The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-26

Rev. Mr.. Rhea offered prayer. The band
then played selection, aud the orator of
the day. Bro. j. a. Rhea, was introduced. |
The following ia his address
DEAR BROTHERS We meet to day in |
tais public manner TO erect another mile. !
atone on our pilgrimage of Benevolence and
relief-to move the hand on the dial of time
another year forward. Fifty two years
measure our march 10 this country. We
come to-day to bury one more year with its
joys ana sorrows IN the great mAusoleum
OF forgetfulness, and to enter afresh upon the
pleAsihg labors and duties Of another, which
we hope will be as all the past Of our history
aud even more abundant with sill that is,
beautiful, useful and good. The fading past
may serve as monitor to teach as to avold
all that was nnfraitfui and wrong, and to
improve with more earaessness the lessons
of experience for future success. Itmay be,
100, q remembrance of sunny hours and
! friendships cheer as We call up from its
misty bosom the many pleasing associations
and brotherly greetings in our weekly meet
ings, where Friendship Lore aud Truth
glorious trinity of noblest virtues have
held their genial sway over manly hearts
and pleasant labors While here with the
public, who desire to know what we can cav
for ourselves, of good, let us thank an all
,oise and benefcient Providence for confirm
ed tenderness toward US and our families,
and in our beating hearts allow generous
recognition of the Universal Fathers Sover.
eign right to rule in all the affairs of men:
I ;f,l sc
Health, harmony, and home, Friendship.
fellowship, and fidelity, these are among the
inessimabls blessings allotted as our DOR.
ton for the year past Let us also speak
of the grand principles and noble aims of
our Order in this public presence to-day.
We do not feel pressed to pronounce a
fulsome eulogy upon Odd Fellowship, nor
to even exhibit prominently her chosen and
cherished foundations. Our work is a liv-
ing epistle that is being known and read of
all men who are not too blinded BY the
scales of prejudice and bigosry to behold
that which is true and good.
1t would indeed be strange if our Order
stood high in the esteem of eli men-even
of ell good men. Our name itself suggests
80 many only society for levity aud fun,
Conviviahty and Social dissipation. In the
beginning of our institution, before it as
sumed an Organized form, this was true OF
1t in q measure. But early in its actual life
conviviAl and Incorporate usages were put
away. The laws OF the Order from an early
date prohibit all refreshments except water.
And to-day, you as a Lodge are under obi
CATION, by the stpulstions of the Dispense
ton" by which you can hold this eelebra-
ton, to abstain from offering to any brother
/ during the day any thing that can intoxi-
cate. Such is the high moral sentiment of our
Order, that no incorporate, hsbitually pro
fame man can become member, or continue
with Us. While, ii is true, we require nc
religious test for membership, yet no one
can become a member who does not rsoog
Mise his obligations TO God.
, Odd Fellowship took its rise il
England in about 1882, when the
poor were under very sore oppres
sion from the rich aud from the effects o.
she war with this country Mutual protec
] lions against poverty, sickness and othel
misfortunes prompted the association Soci
cites of similar character and for the SAINT
y purposes lave existed amongst men from
J. the very beginning of communities. VIZ
J. however, do not claim that high sneiquit,
: tor our Order that many suppose. We huC
it taking definite form less than centur,
ago. Its noble objects are Brotherly Low,
and Relief, this and nothing more, nothins
Q less. The sentiments embodying all W,
/, mean by Odd Fellowship may be found il
, orr motto Friendship, Love, and Truth
There are the gems of all the cluster, the
brightest and most bene6ceut. Friendship
f, true friendship-whAtw will it not do or sui
Ter for Its object? As q sentiment merely /
IS indeed beautiful, but with what increased
luster does it shine SIS displayed in deeds o
relief. sympathy, aRd uusel6shness
D I1'uth---L OueG like-God born Heaven
sent, all radiant with the coronaI of ANGEL
glory, dimmed by the pail of sin on earth
out yet struggling through the mists an,
developments of sel6shness and falsehood
hey shed glory on all who worship :
, heir shrine, or bow at their altar Thes
! daraRe sentiments, beautifully SYM boiled il
our furniture, jewels and re9alia, are tn
beautiful lessons OF our Instructive and i'm
presHive ceremonies. These oft presse
? upon the heart will leave their image an
{ transform the devotee into the likeness G
, the divinity worshiped. These are tn,
n0blest ideas thar man can have, either q
God or man God the universal friend
l and there is a friend that stlcketh close
than brother "God is Love- Love
, 4ll-"sends the rain on the just aud the ur
Just So loved the world that he gave hi
beloved son to save it. Truth-"I am til
Truth" the saving, enHobliRg TRUTH yer
table, tangible exhibition of the Truth a
God given, and Hesven-born. No error, n
! fAlseness. | ask the candid reasoner if sue
principles, oft repeated and soIemnly i'm
pressed, will not in some measure eunob
those who receive them. Divine Truth, a
taught in the Great Book Of Nature, an
sanctioned by the Book of Books, is the on
reforming and ennobliug sentiment know
% man. Our Order rests upon the Truth
the Truth of all Truths "The Fatherhoo
Of God and the Brotherhood of man" Til
latter comes naturally of the former, bu
man has ever been very slow to accept
either in practice In our own land tn
truth is more practically recognised than
any other,s land would we be counted vain If v
should claim that our teachings and our e.
i. ample have had much to do in securing th
reoognition in our nation Masonry an
odd Fellowship, noble sisters, have bee
D. busy for years with these glorious lesson
r. Every week and month hundreds of thou
y Ands OF the noble, patriotic hearts of OF
- sons of America, are solemnly impresse
. with their obligations TO their God, the
II neighbors and their nation. Can we wond
se that monarchy, oppression and slavery 81
crumbling to fall, in all the civilized KIM
.; doms of the world Wherever man is taugl
efficiently that God is the Father of all, an
loves all, and that 1--WE are all brethren
>; wall not cruelty and oppression necesssri
% give WsyY Our noble Order stands cor
mitted to all the finer and purer seDtimen
i, and laws of social intercourse amongst me-
u. aud proclaims TO the world all its aims an
g. efforts, ia not ''secret society" as has bee
al charged, any more than family, oitv cou
,e Gil, or Cabinet of the United States. We ha,
secrets that pertain to our Lodges and a,
'' the means Of recognition for mutual prote
ton from imposture, but no secret design
d principles or efforts. The world, with the,
- avowals on our part, has q right to axne,