The Somerset reporter., 1895-05-02
Seventy-sixtb Anniversary.

-
The seventy-sixth anniversary Of the
institution Of Odd Fellowship in this
country was observed by Carrabasset
Lodge, |. o. o. f.. in High street church
Sunday afternoon the 2sth instant by the
lodge assembling in body. clothed viii
the regalia Of the order. -cventv--ix Of
the brethren were present. The pulpit
and altar were handsomely decafa.ed
with plar Is and flowers. -urmouutca b.
the emblematic Three Links.
The exercises consisted Of singing ~
a male quartettc, w. :. Narnrv. ". \.
Donovan, W. II. Langley. Albert No
SON. with Mrs. r. 6. Moses. organi,t:
j devotional service and a sermon by Rev.
I. 9. Moses upon the cardinal princI
pies Of the order, "Fricnd.hip. Love and
Truth" His texts were John l5:l4.
John - IL aud John :32
He spoke of the occasion, the auai.
versary Of the Introduction of odd FL
/ lowship into the United States. Of hi.
entire ignorance of all that pertains u
speculative odd Fellowship. thar is IN.
work that is performed in thu secrecy
of the lodge room, but knew something
of its practical workings in the care IT
the sick, the burial of the dead and the
relief rendered to the widows aud or
phans of deceased brethren We give
brief outline of tue speakers thoughtful
/ discourse in his own words.
II. "Ie are my friends. if VI do
/ whatsoever | command YOU.
The picture is very tender and pathpt-
! ic. The Master is giving 10 hi- di.ci-
! pies his last instruction before hi, death.
] His dear ones about him. his voice mrl-
/ lowed to its tenderest ana sweetest tones.
telling them how they could retain his
! friendship. Let Us inquire what friend
ship is; Friendship. An attachment
to person, proceeding from intimate
acquaintance. and rrciprpcafion of
tried offices, or from favorable opinion
of the amablc and respectable quaIitie,
of mind. There can be 40 friendship
without confidence, and no confidence
/ without integrity, Mutual attachment
/ intimacy-''A friend lOveth at All tlme,. .
There is a friend that >ticketh clio. r
i than a brother" meaning that real
/ friendship is ofteutimes more operative
/ than natural affection. Christ'> test j.
/ that one do whatsoever lie commands
/ Obedience to Him secures his friendship
II. These things | command YOU.
/ that We love one another" Love i hard
/ to define.
An affection of the mind excited hy
/ beauty and worth of any kind, or by In
/ qualities of an object which communi-
cate pleasure. Love is ardent friend.
ship, or strong attachment spriugina
i from good will and esteem. from the
civiliteS aud kindness of hers. Christ
speaks as though he would say many
/ things 10 them, but il content with on.
"Love one another Love includes al
the others. we love Christ. because
He first loved Us" We should love one
another for Christ's sake. What we d.
for another for Jesus sake is done fol
llim-"Iuasmuch as We did it To one OF
the least of these, We did it unto me
Ill. "And We shall know the truth
and the truth shall make YOU free.
"What is truth said Plate" Conformity
/ to fact or reality-cXact accordance viii
that which is, or has been. or will be
The truth of history constitutes II.
whole value. We rely on the truth oi
the Scriptures. "Sauctify them through
Thy truth, thy word is truth SINGER
ity-"God is a spirit and they thai
worship Him must worship Him in
spirit and in truth" Truth j., opposed
to falsehood. Divine Revelation. as il
now stands in the written word is not
only pure truth without mixture, but
entire truth without deficiency Al
truth nerdful for salvation is here. Il
be sure all truth is not in the Bible-but
the standard is here. All the gold i
not in the uited States Trcasury-bu
the standard is there. The Bible reveal,
the only way of salvation from sin
Men hold many theories and opinions
/ but the Bible contains the conditions
! There are a great many things men de-
! that are good, and To be commended
but none of them can remove sin. Obrdi
pnce to the truth as revealed by Chris
alone can make you free.
Now, beloved, we have feeblv notice.
the three talsmanic words of your CRANE
organization in a Bible sense. Are You
all living up To their full meaning: o.
are you trying to persuade Yourselves I,
believe that if YOU are loyal TO tn,
brotherhood and to its gatherings for
getting your obligations to God and hi,
service and worship, all will be well
| entreat YOU to be wise, God has
claim upon sou prior to all others. Iol
may, perhaps, be all right with youl
brother, but how is it with the Father
His claims He will release only upon
the terms he has made. May we all eu
deavor to be true to the three grea
cardinal links, Friendship Love anC
1 Truth.
Good TempIars.