Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-29
ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.
Highland, Augusta, Dirigo and Cries.
cent Lodges Meet in this City.
Members Assembled a Methodist chur: n Sun.
day and Rev. c. S. Cummings Preached.

The 26th anniversary of the organization
of the Ancient Order of United Workm en-
was observed in this city, Sunday after
noon, by largely attended and very inter-
esting service held in the Methodist church.
Dirigo Lodge, A. o. U. w., of Gardiner,
sent delegation of 60 members and about
As came from Crescent Lodge of Hallowell
to Join Highland and Augusta Lodges Of
this city, which turned out about So mem
bers each. The visitors came up by special
electric cars aud met the Augusta members
of the order at the A. o. U. W. hall. Here
all formed in line AMI marched up Bridge
street, down State to Green and thence to
the church. i3*
Highland Lodge Of this city was in
the lead and j. M Libby acted
as marshal, then came Dirigo Lodge Of
Gardiner, John Kendall, marshal; the next
was Crescent Lodge of Hallowell, John
Wiley, marshal, and in the rear Augusta
Lodge of this city, Greenleaf Flagg. mar
shal. In the front ranks of Highland
Lodge were Past Grand Master Judge A.
G. Andrews and District Deputy Rev. J.
B. Phelan of Waldobofo. All marched
four abreast, wore badges and white gloves.
The seats we're reserved for the members
of the lodges and no one was allowed to
enter until all had been seated. The
church was crowded.
Rev. D. B. Phelan occupied seat upon
the platform with Rev. G. S. Cummings,
who gave the eloquent address. The sing
ing was furnished by j. W. Beck, Mr..
Mouland, Mrs. Leland and Mrs. Marden,
while Miss Florence Fuller very ably off
ciated at the organ. The service began by
singing the ''Doxology," followed by the
choir rendering "Harken Unto Me
My People" Rev. Mr.. Phelan then
offered fervent prayer, rendering thanks
for the many manifold blessings, and ask
ing that the great Gui lie might continue to
bestow prosperity upon the Ancient Order.
Fear Not, God is with Thee" was then
sung by the choir. Following this, Rev.
C. s. Cummings read from the 9Th and 9th
chapters of Mathew and selections from the
4th chapter of Luke. The l50th hymn was
than sung by the congregation, after which
Rev. C. s. Cummings began his address,
taking his text from the 9Th chapter of
Galatians, I'd verse, "Bear ye one anothers
burdens, and 90 fulfill the law of Christ"
He began.by saying that every age of
earth had had certain peculiaritics to dis
tinguish it from other ages. This is an age
of fraternites as far as men are concerned.
The government has not collected facts
about the secret societies as it has of other
organizations. In Buffalo there are 2lS
secret orders, Washington, 3l6; Boston,
$780, Brooklyn, 695; St. Louis, 1923; and
Chicago, 1888. Some men view
this state of society with
alarm, and render criticism. They
advocate the breaking of the orders to bet
ter the world, saying that the most men are
members of secret bodies, therefore evil
exists. This reminds me of Mark Twain's
little narrative about the bed being the
most dangerous place to be in, from the
fact that most people die there. These
men do not study society or the signs of the
times. God moves among men, He is ever
present, and we should interpret His ways.
We receive mental support from one
another. Fraternal societies fulfill the
prophecy. They teach US universal brother
hood, such as Christ taught. ...
The fraternal organizations, as with all
new things, found hard road to travel at
the start. When the friction match was
first introduced, even the good people of
Boston pronounced them unsafe to have in
the household. When Fulton announced
that his steamboat would run up river
against the current, the people thought he
had gone daft. One writer stated that it
would be as sossible for a person to lift
himself over fence by the boot tops as
peform such feat. 1t was 2G years ago.
in Meadviile, Pa, that mechanic con-
ceived the idea of the Ancient Order, and
Is people assembled in little room where
re- it was organized. The idea was to care for
2 the sick and pay $4,000 to the family OF
the deceased. From this small beginning
the A. o. U. w. is one of the largest and
most prosperous organizations in the
country, averaging daily $4,000 for the
benefit of the widows and orphans.
Mr.. Cummings address was filled through
out with bright and interesting facts
Among other things he said: This orgsniza
ton bears the same relation to the church
as the fruit does to the tree. Where once
stood the mighty forest now stands The
mighty city. You get no new facts oI
conversipg with man of your own opin
ion. Friction brings out Few truths. II
has taken war to wipe out many evils
Love that means sacrifice outlives all other
kinds. Gods temple is humanity. Selfish
ness is the essence of sin. The man who