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AS AN 4 ’ Advertising Medium Among Intelligent, Thrifty and Healthy Colored people, The Odd F«l -lowb’ Journal Surpaae- M All Others. Patron ise Our Job Drpartmbnt. VOL. 3. NO. 41. OUR NEW YORK LETTER. Fraternal and Other News Blooming Lily Household of Ruth, No. was duly consti ;;ted and set apart in Kingston, on Thursday Evening, December 28th, ]S99 by committees one, from Nao mi Household, 1348, Peekskill, one fiom Dorcas Household 883 Pough kecpde under the supervision, of Brother Henry Moshier of Naomi Household and Jas. R. Lewis, of Dorcas Household. After the open ing ceremonies were completed, Brother 11. Moshier assisted by the other members of the visiting com mittee duly initiated the twenty seven applicants who were to com pose the new Household. The offi cers were then obligated t and the degrees confirmed in accordance with their respective offices, after which they were properly installed by Bros. James K. Lewis, of No. sS3. The new Household having now been set apart and declared to be in working order, Bro. Moshier proceeded with the assistance of his •oinnnttee to dedicate the lodge room to the Grand United Order of )dd Fellows. Bro. Abbott Rober on, of 1348, read the fourth chap er of Ruth, followed with prayer iy Bro. C. C. Ringgold, 0fN0.1411. 'he Household having been duly onstituted, the rooms dedicated nd the labors of the committee ompleted, the warrant was placed i the custody of Sister Minnie Van tyke, W. R., the acting M. N. G., ohn F. Davis, of No. 883, vacated le chair and Sister Rosa Stamford, !. N. G., was placed in charge oi ie office, and Blooming Lily H.H. Ruth, No. 1411, of Kingston. Y., was added to the ranks and trolled under the banner of tin uth degree, obligated to perpetu e the principles of Peace, Happi ess and Prosperity. Those whe listed in the noble work were: his. Henry Moshier, Albert Rob rtson, Archie Clayborne, and Sis rr Julia Moshier, of Naomi House old of Ruth, 1348, Peekskill ; Bros. aine> K. Lewis, John F. Davis and isters Jessie Haff, Annie Haff and 'rances Duvis, of Dorcas Household i ßuth, No. 883, Poughkeepsie: feter Sarah Jackson, of Queen oi Lrth Household of Ruth, N 0.330. The officers of the new Household Be: P. M. N. G., Mary Cautine, 11. N. G.,Rosa Stamford ; R. N.G., Alice Clark; N. G., Van Dyke; 11. T. Saran Helmess ; W. S.,Lou -u Fitzgerald ; W. U., Rachael Hewitt; W. C., Katie Jackson; W. Mate, C. C. Ringgold ; Senior Wards, George W. West and Han tah Hawlev ; Junior Stewards, Ber ka Dewitt; Dewitt and Richard liter expressions of thanks, etc., lad been passed, the closing cere monies were concluded by singing, 'Blest be the tie that binds,” fol ded by the benediction, by Bro. -C. Ringgold. *** The Alert Odd Fellows S. and B. ® have lately been the recipients imany useful and ornamental pres ttsfor decorating their club-rooms fl ich has aided materially in im ping an appearance of ease, lux and comfort, which appearance •ould not tend to arouse only the lftlt interest ofj the mem -18 or mH, but increase the num ralready enrolled. It is hardly C to say that the donors of t#e useful gifts are the w’ives and Raters, etc., of the members,and laeir nimble fingers arranged drapery, curtains, etc., that pro lce'l the home-like effect. Ap- this fact, the members Q er cd them a complimentary re on the evening of the 2d. > their club-rooms, which (the ladies) had labored to Ulif L and a most pleasant time 4 "‘joyed. Following and intro -41011 of the officers of the club, • John Wesley Williams, the 1 William D. Carle re- ,^ e, l the origin and history of the | ea ,lllterfcs^n gTy and made astrong * The ladies to form 'on auxil- iary for the purpose of promoting the interests of the body. Mrs. E. R. Johnson, expressed the belief that the ladies would not be averse to lending theii assistance, and sig nified her willingness to inaugurate the movement looking to an organ ganization. Some of the donations noted were: Mrs. M. Chappell, lace