the force that would invade the 
 natural rights of the human soul. 
 
 4. Corroborative of the instructions of this degree 
 are the sentiments of the wisest and best of mankind. 
 The following Parable, generally ascribed to Dr. Frank- 
 lin, and familiar to the schoolboy of the passing gene- 
 ration, sets forth very beautifully the inconsistency and 
 wickedness of a persecuting spirit. 
 
 PARABLE AGAINST PERSECUTION. 
 
 Aram was sitting at the door of his tent, under the shade of his 
 fig-tree, when it came to pass that a man, stricken with years, bear- 
 ing a staff in his hand, journeyed that way. And it was noonday. 
 And Aram said unto the stranger, " Pass not by, I pray thee, but 
 come in, and wash thy feet, and tarry here until the evening ; for 
 thou art stricken with years, and the heat overcometh thee." 
 
 And the stranger left his staff at the door, and entered into the 
 tent of Aram. And he rested himself. And Aram set before him 
 b^ead and cakes of fine meal, baked upon the hearth. And Aram 
 blessed the bread, calling upon the name of the Lord. But tno 
 stranger did eat, and refused to pray unto the Most High, saying, 
 
274 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 ' Thy Lord is not the God of my fathers, why, therefore, should I 
 present my vows unto him?" And Aram's wrath was kindled, and 
 he called his servants, and they beat the stranger, and drove him 
 into the wilderness. 
 
 Now in the evening Aram lifted up his voice unto the Lord, and 
 prayed unto him. And the Lord said, " Aram, where is the stranger 
 that sojourned this day with thee?" And Aram answered and said, 
 " Behold, Lord, he ate of thy bread, and would not offer unto thee 
 his prayers and thanksgivings. Therefore did I chastise him and 
 drive him from before me into the wilderness." 
 
 And the Lord said unto Aram, " Who hath made thee a judge be- 
 tween me and him ? Have not I borne with thine iniquities, and 
 winked at thy backsliding; and shalt thou be severe with thy bro- 
 ther, to mark his errors and to punish his perverseness ? Arise, and 
 follow the stranger, and carry with thee oil and wine, and anoint his 
 bruises, and speak kindly unto him. For I, the Lord thy God, am a 
 jealous God, and judgment belongeth unto me. Vain is thine obla- 
 tion of thanksgiving without a lowly heart. As a bulrush thou 
 mayest bow down thy head, and lift up thy voice like a trumpet ; 
 but thou obeyest not the ordinance of thy God if thy worship be for 
 strife and debate. Behold the sacrifice that I have chosen. Is it 
 not to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to 
 break every yoke ? to deal thy bread to the hungry, and to bring the 
 poor that are cast out to thy house ?" 
 
 And Aram trembled before the presence of God. And he arose, 
 and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the wilderness to 
 do as the Lord had commanded him.* 
 
 * It is said that Dr. Franklin was at a large party among several 
 dignitaries of the Church of England, when the subject ^f compel- 
 ling conformity to an established church, by law, was introduced. 
 After several of the clergy had defended the obnoxious principle, the 
 doctor was called on for his opinion. He recited to them, as Scrip- 
 ture, the above parable; and they, deceived by its style, and the 
 doctor's gravity, suspected not the deception, but acknowledged its 
 force, and yielded the argument. 
 
 Whether the occasion and result were exactly as above stated, or 
 not, it is true that the parable was published as Dr. Franklin's, and 
 that it was alleged that he stole it from Jeremy Taylor, who closee 
 
OF THE GOLDEN RULE DEGREE. 275 
 
 5. A Lodge or Encampment sometimes presents, in 
 its assemblage of persons of various nations and creeds, 
 a beautiful illustration of the excellency of toleration, 
 and of the possibility of a unity of the spirit in the 
 
 his work on the " Liberty of Prophesying," with the following ver- 
 sion of the same story. 
 
 " I end," says he, " with a story which I find in the Jews' books : 
 When Abraham sat at his tent-door, according to his custom, to 
 entertain strangers, he espied an old man who was a hundred years 
 of age. He received him kindly, washed his feet, provided supper, 
 and caused him to sit down : "but observing that the old man ate and 
 prayed not, nor begged for a blessing on his meat, asked him why he 
 did not worship the God of heaven ? The old man told him that he 
 worshipped the fire only, and acknowledged no other God; at which 
 Abraham grew so zealously angry, that he thrust the old man out 
 of his tent, and exposed him to all the evils of the night, and an un- 
 guarded condition. 
 
 " When the old man was gone, God called to Abraham, and asked 
 him where the stranger was ? He replied, I thrust him away, be- 
 cause he did not worship thee.' God answered, ' I have suffered 
 him these hundred years, although he dishonored me, and couldst 
 not thou endure him one night, when he gave thee no trouble ?' Upon 
 this, saith the story, Abraham fetched him back again, and gave 
 him hospitable entertainment and wise instruction. ' Go thou and 
 do likewise,' and thy charity will be rewarded by the God of Abra- 
 ham." 
 
 Now here, it must be confessed, is the story, leaving to Dr. Frank 
 lin only its dress and its interesting auxiliaries. That the doctor 
 did not himself claim to be the author of the story is rendered highly 
 probable from the fact that it is not found in the authentic edition 
 of his works, published by Wm. Duane, Philadelphia. But the ori- 
 ginal, from whence Jeremy Taylor got his version? It is given in 
 Dr. Priestley's works, quoted in Latin from " Shebeth Jehudah. The 
 Tribe of Judah, the Virgin Daughter of Solomon; containing the va- 
 rious Calamities, Martyrdoms, Dispersions, &c., of the Jews. Trans- 
 lated from Hebrew into Latin, by George Gentius. Hamburg, 1680." 
 A friend has furnished us with the following translation. 
 
276 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 bond of peace" amid a diversity of faith. It thus 
 truly prefigures that glorious era when the Golden 
 Rule shall have been received and obeyed by all the 
 tribes and nations of men. The high barriers which, in 
 
 "The most noble author Sadus relates that that venerable exam- 
 ple of antiquity, the patriarch Abraham, celebrated for the glory of 
 hospitality, thought it not happy nor fortunate for him, unless he had 
 received some guest, whom, as a presiding genius of his household, 
 he might serve with all kind offices. Once upon a time, when he had 
 no guest, and had sent abroad to seek for a stranger, he perceived a 
 man bowed down with years and wearied with travelling, lying un- 
 der a tree. Approaching him, he led him home as his guest, and che- 
 rished him with every attention. When the supper was ready, and 
 Abraham and his family addressed themselves to prayer, the old 
 man stretched forth his hand to the food, making no show of religion 
 or piety. Seeing which, Abraham thus addressed him : * Old man, it 
 scarcely becomes thy white hairs to take food without previous ve- 
 neration of the Deity.' To whom the old man replied, * I am a fire- 
 worshipper, and ignorant of that sort of manners, for our fathers 
 have never taught me such piety.' At which words, Abraham, horri- 
 fied that he had intercourse with a fire-worshipper, as one profane 
 and a stranger to the worship of his God, removed him from the table, 
 and drove him from his house, as an offence to his company, and 
 an enemy to his religion. But behold, the Great God at that mo- 
 ment admonished Abraham. What dost thou, Abraham? Becomes 
 it thee to have done this? I have given this old man, although un- 
 grateful to me, life and sustenance for more than a hundred years ; 
 canst thou not give the man one meal, nor bear with him even a mo- 
 ment?' Being thus admonished by the Divine voice, Abraham 
 brought back the old man from his journey, and attended him with 
 such kind offices, piety, and converse, that by his example he led 
 Him to the worship of the true God." 
 
 Such is the version of 1680. The original of all, by " the most no- 
 ble author Sadus," (believed to be Arabic,) who will furnish that? 
 
 Long as this note already is, we cannot refrain from adding to h 
 the following appropriate parable by Krummacher. 
 
OF THE GOLDEN RULE DEGREE. 277 
 
 the world, separated men from each other, are here re- 
 moved. They have left their prejudices at the door, 
 and mingle in one circle of brotherhood, harmony, and 
 love. The descendants of Abraham, the diverse fol- 
 lowers of Jesus, the Pariahs of the stricter sects, here 
 gather around the same altar, as one family, manifest- 
 
 "THE PARSEE, THE JEW, AND THE CHRISTIAN." 
 
 "A Jew stepped into a Parsee temple, and saw there the holy fire. 
 He spake to the priest: What! do you worship the fire? Not the 
 fire, replied the priest: it is to us an emblem of the sun, and of its 
 genial light Then asked the Jew, Do you then worship the sun as 
 your God? Do you not know that this also is a creation of the 
 Almighty ? That we know, answered the priest, but man being de- 
 pendent on his senses, needs sensible signs in order to apprehend 
 the Most High. And is not the sun the type of the invisible, incom- 
 prehensible Source of light that embraces and blesses all? 
 
 "Then the Israelite answered: Do your people then, distinguish 
 the type from the prototype ? Already they call the sun their god, 
 and even sinking from this again to a lower image, bow before the 
 earthly flame. You charm his external and dazzle his internal eye ; 
 and while you hold up before him the earthly light, you withdraw 
 from him the heavenly. You should not make unto thee any image, 
 nor any likeness at all. 
 
 " How then, asked the Parsee, do you designate the highest na- 
 ture ? The Jew replied, We call it JEHOVAH ADONAI, that is, the 
 Lord who is, who was, and who will be ! Your word is great and 
 glorious, said the Parsee, but it is fearful. 
 
 " A Christian then stepped up and said, We call him OUR FA- 
 THER. The Gentile and the Jew looked on each other with amaze- 
 ment, and said, That is the nearest and the highest. But who gives 
 you the courage thus to address the Eternal ? Who else, said the 
 Christian, but He, the Father himself? * * * * * 
 
 " And when they understood it they believed, and lifted up their 
 eyes joyfully toward heaven, and said, full of fervor and spirit, 
 Father ! dear Father ! 
 
 " And now all three shook hands, and called themselves BROTHERS." 
 24 
 
278 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 ing no differences of creed or worship, and discord and 
 contention are forgotten in works of humanity and 
 peace. Such scenes lead the lover of God and of man- 
 kind to sigh, " Oh when shall the warrior's spear be 
 broken, and his sword rest within its scabbard, and the 
 united thoughts and energies of man be given to the 
 service of humanity in the cultivation of fraternal love, 
 justice, mercy, and true righteousness to the service 
 of God, in seeking to know him better, to love him 
 more, and to serve and obey him in all things !" 
 
 6. And that glorious and blessed era will yet come. 
 Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles have not predicted 
 it in vain. Good men and true will not lose the labor 
 with which they have sought to effect it. And the 
 principle of Toleration, based on fraternity, as combined 
 with the active benevolence of our beloved Order, will 
 enable us to be co-workers with them in hastening its 
 coming. Hence let us ever remember that, from what- 
 ever cause, men do not think, any more than they look 
 alike. And while we tolerate neither laxity of principle 
 nor viciousness of conduct, we may safely allow each 
 man to form and indulge in his own opinions, while we 
 unite with him in practising those great precepts which 
 belong to all religions, and which all acknowledge to be 
 paramount as rules of life. The Golden Rule finds a 
 ready response in every conscience. All will assent to 
 its rightfulness and its importance. Let us then not 
 cease its practice, while we urge the reasons for our 
 faith. On it let us all unite in furthering the mission 
 of Odd-Fellowship, till man everywhere shall behold in 
 every fellow-man a brother ; till all shall realize that 
 SIN is the worst evil, and HATRED the worst sin, to 
 individuals and to the race ; till mankind shall indeed 
 be one family, a.nd one great law, the law of LOVE, shall 
 
OF THE GOLDEN-RULE DEGREE. 279 
 
 bind continents, isles, and nations in one community 
 forever. For this " consummation, devoutly to be 
 wished," let us hope, labor, and ever pray unto that 
 God who is Love, even the Father of all. 
 
 7. The color of this degree is that of gold yellow. 
 Regalia is black gloves and a black apron. 
 
 2. Emblems of the Golden- Rule Degree. 
 
 I. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE. 
 
 Emblem of Worship: the peculiar emblem of this 
 degree. It represents the universality of the spiritual 
 instinct in men to " seek the Lord, if haply they might 
 feel after Him and find Him ;" and to worship, whether 
 on an altar of earth, or of stone, or of the living heart, 
 only. And it reminds us that to this highest interest 
 of man, as to all others, we are to apply the GOLDEN 
 RULE "All things whomsoever ye would that men should 
 do 'unto you, do ye even so unto them" And it enjoins 
 this, not to make us indifferent in our religious faith 
 or practice, but to impress upon us the great duty of 
 TOLERATION not as a policy, but as a principle taught 
 by the Divine Benignity and Compassion. For "a 
 zeal according to knowledge" makes us compassionate 
 
280 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 toward those who bow not at our altar, and enjoy not 
 our hopes and consolations ; and thus increases our 
 efforts to convert them to our faith. 
 
 And it further instructs us that " God now requires 
 His people to offer unto Him the incense of prayer and 
 praise, of gratitude and thanksgiving ; " and that among 
 the "acceptable sacrifices of God, are a broken spirit: 
 a broken and a contrite heart' 7 He will not despise. 
 "Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and 
 there rernemberest that thy brother hath aught against 
 thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy 
 way ; first be reconciled to thy brother, and THEN come 
 and offer thy gift." Matt. v. 23, 24. 
 
 II. THE TABLES OF THE L.u\. 
 Emblem of Divine Government: -It represents the 
 common basis of the three great religions of the world 
 (Judaism, Christianity, Mohammedanism) which recog- 
 nize the One, only living and True God and the 
 foundation of all governments which acknowledge God 
 as the Ruler of nations, and the interests and welfare 
 of the human race as their end and aim. This Law is 
 a constantly operating fact in the progress of religions 
 
OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 
 
 and of human governments among men, teaching us 
 faith and trust in the Divine Ruler. 
 
 This common basis of religion and of morals teaches 
 Christians that having received so much through the 
 Jew, they may well bear with his supposed deficiency 
 until they can impart to him again ; and the Moslem, 
 that the foundation on which he stands is also the com- 
 mon ground of the others; and the Jew, as his Law 
 progresses among the nations, moulding legislation and 
 elevating morality, even while he is without a national 
 home, it instructs in patience and in hope, and to follow 
 with his love wheresoever his Law goes in blessing and 
 in triumph. 
 
 Followers of different Teachers, ye are worshippers 
 of One God, who is Father of all, and therefore ye are 
 brethren ! As such, Charity, and speaking the truth 
 in love, should prevail among us unity in good works, 
 wherein all agree ; toleration in opinions, wherein we 
 differ. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 
 
 1. Summary of preceding Degrees. 
 As this is the highest degree of the Subordinates, it 
 may not be amiss in this place briefly to array the line 
 of special principles and applications of Fraternity 
 through which the candidate has passed in arriving at 
 it. The First Degree inculcated Fidelity as its leading 
 idea, illustrated by Purity, Benevolence, and Charity. 
 The prominent idea of the Second Degree is Covenanted 
 Love, (as in the case of David and Jonathan,) illustrated 
 by deeds of mutual relief in seasons of difficulty, danger 
 
284 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 and distress. The Third Degree prominently sets forth 
 an extension of this, in self-sacrificing Friendship on a 
 larger scale, (as in the case of Moses,) illustrated by 
 risking ease, property, and even life, to save a brother. 
 The Fourth Degree makes the principle of universal 
 Love its theme ; Love, not to the Order only, but to all 
 mankind, as underlying all the preceding. The Fifth 
 Degree makes Truth, in action and in sentiment, its 
 leading idea, illustrated by correctness of speech and 
 conduct, by fraternal watch-care, and loving correction 
 of our brethren. The Patriarchal degree makes special 
 application of the foregoing, in the duty of Hospitality 
 to the stranger, and especially to the brother. And the 
 Golden Rule Degree, carrying the sentiment of charity 
 into the domain of mind, enforces Toleration (not in- 
 difference, nor yet approval) of all differences of opinion, 
 faith, and worship, for the sake of unity in working in 
 the cause of God and Humanity. We now reach, in 
 this most sublime degree, the idea of REST (not indo- 
 lence, or cessation of the powers of mind and heart, 
 but) the Rest of Faith, that prelibation of the immortal, 
 glorious Reposeof Immortality itself. For Heaven is the 
 Reality of all that Regeneration prefigures of Faith, 
 which is " the substance of things hoped for, the evidence 
 of things not seen." That heavenly, purely spiritual 
 repose, is but a higher, greater freedom for the soul to 
 exercise its powers aright, easily, willingly, gladly. 
 
 " Rest is not quitting 
 
 The busy career ; 
 Rest is the fitting 
 
 Of self for its sphere. 
 * * * * * 
 'Tis loving and serving, 
 
 The Highest and Best! 
 'Tis ONWARD! unswerving 
 
 And that is true rest.'' 
 
OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 285 
 
 2. Introduction to the R. P. Degree. 
 
 1. Let all who are weary of ill-doing, and heavy laden 
 with doubt and error, seek the unwearying activity of 
 true righteousness, and the calm search after truth and 
 Divine assurance : such will find rest to their souls. 
 And they will find it only by travelling the road the 
 Patriarchs trod before them. 
 
 2. There is no true, real rest on earth. Once entered 
 on life, all is toil and trouble, from infancy to old age. 
 We are enticed and hurried onward, and still onward, 
 without power of halting to enjoy the beautiful and 
 pleasing of present time on the journey. The child 
 enjoys not the sunshine of a mother's caress, he longs 
 to be a youth. The youth is beguiled from his glad- 
 some sports by the wish to become a man. The man is 
 impelled onward, yet onward, through perils, struggling 
 and striving ever after enjoyments which burst in his 
 grasp and flee as he approaches. And thus the restless 
 spirit is impelled on life's swift current, till it is merged 
 in the ocean of eternity ! 
 
 8. But you are strong in body and stout in heart, 
 and the experience of others is naught to you. You 
 hope for a better fate than has been won by those who 
 preceded you. The wreck of their joys will save you 
 from their disasters ; the wild torrents that overwhelmed 
 them, you feel strong to stem. Be it as you say. 
 Onward, then, and God speed you in your laudable 
 endeavors, and furnish you with good guidance and 
 sure protection. 
 
 4. If true principle, combined with stern integrity, 
 be your guide and safeguard in the journey, all will be 
 well. However derided by the worldly-wise, and abused 
 
286 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 by the imprudent, it alone can lead you through the in- 
 tricacies of your path, and deliver you from the tempta- 
 tions that would allure you from your onward course. 
 
 5. Onward, but be wary. Narrow and rough though 
 the path be, it is better than the broad and flower-strewn 
 way that leads to death. Press on, though obstacles in- 
 crease and the gloom thickens and the dark forests 
 threaten to shut out the day. Seek not ease, pilgrim, 
 for it can be obtained only at the risk of delay and per- 
 haps destruction. 
 
 6. Be principle still your guide. If Sensuality calls 
 in syren tones and songs of mirth, opening an easy road 
 beneath your feet, turn not in. Look down, and be- 
 hold serpents twined among the roses ; note that the 
 laughter is that of giddy intoxication ; see the iron 
 bands concealed in the flower-wreaths, rusting into flesh, 
 and mind, and heart. Oh, there is no canker equal to 
 sensual lust I Tf Ambition invites to worldly glory, be- 
 hold beneath her robes meek humanity bleeding in the 
 
OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 287 
 
 dust ! Turn from her chaplet, crimsoned with the blood 
 of brethren slain ; and her laurels, watered with the tears 
 of widowed mothers and orphaned babes. "He that 
 taketh the sword shall perish by the sword." The spi- 
 rit of fell destruction that would lure thee on to fame, 
 will as readily pile thy corpse on a heap of slain, a mo- 
 nument to another's honour. No, no ; let useful aims 
 engross your energies, that the world may feel you have 
 not lived in vain. And be your journey long or short, 
 " the great teacher, Death," is neared at last, before 
 whose scrutinizing eye all your life-deeds will gather 
 darkness and rust, unless they were wrought in love and 
 goodness. Be firm, then, in principle, and you may 
 hope for the best. A rugged path is traversed at last, 
 and when the waning light of old age is reached, you 
 will retrospect your journey and find it short, for life is 
 brief at most. Passing the critical period of life which 
 establishes its character, you turn the hill, and begin its 
 descent. Rapidly now you approach the great aim- 
 rest, the only true rest. 
 
 7. Yet deem not all trials past. Many, indeed, sink 
 exhausted before they reach this stage. A few troubles 
 are yet in the distance, which if passed safely, will leave 
 the way to peace and glory all open before you. 
 
 8. Your progress now will be more equable, less 
 exciting. Experience has calmed the tumult of your 
 spirits and sobered your expectations. The storm of 
 death may soon burst upon you, but you will not fear 
 it : it will but prepare you for a purer atmosphere be- 
 yond. Besides, on its retiring gloom is set the signet 
 bow of Hope, placed there by the hand of our covenant- 
 keeping Father. 
 
 9. Your guide must soon leave you. In other 
 words, Faith must give place to Knowledge, Hope to 
 
288 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Fruition. However serviceable in this world of sha- 
 dows and blindness, they imperfectly represent the glo- 
 rious realities beyond. Those of defective judgment 
 and wayward passions may lay their own errors at the 
 door of their guide; but he who has truly followed the 
 leadings of a divine Faith and Hope can better judge 
 their worth as teachers and comforters here, and guides 
 to the great realities on high. 
 
 10. But better even their imperfect teachings than 
 the starless night of their absence; better their guid- 
 ance than wandering unled, through snares and pit- 
 falls, passion-tost and impulse-driven, unto destruction 
 without it. They bring to cheering music and to joy- 
 ous light the wandering soul at last. 
 
 11. Happy they who, admitted to the company of 
 departed patriarchs of time, are permitted to sit down 
 with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, at the feast of Hea- 
 ven's kingdom. It may be said of them, "Ye are come 
 unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, 
 the heavenly Jerusalem ; and to an innumerable com- 
 pany of angels ; to the general assembly and church of 
 the first-born, which are written in heaven ; and to God, 
 the Judge of all ; and to the spirits of just men made 
 perfect."* 
 
 12. In imagination place yourself there, and review 
 the probable pilgrimage of your life. Such reviews 
 may be salutary to your real future. 
 
 The progress, so tedious at the time, how rapid ! The 
 discipline, so sharp, how purifying ! All excellence 
 gained has been the result of toil ; all perfection ac- 
 quired, the fruit of suffering. How blinded are we, not 
 only to danger, but to good ! What childish desires, 
 
 * Hebrews xii. 22, 23. 
 
OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 289 
 
 restless and unsatisfiable, impel us onward ! What bub- 
 bles we grasp after ; what bubbles burst in our grasp ! 
 " What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue !' ? 
 Thus, from our first feeble wail in the cradle to the ladt 
 groan on the bed of death, " all is vanity and vexation 
 of spirit." And Death is at our side through it all: 
 watching the first breath we draw, implanting disease in 
 our sustenance, impregnating the vital air with his 
 breath ; he pursues us steadily to the close, and triumphs 
 at last. How necessary, then, to realize these facts, 
 that we may sedulously practice those principles which 
 alone can convert his conquest into our triumph, even 
 make us more than conquerors over the last enemy, the 
 conquering foe of our race ! 
 
 13. Let us be Patriarchs, then, in deed, and not in 
 name only. Let us contemplate with reverence all that 
 is good, and copy all that is laudable, in the characters 
 and lives of those ancient worthies. They were faith- 
 ful, confiding in the veracity of Him who promised. 
 They showed their faith by works, not by professions 
 only. What a glorious galaxy is furnished in the Epis- 
 tle to the Hebrews ! 
 
 14. SCRIPTURE LESSON. 
 
 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than 
 Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testi- 
 fying of his gifts ; and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh. By faith 
 Enoch was translated that he should not see death ; and was not 
 found, because God had translated him: for before his translation hp 
 had this testimony, that he pleased God. 
 
 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, 
 moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house ; by the 
 which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteous- 
 ness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to 
 go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, 
 obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he 
 25 
 
290 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling 
 In tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same 
 promise : for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whos* 1 
 maker and builder is God. 
 
 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come 
 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Jo- 
 seph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith 
 Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children 
 of Israel ; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith 
 iMoses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, be- 
 cause they saw he was a proper child, and they were not afraid of 
 the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to 
 years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing 
 rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the 
 pleasures of sin for a season. By faith the Israelites passed 
 through the Red Sea as by dry land, which the Egyptians assaying 
 to do were drowned. 
 
 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of 
 Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephtha, of David also, 
 and of Samuel, and of the prophets, who through faith subdued 
 kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the 
 mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of 
 the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in 
 fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. HEBREWS xi. 4, 5 
 7-10, 20-25, and 29-:',4. 
 
