Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-05-05

at Rockford, ILL.,, the. Gath anniversary of
Odd fellowship. w. H. Crocker, Grand
Representative, of Evansville, in his re-
marks gave the following statistics in
regard to the order in Illinois:
"This day with the members of our or
der Is day of rejoicing all over the land
We convene either as lodges or assOcia-
tions, and greet each other with pleas
ant words, a hearty grasp of the hand,
and a God bless you. Eight years ago
we were your guests on similar Occa-
sion. You promised us many things
and we were not disappointed. We have
this day returned to your borders, and
as good servants lay at your feet for in
spectiOn the sheaves that we have
gathered from the great moral field of
OddfellOwship within this time. Our
estimated figures during this time), we
have increased in membership in this
state 1884 members; number lodges, 100;
increase of revenue, $4,000; number of
brothers relieved, 2232l; widowed fami-
lies, 2,4S2; have paid out for relief of
brothers, $305. 1921; for widowed fami-
lies, $4,000 .45; for education of orphans,
$1,S8398; for buryng the dead, $77,641.-
66; for special relief, 1886, 478.76."
Hon. Alfred Orendorf, of Springfield,
delivered an Oration
On the threshold he declared that no
man could be true Odd Fellow unless
he believed in the fatherhOOd of God and
the brotherhood of man. In this rush
| ing age, when the mind of man was
making every force of nature subservient
to his will; wien by his transcendent
genius the ear of Europe is brought to
the mouth of America; when the dreams
OF yesterday are the realities of to-day,
and when forty minutes to girdle the
earth would be considered an unneces-
sary waste of time, we cannot stop
to present proofs upon self evil
dent propositions. Upon this principle
Oddfellowship has been firmly planted,
and has withstOOd all attacks. During
its 63 years of life the winds of ADVERSE
ty, the fierce lightnings of calumny have
failed to affect il. 1t has stood
Like some tall cliff that rears its awful form,
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the
storm;
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are
spread
Eternal sunshine settles on its head"
One of the cardinal doctrines of Odd
fellowship is equality, and an OutgrOwth
therefrOm is a reciprocity of human du-
ties. Friendship, love, and truth, the
subject of so much eloquent declama-
tiOn, are but the flowers upon the tree of
OddfellOwship. Equality of human
rights and reciprocity in human duties
are its fruitage. OddfellOwship deals
with these principles, not as glittering
generalities, but as practical facts adapt
ed to everyday life. 1t requires its
deyOtees to cling to these principles with
the tenacity that the shipwrecked sailor
clings to the last plank when the night
and tempest close around him. 1t expects
these principles to be as firmly planted
in every members heart as are the
blocks of granite in the mountains
breast. 1t is emphatically practical
association, and were it not, lt would not
be worth the time and labor expended
upon it.
Mr.. Orendorf said he would not speak
on the vast sums of money expended by
the society for the relief of the suffering;
this was shown by its records, which are
open to all, but there were many facts
of which no record could be kept. A
member of the order walks the streets
at MONDAY beneath the starless sky, and
he knows that all the planets are revOlv-
ing in their accustomed places in the
canopy of heaven above. He is stricken
down by sudden calamity; he gives the
sign OF distress, and from out the count
less thrOng that are ebbing to and fro,
ready hands with warm hearts rush to
his assistance. OF such scene as this
no earthly record is kept. A young man
upon the threshold Of life leaves his
home and goes to city where tempta-
tiOnS surround him on every side; he
is about to step from the path of recti-
tude-nO mothers voice is there to WOO
him back; no fathers hand to restrain
him. In this supreme moment a brother
Odd Fellow reminds him of his Obliga-
tiOns; he hesitates, stops, and is saved.
OF such scene as this no earthly record
can be kept. An Odd Fellow lies upon
bed of pain; kind brothers minister to
his wants; his eyes turned for the last
time to look upon the scenes of earth be-
hold the bending forms and weeping
eyes of true Odd Fellows tenderly watch
ing the Pickering sparks of his waning
life. At last when all is over, they go to
the sacred mound at the hill side and
cast evergreens upon his grave, emblem
attic of the manner in which his men,
DRY will be held in their hearts. They
return with the widows and orphans to
the home made desolate by the loss of its
protector, and they help tighten the bur-
dens Of sorrow that hover there by assur-
ing the bereaved ones that they will be
their shield. OF such scenes as this no
earthly record can be kept. But the or
der has right to believe that if they
have thus discharged their duties
to the widow and the fatherless,
that they will at last receive from him
who has said, 81 am the Father of the
fatherless," the plaudit of "Well done
good and faithful servant"