Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1901-05-03


iniagines that It is the expression of our
tenets. That is only an emblem. II is
not ceremony. That is only key to our
teaching. Nor does 1t consist in deeds of
bencvolence. They are only the result OF
our principles. Nor is il necessarily
faithful attendance on the meetings OF
the order. Simply because man goes
to lodge often and stays long is no indi-
cation that he is good Odd Fellow. He
may, for that very reason. be a very poor
one. These do not constitute Odd Eel
lowship, just as the church, the coniniun-
ion or baptism do not constitute Chris
tianity. True Odd Fellowship is prin-
ciple abiding in the heart, vital and preg-
nant with the power OF new and better
life, principle which finds its highcs,
expression III the exercise OF friendship,
the bcstowal OF charity and the reverence
for the truth.
But our best explanation OF principles
may be found III the answer to objections
alleged agains, the order. II is said to
bc an olth-bound order aud to pro,cc,
wrong and crime in its members. We
know this to bc absolutely false. We
ask no man 10 take an olth-wc simply
exact from him pledge OF honor, Tor
the violation OF which there can be no
penalty save such ~ society inilicts on
any man who perfumes himself. Ours is
not secret sociciy-it is n society with a
secret.
l; is also said that the order aliena,es
men from their homes aud fosters poli;i.
cal schemes. No conception can be more
mistaken. The man who ncgiec;s his
home for the lodge Is by Just 70 much a
poor Odd Fellow. Behind the peace,
prosperity. protection and purity OF the
home stands the pledged word OF every
man among Us. We hear II often said
concerning the election OF some man,
that there - no doab; abou; his election
he Is an Odd Fellow. Any man who
uses or attempts TO usc his membership
in an order Ike Ours for the purpose Of
controlling the free franchise OF ci,i.ci,
IL unworthy name aud place among US.
Our ,ifcc cardinal principles express
bciter than anything else the meaning o:
the order. Friendship. agains, which Is &c,
the sclhshncss, greed and ayaFiec Of man.
kinda friendship tina; foTgcis the evil
and remembers the good in the lives Of
onr brethren. We arc in the world to
give the lie 10 the words Of Shakespeare:
Tbs evil thu, uca do live. after them. :.
Ihv sud u OF Inferred With their bonrs.'
Then Love. agains, which l. &C, the
| story OF envy. hatred, malice and war. a
love that bcgvts Astounding charity, aud
staii eventually bring universal peace.
And last. Truth. 10 which IL opposed
error. ialschood and injustice o; the
world. We never know the truth until
wc arc ready TO surrender our own will
10 The good OF CTR fellows. When self I.
crucihcd. Tie veil which shuts Us on,
from the Holy Of HOLES. where uu,i:
abides. Is rca; In twain. and VIC can enter
in.
a. NC 20 through life our motto for the
order HIS; bc: Elm union ,l,ctr l.
strength" For the individual |, mus;
bC: I'm God We trust" In every hour
and ia sScfy decd lc; uS remember tina,
oNCr us Is the ali.sCcing eve OF God.
marking every path. measuring every
motive. recording every act. as the DAYS
lias;S'' OF. the sends ia ;hc hour glass oi
lie arc fast cbbing ou;. and the day IL
soon coming tot ~ when NC shall ioil
our tents aud silently steal away"
During the afternoon solos were rcu.
dCrrd by MrssiaiHCs Van BuSiirk. Wilson
aud DCinorUsi. Resolutions by Miss Mamie
Wells and Mrs. Sc,tic Martin. Shot,
addresses were made by Hon. !. II.
Srowicy and Mr. McDanicls Of Ia
Junta.
instrumental music was furnished b,,
Miss Blincs, aud X. ID. Ciark's orchestra
cnliycned the proceedings a, various
times.
sn;pcr was served a, 6 O'Clock. both
tcas;s being in uagcn's new store room.
The business meeting of the association
was held in the evening.
The Rcbckals devoted tho evening 10
limitations. demonstrating that they have
the floor work down fiuc." a third
feast. a midnight lunch, closed mos,
enjoyable day.
Among the visitors present from dis.
,sncc were the following:
La Juuia-E. d. Farwcil. Il. ". Nc
Daniel, A. W. English. Il. ID. Carlton. {.
VI. Bailey, Jennie ]. Fcrrcii, Sarah Smith.
Josie Mason, Emma Carlton, Maggie
English.
Mansanola-Cco. Topc. ]. ". Spencer.
{. W. Williams. VI. D., Geo. 4. ijddjc,
&. W. Malott. Wallace, Kas.
Mrs. II. a. Kinney, Oakley, Eas.
Mrs. CLARA Liddlc. Douglas. Kas.