F 594 .D15 Copy 1 t) GRAiND LOD(tE OF U.\ITED STATED, I.O.O.F. SEFTEOVEBEIJ,, 1869. AK ADDRESS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE CONPERRIJs'G OF DEGREE OP REBEKAH, BY jLUVEEi^.ic^nsr lo3dc3-e, ito. 170, DECEMBER 14th, 1869, ^ Bv P. G. JAMES DALTON. i^: C I N C! 1 N N A T I : H. \. CAHTEK. I'HINTEK, hi; WEST THIRD ST., BET. WALNU I' & VINE. 1870. w It GRAi\D LODGE OF UNITED STATES, I. O.O.F. SEI>TE3VEBEE,, 1869. AN ADDRESS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE CONFERRING OF DEGREE OF REBEKAH, BY -A-IvCES/ICJLn^ XjOZDOE, ItTo. 170, 3yi:ETiao:poijiT-A.3^ loxdo-e, zto. 142, DECEMBER 14th, 1869, By p. G. JAMES DALTON. C I N C I N :N' A T J : R. N. CARTER, PRINTER, 60 WEST THIRD ST., BET. WALNUT i VINE. 1870. Cincinnati. January 27th, 1870. P. G. JAMES DAIjTON : Dear Sir and Broth kr — By order of the Lodge, I here- with transmit to you a copy of the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted bj' American Lodoe. No. 170,1. 0.0. F, of Ohio, at a regular session held Januaiy 25th, 1870 : Resolved. That this Lodge request Past Grand James Dalton, of Metropolitan Lodge. No. 142, to publish his address delivered at our Rebekah Degree meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 14th. 1869. Eesolved, That the Recording Secretary transmit Past Grand James Dalton a copy of these resolutions, with the Seal of the Lodge attached. Fjaternally yours, W. E. MOORHEAD, Rec. Sec. ADDEESS. Officers and Members of American and Metropolitan Lodges : Ladies and (Ientlkmen : — Your Committee of ArrangementH huving honored nie with an invitation to address j'ou on this interesting occasion, I shall claim, to some extent, indulgence on your part, in complying with their request. You were this evening convened for a very pleasant purpose — Qne which you all fully realize and doubtless appreciate, judging by the interest manifested in advancing the knowledge and excel- lence of our Order; a purjjose of performing a duty whose offices are benevolent and kind — offices in which we find the ladies ever ready and willing to aid and assist, and for which they, by their sympathizing nature, are so well adapted. To-night we have witnessed their willingness to consecrate their lives, if need be, to acts of charity and love : to soothe and cheer the distressed in every affliction ; in emulation of those bright examples of womanly goodness which Holy Writ refers us to. In the progress of our Order, these are its fruits. Fifty j'ears ago, in the city of Balti- more, a humble man wielded a great iron hammer, and as he let it fall upon the firm anvil and heated iron while fiery sparks hissed, and flew hither and thither, his great heart throbbed in unison with the noble thoughts that engaged his mind. And what were those thoughts ? They sought to plan a philanthropic system whereby man's mental and moral condition might be improved and benefitted. Since then the germ has bloomed and ripened into ])recious fruit ! Since then the heavy hammer has lain idly by beneath the dust of fift}^ years ; but the Blacksmith's life has been one grand effort to found an Order whose object was to fraternize mankind ! Has he succeeded ? No echo need answer, for the answer is found in the presence of these good brothers and sisters who throng this hall to-night — aye more, throughout this land of ours. SomcAvhere I found a beautiful poem, which also contains the answer, and is entitled " Wildey's Bream : " A blacksmith stood, at his anvil good, Just fifty years ago, And struck in his might, to the left and right, The iron all aglow. And fast and far, as each miniature star Illumined the dusky air. The sparks of his mind left a halo behind, Like the aureola of prayer. Again he stood at his anvil good With an angel by his side, "While he rested his sledge on its iron edge And blew up his bellows Avide ; He kindled the flame till the white heat came. Then murmured in accents low: " All ready am I your bidding to try, As far as mortal may go." So he hammer'd and wrought, and toiled and fouglit Till Aurora peeped over the plain ; "When the angel flew by, and ascended on high, But left on the anvil a chain ! Its links were as bright as heaven's own light, As pure as the fountain of youth; And bore on each fold, in letters of gold, This token : Love, Friendship and Truth. As the dreamer awoke, he peered through the smoke At the anvil that slept by his side; And then in a wreath of flower-bound sheaf. The triple linked chain he espied. Odd Fellowship's gem is that bright diadem. Our Emblem in age and in youth ; For our hearts we must prove in the fire of Love, And mould with the hammer of Truth. Those thoughts spread far and wide, and still the answer is not complete. Those same three links, still entwining Odd Fel- lowship, are touching the homoshorcs of the Atlantic and the 5 Pacific, and ore long within tlicir magic circle