Middletown transcript., 1895-09-28
The ErOdeIphfans.

Mr.. and Mrs. David P. Hutchison enter
tanned the Erodelphian Society at thei,
home in Townsend on Tuesday evening
| The house and yard were beautifully lighted
and not the least attractive feature was the
dining room table. After the literary pro-
| gramme the guests were invited to retail
the Erodelphian donkey. Mrs. Susie Rey.
nolds won the first prize and Miss Katie
Hutchinson the second,
The literary program consisted of reci-
tations, music, readings and addresses. Mr.
Arthur Mackey, one of New Castles abb
lest and most successful teachers made an
encouraging address of which the following
is synopsis:
Women have competed beside young
men at intellectual work in the colleges,
and 1t has been found that they are the
equal Of men intellectually.
We have witnessed tonight proof of
what can be accomplished by these fair
young ladies along literary line. The
program which you have rendered evinces
considerable talent, and may be taken as
ali index to the educating and refining in
fiuences that emanate from the routine
work of your society. Although we, the
Lords OF Creation, are not permitted to
enter the sacred and mysterious realms of
the Erodelphian Society, we infer from the
financial donations which you have made
to deserving causes in this town that your
mission is to alleviate human distress and
suffering as well as to develop wise heads
and pure hearts.
Erodelphian-IfI mistake not the word
implies, We are friends, and the principle
typiied under the title, "A friend to the friend
less, is one of the pnrest and noblest feel
ings of the soul; a pure and disinterested
benevolence indicates large and generous
mind. The. sentiment of charity refines
and eleyates the soul in that it is a purely
disinterested feeling springing from no sell
fish or prudential motives; our pleasure is
another's happiness rather than our own.
If adversely comes and the friends who
in sunshine live, turn away with GOODNESS
and neglect, true friendship shows its fidel- |
ity by clinging closer to the objects of its |
love as Others neglect and forsake them.
The noble sentiment of true benevolence /
tends to alleviate human woe and to in |
crease human happiness. 1t took Howard |
into the prison pens of England and the /
pest houses of the Continent to relieve the
sufferings of the convicts, it caused Pea
body to devote his millions to the educ a.
ton of the poor and ignorant, and ami
mated Florence Nightingale to render un-
,peakable services to the sick and wounded 1
soldiers of the Crimea War.
Yes;-This principle embodied in your
society, if carried out, will provide bread
.or the hungry, wipe the tear from the eve
If sorrow, bind up the wounds Of the
,roken hearted and aim to relieve suffering
n every form.
The literary feature of your meetings is
llso productive of much good.
knowledge is the food of the mind and
lives growth and strength as material food
loes to the body. The intellect grows to
higher altitude by means of knowledge.
md the growth Of the intellect tends to
lift the SOUL up to higher spiritual life.
knowledge is treasure stored where
either moth nor rust can corrupt. and
vhere thieves cannot break through and
teal. 1t eleyates character by lifting a
erson above the desires of sense and phys
cal qualification, and is thus a means of l
moral culture. knowledge is the sunlight
n which the mind grows. We plant .
eed in the cold dark earth. and the sun .
ght comes and puts its golden arms .
round it and lifts into bloom and beauty.
the mind is lifted up into purer and !
etter life by the sunlight of learning.
May learning be the star of hone in the
KY of your coming woman-hood. Mavvon !.
ill grow in purity and nobility of char .
cter by the execution of true benevolent
ctions. May your efforts in this noble J
ork be crowned with the laurels of suc.
sss. May the, Erodelphian friendship
,rmed here below lead up to meet and =
lend with the infinite friendship that flows +
ON the heart of the Great Father. and :
hen the Great Master makes his awards.
ay the brightest wreaths be placed upon :
our brows for the benefits which Won have | !
sstowed upon humanity.