 15. Such are the men we should imitate in their ad- 
 herence to true worship, in their fidelity to duty, in their 
 devotion to the interests of posterity, and in their 
 hopefulness for the future. Virtues like these are of 
 more worth than many jewels or heaps of gold are the 
 only true riches and honors of the soul, and will fur- 
 nish comfort and peace when all else on earth fades 
 from the grasp and vanishes from the sight. 
 
 16. In concluding our remarks upon this highest de- 
 gree of the Subordinates, we cannot but congratulate 
 you on its reception. If the teachings imparted have 
 been duly impressed on your mind, your time and labor 
 
O* THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 291 
 
 will not have been devoted in vain. And we trust that 
 as your mind, thus freighted, advances in moral investi- 
 gation, the light within you may grow "brighter and 
 brighter unto the perfect day," until faith is truly swal- 
 lowed up in knowledge, and hope in fruition, and charity 
 survives immortal, blissful, and all in all. . 
 
 Remember, then, the obligations resting on you, and 
 may the prayers offered up at your admission, advance- 
 ment, and elevation, be fulfilled in and by you of our 
 Heavenly Father. 
 
 17. The color of this degree is the Imperial Purple. 
 The regalia, according to the By-law, as amended by 
 the G. L. U. S. at its session in 1868, is, for " Patriarchs 
 who have attained the royal purple degree, purple collars 
 only, trimmed with yellow lace or fringe." Black gloves 
 should be worn, if any. 
 
 3. Emblems of the R. P. Degree. 
 
 [We reserve the emblem peculiar to this degree, and 
 our remarks thereon, for the close.] 
 
292 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 II. HOUR-GLASS AND SCYTHE. 
 Emblem of passing and ended Time: The world, at 
 its brightest and best, is of Time subject to all Time's 
 chances and changes and this emblem reminds us that 
 all the goodliness and fashion thereof is but as the grass 
 that withereth and the flower that fadeth. The Hour- 
 Glass "admonishes us to improve the moments as they 
 fly, in a manner that shall redound to the glory of God, 
 and our own and our neighbor's good. It also brings 
 before us the great contrast between Time and Eternity." 
 And the Scythe " reminds us of the solemn truth, that 
 as the grass falls before the mower's scythe, so man, 
 being as the grass and flower of the field, must wither 
 before the touch of Time, and fall before the King of 
 Terrors." Both teach us, that it is only through Time 
 that we can reach Eternity only through Mortality 
 that we can attain Immortality only through death 
 to sin that we can enter into eternal life. 
 
 III. THE GLOBE IN FULL LIGHT. 
 Emblem of the Regenerated World: It repr^sente 
 
OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 23 
 
 " the world, and they that dwell therein," as beheld in 
 its Creator's purpose, when " God saw everything that 
 He had made, and, behold, it was very good ! " as 
 seen by the heavenly host in visioned future, when " the 
 morning stars sang together and all the sons of God 
 shouted for joy" and as it will be seen in reality, 
 when purified from selfishness and sin, by the Spirit of 
 the Most High breathing over and into it the sanctify- 
 ing influences of Friendship, Love, and Truth, and of 
 Faith, Hope, and Charity. 
 
 By contrast with the world in clouds, it reminds us 
 of the world as it is, with the world as it should be, 
 and of our solemn duty to "go o/t," and still " onward," 
 under such guidance as will bring us through all dark- 
 ness, temptation and trial, to light, and virtue, and 
 victory, at last. And it teaches the brother of the R. 
 P. to let the full light of our Order, now received by 
 him, so shine that others may be induced to make the 
 world within a true representation of this emblem all 
 enlightened and all enlightening. 
 
 " To the Sun of truth if thou turnest thy back. 
 The shadow of Self will darken thy track. 
 Is 4 Forward ' the motto ? It will end in woe, 
 For taller and darker that shadow will grow. 
 Brother! thou hast turn'd thy face to the Sun, 
 And a good pilgrimage with thee is begun. 
 To the spiritual equator still forward press, 
 And every step thy shadow will be less. 
 Onward, still onward with cheerfulness haste, 
 Past Syren bower and o'er Satyr waste ; 
 For the shrine is with beauty and blessing crown'd, 
 And glory is beaming forever around. 
 Thou shalt know thy pilgrimage complete, 
 When all of shadow is beneath thy feet."* 
 
 * Autobiography of Rev. A. C. Thomas, p. 297. 
 
294 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL 
 
 I. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT. 
 
 Emblem of the Presence of the Most High God, our 
 Heavenly Father: This is the special Emblem of 
 this most solemn, sublime and exalted degree the 
 last, highest, greatest of our Ritual. 
 
 The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy 
 of Holies; that is, within the second vail of the Taber- 
 nacle, and in the innermost part of the Temple. It 
 contained the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod that 
 budded, and the tables of the Law. On it was the 
 Mercy-Seat, overshadowed by the wings of the Cheru- 
 bim, between which the SHEKINAH, (Cloud of Glory,) 
 denoting the Presence of the Holy One, appeared to 
 the High Priest. All these were made after the Pattern 
 which God shewed unto Moses in the Mount. (Exodus 
 xxv. 40.) That Ark with its contents, and the Cheru- 
 bim with the SHEKINAH, links together the remem- 
 
OF THE ROYAL PURPLE DEGREE. 295 
 
 brance of all sacred things with the Presence of God, 
 and the hope of heaven. It is, therefore, a most solemn 
 emblem, suggestive of all things most sacred of the 
 Holy of Holies, that type of Heaven itself, and of the 
 very presence of "the Lord the Lord God, merciful 
 and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness 
 and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, and forgiving 
 iniquity, transgression, and sin, and that will by no 
 means clear the guilty." 
 
 And it teaches us, that " as the prosperity of ancient 
 Israel depended on the respect, devotion, and obedience 
 paid by them to the Ark of the Covenant and its sacred 
 deposits, so will our purity, peace, and prosperity " be 
 commensurate with our obedience to, and communion 
 with, the Most High and Holy One, our ever-present 
 Heavenly Father. 
 
 We conclude our remarks on the sublime degrees 
 with following Ode, which appeared originally in the 
 Golden Rule, signed " Luof," and dated at Canandaigua, 
 N. Y 
 
 THE PILGRIMAGE OF LIFE. 
 
 Hail, Patriarchs of high degree, 
 
 The watch is set. the password given! 
 A Son of Nimrod, bold and free, 
 
 Shall guide and guard the way to heaven. 
 The Pilgrim stranger travels on, 
 
 O'er hill and stream, a weary way ; 
 Through night and storm, yet cries, "Go on! 
 
 Till I behold the perfect day/' 
 
 Life's rough and thorny way is trod, 
 Death's narrow bridge is nobly won, 
 
 The bright Pavilion of our God 
 Gleams in the distant horizon! 
 
296 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Hark! clashing arms assail our ears 
 The battle of the last great day 
 
 Is o'er ; let Pilgrims dry their tears, 
 March boldly on their bright'ning way. 
 
 Hark! Pilgrim, pause the balmy air 
 
 Breathes music sweet as seraphs sing ! 
 Now, distant, far and now, more near, 
 
 Throughout the Camp loud anthems ring! 
 Hark ! the full chorus pealing out 
 
 From conq'ring legions, pure and brave, 
 Like many waters, thundering, shout 
 
 "Where is thy victory, boasting grave?'* 
 
 Bright Seraphim, who guard the Tent, 
 
 We kneel before the Holy Place ! 
 Then let the purple vail be rent. 
 
 Behold your Chief with open face! 
 "Rise, Patriarchs, rise! Behold in me 
 
 The Centre of your mystic ring 
 Your Password through eternity 
 
 Melchisedek, your Priest and King!" 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS. 
 
 1. How Commenced and Constituted. 
 
 UNTIL a Grand Encampment is instituted in any 
 State or Territory, the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States alone has power to charter an Encampment in 
 its bounds ; and such Subordinates receive their laws 
 and instructions from, and make their returns and pay 
 
OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS. 297 
 
 percentage on their receipts to, the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States alone. But when a Grand Encampment 
 is established in any State or Territory, all the Subor- 
 dinates of the same receive their instructions from, and 
 make returns and pay percentage to, their State Grand 
 Encampment only. They are no longer subject to the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States directly, but only 
 indirectly through their Grand Encampment. 
 
 When five or more Subordinate Encampments con- 
 tain seven or more Past Chief Patriarchs in good stand- 
 ing, they can call a convention to petition the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States for a Charter for a Grand 
 Encampment within their State, Territory, or District. 
 Each Encampment in the proposed jurisdiction will ap- 
 point one or more of its Past C. Ps. or Past H. Ps. to re- 
 present it in the proposed Convention, which should be 
 duly notified to be held at a place and time convenient for 
 all parties. These Representatives should be furnished 
 with certificates of appointment, and a statement of the 
 number of P. C. Patriarchs in good standing in their 
 respective Encampments, under seal. The propriety 
 of applying for a charter, and the location of the Grand 
 Encampment, are to be determined by a majority of 
 the Convention, comprising at least five Encampments 
 in favor, the votes being taken by Encampments. After 
 which, the Petition is drawn up in due form, signed 
 by the Representatives, and forwarded to the Grand 
 Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States, 
 accompanied by, 1st, the Charter fee of thirty dollars ; 
 and 2d, the certificates and certified statements given 
 the Representatives, as above named. The Encamp- 
 ments petitioning, must have paid up their dues, or the 
 Charter will not be granted ; but if not granted, the 
 Charter fee will 1 e returned. If granted, the Grand 
 
298 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Encampment will be duly instituted and in&tructed by 
 the Grand Sire, or some qualified brother duly author- 
 ized. The expenses of such opening are paid by the 
 new Grand Encampment. 
 
 During the interim between the sessions of the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States, the Grand Sire, Deputy 
 Grand Sire, and Grand Secretary are authorized to 
 consider and grant Charters, subject, however, to 
 the revision of the Grand Lodge of the United States, 
 at its next session. Such Charter continues in force so 
 long as its requisitions are obeyed, and while seven 
 P. C. Patriarchs, the representatives of three Encamp- 
 ments, continue to claim it. If forfeited or annulled 
 for just cause, it must be delivered to the Grand 
 Recording Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States, or the G. P. of the Grand Encampment, (as the 
 case may be,) with all the documents, books, funds, 
 and other property, to be returned on the renewal of 
 the same. 
 
 And this rule and procedure are applied in all cases 
 of Lodges and Encampments, Grand and Subordinate, 
 by the power having jurisdiction. No Charter can be 
 thrown up while the requisite number claim it. 
 
 Grand Encampments are composed of all Past Chief 
 Patriarchs in good standing in their jurisdiction. In 
 some States, Past High Priests are also admitted as 
 members. They yield precedence to State Grand 
 Lodges, but have supreme jurisdiction over their Subor- 
 dinate Encampments. They are themselves subject to 
 the Grand Lodge of the United States, to which they 
 submit their Constitution and By-Laws for revision, 
 make their returns, and pay seventy-five dol larsj^er ann u in 
 for each Representative which they are entitled to send 
 to that Grand Body ; that is to say, until they have one 
 
OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS. 299 
 
 thousand members of Subordinates in jurisdiction, one 
 Grand Representative, and after that, two. They may 
 nominate, by their Representation, a candidate for 
 each office of Grand Sire and Deputy Grand Sire, and 
 are entitled to copies of the Proceedings of the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States, equal to double the number 
 of Subordinates in their jurisdiction. 
 
 The support of a Grand Encampment is derived from 
 fees for charters and dispensations, and a specified per- 
 centage levied on the receipts of its Subordinates. To 
 this is sometimes added a small profit on the Odes, 
 cards, and books which it furnishes to its Subordinates. 
 
 2. The Grrand Encampment Degree. 
 
 The Grand Encampment opens, works, and closes in 
 the Grand Encampment Degree only, which must be 
 conferred on its members free of charge. The receiver 
 of this degree appeals to heaven and earth to witness 
 the fidelity with which he will represent the interests of 
 his Subordinate, and at the same time faithfully pre- 
 serve the secrets, advance the interests, and promote 
 the welfare of his Grand Encampment. May the God 
 of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob aid him, and keep him 
 true and pure as a fellow-patriarch with those who have 
 preceded him into the true rest ! 
 
 3. Members, Representatives, and Committees. 
 
 Each P. C. P. (and in some States, P. H. P.) in good 
 standing within jurisdiction, is a member of the Grand 
 
300 THE ODD- FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Encampment, and is entitled, as such, to attend its 
 sessions, to receive its degree, to hold office if elected 
 and qualified, to take precedence according to grade, 
 and to vote for Grand officers ; and of these privileges 
 he cannot be deprived so long as he retains his good 
 standing in the Order. In nearly all the States, mem- 
 bership, and the powers of legislator as the Representa- 
 tive of his Subordinate, are connected. But the P. C. 
 Patriarchs may (as in New York and Ohio) delegate 
 the legislative power to a select portion of their number, 
 to be annually elected for that purpose, as may be fixed 
 by Constitution and By-Law. 
 
 Each P. C. P. (and P. H. P.) on completing his ser- 
 vice in the Chairs of the Subordinate Encampment, 
 should receive therefrom a Certificate under seal, stating 
 the fact, and recommending him as a member of the 
 Grand Encampment. (And when elected to serve as 
 a Representative, where the legislative power is confined 
 to a select number, a Certificate to that effect should 
 also be given.) On the presentation of such Certificate 
 in the Grand Encampment, a proper officer is appointed 
 to wait on the candidate, and, after due examination, 
 prepare and conduct him into the Grand Encampment 
 to receive its degree and take his seat. 
 
 The business of the Grand Encampments is fre- 
 quently performed by Committees, provided in the 
 Constitution and By-Laws, or appointed specially as 
 occasions demand. These vary in number, and in duties 
 and powers, in various jurisdictions, but partake, gene- 
 rally, so nearly of the same character with those of the 
 Subordinates, that a reference to Chap. XL is sufficient 
 Of Appeal Committees we shall speak in Chap. XXII. 
 
OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS. 
 
 301 
 
 4. Appointed and Elective Officers. 
 
 The officers of a Grand Encampment are M. W, 
 Grand Patriarch, M. E. Grand High Priest, R. W. 
 Grand Senior Warden, R. W. Grand Junior Warden, 
 R. W. Grand Scribe, R. W. Grand Treasurer, and 
 R. W. Grand Representative, (or Representatives,) who 
 are elected by the members as provided by its funda- 
 mental laws; and W. Grand Inside and Outside Sen- 
 tinels, who are appointed by the Grand Patriarch at his 
 installation. R. W. District Grand Patriarchs for each 
 District in jurisdiction are usually appointed by the 
 Grand Patriarch also, but their appointment may be 
 otherwise provided for in the Constitution and By- 
 Laws. (See Chap. XXII.) R. W. Grand Representa- 
 tive we shall consider in Chap. XXIII. 
 
 1. W. GRAND SENTINELS. The 
 Jewel of these Officers is Crossed 
 Swords in a double Triangle of 
 yellow metal. 
 
 The duty of the Outside Sentinel 
 is to guard the outside door ; and 
 of the Inside Sentinel, to guard 
 the inside door of the Grand En- 
 campment, and prevent the ad- 
 mission, or facilitate the ejectment, of any improper 
 person, under the orders of the Presiding Officer. The 
 same qualifications are required as for similar officers 
 in the Subordinate. 
 
 26 
 
302 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 2. THE R. W. GRAND TREASURER. 
 The Jewel is Crossed Keys in a 
 double Triangle of yellow metal. 
 
 His duties are the same as of 
 the same officer of the Subordinate. 
 His bond is usually executed to 
 theG. P., G. H. P., andG.S.W.; 
 and in most cases, the investment 
 of the funds is CDnfided to his 
 charge. 
 
 3. THE R. W. GRAND SCRIBE. 
 The Jewel is Crossed Pens in a 
 double Triangle of yellow metal . 
 
 His duties are to record the pro- 
 ceedings of the Grand Encamp- 
 ment, superintend their printing, 
 and distribute them to the D. D. 
 G. Patriarchs and the Subordinates ; 
 to keep the accounts between the 
 Grand and Subordinate Encampments, and between the 
 former and all other bodies and individuals having busi- 
 ness transactions therewith ; to receive all payments 
 made to the Grand Encampment, and pay the same to 
 the Grand Treasurer ; to send necessary notices to 
 Subordinates and others ; to provide needed stationery 
 for the Grand Encampment; and perform such other 
 duties as pertain to the office and as the Grand Encamp- 
 ment may order. He is generally required to give bond 
 for the faithful execution of his duties to the three 
 principal Grand Officers. He receives pecuniary com- 
 pensation (a fixed salary) for his services. 
 
OF GRAND ENCAMPMENTS* 
 
 303 
 
 4. THE R. W. GRAND JUNIOR 
 WARDEN. The Jeivel of this office 
 is a single Crook in a double Tri- 
 angle of yellow metal. 
 
 His duties are to open and close 
 the Grand Encampment as directed ; 
 to introduce all new members ; and 
 to officiate in cases similar to those 
 confided to the Junior Warden's 
 office in the Subordinate. 
 
 5. THE R. W. GRAND SENIOR 
 WARDEN. The Jewel of this office 
 is Crossed Crooks within a double 
 Triangle of yellow metal. 
 
 His duties are to assist in pre- 
 serving order and enforcing the 
 laws and rules of the Grand En- 
 campment ; to preside in the ab- 
 sence of the G. P. and G. H. P. ; 
 
 and to perform such other duties as are analogous to 
 
 those of the S. W . of a Subordinate. 
 
 6. THE M. E. GRAND HIGH 
 PRIEST. The Jewel of this office 
 is a Breastplate within a double 
 Triangle of yellow metal, worn on 
 the breast. 
 
 His duties are those of the second 
 officer of a Subordinate : to preside 
 in the absence of the G. P., and to 
 instruct members in the work of 
 
 the Grand Eneaiipment. He, also, is the Chaplain of 
 
 the Grand Encampment. 
 
304 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 7. THE M. W. GRAND PA- 
 TRIARCH. The Jewel of this office 
 is Crossed Crooks and an Altar, 
 within a double Triangle of yellow 
 metal. 
 
 His duties are to preside over 
 and preserve order in the Grand 
 Encampment ; to exercise super- 
 visory authority within its juris- 
 diction; to decide constitutional questions, and deter- 
 mine what is law and usage in the Patriarchal branch ; 
 to receive and dispose of complaints, and appeals and 
 petitions ; to give instructions in the work of the En- 
 campment ; to grant such dispensations as he may deem 
 for the good of the Order, and to perform such other 
 offices as usually pertain to a Chief presiding and exe- 
 cutive officer. 
 
 REGALIA. P. C. Patriarchs " wear purple collars or 
 sashes " "trimmed with yellow lace or fringe." 
 
 8. PAST GRAND PATRIARCH. The jeu-el is "of 
 yellow metal, two and a half inches in diameter, rim 
 three-eighths inch wide, with double triangle, rays ex- 
 tending from rim, and the letters P. G. P. in the centre 
 of triangle." Jour. G. L. U. S., p. 4399. 
 
 All Past Officers of Grand and Subordinate Encampments are 
 entitled to wear the regalia and jewels appertaining to the offices 
 they have passed. Digest G. L. U S. 
 
 Past Officers of every description, and members in possession of 
 Encampment Degrees, and all other members of the Order, when 
 visiting Grand or Subordinate Lodges, are entitled to wear the regalia 
 and jewels pertaining to the highest degree which they have taken. 
 Art. 24, By-Laws of the G. L. U. S. 
 
 PRIVILEGES. The elective officers of all Grand Bodies may in- 
 troduce visiting brethren (without examination by others) into any 
 Subordinate within the jurisdiction of their Grand Body, which 
 such visitor? would be entitled to visit by card. Digest G. L. f $ 
 
OF STATE GRAND LODGES. 305 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 OF STATE GRAND LODGES. 
 
 1. How Commenced and Constituted. 
 
 GRAND Lodges, under the authority and supervision 
 of the Grand Lodge of the United States, have supreme 
 legislation and control of the affairs of the Order within 
 the State, Territory, or District comprising their juris- 
 diction. They cannot interfere with the jurisdiction 
 proper of the Grand Encampments ; but take prece- 
 dence of them on all public occasions. 
 
 Until a Grand Lodge is established in a State, Ter- 
 ritory, or District, the Grand Lodge of the United 
 States has immediate and supreme jurisdiction over all 
 interests of the Order within the same. But ten or 
 more Lodges having seven or more Past Grands may 
 unite and petition for a Charter for a Grand Lodge 
 to be established within such State, District, or Terri- 
 tory, and when such Grand Lodge is opened, all Subor- 
 dinate Lodges become immediately subject to it alone, 
 as in the case of Grand and Subordinate Encampments. 
 The preliminary proceedings for establishing a Grand 
 Lodge are also the same. (See Chap. XX.) It con- 
 tinues to exist so long as it has five members in good 
 standing. 
 
 Grand Lodges are required to render the same 
 obedience, and to pay the same support to the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States; are entitled to representation 
 in it on the same basis and terms, and receive from it 
 
 26* 
 
306 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 the same privileges, as Grand Encampments. They 
 are supported by revenue derived from the same sources, 
 and collected from their Subordinate Lodges. (See 
 Chap. XX.) 
 
 2. The Grand Lodge Degree. 
 
 Grand Lodges work only in the Grand Lodge Degree, 
 which must be conferred in the Grand Lodge or one of 
 its apartments. This is conferred, as are all past 
 official degrees, on all entitled to receive it, without 
 pecuniary charge. 
 
 He who receives this degree is eligible to legislate 
 for the welfare of his Lodge and the Order, and to sit 
 in judgment in trials of Lodges and brethren. He 
 should not only see clearly the mote that is in another's 
 eye, but remove the beam that may be in his own ; and 
 the causes hidden from common view, he should search 
 out. Thus with impartiality and searching scrutiny let 
 him faithfully represent his constituents, and truly 
 serve his Grand Lodge and the Order, as one of its 
 Past Grands. 
 
 3. Members, Representatives, and Committees. 
 
 Similar to Grand Encampments, " each Grand Lodge 
 consists of all the Past Grands in good standing within 
 its jurisdiction ; but by its Constitution it may restrict 
 its legislative power to such representative basis as it 
 may deem best for the proper transaction of business ; 
 but it cannot abridge the privileges of Past Grands 
 pertaining to their rank in the degrees of the Order : 
 viz. their right to past official degrees, eligibility to 
 office, precedence belonging to their grade, privilege of 
 
OF STATE GRAND LODGES. 307 
 
 attending the meetings of their Grand Lodge, and right 
 to vote for Grand Officers." Digest G. L. U. 8. 
 
 P. Grands, when first admitted, present the certificate 
 of service given them by the Lodge, (or a duplicate, if 
 the first has been forwarded to the G. Secretary,) where- 
 upon the proper officer examines them in the P. Grand's 
 degree, and conducts them to receive the G. Lodge 
 degree. When they change their membership from one 
 Lodge to another, the latter gives notice of such change, 
 which is sufficient. When the Grand Lodge is repre- 
 sentative, P. Grands elected to represent their Subor- 
 dinates must present a certificate of election, of which a 
 form will be found in Appendix B, No. 20. 
 
 As in Grand Encampments, so in Grand Lodges, 
 much of the business is elaborated and transacted by 
 Committees. The duties of these are, generally, so 
 similar to those of Subordinates, already treated of in 
 Chap. XL, that special remarks are unnecessary, espe- 
 cially as the persons appointed are too experienced to 
 need them. 
 
 4. Appointed and Elective Officers. 
 The appointed and elective officers of a Grand Lodge 
 are M. W. Grand Master, E. W. Deputy Grand 
 Master, R. W. Grand Warden, R. W. Grand Secretary, 
 R. W. Grand Treasurer, who are elected annually ; and 
 R. W. Grand Representative, or Representatives, elected 
 biennially if two, one each year and W. Grand 
 Marshal, W. Grand Conductor, and W. Grand Inside 
 and Outside Guardian, who are appointed annually by 
 the Grand Master. Some Grand Lodges elect or ap- 
 point a W. Grand Chaplain and a W. Grand Herald, 
 (or Messenger,) in addition to the foregoing. Generally, 
 R. W. District Deputy Grand Masters are appointed 
 
308 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 by the Grand Master, independently, or by consent 
 and approval of the Grand Lodge; but in some States 
 they are elected by the Past Grands of their respective 
 Districts. In several States the elections for Grand 
 Officers are held in the Subordinate Lodges, instead of 
 the body of the Grand Lodge; and in others they are 
 held in the meetings of the Dist. G. Committees; and 
 none but P. Grands vote. Of Appeal Committees and 
 D. D. G. Masters we will treat in Chap. XXII.; and 
 of G. Representatives to the Grand Lodge of the 
 United States, in Chap. XXIII.; the remainder of the 
 Grand Officers we will consider here, in reversed order 
 of precedence. 
 