hIuiU be embraced " Old Fatherland " Germany; as, at the last session of the Grand Lodge, a commission was appointed to introduce the Order there; and, if successful, as it surely will be, groat and grand results will follow. But I am to tell you of the trip across the Continent, made by several members of our Order, and those representatives who Avcnt to attend the last session of the Grand Lodge of the United States, held at San Francisco, California. Without detaining you long, or exhausting your patience, I shall endeavor to give you a brief account of that trip, with the hope, as my reward, that you will be at least interested. In company of some twelve or fifteen members of our Order, and also a number of ladies, we left Cincinnati on the sixth of Septem- ber last, via Chicago, arriving there early the following morning. The Order in Chicago extended to us a hearty welcome, and the kindness of showing how comfortable they can make strangers feel, for 3'ou all know Chicagoians never fail to embrace an opportunity of showing how iiiagnificent and hospitable their great city is. We passed a j^leasant evening with one of their Lodges, to which we had the honor of being introduced by the Grand Master of Illinois, Brother Ellis. Here our company was again increased, and now numbered nearly one hundred persons, among wdiom was our Eight Worthy Grand Sire, Fj. D. Farnsworth, and that venerable old Patriarch of our Order, Grand Secretarj^ Jas. L. Eidgley ; and also many more ladies. We bade "Good Morning" to Chicago .early on the eighth, and left in a special train for Omaha. Our trip across the State of Illinois down to the Missouri river, was fraught with real pleasure, all endeavoring to make the hom*s pass happily on ; and with such joyful company, and the plentiful "lunch baskets," time fled gayly as we moved swiftly over the broad fields of Illinois and Iowa, which seemed loaded down with corn and wheat enough to feed the world ; and as we i*ode over those two great Western States, Illinois and Iowa, out from our hearts and off our lips spontaneously came the exclamation : " Glorious Country, this of ours ; " " God's Country, My Country ! " Splendid weather favored us, and nothing marred our pleasure as we journeyed on toward Omaha, at which place we arrived safely on the 9th. Here the whole delegation, en route to the session 6 of the Grand Lodge, assembled, and now numbered nearly one hun- dred and seventy-five persons. Ever}- State and Territory of the Union was represented. After securing comfortable quarters in that young and flourishing city on the Missouri, we proceeded, as per previous arrangement, to the Odd Fellows Hall, to receive the woleome which the brothei-s of Nebraska had to extend to us. Theirwelcome was warm and generous, indeed — worthy of greater praise than I can bestow in the brief time allotted me. However, a slight mention is due them. As we marched to their Hall, the music of our souls kept time and tune to the music of many bands that enlivened the occasion, while in chorus fluttered, in the breez;e above us, the banners of our Oi'der and country ; and this Avelcome came not alone fx-om the brotherhood of Omaha, or from the State, through its Grand Master; nor yet alone from the iiiunicipal authorities; but the beauty — the ladies of Omaha — greeted us, and cheered us onward by their presence and smiles ; and by the banqueting table they so luxuriously and bounteously supplied, they kindly cared for and remembered the tired traveler. In the morning we met the committee of brothers from California, whose mission was to receive us at Omaha, and escort us to our desti- nation, San Francisco. As we clasj^ed hands we felt a sure frater- nal feeling, that they were indeed brothers, and, by their ample and full provision for crossing the Continent, promised a trip of rare jileasure and comfort. At ten o'clock we left Omaha in another train of Pullman's Palace Cars, which were built in mag- nificent splendor, sumptuously carpeted and elegantly draped, equal indeed to any of our resplendant modern drawing rooms. Thus amid the Avaving of man}' handkerchiefs, and as niany '-God bless you," we left the good peoj^le and brothers of Omaha. We were now fairly on our way. The Committee, in their unre- mitting effbrts to make us feel cheerful and happ}',- had provided a good stock of California's luscious wines, her rich ripe fruit of pears, grapes, &c. ; and " all went as merry as a marriage bell." Even the Commissary Car served up our meals in Metropolitan style. We sped along at the rate of thirty miles an hour, and soon were crossing the great i)lains of the Great Platte Yalley. This road, about which so much has been said and written, in m}' opinion, is well ballasted and smooth, and as good a road as anv in the country, Ea.