The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-05-13
MOSS POINT DEPARTMENT.

der OF Odd Fellows was instituted by
five men, IN the city OF Baltimore.
April 18th, 1919, pr ~ years ago. aud
now numbers ove Il million members,
and has lodges in every civilized part
Of the world. The objects cnunclatcd
by the founders was: For the aid and
protection Of brothers when In sick
ness and on travel, and for the purpose
uf b%cnevolencc and charity Inc q
dates Of our laws command us 10
visit the sick, relieve the distressed,
bury the dead, and educate the or
! phan;' and millions have been ex-
pended in It's ministrations, n us
accumulated millions yet remain for
the carrying On Of the work well De-
gun.
Man has been drawn closer to his
brother man; sorrow untold has been
alleviatcd in the past. and II Is gath
ering strength for It's work in years to
come.
"Odd Fellowship is founded on that
eternal principle which, recognizing
man as a constituent Of one universal
brotherhood. teaches him that, AS he
came from the hands Of a common
parent. lie ~ bound to cherish and
protect his fell0wman. 1t thus pre-
sents a broad platform upon which
mankind may unite in offices Of human
b~enefaction. Under its c0mprchen-
siyc influences all the nations OF the
earth may concentrate Their energies
for the good Of the common y 6
BASED, upon certain truths, which are
/. Falike axlOms among all nations,
!, tongues and crecds, its sacred tolcr-
= ance presents a nucleus which, by Its
gentle influence, gathers within its
orbit antagOnistic natures, controls
the elements OF discord, stills the
storm and sO0thcs the spirit OF pas
y sion. and directs in harmony mems
d united efforts to fraternize the world.
With the divisions and classiicatiOns
of human society our order lfbleS no
fellowship; whilolt inculcates q VEN
Grafton for religion and s~ubOrdinatiDn
to civil government and its laws, IL
= studiously avoids all affinity with sys-
:. tens OF faith or serts, whether rclig-
" ious or political. You cannot become
~ an Odd Fellow in spirit or truth unless
you are grateful to your Creator, faith
" full to your country, and fraternal U
r, your fellow. man. Strife and discOrd
party and sect, which create heart
Ii burnings and divisions among men
h. are banished by our laws. We wa
against vice in all it's forms; we sceI
y to improve and elevate the characte
man; to Undue him with rrOpe
i. conceptions Of his capabilities 10
good; to c~nliglIten his mind; TO en-
large the sphere OF his affectiOns-lI
W, a word, our aim Is To lead man to TN
a cultivation of the true fraternal rela
H. tion designed by the Great Author Q
his being. We have no secrets, say
ne those necessary to establish u ider
~, tity among strangers. In the lOdR
IT. room we meet for mutual counsel, tn
relief Of dist rcSs, and the elevation Q
err, human character: while we pay a sic
lid benefit. and bury our dead, the fratel
is nal feature is to be most appreciated
especially so when we are anon
re strangers. | have met Odd Fellow
or. from all sections OF our country, ar
in have always found in them lrlent
ps, and companions, ready and anxious
,I;u shOw their good fellowship, and a
~, sure you that l would rather 60 o.
among strangers, with the three link
than have all the letters OF cndors
W ment that could be written. Sue
my friends, are some Of the objects
ger the order that we have the honor
ere being a part, and l, of course, fe
us proud that | have been selected as
). Grand Master for Mississippi, al
ION Ettlank you all for this entertainme
IN .hener Of my elevation. l caln
af. clnse Without thanking In this pub
ura manner my good brother, W. +.
les Parker, who. in 1894, insisted on !
r Of appointment, over himself, as DistrI
wn, DEPUTY for this district, and to tn
appointment l owe, 10 a large mel
lie urc, my preterment in our Ora
,odvq.n