The Odd Fellows' Primer

By Michael Greenzeiger and Ainslie Heilich

The Odd Fellows' Primer is a work cut from the same cloth as the great 19th century manuals written by luminaries such as Rev. Aaron Grosh and Paschal Donaldson, designed to give the initiate everything they need to practice and live Odd Fellowship in the lodge and beyond. 

This comprehensive work explores and explains concepts of fra

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heart in Hand Institute
• Release date: Aug 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9798218122065

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Copyright © 2021-2022 by Michael P. F. Greenzeiger

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

First Edition: August 2021

Third Printing

Illustrations copyright © 2021-2022 by Ainslie Heilich

Edited by Scott Moye

Layout by Lisa Connery

ISBN 978-0-578-93857-8 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-578-93860-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-218-12206-5 (e book)

Published by the Heart in Hand Institute

Tuscola, IL

DEDICATION

To the incomparable James L. Ridgely (1807-1881) who built the edifice of American Odd Fellowship, having served as Grand Secretary from 1840 to 1881 and having made unparalleled contributions to the laws, ritual, and literature of the Order

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To Erik Meyer-Curley and James Goode who first invited me to join the Odd Fellows; to Desmond Reeves Jr., PGP and Ronald Pynn Jr., PGP who taught me what Odd Fellowship is all about and supported me in becoming a leader in the lodge; to Gerard Gilmore Jr., PGM who placed his trust in me as Grand Herald of Massachusetts and brought me into the world of Grand Lodges; and to B. Scott McInnes who gave me my very first copy of the Improved Odd Fellows Manual, thank you all for starting me on the journey to write this book.

To Donald Lang, PGM, who made me feel welcome in the Jurisdiction of California and has given me advice of inestimable value on my path to becoming Grand Master; to Dr. Mel Astrahan, PGM, who placed his confidence in me as Grand Instructor of California; to Dave Reed, PGM, who sponsored me as Grand Master of California; to Barry Prock, PGM, who has always reminded me to keep the Good of the Order in mind and has advised me on countless matters, large and small; and to James Jepsen Jr., PGM, and Greg Schomaker, PGM who were a pleasure to work with during my terms as Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master; to Jimmy Humphrey, PSGM, who believed in me and guided me as I began to work with Sovereign Grand Lodge, thank you all for helping me to continue to grow in my service to the Order in California and beyond.

To the excellent slate of appointed officers I had the privilege of sharing my travels with: Grand Marshal Sasha St. John, Grand Conductor Jack Fullmer, Grand Chaplain Linnea Bredenberg, Grand Guardian Martha Galvan, Grand Herald Matthew Finkelstein, and Grand Instructor Rick Bragge, thank you for supporting me through my time in the demanding office of Grand Master.

To James Moody, who was installed as my Grand Color Bearer but unexpectedly passed away a week after the installation, I'm glad I got the chance to know you and I appreciate your many contributions to the Order. You will be deeply missed.

To Rev. A. B. Grosh, who wrote the Improved Odd Fellows Manual and bequeathed me a template for this project; to Toby Hanson, PGM and Sovereign Grand Musician, Michael Duminiak, Vanessa O'Connor, and Sergio Paredes, who went above and beyond the call of duty to provide indispensable input on the subject matter addressed herein; and to Harrison Moore, Debra LaVergne, Wilbert Lemuel, Ron Mills, Ron Myres, Henry S. Rosenthal, PGP, and Billy Sanderson, who contributed helpful feedback on my manuscript, thank you for making this work possible.

To Kaitlyn Osman and Zoe Timmerman, who have helped me in more ways than I could possibly enumerate, thank you for your unwavering support.

To my wife Linnea Bredenberg, who is my partner in Odd Fellowship as much as she is my partner in life; to Angelina and Joel Greenzeiger, my beloved daughter and son, who bring joy to my world each and every day; to my parents, Mark Froimowitz and Marilyn Berman, and to my sister Lisa Druskat, thank you for your love and support in everything that I do.

ILLUSTRATOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I would like to thank the early 18th-century Odd Fellows who created our symbolic visual language and the 19th-century artisans who created the images that adorn our halls today.

