that, a few years since, was radiant with the beams of intelligence, is now closed forever and the heart that once vibrated to every touch of affectionate feeling is chilled beneath the icy grasp of death. When we remember all-the friends so linked together, We pause to reflect, that we too may be called hence, ere another year shall have mingled itself with the past. Should such be the case, what then? why, let us take care that the summons shall find us in the discharge of our duties and ready to render an account of the talents be they great or small committed to our charge. A word to the patrons of the "Covenant" before we close these rambling remarks. A year has now rolled by, since we commenced our publication and we should like to know whether our labors have given satisfaction or not. We have had to contend with difficulties almost without number and if we have in some degree failed an apology will we trust be found for us, in the novelty of our situation. We feel assured that, with some, the circumstances in which we have been placed will have their weight, but should there be any for whom the excuse is not sufficient, we must just put up with the mortification and try to make the coming year's labors more acceptable than those of its predecessor. To those who have been pleased with us we offer our thanks, whilst for the malcontents we have nothing but regrets that they have not been better pleased. To all we wish a happy and prosperous New Year. HOME CORRESPONDENCE. Maryland-Extract of a letter from brother G. F. P. Schwartz, dated Hagerstown, December 14, 1842. I will proceed to the object in view in so doing, i. e. to give you in detail a few ideas which struck me very forcibly after a careful perusal and re-perusal of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the United States, I. O. O. F., as published in the November number of the Covenant, &c. &c.—also wishing information relative to Odd-Fellowship, (which I am fully aware you are capable of imparting to any desirous of such information,) which I greatly stand in need of, being a young member of the Order, comparatively speaking. I noticed a report and resolution made by Kep. Moore from the committee on the Work of the Order, relative to the entire abolishment of the Proxy system of Representation in the G. L. of U. S.-also restricting the right of suffrage to its Representatives alone, thereby depriving P. G. Sires of that privilege, (as, if I mistake not, the G. L. of U. S. is composed of its Elective Officers, Representatives and P. G. SIRES,) now I think the first consideration a very desirable one and easily accomplished, (the fears of the committee to the contrary notwithstanding,) as I will attempt to prove in a plan, which I consider quite feasible, concocted in my leisure moments, after perusal and subsequent meditation upon the subject which gives rise to this paragraph, it is as follows, viz:-each subordinate lodge under the jurisdiction of State Grand Lodges, to contribute one dollar yearly, the same to be transmitted to their respective G. Lodges with their annual report to said bodies, who in their turn will transmit the amount thus accruing to the Cor. & Rec. Sec'ry with their annual report to the G. L. of U. S. The fund thus accruing from said contributions I would term the Representative Fund'— (the object of which is to refund to Representatives and Officers their travelling expenses and five dollars each for boarding, &c. during the session of G. L. of U. S.) I would have the subordinate encampments under the jurisdiction of Represented G. Encampments to do likewise and the same to put in the Representative Fund-I would then, that every G. Lodge and Encampment contribute for every Representative sent $5 each, the same to be put in the Representative Fund.-I would also, that every subordinate ledge and encampment under the jurisdiction of the G. L. of U. S. also contribute one dollar each to said Representative Fund, the whole would yield a fund of at least $500, amply sufficient to reimburse all the Representatives their travelling expenses, as also boarding and lodging during the session of G. L. of U. S.-and I have not the least doubt but what the arrangement could be effected, particularly if G. L. of U. S. would every other year meet in the different States according to seniority in Odd-Fellowship-for instance, in 1843 at Baltimore-1844 at Boston, Mass.-1845 at Baltimore-1846 at New York-1847 at Baltimore-1848 at Pennsylvania-and so on until she had met in every State, when the same routine could be constantly gone through with, until time no more existed-when Odd-Fellowship would also I presume-But I am sure it will not be before. If the G. L. of U. S. would pursue the above plan I'd vouch for the vile Proxy system of Representation being consigned to utter oblivion, without so much as a struggle for its further continuance. It would give you additional trouble, inasmuch as you would have to keep a separate book, to notice the reception of contributions and the disbursement of the same, but that would be truly a secondary consideration, to the incalculable benefit the same would be to the G. L. of U. S. in accomplishing an individual Representation for ever. But to disfranchise P. G. Sires who may think proper to attend the sessions of the G. L. of U. S. I