The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-05-20
DAN oa.lTlo1.
The Occasion Being the Decora-
ton OF the Graves Of Deceased
Odd Fellows.

We meet today to honor our.
selves in honoring our dead. In
consonance with beautiful Gus
tom, observed now / believe by
all people, we come with tender
thoughts and loving remem-
brances to place these flowers
upon the graves Of our departed
brothers, as a tribute OF respect
to their moral worth while living.
To those who lie here it can do
no good and means little, but to
us and to the world who looks on
its significance it is much. This
gathering together upon day
set apart, the marching in ranks
with our regalia, these flowers
rich with the perfume Of heaven,
and painted by the hand of God,
and made to reflect His glory,
placed with loving kindness upon
these graves, speak volumes to
the uninitiated as we'll as our
selves 1t says that ours is in
deed a friendship born Of love,
and cemeuted in the fires Of
truth. That as in life he VINO
lies here was our brother, SO in
death his grave is the object of
our care and solicitation. That
though others may forget, the
true Odd Fellow who has cIasped
hands in that solemn covenant
which recognizes the fatherhood
Of God and brotherhood of man
does not, will not, can not forget.
The graves Of our lost friends be-
come the Mecca toward which
our hearts are continually turn
ing, and with the return of each
springtide, not only because we
who knew them so desire, but
also by the command of our su-
periors who knew them notin the
flesh. but recognized them as
brothers in response to our prin-
ciples, we are directed to place
these emblems of love upon the
last resting place ofour departed.
| have said that this custom
was beautiful, and so indeed it
IS. 1t withdraws us from our
selves and the vexing problems
which so crowd upon our lives.
On such occasions, one forgets
and lays aside absorbing care
enters into a contemplation of
life as it should be, communes
for a season with his own better
nature, and thus arouses the best
and noblest impulses of his life
passes in retrospect his journey
thus far in life and gives thanks
unto the Father for the many
blessings granted unto him. And
thus he draws near unto that life
which he should live. What hap
py memories. my brothers, must
be awakened in your hearts as
you 90 about among these graves
and remember when first you met
the brother who lies here-may-
hap he was your more than broth
er, your comrade, confidante-
and while it is sad to contemplate
that you shall not again shake
him by the hand nor hear his
CHEEKY voice. yet what emotions
does the memory bring back
You see his happy smile, you
hear his loving words of encour-
agement when adversely sat upor
your efforts, you recall the as
sistance cheerfully rendered wher
distress knocked at your door
the glad and winsome smile upor
his face, when he learns yol
have escaped some great calami,
ty that threatened you; the JOY
of love upon his countenanct
when success had crowned you
efforts in some undertaking; his
tears when you wept, his rejoic'
ing when you rejoieed. These
thoughts are sad, and yet til
but sweetest communion will
our better selves.
This ceremony may be, anC
perhaps is, only a sentiment, ye
what is life without sentiment
Deprive man Of it and he becomes
callous and hard and unfeelinG
as the insensate stone. No wore
OF encouragement to the broker
hearted and dispirited and dis
tressed fellow traveller ever es'
capes his lips, no kindly act o
his ever alleviates the sorrow o
his fellow man. This beautifu
world, fashioned by our allwist
Creator for us TO live in, to him i
but a habitation. He sees no
the beauties which lie about him
heeds not the blessings which
shower upon him. In short, h
lives not--he but exists. Ode