Hi Susan
Lady Minto is the Rebekah side of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows -
this branch is located in Springhill, NS. I don't have a lot of information
on it specifically, but here is some general info about the IOOF and Rebekah
order and at the end are some contact names and addresses, etc. where you
may be able to get more specific info. [My Mom was a Rebekah and a member of
Lady Minto branch years ago. She also worked in the Grand Lodge IOOF
Maritime office when it was in New Glasgow, NS in the 70s and 80s]
Odd Fellows [
http://www.ioof.org/odd_fellows.htm%5d
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is one of the largest and oldest
fraternal orders in the United States. Odd Fellowship was founded in England
where it grew up during the 18th century. The Patriotic Order in England was
followed by the Union of United Orders and the Loyal Order. In 1813, various
lodges of the Union Order organized the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows.
American Odd Fellowship was founded as the Washington Lodge #1 in Baltimore
in 1819, and the following year affiliated with the Manchester Unity.
The three links of Odd Fellowship's symbol represent Friendship, Love, and
Truth.
ODD FELLOW VALEDICTION
I AM AN ODD FELLOW:
I believe in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of man.
I believe in Friendship, Love and Truth as basic guides to the ultimate
destiny of all mankind.
I believe my home, my church or temple, my lodge, and my community deserve
my best work, my modest pride, my earnest faith, and my deepest loyalty, as
I perform my duty "to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead
and educate the orphan" and as I work with others to build a better world,
because, in spirit and in truth, I am and must always be, grateful to my
Creator, faithful to my country and fraternal to my fellow-man;
I AM AN ODD FELLOW!
To Improve and Elevate the Character of Man [
http://www.ioof.org/%5d
In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose
of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of
all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called "Odd
Fellows". Odd Fellows are also known as "The Three Link Fraternity" which
stands for Friendship, Love and Truth.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American
Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and
four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1.
This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in
England.
Odd Fellowship became the 1st national fraternity to include both men and
women when it adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851.
This degree is based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was
written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who was Vice President of the
United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were
also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior
members and for orphaned children.
Rebekahs [
http://www.ioof.org/rebekahs.htm%5d
Odd Fellows, recognizing the need for a woman's touch and her helpfulness in
carrying out the principles of Odd Fellowship, brought into being the
Rebekah degree, founded upon the principles of faithfulness, hospitality,
purity and dedication to the principles of the Order as portrayed by women
characters of the Bible.
http://www.ioof.org/rebekahs.htm
The degree of Rebekah was accepted in 1851 as written by Schuyler Colfax.
The degree was originally written for Brothers to confer on their wives and
daughters and was considered an "Honorary Degree". The degree could only be
conferred at a special meeting and Brothers could also receive the degree,
much the same as today.
Later the Sisters were allowed to confer the degree on other Sisters, a
ritual was adopted with the Sisters taking the parts. Rebekah Lodges were
instituted and have continued to flourish.
This ritual has changed very little since 1851. It includes lessons from the
biblical stories in the Old Testament of the women of the Bible.
We use emblems teaching lessons that are invaluable to be a Rebekah. The
beehive, representing associated industry and the result of united effort.
The moon and seven stars which teaches us the value of regularity in all our
work. The dove, the beautiful emblem of peace. The white lily, a symbol of
purity.
COLFAX BUILT BETTER THAN HE KNEW
When in 1851, the Grand Lodge of the United States gave its sanction to
establish the Rebekah Degree, it added the fairest pillar which adorns and
supports the Temple of Odd Fellowship. Woman's valuable cooperation in our
work of benevolence has long been recognized and at last, to her, was
cheerfully assigned to her a place in our history thereby attesting the
claims to nobility of character, to faithfulness in friendship, to
self-sacrificing love and non-deviating perseverance in all that is good and
true. That she has been noble, vindicated that claim is the universal
testimony of the Order everywhere and Odd Fellows are not only proud but
thankful that her sympathy has been enlisted and her womanly influence added
to our strength.
Woman is naturally an Odd Fellow in our acceptance of the term. Did ever the
cry of the suffering or the moan of the disconsolate fall unheeded upon her
ear? Did ever distress or want call for active ministration of woman in
vain? Never! The natural promptings of her heart, kindness, love and
tenderness forbid the thought. The full measure of woman's influence in the
work of Odd Fellowship has never been properly estimated and only time will
enable us to establish its true value and then glancing backward upon its
glorious achievements know her true value.
Man in his pride and vigor, when health, like a strong arm circles him
about, enabling him to battle alone against the storms of life, may refuse
to acknowledge and recognize the true worth of woman but when sickness lays
its prostrating hand upon him and strength departs, leaving the boasted
giant helpless. When adversity, like a cloud of darkness encompasses him
about, when friends who once sang his praises and fattened upon his plenty,
turn coldly away and desert him in his need. When life is slowly fading,
Rebekah assumes her station.
By J. Edward Stallings.
FROM
http://www.ioof.org/atlantic_provinces.htm the following contacts:
Atlantic Provinces
Grand Lodge of the Atlantic Provinces, IOOF
Leslie Beazley, Grand Secretary
PO BOX 347
Windsor NS BON 2T0
Canada
Tel: 902-798-9207
Next Annual Session: July 11 to 13, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rebekah Assembly of the Atlantic Provinces, IOOF
Patricia Murchy, Assembly Secretary
PO BOX 94
Middle Musquodoboit NS BON 1X0
Canada
Tel: 902-384-2454
Fax: 902-384-2561
Next Annual Session: July 11 to 13, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Encampment of the Atlantic Provinces, IOOF
James Hood, Grand Scribe
PO BOX 222
Stellarton NS B0K 1S0
Canada
Tel: 902-752-4011
Email:
jhood1@...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PM of the Atlantic Provinces, IOOF
Donald Brooking, Adj
4 Dawson St
Dartmouth NS B3A 3A7
Canada
Tel: 902-463-1833
Email:
lenethel@...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAPM of the Atlantic Provinces, IOOF
Lady Frances Hunter
4 Elmwood Ave
Dartmouth NS B3A 3E1
Canada
Tel: 902-466-2965
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