It was an Odd Masonic Meeting

 It was an Odd Masonic Meeting

The Odd Fellows Came to Visit

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

This past fall, Red Wing Lodge #8, held an odd Masonic meeting. The Lodge invited the other “world’s oldest secret fraternal organization”, the Odd Fellows, for an evening of learning and discussion about their history, traditions, rituals, customs, as well as to enjoy a night of fraternal relations.

Red Wing Lodge #8 added an Education and Information evening to the Lodge calendar, thus the reason for this meeting. This added evening was to help increase participation among the members, provide an opportunity for more in-depth learning, and of course an opportunity for fellowship over a good meal. This gathering is on a different night from our regularly scheduled Lodge night as to ensure that adequate time can be spent on discussion.

The Lodge sent an invitation to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) Grand Lodge of Minnesota, inviting them to come and tell us more about their organization. The Red Wing Lodge members were excited when the invitation was accepted. Our invited guests had to travel two hours each way to make this evening presentation, so we prepared a wonderful meal and ensured that we had amply time for fellowship.

The delegation from the I.O.O.F. Grand Lodge that attended, were the current sitting Grand Master John Sonnek, along with Past Grand Masters David Sebesta, and Dave (Ace) Adams.

Also attending and greeting the distinguished guests were the Grand Master of Minnesota Masons, Tony Kroll, along with some of the Grand Lodge Officers, along with thirty-eight Master Masons from the surrounding Lodges.

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Odd Fellows Grand Master, John Sonnek, at dinner. We enjoyed a lively conversation as two men who were knowledgeable and passionate about their own crafts, and while each had heard about the other’s organization, we really did not have in-depth knowledge of the other craft.  Many questions were asked as we enjoyed a wonderful beef brisket dinner, and the learning commenced. We both came to a better understanding of our fraternal worlds, while comparing our respective crafts, while never reveling our secrets, of course.

                                                                      

                                                                                

After dinner all attendees retired to the Lodge Room for the Odd Fellows presentation along with further questions and answers. 

Like many other fraternal organizations, the Odd Fellows have a mythical story of origin. The earliest legend is associated with the exile of the Israelites in Babylon in 587 B.C. where they may have banded together for brotherhood and mutual support. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. they were taken to Rome along with other Jewish prisoners.  It is said that Emperor Titus Caesar recognized the Odd Fellows. From there the organization spread across the Roman Empire.

As well, the historical details of the founding of the Odd Fellows have also been lost in the mists of time. Some historians believe the roots go back to England during the medieval times of the 12^th and 13th centuries, however what is known is that there were several Odd Fellow Organizations in England in the 1730’s. Surviving documents show an Aristarchus Lodge #9 in London in 1748. This document also shows that there were at least eight other lodges that existed and were associated with each other during this time frame.

There are also as many theories or thoughts regarding the true origins of how the order became known as Odd Fellows.

The first theory is that the Odd Fellows were engaged in unusual, diverse, or various occupations but did not have adequate numbers of members to form a trade guild like the Masons, Glovers, or Iron Workers. These workers of these “odd” occupations united by meeting in pubs and public houses. They paid dues used to assist members who were injured or ill and to assist the families of members who died. This loose organization spread through England, with a network of these groups forming, but not being officially organized. 

Another thought is that many people in 18^th century England found it very “odd” that common ordinary working-class men would organize a fraternal society for the purpose of social harmony, fellowship, mutual aid, and civic minded activities. They also found it very odd that working people would engage in such selfless acts such as relieving the suffering of the poor and providing aid for people’s time of need. It helps to remember that England was a very class dominated country at this time with very defined separations of the classes.

While the true reason for the name Odd Fellows isn’t known, or documented, and whatever the reason may have been, the name has stuck with them for over 200 years.  

The first records of the Odd Fellows in America are from 1806 in New York City, with a reference to established Shakespeare Lodge #1. The founding Charter members were three boat builders, a comedian, and a vocalist which some may think is in character with the name Odd Fellows. The lodge dissolved in 1813.

The current order, as we know them today, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, began in 1819 in Baltimore, Maryland. Thomas Wildey is credited as the founder of the Odd Fellows in North America when he helped establish Washington Lodge #1 in Baltimore after receiving an authorizing charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England.  In 1842 the American Odd Fellows became independent from England and became known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

                                                                             

Photo by I.O.O.F

The Odd Fellows have been, at times, referred to as “the poor man’s Freemasonry”. In the past the Masons were perceived as to belong to the upper classes, while the Odd Fellows were more welcoming to all members of society.

