The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-28
MoNuMEN { DEDICATED.
An Odd Fellows Testimonial Unysiled n,
Grafton Yesterday. -.

An Odd Fellows Testimonial Unyeiled n
Grafton Yesterday.
spccta! oo7cp0udeee Of he IntailtO1Ier. :, Z:
GRArroSs w. Va. Oct. 27.-The cere
monies OF unyeiling the monument
erected in Bluemont Cemetery. at .thil
place in memory OF the late Grand secre'
tary, Thomas G. Steele, OF the 1ndepend
eut Order OF Odd Fellows, took place here
to-day in the prese1ce Of ab out twenty five
hundred people.
At one o'clock P. NJ. q procession was
formed on Main street in front OF Old
Fellows ualland marched TO the cemetery,
There were about one thousand men IN
line, every lodge in the State being rep:
resented. The procession was headed by
the Grafton COrnet Band, I Iiowed by the
Grand Lodge, which ia now in session
here, aud number cf visiting lodges.
The "Little Ten" band, Of C!arksburg,
was also in line.
On arriving at the stand erected near
the monument, the ceremonies were pro-
ceeIed with IS follo%s:
A Commemorative hymn was sung by
the members OF the order, after which an
eloquent and impressive prayer was de-
livered by Grand Chspiain Webb, while
the vast assemblags stood with bowed
heads.
Captain E. A. Billingslea, Of Fairmont,
then, on behalf Of the committee, in few
appropriate remarks formally presented
the monument to the Grand Lodge, and
Grand Master Owen S. Mckinney made
the speech u acceptance. at tue conclu.
sion Of his remarks the covering was taken
from the granite shaft. tho monument
has been heretofore described in tue In
THLLIGENcER.
Past Grand Master George W. Atkinson,
OF Wheeling, was then INTRODUCED, aud
delivered an eloquent eulogy upon the lie
and character OF Mr.. Steele.
He began by quoting five stSnzlsi OF
MANS Works Shall Follow Him." by J.
&. Whittier. He then briefly discussed the
perishabIe character OF memorial tablets,
and contrasted them with the enduring
monument that man makes in the hearts
OF the people by deeds Of kindness, love,
generosity, Integrity aud usefulness. He
said: "Reneath the flags OF the crypt Of
st. Paul'a Cathedral in London rests the
body OF the great architect, Sir Christopher
Wren. On the slab above are written
these words: Reader, wouidst thon be-
hold his monument, look about you So
say to-day. Would you behold deeds oil
hun whose monument We unveil this
hour, and the great order which he repre-.
SaDted and adorned, look about you"
The idea then dvelt upon was that his
we're not particularly deeds OF greatness,
but OF kindness, generosity and love. It
VAS meet, he said, to honor the memory Of
the departed brother with o monument to
commemorate his life and deeds as much
az it is possible for granite or marble 10 do
80. Continuing, ne alluded to the. fact
that "life, after all, is made up Of the small
things which hourly occur as men pass
through the world, and these small things
,eyeal the inward nature in men and their
true eharactey." This thought was ilLus=
trated very beautifully and at length by
various incidents from history on the line
Of devotion to principles and duty.
Mr.. Atkinson then gave brief hietori-
cal sketch OF Grand Master Steele, his
coming to this country, his connection
with o 0ld.felIowship and his brilliant career
as member Of the 0fder, as well as his
acknowledged high standing in the Order
in this State, ..F
After branching out aomewhst on line
OF the discussion Df the principles Of Odd
fellowship and its work and uGstulpesu
among men, the orator closed by quoting
McKay's beautiful poem, entitled, "a
Good Time Coming, Brothers"
rhs address consumed about forty min
utes in its delivery, aud vas listened to
with wrapt attention by the throng.
On the stand were noticed the near rel
atiyes Of the deceased, the officers Of the
Grand Ledge, the members Of the MonB'
ment Committee and number OF distin'
guishsd Odd Fellows from other States.
The Grand Lodge is still in session, and
will adjourn Thursday. Q. a. D.