The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-03-10
THE GOOD FELLOWS.

At the regular meeting of the Royal
Society Of Good Fellows held in Nara
ganse,t Hall Thursday evening of last
week Past Ruler George b. Congion was
presented with the gavcl used 10y him
during his term of office, The gavel was
very handsomely ornamented with gold
by Chas T. Irons. Friendship street, and
was enclosed in satin lined morocco
case made 10y Gorham 4 Co. The pres
entation speech was made 10y Ruler John
Gaddes. and was as follows;
Past Ruler Bro. Congdon; at its last
meeting in December. 1856. you were
nominated and elected Ruler of Nara
ganse,t Assembly No. al. of the Royal
Society Of Good Fellows. You have
served your term of office faithfully and
well. rejecting credit not only upon the
assembly, but also upon the office. the
duties Of which you have 80 faithfully
and satisfactorily discharged. On the
evening Of your inst sl.ation IN Past Ruler
Of this assembly, at its first meeting In
January last. IL was unanimously voted
TO present you with this gavel which you
have used during your term of office nm
Ruler with such dignity, ease and grace
fulness. BY your diligence, integrity,
accuracy and conscientiousness You have
endeared yourself To all those with whom
you were brought in contact, You have
been chiefly instrumental In saving this
assembly from financial ruin. and es,ab-
fishing IL upon 70 indation 80 solid and
secure that no storm of adversity however
severe, caL possibly move II. And now,
dear brother, you have retired from the
Rulers chair crowned with all the honors
and dignity of wise ruler as well IA
with the affcctionate regard aud highest
esteem Of your assembly Therefore, In
behalf of the assembly. the pleasing and
agreeable duty devolves upon me TO
present you with this small token Of the
high esteem In which we hold you. Long
may your voice bc heard In this assembly.
Long, too. may II be heard In counsel
and debates and when you shall have
fulfilled lifc's mission here below, and
have safely arrived on that other shore,
may your ears DE greeted and your hear,
gladdened by the voice OF the Great
Ruler saying "Thou good and faithful
servant. thou hast been faithful over n
few things. will make thee ruler over
many come thou and enter into the JOY
Of thy Heavenly Father" n wish which In
echoed by every heart In this assembly,
and n blessing they pray you may enjoy
To which Mr.. Congdon replied in the
following felicitious manner;
Brother Ruler and Brother Good Eel
lows; there are times In n mans life at
which. no matter how much assurance he
may have, hw becomes embarrassed.
Such n one has ovcrtaken me now, and
hardly know how 10 express myself as
would like 20. You have seen III 10 maxi
me the recipient Of this beautiful testi.
monial Of your confidence and respect
and the words which your Ruler used In
presenting II 10 me make IL seem almost
| impossible for me 70 adequately thank
you. I will say. however. that nj th,
time you were pleased 10 make me O
Ruler Of this assembly ! was as little
qualified 10 fill the position as any persor
possibly could be. ] had never occupied
a chair In any society or called n meeting
20 order, but your unanimity OF opinion
gave me courage 10 under take the task
| was met at the outset by obstacles
which only your confidence in me enabled
me 20 overcome, and at this time ] feel
more than rewarded for the trials md
yexa,ions which ] endeavorcd 10 sur.
mount In o. der that the reputation. honor
and dignity of the lodge might remain
untarnished. That my efforts aided by
your willing cooperation was c success
am satpfed by the present condition oi
the internal affairs ~ the society, but
| cannot take all the honor 10 myself Ny
thanks are honestly due = my brother
officers who assisted me in my duties.
thank you heartily. brothers all, for your
handsome gift and / assure you j shall
always hold IL as n treasure and exhibit
il with pride, and ] pledge you my word
that I shall always use my efforts ,c
further the interest 81 the Royal Society
OF Good Fellows. and Of Narraganse,t No
III in particular.