Secondly, to all the great members I have met along my journey as a member and have been mentors and supporters of whatever pie in the sky project I come up with. Jim Turner, PGM (IL), for being instrumental in getting my home lodge reinstituted. Dan Davis, PGM (IL), Fran Davis, Gene Curfman, PGM (IL), and Nancy Curfman, PGMatriarch-LEA (IL), for their loyal dedication to being my lodge parents to ensure my lodge has the foundation for the long haul. And to my lodge Brothers and Sisters, Tuscola #316, for their dedication to forging the way forward as Odd Fellows. To Scott Moye for his resilience in the face of every obstacle this organization has thrown at him. To Toby Hanson, PGM (WA), Sovereign Grand Musician, for always having the right words and approach to the most difficult of situations. To Wayne Geurts, PGM (ON), for being a calm force to move things forward in the storm.

Finally, I thank my family for their undying love and support for me and all my artistic endeavors.

FOREWORD

Odd Fellowship has played an important role in our North American history. For over 200 years our Three Link Symbol has helped to spread the message of Friendship, Love and Truth, which we believe is the ultimate destiny of all mankind.

Throughout the annals of time, the tenets of our order have been to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan. We have reached out and helped many of our members, our families, and our friends. We are a community of devoted members who seek to build a better world in which to live. We've influenced many lives in the past, and as people read this manual and join our order, we will continue to touch many more in the years to come.

Our order has grown and changed over the centuries, and we've passed our traditions down from mouth to ear, each generation of Odd Fellows passing them on to the next. As a result, many of our cherished ideas have never been recorded. Therefore, Brother Greenzeiger has developed a manual to help us all, especially new members entering the Order. He has taken our history, rituals, structure, and everyday operations, and explained every detail in a way that is easy to understand. This book clarifies many things which might otherwise be unclear, from how to live the principles of Odd Fellowship, to how to perform each role within a lodge. I truly believe that it will be a great help for all members, both old and new.

I commend Brother Greenzeiger for taking on this project for his Grand Master year and for helping all of us to better understand the principles and practices of Odd Fellowship.

Odd Fellowship must grow with the times, but the principles of our community remain the same. If our commitments to our Odd Fellows family, our community, and all the people of the world stand strong, our order will continue to thrive, and serve as a beacon of hope for future generations.

E. Wesley Nelson

Sovereign Grand Master

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

INTRODUCTORY

When I first joined an Odd Fellows Lodge in 2005, I didn't know what I was signing up for. I had friends in the lodge, and they were badly in need of more members to keep the lodge going. I was willing to help. My initiation was a blur of sounds, colors, and a lot of speeches I couldn't completely digest. I figured that once I started attending meetings, the meanings would become more apparent. The brothers and sisters were friendly, welcoming, and more than happy to teach me how to participate in the meetings. However, no one ever told me why I should care about the business going on or the myriad of intricate rituals involved in working a lodge. I didn't understand the big picture of what Odd Fellowship was about and how it was relevant to me. Just doing the work wasn't enough for me. I wanted to know what it meant and why we were doing it.

I might never have found the answer, or at least not for many years, if I hadn't had the good fortune to be pulled aside by one of the oldest members in the lodge and handed a book. It had a purple cloth cover with embossed gold printing, faded from age. Inside, I found all manner of answers to questions I hadn't even known enough to ask. What was described were all the fundamentals of Odd Fellowship. The book was laid out neatly into a series of chapters. They touched on what the degrees meant, how an Odd Fellow should conduct themselves, and why the mission of Odd Fellowship was so vitally important in the world. Also contained was practical advice on how a lodge functions and the roles of the different officers and committees.

There was one problem, however. The descriptions were of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the 19th century. Back then, there were six degrees instead of the present four and many other differences as well. The core principles and goals into which I had been initiated were laid out and still recognizable from the later incarnation. With careful study and contemplation, I was able to understand what was still considered relevant today and perhaps also what should still be considered relevant. This book was the Improved Odd Fellows Manual, by Rev. A. B. Grosh, and it was published in 1871.

Since then, I have made it a habit to read every Odd Fellows historical text I could get my hands on. There was an entire class of Odd Fellows literature devoted to serving as an introductory manual. The more well-known titles were by names such as Ross, Donaldson, and Bristol, in addition to the good Reverend. There was even one by Ridgely himself.

As a Grand Lodge officer in two different jurisdictions, and having visited lodges in several others, I have had the opportunity to see Odd Fellowship from a broader perspective. I have always been fascinated with the little differences in the way the Ritual is performed and how different customs and practices form in different regions. These coalesce to create a living web spanning the world, but tied together at the center through the core tradition and laws. An Odd Fellow may still visit any other lodge within the Independent Order and be enveloped in the familiar, even if some of the customs may be foreign.

