He also

cates, so as to suit any state or lodge, and prevent imposition. spoke in favorable terms of the steady progress of the Order in Maryland; and that during the past year they had been enabled to grant a dispensation to a new German lodge, under their jurisdiction, which had opened at Baltimore, under favorable auspices, by the name of " William Tell Lodge, No. 4."

A communication from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was submitted, proposing that the Annual Communication be hereafter held on the first Monday in May, instead of the first day of May, which was read. On motion, the following were adopted:

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge have prepared a vote of thanks to our worthy Grand Sire, for his unwearied exertions in promoting the good of the Order generally; and particularly for the service rendered by his late voyage to England; that the same be handsomely framed, and the expenses thereof paid out of the funds of this Grand Lodge.

Resolved, That all letters which may be hereafter received concerning the Order, shall be filed among the archives of this Grand Lodge.

Rep. Pearce, of Pennsylvania, delivered to the Grand Sire, the constitution of the Grand Lodge of said state, together with the work of its subordinate lodges, which he accompanied by a very neat and eloquent address, and to which the Grand Sire responded in grateful terms, on behalf of the Grand Lodge of the United States.

On motion, the following were adopted :

Resolved, That a new charter be granted to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in lieu of the one which they now have in possession, and that the expense of preparing the same, be borne by said Grand Lodge.

Resolved, That after notice shall have been given to any Grand Lodge, of its being in arrears, and such arrearages shall not be paid by the next Annual Meeting, such Grand Lodge shall be considered delinquent.

Resolved, That we consider the alteration in the S's, an innovation of the ancient land-marks of the Order, and that we firmly adhere to the E. S., C. S., P. W. and G. That all brothers be instructed in the new, as well as the ancient S's, to the end, that if any one of us should visit England, or become acquainted with one who has only the new S's, he may be enabled to prove or be proven by him.

Resolved, also, That the Grand Lodge of the United States do request the lodges in the Manchester district, to give the ancient as well as the new S's, to all brothers who are about to visit this country, and that they be requested to communicate our wishes on this subject to all the lodges in England.

Resolved, That the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master of each State, be placed in possession of the annual or travelling P. W.

Resolved, That a vote of thanks be presented to D. G. M. John Pearce, for the zeal he has evinced in promoting the good of the Order in the state of Pennsylvania.

Resolved, That each state Grand Lodge be requested to ascertain what number of copies of the Manchester Magazine will be wanted for such state, to enable Cor. Sec. Mark Wardle, to resume the publication of so valuable a work. That the number desired may be forwarded, and charged to the respective Grand Lodges, should the encouragement justify its re-commencement.

Rep. Pearce, of Pennsylvania, submitted the following, which was determined in the negative.

Recommended, That on any state applying for an act of incorporation, the same shall previously be submitted to the Grand Lodge of the United States for its approval, and that such application shall be placed in the archives until the next ̃Ânnual Communication.

On motion, the Grand Lodge closed the Annual Session in friendship and brotherly love.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary.

Annual Report of the Grand Lodges to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, I. O. O. F., commencing April, 1826, and ending

May, 1827.

Extract from the Manchester Odd Fellows' Magazine, printed by order of the Grand Lodge.

THOMAS WILDEY, P. G. M. OF THE UNITED STATES.

This highly respected and truly valuable officer, visited this country on Saturday, the 17th of June, 1826, and remained in the Manchester district until the Saturday following. We need not say he had a hearty reception.

On Sunday afternoon a lecture was held at the Wellington lodge house, which was attended by a numerous and respectable company of officers and brothers. Grand Sire Wildey took the G. M's chair, decorated in a robe far superior to any thing of the kind we ever before beheld, ornamented in the most superb manner, with several medals of massive silver, of the most exquisite workmanship-demonstrating, at one glance, the esteem and estimation in which the "Founder and Father of American Odd Fellowship," is held by our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic.

At the conclusion of the lecture, G. M. Wildey delivered the following address, in an impressive and feeling manner. He was heard with the most profound attention and rewarded by the most cordial cheers and applause of all present.

