Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-08-08

To the rich Il points the way 70 that nap
lpiness which comes from helping other
Ito the poor The road to help and con
Itentment, aud to those In sorrow or sui
ferine to friends and comf0vters. Tx
foundation stone upon which tho whole
superstructure rests b 1.-THE FAtherhood
OF God and tho Brotherhood Of Man
and the same profound thought glIstenl
from the shining minarets and LOFTY
towers OF our glorious cdldcc - they
sparkle 10 the rays Of the rising sun.
i Good men and true were soon attract.
ed to the lodge, 20 that by the nrst OF
January, 1873, the membership had more
than doubled, and from then on rapidly
increased 80 that Il would have exceeded
100 on July lst, 1875, had Il not been for
the loss Of twenty-eight members who
withdrew to form West Paris Lodge,
No. Is. The withdrawal Of 90 many
active members was quite blow to .
lodge Just getting on TO its feet, but %
they felt they could do better work for
the cause with an Organization at their
own home, they were hidden God speed.
There has never been any friction be-
tween the two lodges and each has re-
joiced In the prosperity OF the other.
The largest accession to the lodge dur
| ing any single term was Ia the term from
January lat to July lst, 1877, when
tweuty.six were Initiated. The first
death among the members OF the lodge
occurred during this tcrm-that OF
Brother Jairus A. Jackson who resided
on Paris Hill. The lodge took charge OF
the funeral exercises and nearly every
brother was In the sad procession.
The total number Of brothers who
have been connected with the lodge u
305. OF these nfty have withdrawn 70
join other lodges, twenty-eight have
died and the membership OF seventy
nine has ceased from various causes,
mainly from non-psyment OF dues. This
leaves present membership OF lag. VI
the seventy-nine who have dropped from
membership nine are known to be dead,
making q total Of thirty-seveu deaths
among those who have been connected
with the lodge.
The following brothers have filled the
position Of Noble Grand: Isaac Rounds,
w. j. Wheeler, Geo. A. Wilson. n. ID.
Bolster, II. c. Davis, David $. knapp,
Frank A. Thayer, S. F. Briggs, X. j..
Everett, s. n. King, l.. +. Keene, Eu-
gene Fletcher, r. l.. Stsrb!rd, II. K.
Chase, p. G. Lowering, w. b. Edwards,
w. l.. Bonney, Geo. b. Crockett, Geo.
z. Tucker, Frank Maxim, +. p. Burbank,
Geo. X. Ripley, W. l.. Farrar, A. K.
Shurtleff, A. A. Bird, Leon N. Tufts,
Benz. SWEET, w. X. Clifford, +. K. Kim
ball, j. S. Wright, A. +. Morse, G.. d.
Robertson, c. A. Young and <. II.
rsrrar. They are all living except Isaac
Rounds and Frank A. Thayer. They
have directed the work Of the lodge, 80
that forgetting for time the distinctions
OF sect, party and creed, its members
have been filled with higher thoughts OF
their duty and destiny, and given
clearer conception OF those ennobling
virtues, whose primitive simplicity and
purity breathe the spirit and essence OF
universal love.
The present officers are:
Horace l. swan, n. q.
WA. Rarruws. v. q.
l.. W, Hollis, Secretary.
v. A. ShurtieG. Y. =.
u. Maxim, Treas.
The members OF the lodge have not
only kept their vigils and freely ad-
ministered their offices OF love by the
pillow of the suffering one, but they
have given material help with willing
hands and generous hearts. During the
twenty-five years Of its existence this
lodge has disbursed more than $4,000
10 help the sick, the widow and orphan,
aud this sum has been collected ex-
ciusively from It's members. La addition
10 this Ia the aid given In Ameliorating
the SORROWS Of the afflicted and the needy
elsewhere, for the beuefactions Of the
order are not confined TO our own house
hold. The purse Of the genuine Odd Eel
low has ever been and always Will be
wide open TO relieve the distressed with
out asking their country or their creed.
From the very first the brothers de-
sired home OF their own. But few In
number and without funds II seemed al
most an impossibility, but In 1878 by a
great effort funds were raised and Odd
Fellows Block erected. Situated on the
public square IL has been and IL an orna-
ment 10 the village. The hsll was finely
decorated and furnished and on the
night OF Feb. 9Th, 1879, wss s0lemnly
dedicated 10 Friendship and HUMIDITY.
Here We have trained those who have
enrolled under our banner, so to love
and venerate our order, and appreciate
iis blessings, that their affection for II
has constantly increased, generating
among them spirit Of emulation and
rivalry ITO weary not 10 we'll doing"
Through the exertions Of the members
of the lodge, Aurora Encampment was
Instituted March 22d, 1875, and now has
a membership OF forty-three.
On December 20, 1889, Mt. Pleasant
Rebeksh Lodge, No. 30, was instituted
and has been a tower OF strength to Mt.
Mica Lodge. It's membership Is now
I23. IL carries 10 the throbbing brow
OF suffering brothers the soft cool touch
of woman, and 10 the aching heart words
Of consolation and sympathy. Much OF
the success Of the order In this place has
been due to the exertions Of the Re-
bekahs.
The history OF our lodge seems sim
pie recital perhaps to those not members
Of the order for they cannot see Its inner
workings and tireless labors. But an
order that teaches higher ideal OF life,
that gives men new faith In virtue,
charity and love, assuredly deserves q
considerate study by those interested In
the welfare Of the human race.
To The members Of the order the allu-
sions TO It's work and principles have 3
deeper Significance. They know II
stands In the front rank of all charitable
institutions, always striving to better
acqusint man with his fellowman, and TO
make him better, wiser and happier.
| Before them stands Faith with resplend-
ent eyes bidding them fall not, falter
| not, weary not In well doing; while
Hope bends DER them q bow bright
with glorious promise for the future,
and Charity, "chief among the blessed
three" with angelic countenance smiles
approval upon them for the past, and
points with uplifted arm to still greater
achievements In the days to come. In
closing may we not express the hope
that that those who shall come after u
to all the places now occupied by rs,
and 10 participate 10 celebrating the
semi centennial OF this lodge shall see II
esta blIshed more firmly and rooted more
deeply in this community; all Its mem.
bers practicing the beautiful teachings
of Friendship, Love and Truth. 1t will
be q harbinger of that glorious period
when Zone law shall bind all nations,
kindred and tongues, and that law shall
be the law Of universal love-"
REV. WIN. e. BROOKS, o. D.
Much to the qualification of the mem
bers of the Congregational church and
parish at South Paris, Rev. DR.. Brook
has accepted their unanimous call ant
will become their pastor Sept. LIST. DR.
Brooks is a man of strong character and
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