All of this tangled and beautiful diversity is in danger of being lost to the sands of time, however, if we do not take steps to set it down for posterity. That is what this book sets out to do. It is for the new member with unanswered questions or for the experienced member who has always wondered if there was something more profound. I have done my best to set out Odd Fellowship as I have seen it practiced. I have sought to capture all the complexity of its practices, the unbroken thread of its symbolic meanings, and the dynamism of the brothers and sisters themselves. They elevate Odd Fellowship from being mere words on a page to a living, breathing force for good in the world. I wish for every new brother and sister who crosses our threshold to gain the full knowledge and benefit of their heritage as Odd Fellows.

This book is not a replacement for your Noble Grand, Grand Master, or the laws and customs of your particular jurisdiction. These should always be given priority and adhered to. Should your local practices differ from those contained herein, I would be most interested in hearing about them. Please do not hesitate to contact me and share your experiences with the traditions of Odd Fellowship for possible inclusion in a future edition. Odd Fellowship is as broad as it is deep.

This book may contain terminology unfamiliar to the modern reader. I have indicated these terms in a bold and underlined typeface. Any such term is defined in the Glossary section at the end.

Odd Fellowship, as it exists in the 21st century, is a story yet to be written. Indeed, it will be authored through the contributions of brothers and sisters spanning the globe. Let us be ever mindful of our past, and the continuity of our history as the Order marches forward through time. The world needs us and our work, and we have the power to rise and meet the challenges of our day, that the links of Odd Fellowship may carry on unbroken.

SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, JULY 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. On the Nature and Origins of Odd Fellowship

