Conspiracy of Hate

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CONSPIRACY OF HATE:

CHAPTER 5

FRATERNAL GROUPS IN AMERICAN HISTORY

While Freemasonry is credited with beingthe oldest known fraternal organizationin existence, there are several other groups that have also influenced people. This chapter will give you a brief outline of some ofthe major Fraternal groups which have been in existence at one time or another here, in America. I will not be able to list every group that ever was, but I hope the ones listed will be familiar to many ofyou, and ofinterest to all.

The Fraternal Organization, from the Volunteer Fire Company, to HistoricalSocieties. From College Fraternities and Sororities, to Workers Unions. Americans from all walks oflife have enjoyed the association, prestige and ofcourse, the comradeship whichcan only be found by beinga memberin a Fraternity.

Beginning in the 1730's, after the opening ofMasonic Lodges in Boston and Philadelphia, dozens of Fraternalgroups have sprung up. Some groups are European in descent, whilethe majority are truly American. Nearlyall ofthese groups have patterned themselves after Freemasonry, the use of"secret" passwords, handshakes, costumes, etc. There is a Fraternityfor nearlyevery member ofsociety, whether political, labor, patriotic, or for personal improvement.

To the Uninitiated, or jaded, the grandiose titles and costumes may seem childish, and could have been eliminated. But, that is part ofwhat makes each group special in its own way. Freemasonry, long believed to be the oldest organized Fraternity, came to America, from England, in the 1700's. The ideals ofequality, free thought, and personal rights, was brought out ofthe Lodge, and into the streets. Manyofits members, were pivotal playersin secessionfrom England, as well as being signers ofthe Declaration ofIndependence.

The late 1700's through the 1800's also marked the beginning ofa great periodofexpansion for many new Fraternal groups here, in America. Masonry in additionto remaining one ofthe most popular Fraternal organizations in America, had many ofits members who were also instrumental in the founding ofseveral other Fraternal groups.

I would like to provide you with some information as contained in the World Almanac, circa 1896, concerning the membership ofthe principal fraternal organizations in the United States, at that time.

Odd Fellows — 939,307 i http://conspiracy_of_hate.tripod.com/chapter3.html 07/22/2000 www.Conspiracy.Of.Hate.com - AnthonyHarper - Chapter 4 - FraternalGroups in Americ.. Page 2 of5

Freemasons — 920,459 Knights ofPythias — 456,994 Ancient Order ofUnited Workmen — 341,371 Knights ofthe Maccabees — 209,831 Royal Arcanum — 169,531 Improved Order ofRed Men — 161,408 Junior Order ofUnited American Mechanics — 153,268 Modern Woodmen ofAmerica — 144,403 Knights ofHonor — 121,183 Ancient Order ofForesters ofAmerica — 115,967 Ancient Order ofHibernians ofAmerica — 115,000 Knights and Ladies ofHonor — 84,000 Sons ofTemperance — 59,680 Knights ofthe Golden Eagle — 58,535 Order ofUnited American Mechanics — 55,689 American Legion ofHonor — 55,055 Woodmen ofthe World — 52,558 National Union — 47,625 Catholic Benevolent Legion — 40,106 Order ofChosen Friends — 38,095 Catholic Mutual Benefit Association — 38,000 Ancient Order ofForesters — 36,825 Equitable Aid Union — 35,118 Independent Order ofB'Nai B'rith — 30,500 Benevolent and Protective Order ofElks — 27,000 Catholic Knights ofAmerica — 24,000 Improved Order ofHeptasophs — 23,905 Order ofthe Golden Cross — 20,257 Royal Templars ofTemperance — 19,210 New England Order ofProtection — 18,429 United Order ofPilgrim Fathers — 18,100 Order ofUnited Friends — 17,000 Irish Catholic Benevolent Union — 15,000 United Ancient Order ofDruids — 14,600 Royal Society ofGood Fellows — 12,870 Smallerorganizations not reported — 73,209 Total 4,764,098

Odd Fellowship originated inEngland, around 1745. When Thomas Wildey, and some othermembers relocated to America, they organized the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The first Lodge was set upinBaltimore, Maryland in 1819. The main symbols are 3 chain links, representing friendship, love and truth. Bythe end ofthe 1800's, the membership ofoddfellows rivaled, if not outnumbered, the number ofMasons.

In 1797, the Grand Chanter of Roval Arch Masons in America finds its beginnings. While the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite in America finds its official start in 1801, and the Northern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite was started a few years later, in 1813. The Grand Encampment ofthe Knights Templar was founded in the year 1816.

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In 1827, the first labor-related fi-atemity was organized. The Mechanics Trade Association of Philadelphia, which included in its stylings many "secret" handshakes, passwords, etc.

The AncientOrder ofForesters, whichbased its ceremonies and costumes on the legendsofRobin Hood, was founded in 1832.

The Improved Order ofRed Men, founded in 1834, drew its inspiration firom stories ofheroic deeds found in many Native American Legends.

The mid-1800's also marked the first ofmanymajor waves ofimmigrants fi"om Europe, and Fraternities were started in response to the needs ofthese people.

The AncientOrder of Hibernians in America, founded in 1836, was devoted to payingreliefand death benefits, the advancement ofthe Roman CatholicReligion, and promotion ofIrish Pride.

In 1840, the Sons ofHermann was founded, and in 1847, the German Order ofHarugari was founded. Both ofthese groups were started in response to the prejudicedirected against German Immigrants.

The year of 1842marks the beginning ofmanytemperance-based fraternities, with the openingofthe Independent Order ofRechabites, originallyfrom England. The Sons ofTemperance were also founded in this same year, as an off-shoot ofthe I.O.R., and included many similar "secret" passwords, handshakes, etc.

