The Somerset reporter., 1897-06-17


ment Of Maine is in good condition, has
learned few lessons in tire past, sees
its way clear to even higher standard
Of excellence, and in the near future
will rank among the largest and best in
the land.
Speaking for fraternai organizations,
Mr. o. B. Written of Portland, said
This day in some respects has been a
b.ue day, in other respects red letter
day; a blue day because the sun
has failed to shine upon rs. It is un-
fortunate that it should SO happen, for
the good citizens of Skowhegan, but |
feel as though we had fallen into good
hands, and your magnificent hospitality,
and your treatment of us, has been fully
appreciated 1t has been red letter
day because never before had there
been so large a representation of our
order together, and we never had more
favorable reports. Tie institution of
Oddfellowship is one of the largest Sc
cret organizations in the land, and I am
safe in saying that no other institution
in the land is exerting more moral in
dnenee than the odd Fellows The
largest secret organizations are odd Eel
lows and Masonry, they go hand in hand
and shoulder to shoulder in their good
and perfect work. Founded upon prin-
eiples SO firm, so lasting, 50 staunch
that no tide of any kind can shake this
institution from its principles of truth,
love and charity, upon which we are so
fully grounded. We find written in let
ters of gold upon their emblem, eve
visit the sick, relieve the distressed,
bury the dead and educate the orphans
Major F. L. Pond of Augusta, respond
ed to "Our Annual Field Day He
spoke of the great benefit that had been
derived from the field days of the past
by the department, of the necessity in
his mind, of keeping up the practice
that was so manifestly pleasure and a
benefit to the cheyaliers. 1t was to be
regretted that the weather had spoiled
the prime event that all had hoped to
witness, but there are other days to
come and while the visitors had sampled
skowhegan's hospitality, it was plain
to be seen what a splendid time all
would have had with a good day. The
speaker said he believed that the field
day and the meeting of the Council Mill
tant is as necessary to the organization
as is the Grand Lodge and Grand En-
eampment to the subordinate lodges and
encampments. He hoped that the chew
alters would not feel discouraged but
would go home determined to attend
next year.
Col. J. H. Dearborn Of Biddeford,
named Capt. Joseph T. Mason to re-
spond for the encampment. Mr. Mason
alluded pleasantly and appreciatiyely
to work done in the Golden degree by
the encampment in this town. Somer
set district composed Of Skowhegan
Pittsfeld, and Fairfield is the banner
district of the State. District meetings
once a year are very desirable. ThC
cardinal principles of the subordinate
lodges extend all the way through the
eneampment and patriarch degrees. He
urged living up to these principles anc
working valiantly for the order.
Capt. J, &. Hersey of Houlton, re
sponded for subordinate lodges. He
said he was improperly called colonel
but for a few days had mingled with the
generals and colonels 80 much that he
hardly knew what his rank was. The
subordinate lodge is the foundation
upon which the beautiful structure
of Oddfellowship is founded. The
grand tenets of the order are to visit the
sick, relieve the distressed, bury tn,
dead and educate the orphan. He spok,
of the immense amounts expended an
nually through the lodges for charity
This is the secret of its success. j
meets the wants of humanity. Mutua
aid is the rock upon which the order il
founded and the gates Of he'll shall no
prevail againstit.
Col. \. B. Nealey in responding fo
the Rebekahs said: am not an orator