A. Our Name

B. Our Origins

C. Our Objects

D. Our Principles

E. Our Nature

II. On the Governing Principles of the Order

A. Our Structure

B. Of Secrecy

III. On the Benefits of Membership

A. Of Historical Benefits

B. Of Present Benefits

IV. On Initiation

A. Of its Purpose

B. Of its Content

V. On Seeking Membership

A. Of Preliminaries

B. Of the Application Process

C. Of the Various Types of Application

D. Of Categories of Membership

VI. On the Conduct and Vocation of a Member

A. Concerning Fellow Members

B. In the World At Large

VII. On Meetings and Ceremonies

A. Of Regular Meetings

B. Of Rules of Order

C. Of Visiting a Lodge

D. Of Visiting as a Body

E. Of Decorum

F. Of Official Visits

G. Of Switching Between Degrees

H. Of Degree Work

I. Of Draping the Charter

J. Of Nominations and Elections

K. Of Installation of Officers

VIII. On the Elected Offices

A. Of the Noble Grand

B. Of the Vice Grand

C. Of the Secretary

D. Of the Financial Secretary

E. Of the Treasurer

F. Of the Trustees

IX. On the Appointive Offices

A. Of the Warden

B. Of the Conductor

C. Of the Scene Supporters

D. Of the Inside Guardian

E. Of the Outside Guardian

F. Of the Chaplain

G. Of the Junior Past Grand

H. Of the Supporters of the Noble Grand

I. Of the Supporters of the Vice Grand

J. Of the Musician

K. Of the Color Bearer

X. On Committees and their Work

A. Their Purpose, Composition, and Functioning

B. Of Finance Committees

C. Of Visiting Committees

D. Of Membership Committees

E. Of Building Committees

F. Of Social Committees

G. Of Service Committees

H. Of By-Laws Committees

I. Of Executive Committees

J. Of Special Committees

XI. On Lodge Finances

A. Of Financial Practices

B. Of Dues

C. Of Assessments

D. Of Other Forms of Income

E. Of Expenditures

XII. On the Laws of the Order

A. Of Precedence of Legal Authority

B. Of the Power of Interpretation

C. Of Charges and Trials

XIII. On Events and Their Planning

A. Of General Concerns

B. Of Roll Call Dinners

C. Of Guest Speakers

D. Of Concerts

E. Of Game Nights

F. Of Craft Fairs

G. Of Carnivals

H. Of Holiday Parties

I. Of Barbecues

J. Of Parades

K. Of Service Events

L. Of Fundraising Events

XIV. On Marketing and Publicity

A. Of Newsletters

B. Of Web Sites

C. Of Blogs

D. Of Social Media

XV. On Recruitment and Training

A. Of Searching Out New Members

B. Of Mentorship

XVI. On Districts

A. Their Nature

B. Their Officers

C. Their Meetings

D. Of Lodges of Instruction

XVII. On Grand Lodges

A. Their Composition and Purpose

B. Their Elected Officers

C. Their Appointed Officers

D. Their Programs

E. Their Official Visits

F. Their Receptions

G. Their Sessions and Convention

H. Their Special Sessions

I. Their Committees

J. Their Reports

K. Their Legislative Process

L. Their Elections

M. Of Impeachment and Filling of Vacancies

N. Their Executive Committees and Boards of Directors

XVIII. On Sovereign Grand Lodge

A. Their Composition and Purpose

B. Their Elected and Appointed Officers

C. Their Sessions

D. Their Executive Committee

E. Their Standing Committees

F. Their Other Committees

G. Their Boards and Foundations

XIX. On the Formation of a Lodge

A. Of Reasons to Institute a Lodge

B. Of Institution Requirements

C. Regarding How to Begin

D. Of the Formal Process

E. After the Institution

XX. On the Symbols of Odd Fellowship

A. Their Purpose and Nature

B. Of Current Symbols

C. Of Historical Symbols

XXI. On Appendant and Associated Bodies

A. Their Purpose and Nature

B. Of the Rebekahs

C. Of the Encampment

D. Of the Patriarchs Militant

E. Of the Youth Branches

F. Of the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans

G. Of the Ladies of the Orient

Conclusion

Endnotes

Image Source Citations

Glossary

EMBELLISHMENTS

All unattributed illustrations are by Ainslie Heilich

Chapter I

Three Men Working Together

Adam as the First Odd Fellow

Meeting Night at the Club of Odd Fellows - Barlow

Odd Fellows Family Tree - Stevens

Early Drawing of GLUS/SGL Seal - Douglass

Fathers of American Odd Fellowship lithograph - Henderson, et al.

Seven Stars Tavern - Ross

Washington #1 Charter - The Sovereign Grand Lodge, IOOF Grand Lodge of the United States Charter - Ross

Three Links Illuminated

The Big Truth - unknown

Three Links Ladder to Leadership

Chapter II

Organizational Structure

Chart of Lodge Chair Progression

Man with No Face

Hoodwinks - Henderson-Ames

Chapter III

Odd Fellows Funeral - Adams

Catalogue Inside Conductor - M.C. Lilley

Venerable Warden Visits Widow - Shaffner

Silhouette IOOF

Coming Together in the Lodge

Chapter IV

The Initiatory Scene in an Odd Fellow's Lodge - Willis

Alchemical Alembic Distilling Odd Fellowship

Be Serious!

The Initiation

Hoodwinks from Catalog - M.C. Lilley

David and Jonathan

Good Samaritan

Seeking Truth

Journey of Odd Fellowship - Hildreth, Young, & Co.

Chapter V

Who Goes There?

Application - The Sovereign Grand Lodge, IOOF

Ballot Boxes - M.C. Lilley

Withdrawal Certificate - The Sovereign Grand Lodge, IOOF

Chapter VI

Handshake

Chapter VII

Lodge Meeting of Washington Lodge #1 - C.W. Sherwood

Full Page Diagram of Lodge Room

Old IL Password - Grand Lodge of Illinois

Sheet Music - WM H Horstman

Order of Business Parchment

Valediction

All Seeing Eye with Full Glory

Table of Commonly Used Motions

Three Links

Regalia Chart

Three Links with Interlocked IOOF

Order of Visitors - Grand Lodge of Illinois

Three Links and Scythe

Degree Costumes- Henderson-Ames

Degree Banner - M.C. Lilley

Draped Charter

Tally Sheet

Marshal Holding Baton

Chapter VIII

Crossed Gavels

Chart of Subordinate Lodge Jewels - B.M. Powell

Hourglass

Crossed Quills and Book

Crossed Quills

Crossed Keys

Chapter IX

Crossed Axes

Crossed Batons

Torch

Crossed Swords

Crossed Swords

Holy Book

Heart in Hand Star

Gavel

Hourglass

Lyre

Flag

Chapter X

Beehive with Seven Bees

Committees Illuminate the Whole Lodge.

