The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-09-23
THE RECEPTION.


EXERCISES AT THE ACADEMY OF zUsIC-A
SPLENDID AFFAIR - ADDRESSES OF VEL
COME AND OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Yesterday afternoon the Grand Lodge
marched TO the Academy in the order
named in Sundays Sentinel. Grand Master
Shidiler, Of the state, presided, while around
him on the stage were seated the officers of
the Grand Lodge of the United States and
the speakers of the day. The Cecelian Glee
Club opened the services. During the exer-
cises they sung general pieces. While the
club always sings well and generally de-
serves commendation, 1t seems 10 have lost
instead of gained ground in the matter Of
drill and precision. Its selections on this
accession Sss cow,d psrhsps not the best
Gov. Hendricks delivered the opening and
welcome address, which is given in full.
HIS ExcELLENcY GOVERNOR HENDRICKS.
Mosr WORTHY GRAND SIRE and gentlemen
OF the Grand Lodge of the United States In
dependent Order of Odd Fellows: 1 take
pleasure in bidding you q cordial welcome to
the capital of our state. You come as the
national representatives OF an organization
numbering in its membership nearly half
million of men. No other organization in
the land can show roll of member
ship to which the productive
industries of the country more largely
indebted than to yours, and few can boast
of higher standard of virtue and intelli-
gepce. You do not come to as self
seekers, nor in quest of material advantages.
The central idea OF your order is fraternity
and benevolence. If the sphere Of its bere-
factions is bounded by its own circle, it
is only for the purpose OF securing
greater aggregate efficiency. That circle is
not arbitrarily defined, but may so extend
as to embrace all worthy persons who would
come within it. The benevolence of Odd
Fellowship is sufficiently expansive to COM
prehend the Brotherhood Of civilized man.
Your order is unpretending and unambitious
in its aims. 1t seeks neither COM
mercisl nor political power, nor interference
with creeds or scots, but devotes itself unos-
tentatiously to work, of private charity, in
By the bed OF sickness; at the grave; in the
home made desolate by death; and wherever
the widow and the orphan are found main
tanning q hard struggle with poverty
its benefcent influences are telT.
According to some writers your order is CT
great antiquity, having existed so long that
tradition contends with history suspectiDg
it's origin. According to them IL has sur
vived changes in governments, and In So
cial and religious systems, and come
down through periods OF viole nce and crime
in which almost all existing H. situations par
took OF the evil character OF the times.
But dscarding tradition and adopting the
better evidence and judgment of its more
modern origin, it is still with commendsble
pride that your fraternity may claim that,
through ali the period of its existence, Odd
Fellowship has been true to it's charitable
design. History lsys no crime TO
| its charge and no unchsritableness be-
cause of differences In condition or or
opinion. Its works have been works OF be-
nevoience, and its influences have all gone
| for In the direction OF truth and right.
There is something in benevolent action
that has always created lively and alice
tomato interest in the popular heart. For
near nineteen hundred years the world has
read with growing pleasure the parable
of the good Samaritan. While the
march of Roman armies, lustrious
with the glory of Caesars triumphs, and de-
stroying the balances OF empire nineteen
hundred years ago, is now half forgotten,
that journey Of the poor Samaritan, and his
deed of kindness by the way-side are not