Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-05-10

here present. the task Of speaking of any
whose names have been omitted.
A word now in regard to the history Of
this Lodge and the principles that guide
| US.
Magnolia Lodge No. so, I. o. o. f.,
was organized in November, 1s49, under
Dispensation granted by the then acting
II. w. G.. M. Eldridge, and commenced
work under her present Charter, issued by
authority Of the tirsnd Lodge of the State,
in January, 1850.
The Charter vfs petitioncd for by Broth
ers Elliott, Hused, Wright, Flood, Mes
sick. Irwin, Chambers aud Crookshank.
In the hands of these men, together with
other good and true friends Of the Order
who became momhE soon after. the Lodges
prospered even beyond the expectations Of
the most sanguine, and very soon took
rank among the first of the State.
In the year 1853 her membership had
increased to such an extent and her fnan-
cial condition was such that the members
deemed it prudent and safe to undertake
the erection Of commodious ed;ficc for
their accommodation. The work was ac-
cordingly begun, aud the wisdom Of the
move then made, and the success attending
it, arc to-day attesied by the handsome
building erected upon this spot and the
elegant, we'll finished Hall We this night
occupy.
1t would indeed be pleasant task for
us to follow the Lodge in its history from
that time to this, and present an unbroken
chain of activity, prosperity and success.
This pleasure we are compelled to forego.
Magnolia. in common with others, has ex-
perienced many days Of gloom-periods
of dependency inaction and extreme
dullness--of actual adversely aud bitter
disappointment.
But what institution, or association,
or religious denomination, or society Of
any kind or character, has not met with
similar troubles and made corresponding
record?
While We have failed to accomplish all
that was desirable, others have failed to
accomplish any permanent good-while
we have Tired and to-day are prosperous
and strong they have died and are now
numbered among the things that were.
The great wonder is, that during the uni
versal commotion, the blasting storms and
terribly adverse gales Of the last six years.
which came near destroying the great Re-
public itself, We were not overwhelmed
and our organization blotted out of exist
ence. The tempest is now passed, and to.
day Odd Fellowship emcrges from the al
most universal wreck, and, under an un-
ciouded sky, with bright omens Of future
success, begins anew the contest with error
aud vice, bearing a2olt ns her motto those
etornal principles o. Friendship, Love and
Truth, by which victory will be achieved,
aud peace, harmony, beneyolencc and
charity prevail.
Friendship is our leading principle.
We may scan the pages of history and find
many brilliant examples, which, like stars
that appear here and there in the midst Of
the dark and stormy heavens, have most
beautifully reflected the lustre of Friend
ship, exhibiting its manifold beauties and
inherent power. Amid the havoc of war
and the barbarous customs of the ancient
world the conduct or Tygrancs forms
happy illustration. When asked by Cy-
rus, his conqueror, what ransom he offered
for his life, he replied, "my possessions"
"What for your wife ?'' "My life," was
the prompt reply. The inaghamimity of
this answer induced Cyrus TO release him.
When they had gone from the presence of
Cyrus, Tygranes inquired of his wife what
her opinion of the King was.
II did not sec him." was the reply.
f"Did not see him cried the aston
ished prince, "did not see the King p
"No,' she replied,-"I was so taken up
with gazing on him who offered his life
for my ransom that l saw no one else
Friendship is Of every cline it blooms
in every soil of earth; il sheds its sweets
amid the SHOWS of Caucasus and where the
green livery Of Summer is longest worn.
1t clevates human nature in the scale of
being-giyes to the social affections their
noblcst impulses, and alleviatcs. though it
may not be able to entirely remove the dis
quietudes and calamities of life.
We may not place a boundary to a sin :
gle action dictated by friendships hand,
or mark with certainty the ultimate limits
of its influence. A mere word spoken in
friendship leaves an impression which
death alone may oblilerate. 1t consoles
and gladdens the heart bowed down with
the cares Of life il infuses feelings Of Joy,
creates emotions of -nleasure, and gives to
the soul sinking in despair the pleasing
assurance that there is one who sympa-
thizes, one who feels. If spoken to an
enemy it makes him friend if to the
outcast devoid Of friends TO cheer and
guide him, given up to sensual pleasures,
debaucbery and crime, it reclaims and
places him more upon level with men.
1t has been demonstrated that the
slightest motion Of the atmosphere has n
Influence and effect throughout the Earth;
that the smallest pebble dropped in mid
ocean creates a wave, and that another,
and that still another, until the whole
boundess ocean is moved.
So with our actions done, our words
spoken. The effect may be entirely in
visible to us. We may suppose their in
hucnce small, or none, or what there may
be, lost. But we may rest assured that,
for good or evil, it is is-bounded only by
Eternity.
i Concerning those other stars, Love and
Truth, which, with Friendship, form the
constellation of our motto, desire to
quote a distinguished author.
"Truth is that grand virtue which deals
plainly and honestly in all actions, with
out disguise, without falsehood, and with