The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1892-04-29

ing upon the treasury OF the lodge to
meet the demand.
Appropos to this anniversary Il may
not be out OF place to state thst the To-
cal lodge af the order which has Just
celebrated its birth is in very flourish
ing and encouraging condition, renewed
| interest beng taken in lodge work BY
I It's members, who are proud Of the grand
organization to which they belong and
the principles it represents, an organiza
ton that expended in benevolences last
year over S3,OOO,00O, and embraces over
100000 members in the United States
Speaking Of the order the Sioux Falls
Press in an editorial last week very beau
tlfully pays it the following tribute
Next Tuesday will be the seventy third
anniversary of the establishment OF Odd
Fellowship in America, and who will
undertake TO compute how many bless
lngs this marvellous and wide spreading
order has conferred upon humanity in
that time? The good which it has &C
|conplished would be measured in many
minds by the amount of financial aid
which it has extended 10 its members
and to those dependent upon them; but
this, however large it may be is utterly
insignificant as a demonstration OF the
benefits which Ode Fellowship has given
to the race. The sentiments Of frater-
nal affection-the lessons regarding the
brotherhood Of man and fatherhood of
Good--the inspirations to help and com
fort and cheer those with whom there is
daily Observation-Disclosures are things too
deep and too high and too sacred to be
measured in dollars and cents. Odd
Fellowship and kindred organizations
have taught the world new gospel--or
rather have taught the old gospel in
most effective way. They have helped
in wiping out seltishness, and have led
men to a sense of the sweet delights of
fraternal interest and association The
lessons Of the ritual have instilled
thoughts of God and OF duty which many
would otherwise have missed. The close
association Of brethren in the order has
inspired affections and an interest in
humanity that no other relationship
could have simulated. In multitude
Of ways the race has been benefited by
an order which has been SO conspicuous
IN lis influence in these directions. 1t
has overcome prejudice and SANDER, and
as its seventy third anniversary approach
es it can boast the respect OF all the
world Nowhere is there to be found an
individual OF standing or influence who
would assume to cast discredt upon its
work and the benetcence thereof. No
longer are its members required 10 clan
destinely maintain their lodges, or com
PEELED for prudential reasons to keep
secret their connection with the order.
Everywhere it is recognized as an honor
and distinction to be an Odd Fellow.
and, instead of membership being some
thing likely to inspire suspicion and in
cur smirch, as in earlier times, it is
today badge which demonstrates that
he who possesses it has been tried and
tested and selected for qualities which
recommend men 10 their tellowmen
Humanity owes a tremendous debt to
such an organization. and long may it
flourish to spread its blessings through |
out the world, making better and hap
bier not only those included within its
mystic domain, but by It's existence and |
influence benetiting also the whole wide
scope OF civilization.