The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-08-11
The Picnic Of zered Lodge.

i tpAH u " dSIlIngLOn, one oil the mos
beautiful spots of the prairieland, fou
miles from Opelousas, and one mile from
W asltirgton and the Bayou Courtabl2au
/ the Little Bayou T6che, running but
y miles, in the rear Of the Park, which hat
been rendered by its owner to the mem
bers of the Lodge, was the scene of
very pleasant and choice gathering
such as is seldom witnessed in this sec
tiOn of the country. The Pavilion
which stands upon the highest elevation
and which had been erected there by
subscriptions given by the liberal people
of both towns, was decorated with flags
while the surrounding forest, and the
springs completed >he decoration.
Every available Horse, buggy, coach
carriage or hack was on its way too and
from Washington and Opelousas, bring
ing their human freight to the place of
enjoyment, for all the stores in both
places were closed up, lending both
towns a Sunday appearance.
Ever since two years and a half, when
this Lodge was started, the members
| who at that time expected their good
old friend Mr.. Marx to establish the
same, but III whose stead others had
come, were anxious that he should pay
them visit, and avaiIing themselves of
the good opportunity which offered
itself in the establishment Of Attakapas
Lodge, at New Iberia, where their Bro
5. Marx was to proceed, sent him re-
newed invitation which he thankfully
accepted. He left New Iberia Wednes-
day morning at one o'clock, and after
a long and tedious ride of over fifty
miles Of prairieland, he reached here at
"A o'clock same evening and was quar-
tered at the elegant mansion of Mr..
Joseph Bloch, where in the evening a
reception was held
Mr.. Marx accompanied by his host and
family reached the grounds early Thurs
day morning and was welcomed by
many of his old friends, especially those
Of Washington, who owing to the late
ness of the hour could not meet him
the evening before.
Entering the pavilion the music struck
up Hail to the Chief" and the fes-
tiV%ties began. Singing, dancing and
merrymaking was the order of the day,
nothing but gay and happy faces could
be seen, Jews and Gentiles in a most
friendly intercourse, everybody enjoy
ing to his hearts content.
At noon Mr.. or rather say, Bro. Marx,
who is the first Vice President of the
District No. 7, which has near 60 Lodges
in membership of about $500 was called
for and requested to give some outlines
nleaain of tha- rrord7- B'rfai Ii..isl4
and of the objects and working of the or
der, as good many were anxious to be
informed. The Pavilion was thronged,
and after formal introduction Ey Mr..
Phillips, the Lecturer of the Lodge, Nh.
Marx gave a very spirited address,
which was most attentively listened to.
Country papers have no short hand
reporters, else it would be a pleasure
for us to furnish fuller report yet
we do the best we can under the Cir
cumstances.
After Mr.. Marx had stated the cardi
nal principles and laws which govern
the Order, and explained all concern
ing them,. he quoted and compared in
very eloquent and interesting man
ner many biblical passages, of which
wholesome lessons can be drawn. He
said:
Love rules the world, the camp, the grove.
And men below and saints above,
For love is heaven and heaven Is love.
The social relations among indiVi-
duals should be regulated by the die
tates OF love that the Jews, who had
been ever since their dispersion the
objects of persecution and prosecution,
were always the ones to protect the
stranger and to preach and to execute
philanthropy driven from shore to
shore, from land to land, they had
never lost their identity.
Admiration has been expressed for
their endurance under severe trials,
and their caImness and dignity under
misfortune. Clinging to their belief,
the one true God; clinging tenaciously
to the idea of independence and per-
sonal freedom; ever appreciating acts
of disinterested kindness and benevo
lence hospitable to the wanderer and
wayfarer; eloquent by touching appeals
to the heart--they revealed the great
truth, that long wandering in the paths
of suffering did not extinguish those
nohler feelings of the human breast
which bind man to man, continuing to
reproduce themselves as a race, as if
they were bound8y fetters of an nm
changing type,
1"It is a people so different from
Others said Haman to Ahasuerus and
he was right. For while in this great
country no sooner is a little town or
village settled, than courthouse and
Jail or penitentiary are established.
But Israel needs none of these. Where
ever its children dwell, they abide by
the laws of the land; erecting, instead
Of such buildings, other ones towering
towards heayen-schools of learning,
orphan asyIums and hospitals; betimes
caring for the living and for those left
by the departed ones.
The Israelites, after pilgrimage of
many years through the desert, were
camping at Zered, the BROCK of Willows.
It was their last resting place before
j., IL rTI,o