curtains; Mrs H. P. Wilson, Turk ish mantle and mirror draperies ; Mrs. J. Braddock, lace tidy for president’s chair, Turkish table cov er, Irish point lace curtains and damask linen table cover ; Mrs. J. H. Kennedy, Turkish portierres and Japanese lounge cover ; Mrs. W. L. Brown, Japanese screen and four ash trays ; Mrs. E. Johnson, one silk plush and one chenille ta ble cover. Refreshments were serv ed club steward, John Braddock, . * * Howard Union Lodge, No. 1337, inaugurated the new yeer on the 4th inst., the night of their regular meeting, by holding a public meet ing, to which the friends of the members were invited, and at which time annual and quarterly officers were installed. The meeting as sumed rather the form of a re-union of the members and their friends, and if one is to judge from the num bers present and the happiness de picted on the countenances of all, the purpose was fully realized. An invitation had been extended to the District Grand Master to be present with his official staff and install the officers, but that official having a previously arranged engagement and the time following the receipt of the invitation being short, he was unable to be present. The writer dropped in at a late-hour and on re quest of the N. G., proceeded, with the assistance of Bro. Jno. Wesley Williams, of Terry Lodge, No. 900, to install tlie officers in their respec tive positions. Following the in stallation, the meeting closed a committee of members under the supervision of Bro. Thomas D. Wright and Charles E. Holmes, served refreshments, during which time the guests were entertained by Bros. William H. Barnsweil, Chas. E. Holmes and W. H. W. Jonnson, with vocal selections. A selection that proved a vocal surprise was a trio by Bros. W. H. W. Johnson, John W. Marks and W. H. Mick ens. The officers installed were; I. G., Wiiliam White ; Warden, J. H. Colley ; E. S., H. R. Walters ; V. G., W. T. Brown ; N. G., N. F. Jones ; P. N. G., T. B. Smith ; N. F. William L. Lee; P. N. F.,Fred A. Whiting ; Chaplain, D. W. Wish er ; W. T., D. C. Walke ; P. S., G. W. Dean. * The fourth annual reception o the lanthia Wheelmen will be held at Tammany Hall, on Thursday evening, February 15, 1900. The The grand success that has attended the receptions given by this popular organization seems to justify the opinion of the members that the ef forts of the committee who have had charge of the arrangements have net with the entire approba tion of the pleasure-seeking public, and no ipprehension need be felt that they will show their apprecia tion and honor the lanthia Wheel men with their presence on Febru ary 15. *** We beg to acknowledge the re ceipt of a Christmas card extending united fraternal greetings from the members d St. George’s lodge, No. 4208, Coion, R. C., William J. Ly ma-Young, P. S. We trust the sentiment actuating them in this brotherly love, may serve to strengthen tie bonds that bind us together in Friendship, Love and Truth, and with the compliments of the season wish that success may attend their eferv effort. | *** Mrs. Henryi Edwards and Miss Helen Edwardl, mother and sister of Bro. William H. Edwards, P. S. of Toussaint Lpuverture lodge, No. PHI LADE L HIA, PA., THURSDAY, JAN- 11, 1900. 3790, spent the holifs in the city. *** Copies of the Jonrn :an be had at Odd Fellows’ Te It, AA. H. Lake’s 89 DeKalb a ue, Brook lyn; S. Helmess’ Jjston, and H. Moshier’s Peekski J. S. W. . WASHINGTON. C. ‘ ‘LOOKING BACIkKD. ” In looking over tjlatest statis i tics of the ‘‘B. M. Cheport,” to August 31, 1898, 1 1 the follow ’ ing: . Number of lodges J 2,221 Whole number of mibers, 74,961 Brothers relieved.. J 8,643 , Widows <fc orphans lev’d, 3.205 e Paid to sick andlneral r benefits 132,349 09 - Value of properly 1... 969,310 85 s Cash in hand 1... 