Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-19

SNORT DISCOURSE 1rOm tue l5tu cudpIcT VI Ct.
Luke. At the close of the discourse num-
Der of members of the club participated in
the questions introduced.
Ridgeley Memorial Serrices.
The memorial obseauies of the late Jas. L.
past grand master and grand secre-
tary of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd
Fellows, were observed at the Opera house
yesterday at o'clock. The procession, COM
posed of the eneampments and lodges of the
city, formed at the corner OF Washington
street and First avenue south and headed by
Sidwell's brass band, marched to the Opera
house. The stage was deliberately and hand
somely decorated and draped in deep mourn
ing. An arch of evergreens extended from
side to side, directly over the center, under
meath which was in the center OF large wreath
the word sRidgeley" in large white letters.
Further back was the words also in large white
letters of flowers Sin memoriam." In the
rear center was large banner unfurled upon
which was inscribed emblems of the order.
The railing of the building was draped in
white and black Grape with Odd Fellow en-
blems at intervals of about ten feet. The
stage was occupied by those who were to
participate in the ceremonies and prominent
officers and members of the order. The par
quet:e was occupied by the different lodges
wb Re the dress circle and balcony were filled
with spectators and others anxious to tender
q tribute to tine dead.
A refrain was rendered by Sidwell's band
when G. W. Smith, II. P, conducted the Pc
culiarly impressive Introductory services of
the order. The apollo quartette next sang,
"Remember thy CREATOR" by Rhodes. An ad-
dress was then made by Rev. L. F. Cole, a
prominent member of the order. He began
by saying "Why have we met here to-day
with dirges, with tears of grief and sorrow.
Because some one has died. A man is dead.
No strange thing to happen among men,
A good man has died. That, also,
is no new thing nor strange. A good mantbe-
loved by his fellow men has been lost to us.
Not simply has brother been taken from us,
but an upright christian brother. There were
circumstances entwined around him and
around his home that claim no ordinary
recognition from us, particularly on behalf of
his many virtues, OF his love of truth and of
nobleness. JAS. L. Kidgeway was born in
in an age and time when Odd Fellowship was
in its infancy. He had seen it
grow from almost zero until 1t has reached
vast proportions, spreading over the civilized
globe He entered early in life into Odd Eel
Iowship. He took prominent stand. He
was soon sent as representative from his lodge
to the grand lodge of the state, and then soon
after to the grand lodge of the United States.
A devoted and jealous member, he mad seen
the order pass through many changes while
standing in the front ranks. He knew what
the order was His virtues and abilities
were recognized by the president
in responsible position in the
United States internal revenue department.
For over fifty years he has been a prominent
and active member in the order, HIS acts are
written in books, showing that he had done
have not time to give them in detail. It is
not necessary. He became the editor of pa
per, you brothers know so well, which had
not second in the land for ability and integ-
rity in the order. 1t was not SO much in
his ability as in the thousands who
wish to show or manifest a regard
for this beloved brother. In 1909 he
older has prospered and fourished until within
the last fifty years, s3,0OO,000 have been paid
into the treasury by the members. Aye, DUR
ing that fifty years aid has been given to &c.,
600 people. It has been good work, grand
work. Nearly one million in want have re
ceived assistance; 1877 600 widows and orphans
who were in want and in trouble have been
aided by monies from the treasury during that
period, and no less than $1,000
whose bodies have returned to the dust. 1t is
a cody work. Can you gather grapes from
thorn trees? Can you gather figs from this
ties? No. We relieveI the distressed and the
sick. You say, why do you have secret Or
ganization. Is it not possible to do this with
out becoming member. While a man may
do this as member he will lot do it as an in
dividual We have this fact daily illustrated,
there must be organized and systematic order
to accomplish such work. Is it not the
duty of the church to perform such work as
this? am sorry it is. But do they do 1t
with the degree of thoroughness, promptness
and success which characterizes Odd Fellow
ship? Another thought. Let me ask if
churches do do this work? To certain ex-
tent is there not ample room for more work?
Everyone will not unite with churches. Just
SO long as there ia death so long will there be
opportunities for the benevolent work of Odd
Fellowship and so long will the the or
der exist. The order is an aid to
Christianity, for it is Christian
work it has to perform. Sometimes all are
blamed for being secret society. To-day is
time in which you can notice and think for
yourselves as to whether we are in the wrong.
I do not know how the rest think, but aside
from that which!is emblazoned upon our ban
ners, that Its work is for humanity, and the
broad Christian platform to do unto others as
you would have others do INTO you. The
secrets of our order amount to but
little. But take the ground that
it is not a secret society It's deeds
its work is known to men and anyone not a
member can ascertain the facts upon making
inquiry. It does open work as Christians do
it, and as the love of brothers and humanity
should do it. Yes, the order has followed
teachings and il has thrived and
One more thought. It has never claimed
over the spiritual belief or doc