Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-02-13

l. A large number Of members Of 9TH
er lodges Of the order attended the SEES
sion of Franklin lodge No. 8. I. O.
last evening. the occasion being the
PFesentatioa-ofa veteran jewel to
David Bell, one of the oldest Odd Fell
lows in West Virginia Mr. Bell was
initiated October 18th. 1889, more than
sixty years ago.
The presentation speech was made
By Godfrey Schul, who spoke as fol-
lows:
Noble Grand: In behalf Of the mem
bers of franklin Lodge Nc. 5, I. o. o. F.,
mere assembled, your humble servant has
Of ofe pre caosen 1d to > say a few words as a sort
for one of the oldest odd Fellows In the
state of West Virginia.
brethren. the human family has been
upon the globe long enough to learn that a
person cannot live for himself alone. Men
long ago learned that they must depend
strength is one of the first lessons taught
10 man, and his truth has been acted upon
by an tribes and nations from the begin
In the highly enlightened and civilized
portions of the earth. the first application
OF dhis great truth Is in the organization of
AAN VIC llENG SOClCIIGS, kOlIlllEQ-
mites. states and nations united by a COM
pact which protects their members The
three cardinal principles upon which all
our actions should be based are Friend
ship, Love and Truth A great society has
been built up which has these for its pill
lars; Odd Fellowship is based upon that
Kind of friendship which moved the heart
OF David to inquire: Is there yet any that
IS left of the house of Saul. that | may
show him kindness for Jonathsn's sake?'
Il Is built upon. the kind of love WHICH
filled the heart of the Good Samaritan with
compassion, and drew from his lips the
whatever thou spendest more when / come
again | will repay thee Its foundation Is
truth. and it teaches that truth Is the i'm
perial virtue.
In this great society the brethren who
surround you meet you as q brother, they
recognize your worth and have measured
neighbor are you held in high esteem. but
In that great brotherhood that Is SO rica
In noble men. you are deemed worthy or
especial distinction. !.
Looking over the records. we find that
on the 18th day of October, 1889. sixty
years, three months and fourteen days ago,
| David Bell was initiated into Franklin
Lodge No. 13. Wheeling, which was then
in the Commonwealth OF Virginia. and
! work of the lodge. YVES a Past Grand June
80, 1912, long before the. most OF us We're
born. He served as secretary a NUMBER
of terms, and represented his lodge in the
Grand Lodge of old Virginia in Richmond,
| April IA, 1851,
HTo-night the Grand Lodge of West Vir-
| ginia, through Franklin Lodge No. 3. de-
sires to express its appreciation or an
earnest and upright life, and as an ex-
| preston of the esteem in which YOU are
| held, they present you this Veteran Jewel,
! one of the ~grandest gifts and compliments
| that can be given to an Odd Fellow, not
| for its intrinsic value. but rather for the
| good will and high regard 1t bears. MY
| brother. / am voicing the sentiments or
| your lodge when l say we hope that you
may be spared many years to enjoy IN
| the future as in the past the meetings OF
Franklin Lodge No. 3, ]. O.. {. r. MY
| brother. allow me to congratulate you
l. Mr.. Bell was toe much affected to
respond, and his sentiments were hap
! PLY voiced by Past Grand G. K.
| Smith. Members OF the order then
| surrounded Mr.. Bell, and warmly con-
| graduated him. Mr.. T. H. Higgins
| gave some early "reminiscences of
| Wheeling, and brief addresses were
| made by several others before the
meeting adjourned.