The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
for the benefit of the poor. But Jesus declared that the act had a utility
worthy of its cost, and reminded them that the poor could be
remembered at any other time and in some other manner. So, if our
regalia and emblems tend to increase our benevolence and stimulate us
to greater activity in well-doing, then is their manufacture no idle work,
their cost no useless expense. The food or raiment that money would
have purchased would, in a few months, have been consumed or worn
out. 1541
Grosh argues that the cost of the decorations was employed in "giving needed
labor (and by that labor honorable subsistence) to hundreds and thousands of
industrious men, women and children." 1542 For Blanchard, this attempted defense
is but a farce and "on a par with the most popular line of defense of the liquor
traffic." 1543 We have to admit that Grosh's argument is rather weak. On the other
hand, if the beautiful decorations have lured members into the ranks of Odd
Fellowship, thus increasing its numbers, then there is also an increase of
collected dues and a growth of the charity fund, this being a cycle. We shall see
in the following what kind of symbolism there lies behind the badges of Odd
Fellowship, besides their looking good, and whether it can compete with the
sincere working-tool symbolism of Freemasonry.
The essential similarity, however, which we would like to outline is the claim
of both institutions to be universal:
Odd-fellowship is founded upon that eternal principle which,
recognizing man as a constituent of one universal brotherhood,
teaches him that as he came from the hands of a common Parent he is
bound to cherish and to protect his fellow man. [...] This is the great first
principle of our fellowship, which we denominate fraternity; a
universal fraternity in the family of man. Our fore-fathers have wisely
made this principle the corner-stone of Odd-fellowship. Upon its solid
basis the whole superstructure has securely rested [...]. 1544
This universality has made Odd Fellowship the victim of politics, just as
Freemasonry which was frequently repressed in history. For example, one
parallel is the persecution and prohibition under the Nazi regime in Germany. On
April 2 nd , 1933, the Odd Fellow Grand Lodge of Germany gave back its charter
to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, because there was no possibility for a normal
execution of lodge work any more. However, the activities of the order in
Germany rose again after the end of WWII.
1541 Quoted from Grosh's Manual in Revised Oddfellowship Illustrated, p. 33.
1542 Revised Oddfellowship Illustrated, p. 33.
1543 Revised Oddfellowship Illustrated, p. 33.
1544 Revised Oddfellowship Illustrated, p. 62-63; bold print added. Note the operative Masonic
vocabulary, "corner-stone," "basis," and "superstructure."