 1. W. GRAND HERALD. His duty is to announce 
 the G. M. at ceremonials, and to precede and usher the 
 Grand Lodge (or its Officers) in its processions. He is 
 also the Messenger of the Grand Lodge, as which he 
 receives a small salary. In Pennsylvania, he acts as 
 the O. G. also. 
 
 2. W. GRAND CHAPLAIN. The Jewel is a Bible of 
 white metal. His duty is to open and close the Grand 
 Lodge with prayer, and to officiate at public ceremonials 
 and funerals of the Order which are under special charge 
 of the Grand Lod^r. 
 
 3. W. GRAND GUARDIAN. The Jewel of this office 
 is Crossed Swords of white metal. 
 
 The duties are similar to those of the corresponding 
 office in the Subordinate. 
 
 4. W. GRAND CONDUCTOR. The Jewel for this office 
 is the Roman (or straight, two-edged) Sword, made of 
 white metal. 
 
 The duties are to examine the certificates of candi- 
 dates for admission, and, if correct, to introduce the 
 
OF STATE GRAND LODGES. 
 
 309 
 
 bearers to the Grand Lodge; and to aid the Grand 
 Marshal in his duties. 
 
 5. W. GRAND MARSHAL. The Jewel of this office 
 is a Baton of white metal. 
 
 His duties are to assist the Deputy G. Master in 
 supporting the Grand Master, and to superintend the 
 arrangements of all processions ordered or permitted by 
 the Grand Lodge. He is specially the Marshal of the 
 Grand Lodge, in person, in all processions. 
 
 6. R. W. GRAND TREASURER. 
 The Jewel of this officer is Crossed 
 Keys made of white metal. 
 
 His duties are similar to those of 
 Treasurer of the Subordinate. His 
 books must exhibit clearly the sources 
 and amounts of receipts, and the pur- 
 poses and amounts of expenditures, as 
 well as to whom paid. In some Grand 
 Lodges he is to make the necessary investments for the 
 Grand Lodge. His Bond is usually executed to the G. 
 Master, Deputy G. Master, and G. Warden. 
 
 7. R. W. GRAND SECRETARY. 
 The Jewel for this officer is 
 Crossed Pens made of white metal. 
 His duties are analogous to those 
 of the same office in the Subor- 
 dinate, and the same as those of 
 Grand Scribe of the G. Encamp- 
 ment. They are, however, more 
 arduous, and are compensated with 
 a larger salary. He also usually 
 gives bond for his fidelity to the 
 three principal officers of the Grand 
 
310 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 8. R. W. GRAND WARDEN. 
 The Jewel is Crossed Gavels made 
 of white metal. 
 
 His duties are to assist the Grand 
 Master in maintaining law and order 
 in the G. Lodge ; when direeted by 
 the G. Master, to take charge of the 
 door, and to preside over the sessions 
 of the G. L. in the absence of the G. 
 Master and the Deputy G. Master. 
 He gives the instruction of his Chair 
 to candidates on their admission. 
 9. R. W. DEPUTY GRAND MAS- 
 TER. The Jewel of this office is a Half 
 Moon, made of white metal. 
 
 The duties are to support the Grand 
 Master in presiding over the G. Lodge, 
 to fill his chair during his absence, and 
 usually to act as the Deputy of the 
 district in which he resides. In the 
 event of the death, removal, or resigna- 
 tion of the Grand Master, he succeeds 
 to the Chair for the rest of the term, or until a special 
 election supplies the vacancy. 
 
 10. M.W. GRAND MAS- 
 TER. The Jewel for this 
 officer is the Sun with the 
 Scales of Justice engraved 
 or impressed thereon, 
 made of white metal. 
 
 By his installation into 
 office he ceases to be con- 
 sidered an active member 
 of any Subordinate in par- 
 
OF STATE GRAND LODGES. 
 
 311 
 
 ticular; though he must continue a contributing mem- 
 ber in his Lodge. His duties are to preside over the 
 G. Lodge during its sessions, and preserve order and 
 enforce the laws of the Order therein ; to execute its 
 laws and mandates during the interim between its ses- 
 sions; and to open Lodges, install officers, and deliver 
 necessary instructions on the work of the Order to new 
 Lodges and members and officers of the Grand Lodge, 
 either in person or by deputy; to decide questions of 
 law and usage during the recess of the G. Lodge; and 
 to perform such other duties as belong to an executive 
 and presiding officer of such a body. He is usually 
 authorized to grant dispensations for degrees, when he 
 deems it necessary for the good of the Order; and to 
 confer the Past Official degrees on those entitled to 
 them. He must have received those degrees, and in 
 some G. Lodges must also be a R. P. D. member in 
 good standing in an Encampment. 
 
 11. PAST GRAND MAS- 
 TER. The Jewel for a P. 
 G. M. is the Sun with Heart 
 in hand, made of white 
 metal. 
 
 REGALIA. " Past 
 Grands shall wear scarlet 
 collars or sashes trimmed 
 with white" " silver lace 
 or fringe " - " and those 
 having attained the royal 
 purple degree may have 
 
 trimmings of yellow metal." " The Grand Officers and 
 Past Grand Officers shall wear the regalia of Past Grands, 
 as above defined." Jour. G. L. U. S., 1868, p. 4357. 
 
312 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The elective Grand officers may introduce visiting 
 brethren into any Lodge within the jurisdiction of their 
 Grand Lodge, without the usual examination of the 
 Lodge officers. Digest G. L. U. S. 
 
 The G. Lodge can confer power on the G. Master to 
 grant dispensations for opening Lodges. Digest G. L. 
 U.S. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 OF DISTRICTS, THEIR COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS. 
 
 GRAND Lodges and Grand Encampments usually 
 divide their jurisdiction into a number of Districts, 
 which they place under the charge of proper officers and 
 committees, and thus facilitate the performance of duties, 
 hasten the redress of grievances, and lessen the work 
 of their sessions. Though not taking precedence of the 
 Grand Bodies themselves, yet for convenience we pre- 
 ferred considering them after their superior-. 
 
 1. District Grand Committees. 
 
 Some States have restored, in improved forms, these 
 ancient members of our general organization. In such 
 jurisdictions, every P. G. [or P. C. P.] in good stand- 
 ing in a Subordinate of the county or counties forming 
 the District, is a member of the District Grand Com- 
 mittee. It meets monthly or quarterly, as determined 
 by the State Grand Body or its own By-laws, and is 
 presided over by the D. D. G. Master [or D. D. G. 
 Patriarch] its other officers being elected by itself. 
 It recommends the granting of charters for Subordinates 
 
OF DISTRICTS, THEIR COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS. 313 
 
 in the District; acts on all grievances and appeals 
 arising in the same ; settles disputes and controversies 
 between the subordinates ; grants needed dispensations 
 when authorized, and nominates candidates for the 
 Grand offices. Its business is subject to the revision of 
 its State Grand Body. It keeps correct minutes of its 
 proceedings by its Secretary [or Scribe], who issues all 
 notices ordered by it or the District Deputy. And it 
 may be suspended, after due trial and by a two-third 
 vote, by the State Grand Body; such vote suspending 
 all its members from the Grand Body, except those 
 specially excepted. 
 
 2. Appeal Committees. 
 
 The frequent changes made in regard to these, and 
 the various modes of constituting them in different 
 States, forbid minute details. We can only give in- 
 stances as specimens, and lay down the rules most gen- 
 erally adopted. The Digests of the National and State 
 G. Lodges, the Standing Rules, Constitution and Laws 
 of each jurisdiction, must be consulted for fuller and 
 more precise information. 
 
 In all appeals, notice should be given to the opposite 
 party. Books, papers, and minutes of evidence taken 
 at the trial, are submitted, and the parties heard in 
 person, (by counsel, in some States,) and the Lodge, 
 Encampment, or D. G. Committee by its sub-committee 
 or officers. Informality or irregularity in the mode of 
 preferring the charges, in appointing the Committee to 
 try them, or in conducting the trial, is cause for re- 
 manding back the case. If the charges were not proved, 
 or did not warrant the sentence, or were not within the 
 jurisdiction of the Subordinate, the proceedings may be 
 27 
 
314 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 reversed , and tl e injured party be restored to good 
 standing. But i i no case of appeal should new evidence 
 be produced except to prove irregularity, &c.; nor can 
 a Lodge or Encampment contradict its minutes duly 
 approved. 
 
 Where there are District Grand Committees, appeals 
 are usually decided by them alone, subject to further 
 appeal to and revision by the Grand Body. So where a 
 Standing Committee on Appeals is appointed by the 
 Grand Body, as in Pennsylvania, where the Grand Mas- 
 ter appoints six Past Grands each year, to serve two 
 years they keep a journal of their proceedings and de- 
 cisions, which latter are published. All appeals to the 
 G. Master are referred to this Committee, which, after 
 hearing, they decide, and report in writing to the G. 
 Master. If he approve, the decision is final, unless ap- 
 pealed from to the Grand Lodge within three months. 
 If he disapprove, he refers it to the Grand Lodge for 
 its decision. 
 
 During trials of appeals, none should be present but 
 the Appeal Committee, the appellant (and his counsel, 
 if any), and the representatives of the Lodge or En- 
 campment. Such representatives should be accredited 
 under seal of the Subordinate. And the Appeal Com- 
 mittee should confine itself strictly to the alligations of 
 illegality or informality of the charges or mode of trial; 
 insufficiency of the testimony, or of the charges to war- 
 rant the sentence; unfairness toward the appellant or 
 his witnesses; or lack of jurisdiction in the Subordinate 
 as the case may be, 
 
 3. District Deputy Grand Patriarch, 
 
 In all cases where the general organization of the 
 Grand Encampmnit resembles that of the Grand Lodge 
 
DISTRICTS, THHK COMMITTEES AND OFFICEES. 315 
 
 of the same State or Territory, his duties will corre- 
 spond precisely to that of the D. D. G. M., given below. 
 As the representative of the Grand Encampment and 
 Grand Patriarch in his District, he should be received 
 with the honors and courtesies due to those he repre- 
 sents, when he visits Encampments in his official ca- 
 pacity. 
 
 4. District Deputy Grand Master. 
 
 As the duties of this important office vary in the 
 several jurisdictions, his first duty is to study well the 
 Constitution and Laws immediately governing him. 
 The following, compiled from various sources, embraces 
 the most general duties of the office. 
 
 He represents the G. Master, and has all the powers he would 
 have, if present. He is to give such instruction in the work of the 
 Order as will secure uniformity to see that no alterations or 
 omissions are made in the ceremonies and charges to enforce on 
 the part of Subordinates, through their officers, a strict observance of 
 the Constitutions and Laws of the State and U. S. Grand Lodges, 
 and to report promptly all violations thereof to the Grand Master. 
 Where there are District Grand Committees, he is to preside to 
 see in person or by deputy, that the five degrees are properly con- 
 ferred in Subordinate and Degree Lodges to confer P. 0. degrees 
 when authorized to collect the returns and dues of Subordinates, 
 and see that they are forwarded in season to the Grand Secretary 
 to see that officers of the Subordinates under his charge are duly 
 elected and properly installed and, in short, be the representa- 
 tive of the Grand Master and agent of the Grand Lodge in his dis- 
 trict. To him, in the first place, all applications should be made 
 for dispensations, explanation of laws, instruction in work, and 
 advice in questions of doubt and difficulty pertaining to the Order. 
 If not satisfactory, an appeal can be made to the higher authority. 
 He cannot act directly as an officer of a Subordinate ; his advice or 
 command must be given to the officers of the Lodge, who then be- 
 come responsible for its enforcement on the Lodge. 
 
 And to do all this weV. each D. D. G. M. should keep an official 
 record of every case and question submitted to him when, where, 
 
316 THE ODD-.?ELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 what, and bj vhom with his decision and doings therein. And 
 this record he should submit to the Grand Master for approval or 
 correction as frequently as may be at least once in six months 
 entering therein any corrections made. 
 
 When officially visiting the Subordinates of his District, he must 
 be received with the honors of the Order. 
 
 5. Institutions and Installations. 
 
 The ceremony of opening new Lodges and Encamp- 
 ments, is termed Institution. 
 
 At the appointed time and place of meeting the peti- 
 tioners for the Charter, the officer appointed will call 
 them to order, read his commission, and exhibit the 
 Charter. After which, in proper form and manner, he 
 will administer the obligations, and deliver the Charter, 
 with such advice and directions as he may deem both 
 necessary and suitable. If the members of the new 
 Lodge or Encampment are not experienced in the 
 management and business of the same, he should enter 
 freely into the minute details of their duty, in a well- 
 arranged order, and be careful to repeat, or otherwise 
 impress specially, what is most important for them to 
 do or remember. So much depends on a fair, intelli- 
 gent start, that the case is always worth much time and 
 labor. And so ignorant are even intelligent (but inex- 
 perienced) men, of these matters, that he must not sup- 
 pose them uninterested in what is trifling or common- 
 place to himself. 
 
 After this instruction to the members generally, 
 direct them how tc organize properly by electing their 
 officers. After installing the officers, give them their 
 special instructions, that they may at once enter on the 
 performance of their special duties. It is better far that 
 they begin, while the installing officer is present to aid, 
 advise, and correct them, than to wait until he leaves. 
 
DISTRICTS, THEIR COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS 317 
 
 6. Insubordination and Disorder. 
 
 " It must needs be that offences will come, but woe 
 unto that man by whom they come." So in our smaller 
 communities and with our brotherhood. Men of ill- 
 directed ambition, a factious spirit, or an unregulated 
 temper, are found among us, and at times, seizing some 
 wrong or appearance of injustice on the part of those in 
 authority, they succeed in inflaming the passions of the 
 majority, and inducing them to refuse obedience to the 
 laws or commands of the G. Body or its officers. This 
 is always very unwise, and impolitic even. The wrong 
 is scarcely ever corrected by wrong-doing in return. 
 A respectful remonstrance, protest, or appeal is seldom 
 without success, if accompanied by manifestations of a 
 love of peace and order, and willing obedience. But 
 when passion, angry words, and violent means are 
 resorted to on the part of the inferior, the superior too 
 often feels that retraction and apology for even a wrong 
 mandate would encourage Subordinates to rebel against 
 lawful authority on slight pretences, and hence a con- 
 test ensues, in which (no rational and moral forces being 
 employed) mere numbers and power must finally 
 triumph. True, after the contest is ended, and much 
 injury done and ill-feeling deeply planted, the wrong 
 may be corrected voluntarily by the superior; but years 
 may not efface the deforming scars that remain as evi- 
 dences of the conflict. 
 
 When a Lodge or Encampment, therefore, begins to 
 manifest a spirit of lawless passion, be prompt in seek- 
 ing out the cause. If the cause be just, remove it 
 instantly, but fail not sternly to rebuke the ill-temper 
 that was leading to wrong measures of resistance, and 
 kindlj point out the evil consequences to which it would 
 27* 
 
318 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 have led. But if the alleged cause is a rightful and 
 proper law or measure, reason with them feelingly on 
 their obligations to obey, and the inevitable results of 
 their disobedience. Consider not so much your dignity 
 is an officer, as your feelings and duties as an Odd- 
 Fellow. A peacemaker is of a far higher grade than a 
 conqueror; and he seldom fails to conquer also, but by 
 moral rather than by physical force. Yet do not sacri- 
 fice right, nor yield principle to secure peace. But 
 exhaust every means of kind persuasion before you re- 
 sort to threats and arbitrary commands. And when at 
 last you must resort to the power vested in you, do it 
 coolly, calmly, and even pityingly. Make no threat 
 that is either unreasonable or impracticable, and that 
 you will not execute. Utter no command in a passion, 
 or that is not clearly just and right, and that you are 
 not determined and able to enforce. And do not even 
 utter such threats and commands until after you have 
 consulted with your superiors, (if time will permit,) and 
 obtained their advice and direction in regard to them. 
 In short, see that reason and right are on your side in 
 all your words and actions ; and cause the disorderly to 
 feel, if possible, that they are in the wrong. " Thrice 
 is he armed that hath his quarrel just," and faint and 
 brief must be the resistance where conscience and judg- 
 ment both side against the rebellious. 
 
 7. Reclaiming Charters. 
 
 When a Subordinate summons its passions to the 
 point of open defiance of its superior, against all remon- 
 strance, argument, and warning, but one remedy is left, 
 the last resort. Its Charter has been forfeited and must 
 be taken away. Its funds and property, raised and 
 
DISTRICTS, THEIR COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS. 319 
 
 procured for purposes of benevolence and charity, are 
 endangered, and must be secured for the use of the 
 minority (if any) who desire rightly to employ them. 
 In such case, the Grand Master or Grand Patriarch (or 
 his representative) will summon such aid as he deems 
 absolutely necessary, and, entering the Lodge-room on 
 the stated evening, and at the appointed hour of meet- 
 ing, he will take the chair, place his aids in the other 
 chairs, and call the Subordinate Body to order. He 
 will then narrate his duty, remind the Chief Officers 
 of their solemn pledges to deliver up the Charter, books, 
 &c., in circumstances like the present, point out the 
 proper mode to obtain redress or be again restored ; and 
 take possession of the Charter, books, seal, papers, and 
 other properties of the Subordinate, in the name and 
 by the authority of the Grand Body represented ; after 
 which he will declare the Subordinate suspended, (or 
 dissolved, as the case may be,) until the further pleasure 
 of the Grand Body can be made known. 
 
 A painful duty like this should be performed in none 
 other than a kind, gentle, and sorrowing spirit. If the 
 resistance made demands force, it should be employed 
 with promptitude and decision, but not in such a way 
 as to exhibit passion and a love of power. Those mem- 
 bers who show a disposition to support the law should 
 be carefully noted, as also those who appear to be most 
 active in contumacy, and reported to the Grand Lodge 
 accordingly. 
 
320 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 1 . How Constituted and Supp wted. 
 
 THIS is the highest authority and judicatory of the 
 Order. It " possesses original and exclusive jurisdic- 
 tion," and is " the source of all true and legitimate 
 authority in Odd-Fellowship in the United States of 
 America." It is the ultimate tribunal to which all 
 matters of general importance to the State, District, 
 and Territorial Grand Lodges and Encampments are to 
 be referred, and " its decisions thereon shall be final 
 and conclusive." If an expelled Subordinate have de- 
 livered up all its effects to the State Grand Body, the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States may receive its ap- 
 peal without the consent of the State Grand Body; and 
 with such consent, if the Subordinate has retained its 
 effects. " To it belongs the power to control and regu- 
 late the work of the Order, and the several degrees 
 belonging thereto ; and to fix and determine the 
 customs and usages in regard to all things which per- 
 tain to Odd-Fellowship. It has inherent power to 
 establish Lodges or Encampments in foreign countries 
 where no G. Lodge or G. Encampment exists." It 
 supplies the A. T. P. W. to all G. Bodies in its juris- 
 diction. 
 
 It is constituted of all its officers, (whether G. repre- 
 sentatives or not,) of R. W. G. Representatives of Grand 
 
THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNI1 ED STATES. 321 
 
 Bodies in its jurisdiction, and of its Past Grand Sires; 
 but the Representatives only are entitled to vote in the 
 election of officers, which is by ballot. Its annual com- 
 munication is held on the third Monday in September, 
 usually in Baltimore, and generally continues during 
 the week. 
 
 Its revenues are derived from 1st, Fees for Char- 
 ters to Grand and Subordinate Bodies ; thirty dollars 
 each. 2d, Ten per cent, on the receipts of Subordinates, 
 where there is no State Grand Body. 3d, Seventy-five 
 dollars from each State Grand Body for each G. Repre- 
 sentative to which it is entitled. 4th, Profits on diplo- 
 mas, cards, odes, charge and lecture books, journals, 
 digest, &c., of which it has exclusive sale. 
 
 2. Members, Representatives, and Officers. 
 
 Elective officers may debate and oner motions, but 
 cannot vote ; and non-elective officers may do the same, 
 if a majority of Representatives permit. All officers 
 have travelling expenses allowed for attending the ses- 
 sions of the G. L. U. S. 
 
 The Representative of any Sovereign Body recognized 
 by the G. L. U. S., is admitted on the floor, and granted 
 the privilege to deliberate, but not to vote. 
 
 A R. W. G. Representative must be of the R. P. D., 
 in good standing in his Lodge and Encampment, a 
 resident in the jurisdiction he represents, and a P. G. 
 in the G. Lodge thereof. He receives from the G. L. 
 U. S., for his services, five cents per mile travelled, 
 (nearest route,) and five dollars per day during attend- 
 ance on the sessions. The Representatives are divided 
 into two classes, one of which goes out each year. 
 
 Any P. G. of the R. P. D., in good standing in Lodge 
 
322 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 and Encampment, is eligible for nomination to any 
 office in the G. L. U. S., by the Representatives there- 
 in, except for the offices of Grand Sire and Deputy 
 Grand Sire the candidates for which must be Past 
 Grand Masters also. 
 
 3. Appointed Officers. 
 
 These are a Worthy Grand Messenger, R. W. Grand 
 Chaplain, R. W. Grand Guardian, and R. W. Grand 
 Marshal, who are appointed with the consent and ap- 
 proval of the Grand Lodge, by the Grand Sire at his 
 installation, and hold office two years, unless removed 
 by him for cause. He also appoints District Deputy 
 Grand Sires for each State, District, and Territory in 
 which there is no Grand Lodge and Grand Encamp- 
 ment, subject to removal in like manner. 
 
 1. The W. GRAND MESSENGER prepares the room 
 for the meetings of the Grand Lodge, attends its ses- 
 sions, provides the Representatives with needed docu- 
 ments, books, stationery, &c., delivers messages for mem- 
 bers and officers, keeps in order the office of the R. W. 
 Grand Secretary, and executes his orders. For these 
 services the Grand Lodge pays him a suitable salary. 
 
 2. The R. W. GRAND CHAPLAIN opens and closes 
 the Grand Lodge with prayer to the Supreme Ruler of 
 the Universe. 
 
 3. The R. W. GRAND GUARDIAN guards the door 
 of the Grand Lodge-room, proves every brother before 
 admission, prevents the entrance of persons not duly 
 qualified, and permits none to retire without the P. W. 
 
 4. The R. W. GRAND MARSHAL marshals the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States in processions and visita- 
 tions, and makes all necessary arrangemei ts for the 
 comfort and accommodation of visitors and members. 
 
THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNI JED STATES. 323 
 
 5. R. W. DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND SIRES act for 
 the Grand Sire, and by his direction execute the laws 
 and mandates of the Grand Lodge of the United States 
 in their respective Districts. They are agents of the 
 Grand Lodge under the instructions of the Grand Sire, 
 and are to obey his instructions in all he is commanded 
 to perform for the good of the Order. They are agents 
 also of the Grand Secretary, and are to obey his special 
 instructions in matters pertaining to his office. Each 
 has general supervision in his District over all Subor- 
 dinates working under charters granted by the Grand 
 Lodge of the United States. They are not to interfere 
 with the State Grand Lodges or Encampments, and 
 must report their acts and doings semi-annually to the 
 Grand Sire. 
 
 A D. D. G. Sire must be in good standing in his 
 Subordinate Lodge and Encampment, have attained 
 the rank of P. G. and the degree of R. P., and, in States 
 where there is a G. Lodge or a G. Encampment, he must 
 also be a member of the same. 
 
 4. Elective Officers. 
 
 These are " the Most Worthy Grand Sire, Right W. 
 Deputy Grand Sire, R. W. Grand Corresponding and 
 Recording Secretary, and R. W. Grand Treasurer, who 
 shall be elected by ballot by a majority of all the votes 
 cast, biennially, at the stated communication" in Sep- 
 tember usually on the second day of the session 
 " and shall be installed " " at the conclusion of said 
 stated communication." 
 
 1. The R. W. GRAND TREASURER keeps the moneys 
 of the Grand Lodge, pays all orders drawn on him by 
 the Grand Sire, attested by the Grand Secretary under 
 
324 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 seal of the Grand Lodge; and lays before the Grand 
 Lodge, at its annual meeting, a full and correct state- 
 ment of his accounts. 
 
 2. The E. W. GRAND CORRESPONDING AND RE- 
 CORDING SECRETARY carries on the correspondence of 
 the Grand Lodge, under its direction or that of the 
 Grand Sire, and lays a Report and abstract of the same 
 before the Grand Lodge at its annual session. He also 
 performs such other duties appertaining to his office as 
 may be required by the Grand Lodge, and pays over to 
 the Grand Treasurer all moneys paid him for the 
 Grand Lodge. 
 
 In addition to the duties usual to the office of Grand 
 Secretaries generally, he also reports to the Grand 
 Lodge, at each annual communication, a tabular abstract 
 of the returns received from the several Bodies under 
 jurisdiction, and a statement of those which have failed 
 to report ; and he distributes, as soon as possible, copies 
 of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge to each mem- 
 ber one copy; to each Subordinate under immediate 
 jurisdiction, one copy; and to each Grand Body twice 
 as many copies as it has Subordinates in jurisdiction. 
 He is -authorized to print two hundred copies of his 
 annual report for the use of members at the annual 
 session. 
 
