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Odd-Fellowship in Cambridge.
Of the many fraternal organizations which exist among us, none occupies a more commanding and reputable position than that of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
From its early inception in this country—seventy-seven years ago—it has steadily gained in strength and popularity, until now it is one of the most powerful, numbering over one million two hundred thousand members.
While it is a secret society, yet its good works are so manifest, and, in a public way, it has so moved in and among the people, that, with its evident and demonstrated intent to bless mankind, it seems to be of and for the world.
The Order was first founded in
England in the eighteenth century, although its principles were entirely different from those adopted at its organization in the
United States.
The first American lodge was instituted in
Baltimore, Maryland, April 26, 1819.
Its primary avowed purpose to cultivate sociability among its select few rapidly changed into assuming new responsibilities and prosecuting new lines of work.
It adopted as its motto, ‘Friendship, Love, and Truth,’ and as its aim, to adapt these principles to every-day life.
Hence it has made its labor practical.
Fidelity to the laws of God, the laws of the
State, and to all the duties of citizenship, is strictly enjoined.
It seeks to assist brothers when in need, to minister to the sick and suffering, to alleviate distress by personal presence, to exert an uplifting influence by which character may be better unfolded and a richer manhood secured, and with a pure brotherly interest and affection such as its principles inculcate, to afford protection and helpfulness to the widows and orphans of deceased brothers.
Vast sums of money have been expended by the Order in the ways indicated.
More than money, however, has been the ministration of love's helpfulness, the positive
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assurance of a strong heart-sympathy when needed, which has a tendency to warm and quicken men towards distress and suffering everywhere.
Odd-Fellowship does not endeavor to take the place of any other organization for manly and Christian work; but it seeks to supplement and augment that work, which is stronger for its organization and activity.
The Order consists of the
Lodge, Encampment, and Daughters of Rebekah, ‘the last being adopted by the
Grand Lodge of the
United States for the use of ladies legally connected with subordinate lodges by male membership.’
Cambridge has six subordinate Lodges, two Encampments, and two Rebekah Lodges, all active, and supported by an earnest and enthusiastic membership numbering over two thousand.
They are as follows:—
New England Lodge, No. 4, instituted July 21, 1827, 274 members; Friendship Lodge, No. 20, instituted September 26, 1843, 365 members; Mount Auburn Lodge, No. 94, instituted October 15, 1845, 113 members; Cambridge Lodge, No. 13, instituted September 2, 1874, 240 members; Mount Sinai Lodge, No. 169, instituted September 23, 1874, 205 members; Dunster Lodge, No. 220, instituted July 11, 1893, 184 members;
New England Encampment, No. 34, instituted October 3, 1865, 149 members;
Charles River Encampment, No. 22, instituted September 1, 1846, 176 members; Olive Branch Rebekah Lodge, No. 21, instituted March 13, 1874, 143 members; Amity Rebekah Lodge, No. 15, instituted June 29, 1871, 189 members.
Friendship Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 1893 at
Union Hall, which was one of the most elaborate and largely attended celebrations of any organization in the history of our city.
Two large and handsome buildings, one in
Cambridgeport, the other in North Cambridge, have been erected for the use of the Order.
