Middletown transcript., 1896-02-29
SOCIAL AND SMOKER.

SOCIAL AND SMOKER.
1t wasa happy idea, conceived by Mr..
Joseph c. Jolls and executed by Damon
Lodge. X. of p, to give Social and
Smoker 10 the other fraternities in
town. 1t came eff on Wednesday
evening and was great success in
every way. About $50 OF the ''joiners''
were in attendance when Mr.. w. S.
Letherbury called the meeting to order
and after America was sung, Rev. I.
L. Wood offered prayer.
The Middletown orchestra discoursed
sweet music during the evening and
Messrs. William Brady and ]. B. Max
well sang several popular airs. The
speaking extended over nearly three
hours and was listened to with the
closest attention and was highly en-
joyed. Nothing less than three columns
would do justice to the speakers and
the interests they represented ii any
attempt were made TO use the exter-
sive notes taken by representative of
| the TRANSCRIPT. For this we hava
not the space as legal advertising de-
mands part of the space set apart for
this purpose and besides many Of the
81 eeches appear in the Ne,u Era, set
from the manuscript. and all interested
in fraternal organizations and local
insurance can read them with profit.
The TRANSCRIPT regrets that ii can
not make fuller report.
Chairman Letherbury extended a
cordial welcome in most appropriate
manner and terms on the part of
Damon Lodge, No. 12, K. of p.
Mr.. E. S. Jones, Past State Council
lor, spoke for the Jr. o. U. A. M, and
was followed by Mr.. J. Frank Nc
Whorter of the same order. OF the
many points made by Mr.. Jones one
deserves special thought: he said so per
cent. of our criminals are born inforeign
countries. Mr.. McWhorter said the
object of all these societies is the same,
the Bible being the corner stone, and
the secret society is the precursor and
helper of the church. AS a story teller
Mr.. McWhorter is hard to beat.
DR.. C. A. Ritchie next spoke for the
A. O. U. W. and after very fraternal
tribute to Damon Lodge and other
organizations, he gave an interesting
cial standpoint. Of his society. He
said that secret orders make good
citizens. Rev. /. L. Wood as Work.
man spoke of the satisfaction it always
gave him to pay his assessment, know
ing the money Was going to the widow
and children of a brother.
Mr.. r. H. Foster, 46 years an Odd
Fellow, and Mr.. William Brockson,
next represented this oLe of the Oldest
Of fraternal and benevolent organiza-
tions. Mr.. Foster said that in nearly
half century in Odd Fellowship he
had learned only Christianity then:
and Mr.. Brockson thought nothing too
good to. say of the order, while it does
not teach regeneration of the heart it
does teach good morals and makes
better citizens.
Mr.. J. e. Parker spoke for the
Heptasophs, first paying glowing
tribute to the hosts of the evening, the
Pythian knights. The speaker there
argued from business point of view
the wisdom of insurance and of fra
ternal insurance especially where the
brotherly hand in the hour of affiiction
and bereavement is held out, not with
charity, but with funds that in the
days of health and prosperity have been
provided for. He said: Fraternity
is fitted to every possible development
of the world j; to every possible improve
ment in the condition of life. It's
voice will ever be on the side of such
development, and its efforts will con-
tribute to such improvement. Secure
in its past; watchful of its present;
hopeful of its future; it will continue
its victorious march, clad in the mystic
armor of truth down through the long
stretches of centuries"
Mr.. S. Elmer Naylor gave humor-
Gus recitation. "The Youthful TRACED
ian." He was followed by Mr.. T. A.
P. Boardley on behalf of the youngest
of Middletown's societies, the Brother
hood Of the Union. Mr.. Samuel A.
Pitt spoke also for this organization in
the most. choice language, with
rounded sentences and earnest manner.
Mr.. Pitt is an orator of no average
ability and he should be heard oftener.
Mr.. Charles M. Stanger made hit
in representing the G. A. R. and every
"brother" felt his reference to the fact
that while all other societies may grow
the "boys in blue" are answering the
last roll call and soon the G.. A. r.
shall be no more. Mr.. John T. Kane
spoke for the Improved Hsptasophs at
Summit Bridge.
Past Grand Chancellor Joseph. G.
Jolls, Grand Chancellor Scott, and Mr..
]. A. Suydam spoke for the Knights Of
Pythias, and those who had enjoyed
the evenings literary feast, the ban
quet at the Hose House that followed.
said ''amen" to all the good things
spoken of the order AMI of Damon
Lodge especially. The "press" was
called upon but it was not "press''
time exactly and the responses were
quite brief.