 The G. Treasurer and G. Secretary are salaried 
 officers, and the former gives bond with security for the 
 proper discharge of his trust. 
 
 3. The R. W. DEPUTY GRAND SIRE opens and closes 
 all meetings of the Grand Lodge ; examines the Repre- 
 sentatives as to their qualifications previous to taking 
 their seats, and reports to the Grand Sire ; keeps the 
 Secret Work for examination during the sessions ; sup- 
 
vmivwsrrt 
 
 THE GRAND LODGE OF THE U 
 
 ports the Grand Sire by his advice and assistance, and 
 presides in his absence; and in case of the death, dis- 
 qualification, or refusal to serve of that officer, he per- 
 forms his duties for the remainder of his term. 
 
 4. The M. W. GRAND SIRE, in addition to the duties 
 common to the chief executive and presiding officer of 
 
 a Grand Body, selects 
 and forwards by the 
 Grand Representatives, 
 or other safe agencies, the 
 A. T. P. W. to all parties 
 entitled to it, so that the 
 same shall go into opera- 
 tion on the first day of 
 January in each year. He 
 has a casting vote in a tie, 
 except in the election of 
 officers ; and is authorized 
 to fill vacancies in the 
 Grand Offices, and to ex- 
 ercise a general superintendence over the interests of the 
 Order, during the recess of the Grand Lodge. He 
 cannot hold any elective office in any State Grand 
 Body. He may print two hundred copies of his 
 annual report to the Grand Lodge, for the use of its 
 members at the stated session. 
 
 5. The PAST GRAND SIRES are not officers of the 
 Grand Lodge of the United States, but are life members 
 without the right to vote or to have their expenses 
 paid, unless they are Representatives also. They can 
 make motions, and debate, and are competent to 
 serve on committees, or to perform other duties assigned 
 them. 
 
 28 
 
326 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 5. Regalia and Jewels. 
 
 "REGALIA for Grand Representatives shall be a 
 collar of purple velvet, not more than four inches in 
 width, with a roll of scarlet velvet on the upper edge, 
 the trimmings to be of white and yellow metal, and the 
 collar to be united in front with three links, from which 
 may be suspended such medal or medals as the member 
 may be entitled to wear. 
 
 " P. G. Representatives, and the Officers and Past 
 Officers of the Grand Lodge of the United States, to 
 wear the regalia above described. 
 
 " The JEWEL of the Grand Sire, and Past Grand 
 Sire, shall be a medal three inches in diameter, of 
 yellow metal, on one side of which shall be the coat-of- 
 arms of the United States, surrounded by an ornamental 
 edging of silver. 
 
 " Representatives and Past Representatives shall be 
 entitled to wear medals of the size and style above, with 
 the coat-of-arms of the State represented." Digest; 
 and By-Laws of G. L. U. 8., Article 22. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 OF MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 
 
 1. Diplomas and Cards. 
 
 ALL certificates of membership designed to supersede 
 or occupy the place of the Diploma of the G. L. U. S., 
 are unlawful ; and all officers of Lodges and Encamp- 
 ments are forbidden to sign or affix the official seal to 
 the same. 
 
OF MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 327 
 
 Diplomas are of two kinds : 1st, To members of 
 any Lodge or Encampment, and may be obtained of 
 any Grand Secretary or Scribe or D. D. G. Sire; and 
 2d, To members of the G. L. U. S. as a testimonial. 
 Both are designed for framing. 
 
 Cards are of four kinds. 1st, Travelling or Visiting, 
 given to members who wish to retain their membership 
 while travelling or residing abroad. 2d, Final or 
 Withdrawal, for members who wish to cease member- 
 ship, either entirely, or to unite with some other Subor- 
 dinate. These two are engraved, and issued by the G. 
 L. U. S., and signed by its Grand Secretary. Some- 
 times, for greater security, State G. Lodges and En- 
 campments have ordered them to be countersigned by 
 their G. Secretaries and G. Scribes.* 3d, To a Daughter 
 of Rebekah who desires to travel. 4th, To the Wife or 
 Widow of a member, to secure her needed protection 
 and aid. The Card to a Wife is not granted for more 
 than twelve months and to a Widow only during her 
 widowhood. These two (3d and 4th) are written, and 
 issued under seal of the Subordinate, signed by the 
 proper officers. 
 
 All cards must be applied for in open Lodge or En- 
 campment, and granted by a majority vote before sign- 
 ing or sealing ; and be signed on the margin by the 
 recipient before delivery. If sent by mail, an order for 
 the A. T. P. W. should be sent in a separate letter, and 
 then the card must be signed in the presence of the 
 officer who gives the A. T. P. W. Hig^ No P. Word, 
 
 * In filling them, the bearer's rank and station should be named, 
 as P. G. or P. C. P., &c. These two cards can only be obtained 
 under the seal of the Subordinate, from the Grand Secretaries and 
 Grand Scribes. 
 
328 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 or its explanation, should ever be sent in writing, by 
 mail or otherwise. 
 
 If a Withdrawal Card is refused to a member " free 
 from all charges/' he can resign from the Order, and 
 that resignation should be formally accepted. (For 
 forms of all these cards, &c., see Appendix B, Nos. 
 11-18.) 
 
 2. Pass Words. 
 
 Besides the several Pass Words imparted with the 
 Degrees, there are two other kinds, designed to preserve 
 Lodges and Encampments from imposture: 1st, a Term 
 Word, which is given or sent by the G. Master or G. 
 Patriarch, through the G. Secretary or G. Scribe, to the 
 installing officers, and is imparted in each Lodge and 
 Encampment, at the commencement of each term ; and, 
 2d, the Annual or T. P. W., which is given or sent by 
 the Grand Sire to the State Grand Bodies, and by them 
 sent to the installing officers, to be imparted only to 
 the two highest elective officers of each Lodge and En- 
 campment, and by them to members who receive Cards, 
 and design to travel beyond the State or Territory. 
 
 3. Examination of Visitors. 
 
 When a brother holding a Visiting or Final Card 
 desires to visit a Lodge or Encampment in another 
 jurisdiction, he will send the Card to the N. G. or C. P. 
 by the Guardian or Sentinel. The Presiding Officer 
 will appoint a Committee of the proper rank and degree 
 to examine the applicant, one of which Committee must 
 be in possession of the T. P. W. This Committee will 
 then proceed to the ante-room with the Card, and there 
 examine the applicant. First, the Committee-man, hav- 
 
OF MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 329 
 
 ing the T. P. W., will examine him in that, according 
 to the mode laid down ; and in a low tone of voice, so 
 as not to be overheard by those not entitled to the word. 
 Second, the committee will get his signature, and com- 
 pare it with that on the margin of his card. Third, they 
 will examine him in the degrees as far as that in which 
 the body is then open. All being satisfactory, they 
 will then hand him the regalia of the degree in which 
 he was examined. If he claim a higher degree, they 
 will examine accordingly, and give the proper regalia. 
 The Committee will then announce itself and visitor, 
 and, on admission, and after addressing the chairs, the 
 Chairman will introduce the visitor in due form, who 
 will be welcomed by the Presiding officer, and then 
 conducted to a seat in honorable position. His card, 
 after having his visit recorded thereon by the Secretary 
 or Scribe, will be handed him before the closing ser- 
 vices. If he has applied for and received relief, the 
 same will also be noted on the card, and his Encamp- 
 ment or Lodge immediately notified of the fact and the 
 amount. 
 
 If doubts are excited by the examination, great 
 wisdom and prudence will be needed to resolve those 
 doubts. On the one hand, great injury threatens the 
 Order on the other is an irreparable injury to the 
 feelings of a worthy but diffident or inexperienced 
 brother. Counsel with the Presiding officer, or some 
 of the oldest and ablest brethren, before acting decidedly. 
 But if he prove an impostor beyond doubt, not only 
 detain the card, but immediately warn neighboring 
 bodies, and inform the Subordinate issuing the card of 
 the facts. 
 
 The same examination should be made of a sick or 
 28* 
 
330 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 distressed brother, by the Chief officer who may be 
 called to visit him ; but with a delicacy suited to the 
 circumstances. And all visiting cards should be re- 
 turned to the Subordinate giving them, as soon as 
 expired if by mail or third parties, tear off the seal, 
 or the holder's signature, to prevent any use of them 
 by unauthorized persons. 
 
 4. Honors and Courtesies. 
 
 " In honor preferring one another," is a duty in our 
 fraternity; as is that other injunction " Render to 
 all their dues .... honor to whom honor." Any dig- 
 nitary, entering as an officer, is to be received as such; 
 but coming only as a visiting brother, or a fellow-mem- 
 ber, official honors may be omitted; but fraternal 
 courtesies must not be withheld. They are his due, as 
 they are the due of the humblest in rank and lowest in 
 degree. " Be courteous " " honor all men." 
 
 Grand Honors are to be paid only to those entitled 
 to them, and only on proper occasions, or when pre- 
 scribed in ceremonials. They are part of the secret work 
 of the Order, and are never to be given before the un- 
 initiated, in public or in private. 
 
 5. General Interdicts. 
 
 " The Emblems of the Order cannot be used for busi- 
 ness purposes in connection with any advertisement or 
 public display not appertaining to the wants of the 
 Order." (Digest G. L. U. S.) Their use, as above 
 forbidden, subjects to expulsion. Avoid the hotel, 
 store, &c., where they are thus employed the owner, 
 IF an Odd-Fellow, should be reported and dealt with. 
 
 " Refreshments in the way of edibles or beverages 
 
OF MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 331 
 
 (except water], shall be strictly excluded from all Lodge- 
 rooms, or ante-rooms or halls connected with or adjoining 
 thereto, under the control of any Subordinate or Degree 
 Lodge or Encampment of this Order." And "no Subor- 
 dinate Lodge or Encampment of this Order shall hold any 
 anniversary or other celebration, ball, or party, where 
 the regalia of the Order may be worn, or the name of 
 the Order assumed, without the consent of the Grand 
 Master or Grand Patriarch of the jurisdiction first 
 obtained in writing such permission to be predicated 
 only upon the direct promise, (through the officers of 
 the Subordinate seeking the permission,) that no in- 
 toxicating beverages of any kind shall be offered by 
 them to the members or guests present on the occasion." 
 Adopted unanimously by G. L. U. S. See Proceedings, 
 1864, p. 3709. 
 
 " Gift Enterprises" Lotteries, &c. "No Lodge or 
 Encampment, or any of the members thereof, shall, in 
 the name of the Order, resort to any scheme of Raffles, 
 Lotteries, or Gift Enterprises, or schemes of hazard or 
 chance of any kind, as a means to raise funds for any 
 purpose of relief or assistance to such Subordinates, or 
 to individual members." Proceedings of G. L. U. S. y 
 1866, pp. 3953, 3987, and 3988. 
 
PART THIRD. 
 
 |)ublir CjimnumKa of th* rdw. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PUBLIC PROCESSIONS. 
 
 1. No Lodge or Encampment can appear in public 
 with its regalia and emblems, at any procession, ball, 
 &c., without the consent of its Grand Lodge or Grand 
 Encampment, previously obtained. (Digest G. L. U. S.) 
 Generally, the G. M. and G. P. are invested with dis- 
 cretionary power to grant such permission, during the 
 recess of the bodies over which they preside. 
 
 2. The Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge has a 
 supervisory power over all such processions within the 
 limits of its jurisdiction. It is his duty to see that the 
 brethren are properly clothed and marshalled in due 
 order, and also that the banners and devices are appro- 
 priate and adapted to public exhibition. He is the 
 special Marshal of the Grand Lodge, and his station is 
 at its head, when in line; but the Chief Marshal of the 
 procession is to look to him for counsel and direction. 
 
 3. In all processions, the post of honor is the rear. 
 The Lodges therefore march in the inverse order of 
 their seniority, the youngest first : the Encampments 
 
 332 
 
PUBLIC PROCESSIONS. 333 
 
 follow in the same order: then the Grand Encampment: 
 finally the Grand Lodge. 
 
 4. Each Lodge will be marshalled in the following 
 order : 
 
 0. G. with drawn sword. 
 
 MARSHAL. 
 
 S. Supporters, with white rods. 
 Members of the Initiatory Degree. 
 
 Members of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth 
 
 Degrees respectively, in the order of juniority. 
 
 Past Grands in the order of juniority. 
 
 Conductor and Wardens. 
 
 Treasurer and Secretaries. 
 
 V. G. and Supporters. 
 
 N. G. and Supporters. 
 
 ASSISTANT MARSHAL. 
 
 1. G. with drawn sword. 
 
 5. Each Encampment will be marshalled in the fol- 
 lowing order: 
 
 0. S. with drawn sword. 
 
 MARSHAL. 
 Members of Patriarchal, G. R. and R. P. Degrees respectively, 
 
 in the order of juniority. 
 Past Chief Patriarchs in their due order. 
 
 Treasurer and Scribe. 
 
 Junior and Senior Warden. 
 
 High Priest, supported by G. of T. 
 
 Chief Patriarch, supported by two P. C. Patriarchs. 
 
 ASSISTANT MARSHAL. 
 
 1. S. with drawn sword. 
 
 6. The members and officers of Grand Lodges and 
 Encampments are arranged in procession on the same 
 principles as the above. 
 
 7. On reaching its place of destination, the procession 
 will halt and open to the right and left, so as to allow 
 the Grand Officers and Grand Lodge, &c. to pass 
 through, and thus enter in reversed order. 
 
334 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 LAYING CORNER-STONES. 
 
 CEREMONIAL I. FOR PUBLIC STRUCTURES. 
 
 The following ceremony can be performed at the laying of the 
 Foundation Stone of all public structures, whenever requested by 
 the proprietors.* 
 
 ON the day appointed the Lodge will be opened in 
 due form, and, formed in the following order, will pro- 
 ceed to the foundation of the building: 
 
 OUTSIDE GUARDIAN. 
 
 MARSHAL. 
 
 Initiate members. 
 First Degree. 
 Second Degree. 
 Third Degree. 
 Fourth Degree. 
 ^ Fifth Degree. 
 
 Past Vice-Grands. 
 
 Past Grands. 
 Four P. Gs. bearing Stone on a hand-barrow. 
 
 > Scene Supporter 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 . . 
 
 Scene Supporter. | 
 
 * "Resolved, That the forms adopted by this Grand Lodge, for 
 public dedication of Halls and laying Corner-Stones, be published 
 ..... and that these forms be used by the Order, AND NO OTHER." 
 Journal G. L. U. S., 1860, p. 3278. 
 
 We have given "no other" in this Improved Manual. 
 
OF LAYING CORNER-STONES. 335 
 
 Warden. j .,n/ f Conductor. 
 \ with Copper Plate. J 
 
 Supporter ( VICE-GRAND, 1 Supporter 
 to V. G. \ with Holy Bible. / to V. G. 
 
 Past Grand. { ^ ^ Q } Past Grand. 
 
 Supporter. NOBLE GRAND. Supporter. 
 ASSISTANT MARSHAL. 
 
 INSIDE GUARDIAN. 
 
 On arriving at the foundation, the procession will 
 open to the right and left, and change the rear to 
 the front. The Noble Grand, with his Vice-Grand 
 and Supporters, will take his position on a platform, 
 previously prepared for the purpose, near the Stone 
 the Treasurer and Secretary immediately by the Stone. 
 A piece of music may be performed, or any suitable 
 Ode be sung, [see Appendix A,] after which the prin- 
 cipal workman will address the Noble Grand as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Principal Workman Most Noble Sir, being de- 
 sirous that the foundation-stone of this building should 
 be laid with appropriate ceremonies by your honorable 
 Order, I have solicited your attendance upon the pres- 
 ent occasion, and hope that it may now be your plea- 
 sure to proceed in the performance of that service. 
 The necessary preparations are all made, and now await 
 your direction. 
 
 Noble Grand Honored Sir, in compliance with 
 your request, so politely tendered, I now proceed to 
 discharge the duty desired, hoping that the building 
 which shall arise upon this foundation may reflect 
 credit upon your skill, and be completed with satisfac- 
 tion to the owners, and profit to the workmen. 
 
336 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The Treasurer will then present the articles to be de- 
 posited to the N. G., who, naming aloud each article, 
 will direct the Treasurer to deposit them in the Stone. 
 The Secretary will then hand to the N. G. the Copper 
 Plate (on which is engraved the object of the building, 
 date of laying the stone, by whom laid, under what 
 President of the U. S. and Governor of the State, &c.,) 
 and the N. G. will read aloud the inscription, and 
 direct the Secretary to put it in its place. The stone 
 is then to be placed, the N. G. proclaiming: 
 
 Noble Grand In the name of the Grand Lodge of 
 the United States, and the Grand Lodge of the State 
 of , I pronounce the first Stone of this build- 
 ing, intended for [here state its object] to be laid in 
 regular form and order. 
 
 Brethren. So be it. 
 
 Music, or an ODE from Appendix A, ORATION or 
 other ADDRESSES, &c. 
 
 The procession will then form again, as at first, re- 
 turn to the Lodge- room, again change front as they 
 enter, and the Lodge be closed in due form. 
 
 CEREMONIAL II. FOR LAYING CORNER-STONES FOR ODD-FFLLOWS' 
 HALL*. 
 
 This ceremony should be performed by the Grand 
 Master, or a Gi*and Officer commissioned by him for 
 that purpose in which case, the officiating and other 
 Grand Officers, and members of the Grand Lodge 
 present, shall assemble with the brethren in the Lodge 
 room, (or other appropriate place near the site of the 
 new hall,) and proceed in regalia to the place, the whole 
 preceded by the Grand Marshal (with baton] t 
 
OF LAYING CORNER-STONES. 337 
 
 the music then the Lodges and Encampments, as di- 
 rected on page 333, save that the Chaplain follows 
 the V. G. supported by the Warden and Conductor, 
 bearing their staves of office; and the Guards of Tent 
 bear their spears. The Banners with the escorts, 
 precede the 0. G., and Sentinel, respectively. After 
 the subordinates come the Grand Bodies in the fol- 
 lowing order: 
 
 Marshal of Grand Encampment. 
 Escort Banner of Grand Encampment Escort. 
 
 Grand Sentinel, with drawn sword. 
 
 Members of Grand Encampment in order of juniority. 
 
 Grand Senior and Junior Wardens. 
 
 Grand Scribe and Grand Treasurer. 
 
 M. E. Grand High Priest, supported by two P. High 
 
 Priests, carrying crooks, 
 M. W. Grand Patriarch, with gavel. 
 
 -~ f Banner of Grand Lodge, ) -n 
 
 Escort. < j u n j XT ij f Escort. 
 ( carried by Grand Herald. J 
 
 Grand Guardian, with drawn sword. 
 Members of Grand Lodge in order of juniority. 
 
 Grand Secretary, 
 
 with documents, &c., for 
 
 deposit in box. 
 
 Grand Treasurer, 
 with copper box, to be de- 
 posited in corner-stone. 
 
 Grand Chaplain, with open Bible, (on which is laid a 
 wreath of flowers,) supported on the right by the 
 Grand Warden, carrying a silver vessel con- 
 taining water, and on the left by the 
 Grand Conductor, carrying a silver 
 
 vessel, containing wheat. 
 Deputy Grand Master and Orator. 
 
 M. W. Grand Master, with gavel. 
 29 
 
338 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 NOTE. If the ceremony is to be performed by the N. G., 
 or a P. G. appointed by Aim, the Encampment mem- 
 bers follow immediately after the scarlet members 
 then the P. Gs. then the Secretary (bearing the docu- 
 ments) and the Treasurer (bearing the box) then the 
 V. G. and Supporters then the Chaplain (bearing 
 the JBible, on which is laid the FLOWERS,) supported 
 by the Warden on his right (bearing WATER in a silver 
 vessel) and the Conductor on his left (bearing WHEAT 
 in a silver vessel then the Orator attended by a P. G. 
 then the N. G. (with gavel) and his Supporters. 
 
 At a convenient distance from the site, the procession will reverse 
 front, as directed pp. 333 and 335, and pass three times around the 
 building (if convenient), while the officiating officers take their 
 places on the platform near the North East corner, where the Foun- 
 dation Stone is to be laid, 
 
 (J/us/c or an Ode.) 
 
 Grand Master. My brethren, we have assembled on 
 this occasion to perform an interesting and important 
 ceremony, and one which we trust will have its proper 
 influence upon your hearts and minds. The spot on 
 which we stand has been selected on which to erect a 
 temple, which is to be consecrated to the great principles 
 of our Order, and we are here to-day to inaugurate the 
 enterprise by laying the first foundation or corner stone 
 in the structure with the solemn ceremonies befitting 
 such an occasion. 
 
 The work so auspiciously begun can only be consum- 
 mated by persevering effort and patient industry, and 
 we should enter upon it with a determination to carry 
 it forward to completion, uvtil its cap-stone shall be 
 
OF LAYING CORNER-STONES. 339 
 
 brought with rejoicings, and the structure shall present 
 beauty, symmetry, and proportion, every way adapted 
 to the use and purposes for which it is designed. 
 
 Before proceeding to the immediate duties of the 
 occasion, it is right and proper that we should invoke 
 the Divine Blessing, without which no good work can 
 succeed. Our Grand Chaplain will now address the 
 Throne of Grace. 
 
 ( The Grand Master gives three raps with the gavel.) 
 
 Grand Chaplain. O Thou who didst lay the foun- 
 dations of the earth, and in whom alone we live, and 
 move, and have our being, we beseech Thee of Thy 
 great goodness to command Thy blessing to rest upon 
 the work which we this day begin ; honor it with Thy 
 approving smile, and prosper it to its final accomplish- 
 ment and to the glory of Thy great name. Amen. 
 
 / esponse. So may it be ! 
 
 The Grand Secretary will then read the record to be 
 deposited in the Stone, with a list of the documents, 
 coin, etc., and hand the list, with the articles and things 
 to be deposited, to the Grand Treasurer, who will place 
 the same in the box. The Grand Master, accompanied 
 by the Grand Warden, Grand Conductor, Grand 
 Chaplain, and Grand Treasurer, shall then descend to 
 the Stone. The Grand Treasurer will then present the 
 box to the Grand Master, who will place it in the cavity 
 previously prepared for it, and adjust the lid. The 
 Stone will then be fitted accurately to its place. 
 
340 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Grand Master (receiving from the Grand Warden 
 the vessel containing water.) In the name of Friendship 
 as pure as this water (sprinkling three times upon the 
 Stone) I lay this corner-stone; and as it here forms 
 the basis of this edifice, binding together in harmony 
 and consistency the component parts of its superstruc- 
 ture, so may true Friendship ever constitute the foun- 
 dation of our social fabric, and unite the family of man 
 in one fraternal brotherhood. 
 
 Response. So may it be ! 
 
 Grand Master (receiving from the Grand Chaplain 
 the wreath of floivers.) In Love, symbolized by these 
 flowers (strewing three times over the Stone) I here 
 lay this corner-stone, and as it underlies and supports 
 this material temple, so may Love ever be the chief 
 foundation-stone of the moral temple of our Order, and 
 the divine sentiment of Love ever animate the hearts 
 of all its votaries. 
 
 Response. So may it be! 
 
 Grand Master (receiving from the &i*and Conductor 
 the vessel containing wheat.} In Truth, represented by 
 this wheat (strewing three times over the Stone) I 
 lay this corner-stone, trusting that Truth may ever 
 prevail over error, and that its good seed, sown in our 
 hearts, may bring forth its peaceable fruits in our lives. 
 May the building here to be erected for the inculcation 
 of Truth, ever remain unshaken by the storms of time, 
 and our beloved Order ever rest secure on the Rock of 
 Ages. 
 
OF LAYING CORNER-STONES. 341 
 
 Response. So may it be ! 
 
 Grand Master (giving three blows of the gavel upon 
 the Stone.) In Benevolence and Charity, I lay this 
 corner-stone, earnestly praying that as it is firmly fixed 
 in this solid foundation, so may these cardinal virtues 
 immutably repose in our organization, and never fail 
 to be the constant practice of our Order. 
 
 Response. So may it be ! 
 
 The Architect will then deliver a trowel, with mortar, to 
 the Grand Master, who shall spread it upon the Corner- 
 Stone, and fix thereon a corresponding stone. 
 
 Grand Master. As this cement binds together the 
 stones of the wall, so may the cement of brotherly af- 
 fection bind us together during all the days of our lives 
 below ; and so may the cement of Divine Love, in our 
 Father's own good time, unite us as living stones in the 
 temple above, the " house not made with hands, eternal 
 in the heavens." 
 
 Response. So may it be! 
 
 The Grand Master and other officers will then return 
 to the platform. 
 
 Grand Master. The Deputy Grand Master will 
 now make the proper proclamation. 
 
