The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-10-15
THE SILVER
ANNIVERSARY
Twenty-Five Years
Old is Harmony
Lodge.
TWO HUNDRED brother oddfel-
lows and sister Rebekahs gath

anniversary of the organization OF Har-
mony Lodge, l. O. o. F., all the lodges
of Honolulu participating in the cere-
monies.
Excelsior Lodge. Polynesian Encamp-
ment. and the Pacific and Olive Branch
Rebekahs were present in almost the
full strength of their membership to
do honor to the celebrating lodge. The
celebration was to have taken place
last month. but owing to the death Of
President Mckinley II was postponed
until October IL. The dining room of
the Moana Hotel was used for the oc-
casion, the only decorations being ar
tistically drapcd from the balcony OF
the musicians gallery. There was no
BANQUET as was first intended but this
was more than compensated for in the
enjoyment of three hours dancing.
The floor was covered with dancing
canvas and upon this chairs Tor the
guests were placed, facing the sea side
of the room. where a. table was placed
behind which the speakers of the even
ing and officers of Harmony Lodge were
seated The pleasure of the evening
was augmented by a fine breeze which
swept through the dining-room open on
all sides The exercises did not begin
until half past eight but the guests ar
rived early and the corridors thronged
with the lodge members. their wives
and sweethearts, who spent nail hour
i'm pleasant conversation.
The exercises were opened with pray -
err by Rev. Alexander Macintosh OF
Excelsior Lodge. following which was
brief address of welcome by noble
Grand c. Charlock Of Harmony Lodge
Judge Morris Nj. IHstee, who has long
been an Od6fellow, was introduced ana
made one of his characteristic addresses
teeming with humorous and serious
thoughts. He said in part:
JUDGE ESTEEs ADDRESS.
odd Fellowship is "a social and benev-
client organization. 1t Is intended to care
for the sick, the widows and the orphans
and to bury the dead 1t Is composed
largely of those who may need assistance
in time of trouble and who. when In
health, contribute to fund which can
be drawn upon for their aid when SICK.
1t is not a popular or fashionable order.
It's membership is composed largely OF
plain people, men who work for their
bread II stands In no ones way. The
humblest and the greatest In this order
arc on an even plane with each other,
and are entitled to the same Dement'S
have to pay the same dues and receive
the same honors.
The lodge is IA school for its members.
The business of the lodge teaches the
members the sober art of self-govern-
ment; thus every lodge room is little
republic.
Pleasurablc enjoyment is one of the
objects of our society. Members of the
order are encouraged in being happy
and in making others happy, They glad
" join in social gatherings like the pres
ent one. The social side of the order is
never forgotten.
No Odd Fellow is away from home
anywhere in the United States. We can
not find a town which has not an odd
Fellows hall in il. In most of the large
cities like San Francisco there is relief
committee formed by all the lodges, with
funds to meet the immediate wants OF
the distressed stranger In our midst. If
he is sick the committee finds il out and
relieves his needs, and then reports the
facts to his own lodge, which, under our
laws, respond at once.
We are taught that being sorry for I,
brother who Is sick or in distress does
not afford relief; that while sympathy is
good as far as 1t goes, yet no one will
get well on sympathy or grow strong on
an empty stomach.
We are also to remember that a sick
Odd Fellow is not an object of our char
ity, but rather a brother who is entitled
to our aid He has been and is con
tributor to our funds; he has aided us in
all the past. and when care for him
while he is sick, we but reciprocate what
he has many times done for others when
they were sick. so that IL is but a recip-
rocal duty to watch over him in his sick
ness
1t is claimed with much truth that all
organized charities are more effective
than the scattering and uncertain work
of the disorgani2ed and Well meaning
people who act individually. We must
not be too technical in administering our
benefits: We should not in paying. look
for reason not to do ii, but rather for
reasons to do it, Odd Fellowship is not
a money-making or n noney-saving in
stitution. II sometimes happens that
odd Fellows lodges make money by saw
ing IL, instead OF by collecting II. And
yet We are pledged to care for our mem
bers and We must do 1t. We should not
try to get rich before We are just.
As We become more willing to give 10
the members Of our own lodge, We will
become more charitable to other people
A man cannot teach others to do right
who does not do right himself. IT Is true
charity begins at home. our brethren
and sisters In the order are always at
home with us. They hav. the first claim,
upon ms; to help them is not charity but
duty. ~
The opportunity to do right is always
present THE poor We always have with
you" All men and women in the order
should seek to cultlvat. the better inn
pulses OF the heart. I know We are quit
too willing to improve other people 5
hearts rather than our own. This is hui
man nature.
The brotherhood of man is the funda-
mental idea of Odd Fellowship. 1t forms
the basis of all good government. II ex-
lists at the family fireside, where the
beauty OF kinship adds TO the purity OF
home life. 1t is found In the presence
of organized free government where the
multitudes meet to control public affairs
IL is one Of the noblest prerogatives OF
sovereignty, when II Is clothed in the