I.O.O.F

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1301, 21 May 1878, Page 3

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Banquet to D. G. Sire Harmon. Tho visit of Deputy Grand sire Harmon, who has come from America on an official tour through the colony to the various lodges of tho 1.0.0. F., has been taken advantage of by the Loyal Avon Lodge here to hear from him an exposition on the ritual of the Order, more especially as regards the unwritten work. The distinguished visitor, who has achieved for himself so high a position in the Order in America, delivered a lecture last evening in the Orange Hall, on the "Unwritten Work." In the course of bis elaborate address he evinced a thorough knowledge of his subject, and a mastery of language in the explanation of the various symbols used in the degrees, which made the explanations he was giving easy to understand and to comprehend by those listening. The Lodge was well filled and tho deep attention with which hi 3 remarks were listened to showed that the speaker had succeeded most thoroughly in conveying to his hearers the desired information. It may be stated that tho object of D.G.S. Bro. Harmon in visiting New Zealand is a desire on the part of the Grand Lodge of the United States to institute a uniform syotem of work throughout the Lodges working under tho American constitution.

At tho conclusion of tho ceremony in the lodge, a banquet took place at the White Hart. Mr Sheppard served a very excellent repast, and about twenty-five sat down. Tho chair was occupied by the N.G. of the Loyal Avon Lodge, Bro. H.D. Manning, having on his right D.G.S. Bro. Harmon, and on tho left Bros, Braithwaite and Wheeler, the brethren appointed by the Grand Lodge of New Zea'and to meet D.G.S. Harmon and escort him to Dunedin. The vice-chair was occupied by P. G. Paterson. The usual loyal toasts, including the health of President Hayes, of the U.S. of America, having been proposed and dono due honor to, Mr Braithwnito then proposed the toast of tho evening, " Tho Grand Lodge of tho U. 5.," coupled with tho name of Deputy Grand Sire Bro. Harmon. [Applause.] The visit of Bro. Harmon was very opportune, as the order was beginning to make itself cknown amongst the community. The lodge in Christchurch had scircely been able yet to make the objects of the order thoroughly well known, as the distance from the Grand Lodgo prevented them gotting

their work as much forward ag thoy would havo liked. Ho need not detain tliem by recounting the ramifications of the great order to which they had been affiliated, as the Deputy Grand Sire Harmon would tell them all this. The Deputy Grand Sire now present with tbem represented not one single section of the community, but he represented 500,000 live American Oddfellows. The visit of Bro. Harmon was unparallollod in the annate of any orderMasons, M.U., Foresters, or any other, and ho said this, that it showed a largeheartedncss on the part of their American cousins to send so distinguished a brother to them as Deputy Grand Sire Harmon. He proposed the toast with tho greatest possiblo pleasure, and hoped that all present would ro&pond to it in an enthusiastic manner. [Cheers. | Tho toast was drunk amid loud cheers, and with musical honors.

D. G. Siro Harmon, who on rising, was received with loud and continued cheers, said that there was no doubt of this that there was in Oddfellowship a home in the heart of each brother towards tho brotherhood. On the night when he met in his Lodgo in America, ho felt this, that thero was 500,000 Oddfellows inculcating the same principles. He had also learnt since ho had been in New Zealand that they were all Americans and all Englishmen. On landing in Auckland ho found his ancestors were not monkeys, but tho sturdy Anglo-Saxon race. [Cheers.] They wore a Jittle more Scotch, pei'haps a little more English, but their great grandmothers were the same. As they had drunk the health of tho President of tho United States,"and sung that glorious old song "The Star Spangled Banner," he might bo permitted to say a word as to his country. If the question were asked of any nation what nation next to itself it liked best, they would respond, the United States of America. This was a compliment not only to them as Americans, but to the sturdy race who had produced a Shakspeare and a Bacon, from whom America had sprung. They had a magnificent country, but land alone never made a country. It took men and women with backbone in them to make it. He said this, that ere long, like the morning gun of England, tho English speaking raco would be heard whoreever the sunf rose, and thoy would rule the world. He had dwelt upon this to show them tho status and power of American Oddfellowship. This had sprung from five men in 1819, and now thero were 500,000 men, who represented at least a million men, women and children. American Oddfellowship received six millions of dollars yearly, and paid out three millions of dollars for the sick and distressed. By these contributions, all States were relieved of payment on behalf of Oddfellows. When the great fire of Chicago swept away the dwellings of 300,000 people, on the next morning 300,000 dollars was subscribed, and the relief officers of that great organisation stood behind their tables and relieved their 5000 Oddfellows' sufferers by the fire of Chicago. The moment tho word was given the troasury was opened, and these Oddfellows were rolieved the very next day. Thoy stood in the front rank of progress by reason of their organisation. Further than this, American Oddfellowship was based upon tho principles which actuated tho world, viz., free thought and free conscience. This was their motto, and this was tho ground work of American Oddfellowship. Outside of its charities, which was but a small portion of it, tho great principle of Oddfellowship was freedom of conscience, but no man could bo an Oddfellow who did not believe in a Supreme Being and a Creator of all things. When they united those two principles they had attained to tho highest points which the civilization of the nineteenth century had as yet reached. [Cheers.] Bro. Lezard then proposed the " Grand Lodgo of New Zealand," coupled with the name of Bro. Wheeler, speaking in eulogistic terms both of tho manner in which the Grand Lodge had treated tho subordinate lodges, and the courtesy always extended to them by P.G.M. Bro, Wheeler. Tho toast was drank with musical honors. Past Grand Master Bro. Wheeler responded in fitting terms. The Grand Lodgo of New Zealand numbered over 1200 members and seventeen lodges, four of which had built halls, wherein to meet, and within three or four months two other lodges would have halls ready to dedicate. This would show that they had not been idle. He trusted, however, that the visit of the Deputy Grand Sire would have tho effect of spreading tho principles still more throughout the colony. Ho had visited many of tho Southern Lodges, and now that a start had been made he hoped thoy would not be weary in well-doing. Deputy Grand Siro Harmon said he had omitted to state that all classes in America were Oddfellows. Thoy numbered tho President of the United States, all the Governors of the States, and senators. There was a mixture of all classes of the communitj except those who were too low to mix with honest men. Professors of the University, ministers of religion, all were to be found in the Oddfellows' Lodges in America.

Bro. Schwartz proposed " The Grand Lodge Officers, "coupled with the names of Bros. Braithwaite and McColl, which was heartily responded to. Bro. Braithwaite responded, briefly paying a high compliment to the executive officers of the order.

Deputy Grand Sire Harmon proposed " The Press," characterising it as one of the greatest moral engines that existed, and one that inculcated one of the great principles of Oddfellowship. The other toasts were, "The Ladies "and " Our Host," which were duly honoured. During the evening several excellent songs were sung by Bros. Hargreavcs, Braithwaite, &c„ and the party broke up at an early hour, having spent a most enjoyable evening.