The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-12-11
ORANGE ANNIVERSARY.
EmPorsa Orange Celebrates the Dec.

sPeechea, M1SIe. Good vIetaals. Ete
We suppose last Friday, Deem
Der 81, was u jubilee day among the
Changers throughout the country. II
was the seventh anniversary of the or
ganizatlon OF the order In America.
The occasion was duly celebrated by
the Emporia Orange at their hall in
this city, on the evening of Friday
last There was a large turn out OF
members and their wives and children,
and few invited guests. We learn
from those who attended that It was 4
very enjoyable affair. The supper
was ali that could be desired. It was
abundant, and good. Prof. Fl. B. Nor
ton made the address, and no one ac-
quainted with him need be told that It
was u good one. He has = way Of
making all his productions interesting.
Hall. Waite & Co., with their usual
llberality, sent up one of their fine
new Smith organs. At this Mrs. J. F.
Stratton presided, and the exercises
were interpreted with fine singing.
A paper called ''The Granger,
was read. From it we are
furnished with the following extract
which will be of interest to our read
ers:
OUR ANNIVERSARY,
Human life Is 80 replste with enjoy
ment, and Is in itself 80 great q boon, |
that dark, miserable and even sinful |
must be the career OF those whose |
hearts do not beat with kindlier and |
more joyful emotions upon the an. !
nIversary or the day that gave them |
birth. What day can we more appro-
priateIy devote TO strict selE-examin-
alton? On no occasion, perhaps, in |
our lives, do the inquiries more natur-
ally arise, "For what purpose have I
been created? ?" "WhaE object had the
Allwise and benevolent author of nav
being in bringing me into existence,
and have / failed In fulfilling my mis-
sion on earth 2" BY such questions
and serious reflection, we may be bet
ter fitted to renew annually the great
strength meet its responsibilities, en-
counter its stern realities, and partake
of its rational enjoyments.
We commemorate the BIRTHDAYS of
individuals whose wisdom and virtues
have shed a lustre upon the age in
which they lived. Upon such Occa-
slons our hearts go out in gratitude
that such persons have.IiYed. Profit
Ing by the precepts they have taught,
we may again gather strength for lffe's
If the birth days OF individuals are
matters OF so much importance, may
not the birth day of an organization,
having for Its object the mental, phys
arge a part of the human family as
nay come within the pale of our or
Ter, and their elevation to q higher
of excellence as men and wO-
men, be regarded as equally impor-
ant? And will It not be well fOt US
lpon this, our seventh anniversary, to
pause and reflect upon the progress
We are makingf Are we growing in
and virtue? Do we better !
ourselves-our own attri-
1utes? Do we as Patrons perform our
whole duty? Are we always just,
generous and kind toward each other?
Are we true to our best conceptions of !
what is right? Do we faithfully
yuard and protect our order In the
Grange room and out of it, and use all
proper efforts to prevent It or its mem.
'ers from calumny and abuse, and use
III the means that in our power lies to
prevent its dlsintegration and destruc-
ion-mOre to be feared on account of
Is numbers and power than any other
are we In our daily efforts
IS brothers and sisters, acquiring that i
moral and intellectual strength which
Will cause Ignorance and superstition Z
tself to yield to the mild and diffusive
light of intelligence and virtue? ,
A brief survey of our course as mem
'ers of the Order of the Patrons of
Iusbandry may be the means of awak-
ming in our minds q proper sense OF
.ratitude for the instrumentalities by
Which we are surrounded and which
he better enable US to appreciate the 4
God, the true and beautiful in life.
Let us, then, as members of q COM
non brotherhood, renew our covenant l
nd work on for q common good, hop
ng that the eud of each year may find [
IS higher In the scale of being-better
prepared to perform the duties for
which our Ordor was created, and by Z
0 doing, do our duty to ourselves and
III mankind.