The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-02-17

Address of Past Grand S. Ii. Russell,
Worthy Grand Orator of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows of
Texas, Before the Grand Lodge
at Austin, Feb. s. 1881.
Officers and Members OF the Right Worthy
Grand Lodge of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows:
LADIES' and Gentlemea-From time
immemOrial the human family, more
or less dependent, have adopted
methods to help one another. This
laudable desire originated in love
of God and gratitude to Him. A
belief in his existence and purpose
to emulate His. teachings founded
the temple of Solomon, and, in its
ancient recesses, were planned and
systematized works for the relief of
mankind. Centuries have tested
the wisdom of Freemasonry and the
stability and usefulness of its teach
ings. Its history, like the ages, is
secure. 1t has made its own mom-
ment, and from the base to the sum-
nit thereof is exhibited the best
attributes of man; upon it is en-
graved deeds of the noblest self
sacrifice and heroic devotion 10 lore
and duty. Nothing can detrsct
from the good it has accomplished
or mar its record in answering cries
of charity and alleyiating the pangs
of sorrow. co., -.- yes
!. TIME RECKONS ALL THINGS WELL, .
and noting with uncrrmg- certainty
the duties of each hour 1t demanded
an associate in the noble work of
help. The brain had been vigilant-
ly active, but not truly. responsive
was the heart the necessities of
man, the sympathies OF nature and
the love of humanity admonished,
that there was needed benevolent
association that would stimulate the
primitive nature of man an assocl-
alton that came buoyant from the
heart; one that had for its founda-
ton that organ of our being, from
which springs all needed good. The
brain is wisdom's source, but the
heart is charity's home. The heart
of Tho mas Wildey was in advance
of his brain when he founded Odd
Fellowship. -.
ODD FELLOWSHIP
is the handwork of natures best
creed. Odd Fellowship was Graded
by the teachings and precepts of
brawny-handed blacksmith. and was
not christened in purple robes from
Il knightly temple. 1t wore not its
swaddling garments in a palace,
nor was it nursed in pomp as the
scion of genius; but, as dust we
are, so from dust il came. growing
with man and his necessities, until
its charitable demands absorbed
the conscience, heart and brain in the
cause of relief. II teaches precepts
and practices them. 1t offers ex-
amples and follows them. 1t be-
lieves in doing good for resultant
good. 1t is the enemy of adversely,
fighting it destructively wherever
found, tearing its clutch from the
home of want and despair, and into
this hungered home, carries the
bread of life. For the tears of an
guish it gives smiles of relief, and
for the sohs of grief it finds ex-
pressions of joy. Adversely cannot
shake its bedrock principles. When
plaques and epidemics threaten, and
the people become panic stricken.
when homes are closed and the in
mates are fleeing to escape an awful
death, whep danger and suffering
are ours. when misfortune invades
the hearthstone and the circle is
pinched by the angry claws of want,
or broken by the terrible grasp of
death, it is, at such times, and under
such circumstances. the heart of
the Odd Fellow moves most. |
[ have witnessed this moving of the
heart who has not? 1t is with sad
ness that well remember the trials
and sufferings of the good people of
my own section during the ravages
of the yellow fever,
THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF MARSHALL
was in gloom-a gloom so dark and
pall-like it hung in almost every
household as the forerunner of the
final summons. Children were
made orphans; parents were made
childless; homes wore mourning:
the column of Odd Fellows was bro
ken, but parties binding them re-
manned mistaken. Old John M.
Gibson lodge chung with filial affec-
ton to every member and to every
trust. Every couch was watched
and cared for. The pallid cheek and
burning brow were cooled by the
hand of friendship and love. Words
of hope and cheer were spoken to
allay the awful fear of death. When
the monster laid hold and claimed
our brother for its own and the soul
was sent to other lands, who was
there to turn his eyelids down and
bid that soul safe speed beyond the
stars to reckon with its God? Stran-
gers? No. Brothers? Yes. For by
them he was dressed in the drapery
of the dead, lowered in his
tomb, and the sod covering him
was moistened by their fra
ternal tears; and cen though his dust
is mingling with the-crnde earth, |
the insect its companion, the bios
Soming flowers and fadeless ever
greens above his grave are typical |
of our love and remembrance
No wonder, my brethren, that we |
are deemed odd fellows indeed. |
when we are seen visiting the ham,
let, the places and the sanctuary
alike, giving relief Do we not snow
to the one friendship, to the other
love, and to the temple truth? Does
the hamlet need love? No; friend
ship. Does the palace need friend
ship2 No; love; the temple Truth to
confirm.it in its mission of friendship
and love. Our mission is relief. and
to fulfill it involves sacrifice, time
and careful labor. There is no lux
ury in the duties of an Odd Fellow.
OPEN HANDS
and unseltish hearts are required to
visit the sick. relieve the distressed.
bury the dead and educate the or
phan. Fidelity to duty is essential,
that every trust may be zeaIously
If it be odd to visit the
haunts of. poverty and rob II &c &c