1<9,2 ( 8 58 i Value of all pr<rty s and funds I 1,350,964 88 • and more than 2(Ji»dges failed to i report. Had thoPOO lodges re , ported, 1 have mioubl but that - the value of all jLerty and funds - would have amoved to more than , two million dolla 1 Looking BacHrd, the figures “ suggest one or tlthlugs : That the Neglf given a chance 2 in the race of fiian manage a fi i nancial enterprlin the interest of t his people, not line of thousands t of dollars, but lay up into the 3 millions. I cl(i that the Grand r United Order <rdd Fellows is the - only organizJn officered from i head to foot biegroes, in this or r any other coup, that has stood , the tests of ojession, opposition • and criticism,! you please) with ■ out a break ils links. 1 ‘‘Looking Lkward,” we find that the firrdispensation grant ed to a colorlman to open an Odd ’ Fellows’ lodJvas March 1, 1843 ; 1 not by tiie lilty-loving people ol America, bul>y English philan thropists. p Committee of Man agement deized Peter Ogden as its represenlve, to open the first lodge of oui’der in this country — Philomaths No. 646, New York City. A dgation of white men was to metfim, but when they found on Jting him that he was a colored mil their object was left undone. lien came ever by the ship “Pat* Henry,’’and the del egation w Jon hand to meet him, but by inJry they ascertained that he was a iro and so left the ship without nling their errand known. I quote fJd the “Official Manual and Histi of the Grand United Order of Id Fellows in America,” by Bro. liarles B. Wilson, that the deleJon traveled all the way from Powille, Pa., to New York City, wll they awaited the arriv al of thelputy, and yet would not recognizlim when they saw him. When tf returned home, they be came cofnced that this very Og den waJie representative of the Com mil of Management. Did they tbiwrite him a letter of apol ogy ? I. But with a refinement charac®>tic of themselves,express ing suAe that the Committee of Manag wnt in England knowing the cot predjudice in America shoulAve disregarded it and ap point J colored man to represent it in Arica,concluding by saying, f ‘we »1, therefore have to decline meetilyou.” This communica tion J addressed to “Peter Ogden, P. G.l, Ship Patrick Henry,”and signely Robert M. Palmer, P. R. V. Ny- Sire; George Heaton, P. R. y®- Sire, and Morris H. Gor hamlecretary., and dated August 9, 11 T®, we find that we were not onlwfnsed admittance into the Ordw>y the American Order, but thew en went by refusing to j3ft P. G. M., Peter Ogden be cadAe was a colored man. s in the i “Looking Backward” to the time and place and the circumstances which surrounded it, I do not know but that it has since proven to the best interest of the Negro that the American Odd Fellows refused to receive him ; for by their refusal to grant a dispensation to the Negro, he was made to see the necessity of being a man although his skin was black, his hair kinky ; he immedi ately realized the necessity of or ganization and set to work as best he could to obtain the information essential to that end. Undaunted by his rebuff, he set to work and by his indomitable will and courage, we have the pleasing spectacle of from one lodge in 1843, to more than two thousand lodges in 1898— according to the B. M. C Report —and a membership of nearly one hundred thousand. What marve lous and gigantic strides in fifty five years ! It is the wonder of the century. A people who were sold like so many cattle, to-day have cash and property valued at more than $2,000,000.00 ; teaching men and women reverence to God and duty to themselves, their families, their country and their fellowmen. “Looking Backward,” a candi date no sooner enters the door of one of our lodges, that his ears are greeted with precept s of strictest morality. If a man or woman is not made better by reason of the fact that he or she is connected with United Order of Odd Fel lows, it is because such individual neglects or forgets the admonitions received, the example to which he or she is directed and the vows taken at the sacred altar. Although the first dispensation was granted to colored men to open a lodge in 1843, the growth of the Order in America was slow until 1858, only sixty-one