Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-22
SUNDAY N THE CHURCHES.
Dr.. Buckley breaches a Special Ser
mon to the Odd Fellows
At I. 0. o. F. Hall The Occasion
the annual Memorial Exercises.
Chancellor McKeever breaches
at the Christian Church-St.
Johns Day Services-Other Re-
ligious Matters.

hglOuS Matters.
AT the annual memorial services OF
the Odd Fellows, held at their hall,
corner Chapline and Twelfth streets.
yesterday, the sermon was preached by
the Rev. F. D. T. Buckley, pastor OF the
Thomson NJ. E. church. His theme
was "The Mission Of Odd Fellow
snip" Text, / John 5:S-"There are
three that bear witness in earth, and
these three agree in one"
DR.. Buckley said we judge of the mis-
sion by its aim and object. From the
witnessing testimony, we form our
judgment. The mission of Odd Fell
lowship is good, for several reasons,
namely: First, the organization is
banded together to stimulate kindly
Office and activity; second, 10 establish
larger conception and acknowledge
ment of the fatherhood of God, and the
brotherhood Of man; third, to stir up
larger heartedness, destroy selfishness,
and reunite the wandering forces OF a
broken humanity; fourth, to elevate and
dignity womanhoOd, and attach the
proper importance to her sex and
sphere; fifth, to arouse dormant and
latent powers to larger conservation to
noble sacrifices to humanity; sixth, to
awaken, and lead up to deeper trust IN
God.
These are good witnesses of the mis-
sion of Odd Fellows, Joined together by
these links-friendship love and truth
and upheld by these pillars-faith'
hone and charity. Friendship, love,
truth-rhey make a union OF conquer
ing strength and power. Alone they
are pleasing and influential, but unit
ed in these three links, the mission o.
Odd Fellowship might meet any need
of common brotherhood and OF unlVer-
sal humanity. When given periec-
chance of development, they destroy
narrowness, and awake nobleness OF
heart. No unjust criticism, narrow
prejudice. binding bigotry, or perse-
cutting se!fsaness, can abide where
they exist.
The Friendship of the order is more
than mere words, which are often SIM
ply hypocrisy. The mission or THIS
friendship is TO endear and be active
under severest of tests, and adversely,
and sacrifice.
The mission of the love OF the orGer
is TO be so practiced as to reciproc2te
and inspire love in return.
The mission in truth in Odd Fellow
ship is to be so practiced by every pre-
cept and example, as TO be a blessing
to every brother-to be possessed in
the heart, and practiced in life.
These three degrees of subordinate
lodges lead upward to Patriachal Odd
Fellowship, with its three pillars OF
faith. hope, charity, which admits TO
the sacred precincts Of the encamp-
menj. in which all become pauiachs,
representing wisdom. devotion, conse-
Grafton. Faith is needed to cement and
bind all relations Of friendship; hope
is the expectation Of future good, and
inspires courage for labor, and endur-
ance; charity is the third pillar, not
that cold. unsympathetic kind, but
pure, noble hearted
From the first TO the last principle,
thr oughout all the degrees, the ms
sion of Odd Fellowship is TO care for
others in the practice Of noble heart
ed benevOlence. lis maXims are: visit
the sick relieve the distressed, bury
the dead. educate the orphans, be true
to God, man ard selves.
Il make an appeal to each and every
Odd Fellow, DE ambitious and true TO
the mission of Odd Fellowship, for in
so doing YOU honor your fellow broth
ers. and keep green the memory OF
their DEEDS. Rise to her highest de-
grees. BE not satisfied with less than
a pace in the encampment, so you
help upward your wife to the rights Of
the Rebekah honOrs. For many a
man in and out Of the lodge has failed
in the mission OF life, and obligations,
in failing 10 make the best of himself
in climb ing to the heights Of honor
and privilege.
Il appeal to you to fulfill the high
mission of fraternity. tolerance, broth
erhood. Let the spirit Of noble Odd
Fellowship inspire your lives to noble
deeds. in the place where it was in
tended-in the midst of sorrow and
suffering. lie; your mission be faith
full and true in its watch and care over
widows and fatherlesS.
Let the token in the clouds always
inspire YOU that with the shower
there may be sunshine 70 bring out a
rainbow Of beauty to some ones Wis
ion. and so lay up a good store for
eternal happiness. Let faithfulness to
your double trinity OF principles bear
witness that the mission of Odd Fell
loNship has been a controlling inspir-
aIon Tor good in your lives