Daily Republican., 1880-04-27
TnoUaE,r4ars.
A Sermon Preached to Odd Fellows
by Rev. y. III. CALDWELL.

THOUGHTS.
A Sermon Prsae "a to Odd Fellow
by Rev. =. III. caldwell.
Sunday being the sixty-drst anniver
sary Of Odd Fellowship in the United
States, In the morning Mechanics
Lodge, /. 0. 0. r., and a number Of the
members Of the other lodges in full ~.
gala, went to St. Pau)'s M. &. church,
where an appropriate sermon was
preached by Rev. ]. H. Caldwell, from
Philippians l., s.
The apostle, said the speaker, was
not simply theologian, but likewise
q philosopher. He understood the
laws of the human mind. A mans
thoughts determine his character. "As
he thinketh In his heart 80 is he"
Men are Influenced by their surround
ings. Their normal qualities are thus
modified. They are not always able to
bear up against the torrent which seems
to carry them off. Men are not always
what they seem to be. There is one
position, however, In which they may
place themselves where they morally
will not be anybody but themselves.
That position is when they present
themselves before their Maker. There
all human supremacy comes to an end
at the portals Of human thought.
Nothing has transpired upon this
earth which has not had back of 1t the
thought OF the mind. By the exercise
of thought we arrive at truth. II q
man thinks of wicked things he will
become wicked. Character ia fashioned
10 the model of truth. "Whatsoever Is
truth, think upon those things" +"
Truth is what is conformable to the
universe, to our notion the thing re-
ceived form heaven.
The speaker commended TO the Order
the highest truth-the truth which is
in Jesus. II Is ne speculation, it is
practical, it strengthens man and en-
dews him with power to do the best
work for humanity. There are but few
persons who are able to judge, and in
this class opinions differ. Christ
wrought work nineteen centuries ago,
its essence is the very dawn of chris
tian history. 1t tended to civilize ma
tions and the best men bowed to its
principles. No system has been known
to confer such benefits.
Character may be fashioned upon
models of honesty. 1t is in the power OF
thought to do this. "Whatsoever is
honest, think upon those things" The
Romans used the word "honesta,"
meaning anything proper or honorable.
The apostle used 1t in the same sense
and in the sense Of gravity. As We
look out upon humanity we perceive
that great many people are prone to
be opposite to this.
Character may be fashioned upon the
model of Justice. "WhsLsoever things
are just think upon these things"
Honesty includes justice, and justice
includes honesty. Our actions should
not be superfous or deficient. A just
character is that high and noble one
which God approves:
Character may be fashioned upon
the model OF purity. "Whatsoever
things are pure, think upon those
thinga." By purity we understand
what is modest, chaste and free from
Modern painters study
the models Of the old masters 80 as to
perfect themselves and We have the
no BILE model to study which was drawn
by the great Artist, the Holy Ghost.
Character may be fashioned upon the
model of social virtue. Thoughts rightly
directed will do this. Amisbility will
10 a great deal. In savage tribes there
s a resemblance of sentimental virtue.
Acts of kindness and honesty are ap-)
preciated but thieves and liars are des-
pissed.
Character may be fashioned upon the
model of q good reputation. "Whatso-
,ver things are Of good report, think
upon those things" "a good name is
-ather to be chosen than great ri,hes."
This does not mean notoriety. A good
reputation does not come from selfish
desire for notorie'y, but from a desire
% do good.
The speaker then recapitulated the
models of character, and remarked that
hey looked like the links of chain.
Paul had Joined them by the cohesive
principle of charity. Although the
order of ODD Fellows did not aim to
nculcate truth or propagate the gospel,
ret individually they could go up to
,xalted heights. If there be any other
rats beside the six Of which he had
poksn think upon them and embrace
hem. Whatsoever organizations are
,ood think upon them. The Odd Eel
owship fraternity is grace in this
utject. During the past forty. eight
rears the Order in this State has dis
ributed $4,000, ,104.6S. They had
lone good work and when he saw
hem he thought Of what Solomon spake
n reference to the good woman-give
I-r the fruits of her hand. Better
han this, there 10 the true and holy re-
igion OF Christ. Thought If rightly di-
ected will do this.
Lead ms not into teInOtatiOn."
Mpsspa En,rops.-Wa raad in vour