The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1885-05-03

the nations, and which siil continue &
dow until that period still hidden in the
womb Of tisne. and TO which Hope look,
frwari With an ardent Joy. when IA
tears aud woes Us tbs world shall b.
sub merged hy the Healing tide that shall
fow from ike fountain 0: .'Beuevolene,
aud p.Aey.' -.
The FRS; oMeial IMPORT We have OF the
strength of the Order, was in 1923. when
a inemoership of 5Gs WAS Iepo,ted. Al
the annual ssssion Of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge IN 1885,. the membership.
WAS reported as 522 :iS. What an inn
meme growth in bat little more than
hall { century? The revenue of the
Order in 1928 vas sis 20. For the
last d-cai year the revenue was $3.50
OIL q.
In the yraz 1888 lie first relief report
was given the Gr-iri Lodge. The
amount reported was SIZES So. The
amount expended for relief in 1881, was
S2.0i5,s32 80, and since that first re-
port in 1855, over tLi:iy-nine millions
have been expended by the Order for
relief. All! the glad hearts in all that
time! Since the establishment If obi
Fellowship ia the United States, Over
!, 325,G coo applicants have been admitted
into the Orlsr, ami l,lGO, 900 brothers
have been relieved in time OF distress.
Over las, COU widowed families have had
cause to rrinenber, with pleasau: :, sol
lee;ions, that their husbands and fathers
were Odd Fellows. What "a magnificent
record Of u b.un;eOus chsTi.y! 1t chal-
lenges the admiration and reverence Of
the world,
In this State and throughout the
world We are steadily gathering into our
Order the most worthy representatives
OF all classes % society. Europe and
America and the islands OF the sea rec
oguize AID adopt u system Of orga-
nized ~beneyolcncc. Our moral as well
As our numerical strength is bciag
greatly iacreased. Each mcE4brr exerts
more or less influence fog good up-u his
associates aud cO~mPau.Jr.s outside Of the
Order, and th,ie Is probably no similar
organization i'll tue world 81 iaI-rcach-
ing in its influence on society, as Odd
Fellowship.
Odd Fellowship was not founded on
the subsidy Ci governments; has not
been strengthened By an alliance with
party sect, or church. it sprIng not forth
1T tn mandate Of Eaap.ror or King; no
r'iestly ruler "'ts it, sponsor; from 10
party platform Iucs 1t present its princi.
rles Tor The con :decotion Of the people;
but 10y good men with the cement Of
friendship, were IT. foundations la!I. The
lowry ami the poor We're its builders;
the wealth Of u generous charity nuur-
i'i!nd it. growth; HI.l it, alliance with
Truth ana Love has been it's strength
Hope aud Faith have supplied the power
With which It starred into lite and activ-
ny the good which i inherent in man.
IL strives to elevate nan, and 20 cuiti-
waite in his sou higher aims than those
pertaining tO an earthly home. 1t seeks
Ia promote goodwill among men. 1t
incuiculG;es $ lt-rcspcct. 1t elcvates the
morals and e~nnublrs the life of its MEM
bersi and if ANY wander from the paths
of strict rcCtituie, it strives 10 win them
back by kind words and generous action.
1t wars against vice in all its forms.
Friendship towards man prompts the
contest; the gentle influences of Love
supply the weapons, and Truth conccn-
trates the Efforts aud leads TO victory
Odd Fellowship is u practical %insiitu-
nou; Its workings, although silent and
unseen, are none the less powerful. 1t
Is the experience of the world, and the
teachings Of history, that of all the
powers that exert II controlling influence
upon society, none exceeds the "moral
power 1t gives to the citizen the
highest incentive to II good character.
1t Il the cOrner-stone and foundation o.
all pubic sentiment, and is 80 Gpprr-
ctnted 10y all enlightened people. odd
Fellowship thus Cona,iIut.ug a grrn,
"moral power il an important factor,
not Only Ia mHld.ng public sentiment,
but III educating the popular feeling
into IA hcH!Ghiu! tone.
How wisely it, principles have beca
formed and practically applied, the cx.
p%cricncu q! more THAI halt a ccututy
will fully nitcs.. Who can estimate the
good 1t mas accomplished uy ~ prrsis.
tent and nuiS, irss Work oi !oyc and
mercy: II requires obedience to the
command, Love one another" aud IN
that i; iuliils the christian law, aud per-
forms all his duties.
IL inculc3t.s and makes possible
friyndship-"not the passing fancy en-.
kindicd by personal attraction, position
or wealth" hut that "disiutcrcs;ed. mu.
tual regard of which the "surest tosi
Is 'ndversiiS'-a friendship free from
sorlid self ,hncss aud inliYidun; inter.
ests-a friendship which iosSct5 one
self in the service Of his friends. Odd
Fellowship insists that truth shall pre-
vail between man AMI man. Not only
that WE shall speak the truth. hut that
we shall act aud 1--we ia, truth.
.EWW