The Forrest City times., 1895-05-03
TRUE FRIENDSHIP.
Rev. J. IT. Peay's Address at the I. Q. q. F. Celebration at Jonesboro, Ark

The second annual meeting of the Northeast Arkansas Association of Odd Fellows was held at Jonesboro, Ark, April 26, 1895. Rev. J. H. Peay, of Paragould, Ark, delivered the annual address, which was as follows:
 MT President, Members Of the Association,
 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 It is with great pleasure that this oc- casion is embraced to speak to sub Ject that should be of interest to all. The principles of odd fellowship are embodied in the three words embla- zoned on your banners, printed on your badges, engraved on your jewels friendship, love and truth"
 friendship includes and comprehends the ideas of love and truth, and from this fact friendship may be considered to embody the entire meaning of all that odd-fellowship is. Therefore the subject that has been chosen is "Friend- ship" rather than a dry repetition of dry facts and figures.
 In this degenerate age it is profitable to consider such subject Few things In life are more to be desired, are more important The enjoyment of life is based almost, if not altogether, upon friendship. It improves happiness, lessens misery, divides our sorrows and multiplies our joys. Friends in deed become helpmeets in every condition of life and their influences insinuate themselves into our very natures and tempers, changing the one and soften ing the other. Many who are now lis tening to this discourse can and would testify that they, through the applica- ton and operation of the principles of odd-fellcwship, are better men.
 friendship is the very essence of love, and is strong and habitual inclina- ton of two or more persons to promote the happiness and welfare of each other. Friendship is love refined and purified of all that is dross. When ad- versailles flow, love may ebb. grow in- different cold; but friendship stands firm in the raging storm or hurricanes bowling blast. Time draws wrinkles in fair but adds fresh colors to fast friend, which neither heat, nor cold, nor misery, nor place, nor destiny, can alter or diminish.
 There are two classes of friends false, pretended. There are some who appear friends for the political, social, personal, or pecuniary profit there is in 1t. Such friends are neither ardent nor constant; when it is no longer prof itable they are no longer friendly. The poet Goldsmith, having experienced such friendship, truly said:
 And what is friendship but name,
 charm that lulls to sleep
 shade that follows wealth and fame.
 And leaves the wretch to weep"
 THE TRUE.
 Wherever friendship trusts, it never swerves nor falters; diversity nerves its arm, makes swift its feet; opens its hand and heart; yea, acts the good Sa- maritan, when Priest and Levite pass on, unmoved and pitiless. The true friend privately corrects defects, pub licly extols virtues True friends have their hearts knit together with hooks of steel. There is covenant relation ship existing between them lasting while life lasts. Each individual must have some one upon whom to lean, in whom to confide, for whom to be con- cerned. Some one to help to bear our burdens, to hear our tale of woe or story of joy-some one whose heart beats in unison with our own. This true friendship furnishes. Even nature teaches us to seek such heart. All of us need looks of sympathy, deeds of kindness.
 Sympathy should peal out from every church bell, be proclaimed from each pulpit, the chorus of each song, the burden of each prayer, should beam from each eye, should be the music in each voice. Men need bosoms into which they can pour the secrets of their souls; an arm to lean on when burdens press heavy; when pressed to the wall, an ally to stand and fight by their side To have such friends is natural, de- fghtful, proftable; and poor indeed is he who has to tread the winepress of life alone Yet, how rare are such friends
 In the hurry and rush of this dollar grasping age-in the toll and battle of life-how ''self," in these latter days, engrosses our attention and consumes our power. The interests of others seems to have little or no claim on one's consideration.
 This is why that on April 2o, 1919, seventy-six years ago, Thomas Wildey and four others, in Baltimore, Md, or ganized the first lodge of l. O. O. F. Mutual protection for themselves and their families while living, relief in distress, burial of the dead, support of the widow, education of the orphan. The practical operation of the true principles of genuine benevolence is