"OFFICERS AND BROTHERS:

Were I, on the present occasion, to say that I am happy of the opportunity of meeting so respectable an assemblage of my brethren, it would be but expressing my real feelings in part. A stranger in the land of my birth, to be thus cordially received by those I never saw before-makes me feel a glow of that heavenly pleasure, which I had never expected to experience on this side the grave-words are inadequate to do justice to my feelings-suffice it to say, they amply repay me for the labor and fatigue of my journey; and that I now more than ever have cause to bless the happy hour in which I became an Odd Fellow.

An anxious desire to gain all the information possible to be attained, that I might disseminate the same to the different lodges and brethren under my jurisdiction, as Grand Sire of the United States of America, has induced me twice, since I have been honored with the confidence of my brethren, to visit the different states where lodges were held, and the happy effect arising from it has now caused me to traverse some thousands of miles of the Atlantic, that I may obtain still more information, which I am confident it is in your power to give-and that you will bestow it with a libera. hand-in return for which, any information which may be in my power to communicate will be cheerfully imparted, either to the lodge, as respects the affairs of the Order, or to individual brethren, in any matter of general interest.

The principal communication which it will be in my power to make, will probably be the degrees of the Covenant and Remembrance, both of which we have found useful and highly instructive. They are the production of our deceased brother, J. P. Entwisle, Past Grand, and having been adopted by all the lodges in America, I flatter myself you will also adopt them in this country, and that you will derive much pleasure and information from them.

As my stay will necessarily be short, I hope the brothers of the Order will not be backward in giving their attendance while I remain among them, as it is the last, as well as the first time, that I may be so fortunate as to meet with them.

I had intended to advert to our rise, progress and standing in America, but as our communications have apprized you, from time to time, of our situation, I shall not now occupy your time on that subject. Our magazine, published after the plan of the Manchester Magazine, also embraces the same thing;-I shall therefore no longer detain you from business-but shall take every opportunity of accomplishing the object of my visit to this country, which will no doubt be for the general benefit of the Order, in which I know you all feel deep solicitude.

I cannot conclude these brief remarks, without thanking the officers of the Order for the many valuable letters,* which they have been so kind as to address us, as also for their attention upon every occasion. Should any of your members, at any time visit us, we trust, we shall not be found wanting in brotherly love.

I have now nothing further to say-than that it is my sincere wish, that our brethren, throughout the world, may so conduct themselves, as when they quit this world, and their mortal part is consigned to the narrow house, that their souls may take rapid flight to yon Eternal Lodge, reared by our heavenly Grand Sire, where we shall never part more."

After visiting all the lodges he possibly could, and giving and receiving information relative to the Order, for seven days, the worthy Sire set off for London. We are sorry to observe, that his report of the London lodges is somewhat unfavorable, but we trust, with him, that the good sense really possessed by some of the officers, will shortly put an end to those trifling jealousies and differences which at present disturb the district, and keep those asunder who ought always to be united.

After an absence of about five weeks, G. M. Wildey returned hither on the Friday night, and visited the Nelson's Ball Lodge, Oldham, on the Saturday evening. We scarcely need to add, that this truly respectable and numerous lodge received him, and the officers who accompanied him from Manchester, in the spirit of genuine OddFellowship. During the evening, many appropriate toasts and sentiments were given, and the Grand Sire gratified the company with an interesting account of the rise and progress of the Independent Order in America. Towards midnight he was permitted to depart, amidst the most heartfelt wishes for his welfare and the prosperity of the Order. On his way to Manchester, he frequently and feelingly deelared, that the gratification he had received that evening, would alone have been sufficient to repay him for the fatigues and anxiety of his long journey.

As it was generally known that G. M. Wildey would leave Manchester early on Monday morning, a very numerous and respectable body of brothers attended on Sunday, what we may call his farewell lecture, at the Prince's Tavern. The company began to assemble about two o'clock, soon after which, C. S. Wardell; (in the absence of N. G. Prinia) commenced lecture, during which the best feeling was perceptable, and the effect correspondently impressive.

