The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-05-04
Address of DR.. ]. o. Harris.

We have met to celebrate this day and to render
thanks to Almighty God for the unexampled pro-
xress, prosperity and unity Of our order.
And not we alone, but tens Of thousands of
our brothers, are now assembled for like
purpose.
heads as firm as their granite rocks--the ranges
of California, Nevada and Colorado with friend
ship bright as FURNISHED gold, the groves Of Pa
cifc isles or the sunny south, where the benef-
cent influence cf their kindly deeds is constantly
exhaled, like the perpetual fragrance OF their
fowery groves and fields; from the Atlantic to
mid-Pacifc, from Canada to the Gulf Odd FELL
lows may to-day be seen rejoicing i'll their strength
and their prosperity.
Is it not a grand, exaltingf Thought, that this
day. from the rising of the even to the going
down thereof" throughout the length and breadth
of the land, many voices are united IN thanks
giving and that in every direction the air is me-
lodOus with stirring music, announcing and pro-
claiming the wide, the extended reign OF Friend
ship, Love and Truth-of Faith, Hope and
Charity?
But some may inquire why this particular
day was chosen and why Odd Fellows should re-
joice and give thanks: Tho best answer that
1 can make to these queries, will be to give you
a brief synopsis of the history, aims and teach
ings of the Order. You will then, l think, be
able to see clearly that the day was most appro-
priately chosen and that we as members of this
great brotherhood have much to cause us to re-
joice, to give thanks and be glad.
Although Odd Fellowship has been in exis-
tence for many years in Europe, it is compare
lively of recent date in this country it being but
As years ago to-day since Thomas Wildey and four
others, organized at Baltimore the first Lodge in
the United States. At first its growth was ex-
ceedingly slow and its existence uncertain but
being in truth an order against which no valid
objections could be urged and for which cery
much could be said, it has lived and hourished
in spite of prejudice and all opposition, until
now numerous Lodges are found in every state,
in Canada and in the Sandwich Islands, and it
has enrolled more than POO, 900 names.
Two hundred Thousand good men and true,
banded together by the highest and nobest of
ties, having for their watchwo-ds, Friendship,
Love and Truth, meeting weekly together and
cultivatng all that is good, noble and true in
man, ministering at the bedside of the sick and
MISUNDERSTANDING perchance at the grave, the
last home of abrother-a0dof0 N-comforting the
widow, protecting the orphan, bestowing largely
and literally their money; not as charity but as
paying just demands, not publicly and ostenta-
tiously, but silently and unseen Save by him
from whom no secrets are hid like the gentle
dew from heaven and as it refreshes and in
vigorates the thirsty earth so their contributions
silently kindly and gladly bestowed, cheers and
invigorates the fainting heart of our afflicted
makes him feel that he is surrounded by a faith
full, fraternal band, ready, nay anxious, to share
his sorrows, to relieve his pain and Oh which he
can most implicitly rely.
We give thanks, because that "while nearly
every other organization has been sundered by
the repellng forces of conflicting interests. our
order has preserved unbroken its organic and ma
tohal bond Of affinity and is unitedly and
faithfully engaged in its great work of benevo-
lence and love-"
At the meeting of our national council in Sep
1865, erery state in Tie Union but Florida was
represented, and the utmost harmony and frater-
nal feeling prevailed
The first great victory for peace, and "peace
hath her victories no less renowned than war;"
was thus appropriately won by US, who battle not
for glory or to serve proud ambitious ends, but
for the more noble objects of Friendship, Love
and Truth.
Not friendship in name only, not that friend
ship so often seen which can endure no test not
the friendship Of the world, (which consists of
cheap hollow protestations and is contingent upon
the fneness of mans coat, the length of his
purse. his success in business but noble, self
sacrificing friendship which shines brightest in
sdversity's hour and makes brothers happiness
and interests his own and love, which il the
quintessence, the fruit of friendship; and truth,
which is felt by the heart, sanctioned Of the con-
science and embodied in every act of life.
we give tnahks because VI our great pros
perity.
During the last year no less than 5000 new
members received. And from every quar-
ter comes up the cheering intelligence that neo-
phytes are crowding our ante-rOoms anxious to
obtain more intimate knowledge Of our most
benefccnt order,
Hundreds of new lodges and encampments are
springing up every side, and the light of our
most excellent institution is rapidly dawning up
on the minds of men, and that prejudice which
has to some extent existed towards us, il fast
waning before our deeds Of mercy, and labors of
love-
We have become power in the land
Men in the nations council, Judges on the
bench, ministers of Almighty God, men good,
and true everywhere and of every station in life,
have witnessed our mystic ceremonies, taken our
solemn obligations and become imbued with our
noble and righteous prccepts
Though but dimly preceptible to the public
eye, like silken gossamer threads on an autumn
al morning, our influence is wide and far search
ing but unlike the gossamer, easily destroyed
by the first rude blast which sweeps the plain
the influence OF our order is permanent and en-
during. Quescent and unfclt, perhaps in pros
perity, adversely calls forth and developers its
majestic strength, --vice and error fee shriekiny
before it, and grief are made to give place
to peace and JOY, the bitter cup of poverty is
dashed to the ground and plenty rcigns.
Time was, when the mama Odd Fellow was
but a synonym for obloquy, and our brothers
scarce dared avow their connection with the or
aer-Lut all is changed Instead of q re-
proach, it is considered high honor to be one of
MS, even by the uninitiated, for it is well known
that no one can pass our sacred portals, till his
character aud standing has been rigidly scruti.