-st or West. A few bi-idyes ihunI needs l)e strengthened — hut lias ever ji new roiid been built that sueli has not been found necessary? The scene within the cars was merry; while witliout, a glance showetl us we were i)assingover the broad hunting grounds of the savaii'c and the wild buffalo country. As yet, neither Indians nor huffalo had attracted our attention : the Indians had started, and Avere doubtless iar out on their fall hunt, south of the Platte river ; while the buffalo. '• taking time by the forelock," and the crack of the Indian's rifle as ominous of no good to them, had started earlier, and Avere doubtless still farther south of their fleet and wily enemy. We passed over the beautiful valley and river of Elkhorn. The valley is finely ada^ited for farms as far out as Columbus, Avhere the PuAvnee Indians are located on their reservation. As we sped along, I noticed that since my visit here two years ago, many new villages had sprung into existence, and Civilizatioii's Mai*ch Avas on — still on through the Great West. Our next stopping place Avas Grand Island, Avhere Ave partook of our first dinner on the plains, for Avhich §1.25 Avas asked and paid, and of Avhich no com- ])laint could be entered, as everything desirable Avas abundantly furnished. The order. - All Aboard " sounded in our ears, and soon Ave Avere again rolling over rich Western Yalle3'"s, stopping at North Platte, a toAvn Avhere Ave changed engines: the only principal feature of Avhich Avas a neat, clean and commo- dious hotel. We passed Fort Kearney, stopping at Plum Creek, Avhere our engine received a fresh supply of Avood, and Avhere the Indians some tAvo yeai's ago perpetrated a raid on the road, destroying the entire train, killing the brakcman and engineer, and leafing the conductor, as they thought, dead, Avith an arroAv piercing his body, but Avho still lives to shoAV his scalp to his friends as a trophy of that conflict. Unless I am Avrongly informed, no other train has ever been destroj'cd on this road. It was noAv eleven o'clock, and while some of our party had sought rest, others moved about the train and amused themselves by Avatching the hands "AA^ood up." While this operation Avas going on, one of the '•roughs" of that Western country Avalked through our train, and seemed disposed, by his treacherous look, to crave a scalp, a gold Avatch, an overfloAving pocket book, or any trivial thing, just to retain as a memento of us; another A\'as spoiling for a fight ; but, 8 as he was too slow, our train moved on, and we left him battling with an imaginary opponent. A bright morning dawned, and ten oclock found us as far on our way as the Black Hills and Cheyenne, where we collected and sent home to our loved ones, pencil sketches of mountains, and mountain scenery that loomed up majestically before our wonder- ing vision. Cheyenne is a fine frontier toAvn, and is destined at no distant day to be one of much importance. Just about this time Ave discovered we were " becoming elevated " in the world, inasmuch as we had " gone uj:) " some 6041 feet above the level of the sea. The shrill whistle of the locomotive and the sharp call of the Conductor, "All Aboard," are imperative orders, not to be mistaken under any circumstances, consequently we obe^^cd, and again we were off. It did not take long to leave many miles in our rear, nor pre- sent to view the first range of the grand old Eocky mountains, and soon we were ascending the greatest altitude between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Yet onward and ujDward we went, our poAv- erful engine puffing and snorting, struggling up the steep mount- ains, as if wearied of its load. The grade is about 90 feet to the mile, and we had to rise over 2300 feet in 30 miles. At last Ave began to realize we were nearing the extreme height, as overcoats and shawls were brought into requisition quite readily, for the Avinds had now become extremely chilly, and the temperature had fallen rapidly. Finally we reached the summit, 8,250 feet aboA^e the surging seas. In such a trip, the tourist finds many sights and scenes, not only to interest but deeply impress him Avith aAve and wonder. They awaken admiration for nature's sublime beauties, and veneration for nature's divine Creator. From the small bur- rowing prairie dog to the wild ferocious beast — from the immense masses of upheaved rocks, that look like orient ruins long deserted, to the broad expanse of immeasurable views of rivers, lakes and colossal mountains — all speaking of omniscent wisdom. Certainly the soul is lost to pure and noble feeling that fails to find in the grandeur of creation, the hand and jjower of One supremely divine. The descent began ; and the road still Avound round mountain after mountain. At Laramie, our next stopjiing place, Ave had served for us a fine dinner of antelope steak and prairie chicken. with luscious truit Ironi golden California. We next passed Fort Saunders, where a