 Deputy Grand Master. By direction of the Most 
 Worthy Grand Master, I decla 'e this corner-stone duly 
 
 29* 
 
342 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 laid according to regular and ancient form, and the 
 building that is to rise upon it devoted to the principles 
 and work of Odd-Fellowship. 
 
 (Music, or Ode, if deemed proper?) 
 
 Grand Master. The Grand Chaplain will now ad- 
 dress the Throne of Grace. 
 
 ( The Grand Master gives three blows with the gavel.} 
 
 Grand Chaplain. Almighty Architect of the Uni- 
 verse, who spake, and it was done ; who commanded, 
 and it stood fast; accept, we humbly pray Thee, the 
 work of our hands this day performed, and strengthen 
 us by Thy blessing to build upon this corner-stone a 
 temple in which may be taught the great principles of 
 Friendship, Love, and Truth, and where Benevolence 
 and Charity may ever exercise their kind offices, and be 
 a safe refuge from the deluge of men's passions, and the 
 discordant elements of faction and selfishness. 
 
 Let Thy blessing abide with those who have zeal- 
 ously undertaken the work of building this edifice, and 
 may they be enabled by Thy good Providence to carry 
 it forward to entire completion. And bless, we pray 
 Thee, those who are engaged in the construction of the 
 building, and preserve them by Thy mighty power from 
 danger and accident while they are thus employed. 
 Surround them with Thy protecting care, and may their 
 health and lives be precious in Thy sight and keeping. 
 
 And we earnestly : nvoke the continued smile of Thy 
 approving countenan je upon our wide-spread and bene- 
 ficent Order. Give to it, we beseech Thee, the guid- 
 
OF LAYING CORNER-STONES. 343 
 
 ance of Thy Holy Spirit, and prosper it in the thing 
 whereunto Thou hast ordained it. Give it success in 
 all its aims and efforts to benefit mankind. May it 
 ever build upon the sure foundations of Truth and 
 Righteousness, and may it ever exert a moral influence 
 over the minds and consciences of its entire membership, 
 by the constant practice of the principles which have 
 been taught them. 
 
 Command Thy rich blessing upon the poor, the needy, 
 the friendless, and the destitute, and open up the way 
 and the means for their relief. Bless the widow and 
 the orphan in their affliction, and give unto us sympa- 
 thizing hearts and open hands to aid them and provide 
 for their wants. 
 
 And we pray Thee, thou God of Love, that the 
 period may soon come when discord, and strife, and war 
 shall cease from the face of the earth, and the reign of 
 peace shall be universally established when the law 
 of love shall control all hearts, and the nations, tribes, 
 and kindreds of the earth shall be united together as 
 a band of brothers, and acknowledge Thee as their 
 Father ; and to Thee we will ascribe all majesty, power, 
 and dominion, now and forever. Amen. 
 
 Grand Master. Brethren of , the sol- 
 emn ceremonies of the occasion are now concluded. 
 The duty assigned us has been performed. We have 
 begun for you a good work, which it remains for you 
 to finish. Having entered upon so important an enter- 
 prise, fail not in carrying it forward to success, which I 
 am confident you will achieve. When next the authori- 
 ties of the Order visit you, may it be to consecrate a 
 temple worthy of our great cause, and which will reflect 
 honor iiT>on your zeal in its behalf. 
 
344 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 This ceremony is concluded by a benediction. 
 
 ( The Grand Master gives three blows with the gavel.) 
 
 Grand Chaplain. The Lord bless you and keep 
 you ; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be 
 gracious unto you ; the Lord lift up his fatherly coun- 
 tenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen. 
 
 (Music, Odes, Oration, <fce.) 
 
 The procession will then form again, and return as 
 directed on page 336. 
 
FORM OF DEDICATION. 345 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FORM OF DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FELLOWS* HALL 
 OK LODGE-ROOM.* 
 
 This ceremony may be performed in presence of a general audience, or in 
 a Lodge-room, with closed doors. If others than members are present, 
 the honors will be omitted, and the Grand Officers will enter in due pro- 
 cession, and take their appropriate seats. If admission is restricted to 
 members of the Order, a Lodge ivill first be opened in due form, and 
 Guardians stationed at the doors ; and the Grand Lodge Officers, properly 
 clothed, will form in another apartment, and approach the outer door, 
 at which the G. Herald will give the usual alarm. 
 
 0. G. WHO comes there? 
 
 G. H. The M. W. G. M. and other Officers of the 
 R. W. Grand Lodge of , who desire to be ad- 
 mitted, in the name of F., L., and T., for the purpose 
 of dedicating this Hall to the uses of the I. O. of O. F., 
 and the diffusion of the principles of Benevolence and 
 Charity. 
 
 0. G. Enter, in the name of F., L., and T. 
 
 The same dialogue will occur at the inner door, with the I. G. , after which 
 the Grand Lodge Officers will enter the room, and take their respective 
 seats, the four brethren appointed as Heralds having seats in front of 
 the G. M., when the grand honors will be given. The G. Officers re- 
 suming their proper seats, the exercises proceed as follows: 
 
 * With a few omissions and a few additions this is substantially 
 the form of Dedication originally prepared by the late Past Grand 
 Master, Dr. Henry S. Patterson, of Philadelphia, dec'd., and pub- 
 lished in the Odd-Fellow's Manual, in 1852. In my humble opinion, 
 r,he original has not been improved by the alterations. But the 
 above is now the only authorized form. 
 
346 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Grand Chaplain. Direct us, O Lord, in all our 
 doings, with Thy most precious favor, and further us 
 with Thy continual help, that, in all our works begun, 
 continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy 
 name, and, finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting 
 life. Amen. 
 
 The Lodge being called up, the brethren will sing the " Opening Ode." 
 
 G. Marshal. Is it the will and pleasure of the M. 
 W. G. Master of the Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F. 
 of the State of , that the ceremony of dedicat- 
 ing this Hall to the business and purposes of Odd- 
 Fellowship do now proceed? 
 
 Grand Master. Such is my will and pleasure. 
 
 The N. G., [or President of the Hall Association, or Chairman of the 
 Committee, ] laying the keys on the G. Master's pedestal, icill then say : 
 
 Noble Grand. Most Worthy Grand Master, we meet 
 you here to-day to announce that the work in which we 
 have been engaged, is finished, and our temple is at last 
 ready to shelter us within its walls. It is not the busi- 
 ness of the Committee to allude to its own labors, nor 
 the manner in which those labors have been performed : 
 nor would good taste permit them to descant on the 
 fitness of our edifice for the sacred purpose to which it 
 is designed. It is capable of speaking for itself through 
 its proportions and its style. If these fail to impress 
 you, any words of mine would prove worse than useless. 
 I have only to repeat that our work is finished, and in 
 
 behalf of [ Lodge, No. ,] and of the Order 
 
 in this place, I make request that this Hall be set apart 
 and dedicated to the business and purposes of Odd- 
 Fellowship. 
 
 Grand Master. Noble Grand, [or, Mr. President of 
 
FORM OF DEDICATION. 347 
 
 the Odd-Fellow's Hall Association as the case may be.] 
 In the name and in behalf of the I. O. O. F. of the 
 
 State of , I accept for dedication to the uses 
 
 of Odd-Fellowship, this Hall, which has been con- 
 structed under your supervision. To you and your 
 associates the present must be an occasion especially 
 gratifying. To-day you witness the consummation of 
 that for which you have ardently toiled and hoped 
 to-day you hail the completion of that for which you 
 have zealously and faithfully labored and to-day you 
 behold the recognition by your brethren from the North, 
 the South, the East, and the West, of this, the result of 
 your efforts, as a temple devoted to the service of those 
 whose vocation it is to visit the sick, relieve the dis- 
 tressed, bury the dead, educate the orphan duties 
 which neither interfere with nor supersede the discharge 
 of any other, social, moral, or religious. 
 
 Brethren, I congratulate you upon the completion of 
 this beautiful edifice, which we are about to dedicate to 
 those cardinal virtues which should adorn and elevate 
 humanity, and the names of which we have selected as 
 the motto and watchword of our beloved Order. Be- 
 neath this roof, you are to encourage one another in the 
 duties of benevolence and charity; before this altar the 
 good works of Friendship, Love, and Truth are ever 
 to be presented as the only acceptable sacrifice. From 
 hence, as from a perennial fountain, are to flow the 
 gentle streams of true Friendship, to gladden and make 
 green many waste places. In this quiet retreat are to 
 be cultivated those flowers that Love unfeigned shall 
 scatter on the rugged pathway of life, under many 
 bleeding feet. Here is to be sown the good seed of 
 Truth in many hearts, to spring up and yield its 
 
348 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 hundred-fold harvest. It is, therefore, not so much 
 this temple made with hands that should occupy our 
 attention at present, as the great principles that are here 
 to be disseminated. I hope and trust, brethren, that 
 our united efforts, with those of our brethren through- 
 out the globe, may lead to the raising and adorning of 
 a still nobler Temple, which shall be consecrated by the 
 approval of the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, 
 without the invocation of whose blessing no work 
 should be undertaken. 
 
 G. C. Almighty God, the Maker of all worlds ! whom 
 we are taught to approach and call by the tender name, 
 Father! we would humbly draw near and beg Thy 
 blessing on the work in which we are engaged. What- 
 ever is amiss in us, do Thou make right by Thy Divine 
 power, and in all things do Thou overrule our thoughts 
 and deeds to Thy greater glory and the good of our 
 fellow men. Amen. 
 
 The members of the Order called up. 
 
 PSALM cxxn. 
 
 G. Master. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into 
 the house of the Lord ! 
 
 Response. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, Jerusalem! 
 
 G. M. Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together (at 
 unity in itself). 
 
 R. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the 
 testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 
 
 G. M. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the 
 house of David. 
 
 R. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem ; they shall prosper that love 
 thee. 
 
 G. M. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy 
 palaces. 
 
 R. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, 
 Peace be within thee! 
 
 G. M. Because of the house of the Lord^our God, I will seek thy 
 good. 
 
 R. Bo be it. 
 
DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FELLOWS* HALL. 349 
 
 G. Master. Hear hear hear, all men: By au- 
 thority and in the name of the Grand Lodge of the In- 
 dependent Order of Odd-Fellows of the State of - , 
 I dedicate this Hall to the business and purposes of 
 Odd-Fellowship, to disseminate Friendship, Love, and 
 Truth, and to diffuse Benevolence and Charity in their 
 fullest extent, to all its worthy members and by this 
 solemn act I hereby declare it duly dedicated. 
 
 The Grand Marshal will please cause this dedication 
 to be appropriately proclaimed. 
 
 Grand Marshal. Brothers, Grand Heralds of the 
 North, of the South, of the East, and of the West by 
 the solemn act of the M. W. G. Master of the Grand 
 Lodge of - , this Hall is duly dedicated to the 
 business and purposes of Odd-Fellowship to dis- 
 seminate Friendship, Love, and Truth, Faith, Hope, 
 and Charity, in their fullest extent, to all its worthy 
 members. It is his will and pleasure that the same 
 be proclaimed, which duty you will perform. 
 
 Herald of the North. Hear, all men. By command 
 of the M. W. Grand Master, and in the name of Friend- 
 ship, as pure, refreshing, and life-giving as this water, 
 [sprinkling it,] I dedicate this Hall to the practice of 
 that ennobling virtue, which, uniting men as brethren, 
 teaches them to sustain that relation at all times, each 
 in his turn helping and helped, blessing and blessed. 
 
 Response. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is 
 for brethren to dwell together in unity; for these the 
 Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. 
 
 Herald of the South. Hear, all men. By command 
 of our M. W. Grand Master, I proclaim this Hall dedi- 
 cated to Love, world-wide and ever-enduring, \lights 
 30 
 
350 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 the fire on the altar, ~] and may the fire that is this day 
 kindled upon the altar of our hearts be as perpetual as 
 that which burned upon the altar in the secret taber- 
 nacle of the Most High, of which this is but a feeble 
 emblem. 
 
 Response. Though I speak with the tongues of men 
 and of angels, and have not Charity, I am become as 
 sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Charity never 
 faileth. 
 
 Herald of the East Hear, all men. By command of 
 our M. W. Grand Master, I proclaim this Hall dedi- 
 cated to the inculcation and cultivation of Truth. 
 [Scattering WheatJ] And may the good seed here 
 sown, of which this is the emblem, like the grain sown 
 broadcast on the earth, spring up again an hundred- 
 fold for future use and blessing; and may that en- 
 nobling virtue, which lies at the foundation of all other 
 virtues, and which is devoid of guile and hypocrisy, 
 teach us sincerity and plain-dealing in all our com- 
 munications, and earnestness in the inculcation of what- 
 ever is good and true. 
 
 Response. He that walketh uprightly and worketh 
 righteousness, and speaketh the Truth in his heart, O 
 Lord, shall abide in Thy tabernacle, and shall dwell in 
 Thy Holy Hill. [.] 
 
 Herald of the West. Hear, all men. By command of 
 our M. W. Grand Master, I proclaim this Hall dedicated 
 to Faith, Hope, and Charity. Those Graces, like these 
 flowers, [strewing flower s,~\ fill the common air with 
 fragrance, and beautify and adorn all on whom they 
 fall. The practice of these highest virtues is in itself 
 the fulfilling of that law which commands us to visit 
 the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and 
 educate the orphan. 
 
DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FELLOWS* HALL. 351 
 
 Response. A good man showeth favor and lendeth ; 
 he will guide his affairs with discretion ; he hath dis- 
 persed ; he hath given to the poor ; his righteousness 
 endureth forever his horn shall be exalted with honor. 
 
 [a] 
 
 Grand Marshal. M. W. Grand Master. Proclama- 
 tion has gone forth to the four quarters of the globe, 
 that all men may hear and know that the principles of 
 Odd-Fellowship have here a dwelling-place. 
 
 Grand Master. The Grand Chaplain will now ad- 
 dress the Throne of Grace. 
 
 G. C. We humbly beseech thee, O God, to bless the 
 work in which we have now been engaged. Let the 
 lessons we have received sink deep into our hearts, so 
 that this shall have been to us no idle ceremony, but a 
 means of edification in righteousness, and truth, and 
 humanity. May we all leave this place with our good 
 resolutions strengthened, our charities enlarged, and 
 our hearts expanded in all-embracing love toward our 
 brethren of every tongue and clime. Bless, O Heavenly 
 Father, the Order of which we are members. Aid us 
 in the good work of Benevolence and Charity, to which 
 we are pledged, and give direction and success to our 
 efforts. Bless this edifice in the promotion of the good 
 objects to which it has this day been set apart. Let 
 Thy protecting care be over the brethren who here shall 
 meet together. Keep their feet upon the right path, 
 and guide them by Thy power in the way everlasting. 
 Make them faithful to their duties, and zealous in every 
 good word and work, so that when the solemn close of 
 life comes, the soul of each may be stayed upon Thee. 
 And unto thee, our God and Father, be ascribed glory, 
 and dominion, and power, world without end. Amen. 
 
352 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 G. M. (First calling down the Lodge.) My brethren, 
 I trust that the solemn ceremonies of this occasion may 
 not be lost upon our hearts. In setting apart this Hall 
 for its noble purposes, we have renewed our vows to 
 practice conscientiously the lessons of our beloved Order. 
 Let us never forget the imperative command of our 
 laws, "to visit the sick, to relieve the distressed, to 
 bury the dead, and to educate the orphan.' 7 Let us 
 not forget, moreover, that beside these good works of 
 charity, Odd-Fellowship has high and important lessons 
 to inculcate : lessons that, if attentively listened to and 
 practiced by all, would elevate the character of man, 
 and hasten the coming of the promised day of universal 
 peace and love. 
 
 Brethren of , we now again deliver into 
 
 your hands this beautiful temple you have elevated to 
 our Order. Joy be within its walls, and Peace a con- 
 stant guest! May these walls never echo with the 
 sound of an angry or unkind word! May all the in- 
 fluences that flow hence be good and for good, now and 
 forever ! Amen. 
 
 R. So may it be. 
 
 G. C. Now unto him who is able to keep you from 
 falling, and to present you faultless before the presence 
 of His glory with exceeding joy, I commend you and 
 the whole family of man. And to Him, the only wise 
 God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and 
 power, now and forever. Amen. 
 
 Here follow Odes, Oration or Addresses, $c. t as may have been arranged. 
 
 NOTE. Where the brethren and "Daughters" are so gifted and 
 inclined, the Dedication Ode, Appendix A, adapted to the familiar 
 air, "Bruce's Address," can be happily introduced as choruses to 
 the Responses in the foregoing. The 1st verse at [^4.], after the 
 Response to the Herald of the North the 3d verse at [J&.J after 
 the Response to the Herald of the East and the 2d and 4th verses 
 at [<?.], after the Response to the Herald of the West. 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 353 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PUBLIC INSTALLATION OF SUBORDINATE LODGE 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 NOTE. Public installations can be held only by permission of 
 the Grand Lodge, and in manner prescribed by G. L. U. S. The 
 representative of the Grand Master (if any) must be addressed by 
 his own proper title any other Grand officer pro tern., by that of 
 the officer represented. 
 
 The Lodge properly arranged, and the inner door opened wide, the G. 
 Marshal, with white baton, trimmed with scarlet, approaches the L G. 
 from without. 
 
 G. Marshal. Worthy Guardian, inform the Noble 
 Grand that the G. Marshal of the R. W. Grand Lodge 
 of demands admission. 
 
 I. Guardian. Noble Grand, the W. G. Marshal of 
 the G. L. of is without, and demands admis- 
 sion. 
 
 JV. Grand. You will admit him. 
 
 1. G. You have liberty to enter. 
 
 G. Marshal passes to centre of room, and salutes N. G. with a flourish 
 of the baton. 
 
 G. Marshal. Worthy N. G., I am instructed by the 
 
 M. W. G. Master of the R. W. G. Lodge of , 
 
 to ascertain whether the charter (or dispensation) of this 
 Lodge is in the hall, whether the dues of this Lodge 
 have been paid, and, if not, to request that they shall 
 be placed in my hands, to ask if the officers have been 
 elected for the ensuing term, if they are free from 
 30* 
 
854 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 all charges, pecuniary or otherwise, upon your Lodge- 
 books; and whether you are now ready to proceed with 
 the ceremony of installation? 
 
 N. G. W. G. Marshal, the charter of this Lodge is 
 in the Lodge-room, and in my keeping. The Treasurer 
 will pay over to you the dues of the Lodge, or show 
 you the G. Secretary's receipt for the same. The 
 officers for the ensuing term have been elected; they 
 each and all stand free from all charges upon our 
 Lodge-books. You will please inform the M. W. G. 
 Master that we are prepared for installation, and await 
 his pleasure. 
 
 G. Marshal receives dues, salutes A". G. > r 'tl< /Won, retires, and mar- 
 shah the Grand officers to the inner door. 
 
 G. Marshal The G. L. of the I. O. O. F. of . 
 
 I. G. Noble Grand, the Grand Lodge. 
 N. G. In the name of Friendship, Love, and Truth, 
 admit it. 
 
 G. L. enters, Lodge rises as G. L. passes to the centre. G. Master 
 
 sfepx in front. 
 
 G. Master. Noble Grand, by authority of the R. W. 
 
 G. Lodge of , we appear here, this evening, for 
 
 the purpose of installing into their respective chairs the 
 officers of this Lodge. You will please direct your 
 officers to surrender their respective chairs to the G. 
 officers in attendance; and you will now please take 
 your seat as Sitting Past Grand of this Lodge for the 
 current term, 
 
 N. G. Officers of Lodge, you will surrender 
 
 your chairs to the officers of the R. W. G. Lodge of 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 355 
 
 The G. Master takes the N. G's chair the G. Warden the V. 
 G. '.5 G. Sec. and G. Treas. the chairs of the Sec. and Treas. 
 
 G. Master. My brethren, you will please be seated. 
 W. G. Marshal, you will retire with the officers elect 
 for examination. It is unnecessary for me to remind 
 you that that duty should be faithfully performed. 
 
 They retire and, after examination, return, and are announced. 
 
 G. Guardian. The G. Marshal, with the officers elect 
 for installation. 
 
 They enter in procession. Each officer may be supported by two Past 
 officers of that grade. The Lodge remains seated, unless the Ode is sung 
 during the march. The procession forms on the left of the N. GSs chair. 
 
 INSTALLATION ODE. 
 
 Come, let us swell the joyful note, 
 
 And hail the chosen band, 
 Who, in compliance with our vote, 
 
 To-night before us stand. 
 Our Noble and Vice Grand will now 
 
 To seats of honor move, 
 And bear the ensign on their brow 
 
 Of Friendship, Truth, and Love. 
 
 Hail ! all our officers elect, 
 
 Of high and low degree ; 
 Hail ! each, with due and kind respect, 
 
 Whate'er his station be : 
 We place reliance in their zeal, 
 
 That they will worthy prove, 
 And stamp their actions with the seal 
 
 Of Friendship, Truth, and Love. 
 
 G. Marshal. M. W. G. Master, I present to you for 
 installation, our worthy Brother [A. B.], whom the 
 brethren of this Lodge have elected Noble Grand for 
 the present term. 
 
356 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 G. Master. Brother, do you accept the office to which 
 you have been elected? 
 
 N. G. elect. I do. 
 
 G. Master. Brethren, are you content with the choice 
 you have made of Noble Grand ? 
 
 Lodge. We are. \If objection be made, the G. Mas- 
 ter will call the officers to their chairs again, and will re- 
 tire with the Grand Officers.] 
 
 G. Master. M. W. G. Marshal, have you examined 
 the N. G. elect, to ascertain whether he is sufficiently 
 acquainted with the various lectures and instructions to 
 enable him to deliver them according to his office? 
 Have you ascertained whether he has rendered sufficient 
 previous service in office, and is free from all charges on 
 the books of this Lodge, of whatsoever kind ? 
 
 G. Marshal. I have, M. W. G. Master, and find the 
 brother competent and eligible to fill the honorable sta- 
 tion to which he has been elected by the brothers of 
 this Lodge. 
 
 G. Master. Noble Grand elect, will you promise to 
 submit to your charges to be obedient to the man- 
 dates of the G. Lodge of the of , to 
 
 support the regulations of our Order to act with 
 justice toward all brothers, as is the duty of a Noble 
 Grand ? 
 
 Noble Grand elect. I will. 
 
 G. Master. Your apparent willingness to conform to 
 the charges and regulations of our Order the pro- 
 ficiency you have made therein your moral stand- 
 ing your freedom from indebtedness to the Lodge, 
 and the voice of a majority thereof, entitle you to be 
 now installed into the office of N. G. of this Lodge. 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 357 
 
 You will, therefore, place your right hand upon your 
 left breast, and repeat after me : 
 
 NOBLE GRAND'S O. B. N. 
 
 In the presence of the members of the Order here 
 
 assembled, I, , do promise, declare, and 
 
 say, that I will perform the duties of Noble Grand of 
 this Lodge until the end of the present term ; and will . 
 support, maintain, and abide by the Constitution, By- 
 laws, Rules, and Regulations of the G. Lodge of the 
 I. O. O. F. of the - - of - ; as well as the 
 Constitution and By-laws of this Lodge. I further- 
 more promise that I will not give the means whereby 
 to gain admission to any person, except a member of 
 this Lodge in good standing. I will, to the utmost of 
 my power, enforce the laws, and preserve order and 
 decorum in the Lodge. I will judge of every trans- 
 action that comes before me without prejudice or par- 
 tiality see that the obligations to candidates for mem- 
 bership are legally administered and, should the G. 
 Lodge direct, I will deliver the warrant or dispensa- 
 tion of this Lodge to the Grand Master. All this I 
 promise to fulfil, unless prevented by sickness, or some 
 other unavoidable occurrence. To the performance of 
 all which, I pledge my most sacred honor. 
 
 (?. Master. W. G. Marshal, you will proceed to invest 
 (he Noble Grand in the regalia of his office. 
 
 G. Marshal. By command of the M. W. G. M., I in- 
 vest you with this collar and jewel, which are emblems 
 of your office. 
 
 G. Master. Noble Grand, you will receive from us 
 the Constitution and By-laws of your Lodge. You are 
 
358 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 to take them for your guide, and cause them to be fre- 
 quently read in your Lodge. You will please be seated 
 at our right hand. 
 
 G. Marshal. [Introduces V. G. introduction, ques- 
 tions and answers, including ike ansiver of the Lodge, the 
 same as in case of the N. G.] 
 
 G. Master. W. G. Marshal, have you examined the 
 V. G. elect, to ascertain whether he is sufficiently ac- 
 quainted with the various lectures and instructions to 
 enable him to assist in delivering them according to his 
 office? Have you ascertained whether he has rendered 
 sufficient previous service in office, and is free from all 
 charges on the books of this Lodge, of whatsoever kind? 
 
 G. Marshal. I have, M. W. G. Master, and find the 
 brother competent and eligible to fill the honorable sta- 
 tion to which he has been elected by the brothers of 
 this Lodge. 
 