lodges having been -established up to that time. The growth an progress of the Order therefore really dates from the is suance of the Emancipation Procla mation. The Negro was reckoned in those days as a hewer of wood and a drawer of water, and was made to follow the dictates and be hests of other men, without regard as to whether it was right or wrong; he was taught first, last and all the time, “Servant, obey your master; for the fear of your master is the beginning of wisdom.” To look back and recall the hard ships which James Fields, James Needham, J. McCru nmell, Freder ick A. Hinton and others of our race had to undergo to establish the principles of Odd Fellowship among colored men and women, it seems to me that we of today do not fully appreciate their heroic effort. I sincerely hope that we learn to more appreciate their efforts. In view of what Mr. 11. B. Frissell, Principal of Hampton Normal and Industrial Institute, if he he is cor rectly quoted in his testimony be foi the Industrial Commission, in which he stated that tne Negro in many portions of th? South is n o better than when in slavery. Wages are small, he "aid, and the colored farmers are unable to break away from the lien system on crops. Slavery was good in some things : in that it taught the Negro the En glish language, habits of industry and some religion. He further stated that since the war, one-third of the Negroes of the South had re trograded, one-third are where thev were when the Civil war closed and one-third bad adv’need. “Looking Backward.” does the testimony of Prof. Frissell hold good according to facts ? What good was there in slavery for the Negro? Can the learned gentleman point to an instance during the long years of slavery and oppression where the slave master pointed the Negro to the “Lamb of God that taketh away away the sins of the world ? or did the slave master in every instance teach his slaves the religious lesson, “Servants obey your masters. ?” No one denies the pitiable condi tion, the poverty and want which the Negroes of the South have un dergone and in many sections still undergo ; but Mr. Frissell should not forget that it is not the fault of the Negro that such conditions ex ist. The charge must be laid at some other door ; and if the Profess or will stop but a moment and think, unbiased and unprejudiced and with both eyes open, he will soon see that more than one-third of the Negroes have advanced since their emancipation—advanced too, along all lines ; and when it is re corded (as I hope and trust it will be) correctly, honestly and truth fully, no self-respecting Negro nor any of his white friends—of whom he has many- will be ashamed of the progress made, as it will be the most marvelous of the nineteenth century’s records, in that the Negro has made such progress in the face of such odds—prejudice, proscrip tion, ostracism—the testimony of Prof. Frissell notwithstanding. “Looking Backward,” Mr. Fris sell further states in his testimony before the Commission, that the Negro has been taught that his advancement is to be achiev ed through politics instead of hard word. In answer tj such an un warranted statement, 1 will only say, that for every twenty thousand Negro politicians, or those who have tried to gain advancement through that avenue, more than five hun dred thousand have been taught to achieve their advancement by hon est toil on the plantations, in the woods, the factory or the mines—in fact wherever the Negro has been called from the humblest position to the highest, on a fair average, he has proven himself a ready, willing and valuable acquisition. And again :“Loaking Backward,” the G. U. O. of O. F., with itsmore’ than two hundred million dollars worth of property accumnlated in the short space of time above men tioned, attests to the truthfulnes of the Negro’s advancement all along all honest and honorable line, and if any unprejudiced mind will go to 1132 Lombard street, Philadelphia, Pa., and see the work turned out by the Odd Fellows’ Journal Print ing Plant, they will exclaim, I have found it !