Fraternal Organizations played an important role among the Jewish immigrants also. In 1843, B'nai B'rith was founded, as was the Free Sons ofIsrael, in 1846. These organizations provided a way for Jews, ofvarious nationalities and sects, to help each other and to also maintain their Jewishidentity.

The issue ofWomens' Rights also came into the Fraternal Societies. In 1846 the United Order ofTrue Sisters was founded. As such, it became the first Fraternal and Philanthropic Womens' Organization in the United States.

The temperance based Fraternities continued to grow in popularity, in 1846 the Templars ofHonor and Temperance was founded. The abstinence from alcoholic beverages was not only taught to be a good Christian attribute, but that total abstinence was a necessity in order to make it into Heaven.

The Odd Fellows founded a body within its Fraternity, for Women. In 1851, the Daughters of Rebekah finds its start.

The Masons followed this idea and formed several groups which promoted the membership to women. In 1857, the Order ofthe Eastern Star was founded, which based its teachings on various parts ofthe Old and New Testament. In 1873, the Order ofthe Amaranth was started, and in 1884, the White Shrine ofJerusalem was founded. Both ofthese groups base their lessons on the Birth, Life, Death, and Redemptive Mission ofour Savior-Jesus Christ.

Prince Hall, a free black Clergyman, was one ofthe first 15 black men ever recorded to havejoined a Masonic Lodge. However, after the Grand Lodge ofMasons in Massachusetts denied him a Charter to start his own Lodge, The Grand Lodge of Masons in England granted him one. Prince Hall not only fought in the Revolutionary War, but he was one ofthe Heros at the Battle ofBunker Hill. http;//conspiracy_of_hate.tripod.com/chapter3.htnil 07/22/2000 www.Conspiracy.Of.Hate.com - Anthony Harper - Chapter 4 - Fraternal Groupsin Americ.. Page 4 of 5

In 1856, the Households of Ruth was formed to servethe blackWomen of the community. The lessons and ritual were based on the Biblical stories ofRuth and Naomi.

A Sailor, by the name ofPeter Ogden, joinedthe Oddfellows, while in England. However, upon arriving inAmerica, the Oddfellow Lodges here did not allow him the opportunity to form his own Lodge. Why?, because of hisAfrican Heritage. So upon a returntrip to England, the Supreme Lodge ofOdd-fellows in England issuedhim a Charter to start a Lodge in America.

In 1858, the Order ofthe Patrons of Husbandry, commonly called "The Grange" was founded. This was a Fraternal Organization based on promoting agriculture and benefitsto the farmer.

Around 1860, the Knights of Pvthias finds its start. Above and beyond the fellowship most groups offered, the Knights ofPythias also started an insurance benefit, for its members...

The Concatenated Orderof Hoo-Hoo is perhaps the oldestIndustrial Fraternal Organisation in existence, having beenorganised in January 1892. The membership consists primarily of people whose interests arethe welfare andpromotion of the lumber industry. It includes people from forestry, sawmilling, research, education, manufacturing and marketing ofallwood-based products; officersof timber associations and suppliers to the lumber industry - in fact all who derive their main livelihood from the industry, and are least 21 years old, ofgood moral character and engaged in the lumber industry.

The Philalethes Societvwas founded in 1928, by a group ofFreemasonsdesirous ofseeking and spreading Masonic light.In 1946ThePhilalethes Magazine was established to publish articles by and for its members. For many years it has been voted the best Masonic Publication in the world.

The Honorable Order of Kentuckv Colonelswas founded in 1932 by Governor Ruby Laffoon and has since been officially incorporated as charitable organization. The Order's formation was the idea of Charles Pettijohn, then chief counsel ofthe Motion Picture Producers and Distributors ofAmerica, who was appointed the first National Commanding General ofthe Order. History ofthis organization states that it allbegan with the first Governor of Kentucky, Issac Shelby, who gave his son-in-law, Charles Todd, the title ofcolonel ofhis staff. Shelby later issued commissions to all who enlisted in his regiment in the War of 1812. Later, Governors commissioned colonels to act as their protective guards; they wore uniforms and were present at most official functions. The commission one receives as a Kentucky Colonel, is an honor bestowed at the discretion ofthe Governor.

To provide a comparason between the 1896 statics ofFraternal Group membership,1 would like to provide a more recent survey. How have the members ofthese organizations, the business leaders in our current society, ranked their affiliations?. In 1991, Standard and Poor, the financial statistical firm, came out with the results from a surveyofbusiness executives. The people who were surveyed included chairmen, chiefexecutives, presidents, and vice presidents, with some ofthe largest corporations in America. Of the total surveyed who responded, over fifteen- thousand stated they were membersofa civic or fraternal organization. The following are the top ten they most often named:

Free and Accepted Masons 10,199 Benevolent Protective Order ofElks 3,394 Knights ofColumbus 941 http://conspiracy_of_hate.tripod.com/chapter3.html 07/22/2000 www.Conspiracy.Of.Hate.com - Anthony Harper - Chapter 4 - Fraternal Groups inAmeric.. Page 5 of 5

Lions International 415 BCnights ofPythias 199 International Order ofOdd Fellows 159 Order ofthe Eastern Star 88 Fraternal Order ofthe Eagles 58 Woodmen ofthe World 31

The world may be changing "a mile a minute", and the membership in Fraternal Groups may be down a bit,the majority ofpeople who feel a responsibility to help makethe world a little better placeto be, are all around us. The membership in anyofthe previously mentioned organizations is onlyone wayto help facilitate that goal. After all, ifyou gave five dollars to help the victims of a disaster, it doesn't go far. But, if a halfa million peopleallgave five dollars, it adds up realfast. That is whyit is so important to become a active member ofa group...

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