The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-01-26

Odd Fellows Anniversary Al Peru
Mokena Lodge Of independent Order Of Odd
Fellows, at Peru, was organized the 22l Of Jan
uary, 1912 and the ed inst was celebrated by
the lodge as their first anniversary.
living been very successful during the past
year, they were enabled to fit up 4 large and com
inodius hail, a place Of meeting, the dedication
Of which, formed very attractive and Interesting
featule Of the proceedings Of The day.
The evening was devoted to miy,h AMI gliety,
and We believe nothing was wanting to render
their enjoyment complete. Following is Il sketch
ofthc proceedings Of tho day arranged in the or
der in which they occurred:
At O'Clock die members Of the Peru lodge, AMI
others present belonging to the order, met in the
hail. AMI after clothing themselves in their regalia,
which was certainly equal III richness and beauty
to anything of the Kind We have ever seen, pro-
cession, under the direction of Mr. a. Hawthorn
marsha! Of the day, was iomed, and to the cheer
ing notes Of Mr. Schreincrs band, marched to the
Methodist church, OH the bluff Owing to the mud
dy roads The procession, though Of very re,pectI
lie size, was not as large as it would otherwise
lave been.
The church was fllol to its very utmost and
the steps aud yard crowded with hendi.pcu,aLle
appmtcnancc on all such occasions, host Of noisy
hoys, much to the discontinue of the amiabe
sexton Order however, being restored, the au.
dience, was greeted with beautiful son; adapted
to the occasion from tie choir.
DR. L. Winslow, n. c., then announced the order
OF proceeding ior tie remainder of the day after
which lie introduced the Rev Mr. Townsville Of
st Charles, as chaplin for the occasion who offer.
ed up an appropriate prayer, vhichw followed
by another song 10y the choir
Geo. W, Olson, Esq, orator Of the day. was
then introduced by tie y. O.. who addressed tie
audience in very able manner. lie commenced
h' adlre7s by referring Iii, hearers to the ul.iver.
81! practice from time immcmorial Of celebrating
anniversaries Of cherished epochs in their history
that /! was the most elec,ual manner of perpetu-
stns the memory Of great events He recounted
the yerious festivals f.. ancient aud modern times.
contrasting tn of the barbarian with those ofthe
Christian and those Of the chain bound subjects Of
monarchical governments, with those Of the free
and happy subjects Of our own great republic, He
discovered peculiar fitness in the political nature
Of on republican institutions for such occasions as
they always associated themselves with the tri-
uinph Of freedom over oppression.
lie said that, although the republican form of
ourgovemmcnt was admirably adapted to render
It's subjects happy, yet notwithstanding much
misery existed even here among our fellow men
toremcdy tbs, suiI he was the province Of ODD
Fellowism, 1t had nothing to do with sect or
party its sole object. was to relieve 'thc
distressed. But since all mankind were not Odd
Fellows, 1t became necessary for them to coufne
Their charities as a society, to those Of their own
order and to prevent imposition, few secrt signs
aud words Of recognition were adopted so that
any two persons belonging to the order nomattcr
under what cline or circumstances thcr shaull
meet could instantly recognize each other as bro.
thers belonging to the same great family and aim.
ms at the same great benevolent object
The reason why the ladies' were not admitted
as members Of their lodges, was not as many be.
heycd, on account Of tie difficulty they experen.
ced IN keeping secrets No, they had better and
higher opinion of them The kind and affection
disposition of woman had in fact, already made
them Odd Fellows but their refined sensibilities
would not permit them To visit the many misera.
bic haunts ofwretchnsness to which the Odd Eel.
low Is often called. That was the province orman
The ladies' were ever ready-delighte to releave
tic wants Of the distressed whilst man, less gen.
erous required TO be placed under certain obliga
tions before their generosity can properly be a.
reused, and brought into action
He closed bis address with very neat and be.
coming eulogium upon that comprehensive motto
Of the order, Friendship, Love, and Truth"
After Mr. Gibson took his seat, Mr. Townsville.
arose and addressed the audience in IN able man.
ner lIe dwelt with much feeling upon the help.
less and ireudless condition into which many po,r
families are brought through sickness and other
misiertunes--and painted in glowing colers the
heartrending scenes Of destitutiOn which often
gather around the cold, ireess heart of the widow
ed mother. The object Of tho Odd Fellows was
to remedy such evils that they We're bound by
the sacred ties Of the mystic chain" to watch o
yer the widows and phans of their deceased breth
rem
He compared the whole human race 10 one vas,
family Of brothers md sister, and then said that
the VII he aim and object Of the order Of Odd Fol.
loves was to bring about such result
After he had concluded, another song was sung
by the choir. The congregation wa. then dis
missed with a benediction from the chaplain
The members Of the order were again formed
into procession, and with music from the band,
marched back to the hall, to proceed to lis dedi
cation
The hall was soon filled up, and order being re.
stored, the N q. being in his sea. called upon the