—this to the solvers ofthe so called Negro Problem. Jacob B. Askins, Advocate Patriarchy, No. 18. Washington, D. C. WHEN in need of JOB PRINT ING, BINDING, or PRESS WORK or anything in the Printing line. We are at — 1132 Lombard St., Philadelphia. PEN NRYLVANI A,—Stroudsburg Household of Ruth, No, 1272, is progressing wonderfully in this part of the country. The Household of Ruth met on Wednesday night, Dec. 27, 1899, having an election of year ly officers; Worthy Prolate, Sister Mary Bevill; Worthy Treasurer, Sister Rachell Brown; Worthy Re corder, Sister Lizzie Bevill; Noble Governess, Sister Adda Johnson. The Household of Ruth gave a very enjoyable New Year’s Eve. Entertainment, at the residence of Sister Alice Fuller on Monday eve., January 1,190; ex-secretary, Bro. R. C. Johnson was present and de livered an able address to the bros, and sisters; giving light to them in darkness, assuring them that the religious truths, which were planted in their hearts, ever remain the same. May his visit to the Strouds burg Lodge be one of pleasure, as well as one of profit to tee brothers and sisters of the Household. Those that were present; Brothers AVm. Johnson, R. C. Johnson, C. Jones, Geo. Ray, J. Fuller, John Browm, Norman Johnson, Harry Ray, Chas. Bevill, Geo. Bevill, Sis. ters L. Bevill, Alice Fuller, Hattie Benedcit, R. C. Johnson, Ruth Bevill, Ka + e’Jones, Coh. Jones, D. Johnson, and R. Brown. Many others participated among whom were Mr. and Mrs. T. R y, Ers. Smith and daughter, Misses Zella Johnson, Mae Ray, Ella Da vis, Rosa Washington, Mrs. C. Washington, and Mr. Joe and Dan Smith. We are all delighted with the Odd-Fellow’s Journal and hope in the near future to increase our numbers; but we want none but the pure in heart to go with us on oui journey. Our [Goat] would like very much to have something to do as it has been quite a while since he has had a rider. We wish the Journal, God Speed and A Hap py New Year. Lizzie Bevill, AV. R. ROSuNY LODGE, 3241. G. U, O. OF 0. F. Resolutions of Condolence. AA’hereas it has pleased the Al mighty by the hand of death, to re move from our midst Brother Peter Goun, our worthy brother, on the thirteenth dav of October 1899 thereby causing the Golden Chain, of Social Union to be again broken, Therefore be it resolved that the Lodge has lost a faithful member, a brother worthy of our regard and respect; the Church a consistent and devout Christian; the Community a respected citizen, who has gone from labor to rewaid, to join the Grand Lodge above. Resolved that a copy of these res olutions be sent to the bereaved widow and family of our deceased brother; a copy placed in the arch ives of this lodge; and a copy sent to the Orgau of the Order, for pub lication. Be it further resolved, that the Lodge wear crepe for thirty days i n memory of our deceased brother; and that the Lodge Emblems be draped with crepe. Be it still further Resolved, that we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family of our deceased bro. for the Lord aiveth and the Lord taketh ’’Blessed be the Name of the Lord.“ Though she has lost a dear and loving husband, yet we must bow to the decree of our Cre ator. Her loss is Heaven’s gain. Committee, J. L. Chisholn, Jos. H. Heath, S. AV. Sheets GEORGlA.—Moultrie. Mr. Editor:— Please allow me space in your valuable paper, to speak a few words of encourage ment to Key Lodge, 4467. On December 23, 1899, one John Rountree, a member of Key Lodge, passed from labor to reward, in our City. I tried to get word, by tele phone, to A. M. Rose, of Key Lodge but without success: so his dear, and beloved companion requested that his remains be carried to the old family Cemetery; which was was done without hesitation. It was carried to Key, and I want to say that I found a hearty set of Odd Fellows; the expenses of the burial were §21.02, which they paid at once. I want to say to them, that when its mine to die, I hope