The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-10-04
COLFAX DAY {!
silver Leaf sebskah Lodge no. ar
l. o. o. FL Observed THE Day.

The following speech was de
livered by M. M. Sweet, d. d. G.
M, before Silver Leaf Rebekal
Lodge No. 81, I. o. %. F.. al
Challis, on Tuesday evening
Sept. 20, 1893, in memory O.
Schuyler Colfax, the founder Of
Rebekah Odd Fellowship
Sisters and Brothers -
We have assembled tonight tc
pay due respect to the memory
of Bro. Schuyler Colfax, the
founder of Rebekah Odd Fellow.
ship, and while commemorating
his memory, let us say a few
words in reference to the princi.
pies and teachings of Odd Eel.
lowship, in all it's branches.
Odd Fellowship has long since
passed beyond the experimental
stage. For almost eight decades
it has in this country been
purifying and identifying it's pre-
cepts, elevating and ennobiing
its practice, and making itself
worthy of the love and loyalty OF
its members and of the trust and
confidence of all people through
out this great republic. Its ban
ner was first unfurled to the lib
erty loving and sun kissed breez-
es of the United States on the
10Th day of April 1919, and since
that time it has become one of
the greatest social and benevo-
lent organizations which has
ever found home upon the
American continent.
1t was thought that its found
er. Bro. Wildey, deemed it mere
ly a humane institution, it's prin-
cipIe objects being to relieve the
brethren, bury the dead and care
for the widow and orphan. But
gradually its aims have been
broadened, and there has been
infused into it's teachings much
moral and unsectarian religious
instruction. and year by year
these principles have been in
creased, and deepened and
strengthened until it's beneficial
and relief measures, important,
far-reaching and characteristic
In themselves, from being merely
ends, have become the exalted
means to a higher and greater
end-to improve and cultivate
the character of man and woman;
to Undue them with higher con
ceptions of their capability for
good; to enlarge the sphere of
their affections and thus lead
them to the cultivation of the
true fraternal relations designed
by the Great Author of their
being.
Brother Wildey planted the
seed and cultivated the tree of
Subordinate Odd Fellowship, as
did Bro. Colfax the Rebekah
branch. 1t bore fruit richer and
and better than they had antici-
pated. They builded better than
they knew.
AS an institution, this Order
has ever sought to enlarge and
ennoble it's aims, is now shaping
It's course in accordance with the
highest ideals of social and moral
rectitude. and is destined, as we
believe, to keep abreast of adj
vancing thought for the highest
welfare of the people as the pass
ing years shall roll up the scroll
Of time wherein the history of
the race shall have been record
ed. The source of it's teachings,
It's principles, and it's inspiration
IS that God-given philosophy
proclaimed to man and woman
oy the divine Son of the Creator
md Ruler of the Universe, dur
ng His brief sojourn as one
among the inhabitants of earth,
Fatherhood of God
md the Brotherhood of man.
There never has been a period
when the beauty and power of
his philosophy have been more
mpressively felt and more vivid
y felt than at the present time. |
Distress and suffering have al |
ways been in the world, but |
somehow man is coming more
md more to look upon his fellow
nan as his brother.
Visiting and caring for the
lick, sorrowing and distressed
II its membership. burying the
lead, rendering substantial aid
o the widows and educating the
rphans of departed members
re the common and daily minis
of the Order. 1t has
rected in Idaho and many of the
homes for the dis.