The daily gazette., 1879-04-26
Odd Fell pwship.
CELEBRATION OF THE sIXTIETH ANNI-
vERsARY LAST EyESrNG-A PLEASANT
PROGRAMME.

last evening at the Odd Fellows Hall
with appropriate exercises. The enter
tainment was gotten hp by the Whining
ton Battalion of Patriarchs, and was of
such character as to please every one.
The exercises took place in the new
the frien of the order. There were
several visitors from New Castle among
them being Sheriff Pyle. Judging from
the hearty applause, the audience was
well pleased with the exercises One of
the most pleasing features of the evening
was the rendition of Dutch songs by Mr..
All. Watson, of Philadelphia His sing
ing would be great credit to many of
the stars that assume Dutch characters in
the theatres. He was loudly applauded
whenever he appeared upon the Stage
and was forced to respond to several en-
cores.
Mr.. David Downs, presided and an
nounced the exercises.
The entertainment opened with a
piano solo, "Pas Rendouble," by Mr.
Clarence Shank. 1t was followed with
song, "Hark the Lar k" by double quar-
tette, four ladies' and four gentlemen,
under the leadership of Prof. p. Allen.
They were londly applauded and resang
the song.
Mr.. Henry Eckei followed with an ad-
dress. He SAID no matter what the occa-
sion may be if under the auspices of the
Odd Fellows, or has the name of Odd
Fellows connected with 1t. such an occa-
sion must always be marred by an ad-
dress, and 1t was strange that such an OBJ
scure individual as himself should be put
down third on the list, to make an adj
dress. Much has BEEN said of Odd Eel
lowship and great deal has never been
SAID, especially of the good work they
have done. Odd Fellowship has done a
great deal; 1t has cared for the sick,
for the widow aud for the father
less. The society has felt the de-
preston of the times, not in the Treasu-
ry, but In the inactivity of the mem bers,
there had been a marked depression
The business Of the country had been de-
pressed, whic ch had caused the spirit of
the Odd Fellows To be depressed. 1t was
to awaken and vitalizs the activity of the
members that such assemblies as the
present one are given, to which we invite
the friends of the order, and while we
invite friends ofthe order we amlIse as we'll
ds instruct them. He would endeavor to
explain why portion of the Odd Eel
lows had clothed themselves IN the hab
ments OF war 1t was because that they
might become more useful 1t is because
that they have gone up, until they have
attained the highest rank in the order
II Is that they may 60 out and ask others
to help them in their work /; they have
buckied on the sword, not to make war
or make "march I'd the sea-" but they
march on with sword in the scabbard, to
help the suffering they ask the Odd Eel
lows to step out of their lethargy and
unite with them in carrying out faith,
hope and charity.
At the conclusion of his address Mr.
Eckel presented Mr. Dowus, on behalf of
the Battalion, with a handsome regalia,
as Grand Representative to the Grand
Lodge of the United States Mr.Downs
responded in few well chosen remarks.
The next on the programme was
Dutch song by All Watson, entitled
"Dwendy Seffen Cents" Being encored
he sang "The Belle Of the Ball." and "a
broken-heartedD Dutchman" Select read
ing. "Brides of Enderby," by James H.
Crabb, was well rendered. Solo, "Little
jacks Yarn" by G. T. Howell followed,
and was sung In an excellent manner.
Part first concluded with an Irish song
entitled, "The Strikers" by Messrs. Nc
Sorley, Mack, Turner and Guthrie. Their
"get up" was excellent, and their singing
and acting was excellent, calling forth
un5ounded applause
Part second opened with music by the
quartette, sweet and low. Select read
ing by james H. Crabb, "Roger and L."
AT the conclusion df the reading DIR.
address.
DIR. Maxwell opened his address with
an appropriate allusion to the Divine
origin of all things, and the necessity for
observance OF the Divine lnjunctions to
man IN regard 20 the duties and obser-
vances of daily life. He then said:
And just here my friends We touch
the circle which ciTcumscribes oil the
| duties inculcated and practised b. Odd
| Fellowship. 1t is in that command that
our Order finds ITS source, aud in obedi-
ence to that injunction that its members
| exercise their highest functions. In that
| succlnt command We have the charter of
our Institution. Thus we find that Odd
Fellowship is based upon principles as
pure as our holy religion.
| 1t is proper however that we should
disown any purpose to set up claims to
| being religious society. On the con-
trary we assert neither divine preroga-
| tlyes nor divine powers. Ours is simp-
| ly human organization whose ,funda-
me ntal idea is practical benevolence aad
active benhficence. Indeed we are care
full never to touch upon any of :he
functions belonging exclusively to the
church. But we feel and know that sell
fishness has possession of mans nature,
and we have combined In reciprocal ef-
| forts to cOunteract this natural current
| of frail humanity.
The questionsnaturally suggests itself,
Is there necessity for our Order? We
answer sorrowfully that there is, but we
admit that there ought not to be. He
"who spake as never man spake," lived
and died in vain f the Institution he es-
tablished is Insufficient for mans relief
here, as well as for his happiness here
after.
| The great and increasing good which
the order OfOdd Fellows has accomplish
ed, and Is effecting, prove its necessity
a necessity which springs, we are sorry to
believe, out of the delinquencies of those
to whom, in an especial manner. the ia
terests of the race for time and for eter-
nifty have been confded.
And now l ask permission to say that
one of the wisest and best features of
Odd Fellowship is that 1t not only in
cludes woman in Its benificence, but en-
lists her sympathy, influence and co-op-
Grafton In its labors. That cause is blest
which has woman as its advocate. To
do good is natural TO her-benevolence
and charity are spontaneous fruits of her
pure nature.
When we consider the difficulties she
has to overcome, the disadvantages
which conventional rules, even In this our
boasted age of civil kation, have impos-
ed upon her, her present status and in
fuence in the world are simply marvel
lous.
1t has been said with truth that the rela