conceive would be highly improper, 1st. because these are, generally speaking, brothers who are well acquainted and versed in Odd-Fellowship, therefore rendering them great acquisitions in that body—and secondly, it would be showing disrespect to them and the office they filled so creditably to themselves and the Order they represented. More could be said upon the subject, but time nor paper will admit of noticing them at present. Again-On examining the report relative to "the Covenant and Official Magazine," I was perfectly astonished to perceive that only 2037 Odd-Fellows subscribed for so valuable an acquisition to the Order-whereas, Í supposed the number to be at the lowest calculation 5000; how greatly I was mistaken-but it was also gratifying to me in perceiving at the same time, that even with so few subscribers, comparatively speaking, it has been a source of profit to the G. L. of U. S. It caused me to reflect upon a plan of further extending the circulation of said work, and thereby necessarily extending its usefulness, also increasing its revenue to the G. L. of U. S.-a very desirable object methinks in her present embarrassed circumstances. Its circulation should at least be equal to one-third the number of Odd-Fellows in the United States, which would be about 7000 or more,-but with 5000 subscribers it would bring an amply sufficient revenue for the G. L. of U. S. independent of her per centage of G. L. &c.-however, the greater the revenue the better, as there are various avenues leading from Benevolence, (at whose shrine we gladly worship,) to be attended to, that have been heretofore neglected, in consequence of an insufficiency of funds. I do not approve of the plan pursuing in entrusting the circulation of said work to sub-agents, or local agents,-they are not remunerated for so doing, and therefore they only devote such time as they can spare from their daily occupations, which time most frequently is very inappropriate for the purpose, and not feeling that lively interest which should be manifested in such a cause, from the fact, that though ever so willing, they are not able to devote the requisite time to said object-as time with them is money, agreeable to Doct. Franklin's maxim. I should think by entrusting the circulation of C. and O. M. of G. L. of U. S. to a stationary General Agent, (as is now the case, with this addition, that he ought to reside in Baltimore,) and a General Travelling Agent, whose province it would be to visit every G. L. and E.—every sub. L. and E. once a year soliciting subscriptions from them and their members-such plan might increase the expense a trifle, but the increase of subscription would more than ten-fold balance the same, independent of many other benefits to be derived from such an arrangement-for instance, he could from time to time furnish the G. Cor. & Rec. Sec'ry with interesting information relative to the lodges he would visit, how conducted, prosperity, &c. &c. Again, he would deliver charters, open subordinate lodges and encampments, &c. &c. As to his salary, the S. G. A. to have 10 per ct. and the G. T. A. 20 per ct., but the latter to pay therefor all his travelling expenses, &c.-but such arrangement could not be entered into until on and after the next meeting of G. L. of U. S. in 1843. However, a trial could be made between this and the next meeting of G. L. of U. S. to show its feasibility. I heard several brothers complain of the October and November numbers of C. and O. M. on account of their being taken up entirely with the proceedings of G. L. of U. S. to the utter exclusion, as they say, of all other interesting matter. As respects myself, I consider the two Nos. just mentioned the most desirable of the eleven received. By-the-by, what detains the December No., the ladies, (God bless them!) are anxiously awaiting its welcome arrival. South Carolina-Extract of a letter from Rev. Albert Case, D. D. G. Sire, dated Charleston, Dec. 11, 1842. Annexed you have the official account of the institution of an Encampment at Columbia in S. C. Dec. 8th. Carolina Hall, Columbia, S. C. Present-Albert Case, D. D. G. Sire-S. A. Hurlbut, C. P.-Taylor, H. P.-Chas. Clapp, Hunting-Alex. McDonald, R. W. Seymour, Devaux, (of Charleston,) James H. Adams, R. W. Gibbes, and E. W. Marshall, (of Columbia,) members of Palmetto Encampment, No. 1. The dispensation directing the D. D. G. Sire to confer the Encampment degrees on Brethren was then read, and the Encampment opened in the R. P. Degree. The following brothers of the Scarlet Degree, members of Palmetto Lodge, No. 5, in good standing, were then introduced and the several degrees of the Encampment branch of the Order was conferred on them, viz:-John McKenzie, Wm. Cunningham, J. T. Mickle, R. H. Goodwyn, J. L. Clark, J. D. Tradewell, R. Adams, A. Taylor. The accompanying application was then received-the officers elected and duly installed. The warrant, (dated 8th Dec.) &c. was delivered, and the Encampment constituted in due form, and proclaimed as "Eutaw Encampment, No. 2," of Columbia, in the State aforesaid. The following is a list of the officers of Eutaw Encampment. The members from Charleston are deserving of much credit for their necessary assistance rendered on this occasion,-they are ever ready to serve the Order, and in this instance have rendered