In the various cities throughout the North and South American Continent, the continents of Europe, Iceland, Australasia, and Cuba, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has selected a limited group of outstanding citizens, of which you are one, for the purpose of bringing to their attention the ideals and principles of Odd Fellowship, with the thought in mind that they may be interested in the program of the Odd Fellows.

In due time a committee will call upon you to give you any further information you may desire and to cordially present to you an invitation to participate in the activities of our Fraternity.

First - It is an organization, because it is a systematic union of individuals in a body whose officers, committees, and members work together for a common end.

Second - It is a philosophy of life, because we have certain standards of living, and govern our thoughts and conduct according to the principles of practical wisdom; and are lovers of the vision of truth.

Third - It is a unified effort to promote that philosophy, because we are organized in communities throughout the World in Grand Jurisdictions, and a Sovereign Grand Body. This affords an opportunity for counsel, assimilation of wisdom and application and extension to others.

Fourth - It is an obligation everyone owes to others, because we are all created equal and governed by the laws of our Creator. The principles and purposes to which we have all obligated ourselves must be upheld both within and without the Order if civilization is to survive the forces of evil and destruction.

Fifth - It is the teaching and application of Friendship, Love, and Truth; of Faith, Hope and Charity; of Universal Justice, because these are the principles of our doctrine; the basis for thought and action which will create peace and harmony among men and lead us toward our ultimate goal.

The name itself signifies something different or out of the ordinary. And it is ODD, because it endeavors to enlighten the mind without taking from the individual any of his rights or privileges. It conforms to Law, Religion and sound Morality without usurping the rights of the church or that of the Courts. It creates a brotherhood and not a division among men. It presents life in all its fullness, through several degrees, so linked together that each one receiving them may broaden his mind and elevate his character.

While we insist that one must believe in a Supreme Being, we do not inquire into the applicant’s particular choice of faith or belief, nor do we permit religious discussions in our lodge rooms, as each member is privileged to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience without interference from the Order. We also recognize that society has laid down certain rules that have proven of great importance, so that, while we recognize the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, we must require evidence that the applicant is of good moral character, and he must be mentally capable of earning a livelihood. With these simple yet essential qualifications, a man may unite with us in the office of human benefaction.

In order that we may understand how this may be accomplished, we are given instruction in Ritual Form divided into Degrees which presents a practical and truthful lesson of how to be helpful to others without injury to yourself or family. We ask you to follow us through the story of Odd Fellowship without attempting to present our Ritual form of instruction.

Having given a signed statement that you believe in a Supreme Being, that you will be a peaceful citizen, that you are mentally responsible, and morally capable of providing for those dependent upon you, we bring you into our School of Instruction, otherwise called the lodge room. In order that your train of thought may not be interrupted, we admit none except those who have been instructed, so that they may assist in the work and again absorb the lessons.

In nearly every Fraternity the candidate is blindfolded. This is done, not because there are matters that he should not observe, but it is to remind him that no man knows the future, but as he gathers the lesson he will of himself remove the hoodwink and see more clearly the objects of the Order. Thus we endeavor to create a light of understanding which will permit him to move forward with a greater assurance of success.

We recognize that we are creatures of habit, chained, as it were, to certain ideas, and we endeavor to remove any chain of selfishness or envy that might impair our liberty of action. As we look about the lodge room we see the young man, full of strength, who rejoices in the privilege of participating in the challenge of life; we see also the old man who has passed through these scenes; he is contemplating the years that have passed before him; he sees a future day when he shall have laid down the cares of life, when friends shall gather around an open grave; it is his body that is being lowered to a place of rest. He feels the thought expressed by friends is, that he has not lived in vain; that his concern for others is not lost by his going, but-

Thus as he sits in contemplation, he realizes that as man sows, so do future generations reap. He has set his light upon a hill that others may follow his path to the betterment of man. He knows also this truth: That though nations may change, though the world moves with greater speed and many solemn changes have passed, that evil at time prevails, yet the righteous is not forsaken, nor does his seed suffer because they represent the better things of life. This is a lesson we should not forget.

In the beginning we have given our word of honor that we will, in so far as possible obey the commands of our Order, that the welfare of his family is the subject of our care and attention. No impossible obligation is required or assumed; rather a practical application of the Golden Rule of being helped as we are helping others.

Our attention is called to the truth told in the beginning, that God created the heavens and the earth, the grass and the trees, the beasts of forest and field, the fishes and the birds, the flowers that bring the message of sympathy or of congratulations, yet He made Man the masterpiece of His handiwork, and, designed as such, we should in every walk of life reflect the glory of Him in whose image man was made.

Thus we prepare our members for the degrees to follow. Having proven by examination that he has grasped the principle on which our Order is founded, we present the story of Friendship, by which men may cooperate in the development of human character and be interested in the welfare of each other.

The oldest story we find on which to build this greatest gift to man, may be found in the Book of Samuel. Here, according to Holy Writ, the people desired to be ruled by a King, and Saul, because of his leadership and valor in war, was chosen. The King, however, disobeyed the law of the Lord, and sought to make himself greater than the Creator. Saul became suspicious of everyone save his son Jonathan. This disregard for the commands of the Lord made him unfit to rule the kingdom; it weakened both mind and spirit, and he sought relief for his troubled soul. There came into his presence a shepherd lad from Bethlehem, who played sweetly upon the harp; he won the approval of the King for the time being. Then came the conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites. The giant Goliath challenged to settle the issue by individual combat; whichever champion won, the other side to become their slaves. The King, who stood head and shoulders above his people, having no trust in the Lord, was afraid to meet this antagonist. In vain he called for others to come forth and do battle, until the shepherd lad offered his services. The King was amazed; he said, "You are but a young man, inexperienced in war and lacking in strength, while he is a warrior from his youth." David answered and said, "I tended my father’s flocks, and when there came a lion and likewise a bear to destroy them, by the power of God, I slew them." The King agreed to battle; he sought to clothe David with his armor, but David chose his own weapons. His friend Jonathan implored him to desist, but David answered and said, "The Lord is with me." The gigantic braggart gazed with scorn upon the lad, and boasted of what he would do with him. Undismayed, David answered, "You come to me with weapons fashioned by man, but I come to you in the name of the Lord whom you have denied, and in His name I will prevail." The single stone smote the giant and he fell; whereupon the armies of Israel took heart, and fighting in the name of the Lord, were victorious.

