the order were so changed by the founders here, that it is said to be
almost purely an American organization. It was based on the Manchester
Unity, which was really the parent institution. In 1842, this country
severed its connection with that of England.

Lodges connected with either those of England or America are
established in all parts of the world. The real estate held by the
organization exceeds in value $20,000,000, and there is scarcely a town
in the country that has not its Odd-Fellows Building. The total
revenue of the order is nearly $10,000,000 per annum. Yearly relief
amounts to nearly $4,000,000 a year.




THE JERICHO ROAD

"A traveler passed down the Jericho road,
He carried of cash a pretty fair load
(The savings of many a toilsome day),
On his Jericho home a mortgage to pay.

"At a turn of the road, in a lonely place,
Two villainous men met him face to face.
'Hands up!' they cried, and they beat him sore,
Then off to the desert his money they bore.

"Soon a priest came by who had a fold;
He sheared his sheep of silver and gold.
He saw the man lie bruised and bare,