it a very important service. The Encampment at Columbia cannot fail to prosper and be respected. The members are gentlemen of high standing and would be sought out by any good association as profitable for membership. Palmetto Lodge having prepared and furnished a large and splendid Hall, selected Friday the 9th for its dedication. A procession was formed at Carolina Hall, at 10 A. M. consisting of Palmetto Lodge-visiting brethren of the lodges from Charlestonmembers of Palmetto Encampment, and the M. W. Grand Lodge of South Carolina, and proceeded through the principal streets to the Methodist Church-where after prayer by brother Strober, Chaplain —and the singing of original odes an address replete with instruction and admonition was delivered by brother James H. Adams, a benediction was pronounced by P. G. M. John H. Honour, Grand Chaplain-and the procession was re-formed-passing the State House, where the Legislature was convened (out of doors) it reached Odd-Fellows' Hall. The services here consisted of a consecrating prayer by the Chaplain of the lodge, an address by brother J. D. Tradewell, N. G., and the singing of two original odes written for the occasion. The Grand Chaplain then pronounced the benediction and the services closed. The Methodist Church was crowded with attentive listeners, and the Hall was pressed full of ladies to witness the consecrating service. The procession was large, the regalia of the lodge was rich and elegant, the Encampment members from Charleston dressed in their regalia and the Grand Lodge in its appropriate regalia, altogether presented such a sight as we ne'er had seen in that town. The banner of Palmetto Lodge cost $175-brother Mayer, painted it. There can be no longer any objections to Odd-Fellowship in Columbia-brother Adams in his address converted all the ladies, and their approbation will give success to the Order whose motto is Friendship, Love and Truth. The lodge met at evening, and the M. W. Grand Lodge visited it in ample form— after examining the books, work, &c. the Grand Master expressed the high degree of satisfaction enjoyed by the Grand Lodge on its first visitation to Palmetto, and congratulated the lodge on its previous and unparalleled success, its present happy condition and future prospects. He addressed the lodge at some length explaining the duties of Odd Fellows, and admonished them to cherish and practice the duties enjoined, and maintain for the Order the high and honored station to which it has there been elevated. The lodge numbers more than 200, thirty or forty have been elected, and 20 propos ed on the 9th, at which time 8 were initiated—and yet the lodge has been in existence but six months. Many gentlemen from the different upper districts have become members, and the chain of F. L. & T. extends from the Atlantic through the valleys to the mountains. The Legislature was in session, and it is expected that that intelligent body will apply for admission in Committee of the Whole;' save and excepting those who are now members, and they are not a few. The Ex-Governor and the present Governor Hammond, are Odd Fellows-sure enough! The introduction of the Order into this State will be honored by an anniversary celebration on the 2d January. Oration by A. G. Magrath, Esq. Dedication of the Odd-Fellows' Hall in Columbia, South Carolina. The ceremony of dedicating the Odd Fellows' Hall in Columbia, the Capital of South Carolina, took place on Friday the 9th of December, 1842. The members of Palmetto Lodge, No. 5, met at 9 o'clock, A. M. at Carolina Hall, and were joined by a deputa tion from the Grand Lodge of S. C., Palmetto Encampment, and members of the different lodges in Charleston to the number of about forty. A procession was then formed and proceeded through several of the principal streets, accompanied by a band of music, to the Methodist Church, where a fervent prayer was offered up to the Throne of Grace by the Rev. P. A. Strobel, Chaplain of the lodge, and an address delivered by Genl. James H. Adams, which fully sustained the reputation of the distingutshed orator, and realized the expectations of the brethren. It was a bold, firm, and manly defence of the principles of the Order, couched in beautiful and chaste language, which went to the hearts of the crowded auditory, who for the first time listened to a public exposition of the objects of Odd-Fellowship. His appeal to the ladies was particularly fine, and doubtless carried conviction to the hearts of " God's last, best gift to man," that “OddFellows made the most ardent lovers, and the most devoted husbands." We hope to see the address in print. Several original odes set to appropriate music, were sung by a select choir, and the procession was re-formed, and proceeded to the new Hall. When the brethren were about starting, the ladies entered their carriages, and without any previous concert, formed a line parallel with the procession, and proceeded with them to the Hall, their beautiful faces radiant with smiles and loveliness. This was something unique, and produced a most exhilirating effect. On reaching the Hall, the procession halted, the ladies descended from their carriages, and entered the lodge room, followed by the members of the Order. After an original ode had been sung by the choir, a dedicatory address was delivered by brother J. D. Tradewell, N. G. of Palmetto Lodge, another ode was sung, and the public services ended. The day was remarkably fine, and every thing conspired to render the occasion one of peculiar pleasure and gratifica tion to the brethren. It was the first public display that had ever taken place in Columbia, and the effect produced on the public mind was of the most favourable character.