This has been true throughout the ages. He who fights in the name of God will never be defeated. The bond of Friendship between David and Jonathan became stronger, and when it was known that David was to succeed to the throne, Jonathan defended his friend against his father’s wrath.

This story which has come down to us, is the ideal upon which candidate is instructed and in its presentation attention is called to the necessity of being ready when called upon, to do whatever life has in store for us, and so to live that when the King of Kings calls us we can say, "I am ready."

In our lodge rooms we have stood upon one common level, where the strong support the weak, the well has nursed the sick, the learned has instructed the unlearned, and the rich has helped the poor. We have built beyond the present, for we have established sixty-five homes wherein the orphan child has been fed, clothed, and educated, and the aged have found rest, without money and without price.

Our charities have been extended to others who were not of our Order. When national disaster has called for assistance, we have responded abundantly.

Thus we are prepared to inquire into the meaning of another link in our golden chain of fraternal fellowship which we call the Degree of Love. Here again we have searched the Scriptures for a true definition of that word, and we found it in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke. Brotherly Love to us means neighborliness to our fellowman, and so we follow the story told by Jesus when He said, "The greatest commandment is that thou shalt love thy God with all thy strength, with all thy mind and with all thy soul; and the second one is like unto it; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self." In answer to the question as to who is my neighbor, the Master said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment, wounded him and left him for dead. A Priest of the Temple of Israel passed that way, likewise a Levite; a Samaritan also came that way. The Priest and the Levite were his people, the Samaritan was his enemy, yet he alone had compassion upon the wounded man. He bound up his wounds, took off his cloak, set him upon a donkey, and took him to an Inn, where he told the Innkeeper to give him attention as though he were their brother, he took out his purse, gave what he had, and though he was but a poor man, he pledged to make full settlement when he came again that way." Which of these was the friend? It was the man who laid aside the envy, hatred and selfishness which had been taught him and recognized the Brotherhood of Man, and the Fatherhood of God.

This is what we endeavor to follow through the lessons of the Degree of Love. What a beautiful lesson, and how it reminds one of that wonderful promise, that, "In my Father’s house are many mansions; were it not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again, that where I am there you may be also."

It also impressed me with the thought of giving in His name, that I may build more stately the room in my Father’s House, where I may dwell forevermore. Thus we strive to know and live the Truth. With instructive and inspiring lessons we grope our way to light. We know that the man of Truth is the best and strongest man; that though temporary success may meet the evil, yet it is Truth that draws the clean man to it, until the storm of passion, and the conflict of error are stilled and turned into a cooperation to fraternalize the world.

You are invited to seek a knowledge of the truths which have been told in part. They will guide the feet of youth, strengthen the courage of young manhood, and solace the ending days of the aged.

A Children’s Home was established in 1885 on 200 acres of land in Corsicana. It reached a peak population of over 400 children during the Depression years of the 1930's when the home had its own school district, football team, baseball team, and band. The number of children steadily declined until 1990 when the Home was closed. We are proud of the work we did in providing homes for children and in converting orphans into leaders of our communities and state. A large portion of the land was donated to the City of Corsicana for a public park and soccer field.

A Retirement Home was established in 1905 on 100 acres of land in Ennis. It is open to members as well as non-members. Several thousand individuals have called this their home since its opening. The residents enjoy dining together and countless activities to promote fellowship. A 114 bed Nursing Home was built in 1989 on property adjacent to the Retirement Center. It provides long term care and is staffed by full time Registered and LVN nurses, pharmacists, dietician, and on call Staff Physician.

The Odd Fellow and Rebekah Friendship Towers, Inc. was chartered in 1978 to operate as a separate non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Texas, with a Board of Directors elected from among Odd Fellows from the State of Texas. Texas has two Friendship Towers facilities; one in Dallas with 150 apartments and another in Corsicana with 100 apartments. Residents must be retired or disabled and considered low income and be fully capable of caring for themselves. Each complex has a large recreation area, craft rooms, a library, and Chapel. Odd Fellow affiliation is not required for residency.

The ONLY truly International Fraternal Organization in the World, operating under a Sovereign Grand Body.

The FIRST Fraternal Organization to build and maintain Homes for Aged and indigent members, widows and orphans.

The FIRST Fraternal Organization to organize Ladies’ Auxiliaries.

The ONLY Fraternal Organization that has been permitted to confer its highest decoration upon the Unknown Soldier.

The ONLY Fraternal Organization whose presiding officer was invited to attend the Coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

The ONLY organization that is permitted to conduct an annual Youth Pilgrimage to the United Nations.

The ONLY Fraternal Organization that has been afforded the privilege of maintaining an Official Observer at all Sessions of the United Nations.

The Grand Lodge I.O.O.F. of Texas

3324 W. Second Avenue

Corsicana, TX 75110

1-800-299-7438