Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-04-27
The Odd Fellows Yesterday.

Those who witnessed the exercises OF
the six IS, sixth anniversary OF odd Eel
lowshlr, in the Opera House yesterday
afternoon, Of contemplative turn or
mini, must have thought OF the high
respect ,hi.ity Of the ORDER, and OF the
great god 1t has done in a benevolent
point Of view since 1t WAS organized.
Sitting on the platform, in the circle or
in the gallery tn" beholier looked down
upon a characteristic body OF men,
brought together from the different
walks of lite for certain purpose-that
Of be uevolenca, and 1t was characteris-
tic OF such an eminently respectable
body Of men hat they should be bound
together by the elevating principles OF
Friendship, Love and Truth. l. does
not seem long since the order of Odd
Fello wship was Instituted, and yet yes
terday's demonstration WAS the sixty
sixth year, considered now good long
life time. There were white haired
men in that assemblage who remember
well the institution of the first lodge In
this city. The man 81 years OF age wa
old enough to have Joined the hrst lodge
instituted. Odd Fellowship is entirely
within the memory Of those still living
but in few years more gap Will have
been made that will grow wider Ant
wider, as years revolve their sol
emn rounds.
The history OF Odd Fellowship cal
still be related by oral testimony, ant
few years more but written tesamon.
will suffice to tell Its exploits. We sai'
the order WAS highly respectable. w
reiterate that statement. That staid
steady, sober body Of men oongregate
in the Opera House, yesterday after
noon, composed Of all ages and all cor
ditions OF human society and life, wit
high character IS the only moral requ
site for membership, cannot be an,
thing else than respectable. Youth ar
old age stood out in bold relief, ar
active manhood followed close in Il
trace OF declining years But all We
instigated by the same motive, that
friendship for each other, love for ca
other, and their word Of truth rs g boi
to each other, formed the triple mysl
tie that bound vigorous manhood a.
the gray haired sire together.
Who can tell the good such an ord
has wrought? The millions Of mon
spent for benevolent purposes does I
measure their charity. The hnanc
record can be found, but there is
record on earth of the kind actions p
formed, the kind words uttered and
whispered invocations in the hour
dissolution, when the weary spirit
parts TO secure long desired rest. tn
is no record except in human hearts
the midnight watches over the 81
beds of brothers OF the order. In ev'
hour Of the night, when in other pla
carnival holds sway, or the city
hushed into silence, the tread of th
miuistering Odd Fellows may be he
as they go along the popular street
the home of the opulent, or rs t
tread through some silent by-street
the home of the poor TO minister TO
sick brothers. To them, station, {
Oll Fellowship is everything, no ma
whether the object of their ministra
be rich or poor. 1t is their busine,
rel eve, wherever relief is needed.
their business 10 comfort sad heart
pour the oil OF gladness into the wut
OF distress, to dry the tears of the wi
AMI quiet the cries of the or,,ha
Theirs is sad, but after all a la
duty, Cor is it not said in holy F.,
Il ='sei are the merciful, tor
shall obtain mercy" The q1iet, u
ten;a.ious demonstration yesterday
in keeping with the principle. OF
order, that letteth not the right /
know what the left hand ioeth, aud
excellent sermon by Chaplain Grab
tt remarks Of Rev. C W. Pretty
and the music OF the choir were al
propr:a,e IN the day and TO The ca
Let Brotherly love continue"