The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1879-05-04
IDOREss OF II. n. HEeELOw,
DefOre Elko Lodge No. H. TO. o. r.
On fricsS. IA sINfieth Anal
NeF-arJ or the Intro
anetiOa OF tho
OEder.

IN
0ssges Of our order, rnd in accordance
with the practices Of all guilds and So
Geties whi,h have, or think they have,
anything Of which to be proud. we meet
tSday for mutual eonSratulation aud
rejoicing.
As We have gathered for the purpose
Of making this u day of festiSity, in
honor Of the first Institution Of our order
upon American soil, it Is proper and
just that We should st such a tune Of all
Others carsoriiy glance at some OF the
reasons that may be given for the faith
within us that the goth of April 1919, is
. day worthy Of commcmoratiCn and re-
nembrance. Bus while we rejoice
Gith those that do rejoice. ri: is equally
duty and should eVer be our prac-
tiee to mourn with those that mourn,
and as We take delight in the joyous
ness of to-day we should not forget onr
brethren in Eureka. who, but for the
hand OF affection laid heavily upon
them, would Lave greatly assisted us. by
their presence and support, in our hon.
ornble efforts 20 appropriately observe
our Sixueth Anniversary.
In the heavy calamity which las fai-
len upon them, We extend our heartfelt
yH1PdbhN ohd CtAuhituECF anu Nbllc
We depiore the occasion which has pre-.
vented their attendance here. We wish
them God speed in their efforts to re
build their prosperous and thriving
town and husi j; may soon again -four
ish ami improve rs never before.
The birthday Of an individual is only
considered worthy OF cOmmemOration,
where, during his subsequent life he
has performed some deed more than
ordinarily grea; or noble, or developed
commanding talents which have been
used for the REINFORCEMENT and elevation
Of humanity: or like Howard the phil
lanthropist, has Self. sacrificingly deyot-
cd himself to Hmelioraiing the condition
Of the suffering of their race; aud as
there is nc reason why institutions
should not be judged by
the same criterion, ] trdst that the IN.
diligence Of a little honest pride over
the glorious record OF the past, and u
breathing hopes Of the utIre will ex-
pose us TO no greater Hsperion than
that We are proud of the institution
10 which we have the honor to belong,
and are desirons that its light shall not
be hid under a bushel. bu. like a city
which Is SGT upon ii hill, where all may
SEQ. 1t must be admitted by all. that
any institution which 80 far rises above
tho mercenGTy pursuits Of life, the uu-
Ielenting and unremittIng search for
wealth and power and individual that
10 generally make up the sum Of human
existence. ns to devote itself entirely, to
the relief Of want, misery and woe, aud
the elevation OF the moral nature man.
has something about it that instantly
recommends TO all of the better feelings
OF the hunIon heart.
II is so seldom, especially in our
young and rugged State. that men TURN
aside from the bitter struggle which
has self only in view, to devote them
selves TO any Of the gentler virtues OF
Life, that a body OF men protesting to be
organized and associated together
entirely for those purposes, challenges
attention At once and ", upon investi-
CATION, their professions are found to
be true, they. are certainly entitled to
the support II encouragement Of all
We claim that the Independent Order
OF Odd Fellows is such an organization.
We claim hat for every day Of It's exist
snce, tbs world has been happier and
better, and that its influence. its holy
precepts and teachings, have ever had
no other objects han those Of eleyatinR
and purifying the character Of man,
and assisting him in the hour Of adyer-
Sity.
sixty years & this Goth OF April,
i've humble bat devoted brothers met
for the purpose Of institutiDg Washing
ton Lodge No. 1, At the city OF Balti-
more, and there planted the germ that
has since, under the fostering care Of a
bene6cent heaven, become the magni6-
cent power we behold il to-day; its
roots have struck deep into the kindly
soil, and its branches spread into every
nook AID corner of our beloved country,
and even 70 lands beyond the sea, carry
ing healing in their touch, and peace
and contentmenr with their presence.
They met under the most adverse and
trying circumstances at a public house
or tavern Of tho day; they we're foreign
ers in a strange and hostile city, where
oil OF the bitter animosities that had
been aroused against their countrymen,
by the ensanguined conflict OF 1912, in
tensihed doubtless by the attack upon
the city Itself. and the ruthless desiruc.
ton Of the capital Of our country, but
forty miles distant, still burned with
undated yigor. They were poor, with
out influence, and comparatively with.
out friends, but they had been Odd
Fellows in the Fatherlapd, and still re-
tanned q grateful sense Of the manifold
blessings which arose from the fellow.
ship Of kindred souls. ever ms II existed
then, which caused them 10 ardently
wish TO pcrpetuate the Order In the
home Of their adoption. Aud "They
builded better than they knew" How
little they thought, and how still less
anyone else thought. that in sixty years
their one poor little lodge Of five mem
bers, would have grown to almost nine
thousand noorisbing lodges and encamp.
ments. with nearly half a million OF
numbers DEVOTED TO the cause Of Friend.
ship. love and truth.
For Odd Fellowship wo mako nc
claim Of antiquity. except that tn,
principle upon which it is based, are az
old az the world itself. As il is organ.
lied and exists in our country to-day, 4,
IL almost wholly American; upon oui
soil II has met with its most glorious
sucoess; here its system OF beneficial
relief hiss been perfected; It's most
beautiful lessons Of faith. hope and
charity have been wrought out: and
from our shores IL has gone forth Ia
other lands and other peoples, teaching
aud compelling Q by solemn vows,
ITO do unto others rs they would
Others should do unto them" Its sys.
sem OF government IL modelled upon
che political framework Of tho Govern.
mept Of the United States, and Is well
adapted To inculcate q love for tho Ito.
publican system.
First, The subordinate lodges in the
several 5 ates, aud their representatives