— The fact that grave Senators, and members of the House of Representatives of the Legislature, then in session, were to be seen walking in the procession, adorned with the regalia and emblems of the Order, gave an assurance, that nothing contrary to the principles of the government need to be feared as being connected with the secrets of the Order, while the presence of several clergymen of different religious denominations was a sure guarantee that no immorality was suffered to exist. Odd-Fellowship has found a secure resting place in Columbia. Palmetto Lodge, though the youngest of her sisters, is behind none of them in zeal and devotion to the Order. Though but six months old, she numbers over two hundred members, and is composed of gentlemen of the highest standing in the community, of all classes and professions. His Excellency Governor Hammond, recently inducted into the Gubernatorial chair is a member. The lodge assembled in the evening for the transaction of business, and were officially visited by the officers of the R. W. Grand Lodge, who inspected their books and proceedings: after which the Grand Master delivered an appropriate charge, congratulating the members upon their unparalleled success, commending their zeal, and giving them some good advice for their future government. Five candidates were initiated into the mysteries of the Order, and some twenty propositions received. A motion was made to make a donation of one hundred dollars to the Female Orphan Asylum recently established by the ladies of Columbia. This would have been a most glorious termination of the ceremonies of the day, and given an incontrovertible evidence that our professions of charity are not "in word and tongue only, but in deed and truth," but some of the brethren having expressed some constitutional scruples on the subject of appropriating the funds to any purpose not immediately connected with the Order, the motion was laid on the table, and it was determined to take up a subscription among the members to be applied to that object in the name of the Odd-Fellows. This will be done, and will doubtless exceed in amount the sum proposed to be appropriated from the funds. The new lodge room is very spacious, and elegantly decorated, situated in a central part of the town, and such as would do honor to any city in the Union. Indeed it is questionable if there is a handsomer, or more richly furnished lodge room in the United States. It is to be hoped that the brethren in Charleston will be excited to emulate, and if possible, to surpass the Columbians, by the erection of an edifice in the city which will do honor to the Order, and be an ornament to the great Southern Emporium. This is in contemplation, incipient arrangements having been made for its accomplishment. JOHN H. HONOUR. Ohio-Extract of a letter from Grand Master Charles Thomas, dated Cincinnati, December 5th, 1842. Since my return home, in company with D. G. Master Sherlock and others from this city, I have had the pleasure of opening another lodge, under the name of "Hope Lodge, No. 16," at Middletown, Butler County. It is a good point for a lodge—it must do well. In this State, much interest is manifested at the opening of a new lodge. There were a number of brethren present on this last occasion, that rendered much assistance, there being several initiated the same evening. Indiana-Extract of a letter from G. M. James W. Hinds, dated Madison, Nov. 7th, 1842. In reading over the last number of the Covenant, I discovered in the Grand Secretary's report in regard to the State of the Order in Indiana, that you were not in possession of any information in regard to the progress of the Order since the removal of the Grand Lodge of Indiana from New Albany to Madison; for your information and the encouragement of the Order in general, I can inform you that since that time the increase of the Order has been onward, and we have fair prospects of the Order spreading all over the bounds of our little State, we have at this time eleven Subordinate Lodges, and as far as my knowledge extends they are in a prosperous condition, and I have just received a petition for constituting another lodge at Logansport, in one of the extreme corners of the State, if it was not for the scarcity of money I have no doubt that in less than five years the Order would double itself in our State. On the 21st November last, a lodge of I. O. O. F. was opened in the Masonic Hall of this place. The character of those concerned gives a pledge to the public that works of Friendship, Truth and Love will abound in our community.-Wabash Gazelle. We have the pleasure to acknowledge from the Grand Secretary of New York the further subscription on account of the English Mission from the following lodges of that State: National Lodge, No. 30,... $10 Olive Branch, No. 31,... .10 Also from Grand Secretary Guild, from Merrimac Lodge of Mass. the sum of.... .10 $30 |