San Andreas independent., 1857-01-03
(Continued from First Page J

soon as the feet of the weary pilgrim had
pressed these gold -gemed shores; her doors
were thrown open to the reception of the
worthy, and all such deserving it, have
found friends and home within her sacred
border. And, doubtless, I address men
to-day who can testify that the most pleasu-
rable portion of their sojourn in this strange
land has been passed within the pleasant
retreat of our much beloved Order Here
we have found friends-friends, did say !
That word has no definite meaning IN the
vocabulary of Odd Fellowship-we have
found brothers. Were we strangers, they
have taken us in /; were we unemployed,
they have employed us; were we sick,
they have taken care OF US were we pen
niless, they have divided with us; were
we tempted, they have cautioned us; were
welikely to be defrauded, they have warned
us were we in danger, they have rescued
us. All this they have done for us, and
still more I may not mention to-day.
Brethren, strangely specializing men
have prophesied years ago, that Odd Eel
lowship would come to nought; therefore,
arrayed against it, has ever been the most
hated and violent opposition. We have
been pursued with torch and gibbet, and
yet we stand. Brethren, if the work in
which you are engaged is the result of
mans selfshness, it will surely come to
nought; but, if it is the work of God,
palsied will be every arm raised against it.
Oh, if when, in the infancy Of our be-
loved Order, she was thrown upon the
world stranger-naked, hungry, and they
would not help her, take her in, clothe
nor feed her; but clamoring for her blood,
pursued her with racks, gibbets, torches,
prisons and death, and she survived it
all; and not only lived, but grew and -four
ished, and has came down to us like a
bride adorned for her husband, her cheeks
mantled with the glow of youth, and her
eye radiant with immortal life Oh, if
thus in her infancy she triumphed over
her enemies, fought her hardest battles,
obtained her most signal victories
come out of the wilderness and now occu-
pies the high places of the earth, looking
out upon the world already engarrisoned
by her Notifications; now that the arts and
sciences are consecrated at her shrine;
now that Natures noblemen-her most
gifted sons and beauteous daughters
minister at her affairs now that her CO.
horts shout victory from the plains of Hin
dostan to the valley of the Mississippi, and
from the sepulchres of the patriarchs to
the dwellers upon California S sea-girt soil !;
now that the sun scarcely sets upon hor
tempted hosts; now that she moves with
steam-power, and talks with lightning
shall she not triumph? Yes, sheshall tri-
umph; in the name of the God of truth
she will triumph, spread her pure princi-
pies of beneyolence over our sin-ruined
earth, and raise her flag of conquest over
every soil. Odd Fellowship, planting her.
self amid the ruins of mans misfortunes,
over which the darkness Of sorrow spreads
the mantle of distress, shall speak with a
voice which shall tremble through mid
heaven, "Let there be light, and there
will be light" Her pure principles shall
break upon the darkness of earth like a
new-made Sun; the mystery of iniquity
shall be made manifest; bigoted prejudice
shall tremble upon his thunder-riven throne,
and Gods Angels who watch over the
widow and the orphan, throwing their arms
of mercy around our beloved Order, shall
exclaim with voices sweeter than the mu-
sic of the Kolian harp, Thy sun shall
90 down no more, neither shall thy morn
withdraw herself, for the Lord God shall
be thine everlasting light, and the days of
thy mourning shall be ended"
Brethren, [ may be enthusiastic
haps / am-but [ owe much to Odd Eel
lowship. When poor young man they
took me, have borne with me, given me
good advice; in affliction, have succored
me; in distress, have relieved me, so that
much of what [ am is attributable to its
watchful care over me.
now, in the name of Odd Fellowship,
assist you to dedicate this Hall to the uses
and purposes of our Order; with you |
dedicate its walls, its floors, its seats, its
Treasurer's and Secretaries desks to the
uses and purposes of our Order; [ assist
you to dedicate its stands, its working
tools, emblems, books, regalias, curtains,
and all, in any way pertainingto, or in any
form connected with its initiatory service,
to the solemn duties and services of Odd
Fellowship. And lastly, I assist you to
dedicate its affairs and Holy Bible to the
work and service of our beloved Order.
Receive it as the great light of Odd
Fellowship. Noble Grand, | charge you
defend it; never permit mirth or levity
to characterize any service connected with
it; freely accept it, and while you shall
discover the great beauties of Odd Eel
lowship in it, oh, that an intenser light
may direct thee to the fountain of all good
To our Masonic Brethren, we extend
oordia1 ,ra1oopoa to tho factivi+inc of +bo