IOOF Cipher 1

IOOF Cipher 2

IOOF Cipher 3

Chapter XI

Books and Blanks - Henderson-Ames

Dues Card

Will as Warden Carrying Money on Axe

Chapter XII

Odd Fellows Emblematic Cross

Skull and Collar

Chapter XIII

Odd Fellows Social - Russell Lee

Playing Cards

Carnival Games

Holiday Party

First Odd Fellows Rebekahs Rose Float 1908

Chapter XIV

Heart in Hand

Chapter XV

Famous Odd Fellows of the Past

Future and Legacy

Chapter XVI

DDGM Emblem

DDGM Installing Officer

Chapter XVII

Grand Lodge Officer Jewels - B.M. Powell

Grand Master Greenzeiger

Heart in Hand

Emblematic Horseshoe

Grand Lodge Secretaries - Henderson-Ames

Chapter XVIII

Sovereign Grand Master Jewel -B.M. Powell

Sovereign Grand Lodge Mural

Chapter XIX

First Lodge Meeting at the Seven Stars

Example of Modern Charter

Chapter XX

Full Chart of Degree Symbols - M.C. Lilley

Initiatory Degree - M.C. Lilley

Fasces - M.C. Lilley

First Degree - M.C. Lilley

Second Degree - M.C. Lilley

Third Degree - M.C. Lilley

Globe in Clouds - Tal P Shaffner

Bow and Quiver - Tal P Shaffner

Three Arrows - Tal P Shaffner

Lamb - Tal P Shaffner

Sun - Tal P Shaffner

Rainbow - Tal P Shaffner

Moses's Rod - Tal P Shaffner

Noah's Ark - Tal P Shaffner

Cornucopia - Public domain clip art

Aaron's Rod - Tal P Shaffner

Chapter XXI

Levels of Odd Fellowship Chart -Geo. H. Walker & Co

Rebekah Emblem - The Sovereign Grand Lodge IOOF

Rebekah Degree Chart - Geo. H. Walker & Co.

Encampment - The Sovereign Grand Lodge IOOF

Encampment Degree Chart - B.M. Powell

Patriarchs Militant - The Sovereign Grand Lodge IOOF

Current Patriarchs Militant Uniform - CE Ward

Junior Odd Fellows - The Sovereign Grand Lodge IOOF

Theta Rho - The Sovereign Grand Lodge IOOF

Youth Group - The Sovereign Grand Lodge IOOF

AMOS - Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans

Muscovites - Imperial Order of Muscovites

LOTO - Ladies of the Orient

Conclusion

Carry the Light of Odd Fellowship

CHAPTER I

ON THE NATURE AND ORIGINS OF ODD FELLOWSHIP

OUR NAME

When asking the meaning of the name Odd Fellows, one will often hear that when the Order was founded, it was odd for people to help each other and that those who did so were called Odd Fellows. Others will report that, as with some other fraternal orders, Odd Fellowship descended from a medieval craft guild. The explanation is that Odd Fellowship descended from a craft guild of men who worked at odd jobs. This is probably not entirely correct either, however. It is likely that Odd Fellowship was not tied to any particular craft. Perhaps the best way to understand what Odd Fellowship means is to look at the individual words themselves. During its founding, odd frequently referred to items that did not match and fellow to a person who belonged to a particular professional association or partnership. Therefore, Odd Fellowship is an assortment of individuals from more than one profession or walk of life. No further embellishment is needed beyond the fundamental fact that an Odd Fellow is a person who unites with others across the boundaries of demographic or social class in order to form a far greater whole.

Three Men Working Together

OUR ORIGINS

As with the name, the origins of Odd Fellowship are also much debated and shrouded in mystery. Like many other fraternal organizations, it seems an effort was made to bestow the organization with the earliest possible origins. Thus, stories are told that Odd Fellowship was founded in Ancient Rome during the reign of Nero.¹ Titus is said to have coined the name and granted the Odd Fellows a dispensation in return for their loyalty to him.² More ambitious tales tell that Odd Fellowship originated among the ancient Israelites, where Moses and Aaron propagated it.³ Not to be outdone, others yet report that the first Odd Fellow was, in fact, Adam himself.⁴

In truth, though, no known records of the Order exist prior to 1748, from which we have a fragmentary set of rules and minutes from Aristarcus Lodge #9 of the Order of Odd Fellows.⁵ This is generally regarded as the first clear evidence of Odd Fellowship, though no extant copy remains. James Spry tells us that he copied it from an ancient vellum leaf he was shown.