Soon after the finishing of the lecture, a lecture book and a handsome dispensation, granted to the Grand Lodge of the United States, were presented to G. M. Wildey, by G. M. Thomas Derbyshire. After reading the Dispensation aloud, the G. M. of the Order in England placed it in the hands of the G. M. of the Order in America' delivering, at the same time, a brief, but pointed and energetic speech, to the delight and gratification of all who heard and saw him.

The worthy Grand Sire evidently much affected, addressed the lecturer, pledging himself to a careful keeping of the important document then in his possession, and to a strict adherance of its precepts. He also pledged himself to see all the instructions he had received here speedily and correctly circulated throughout the whole of the lodges in America. In the name of the Grand Lodge of the United States, he thanked the officers of the Order for the handsome present he should have the pleasure of carrying home with him, and concluded by proposing, as a sentiment, "The cause of OddFellowship all over the world."

When the applause which these proceedings excited, had subsided, C. S. Wardle rose and delivered the following

FAREWELL ADDRESS.

Most worthy and respected Sire:

In the name and on behalf of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows in England, I rise to address you.

This task, worthy Grand Master should have been in the hands of a more able man than myself-but the lot has fallen upon me, and I will do it all the justice I can.

⚫ See the various Magazines.

Permit me first, to congratulate you on your safe arrival in your native countryfor, however ardently you may be attached to the country of your adoption-however much circumstances may have endeared it to you-yet there is a feeling in the human breast never to be forgotten-never to be entirely suppressed, however far we roam-and that feeling is—a love for our native land!

dear the schoolboy spot

We ne'r forget tho' there we are forgot!

Hence, Sire, I congratulate you on your safe arrival, and sincerely hope that all those views, and objects, and wishes, which induced you to cross the Atlantic, have been amply and happily realized.

As an Odd-Fellow, worthy Grand Master, in the name of the Order, I give you their best thanks. To you, and to you only, the United States of America are indebted for the existence of the inestimable blessing of Odd-Fellowship!-But for you, that truly great country, would have been, at this hour, without one of the most social, moral and benevolent institutions ever formed by man.-To you belongs, distinctly and unequivocally, the glorious title of "Founder and Father of American Odd-Fellowship.

This title, most worthy Sire, none can dispute with you-it is clearly, plainly yours -and your name will be revered by future ages, when the memory of heroes and conquerors will have been forgotten.

I ought not here, perhaps, to pass over the names of two or three of your early and worthy coadjutors:-to brothers Welch, Boyd and Crowder, if they be yet with you, we wish to convey the best thanks of the Independent Order in England. Should they have left this for "another and a better world," their friends will have the consolation to know that their names are on record, and that they will be handed down to posterity as fellow-laborers in this great work of love, as friends and brothers of the Founder and Father of American Odd-Fellowship.

The existence of a press among us both here and at Baltimore, renders it unnessary for me to recapitulate the particulars of the rise and progress of your undertaking. The magazines now put every brother in possession of all the leading facts connected with the Order, which were formerly necessarily confined to a few. To those magazines I triumphantly refer them, for an account of the almost miraculous marches of Odd Fellowship in America: to those magazines, too, I refer them for an account of the almost miraculous marches which you have made for the good and welfare of your infant institution-exertions, which none but a mind most determinedly bent on benevolence could have performed-exertions, I firmly believe, unequalled in the history of any other society-exertions never heard of before, if we except, perhaps, those of the great philanthropist, the immortal Howard!

Faith, we read, Sire, will remove mountains-but what will not charity achieve! After traversing the various extensive states of the truly great country of your adoption, and rendering all their lodges as one, you bend your pilgrimage hitherwiseyou join them to those of England-removing, as it were, the vast Atlantic, extending and perpetuating the principles of benevolence, and bringing thousands, at an immense distance from each other, under the standard of Friendship, Love and Truth. To you, Sire, we are indebted for all this-you laid the plan-you formed the whole design-you have now the happiness of seeing a new creation rising up around you. I say a new creation, Sire, because no man can become a genuine Odd FelJow, without becoming at the same time a better man.