to meet him in the Grand Lodge above. Brother Rountree is of prominent family. R. L. Fletcher, N. G. CA N A DA, —Chatam. Please allow me space iu your valuable paper to say a few words, concerning Wellington Lodge in Canada; we are getting along nicely in this part of the country. I sup pose the brothers in the south think we are frozen up here; but its all a mistake, the Household is getting along nicely and every meeting we have two brothers to address us on the Order. You shall bear from us once in a while; no more at present. Annual and Quarterly Ellection (In Afro-American Newspapers 1898-1901, no 3 CENTS A COPY of afficersof Wellington Lodge, No 1065 was held on Dec. 9, 1899. Ihe Brethern elected were as follows, N. G., Janies E. Scctt; V. G., Thomas Pryor; N. F., P. Miles; P. N, F., John A. Burton; Chaplain, J. Harris; P. N. G., M. Robinson; Treasurer Henery Jacobs P. S., Rev. AV. Bazei; E. S. J. AV. Taylor; Warden, Phillip Hackett; Inside G., Chas. Davis; Trustees, AV. Bazer, James E. Seat and Jno. AV. Taylor; Judge Advocate, AV. Branton. J. AV. Taylor. Our Lodge, 4534 on Tuesday eve Dec. 26, 1899 elected the following Annual and Quarterly Officers, AV. A. Riley, E. S.; J. B. Stallworth, N. G.; H. AV. Me. Cormick, P. N. G.; Jas. Kilpatrick, V. G.; AV. Hyman, N. F.; AV, M. Lee, P. N. F.; C. D. Crockett, AV. T.; D. VV - A\ illiamg, AV. C.; F. F. Knox, Adv.; AV. M- Alexander, AVarden; R. P. Wiggins, P. S. E. E. Pearl from 1971 was with us and rendered good service, after which the boys passed the hat and made Brother Pearl smile; w r e hope to have him with us again. Editor Asbury, you have our best wishes. A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. R. P. Wiggins, P. S., 4544. AVhite Pine Lodge, No 4053 held its installation at Summer Hill Bap tist Church, Dec. 26, 1899. Moul tree Brass Band, escorted the bros, from the Hall to the Church; the Household of Ruth was also inline. The follcßving named brother were installed, J. French, N. G. ;S. Denered, V. G.; E. Thomas. P. N. G. N. Grant, N. F.; S. Driskell, P. N. F.; AV. Lewis, AV. C.; F, Me* Coy, E. S.; M. F. Stone, Advocate D. Daniels, P. S. AA’e marched to the Hall aftar the installation, where the business of th'e day was finished. AVe hope the readers of the Journal remember that we are on our way to success, we are grow ing in numbers, as well as in good works; we have initiated eight men, in the last three months. D. Daniels, P. S. On December 27, 1899, Green Level Lodge No. 2827, celebrated her thirteenth Anniversarry; in so doing she reflected credit, not only on herself, but upon the Order as a whole. The Pride of Va., 1734, was invited, but could not come yet I must say that it was a success especially from a financial stand point and money is just what we need, as we are trying to build. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, we did not parade, as we had anticipated; but at the proper time the vast assemblage was called to order and Rev. Peter Chapple, of Pride of A’a. came forward and nice entertained the vast audience on, The Foundation of The Order in A merica; after which, J. R. Lank ford was called on, he came forward in his same old style, and bet the audience a gold mine that he wovld them very long; we re gt’ time and space will not a low us to record his speech; then a number of young ladies presented the cause of tha Household, the manner in which they presented it, was second to none. The exercises closed by, the (second J. C. Price,) S. L. Ricks, who came forth with the bravery of a Stone Wall Jack son. To illuminate the ocassion we had a snow-storm. J. R. L. $14.00 $14.00 PER WEEK GUARANTEED STEADY AVORK. Send lOcst for outfit and-particulars. Address:PETEß OGDEN, Three Link:—Box 729. HARTFORD, CONN. REPRESENTS Ar> Membership of 160 000, Moat of whom are heads of Familiee. Our Jurisdie tion covers:—The United State®, Canada, The Wert Indies, Central and South Americas, and Africa. LOUISIANA,—SIideII. GEORGIA, —Pelham VlRGlNlA,—Vicksville.