detachment of soldiers were stationed to pro- tect the citizens. Still descending, j'et midst mountain heights, we saw many small settlements, all enjoying an abundance of thrift; while here and there we heard the rippling music of some beautiful mountain river. After partaking of a comfortable sup- per at Kawlinge, our train started on again, we prepared ourselves for another nights rest, though several were kept awake by severe colds contracted the night previous. The following daj' we passed over Green river, where are found those fine specimens of moss agate, which, after passing through the artist's hands, are manufactured into beautiful articles of jewelry. Men and boys come through the cars oft'ering for sale very tine specimens, some of which many of our party purchased as relics, at prices i-anging from 25 cents to ^1.00. We now realize it was the Sabbath, and the command, " to keep it Holy," was religiously remembered ; the sound of sacred music, and the voice of ])ra3'er ascending to heaven in thanks for kind care and protection. After whirling through the range — one mighty elevation following close upon another — and crossing many more beautiful streams, we reached Wahsatch, Avhere there is quite a settlement. The people dwell in tents made of heavy canvas, which they claim are quite wai'm and comfortable. B}' the road- side, and around the settlement, were encamped a large number of emigrant families traveling, not as we were, on a trip of pleasure, but to find a home in the far distant West. Moving on again, we soon found ourselves in Echo Canon, where the rocks tower thousands of feet, almost perpendicularly over our heads. In color they are a yellowish red, and as the bright rays of a clear sun falls hither and thither upon their visible fronts, they look like huge blocks of glittering gold, tempt- ingly offered by nature as a part of her inexhaustible wealth Looking up they canopy our heads ; a glance below, and the scene is one of rare and perfect grandeur and beauty. A bright, beauti- ful river — the Weber — rolls its clear crystal waters among great gorges and deep ravines far, far below, thus forming a picture with wh.ich grand old painters of yore would gladly have penciled the finest canvas. 'Tis here the cars stop, especially to afford passengers the opportunity of witnessing Avhat I have but fjiintly 10 described. With uncovered heads, wo gathered around our worthy chaphun,'the Eev. J. W. Venable, of Ky., who with uplifted hands raised his voice to Heaven, in a prayer of deep, earnest thanks, and invocation for protection on our journey — a prayer that pene- trated and found a responsive echo in every heart. The scene will never pass from the memorj" of one that witnessed it, until the mind be stilled by death, as lapse of time will never eftace it from our memories. Moving on again, the scene increased in grandeur, beauty and deeper interest. Again we met Weber's waters still rushing down the mountain's side, this time between two huge rocks, which form what is called Devil's Gate. Our next stopping point was echo valley, where there is quite a settle- ment, and is the last town east of King Brigham Young's domin- ions, which our "party of Gentiles" soon encroached upon. Many of the Mormon villages now appeared in view; but what we had seen of moi-mon life satisfied our curiosity for a time ; consequently we passed around their metropolis, Salt Lake City, via Ogden and Corinne to Promontory, the end of the Union Pacific E. E., at which place we arrived at 12 P. M., where we changed cars and started out on the Central Pacific E. E., 816 miles distant from Sacramento. To include 800 miles from Cincinnati to Omaha, we had traveled up to 12 P. M. Sunday, 1884 miles. At Promontory, whose people also live in canvas tents — no wooden house being there at all — we were received in a manner altogether unexpected, and not before participated. As we approached the station, we dis- covered bonfires blazing in all parts of the town, which, of course, excited our curiosity to know the reason thereof. We anticipated a diff'erent wecome; instead, however, a scene wo had often heard of yet never wittnossod, amused us. Before many of their tents, fires burned brightly, and around tables, covered with coarse army blankets, uncouth rough looking men were gathered, all apparently deeply interested in a game called " three card monto." A tall man, with dark, heavy whiskers, and very large green goggles, seemed to bo the presidig genius ; and as he handled the many pieces of bright glittering gold, in his nonchalant manner, he called out in the hackneyed voice of an auctioneer: "Who'll take a twenty, forty, fifty or a hundred dollar chance? — black spot turning up takes the gold." "Wa'll, I'll bet ten dollars," cried another seedy bystander, but " No, yer don't," returned Green 11 Goggles — " nothing less than a twenty