The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-25

GAVa band.
Galva T. D. Encampment
Davenport Lodge.
The procession moved up Fifth avenue
to Eighteenth street and then marched
down to Third avenue. 1t stopped at the
Keator house and saluted the mayer and
city council, who Immediately got into
carriages and rode down Third avenue
with the procession to Fourteenth street
and then marched south to Fifth avenue
and up TO the Phoenix rink.
THE EXERCISES.
An immense audience witnessed the
exercises at the rink. Upon the platform
on the east side sat the mayor and city
council, Grand Master Phelps, of Gales
burg, Rev. A. R. Morgan, Rev. W. l..
Sanders and several distinguished visitors.
After a selection by the Light Guard band,
Chairman Andrew Anderson addressed
the assenblage. Divine blessing was in
voked by Rev. W. L. Sanders, The open
ing ode was sung by the members of the
order
The address of welcome was delivered
by Mayor Schillinger. He said it afforded
him great pleasure to welcome those who
already felt themselves thoroughly well
come. He spoke of the old time custom
of giving the keys of the city to visitors.
He could not do this, but he would extend
to them the keys of friendship and love.
He has been member of the order for
eighteen years and had learned the value
of those three words, Friendship, Love
and Truth" and with few more appro>
pirate and hearty words the mayor assured
them how cordially he, on behalf of all
Moline, babe them welcome.
A selection was then played by Bleuers
band of Rock Island The chairman in,
troduced brother who was well known
to many, Brother Rev. A. Il. Morgan, of
Orion. Rev. Morgan said it had seldom
been his pleasure to witness such gath
ering as this. When he consented to de>
liver the address he had no idea that the
affair would be SO great. II any one
thinks these are funeral obsequies they
are mistaken. Odd Fellowship is a
thing of life destined to keep on in
It's great growth. He spoke of the
touching inscription on the tomb of him
who is the founder of the order. He had
no idea what was to come of his efforts.
The growth of Odd Fellowship has been
marked. That 1t should attain its present
proportions in sixty six years is incredi-
Bile. We can only account for it by the
great ideas which it represents. Its foun-
der was a man of great individuality. He
was mechanic, an Englishman by birth,
an American by adoption. He was nan
of broad ideas, man of market zeal. He
knew how to direct his energies, which is
one of the happiest faculties which any
human being can possess, He possessed a
zeal which grew out of the precept of the
relation of man and God, the power of God
the fellowship of man. He possessed
genius and skill There is a marked diff
ference between the two. Genius may
project skill puts the project into execu-
ton.
After few remarks by Grand Master
Phelps, the meeting dispersed.
IN THE EVENING.
The attendance at the rink in the even.
ing, was also very large, and the exercises
were of the most interesting character.
First was fine exhibition drill by the
Uniform Degree camps of Rock Island
and Galva, in command of DR.. J. W.
Stark The many movements were excel
lently executed, and the beautiful cos
tunes of the members, made the effect
doubly enhancing. The hall was then
cleared for dancing to music furnished by
the Light Guard band. The banquet was
held at Armory hall. where the following
toasts and responses were delivered;
The Sixty-sixth Anniversary" res
spouse by Grand Master E. F. Phelps, OF
Galesburg.
"The Empty Places, W. A. Meese.
The Antiquity of the Goat E. B.
Knox.
"The INITIATED" VIM. A. McBeth.
THE Press" Geo. E. Pingree.
"The Ladies' p L. McKinnie.
The celebration was success in every
particular, and the citizens of Moline are
entitled to great credit for their well dir
rected efforts in that direction.