However good he may have been before, the duties of an Odd Fellow will point out to him many sources for the exercise of his goodness, which before were unknown to him-he will necessarily become more useful-the facilities that our beloved Order affords, I may say makes, for the display of that first of virtues, CHARITY -(without which all pretensions to goodness are mere mummery)-these facilities, I say, will give him an opportunity of putting his goodness in full practice.

I do not mean to confine myself, Sire, to that charity which giveth only-but to that principle of universal benevolence which embraces ALL the wants of ALL mankind. I do not mean alone their physical necessities-I mean to include their moral inabilities. A really charitable man will feel a greater desire to remove the latter, than to relieve the former; because he knows if a man be not morally right, he cannot be physically happy.

Worthy Grand Master, a few words more on this subject-it is the principal pillar of our Order-we have high authority for the fact-"the first of these is charity"I know of no delight equal to the luxury of doing good-but the first delight is, to find

out, succour, and relieve the uncomplaining the half-broken, yet proud spirit, that cannot dig, and will not beg. Believe me, Sire,

Full many a stoic eye and aspect stern,

Hide hearts where grief has little left to learn.

I have now, Sire, done with this part of my subject-I will not presume to point out to this assembly the many opportunities that present themselves for the exercise of these virtues-the active and the benevolent will readily perceive them, and to such only can they be of any service.

In your address, Sire, on your arrival among us, you told us that you had "now more than ever cause to bless the happy hour in which you became an Odd Fellow." We shall not soon forget the compliment. Long may you live to enjoy such feeling, and may every hour increase its felicity!

I shall not here particularise the many valuable communications received from you-they shall be cherished among us, and communicated in due time to the respective lodges throughout the Order; and we are satisfied that what you have received from us will be laid out to the best advantage among your children when you return home.

It now becomes my painful duty to bid you, Most Worthy Grand Master, officially, at least, farewell!-A young world of your own creation is now anxiously awaiting your arrival-may the waves and winds of the Atlantic speedily waft you safely home, and may you find "all well." You have the wishes and prayers of thousands for your welfare. This lecture will bear with me, I am sure, when I exclaim, Hail Odd Fellowship, all hail Columbia !"-Long life and happiness to the Founder and Father of American Odd Fellowship!"

During the whole of this address, the most profound attention was preserved. At the conclusion, the worthy Grand Sire sat down, overwhelmed with feelings more easily imagined than described, and desired the worthy Grand Master Derbyshire (his right supporter) to return thanks for him-he could not!

This task Grand Master Derbyshire performed in a manner calculated to raise him in the estimation of all his friends, and to reconcile him to (if it were possible for him to have any) his enemies.

Some time was now spent in free and open intercourse and conversation, during which the officers and brothers were shaking hands and congratulating each other on the "feast of reason and the flow of soul," which they had that day enjoyed. Others flocked round the worthy Sire to give and receive the last friendly grip, while others were anxious to know how they would succeed in America? To these enquiries, his reply generally was, "talent, industry and sobriety, will succeed any where."

In our estimation he acted on these occasions a judicious and honest part. He did not hold out any inducement-whoever may have been led into an error in their recent trips across the Atlantic, (and we fear there are many) no one can turn round upon Thomas Wildey and say, "thou art the man!"

After this, a supper was given by host Hodgson, to the country visiters, &c., and the remainder of the evening was spent in a manner becoming our laudable profes

sion.

On Monday morning our pilgrim left Manchester for Liverpool, and sailed, we believe, on the Thursday following, for Baltimore.

Ere this hasty sketch meets the eye of the Order, he will, if all be well, have received the gratulations of his friends and family, on his safe arrival among them.— Peace be with them.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

BALTIMORE, November 12th, 1827.

The Grand Committee met pursuant to the call of the M. W. Grand Sire, and opened in regular form. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Sire, presiding.

D*