 G. Master. Vice Grand elect, will you promise to 
 yield a like obedience to your charges, and the man- 
 dates of the R. W. G. Lodge as the N. G. to assist 
 him in the execution of his office to use your efforts 
 in promoting the harmony and welfare of the Lodge, 
 and to increase love among your brethren ? 
 
 Vice Grand elect. I will. 
 
 G. Master. In consequence of your avowed willing- 
 ness to enter upon, and perform the duties of V. G. of 
 this Lodge, you will now proceed with our W. G. Mar- 
 shal to the chair of your office, where you will be in- 
 stalled. W. G. Marshal, you will present the V. G. 
 elect to our R. W. G. Warden for obligation. 
 
 G. Marshal. R. W. G. Warden, by command of our 
 
 M. W. G. Master, I present you Bro. , 
 
 the V. G. elect, for obligation. 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 359 
 
 G. Warden. Vice Grand elect, you will please place 
 your right hand upon your left breast, and repeat after 
 me : 
 
 VICE GRAND'S O. B. N. 
 
 In the presence of the members of the Order now 
 
 assembled, I, , do promise, declare, and 
 
 say, that I will perform the duties of Vice Grand of 
 this Lodge until the end of the present term ; and, in 
 the absence of the N. G., to the utmost of my ability, 
 perform all the duties he has obligated himself to do 
 that I will restrain every improper sentiment, and 
 strictly administer the obligations to candidates for 
 membership, or cause the same to be done by a P. G. 
 or P. V. G. All this I promise to fulfil, unless pre- 
 vented by sickness, or some unavoidable occurrence. 
 To the performance of all which, I pledge my most 
 sacred honor. 
 
 G. Master. W. G. Marshal, you will proceed to in- 
 vest the V. G. in the regalia of his office. 
 
 G. Marshal. By command of the M. W. G. Master, 
 I invest you with the badges of your office. In receiv- 
 ing them, you will not cease to remember that the pre- 
 ference of the Lodge has placed them upon you, in the 
 full confidence that, while you wear them, their purity 
 shall not be blemished. 
 
 G. Warden. Vice Grand, I present' to you a copy of 
 the Constitution and By-laws of your Lodge, which 
 you will make your study, in order that you may assist 
 the N. G in the performance of his duties and this 
 gavel, which indicates that you are to assist him in the 
 exercise of his authority. You will now take your seat 
 as V. G. of this Lodge for the present term. 
 
360 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 G. Marshal. [Introduces Sec. introduction, questions, 
 and answers, including the answer of the Lodge, the same 
 as in case of the N. (?.] 
 
 G. Master. W. G. Marshal, have you examined the 
 Sec. elect, and ascertained whether he has attained suf- 
 ficient degrees to entitle him to the office? Have you 
 ascertained whether he is free from all charges on the 
 books, of whatsoever kind? 
 
 G. Marshal. I have, M. W. G. Master, and find the 
 brother fully qualified to fill the office to which he has 
 been elected. 
 
 G. Master. Worthy Secretary elect, will you engage 
 to perform the duties of Secretary of this Lodge faith- 
 fully and punctually, and to comply with the requisi- 
 tions of the Grand Lodge? 
 
 Secretary elect. I will. 
 
 G. Master. Having expressed your willingness to 
 enter upon and perform the duties of Sec. of this Lodge, 
 our W. G. Marshal will conduct you to the chair of 
 your office, where the obligation appertaining to it will 
 be administered to you. W. G. Marshal, you will pre- 
 sent the Sec. elect to our R. W. G. Secretary. 
 
 G. Marshal. R. W. G. Secretary, by command of our 
 
 M. W. G. Master, I present to you Br. , 
 
 the Sec. elect, for obligation. 
 
 G. Sec. W. Secretary elect, you will place your right 
 hand upon your left breast, and repeat after me : 
 
 When all the duties of Sec. are performed by one person, the "Secre- 
 tary's 0. B. AY' will be administered when by two persons, the "Re- 
 cording Secretary's 0. B. N." 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 361 
 
 SECRETARY'S O. B. N. 
 
 In the presence of the members of the Order now 
 
 assembled, I, : , do promise, declare, and 
 
 say, that I will keep accurate minutes of the transactions 
 of this Lodge I will keep correctly, the accounts be- 
 tween this Lodge and its members I will pay all moneys 
 into the hands of the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the 
 same and that I will, as soon as practicable, forward to 
 the Treasurer copies of all resolutions authorizing drafts 
 of moneys on him. I furthermore promise, that I will 
 not wrong the Lodge, or a brother, to the value of any- 
 thing and I will deliver all books and papers belong- 
 ing to the Lodge, to my successor in office ; and perform 
 such other duties as the Lodge may require. All this 
 I promise to fulfil, unless prevented by sickness or some 
 unavoidable circumstance. To the performance of all 
 which, I pledge my most sacred honor. 
 
 RECORDING SECRETARY'S O. B. N. 
 
 In the presence of the members of the Order now 
 
 assembled, I, , do promise, declare, and 
 
 say, that I will keep accurate minutes of the transactions 
 of this Lodge and that I will, as soon as practicable, 
 forward to the Treasurer copies of all resolutions au- 
 thorizing drafts of moneys on him. I furthermore 
 promise that I will not wrong the Lodge, or a brother, 
 to the value of anything and that I will not take 
 part or share, directly or indirectly, in any illegal dis- 
 tribution of the funds or other property of the Lodge, 
 but will, to the best of my ability and the utmost of my 
 31 
 
362 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 power, endeavor to prevent any attempt at such perver- 
 sion of the property of the Lodge and I will deliver 
 all books and papers belonging to the Lodge, to my 
 successor in office, and perform such other duties as the 
 Lodge may require. All this I promise to fulfil, unless 
 prevented by sickness or some unavoidable circumstance. 
 To the performance of all which, I pledge my most 
 sacred honor. 
 
 G. Master. AV. (i. Marshal, you will now invest the 
 Sec. with the regalia of his office. 
 
 Gr. Marshal, By command of the M. W. G. Master, 
 I invest you with the badges of your office. In wear- 
 ing this regalia of the important office to which you 
 have been elevated, it is our hope that you will not for 
 a moment lose sight of the responsibilities resting upon 
 you, so that you may surrender it to your successor with 
 as much honor to yourself as you now receive it. 
 
 G. Secretary. W. Secretary, I present to you these 
 books and papers, the property of your office; and this 
 seal of the Lodge, which is to remain in your official 
 keeping. You will now take your seat as Sec. of this 
 Lodge for the present term. 
 
 The " Pfrmnui-nt Secretary" (if any] ?//// be presented by ti>l>-. in 
 s/f/tif iiKitnn r <nnl form as Sec. ; and will fake the 
 
 PERMANENT SECRETARY'S O. B. N. 
 
 In the presence of the members of the Order now 
 assembled, I, - , do promise, declare, and 
 
 say, that I will keep correctly the accounts between the 
 Lodge and its members, and will pay all moneys in my 
 hands to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. 
 I furthermore promise, that I will not wrong the 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 363 
 
 or a brother, to the value of anything and t^at I will 
 not take part or share, directly or indirectly, in any 
 illegal distribution of the funds or other property of 
 the Lodge, but will, to the best of my ability and the 
 utmost of my power, endeavor to prevent any attempt 
 at such perversion of the property of the Lodge 
 and I will deliver all books and papers, belonging to 
 the Lodge, to my successor in office ; and perform such 
 other duties as the Lodge may require. All this I 
 promise to fulfil, unless prevented by sickness or some 
 unavoidable circumstance. To the performance of all 
 which, I pledge my most sacred honor. 
 
 G. Master. W. G. Marshal, you will now invest the 
 Permanent Sec. with the regalia of his office. 
 
 G. Marshal. By command of our M. W. G. Master, 
 I invest you with the badges of your office. In bear- 
 ing this distinction among your brethren, be assiduous 
 in discharging the duties of your station. 
 
 G. Secretary. W. Per. Sec., I present to you the books 
 and papers of your office. You will now take your 
 
 station as Per. Sec., for the term of months, as 
 
 provided by the By-laws of your Lodge. 
 
 G. Marshal. [Introduces Treasurer, questions and 
 answers, including that by the Lodge, the same as in 
 case of N. (?.] 
 
 G. Master. W. G. Marshal, have you examined the 
 Treas. elect, and ascertained whether he has attained 
 sufficient degrees to entitle him to the office? Have 
 you ascertained whether he is free from all charges on 
 the books, of whatsoever nature and kind ? Has his 
 bond of office been duly and regularly executed, to the 
 benefit and satisfaction of the Lodge ? 
 
364 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 G. Marshal. I have, M. W. G. Master, examined the 
 brother, and find him duly qualified and free from 
 charges. I have also ascertained that his bond has 
 been regularly executed, presented, and accepted, and 
 is now in possession of the Lodge. 
 
 G. Master. W. Treasurer elect, will you engage to 
 perform the duties of Tr. faithfully, as required by the 
 Constitution and By-laws of the Lodge? 
 
 Treasurer elect. I will. 
 
 G. Master. Under this assurance of your disposition 
 to enter upon, and perform the duties of Tr. of this 
 Lodge, our W. G. Marshal will conduct you to the chair 
 of your office, where the necessary obligation will be ad-- 
 ministered unto you. W. G. Marshal, you will present 
 the Tr. elect to our R. W. G. Treasurer. 
 
 G. Marshal. R. W. G. Treasurer, by command of 
 
 our M. W. G. Master, I present to you Br. 
 
 , the Tr. elect, for obligation. 
 
 G. Treasurer. Worthy Tr. elect, you will place your 
 right hand upon your left breast, and repeat after me: 
 
 TREASURER'S O. B. N. 
 
 In the presence of the members of the Order now 
 
 assembled, I, , do promise, declare, and 
 
 say, that I will justly and truly perform the duties of 
 Treasurer of this Lodge I will pay all orders drawn 
 on me by the N. G., or committee duly authorized by 
 the Lodge, after having received from the Sec. M rr.pv 
 of the resolution authorizing the same I will deliver 
 all books and papers, and pay all moneys in my hands 
 to, my successor in office; and I will not wrong this 
 Lodge to the value of anything and that I will not 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 365 
 
 take part or share, directly or indirectly, in any illegal 
 distribution of the funds or other property of the Lodge, 
 but will, to the best of my ability and the utmost of 
 my power, endeavor to prevent any attempt at such 
 perversion of the property of the Lodge. All this I 
 promise to fulfil, unless prevented by sickness or some 
 unavoidable circumstance. To the performance of 
 all which, I pledge my most sacred honor. 
 
 G. Master. W. G. Marshal, you will now invest the 
 worthy Tr. with the regalia of his office. 
 
 G. Marshal. By command of our M. W. G. Master, 
 I invest you with the badges of your office. The im- 
 portance and responsibility of your office will always 
 admonish you of the necessity of preserving free from 
 tarnish the honor you have pledged. 
 
 G. Treasurer. Worthy Tr., you will receive from rne 
 the books and papers of your office. You will now take 
 your seat as Tr. of this Lodge for the present term. 
 
 The G. Master retires from the N. &s. chair by the left, as he says: 
 
 G. Master. Noble Grand, I present to you this gavel, 
 the emblem of your authority, and call upon your 
 brethren to arise. [Lodge rises.] Receive your author- 
 ity, and take your seat as N. G. of this Lodge. [Lodge 
 is seated.'] Noble Grand, you will now appoint your 
 subordinate officers. 
 
 Appointments made thus: 
 
 [N. G. or V. G.~] Br. , I appoint you 
 
 [my R. H. Sup., or Warden, &c., of this Lodge, (as the 
 case may be)] for the present term. Are you willing to 
 accept that office, and enter upon the duties thereof? 
 
 Answer. I am, Noble Grand. 
 31* 
 
366 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 N. G. Br. , you will take your station. 
 
 After the appointments hacii been made 
 
 G. Master. Noble Grand, previous to delivering into 
 your keeping the charter and books pertaining to your 
 office, it is necessary that you should enter with us into 
 another obligation. Place yourself in the attitude in 
 which you were last obligated, and repeat : 
 
 NOBLE GRAND'S SECOND O. B. N. 
 
 j ? ^ Noble Grand, do, in the presence 
 
 of these brethren, most sincerely promise and declare, 
 that I will neither print nor write, nor cause to be print- 
 ed or written, any part or parts of these charges; nor 
 will I, in the presence of any person, either read or 
 rehearse, or cause to be understood by any means, any 
 part or parts of them, except in the presence of bro- 
 thers duly qualified to receive them in legal form. Nor 
 will I, at any time, permit them to be taken from my 
 keeping by any person or persons, excepting those sub- 
 ordinate officers whose various charges shall have ob- 
 ligated them to return to me such printed or written 
 part or parts as w r ere delivered to them, without having 
 made themselves or permitted any others to make any 
 extracts, or take any copies therefrom: and I will use 
 every effort to effect the return of those books, or printed 
 or written parts of them, as soon as the purpose for which 
 they were obtained from me has been accomplished. 
 And I do furthermore promise and declare, that I will 
 deliver these books to no person or persons, except- 
 ing the M. W. G. Master, or his Deputy, or to a Com- 
 mittee from the Grand Lodge, and the N. G. who shall 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 367 
 
 have been elected to succeed me. I furthermore prom- 
 ise, that I will not wrong this Lodge, or the Grand 
 Lodge of this jurisdiction, to the value of anything 
 and that I will not take part or share, directly or indi- 
 rectly, in any illegal distribution of the funds or other 
 property of the Lodge, but will, to the best of my abil- 
 ity and the utmost of my power, endeavor to prevent 
 any attempt at such perversion of the property of the 
 Lodge. To the performance of all which, I pledge my 
 most sacred honor. 
 
 G. Master. Having full confidence in your integrity, 
 we here present you with the books pertaining to your 
 office, the Constitution, By-laws, Rules and General 
 
 Regulations of the Grand Lodge of the of 
 
 , and the Charter under which this Lodge exists. 
 
 And it is your duty that these, severally, shall be pre- 
 sent in the Lodge, when open, and at the installation 
 of your successor. 
 
 CHARGES 
 
 TO BE DELIVERED BY THE INSTALLING OFFICER. 
 
 MOST NOBLE GRAND: You have been elected and 
 
 installed into the office of N. G. of Lodge, No. 
 
 , for the present term, and until the installation 
 
 of your successor: and as it will be your duty to pre- 
 side at the meetings of the Lodge, much of the peace, 
 harmony, and prosperity thereof will depend upon you. 
 It is therefore necessary that you should deeply impress 
 on your mind the important duties of your station. 
 Among them, we would particularly bring to your no- 
 tice the necessity of requiring the regular indications of 
 good standing of every person who desires to visit your 
 
368 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Lodge. Admit none, unless it be your own members, 
 without them. In the performance of your duties, act 
 without fear or partiality be zealous, yet temper your 
 zeal with prudence, and maintain in yourself a tran- 
 quil temper, a generous disposition, and an unsullied 
 character, that your decisions and instructions may be 
 received with respect, and attentively observed. You 
 are bound to obey the laws of the Grand Lodge, and 
 to execute those of the Lodge over which you preside: 
 you must therefore screen none who may violate them, 
 and enforce the transaction of Lodge business with 
 punctuality and dispatch. 
 
 WORTHY VICE GRAND : You must carefully attend 
 to the support of order in the Lodge; and at all times 
 when the N. G. is otherwise engaged, his duties will 
 devolve upon you; and should he, at any time, omit 
 anything appertaining to his office, it will be not only 
 your privilege, but your duty, to apprise him thereof. 
 
 ]\'/t<n tin-re, is a Perm. Sec., omit the portion in italics. 
 
 WORTHY SECRETARY : You are charged with the 
 care of the books of the Lodge you must keep a rec- 
 ord of the proceedings of every Lodge meeting you 
 must fill up all summonses, and write all letters and 
 communications that may be ordered by the N. G. 
 You must be punctual, correct, and faithful in the dis- 
 charge of your office : you must keep your accounts reg- 
 ularly posted, so tJiat no dispute arise, and be ready at all 
 times to render to the N. G., statements of tlie arrears of 
 brethren, so that their rights be not abused: and no per- 
 son is privileged to interfere with your books, except 
 the N. G., the M. W. G. Master, or the R. W. Deputy 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 369 
 
 G. Master of your district. At the end of your term 
 you will render a faithful report of the work of the 
 Lodge for the Grand Lodge, and every assistance re- 
 quired by the committee appointed to examine the 
 books, &c. 
 
 WORTHY TREASURER: You have in charge the funds 
 of this Lodge; be correct, careful and honest, and se- 
 cure the Lodge against any loss, or probability of loss, 
 by or through you. On a proper management of the 
 fiscal concerns of a Lodge, mainly depends its ability to 
 render assistance where it is needed, and at the time it 
 may be required. It is expected of you to keep your 
 accounts in such a manner as to enable you to inform 
 the Lodge of its pecuniary condition; and so that you 
 can, at any moment, when called upon, surrender your 
 trust, together with all books, papers, and funds in 
 your possession, belonging to the Lodge. 
 
 WORTHY PERMANENT SECRETARY : You are 
 charged with the care of the accounts between this 
 Lodge and its members ; you must be punctual, correct, 
 and faithful in the discharge of your duty keep your 
 accounts regularly posted, so that no dispute arise, and 
 be ready at all times to render to the N. G. statements 
 of the arrears of the brethren, so that their rights be 
 not abused. At the end of your term of office, you 
 will prepare for the Grand Lodge the annual report 
 required by the regulations and, at the end of each 
 term, render such facilities to the Committee appointed 
 to examine the books, &c., as may be required by them. 
 No person is at liberty to interfere with your books, 
 &c., except the N. G., the M. W. G. Master, or the 
 R. W. D. G. Master of your district. 
 
370 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 The G. Marshal will present the Warden and O. Guardian thus : 
 
 G. Marshal. I present to you Br. 
 
 who has been appointed [W. or O. G.] of this Lodge, 
 and whom, on examination, I find to have attained the 
 proper degrees for the office. 
 
 G. Master. WORTHY WARDEN : Your duty calls 
 upon you to do all you can while in the Lodge to make 
 the brothers comfortable. You must examine every 
 person in the room when the Lodge is about to be 
 opened deliver your charge to candidates at initia- 
 tion take care of the regalia of the Lodge, and con- 
 vey all summonses that may be issued. 
 
 WORTHY OUTSIDE GUARDIAN : You have charge 
 of the ante-room you will see that no person shall 
 enter it who cannot prove himself according to the 
 regulations of the Order. You will secure the outer 
 door against improper intrusion ; and submit all cases 
 of doubt to the N. G. for decision. 
 
 WORTHY CONDUCTOR: You will receive candidates 
 for initiation in the ante-room give the charge accord- 
 ing to your office, and assist the Worthy Warden while 
 in the Lodge. 
 
 WORTHY INSIDE GUARDIAN : Prove every brother, 
 before you admit him, according to the regulations of 
 our Order see that he is in proper regalia report 
 his name to the N. G. (or, when the door is in charge 
 of the V. G., to that officer) and let no one pass out, 
 or return, without the V. G.'s pass-word of the night. 
 
 WORTHY R. H. SUPPORTER OF THE N. G. : It is 
 
 your duty to open and close the Lodge in due form 
 
OF INSTALLATIONS. 371 
 
 fco advise with the N. G., and to take his seat during a 
 temporary absence. 
 
 WORTHY L. H. SUPPORTER OF THE N. G. : It is 
 your duty to see that every brother who enters the 
 room is in proper regalia, and makes his address to the 
 chair. 
 
 WORTHY R. AND L. SUPPORTERS OF THE V. G. : 
 The duties of your stations require you to support the 
 L. Supporter of the N. G. in the duty of his office. 
 The R. Supporter will take the seat of the V. G. dur- 
 ing a temporary absence. 
 
 WORTHY R. AND L. SC^ENE SUPPORTERS: You 
 will assist at initiations according to your offices. 
 
 After an Address (if any) l>y the G Master: 
 
 G. Master. And now, R. W. Grand Marshal, proclaim 
 the installation completed. 
 
 G. Marshal. And now, by command of the M. W. 
 G. Master, and in the name and by the authority of the 
 R. W. G. Lodge of - -, of the I. O. O. F., I do 
 
 declare the officers of Lodge, No. , installed 
 
 into their respective offices for the current term in 
 ["Ample" or "Regular"] form.* 
 
 When about, to retire, the installing officers will notify the N. G , the 
 Lodge will rise, and the G. L. retire in procession, preceded by the G. 
 Marshal, the G. Master bringing up the rear. 
 
 * If by a Grand Master, " Ample Form ; " if by a Deputy G. M. 
 or D. D. G. Master, "Regular Form; " if by a P. G. Officer or a 
 P. G., "Form." 
 
372 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FORM OF DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FELLOWS' CEMETERY 
 OR BURIAL-LOT.* 
 
 The brethren having assembled in some appropriate place in the 
 vicinity of the Cemetery, a procession will be formed m due order, 
 and proceed to the place selected for the ceremony, passing around 
 the ground three times, if the situation permits. The Officers 
 will take their station upon a raised platform. 
 
 Gr. M. IT is not necessary that I should remind any 
 good and faithful Odd-Fellow that the great primal 
 command of our Order is fourfold, and includes four 
 principal heads of duty. Equal in prominence and 
 binding force to any of the others, is the solemn injunction 
 to "bury the dead/' In order to understand why the 
 founders of our Brotherhood insisted so strongly upon 
 this important duty, we must recur to the fact that it 
 had its origin among a poor and oppressed population, 
 where the hard struggle of a brave and virtuous life too 
 often ended in an unpitied death and a pauper's grave. 
 Therefore it was that when men first bound themselves 
 together in mutual helpfulness, under the then singular 
 name of Odd-Fellows, they entered into a solemn cove- 
 nant to provide each member and his wife, at their 
 death, with the means of decent Christian sepulture. 
 To the praise of our Order, this duty has never been 
 
 * This form is framed for the use of a Grand Lodge or its Officers. 
 It may be used, however, by a D. D. G. M., or by the N. G. of a 
 Lodge, when circumstances prevent the attendance of the Grand 
 Officers. 
 
DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FELLOWS' CEMETERY. 373 
 
 neglected. Large sums are annually expended in its 
 due performance. Not only has want been relieved, 
 sickness alleviated, and the eyes of the dying closed in 
 peace by friendly hands, but the care of the brethren 
 has followed on to the place of sepulture, and a crowd 
 of sympathizing friends has stood around the humble 
 open grave. Not only has the sufferer, fallen faint by 
 the wayside, been lifted up and ministered unto with 
 kindliest offices, but men have often been made to 
 wonder on seeing a band of mourning brethren follow 
 to the tomb a stranger, unknown to any in their neigh- 
 borhood except in the bonds of our mystic tie. This is 
 as it should be, and as I trust it ever will be. The 
 comparative easiness of condition of the brethren in our 
 more favored land, does not lighten one jot the obliga- 
 tion of this duty. In the great and just equality of our 
 Order, the same provision is made for all, and to all 
 must it be promptly and without stint extended. 
 
 But the closeness with which we are drawn together 
 in life in the bonds of our brotherhood, has created also 
 a desire that there should be provided for our mortal 
 remains a common resting-place, where we may lie 
 down together to await the solemn summons of the 
 Great Day, and where the poor and needy as well as the 
 stranger may repose among brethren, and no longer be 
 thrust out as unclean things. Apart from the con- 
 sideration of economy in obtaining a cheap and beau- 
 tiful place of burial, (while the great cost of interment, 
 especially in cities and large towns, renders it otherwise 
 an onerous tax upon the survivors,) there is a justness 
 arid propriety in this arrangement, which commends it 
 to the heart of every sincere brother. Already, in 
 contemplating our fraternity, men have been made to 
 say, as they did of the early Christians, " Behold how 
 32 
 
374 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 these love one another !" Let them also be made to 
 8ay as David did of Saul and Jonathan, " In life they 
 were joined together, in death they are not divided !" 
 
 And now, brethren, we are met to dedicate to its 
 sacred uses this city of the dead, this " God's-acre," 
 as our thoughtful ancestors fitly named it. Remember 
 that this dedication is no unmeaning rite. It means 
 that this ground is solemnly set apart, in covenant with 
 God and man, to its holy purposes, never to be diverted 
 to any other until the last trumpet shall sound and the 
 dead shall arise incorruptible. To the attainment of 
 which end let us now unite in supplicating the Divine 
 blessing. 
 
 Gr. 0. Be with us, God, in the solemn services of 
 this day. Compose our thoughts into the solemn sober- 
 ness that befits the occasion. Purify our hearts, elevate 
 our desires, and make us fit for Thy service. Bless, we 
 beseech Thee, the work in which we are engaged, and 
 give us strength to keep in faithfulness forever the 
 obligations we now assume. Amen. 
 
