The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-27

/ stronger. These secret orders, on q small
scale with their grips and pass words by
which TO know each other in the dark
s.are methods by which family links are
aided to the strength Of the union. TIE
secrets of the order OF Odd Fellowship
are the signs by which the members of
the fraternity know each other and are
enabled to protect themselves from the
| imposition of designing men. You may
not understand the covenant word but
you may know what it is in deed and in
truthby what Ii does. The character of
| man is the embodiment of his actions;
his principles were rounded out into life
by actions. The same is true of achurch.
| 1t is in reality what it is practically; so
with the order we represent. We let the
world know what we are by what we do.
Underlying the institution OF Odd Fellow.
ship are certain principles that the re-
lig1ous world cannot afford to ignore
We do not claim to be a religious organ
ization, hut we are its first cousin, and
the practical part of what religion is.
Not being a religious body we are without
religious dogmas and can therefore fur:
nish moral basis broad enough to unity
all sects and orders of the religious world
without interfering with the creed or
troubling the conscience of any man.
The foundation pillars underlying this
M oral temple are truth, friendship and
love. There is no true manhood with
out truth. 1t separates between the real
and the assumed, between the right and
wrong. Tt uncovers the false in charac.
ter and in principles and clothes the soul
with facts. Everything outside of truth,
is a deception. 1t is the vital principle of
all systems, moral. political, scientific or
physical. All kingdoms, material or i'm
material that exist at all, exist by virtue
of the truth they hold, and which they
combine. The system that is built on the
truth is immortal as the gods and shall
never perish.
Friendship is the cement of all COM
binations. material. and immaterial 1t
is itself the law aud bonds of attraction
in the social fabric and is the atmosphere
that composes our heaven. 1t forms the
bolts and links that join heart to heart,
and interest to interest until the interest
of one becomes the interest of all.
Love is the cohesive attraction of all
social compacts and combinations of men.
Love is the fountain from whence these
sparkling virtues eminate and course
their way to bless and refresh the world
It is what the earth is to the oak and that
seed entrusted to it; what the heart is to
of benevolence and human kindness are
fed and supplied from this source. 1t is
the embodiment of all good, and as such
is laid as foundation stone in the temple
of Odd Fellowship.
Such are the principles, that constitute
our brotherhood, and they are immortal.
They will live ON after we are gone and
will enter into and help compose that
grand temple of redeemed humanity
and universal brotherhood that shall take
form on the vernal side of the great here
after. The Keystone to the arch of this
temple will be charity which our own
hands will help to bear with sboutings of
grace. grace unto it.
A hearty applause followed Mr.. Spur
locks address. The CLOSING ode" was
sung by the members, they offered
prayer of blessing. and the exercises at
the opera house were concluded Under
the direction of Marshal Sweeney. the
procession reformed, and returned to
Odd Fellows hall
IN THE EVENING
Armory Hall was filled with members of
the fraternity and their ladies, and invited
guests, who had gathered to have Sc
cial time. Dancing was INDUCED in I'M
til late hour. Mr. Fred Krell dished up
a fine supper in the council room about
eleven O'Clock. Taken all in all, the day
was pleasurable one to all, and the
sixty fourth anniversary will not soon
fade from the memory of those who par
in the festivities.