The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-22
ODD-FELLOWS' GRAND LODGE
A. Fraternal Tribute to the Memory of
the Late Schuyler COIflx.
Hon. Will Cumback's Eulogy on His Life and
Worth-Nominatio of officers To Be
Elected at the Next Meeting.

The morning session Of the Grand Lodge, l.
O. O. F., yesterday, was devoted almost wholly
to the consideration of the memorial on the
death of the late Schuyler Colfax, reported by
the special committee appointed on Wednesday,
and to hearing tks remarks of prominent mem
bers of the order on the life and character of the
deceased gentleman. The memorial reported by
the special committee, which consisted of Thomas
Underwood, Will Cumback and w. r. Myers
was as follows:
To the Grand Lodge /. o. o. r., indiana:
If, as the good book teaches US, it is better to
go to the house of mourning than to go to house
of feasting, then, indeed, are we blessed IN our
coming together in this our semi annual convoca-
| ton, for we each only journeyed from our re-
spective fresides to find ourselves gathered
within the wall of this ''house of mourning"
The fearfully sad news which on the 18th of last
January flashed with lightning speed
across the continent, announcing the
sudden demise of our late most valued
and beloved brother, Schuyler Colfax,
chilled the heart of every Odd-fellow in this
lurlsdictloni with intensified sorrow which time
has yet failed to assuage. His father dying before
his birth, left his training to his mother: Com
handing neither riches nor renown from his
ancestry, as basis on which to build his life's
monument, but inheriting honesty, industry and
true heart. he single-handed and alone achieved
his own distinction, and unaldec clambered
round by round the ladder Of fame till reaching its
summit, inscribed his own name thereon with
firm and honest hand, in living characters which
will endure forever.
His record as an honored member of our in
stitution is well known to every Odd-fellow
the world over that it seems only repetition to
make mention of it on this occasion. From the
day he entered the portals of Odd-fellowship to
the hour of his death he never failed in fulfilling
each and all of his obligations thereto.
al@ lzc% re %IA4 nps
of Rebekah will link his name for ali time to
come with the working of American Oddfeliow-
ship.
The death of no member of this grand body
could have produced greater grief in our hearts,
and while humbly bowling to the edict of heaven
In taking him from u.s. we prayerfully ask for
strength from the Giver of every gift to enable
US to bear our sorrow. To those who daily wit
ness the vacant chair at the freside in that home
which has been so beautifully said was his heav-
en- on earth, the Odd-fellows of Indiana tender
their most affectionate remembl ances and sym
pathy. Respectfully submitted.
In moving the adoption of the committees
report Hon. Will Cumback said:
Grand Master and Brethren: We are
never so conscious of our weakness as when we
are confronted with the death of friend and at
tempt to crowd our great grief in narrow chan
mel of speech. Even the language we may be
able to command gives but feeble uttarance to
our sorrow, and the fearful and awful fact that
we must make the balance of the journey Of Life
without the companionship of one whom it was
such JOY to meet, and whose smile and whose
love had 80 much of warmth and strength seems
to rob words of their force and meaning.
Schuyler Colfax was not only my brother Odd
fellow, hut for more than thirty years has been
my warm personal friend. We entered the lower
house of Congress together, in 1855, and from
that time until his death we have been friends,
in the fullest and broadest meaning of the word.
1t is not necessary to speak of his energy, his in
%4v l. l. a. IA 4
broad and noble manhood They are all we'll
known by the whole American people / do not
believe that in our history Nation there
has ever been man who was personally known
by as many people and who had so many warm
and earnest friends as deceased brother.
When we met in this hall last November he
was here. He told me then, with all his enthusi-
asm of thirty years ago, of his continued success
on the platform; that he could not meet the
many calls he was constantly receiving.
warned him then that, while he had the same
energy, and constantly increasing culture and
power to entertain and instruct his fellow men,
yet he had passed the three score mile stone and
and that his physical power must not be taxed
too heavily or he would break down.
But, like the rest of US who are in the afternoon
of life, he did not seem willing to make the dis
agreeable concession. Whether, if he had stopped
to rest-if he had been able in some measure to
| control what seemed to his friends an almost un
conquerable energy, his life would have been
spared to come to us and be with US to day, with
his joyful face and wise counsel, we do notknow.
That is only known to Him who knoweth all
things. We only know the sad and solemn fact
that never again will we meet him here-that
the life that shed such bright luster on our or
der, in which not only the Oddfelows Of this
jurisdiction but of the whole world took so much
| pride, is closed, and the record is complete.
| TIC US who are left, more now is required of
| EACH that the standard of noble order may
not be lowered AS we stand closer together and
| attempt to FIJI up the vacant places that death
makes in our ranks, with bowed heads. minglng
our tears, moved by common grief. let US hope
that deeper fraternal feeling may permeate
our fellowship and higher type of manhood may
be the fruitage of our bereavement. We have
the noble life of Colfax to guide us: Let the
m antle of the departed fall on each of us.
And those of US who walk in the byways of
life and are never found on the highways that
lead to fame, and on which is won the praise
and admiration Of whole nation as was the
privilege of our brother, still let as remember
that in the limited spere of our lifes work, if
we do our whole duty, we will win the approba-
ton of the God within us and the smiles Of the
All Father above u.s. and like our brother who
has gone before, we will have fulfilled our mis-
sion and faithfully done our allotted task
What shall Ido lest life in silence pass9
And if it do.
And never prompt the bray of noisy brass,
What needst thou ruef
Remember aye, the oceans deeps are mute;
The shadows roar.
Worth is the ocean-Fame is the fruit
Along the shore.
What shall do to be forever knowna
Thy duty ever.
| This did full many who yet sleep unknown.
Oh! Never! Never!
Thinkst thou perchance, that they remain unknown
Whom thou knowest notl
By angel trumps in heaven their praise is blown
Deserve their lot.
| What shall do to gain eternal life!
Discharge Alright
| The simple dles with which each day is rifea
| Yea, with thy might
| Ere perfect scheme of action thou devise
| Will life be fed
While he who acts conscience cries
VIII live, though dead.
Among the others who spoke feelingly of the loss
that had been sustained by the death of Mr.. Col
| fax were Thomas Underwood w. r. Myers, j.
B. Kenner, c. p Tuley, E. F. Phelps, H. Nc
Coy, B. F. Foster, s.. P. Oyier and w. p.