 Gr. M. The brethren will be attentive while our R. W. 
 D. G. M. dedicates this ground, with solemn ceremonies, 
 to the uses of our beloved Order. 
 
 D. Gr. M. (Before whom there is placed a shovel or 
 other implement, filled with fresh earth.) In the name 
 of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the I. 0. of 0. F. of 
 
 , and by authority of the M. W. G. M. of the 
 
 same, I hereby solemnly dedicate and set apart this 
 ground to the burial of all good Odd-Fellows, their 
 families and friends, and to no other purpose whatever, 
 while the world stands ; so that here their remains may 
 rest in undisturbed security until the last great day, 
 and that here we may come, amid the gentle stillness of 
 nature, to mourn over the loved and lost whom we have 
 
DEDICATION OF AN ODD-FELLOWS* CEMETERY. 375 
 
 deposited in the silent tomb, (strewing the earth,) "earth 
 to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust !" 
 
 Gr. M. Yet not to sorrow as those that are without 
 hope ! For we know that our Redeemer liveth, and 
 that though worms destroy this body, yet in our flesh 
 shall we see God. Let us feel, my brethren, that death 
 is but the gate to a better life, and that over the resting- 
 place of the departed dwells ever the bright halo of the 
 hope of a glorious resurrection. Hence it is that we 
 thus strew above the place of tombs and in the graves 
 of our loved ones, these emblems of undying life, 
 (strewing evergreens ;) for we know that they are but 
 sleeping here urtil the voice of the Maker and Master 
 of all shall call them to Himself in the day that He 
 makes up His jewels, and proclaims that time and its 
 griefs shall be no more. 
 
 The brethren will unite in singing Ode, page 390. 
 
 G. C. Be with us, we beseech Thee, God, our Hea- 
 venly Father, in the exercises of this solemn occasion. 
 Fill our hearts with that deep faith in Thy holy Word, 
 which shall enable us to see, beyond the night of the 
 grave, the portals of a diviner day. Strengthen the 
 hands of those who have prepared this place of rest for 
 the dead, and enable them to keep it sacred to that 
 purpose and to Thee. Let Thy Spirit descend like dews 
 of consolation upon the hearts of all who shall here 
 resort as mourners, and make them to feel that this is 
 indeed holy ground. Comfort the afflicted, bind up the 
 broken hearts, lift up the bowed down, and give to the 
 bruised souls the oil of joy for mourning, and the gar- 
 ment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. From this 
 place let the glad testimony rise, from many a bleeding 
 heart, that Thou art truly the widow's God, and tho 
 
376 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 Father of the fatherless. Help us, we beseech Thee, to 
 labor faithfully in the great work of Benevolence and 
 Charity. Bless our beloved Order with an everlasting 
 benediction, and make all its works to praise Thee. 
 And finally receive us to Thyself in glory, so that unto 
 Thee we may ascribe glory and dominion, world without 
 end. Amen. 
 
 Gr. M. The natural man instinctively shrinks from the 
 contemplation of the silent tomb. It is to him a sight 
 of fear and a source of terror. The warm life-blood at 
 his heart is chilled by the very thought of its gloom. To 
 such the habitation of the dead must be a repulsive place, 
 fit only for sounds of wo. But to him to whom death has 
 no longer a sting, and over whom the grave can have no 
 victory ; to him whose fears are swallowed up and lost in 
 the glorious assurance of a blessed resurrection and happy 
 immortality, it presents a different aspect. No longer 
 must its precincts be doleful with the wailings of sorrow, 
 or its soil be abandoned to the thistle and thorn. We 
 plant flowers upon the graves of our loved ones ; we cast 
 over them the cool shadow of pleasant trees ; we place 
 them amid the gentle scenes of bounteous nature, and from 
 them rise ever the voice of prayer and the song of grate- 
 ful praise. We have learned to look upon the solemn 
 end of all without terror, as we see one after another 
 entering the dark valley, leaning, in unbroken confidence, 
 on the precious promises of Him who cannot lie. There- 
 fore it is that we rightly make our burial-place a beau 
 tiful and attractive spot. This you have already done, 
 my brethren, and I commend you for it. Continue in 
 the good work, maintain in ever-increasing beauty this 
 consecrated place, and the hearts of generations yet un- 
 born will bless you for the kindly labor. 
 
 The audience will be dismissed with benediction by G. O. 
 
FUNERAL CEREMONY. 377 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FUNERAL PROCESSION AND SERVICE, 
 
 AS ORDERED BY O. L. U. 8. AT ITS SESSION IN 1866. 
 
 1. THE regalia directed to be worn at funerals con- 
 sists of "a black crape rosette, having a centre of the 
 color of the highest degree to which the wearer may 
 have attained, to be worn on the left breast ; x above it a 
 sprig of evergreen, and below it (if the wearer be an 
 elective or past officer) the jewel or jewels which as 
 such he may be entitled to wear." 
 
 2. The ordinary mourning-badge to be worn by bro- 
 thers in memory of a deceased brother, is " a strip of 
 black crape passed through one button-hole only of the 
 left lapel of the coat, and tied with a narrow ribbon of 
 the color of the highest degree to which the wearer may 
 have attained." " The several State Grand Lodges and 
 Grand Encampments may, at their discretion, permit 
 the usual regalia of the Order to be worn at funerals, 
 either in connection with, or as a substitute for the 
 simple regalia above described." We respectfully hope 
 that none but the "simple regalia" will ever be used 
 on funeral occasions. 
 
 3. " If, at the time of his death, the deceased brother 
 was a member of an Encampment, the Encampment 
 may attend the funeral in a body, in order similar to 
 
 32* 
 
378 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 dial prescribed for Lodges, and shall take the position 
 in line designated as No. (6); but in all cases the fune- 
 ral ceremonies shall be conducted by the subordinate 
 Lodge, except that if the brother was a past or present 
 elective officer of a Grand Lodge or Grand Encamp- 
 ment, then the ceremonies may be conducted by such 
 Grand Lodge or Grand Encampment." 
 
 4. " The order of procedure at the funeral of a de- 
 ceased brother, shall be as follows:" (See Journal G. 
 L. U. 8. for 1866, p. 3960.) 
 
 " At the appointed hour, the subordinate Lodge of 
 which such brother was a member, shall meet at its 
 Lodge-room, and the N. G., or in his absence the V. G., 
 or in the absence of both, the senior P. G. present, shall 
 appoint a Marshal and such number of Assistant Mar- 
 shals as may be required ; the Lodge shall then pass in 
 procession from the Lodge-room to the place from which 
 the funeral may have been appointed to start, in the 
 following order : 
 
 "(1.) The Marshal, wearing a black scarf, and bear- 
 ing a baton bound with black crape. 
 
 " (2.) The Outside Guardian, bearing a red staff, in 
 like mourning. 
 
 " (3.) The Scene Supporters, bearing white wands in 
 like mourning. 
 
 " (4.) Members of the Initiatory degree, in order of 
 juniority, two abreast. 
 
 "(5.) Members of the White, Pink, Royal Blue, and 
 Scarlet degrees, respectively, in like order. 
 
 " (6.) Members of the Lodge having the Patriarchal, 
 Golden Rule, and Royal Purple degrees, respectively, 
 in like order. 
 
 "(7.) The Past Grands of the Lodge, in order of 
 juniority. 
 
 " (8.) The Inside Guardian, bearing the regalia and 
 insignia indicative of the rank in the Order of the de- 
 ceased brother. 
 
FUNERAL CEKEMONY. 379 
 
 " (9.) The Treasurer, Assistant, Permanent or Finan- 
 cial Secretary or Secretaries, and the Secretary of the 
 Lodge. 
 
 " (10.) The Vice Grand, supported by his R. and L. 
 Supporters, each bearing his wand of office, bound with 
 a band of black crape. 
 
 " (11.) The Chaplain, wearing a white scarf, and sup- 
 ported by the Warden and Conductor, each bearing his 
 staff of office in like mourning. 
 
 " (12.) The Noble Grand, supported by his R. and 
 L. Supporters, each bearing his wand of office in like 
 mourning. 
 
 " (13.) Invited brethren will take places with the 
 members of the Lodge, according to their rank. The 
 Lodges, when more than one attend, shall be arranged 
 in order of juniority, preceding the Lodge conducting 
 the ceremonies." 
 
 5. " On arriving at the place appointed for the start- 
 ing of the funeral, the brothers shall take position in 
 the above order, immediately before the corpse, and 
 shall precede it to the place of interment." 
 
 6. " On arriving at the place of interment, the brothers 
 shall open to the right and left, and allow the corpse, 
 mourners, &c. to pass through, the brothers on either 
 side standing uncovered, the hat held in the left hand 
 of each, and joining hands with each other. And after 
 the passing of the corpse, mourners, &c. between the 
 two lines, the brothers shall re-form in procession after 
 them in reversed order, and close the procession into 
 and within the place of interment." 
 
 7. " After the performance of such religious service as 
 the friends of the deceased may cause to be there per- 
 formed, and before the final closing of the grave, the 
 brothers shall form silently, and as nearly as may be 
 
380 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 according to the order above set forth, uncovered, the 
 hat in the left hand of each, and joining hands with 
 each other, in one or more circles, as regular as the 
 nature of the ground may admit, around the grave ; 
 when the Chaplain, or in default of a Chaplain, the 
 N. G. may address the brothers, and offer up a prayer, 
 or may address the brothers without the offering of a 
 prayer ; and after such address or prayer, or both, or 
 if there be no address or prayer, then after a pause 
 suited to the solemnity of the occasion, the N. G. shall 
 advance singly to the head of the grave, and cast into 
 it with the right hand the sprig of evergreen from his 
 regalia, and shall return to his place; whereupon the 
 brothers from left to right in regular succession, and in 
 such numbers at a time as not to cause confusion, shall 
 advance to the grave, shall cast into it (each with the 
 right hand) the sprig of evergreen from their regalia, 
 and shall return to their places. And after att have 
 done this, and the grave shall have been filled up or 
 closed, the brothers shall silently re-form into procession 
 according to the order observed in coming to the place 
 of interment, and shall return in such order to the 
 Lodge-room, where the N. G. shall declare the funeral 
 ceremonies to be closed." 
 
 8. The following Address and Prayer are to be used, 
 if any. It is optional with the Lodge whether to use 
 them or not, but no others can lawfully be substituted. 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 We are assembled, my brethren, to render the last 
 office which the living may minister to the dead. 
 
 Man is born to die. The coffin, the grave, the se- 
 pulchre, speak to us in language that cannot be misun- 
 derstood, however unheeded it may be, of " man's latter 
 
FUNERAL CEREMONY. 381 
 
 end." Youth in its harmlessness and comparative 
 innoeency, and manhood with its wonted vigor and pride 
 of strength are not more exempt than decrepit and 
 tottering age from the fixed law of being, which dedi- 
 cates all that is mortal to decay and death. 
 
 This truth is inscribed in the great volume of nature 
 upon its every page. The beautiful and the sublime 
 which the handiwork of the Creator displays on our 
 every side, fearfully associate the unerring certainty of 
 the end of all things with the vividness of the moral 
 which they are ever suggesting to the contemplative mind. 
 
 Day after day, we are called upon to follow our 
 fellow-creatures to that bourne whence no traveller 
 returns ; but from the house of mourning we go forth 
 again to mingle in the crowded world, heedless perhaps 
 of the precarious tenure of life and the certainty of that 
 end to which all flesh is rapidly tending. He who gives 
 the vigor of body, without warning paralyzes the stout 
 heart, and strikes down the athletic frame : the living 
 of to-day become the dead of the morrow. 
 
 Men appear upon and disappear from the stage of 
 life, as wave meets wave and parts upon the troubled 
 waters. "In the midst of life we are in death. "" He 
 whose lips now echo these tones of solemn warning, in 
 turn will be stilled in the cold and cheerless house of 
 the dead, and in the Providence of God none may 
 escape. 
 
 Let us then so far improve the lesson as to be pre- 
 pared for that change which leads to life eternal. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Our Father and our God, who art the Resurrection 
 and the Life ; in whom whosoever believeth shall live 
 though he die ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in 
 
382 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 thee shall not die hear, we beseech thee, the voice of 
 thy creatures here assembled, and turn not away from 
 our supplication?. 
 
 We humbly beseech thee, so to imbue us with a con- 
 viction of our entire helplessness and dependence upon 
 thee, that we may be brought to meditate upon the un- 
 certainty of life and the certainty of death. In the 
 dispensation of thy Providence, thou hast summoned 
 from among us our brother, and we, the surviving monu- 
 ments of thy mercy, are gathered together to commit 
 his remains to the earth. Give, God, we beseech 
 thee, thy Holy Spirit to us, whom thou hast spared ; 
 increase our knowledge, and confirm our faith in thee, 
 forever. 
 
 [Bless and comfort, we pray thee, those whom it has 
 pleased thee to add to the number of the disconsolate ; 
 buoy them up under this heavy stroke, sustain them 
 against despondency. Oh ! wilt thou be their Father 
 and their God, and pour down from on high thy bless- 
 ings upon their heads.] Bless, Heavenly Father, 
 the brethren here assembled ; imbue them with the 
 wisdom of thy laws, and draw them unto thee by the 
 cords of thy inestimable love ; impress them with their 
 duty to each other as brethren, and their obligations 
 in the various relations of human life ; and finally, bless 
 our beloved Order throughout the globe. Preserve its 
 principles and its purposes from innovation ; sustain it 
 from the shafts of enmity, protect it from self-immola- 
 tion, and shield it from all evil, and unto thee we shall 
 render the praise, forever." Amen. 
 
 Here, before (or while) depositing THE SPRIG, the Choir may sing any 
 Funeral Ode in Appendix A. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 anft (Dfos. 
 
 No. I. DEDICATION ODE. 
 
 CEPHAS. 
 
 BY A. B. QROSH. 
 
 
 1. " IN GOD WE TRUST!" was sweetly sung By every " Morning Star" on high "In 
 
 
 2. " IN GOD WE TRUST!" the golden Sun And silver Moon yet seem to say; And 
 
 3. " In God we trust!" the builders said, And deep in earth they sunk the wall ; In 
 
 
 m=^-^^ i 
 
 9 
 
 '.trunt!" right gladly rung From " So us of God," in loud reply When out from 
 
 
 million Stars, that round them burn. Repeat the anthem night and day, And still our 
 
 /Tope the corner-stone was laid, And raised the ImMdingover all. No ac-ci- 
 
 
384 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 cha - os systems rolled, / nd earth, wrapped 
 
 From darkness, light, in rosy y outli, in her clouds of 
 
 earth from hill and vale, Where loot doth tread, 
 
 From all that live, and breathe, and move, or waves a 
 
 dent has marred our trust Complete our Hall, 
 
 No loss of life drawn forth regret it is but 
 
 S S S N S . 
 
 gold, A - woke to " FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and TRUTH." 
 
 sail Re -spondswith "Friendship, Truth, and Love." 
 
 just That it to TBBB we ded - i - cate. 
 
 4. Here may we with FIDELITY 
 
 111 l'('VK\ANT,.I I/.VI. n-iii'Vr, 
 
 And FRIENDSHIP with KKMEMURANCE be, 
 Till TufTH her sovereign power give. 
 
 May HOSPITALITY here reign 
 VVith TULKKATION'S kiudly love, 
 
 And FAITH enrh pilirriin soul sustain, 
 Until we reach Thy TENT, above. 
 
 6. " In Thee we trust !" ami thus to THEE 
 
 \V"e offer all for all is thine! 
 That Thy co-workers we may be 
 
 On earth, in word and work divine. 
 When brethren want, or death lays low 
 
 When orphans cry in helpless youth 
 When widows weep in cheerless wo 
 
 Oh, grant us "FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and TRUTH P 
 
APPENDIX A. SONGS AND ODES. 
 
 385 
 
 No. II. CLOSING ODE AT DEDICATION. 
 
 BY A. B. GROSH. 
 
 MIRIAM'S SONG. 
 
 tr 
 
 1. Sound the glad chorus! Let praises a - ria 
 i Air SOLO. Animate. 
 
 In works of our Or-der, to 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 9-.- 
 
 w 
 
 God in the skies. Sound the glad chorus! Let praises a - rise, In 
 
 Truth is its sword. Welcome, Odd-Fellowship! Praise to the Lord ! His 
 
 
 VV 
 
 
 
 -r 
 
 9 I * 
 
 works of our Or-der, To God in the skies. Sing! for the light of His 
 
 f' F 
 
 3=FF 
 
 love is its buckler, His Truth is its sword. Brethren raised up from de- 
 
 -* *- 
 
 
 38 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 T&-JI- 
 
386 
 
 THE ODD-FELLOW S MANUAL. 
 
 I ft is N * N h 
 -J J^.l I J 
 
 truth is ad - vancing, And darkness and suff'ring are flee - ing a -way; His 
 
 m 7-7- m m Y~^ =:L V * *l IS m - ?~ 
 
 f 1 -^ r b'TT" L ~^ ! i * f L r~M 
 
 \J * 1J * ^ * rj 1J iJ r ]J LJ 
 
 r wr r^ 
 
 spair, are its sto-ry, And orphan's pro -tect-ed, its jew - el --ry bright; The 
 
 ^ K )\ T 
 
 rphan' 
 
 r^ 
 
 I 1 L-: L7 L. 
 
 *-!-*-^l 
 
 
 ^T 0- 
 
 -^-j'l j'j; f . 
 
 love, in its warmth, human souls is en-trancing. And Friendship, on earth, is as- 
 
 ^ 
 
 P b b 
 
 tears of the widow from gloom turned to glo- ry, Like the bow on a cloud grow 
 
 ^yrfOT^ 
 
 7 r nr 
 
 T-H-f* r 
 
 sert - ing its sway. 
 
 ,s..und tlie glad ch<>-ru>! l.t 
 
 ^- r * r *=fo 
 
 ^=b i. ^ = J 
 
 ^ 
 
 i ^ 
 
 bright in its light. 
 
 1 
 
 Sound the glad cho - rus ! Let 
 
 F^-'-h^^^^fft^S^g^a 
 
APPENDIX A.- -SONGS AND ODES. 
 
 387 
 
 praises a - rise, In works of our Or-der, to God in the skies. 
 
 praises as - cend To God, in the work of the heart and the hand. 
 
 y v 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 S 
 
 V V 
 
 
 jj <> j^mztmjji 
 
 Sound the glad chorus ! Let praises a - rise, In works of our Order, to 
 
 JL_U_P i r r -v- 
 
 -j H-f-h M ! i ^ Tr 
 
 -V 
 
 Sound the glad chorus! Let praises as -cend To God, in the work of the 
 
 r r 
 
 V V 
 
 3=* 
 
 God in the skies. To God in the skies, To God in the skies. 
 
 I s . K K K I h. K t. s ^ r- 
 
 l p _p - . n i p n r\ i 
 
 J ^[ J J J-J J [ J J j J 7 ft 
 
 heart and the hand. The heart and the hand, The heart and the hand. 
 
388 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 DEDICATION ODE. 
 
 BY REV. A. C. THOMAS. 
 
 AIR " Bannockburn" 
 
 Trickling far among the hills, 
 Tinkling in the cheerful rills, 
 Flowing till the sea it fills 
 
 Water t evermore! 
 
 FRIENDSHIP void of worldly art, 
 Baptism of the faithful heart, 
 To our souls thy grace impart 
 
 Blessed evermore! 
 
 Bursting in the early Spring, 
 Beauty to the earth to bring 
 Fragrance all abroad to fling 
 
 Flowers forevermore. 
 LOVE that in the blossom glows, 
 Breathing in each -ind that blows, 
 Ours be lily* and UK rose,f 
 
 Blessed evermore! 
 
 Buried 'neath the wintry sheen, 
 Springing, clothed in living green, 
 Golden in the harvest-scene, 
 
 Wheat forevermore! 
 TRUTH of heaven's own glory born, 
 'Reft of thee, how sad, forlorn ! 
 Welcome waving, vital corn, 
 
 TRUTH forevermore! 
 
 Thus in Water, Flowers, and Wheat, 
 FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and TRUTH repeat, 
 All the virtues here we greet, 
 
 Banded evermore: 
 Vet in CHARITY shall men 
 Sound the noblest praise again, 
 Ana the angels shout AMEN, 
 
 Blessed evermore. 
 
 Purity. f Affection 
 
APPENDIX A. SONGS AND ODES. 389 
 
 ODE. LAYING A CORNER-STONE. 7s. M. 
 
 BY MRS. FIDELIA W. GILLETT. 
 
 Gather'd now, from far and near, 
 
 On this sacred spot we stand, 
 Bound by everlasting Truth, 
 
 Heart to heart, and hand to hand, 
 Lay we here this Corner-stone 
 
 Of a Temple yet to be, 
 In the spirit of that Love 
 
 That, our God, binds all to Thee. 
 
 May we build, as we have laid, 
 
 Fair, and strong, and firm, and sure 
 Stone on stone, and arch on arch 
 
 Wildest storms 't will then endure ; 
 Like the Temple Friendship rears 
 
 In each faithful brother's heart, 
 Where the needy and the poor 
 
 Have a shelter and a part. 
 
 LAYING A CORNER-STONE. C. M. 
 
 BY REV. D. K. LEE, D. D 
 
 LORD, we praise Thee for Thy grace, 
 
 And thank Thee for Thy love, 
 And pray the glory of Thy face 
 
 May shine down from above ! 
 
 In FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and TRUTH, we join 
 
 A band of brothers here, 
 For works we pray Thou 'It make divine, 
 
 And bless through many a year. 
 
 This CORNER-STONE our weak hands lay 
 
 A Temple here to build; 
 And may it rise complete, we pray, 
 
 And with Thy light be filled. 
 
 [We pour libations on this stone, 
 
 And may Thy dews descend ! 
 These Flowers are strewn our love to own, 
 
 This Wheat for Truth we lend.] 
 
 May Friendship bright our Temple grace, 
 
 And Love its fountain be, 
 And Truth spring up, and crown the place, 
 
 With honors all from Thee. 
 
90 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 ODE AT LAYING A CORNER-STONE. 
 
 Deep in the quarries of the stone, 
 
 Amid vast heaps of other rock; 
 In darkness hid, to art unknown. 
 
 We found this rude and shapeless block, 
 Now shaped by art, its roughness gone, 
 
 And fit this noble work to grace, 
 We lay it here, a corner-stone, 
 
 Chosen and sure, in proper place. 
 
 Within this stone there lies conceal'd 
 
 What future ages may disclose, 
 The sacred truths to us reveal'd 
 
 By Him who fell by ruthless foes. 
 On Him, this corner-stone we build, 
 
 To Him, this edifice erect; 
 And still, until this work's fulfilled, 
 
 May Heaven the workman's ways direct. 
 
 DEDICATION OF A CEMETERY. L. M. 
 
 BY A. B. GROSH. 
 
 Our Father, from on high look down, 
 And sanctify Thine "Acre" here; 
 
 Bid guardian angels flock around, 
 And spirit-brethren, too, draw near ! 
 
 Here may our unforgotten dead 
 
 Repose in sleep Thy love has given,* 
 
 And mourning groups be comforted, 
 Submissive to the will of Heaven. 
 
 May nature's sighs, at Thy command, 
 
 Here spread the bloom of Hope and Love; 
 
 And evergreens, like Faith's own hand, 
 Point fond affection's eyes above 
 
 Above the frequent darkling tears 
 That dim our mortal eyes on earth, 
 
 To where Thy promise-bow appears, 
 Bright presage of a higher-birth. 
 
 " For ^o He giveth His beloved sleep." Psalm cxxrii. 2. 
 
APPENDIX A. SONGS AND ODES. 391 
 
 FUNERAL ODE. 
 
 BY REV. A. C. THOMAS. 
 
 AlR Zeuner's "Missionary Chant." 
 
 In earth's cold heart, unsealed afresh, 
 We lay our brother low and lone ; 
 
 And what he was, while veiled in flesh, 
 Shall yet be told in sculptured stone. 
 
 Told it has been, and long shall be 
 Within our Temple's mystic walls; 
 
 For Friendship, Love, and Truth decree 
 His Legend in our honored Halls. 
 
 The hour shall pass, baptized in woe. 
 
 Which now lifts up its mournful cry. 
 And joy shall come with memory's glow 
 
 Of one whose record is on high. 
 
 Then hail all hail, redeemed from dust 
 The soul that now on earth is dumb, 
 
 And welcome, while "in God we trust," 
 The rapture of the life to come ! 
 
 REBEKAH AT THE WELL. 
 
 BY REV. A. C. THOMAS. 
 
 AIR " Of a 1 the airts the wind can blaw." * 
 
 The sick and lone, the sore distressed, 
 
 The dying, clad in gloom, 
 The weary, whose appointed rest, 
 
 Seems only in the tomb, 
 Have heard a voice of thrilling tone 
 
 With feelings none may tell, 
 And hope and help have sweetly shown 
 
 Rebekah at the Well. 
 
