ODD-FELLOWSHIP.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 382, 21 June 1861, Page 3

ODD-FELLOWSHIP.

The origin of the parent society of the order of Odd-Fellows is of ancient date. It was established by the Roman soldiers in camp, after the order of the Israelites, during the reign of Nero, the Roman Emperor, who commenced his reign in the year 55, 1811 years ago, at which time they were called Fellow Citizens. The name of Odd Fellows was given in the year 79, by Titus C»sar, Emperor of Rome, from their singularity of notions, and from their knowing each other by night as well as by day; and for their fidelity to him and to their country he not only gave them the name of Odd Fellows, but at the same time, as a pledge of friendship, presented them with a dispensation, engraved on the arch of Titus Csesar, the ark of the covenant; the sun for iN.Gr.; the moon and stars for V.G.; a camp for secretary; the lion for guardian ; the dove for warder; and the emblems of mortality for G.M.

The first Odd Fellows made their appearance in Great Britain at the time an invasion was made by one of Titus Casar's generals (Agricola) on North Wales, and shortly afterwards on the Island of Mona, now called Anglesey.

The first account we find of the Order spreading into other countries is in the sth century, when it was established in the Spanish dominions, under the Romish dispensation; in the 6th century by King Henry in Portugal; and in the 12th century in France; afterwards in England by John Neville, attended by five armed knights from France, who formed a Loyal Grand Lodge of Honor in London, which order remained until the reign of King George the Third, when a part of them began to form themselves into a Union. Now it has nurneious branches neatly all over the world; has lodges in Canada, the United States, Cape of Good Hope, Port Natal, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Australia, East and West Indies, France, &c, and itt unable by its pes<*%* constitution

to afford as a benefit society greater advantages than can be obtained in any other association."

At the time this extract was written it was composed of nearly 300,000 members, and possessed in the aggregate £2,000,000 sterling of ctpital.— English Paper.