The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-06-12
ODD FELLOWS @..
MEMORIAL DAY.
Fifty Observed By the Canton
Bretheren.
SERVICES IN LODGE ROOM
Dr. II. M. schuffeli Master Of Ceremonies
Rev. John I. Wilson, OF Mas
silion, Delivers The ,
Address. 7gu.t

Rev. John I. Wilson, OF Mas
sillon, Delivers The ~
Addre,s. aE9.
Memorial day was very appropriately
celebrated Sunday by the various lodges
of Odd Fellows in their temple at the
intersection Of Seventh street and
Cleveland avenue. The Daughters of
Rebecca acted in conjunction with the
Odd Fellows and they assisted In the
exercises Sunday afternoon. There was
no parade, as has been customary in
years past, but the committee on deco
ration assembled at the cemetery and
tagged and strewed the graves Of their
deceased lodge brethren with flowers
and then reassembled in their temple
and listened to patriotic words from the
lips Of an eloquent speaker. There were
several hundred persons gathered in the
lodge room when the session was called
to order by DR.. H. M. Schuffeli. He re-
ferred to the celebration of memorial
day in BETTING manner, saying that
a program had beeK arranged that
would be Of much interest.
The opening ode was sung by the
lodgemen present and Rev. c. A. Hill
rendered an invocation. after which an
orchestra Of five pieces played a selec-
tion. DR.. Schuffell. as master of cere-
monies, then introduced Rev. John I.
Wilson, Of Massillon, formerly Of Simp-
son church Of this city, who delivered
the principal address of the afternoon.
Rev. Wilson stated that he had al
ways been profoundly impressed with
services Of this character because
they bring us face to face with the
realities Of life and the certainty of the
end. For, however we may philoso-
phize, however much we may attempt
to put off the evil day, we are all con-
scious that the day approaches when a
reckoning will be recited over our bod
les. We gather together this day and
on this occasion to carry out this beau
tiful service and ceremony that has
been instituted by the authorities Of the
order we represent.
"That which Is true, never dies
Though the human body may change,
yet the character remains unchanged.
The conditions may change so that this
body may be cold In death, yet the voice
of its influence will be heard while time
and history last"
Especial reference was made, by the
speaker to the founders of the order of
Odd Fellowship and the principles
which they engaged In its formation,
"the accomplishments through which
they endeavored to ameliorate the con-
dition Of the poor and laboring classes
Of men," I'll
I'VE hold in our tender memories our
departed brothers who have gone before
us, and let us, as we convene on this oc-
casion, renew our faith and pledge once
again, our allegiance to the principles
of friendship, love and truth. The more
I sit and survey the field of Odd-Fellow-
ship, the more am convinced that 1t is
a true glory in its education and moral
power. It's beneficial teacher Is the BIZ
BILE. But 1t is something beyond this,
1t seems to me. It's value is more in
the spirit Of industry, the spirit Of self
help, the spirit of sympathy engen-
dered which Is more than dollars and
cents given or received. 1t Is for the
moral life of its members. 1t recognizes
man as a moral as we'll as a physical
being. We can see that we are in the
very forefront of progress along moral !,
lines. the very forefront of modern |
thought that has for its aim and pur- |
pose the elevation of manhood. We
must keep up the sentiment Of the or
der for 1t Is high ideal; and that !
ideal revolves around the thought of !
man.
1.-THE good results accomplished by |
organizations cannot be doubted. Uni |
ted action is absolutely necessary in the !
commercial and political world, and
there Is much truth in the axiom: In |
union there is strength one Of the
truest teachings of this order. We can
not live alone in this world. We must |
be in co-partnership with others. Mans
nature is covered over with tendrils
reaching out for sympathy and for
help. He becomes conscious of his own
individuality and his own weakness, as
he feels these tendrils extending out for
organized support.
IT congratulate you that you repre-
sent grand order. The logical results
of it's teachings promote harmony and
good will and brotherliness among
men. We may be proud of the record
of the good work accomplished"
Rev. Wilson closed his address with
an appeal to the members to reconcile
themselves to the teachings of the order
and do good whenever 1t was possible
for them to act, and to band themselves
together in a spirit Of brotherliness and
help each other, SO that when their
graves may be strewn with flowers by
surviving brethren the good which they
did on earth would be reverently re-
membered.
Miss Frances Kagle rendered vocal
solo and the program was closed with a
number by the orchestra and an invoca-
tion. Many OF the former friends of
Rev. Wilson stepped up to him at the
close of the services and welcomed him,
and thanked him for the kindly words
which he had spoken.
LIST OF DEAD. 49, |;