Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-06-21
Odd Fellows Memorial Service.

in the Methodist church, which had been
tastefully adorned with flowers in honor of
the occasion. A very pleasing solo was
rendered by Miss Anna Williams during
the service, and duet by Miss Bessie
Lewis and Miss Lulu Hart further con-
tributed to the musical part of the exer-
cises.
Over 20 Of the Odd Fellows were pres
emit and listened to most excellent dis
course from Rev. F. w. Lewis, brief alb
stract Of which follows:
II. Sam. i. 23. ''Saul and Jonathan
were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and
in their death they were not divided. -
Remarkable words, especially in view OF
the circumstances. Picture David, chosen
to be king, yet a fugitive from the wrath of
Saul, finding refuge, grudgingly given,
among his natural enemies and those of his
country. From the plain of Esdraelon,
great battlefield of the world from Joshua's
time to Napoleon's, comes runner with
garments rent and earth on his head: his
tidngs-Israel routed, Saul and his sons
slain on Mt. Gilboa. To David this means
relief from bitter persecution, his wrongs
avenged, his way to the throne cleared of
obstacles. But there is no unmanly exul-
tation ;iustead demonstration of grief and
expressions Of eulogy. r Nor is it mere flat
terry. He remembers Saul as the anointed
king of Israel, recalls the excellences of
his earlier years, land the CLEANS of a nobler
nature shining through the folly and jeal
ously and madness of later days. See
then that mourning yes, and words of praise
may be permissible and right even in the
case Of defective characters.
We hold memorial service for those
who we're men like ourselves; had faults
doubtless; but virtues as well land for these
we honor them. We recall, in the classics,
Macedonian emperor disfgured by a
wound the artist commanded to paint his
portrait, represented him as leaning on his
elbow, one finger covering the scar on bis
temple. Well may the finger of charity
cover defects, especially of those gone be-
fore.
But why memorial service for Odd
| Fellowsp Because with all their possible
faults, so far as they were true Odd Fell
lows they stood for certain principles de-
serving OF honor. Trust in God is one !;
declared to be 'truly the watchward Of
Odd Fellowship, constantly inculcated
and enjolned throughout the work" The
brotherhood of man is another; true, the
order cares first for its own but it is not
true that it "never acts the part of the
Good Samaritan save when the sufferer
bears the three links on his cuff" Honor
to the Bible i, another; no lodge room
is fully and lawfully furnished without it.
Once more we name, a high moral stand
ard; Odd Fellowship thoroughly commit
ted, for example, to temperance; written
in its fundamental law, "No saloon-keeper,
bartender or professional gambler shall be
eligible to membership in this Order"
All honor to those who fought the ma
TONS battles but ''peace has its victories"
and its sacrifices as we'll. To watch by the
sick, point the dying to the true source of
hope, comfort the sorrowing, relieve the
destitute, instruct the ignorant, help the
seeker after truth and instill principles of
right, are duties requiring devotion and
courage; neglected, not long would they
leave us country worth fighting for. To
such duties were pledged those whom we
Commemorate today.
The sweet singer Of Israel celebrates an
other than the basty and passionate king ;
Jonathan, one Of the most beautiful of
characters. What friendship he displayed!
Unselfsh, devoted, constant! Like his
may have seemed the character and friend
ship OF some lying in yonder village of the
dead--a friendship formed or cemented
amid the associations of the lodge room.
Well may deathless tribute be paid to ties
| like that.
But the friendship of Jonathan was not
shown at the expense OF other virtues. Sig
nifcant words, Sin their death they were
| not divided" True to his friend he was
never false to bis father and king, but died
fighting by his side. Real loyalty to this
Order implies not less, but more loyalty to
ones family, country, church and to God.
Brothers.! Let our fidelity to all these OBJ
| legations shed lustre upon the name of
"Odd Fellow" which will do far more
honor to our departed friends than can the
cheap tribute of flowers on their graves!
Finally, let me urge you to accept the
supreme friend.hip-that OF Jesus. Gil
boa, mount disappears and Calvary with
its cross rises to view. Jonathan died with
and for his father. Christ died for you.
Substitution is great and familiar fact
life is full of vicarious suffering; Jesus
Christ gave the supreme example. Give
Him your hearts in return. He alone can
re-unite the friends here separated by death.
To Hi, guidance and protection 1 COM