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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 593
So what are the differences between Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship, if
they have so much in common? First of all, the historical background is
different. Freemasonry can look back on a development from operative towards
speculative Masonry, and still employs the beautiful symbolism of the ancient
craft. Odd Fellowship has taken over some Masonic terms and customs, but
never really made up a technical terminology of its own. Therefore, although
containing several Biblical images, the ritualistic diction of Odd Fellowship is
obviously poorer.
Another important gap lies in the constellation of the orders' audiences.
Although this is but a generalization, at least for the institutions in the U.S.A.
during the beginning of the 20 th century it can be argued that Freemasonry was
composed by mercantile and professional members, whereas Odd Fellowship
united brethren whose were more likely mechanics, farmers, etc. We are not
going as far as to generalize and claim that Freemasonry was an order for the
richer and better educated, while Odd Fellowship was for the less fortunate male
population, but as Blanchard put it at his time,
Oddfellowship differs from Masonry in respect to the classes of men
who unite with it. Both these lodges are English in origin, but
Freemasonry though having mechanic societies as a basis, from the
beginning courted the aristocracy, and has for years had the Prince of
Wales, now Edward VII, as its Grand Master. The result has been that it
has become aristocratic in its membership, while Oddfellowship,
starting also among the wage-earning classes, has never made progress
in that direction. Crossing the ocean the same difference in membership
is apparent. In the United States Freemasons are of the professional and
mercantile occupations, while Oddfellows are more largely mechanics,
day laborers and farmers. Of course, there are exceptions, we speak only
of the rule. It is also to be remembered that many men, especially those
who seek for office, belong to both. 1545
Further, the solemnity of the ceremonies is not comparable. Odd Fellowship
is less solemn and employs "silly" costumes like masks, beards, and wigs to
illustrate the age and honorability of the "Patriarchs." Also, horse-play like
"riding the goat" was more common in Odd Fellow lodges while being a
disgrace in Masonic ceremonies, if ever applied at all.
The difference that will become interesting to us is the variation of the relief
system, which we will deal with more closely in our chapter on the
categorization of fraternal rituals. This divergence is summarized by Blanchard
as follows:
Another difference between the two orders is that in Masonry there is no
established plan for the relief of the suffering members of the order,
while in Oddfellowship each member knows exactly what to expect. He
1545 Blanchard, p. 153/154.