Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-25

In this CITY. for within the memory OF some
within these walls, our Order was mere
beginning, and as nothing c0mpareu VITA
its present strength. IL had to contend
with the great opposition to all secret So
Cieties and superstition that could only DC
Nkened 10 the dark ages; but tue good
work went on. and today the Order in this
city contains within its magic circle men
of an callings-clergymc mechanics, doc
tors. Judges, lawyers labOrers, and includes
az least one Mayor. It embraces within
the ladies the Daughters Of Rebecca, who
are doing a noble work, work that only
Rebecca can do, and may the good work 90
on until every man before be can set
wife viii have 10 promise that he Will De
come an Odd Fellow, which means good
husband. Laughter and applause
The coed that the order has done within
this city can never be tod, not only within
the CITY, but throughout the state, yes,
the United States, for there is not state
or Territory under the starry banner out
what can boast of the Three Links going
hand iu hand with our civilization, and ex-
tending relief in time Of distress and exert
ing their general influence for good.
Brothers who are growing gray in the
order are here tonight to testify to the
great benefits they have enjoyed in being
members OF the order. The benefits are
many. not only ia q pecuniary way, but
socially: here We make friendships that are
as lasting as life, aud the good
work of Brothers long since gone 10
Their rest is remembered with pleasure.
Here we meet on common PLATFORM
platform broad and stroDg-yes, broad
enough 20 gather within Its tolds al man
kind for good. Our Order IS the pest STEP
ming stone TO success that.a young man can
ioiu. for here we meet for mutual council,
and he has an opportunity to engage IA de-
bate and discussion of questions at al times
OF an elevating character
Religion or politics are not discussed
within our borders. While we have ven
Grafton for religion and due respect Tor
civil government and its laws, we studl-
ouslv avoid all affinity with systems OF
faith or sect, whether religious or political.
A man cannot be a good Odd Fellow un-
less he is grateful 20 his Creator, faithful
20 his country and fraternal 10 his fellow
men. These my friends, are some OF the
benefits and beauties OF our Order, ana
these principles, we believe, will succeed.
IL Is our united efforts that give US
strength, and this strength can only De
maintained by discipline. The offending
Brother must atone 20 the offended law,
for we war against vice in all its forms.
The material In this beautiful edihce II
separated and scattered would be use
less indeed; but brought together, united
aud cemented as it is, IL makes home for
our order for generations yet unborn, and
who will celebrate the anniversary OF this
night long after al that are here are at
rest. It's foundations are laid deep and
broad, and upon that foundation has grown
the l. O. O. +. Association, and Its future
success cannot be questioned.
Our order can be iikened 10 our building.
Singlv we could accomplish but little, but
when hundreds OF thousands of good and
true men unite for a single purpose, and
that purpose has for its principle Friend
ship, Love and Truth nothing can prevail
againstus. This good work will 30 on I'M
In that period yet hidden in the womb Of
time, when
All crimes shall cease and ancient frauds shall
fail
Returning Justice lifts aloR her scale,
Peace DER the world her olive wand extend,
And white-rObed Innocence Heaven descend.