gold 'un, down on this table." Down goes the gold twenty, and the black spot turns up. "Faint heart never won a fair woman," musically falls in delicious nasal harmonj' from old Green Goggles, but the charm- ing and seductive trap did not succeed in drawing any of our party into their game; and while a feeling assured us all that we had passed one point of personal danger, and a reception not the least promising, our train moved on ; and thus we left them to test their enterprising ai'ts on others more verdant than we. While many enjoj^ed the invigorating powers of Morpheus, others passed the moments away in thinking of homo, until the hand of time pointed out the new hours of another day, and the brightly beaming smiles of the morning's sun were fairly thrown in our faces, thus awaking all to the fact that we had passed beyond that " rest " for " Saints," Utah Territory, and were descending into the great America Sahara — a desert five hundred miles long. On we sj^ed through this barren waste, while Sol rose higher and higher, and the white sandy alkali dust brought premature age to our locks ; not the least sprig of grass, or the shade of any tree was to be seen ; nothing seemed before us but a broad and mighty sea of shifting sand and sage brush, and heartily glad were we when we reached the end of the great desert, and over a river bearing the name of that great explorer, Humboldt. Large quantities of silver and fine minerals are found near and upon the banks of this river. One silver mine. Mineral Point, is said to produce eight to ten thousand dollars to the tun. Toano was our next stopping place ; and here we partook of a meal pi'epared entirely by Chinese, and which we enjoyed fully as well as did John Chinaman the $1.00 greenback we paid him, as his price for the meal. We found them scattered along on either side of the road for miles, seeming to be contented and happy. The Pacific E. E. will be the means of introducing into this country, this kind of labor rapidly. While those grand old mountains furnished the immense quantities of lumber required in building that road, God, directing man as his agent in the worki imported the laborer, the Chinese; and this, no doubt, will be one of the grand mediums in finally christianizing that great Nation. Thousands of these people are now making rapid advances in 12 civilization ; thej readily leurn tu read and write, being sus- ceptible of fine education. Another long stretch of the sandy desert, and it passed from our vioAV, we touched the greatest of all wonders, the Sierra Nevada mountains, whose loftiness and grandeur are exceeded by none on this continent. Our two powerful and trusty engines vigorously carried us still onward and upward, and as we rose higher and higher the grandeur and beauty of the scene increased, until now it seemed almost indescribable. Imagination even fails to picture the majestic reality of the scene. As Ave journeyed on through those mighty and everlasting mountains — as, A\dien our train stood still, and Ave Avalked to the road's edge and glanced many thousand feet beloAv, our Avondering A-ision folloAved the foaming waters of that crystal river — the Truckee — in their Avild meandering, mile upon mile, over and among huge craggy rocks. thus forming a miniature Niagara, and a picture that neither they who wield the most powerful pen in poetry or prose, or the fine and graphic crayon could paint, eA^en in their imaginary' concej)- tion, but half of its sublime realitj- — each and all felt and recog- nized in this the hand and poAver of an eternal divine Creator, and an immutable Being. Finally, we gained the summit, 7,042 feet high, and after once more viewing the awfully grand spectacle nature presented, Ave entered on the descent, and the first place of note and interest that next appeared, Avas Cape Horn, Avhere again the glance falls far below 'midst fearful depths, gorges and ravines, that made us shudder to contemplate. This point is one of great grandeur and beauty. The next station bore the name of our worthy Vice Presi- dent, CoLPAX, the founder of our beautiful Degree of Eebekah. Many of the good people of Colfax boarded the train, not to make long reception speeches, but to ofter us a fresh supply of rich Cali- fornia fruit. "We found that they Avere not entirel}^ strange to us, as Ave discovered^them to be "brothers of our friendly order," pride- ing themselves Avith a first rate working Lodge, Avhich received from us three hearty cheers. From this jioint w^e descended rapidly, our train only stopiiing for a moment to permit us to see Lake Donner, a magnificent body of Avater. Again we Avalked to the road's edge, and looked thou- 13 sands of foot below upon its trunsparont waters; ami. as the sun's ra3's danced over their broad surface, it seemed as if we were looking into a vast mirror brilliantly burnished. NoAV that this ,