The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-02-24

The following is an address deliv-
cred before Oxford Lodge Indepen-
dent Order of Old Fellows by Capt.
W. B. Shaw, Of Henderson. Ii is pub
lished by request of one who is inter
ested in the Order, believing it is at
the same time not without interest to
the general reader. Capt. Shaw said:
O0d FeII070s, LaaIes amt Gentlemen !:
When the invitation reached me to
address you on this occasion, | roget
ted that it was not extended to one
better acquainted with the history and
objects of the Order, than l who have
been connected with it for only
short time; and had my own inclina-
ton, been consulted | should have
respectfully declined. But the invita-
ton was clothed in such hattering
terms, that my gratitude played large
ly in my decision, and since so hum
bic in my pretentions, the call seemed
to be one of distress and such calls
ever command ready response from
good Odd Fellow. 50 l am here,
and in spite of my misgivlngs, this
array of beauty and loveliness inspires
me to venture upon the theme ass gned
me.
In these days of political jarrings and
partisan strife, it is some pleasure to
turn from matters that distract and
divide, and rest for a season in the
seductive fields of Odd Fellowship
where "Frendship, Love and Truth,
like vestal virgins keep in perpetual
glow the fires Of fraternal love, like
tGe genial rays of a morning sun upon
the dewdrops dispells every discordant
element in soCity, and enables man to
grasp the hand Of his neighbor and
call him brother. While we look to
God as our Father, Creator and
Preserver yet here, shall no dogma or
creed mar the harmony of our rela-
tions. No political prejudice shall
disturb our peace, and no conflicting
interests can divide US. We are Odd
Fellows, and we'll may we be called
such, because war, pestilence and fam
Inc have been unable to separate US, or
to lessen the tenure of our love. A
deep and abiding interest prompts
the question:, "Whence came you ?
What your origin Your progress,
and your conquests? Your mission?"
About the dawn OF the eighteenth
century, social clubs were formed in
England, among the humble working
men and mechanics, who were wont
to lay down their implements Of toll
and spend their evenings in social
amusments Their bond of union was
made strong by interchange of thought.
Song enlivened the homes, and their
fun loving hearts led them to adopt
limitations of a ludicrous character
upon admission to the club, and often
these jokes played one upon the other
Yet, they added strength to their union
and begot fellow feeling and SYM
pathy the one for the other. While
these clubs were organized solely for
social pleasure, yet when memb er
became sick or otherwise distressed
prompt collections were made for his
benefit, his heart was gladdeneu, and
he enabled to thank God, that Others
were willing and ready, not only to
rejoice with him in prosperity, but to
bear his burdens in the hour Of dis
tress.
The possibilities Of these independ
ent clubs for good early engaged the
attention of men of thought and
culture, and soon their work was sys-
tematized, and the various clubs came
together and organized a society
known as "Ancient and Honorable
Loyal Odd Fellows which threw its
! banner to the breeze emb!azoned with
the motto of "Friendship, Love and
TRUTH The beauty Of the sentiment
challenged the admiration of the world
and inspired the muse of the poet,
when James Montgomery in 1888
burst forth, and sang to its praises:
When Friendship, Love and Truth abound,
| Among a band of brothers,
| The cup OF joy goes gaily around
| Each shares the bliss of others,
| sweet roses grace the thOrny way
Along the way OF sorrow.
| The flowers that shed their leaves today,
| Shall bloom again tomorrow.
How grand in age, how fair in youth.
One holy "FriendShip Love and Truth
This sentiment having been well
grounded IN the society, it broad
ened into the great principle of the
"Fatherhood of God" and the "Broth
erhood of man, and the fraternity de-
veloped system of mutual yel.e! and
kindness.
in order to be ever ready TO re-
spond to the call of distress, these
English lodges established systematic
contributions, and kept their treasury
repleniShed, and thus supplied the
wants of the needy, and assistance to