 Not in a cistern, in whose hush 
 
 No type of health we know, 
 But in a Fount, whose waters gush 
 
 From living depths below, 
 
 * Or any other suitable air of 8 and 6s. Metre. 
 
392 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 She fills her pitcher, made of clay, 
 Transformed to crystal bowls, 
 
 And brings refreshing draughts away 
 For sinking, fainting souls. 
 
 With spirit born of Heaven above 
 
 And open face unveiled, 
 Her ministry of patient love 
 
 Shall everywhere be hailed ; 
 And battle-chiefs the knee shall bow, 
 
 Nor longer scoff nor frown, 
 When viewing on her pitying brow 
 
 The radiant Cross and Crown. 
 
 In nightly-watch and orphan-ward 
 
 She writes her blessed creed ; 
 The shroud and coffin oft record 
 
 Her sympathetic deed : 
 And victor-palm and snow-white robe 
 
 Her triumph yet shall swell, 
 And celebrate, o'er all the globe, 
 
 Rebekah at the Well. 
 
 DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 8 & Is. M. 
 
 BY REV. D. K. LEE, D. D. 
 
 *'Mau is the glory of the Lord, 
 
 And Woman is man's glory" 
 Said one who spoke the heavenly word, 
 
 And told a heavenly story. 
 The glory of His glory, then 
 
 Most holy while most human 
 The crowning light of God and men, 
 
 The fairest life, is WOMAN. 
 
 Woman is Heaven's warm heart below, 
 
 This glory we accord her ; 
 To her with honors bright shall go 
 
 The welcomes of our Order. 
 While Woman found a bolted door 
 
 At Athens, Rome, and Mecca, 
 Our Temple gates unbar before 
 
 The Daughters of Rebekah. 
 
APPENDIX A. SONGS AND ODES. '393 
 
 Their smiles shall make our darkness bright, 
 
 Iheir virtues shall defend us 
 When evils lie in wait to smite, 
 
 And sinful powers to rend us. 
 Our Lodge, around, their hearts shall hold, 
 
 And ring their cheers and chidings, 
 As Aaron's robe with bells of gold 
 
 Rang out the heavenly tidings. 
 
 Their prayers shall bring sweet blessings down; 
 
 Their hymns sound our thanksgiving ; 
 Their hands our works of mercy crown, 
 
 Their lives exalt our living. 
 God, bless woman with Thy love 
 
 With fairest honors deck her, 
 And clothe with beauty from above 
 
 The Daughters of Rebekah ! 
 
 SONG. THE RAINBOW. 
 
 BY MRS. S. J. HALE. 
 
 beautiful Rainbow, all woven with light, 
 There's not in thy tissue one shadow of night! 
 
 It seems as heaven open'd when thou dost appear, 
 As if a light vision of angels drew near, 
 And sung "The Rainbow! The Rainbow! 
 God's smile is here ! " 
 
 1 think, as I'm gazing thy colors to mark, 
 How, over the mountain, where rested the Ark, 
 Those saved from the deluge, with wond'ring eye, 
 Beheld the first Rainbow burst over the sky 
 
 And sung "The Rainbow," &c. 
 
 And thousands of ages have flourished and fled, 
 Since on the first Rainbow God's promise was read; 
 Man dies, and earth changes ; but still doth endure 
 7 hat signet of mercy, fresh, lovely, and pure. 
 Then sing "The Rainbow," &c. 
 
394 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL* 
 
 FUNERAL ODE. 
 
 nr REV. BB. J. G. FORMAN. 
 
 AIR PleyeVs Hymn. 
 Brother, to thy grave we come, 
 At the beat of muffled drum ; 
 Hearts with silent grief opprest, 
 Bear thee to thy home of rest. 
 
 Voices from the sighing breeze, 
 From the woods and leafy trees, 
 And the faded Autumn leaf, 
 Will remind us of our grief. 
 
 Though in the Grand Lodge above, 
 We remember thee in love; 
 Yet our Lodge has lost thee here 
 'T is for this we shed the tear. 
 
 In the earth we lay thee low, 
 Yet upon thy grave shall grow 
 Evergreens, like these we bring, 
 As our last, sad offering. 
 
 FUNERAL HYMN. L. M. 
 
 BY REV. D. K. LEE, D. D. 
 
 0, Brothers, travelling hand in hand! 
 
 On life's long road again we pause, 
 And here in grief and mourning stand, 
 
 As one more from our ranks withdraws. 
 
 With us he shared the pains and joys 
 That rise along our pleasant way 
 
 The labor which our strength employs 
 The toil and guerdon of the day 
 
 And now he quits our weary train 
 
 And marches o'er the heavenly heights; 
 
 But we shall walk with him again, 
 And share his rest and his delights. 
 
 God, comfort us our brothers bless, 
 
 While this dear friend Thy love receives ; 
 
 Raise the sad mourner from distress, 
 And gladden every heart that grieves. 
 
APPENDIX A. SONGS AND ODES. 395 
 
 DISMISSION. 
 
 For the close of Social or Public Occasions. 
 BY A. B. GROSH. 
 
 AIR " Good night and joy be wi 1 ye a'." 
 
 " Depart in peace ! " ye favor'd few, 
 
 For night now calls us to repose: 
 In pleasant dreams may you renew 
 
 The joys that have our evening closed. 
 May Friendship's visions round you press, 
 
 And Love's, more tender, warm each heart, 
 To make refreshing, sweet, your rest 
 
 "Depart in peace! " dear friends, depart! 
 
 "Depart in peace ? " for knowledge here 
 
 Has shed abroad her radiant light, 
 The heart to warm the mind to cheer, 
 
 Through slumbers of the peaceful night. 
 And when to-morrow's sun shall rise, 
 
 Oh, be that Truth to practice given, 
 Till life shall end then hear the voice, 
 
 " Depart in peace, from earth to heaven!" 
 
 FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH. 
 
 BY JAMES MONTGOMERY. 
 [N. B. This is the earliest Odd-Fellow's Song known as such. 
 
 When Friendship, Love, and Truth abound, 
 
 Among a band of brothers, 
 The cup of joy goes gayly round, 
 
 Each shares the bliss of others : 
 Sweet roses grace the thorny way 
 
 Along this vale of sorrow; 
 The flowers that shed their leaves to-day 
 
 Shall bloom again to-morrow. 
 
 How grand in age, how fair in youth, 
 Are holy Friendship, Love, and Truth! 
 
 On halcyon wings our moments pass, 
 
 Life's cruel cares beguiling; 
 Old Time lays down his scythe and glass, 
 
 In gay good-humor smiling ; 
 
396 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 With ermine beard and forelock gray, 
 His reverend front adorning, 
 
 He looks like Winter turned to May, 
 Night softening into Morning. 
 How grand in age, &c. 
 
 From these delightful fountains flow 
 
 Ambrosial rills of pleasure ; 
 Can man desire, can Heaven bestow 
 
 A more resplendent treasure ? 
 Adorn'd with gems so richly bright, 
 
 We '11 form a Constellation, 
 Where every Star with modest light 
 
 Shall gild his proper station. 
 How grand in age, &c. 
 
APPENDIX B. 
 
 BUSINESS FORMS. 
 
 No. 1. Application for Initiation and Membership in a Subordi 
 note Lodge. 
 
 [Reading, May 1st, 1849.] 
 To the Officers and Members of [Salome] Lodge, No. [1051 I. 0. 
 
 0. F. of [Pa.] 
 
 Gentlemen : Having conceived a favorable opinion of Odd- 
 Fellowship, and read a copy of your Constitution and By-Laws, 
 I ask to be initiated into the Order, and become a member of 
 your Lodge. 
 
 My residence is in [South Fifth street,] my age is [thirty-one] 
 years, and my occupation that of a [Carpenter.] If admitted, I 
 promise obedience to the usages and laws of the Order and of the 
 Lodge. 
 
 The Proposition Fee accompanies tnis. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, [ADAM SMITH.] 
 
 Proposed and recommended by [THOMAS JONES.] 
 
 The Proposition Fee [$3.00] received, and the Proposition re 
 ferred to 
 
 Brs. [JOHN JACOBS,] 
 fWM. DARE,] and 
 [SAML. JOHNSON.] 
 Attest: [WILLIAM WAKE,] Secretary. 
 
 No. 2. Report on Application. 
 
 To the N.G., V. G., Officers, and Members of [Salome] Lodge 
 
 No. [105,] I.O.O.F.of [Pa.] 
 
 Your Committee to whom was referred the application ot 
 [Adam Smith] for [state whether membership by card or initiation] 
 respectfully report, that we have performed the duty assigned us, 
 34 397 
 
398 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 and find the candidate [worthy or unworthy] and recommend that 
 he be [elected or rejected] accordingly. 
 
 [ If an applicant on Card, state the terms on which Tie is to be re- 
 ceived, if worthy.] 
 
 Respectfully yours, in F., L., and T., 
 
 [Signed by Committee.] 
 [Date.] 
 
 No. 3. Certificate for Degrees. 
 
 To [Berks County Degree Lodge, No. 8, I. 0. 0. F. of Pa., at 
 [Reading.] 
 
 This certifies that [Adam Smith] a member in good standing 
 in [Salome] Lodge, No. [105,] and properly qualified, having 
 been duly balloted for, was, this evening, elected to receive the 
 [First and Second] Degrees of the Order. You are therefore 
 nereby requested and authorized to confer the same on him, he 
 paying you the fees for so doing. 
 
 Witness the seal of the Lodge this [7th] day of [August, 1849.] 
 
 [Salome Lodge Seal.] [WILLIAM WAKE,] Secretary. 
 
 Fees received [50 cents,] and Certificate approved by [Degree 
 Lodge, No. 8,] August 10th, 1849. [JAMES LONG,] Scribe. 
 
 No. 4. Certificate of Standing and Grade in a Subordinate 
 Lodge.* 
 
 To all whom it may concern, this certifies that [Adam Smith] 
 is a member of the Fifth Degree, in good standing in [Salome] 
 Lodge, No. [105,] I. 0. 0. F. of [Pa.] 
 
 Witness the seal of our Lodge this [13th] day of [November, 
 1849.] [JOHN BROWN,] N.G. 
 
 [Seal of Salome Lodge.] 
 
 Attest: [WILLIAM WAKE,] Secretary. 
 
 No. 5. Application to be admitted into an Encampment. 
 
 [Reading, Nov. 14th, 1849.] 
 
 To the C. P., H. P., Officers and Members of [Hebron] Encamp- 
 ment, No. [8,] I. 0. 0. F. of [Pa.] 
 
 Brethren : Having read a copy of your Constitution and By- 
 Laws, I now solicit initiation into the Patriarchal Order, and 
 membership in your Encampment. The accompanying Certificate 
 will show my grade and standing in [Salome] Lodge. My resi- 
 dence is in [South Fifth street,] my age is [thirty-one] years, and 
 my occupation is that of a [Carpenter.] If admitted, I promise 
 
 * To accompiny No. 5, or for other purposes that are lawful and proper. 
 
APPENDIX B. BUSINESS FORMS. 399 
 
 to obey the laws of the Order and of the Encampment. Enclosed 
 
 I send the Proposition Fee. 
 Very respectfully, your Bro. in F., L., and T., 
 
 [ADAM SMITH.] 
 
 Proposed and recommended by [JOHN FRANKS.] 
 
 Proposition Fee [$4.00] received, and the Proposition referred to 
 
 Patriarchs 
 
 JAMES RICHARDS,] 
 
 'JAMES WILSON,] and 
 LEVI WOOD.] 
 [Nov. 16th, 1849.] [JOHN JAMES,] Scribe. 
 
 No. 6. Application for Benefits in Sickness. 
 
 [Lancaster, June 5th, 1850.] 
 To the N. G., V. G., Officers and Brethren of [Salome] Lodge, 
 
 No. [105,] I. 0. 0. F. of [Pa.] 
 
 Brethren : On the [10th] day of [May last,] (as formerly re- 
 ported to you,) I was prostrated by a severe illness, and disabled 
 from following my occupation until [Monday] last. I send the 
 certificate of my physician, and the statement of the N. G. of 
 Monterey Lodge of this city. I therefore claim benefits for 
 three weeks. If granted, please pay to my wife, whose receipt 
 will be as my own. 
 
 Fraternally yours, in F., L., andT., [ADAM SMITH.] 
 
 Physician's Certificate. 
 
 [Lancaster, June 4th, 1852.] 
 (Addressed as above.) 
 
 This certifies that I was called to visit Mr. [Adam Smith] pro- 
 fessionally, on the [10th] day of [May last,] and found him 
 prostrated by a [severe] attack of [bilious diarrhoea.] I have 
 attended him from that to the present time, and know that he 
 was unable to attend to his usual occupation before [yesterday.] 
 
 [JOHN FITCH,] M. D. 
 
 JV. Grand's Statement. 
 
 (Dated and addressed as above.) 
 
 Having visited Br. [Adam Smith] during his illness, [on the 
 18th, and again on the 25th of May last,] and being personally 
 acquainted with [Dr. Fitch] as a man ot honor and veracity, 1 
 have no doubt the above statements are correct, and that Br. 
 [Smith] is entitled to benefits for [three] weeks, so far as disa- 
 bility to labor constitutes such claim. 
 
 Fraternally, in F., L., and T., [JAMES LOGAN,] N. G. 
 
 [Seal of Monterey Lodge.] 
 
 Attest : [R. WEIDMAN,] Secretary. 
 
 N. B. Application for benefits to an Encampment is in the same form, 
 only changing address, <fec. Of course, if the By-Laws of the body applied 
 to, requires other or different proof from that given in form above, or if the 
 case itself requires other certificates, the applicant will make the requisite 
 changes. 
 
400 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 No. 7. Application for Admission by Card. 
 
 [Fort Plain, Nov. 10th, 1851.] 
 To the N. G., V. G., Officers and Brethren of [Montgomery] Lodge, 
 
 No. [164,] 1. 0. 0. F. of [Northern New York.] 
 Brethren : Herewith I present my Card of Withdrawal from 
 [Salome] Lodge, No. [105,] I. 0. 0. F. of [Pa.,] and respectfully 
 ask to be admitted a member of your Lodge by deposite of the 
 same. 
 
 Fraternally yours, in F., L., and T., [A. B. GROSH.] 
 
 Presented and recommended by [L. Fox.J 
 
 Referred to [3 brethren.] 
 [S. KELLER,] Secretary pro tern. 
 
 N. B. The application for admission by deposite of Card or Initiation 
 into an Encampment is the same, except the necessary change of address, 
 and name of the body addressed. 
 
 No. 8. Dispensation to confer Degrees. 
 
 I, Jonas Wright, D. D. G. Master for the District of Montgomery 
 in the State of New York, do hereby authorize and empower 
 Montgomery Lodge No. 164, of this jurisdiction, to confer the 
 five degrees of the Order on Aaron Bell, a member of said Lodge, 
 dispensing with any further time requisite to qualify him for re- 
 ceiving the same, such being the request of said Lodge, which 
 has paid for this dispensation. 
 
 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my seal of office, this 
 12th day of July, 1852. 
 
 [L. S.] JONAS WRIGHT. 
 
 No. 9. Petition for a Warrant of a Subordinate Lodge. 
 
 To the [Grand Sire, Officers, and Members] of the Grand Lodge 
 of [the United States.] 
 
 The Petition of the undersigned, holding Withdrawal Cards from 
 Lodges named opposite to our signatures respectively, and legally 
 recognized by your R. W. Body, respectfully represents, that it would 
 be consistent with the advantage of the Order, to establish a Sub- 
 ordinate Lodge, to be located at in the State of 
 
 Wherefore your Petitioners pray that a Warrant may duly issue 
 in pursuance of the Laws of your R. W. Body. 
 Dated at this day of . 
 
 No. 10. Petition for a Warrant of a Subordinate Encampment. 
 
 To the M. W. G. Master and Members of the Grand Lodge of [New 
 
 York.] 
 
 The Petition of the undersigned Patriarchs, holding Withdrawal 
 Cards, from the legal Encampments set opposite our names, [or in- 
 
A1PENDIX B. BUSINESS FOKMS. 401 
 
 structed in the Encampment Degrees, under commission of tl e Grand 
 Sire,] respectfully represents, that it would be consistent with the 
 advantage of the Order, to establish a Subordinate Encampment, 
 to be located at , in the State of 
 
 Wherefore, your Petitioners pray that a Warrant may duly issue 
 in pursuance of the Laws of the R. W. Body. 
 Dated at , this day of 
 
 No. 11. Visiting Card. 
 FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH. 
 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 
 To all whom it may concern: 
 
 This certifies, that , whose name is written on 
 
 the margin of this card, in his own proper handwriting, is a mem- 
 ber in good standing of No. held at 
 and working under a Charter duly granted by authority of the 
 Right Worthy Grand of the State o'f 
 That the Constitution and By-Laws of our allows for 
 weekly benefits the sum of dollars per week, and for 
 funeral benefits the sum of dollars ; and that Brother 
 is entitled to the said benefits from the date of 
 this card, and until the expiration of the same. 
 
 We therefore recommend him to your Friendship and Protection, 
 and admission into all regular of Odd-Fellows, for the 
 
 space of from the date, and no longer. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names and affixed 
 the Seal of our this day of in 
 
 the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
 [SEAL.] 
 
 No. 12. Withdrawal Card. 
 
 FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH. 
 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 
 
 To all whom it may concern: 
 
 This certifies, that our well-beloved Brother , 
 
 whose signature, written by himself, is properly situated on the 
 
 margin of this card, was regularly admitted a Member of our 
 
 by on the day of 18 and 
 
 has paid all demands against him up to this day, and is under 
 
 no charge whatever. We therefore recommend him to your 
 
 Friendship and Protection, and admission into any regular 
 
 of Odd-Fellows, to which he may apply within one 
 
 year from the date hereof. 
 
 This card is granted by No. which was duly 
 
 instituted at on the day of 18 
 
 by authority of the Right Worthy Grand of the State 
 
 of 
 
 In witness whereof, we subscribe hereto oui hands, and affix 
 the Seal of our this day of in the year 
 
 of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
 [SEAL.] 
 34* 
 
402 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 No. 1 3. Resignation of Membership. 
 
 [Marietta, Pa., June 3d, 1867.] 
 
 To the [N. G., V. G.,] Officers and [brethren] of [Donegal Lodge] 
 No. [129] I. 0. 0. F. of [Pennsylvania.] 
 
 BRETHREN I feel constrained to sever my connection with your 
 [Lodge] and the Order, and therefore tender this my resignation 
 of membership therein. I consider my pledge of honor as binding 
 out of the Order as in it. 
 
 Wishing you prosperity in every good word and work, I remain, 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 [HENBY HOME.] 
 
 No. 14. Certificate of Resignation. 
 
 [Donegal Lodge], No. [129], I. 0. 0. F., 
 June 9th, 1867. 
 
 We certify that Henry Home, being free from all charges in our 
 [Lodge] and Order, has resigned his membership in the same, and 
 said resignation has been duly accepted. He is therefore no longer 
 a member of our [Lodge] and Order. 
 
 In witness whereof we have hereunto set our names and the 
 seal of the Lodge at the date above written. 
 
 [SEAL.] [HORACE HONOR, N. G.] 
 
 Attest: [ROBERT RIGHT, Secretary.] 
 
 No. 15. Form of Card presented to Wife or Widow of an Odd-Fellow. 
 
 FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH. 
 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 
 
 To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : 
 
 This certifies, that , whose name is indorsed on the 
 
 margin of this Card, in her own proper handwriting, is the [wife] 
 of our well beloved Brother who (is) a member of Lodge No. 
 held at and working under authority of a Charter 
 
 duly granted by authority of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of 
 the . We therefore recommend her to your Friendship 
 
 and Protection wherever she may be, throughout the world, for 
 the space of and no longer. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names and affixed 
 the Seal of our Lodge, this day of in the 
 
 year 
 
 [L. s.] , N. G. 
 
 , V. G. 
 
 , Secretary. 
 
APPENDIX B. BUSINESS FORMS. 403 
 
 No. 16. Form of Card for a Daughter of Rebekah. 
 
 FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND TRUTH. 
 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 
 To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : 
 
 This certifies, that our well-beloved sister, , whose 
 
 name is indorsed on the margin of this card, in her own proper 
 handwriting, has been duly initiated in the degree of Daughter of 
 Rebekah, and is the [w(/e] of our Brother who 
 
 [is] a member of Lodge, No. , held at 
 
 and working under authority of a charter duly granted by authority 
 of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of . We therefore 
 
 recommend her to your friendship, aid and protection, wherever 
 she may be, throughout the world, for the space of and 
 
 no longer. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names and affixed 
 the seal of our Lodge, this day of in the year of our 
 
 Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
 [SEAL.] 
 
 , N. G. 
 
 , V. G. 
 
 Attest: , Secretary. 
 
 No. 17. Order for the Term P. W. 
 
 [Reading, Pa., January 3, 1868.] 
 
 To the [N. G.] of [Donegal Lodge, No. [129], I. 0. 0. F. of 
 [Pennsylvania.] Please communicate to Brother [C. C., P. G.], a 
 member in good standing in this [Lodge], the P. W. and E. of the 
 current Term, he being entitled to the same, and oblige 
 Yours, fraternally, in F., L., and T., 
 
 [WM. SMITH, N. G.] 
 [SEAL.] 
 Attest: [JACOB JONES, Secretary.] 
 
 No. 18. Order for the A. T. P. W. for a Member, or Daughter of 
 Rebekah 1 s A. P. W. 
 
 [Shenandoah Lodge, No. 95, I. 0. 0. F., of the State of New York. 
 Utica, July 1st, 1868.] 
 
 To the [Noble Grand] of any [Lodge] of the I. 0. 0. F. 
 The bearer [Brother, Patriarch, or Sister (as may be). Name as in 
 the card] holding a legal card from this [Lodge], dated the [first] 
 day of [July], eighteen hundred and [sixty-eight], for the period 
 of [six] months, is entitled to the [A. T. P. W., or A. P. W. of the 
 Deg. of R.] for the current year, which please communicate to 
 [him] after due examination whereupon you will retain or de- 
 stroy this letter. 
 
 [SEAL.] - , [N. G. or C. P.] 
 
 , [Sec. or Scribe.] 
 
 N. B. Have the card signed in your presence. 
 
 , [N. G. or C. P.] 
 
404 THE ODD-FELLOW'S MANUAL. 
 
 No. 19. Certificate for Past Official Degrees. 
 
 [Date.] 
 
 To the D. D. G. Master of [Oneida] District of I. 0. 0. F. of 
 [New York.] 
 
 This is to certify that Brother [James Grant] has lawfully and 
 faithfully served the required terms of office [as Secretary, as 
 Vice-Grand, and as Noble Grand] in [Oneida] Lodge, No. [70,] 
 I. 0. 0. F. of the State of [New York,] and is therefore entitled to 
 receive the Past Official Degrees of those several offices ; and you 
 are therefore respectfully requested to confer the same upon him 
 in proper form. 
 
 Fraternally yours in F., L., and T., 
 
 [JAMES BROWN, N. G.] 
 [SEAL.] 
 Attest: [SAMUEL SCRIBE, Secretary.] 
 
 No. 20. Certificate of Past Noble Grand. 
 
 To the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the State of [Pennsylvania], 
 I. 0. 0. F. 
 
 Lodge, No. . 
 
 This is to certify, that Bro. Past Grand is a 
 
 member in good standing in this Lodge that he has received the 
 First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Degrees that he has been 
 duly elected to, and has served in, the office of Noble Grand for 
 one Elective Term next ensuing his election, discharging the duties of 
 his office in a satisfactory manner; and that he is entitled to mem- 
 bership in the Grand Lodge of [Pennsylvania;] we therefore re- 
 spectfully request that he may be acknowledged accordingly. 
 
 Witness our hands and the Seal of the Lodge, at 
 in the State of [Pennsylvania], this day of 
 A. D. 18 . 
 [SEAL.] 
 
 , N. G. 
 
 , Secretary. 
 
 No. 21. Representative's Certificate to Grand Lodge. 
 
 To the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of [Pennsylvania], I. 0. 0. F. 
 This is to certify, that P. G. has been duly elected 
 
 the Representative of t^iis Lodge, in your body, to serve until the 
 [first] day of [July], 18 . 
 
 In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, and affixed 
 the Seal of Lodge, No. , this day of 18 . 
 
 [SEAL.] 
 
 , N. G. 
 
 , Secretary. 
 
 NOTE. By proper changes in the words enclosed in [brackets], 
 all the foregoing forms can be adapted to any jurisdiction, Lodge, 
 or Encampment. But in all cases where the ruling Grand Body 
 has prescribed other fcrms, those prescribed forms should be used, 
 of course, in preference to these. The above are to be used only 
 where better forms are not furnished. 
 
APPENDIX B. BUSINESS FOR^IS. 
 
 405 
 
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