Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-03
A ID ID r II $ s
r. GRISAMORE,
SIYTIETH ANNIVERSARY or 900 FELLOW
SHIP IN BATON ROUGE.
ON THE OCCASION or THE


Ladies', Gentlemen ami Brothers:
From time immcmorial II has been
customary in all nations to celebrate
certain days designating important
periods In the past, and Of commcm-
orating others on which organizations
have been formed for the purpose Of
promoting the happiness and welfare
of tho members thereof, and which
may exercise u beneficial influence in
tho communities in which they arc
established.
Tho Independent Order Of Odd Fol
lows has numerically grown with such
wonderful rnpidity and has distrib-
utcd its work 80 generally throughout
society, and has become 30 powerful
n brotherhood, that in obedience to
hnllowcd custom tho twcnty-sixth Of
April has been set apart and dedicated
~ n memorial dry in which the mem
bcrs and their friends may assemble
for mutual congratulations md unite
their voices in songs of Thanksgiving,
inphonor Off the institution of their
order, In tho city Of Baltimore, on
this day sixty years ago.
a Upon IN OCCASION like this, m in
curing mind will naturally demand:
What is Odd Fellowship o
What arc its intentions
In what manner docs il accomplish
its purposcs' ID
DO tlsc wants Of society require
similar organization7
The order of Odd Fellowship il q
benevolent institution, organized for
tho mutual relief Of it's members and
those who arc dependent on them,
and has its foundation based upon
that eternal principle, which, rccog-
nizing man as constituent OF one
universal brothcrhorls teaches him
that asfhc camo from tho hands of u
common parent he is bound to pro-
tcct and cherish his fellow man.
Upon this platform, upon which all
mankind may unite in offices of hui
man bcnclnction, under whose com
prchcnsivc influences they may con-
ccntrate all their energies for the good
of tho common race, the wise and
practical men whose genius conceived
this order, uniting in an effort to inn
prove the moral condition Of man; To
Undue him with proper conception
of his capabilities for doing good; e
cnlightcn his mind; to enlarge the
sphere Of his affections; to lead him
to the cultivation Of the true fratcrnn
relation designed by the Great Author
of his being, have wisely placed the
supcrstructurc of Odd Fellowship.
The imperative command to the
Odd.Fcllow is to visit The sick, relieve
5 the distressed, bury I'll" dead, protect
tho widow and educate the orphan
: and in the fuIGllmcnt Of this injnnc
ton perpetual warfare is declared
against vice in all it's forms.
=, TO protect man from the dangcr
, by which he is mcnaccd, through N
innate propensity to pursue the fleet
| ing phantoms that folly perpetual,
waves before her votarics; to Diver
his attention from the pursuit Of illu
sorry visions prone to degrade his dig
, nifty and dcbase his manhood; t.
n guide him into the secure and pleas
4 ant paths of virtue, and to mitigai
the affections to which he is subject
: is, by fratcrnal intercourse, an
D friendly sympathy in each other
v welfare, the great object for whic
q tho system of American Odd Fellow
ship is designed.
J. TO consrmmate it's numerous intcr
II tons it summons to it's assistance TIL
g benign and purifying principles
g philanthropy and sound morality.
BY the cultivation Of benevolent
4 man feels for the woes of his race an
cheerfully administers the balm I
N consolation to the unfortunate
Of charity softcns the heart, incites
-, good actions and rcscucs the distress
| ed from impending misery and II
il stores them to peace and contcn
ID mcnt; by covenant of mutual a
this order uses it's influence to cxtcl
ID a sentiment of brotherhood and !
Y. this means remove the obstacles tn
" interposc between the hearts of mel
by practicing friendship-self-sacn
n fcing friendship, in periods of advc
rs sity, we are enabled to abandon cas-
o, and even risk our lives for those wi
IN whom we are bound by fratcrnal tie
in cherisling the great sentiment
re, universal lovc--that goes behind t
ly distinctions of sect, party and matte
ii all men are recognized as brothc
and the divine injunction is obeye
ut that bids us to do unto Others as
n would that others should do unto
and the principle of truth followi
=" close after love crowns the fabl
'"' Truth is the imperial virtue and