The first Minnesota Odd Fellows Lodge was Minnesota Lodge #1 which was granted its charter on August 15, 1849, in Stillwater, in the territory of Minnesota, before Minnesota was granted statehood. In relative quick succession other Minnesota Odd Fellows Lodges were established including St. Paul Lodge #2 May 3, 1850; John G. Potter Lodge #3 St. Anthony, May 29, 1851; and Hennepin Lodge #4 June 2, 1852.

It was not until after the American Civil War that the golden age of fraternalism swept across the country and one in five American males joined the various fraternal organizations.

In the early 20^th century, the I.O.O.F. became the largest fraternal organization in North America with over two million members. At its zenith, the Minnesota Odd Fellows had 232 Lodges with 15,000 members in every part of the state, from the big cities to the small towns. Since then, the I.O.O.F. have grown to 30 foreign countries with 10,000 Lodges worldwide. April 26, 2023. will be the 204^th anniversary of the Odd Fellows in America.

Unfortunately like all fraternal organizations, they too have been experiencing declines in members over the past few decades. The Minnesota Odd Fellows currently has 15 active Lodges, and approximately 300 members.

The guiding principles of the I.O.O.F. are Friendship, Love and Truth, which are represented in the symbol of three chain links with the letters F, L, & T. The three links symbolize the chain that binds the membership together and illustrates that a fraternity is the strongest when joined together.

                                                                         

Clip Art-Courtesy IOOF

The mission or the historic command of the International Order of Odd Fellows is to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate and elevate the character of mankind.

Their structure is similar in many ways to Masonry, but with some differences. They are governed by an international body which is referred to as The International Sovereign Grand Lodge. The Sovereign Grand Lodge issues charters to countries and states and they are then referred to as The Grand Lodge of that state or country. The Grand Lodge’s then issues charters to the local Lodges within their jurisdiction.

The membership requirements are that the person to be at least 16 years old, be of good character who is loyal to their country and has a belief in a Supreme Being. The requirements are non-discriminatory and, as a matter of fact, in the United States, women were allowed as full members in 2001. The current National Grand Master is a woman, Michelle L. Heckart who is from Iowa.

Like the Freemasons, they are non-political and nonsectarian, and during Lodge activities the discussion of politics and religion are not allowed.

Any new applicant gains admission to the fraternity thru the local Lodge where they undergo four degrees. First Degree-Initiatory Degree, Second Degree-Degree of Friendship, Third Degree-The Degree of Love and Fourth Degree-The Degree of Truth.

Once the new member has received the four degrees, they may hold an appointed or elected position in their Lodge. They are also eligible to go on to the higher degrees through the Encampment, and Patriarch Militant.

The Grand Lodges and local Lodges have great freedom to address and work on projects that addresses needs in their local community, while also having the opportunity to participate in larger national and global projects.

The Odd Fellows of Minnesota operates “The Three Links Facilities” located in Northfield, Minnesota that provide comprehensive Senior Care, and assisted living services for the aging. They also own and operate Camp FA-HO-CHA which is a camp for youth that is located on a 24-acre island on German Lake in the Mankato region.

They provide scholarships thru their “Minnesota Scholarship Program.

They are active supporters of the Visual Research Foundation of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s, Wilmer Eye Institute at the John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and actively support the Arthritis Foundation. Embracing the opportunity to have a role in the search for a cure for arthritis.

There is a lot more that they do, I’m just running out of space….

While Masonry and the Odd Fellows have their differences, there are many more similarities.  I think that the one overarching commonality is that both organizations attract members who are committed to making themselves and the world around them to be a better place. The Odd Fellows and Freemasons share the use of symbols, the use of ritual to teach universal moral principles, and a requirement in a belief in a supreme being. And both mix in a large dose of fraternity.

It was a productive and educational meeting which had to end as the evening was waning, and all needed to head home.  I believe everyone left the Lodge with new knowledge as well as respect for our organizations.  One key take away was a belief that both of our ancient societies are very much relevant in these ever-changing times we live in.

Also, this is not the end of interaction.  Three Red Wing Masons and three other Minnesota Masons were fascinated by the Odd Fellows rich history and ideals so much, we have submitted our petitions to become members of the Odd Fellows. Make sure to check back to hear about our journey into the other secret society. 

Chart IOOF Sovereign Grand Lodge