The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-03-12

as they took their seats around the tables, 22I
guests being seated. After invocation of Divine
blessing, by Rev. H. P. Barnes, of Alliance, the
splendid supper was served by Braklow Bros,
the following being the
MENU
Cold Slaw.
Pressed Chicken,
Cold Tongue. Cold Ham.
Mixed Pickles. Horse Radish,
Chicken Salad. Potato Salad.
White Rolls. Graham Bread, Corn Bread,
COeoanut Cake, Sponge Cake.
Maccaroni. Lady Fingers.
Bananas. Oranges.
Neapolitan Ice Cream,
Coffee. Mixed Tea,
The choice vands were discussed amid the
sweet orchestral strains which filled the room
with delightful harmony.
Then followed the toasts and responses-A.
D. Knapp, Esq, presiding as Toast Master.
THE FRATERNAL IDEA.
"The larger heart the kindlier hand. .''-Tenny-
son.
Response by S. F. HANSELMAN, ESQ.
Left alone. man would strike the descending
scale and slide to the level OF a Hottentot.
Burn our books and raze to the ground our ed
ucational institutions, AID in few centuries
he would write on stone, read the future in the
signs of the leaves. and watch the flight of birds
Pull down the churches, close the lecture and
blazing pyramids, and bury his mouth in the
dust in front OF craven images. If mutual cul-
tivation raised man from such a state, will not
the absence of it him to fall into it again?
We have moved from the dugout of the Nile to
the steamship of the sea, from the talloW dip to
the electric light from the eyeless needle to the
sewing machine, from the goose quill to the
typewriter, from illiteracy TO almost universal
education, the seyerest and closest cultivation
of the inherent richness of the mind and the
elimination and destruction of the baser quail
ties.
sowe find that the best results are reached by
constant and vigorous warfare. But in our
efforts to secure this great object anxious as we
may be to see the end. must not forget to
exercise charity and m ercy toward our fellow
men. Free brotherhood demands this Fra
ternity is Brotherhood. True brotherhood
means the Interchange of friendliness, help and
counsel. 1t is not for us to condemn without
due investigation. but to find brothers virtues
and help him with them to overcome his foibes
and weaknesses. No man is beyond redemp-
ton. No man is SO base not to have in some
part of his soul a glittering jewel. And the
scheme of our existence is that we shall live and
have our being together in relations as har-
monious as those that move the planets in the
sky. Then we feel so much better after having
performed good deed after having assisted
brother to his feet How much brighter the
lamp shines, how much richer the glow of the
CRATE. how much sweeter the voices of the
know on the cold. bleak day just closed we have
clothed and shod a naked brother. and given
aims to the deserving poor Benevolence and
protectio On are the keynoteS to the great soul of
humanity, ard we have set them among the
jewels in the crowns OF our beloved fraternities.
Society has no use for mean man, anu he but
little use for society. What an unhappy man
the mean man isl Life to him is full of woe.
He never laughs and everything irritates and
aggravates. His journey lies through sterile
hills and along thOrny paths, and he treads his
weary way without a flower to scent the air or
a bird to let fall its liquid notes upon his ear
You can tell one when you see him. You will
know him by the wrinkled forehead, the pinch
suns en- eyes. the rounded shoulders. the stoop-
ing figure, the shambling gait ALI permeated
with disease, he wants to live only because he
fears to die. DesplSe the world as he may, he
breads to enter that eternity which his warped
Imagination has so darkIy painted and filed
with uch horrid phantoms. But the end comes
in spite of him. and as he lies upon his painful
couch with the inevitable hour closing nearer
with swing of the tlreleSS pendulum, what rack
ing thoughts must fill his brain. Now he looks
back over the long journey where he staggered
all the way alone under the burden he imposed
upon himself and not monument greets his
eye, Into the darkness of the hour he thrusts
his wasted arms that he may touch the soothing
palm of friendly hand, but he only strikes the
empty air to lind himself alone. In his despair
he calls aloud for word OF consolation, but not
a sound breaks the awful stiffness save the echo
of his own voice drifting back from the hollow
mourned and soon to be forgotten. he quits this
world to enter that which is beyond without
the smallest cheering hope.
Contrast with him the man of liberal hind of
Fraternal view. whose heart is filled with kind
ness. mercy and Justice not only to himself but
to others well, whose rec )il is OF deeds of
charity and unrestralned benevolence, ard
which presents the happiest picture? We love
the man who loves us; we love the man who |
moves on d broad guage. who has opinions of
his own and accordS that privilege to others, |
who beliet es there is some good in every man |
and is willing to forgive the evil that the good
may shine; one not wholly selfish. but selfish |
enough to retain his respectabiity; not greedy |
and sping, but frugal and Industrious enough |
to acquire for himself and the natural objet is |
of his boanty competency; not Indifferent to |
the weaknesses of his brethren, but liberal |
enough to pardon when it is merited, and TO |
lend helping hand for the future. In such a |
man we find in full and rounded measure the |
qualities of earthly excellence and living il |
lustration of the Fraternal Idea. The taking |
off of such a man always seems untimely There |
will be tears around his dying couch; there will |
be tender hands TO minister TO him, and his last |
hours will be sweet to him, for he will be sur
by many friends. and as he looks back |
over his past. he can say, '-Of a truth, L have
toD ght good fight; of certainty, have been
a brother in the true Brotherhood. And then
with hands clasped by loved ones, life's ftful |
fever is o'er and he is at rest. And those broth
ers with whom he has as cciated and many
whom he has assisted will " &c this epitaph on
his monument:
- Ar honest man here lies at resi-
AS e'er God with his image blest.
The Friend of man, the Friend of truth,
The Friend of age, and Guide of youth.
Few hearts like his with virtue warmed,
Few heads with knowledge so informed
If there is another world, he lives in bis;
If there is none, he made the best of this, %
OUR GUESTS.
"a friend may speak as the occasion requires
Bacon.
Response by o. P. sPERRA Esq.
1 have been considerably at a loss to deter
mine why was selected to respond to this par
ticular toast, but presumins there was some |
special reason therefor. have hnally determined I
that owing to the fact tn at am not member
Of this y,by selecting me, the Order would