West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-06-18
!. 0. O. +. MEMORIAL DAY
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Last Saturday, June 18th, was
the Decoration Day of the indie
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The
Lodge here accepted the invitation
OF the Grafton Lodge to meet there
and join in services appropriate to
the occasion. About forty went
from Kingwood, altogether, incIu-
ding members of the Subordinate.
Encampment, Canton and Daugh-
tiers of Rebecca. They returned at
$50 p. NJ. on a special train. The
weather was fine and the Parade
and services passed off very nicely.
Quite number from the other
Lodges of the county, Recdsville,
Terra Alta, Rowlesburg and New
burg, were there also, and the Cam
ton in full uniform under com
mand of Capt. G. Y. Bishop, who
was the Poet of the occasion, and
read the following poem, after a
short address, as follows.
LADIES AND GESTLENEN -
Brothers and Sisters Of he I,,aepen-
dent Order Of oil Eellows:
This beautiful Saturday after
noon, as we assemble in this lonely
and solitary Cemetery, for the pur-
pose OF strewing flowers upon the
graves Of men who were once as you
are, but whose bodies now lie pros
trate under the sod of Blucinont
Cemetery, and whose spirits have
gone to the God who gave them. l
ain not here to-day for the purpose
Of making speech over these dead
brothers that lie here in their silent
graves, but | AN here to help pay
some tribute of respect to their no.
bic memory.
am glad to have the honor to
recite to you on this solemn occa-
sion poem written expressly for
this Decoration Day. This honor
has been extended to me by your
most worthy Committees of Grafton
Lodges, to whom / desire to return
my heartfelt thanks in Friendship,
Love and Truth.
We cover the graves OF the brothers we lovo
win the odorous flowers AID the sunshine
Their fragrance is borne through the tremuions
air
Ascending ike Incense to regions more fair.
Wnofe fnuN
Are watching in friendship on this IIallowed
Day.
think mid the clouds riffs their forms decry,
with the banner OF love unfnrled from on high,
Us suffering letters DER us this bright day
And they are rejoicing, these tr0thers above
While they hour Thomas Wildly speaking broth.
Though the swords Of cantons clank with
As thoy fas6 in the sunlight, breathe peace
And the rainbow. Of love DER us shines IN bliss.
"hiie an troubles are healed by fraternity's
Our Orders to-day is effulgent With light.
hhiie brave women are helping In Tnis glorlous
The DAUGHTERS OF Rebecca are true to our Order
And car Lodes aros are being kindIed with mar
Our loved ones who lie here, and those in CON
rnand
Whatever their nation will 90 hand in hand
Rejoicing that those who the three links wear
remembers the widows aud orphans in prayer
Zach year swells the ranks Of our women 70
To-day we nust bow to some newly mode grave
Whose garlands ars trimmed with cypress and
yew,
WITH roses, forget .me-nots pensiss and rue.
Al human offerings are mixed With ellOy
Compounded with sorrow and swoetoued with
JOY.
Our isurels, brothers and sisters forever are
green.
Though The secrets ~ eur order from the world
arc uusc0D.
Wis the body here only that prostrafe 10th lie
Mana srifit enaureth and iivcth ON HIGH
ann today they look down on ue from above
in holy Friendship. Truth and Love