The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-16
SERMON TOODD FELLOWS
Interesting Discourse by the Pev
Charles n. Newing, Of the Dun
more M. E. Church.

odst Episcopal church, delivered II special
sermon last evening to the members of
Dunmore lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. There was a large representa-
tion from the lodge present and the SER
mon was heard with much pleasure by
those fortunate enough TO hear him. He
took for his text the words For we be
brethren" as found in Genesis xiii, s. He
spoke in part as follows:
1--WE sometimes imagine that close COM
petition. Is a new element In the world s
business, but 1t Is not. The reason for
these words of our text or that which
called them forth was the great compe-
tition between the herdsmen of Abraham
and the herdsmen of Lot. When Abra.
ham returned from Egypt he brought
Lot, his nephew with him. Lots fiocks.
hersdmen and servants multiplied rapidly.
and he was becoming rich like Abraham.
No doubt there was much competition be-
tween the servants of these two men, to
secure the best pasture and water for
their masters cattle and flOcks. That
they were already at strife and likely to
involve their masters in an open quarrel.
To forestall such an event. Abraham, to
whom all the land belonged by right of
promise makes the great and magnan-
imous offer TO Lot, permitting him to
choose and to have that which he selected
for his own, for he says let there be no
strife between us for we be brethren
The Hebrew says. we are men. brethren
that is we are men, not slaves, not cat
tie or servants. nor children. we are men
free born and more, VIC are brethren.
We can settle this competition on the
broad scale of brothers. Your interest
is my interest and my interest should be
your interest, so should we. who enjoy
this better and higher freedom and civil
ization show those around us that we live
on a more exalted plane
"The church tonight links hands with
you as you link hands and hearts with
your fellows. I find that the lnde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows to he
society of men for fraternal pur
poses, an association of individuals
Of various ideas who all believe In
the Fatherhood of God of His rule
over men aid to whom all men are
accountable. Your business it is not only
to alleviate each other in case of neces-
sity but also to cement yourselves together
in unity in the bonds of friendship. love
and truth. Also it is not merely a pecun-
iary advantage to he thus associated, as
many sometimes think but your prn
clpas are that in all circumstances Of life
in which brother may be placed he is to
receive the aid and council and the pro-
lection of his fellow members. Not mere
ly as favor but as his right.
does not the church accomplish the
things for which your and kindred socie-
ties are organized? If the church is the
source of the ideas as represented by
your society, why does the necessity eX-
list for such societies? Viewed upon the
surface the necessity should not exist, for
ought not the church to meet all human
needs and be ready to relieve them? Is
not the church a helpful institution? Or
dained to make better all human life?
Yes a thousand times, yes, but you are
a special organized society. Now special
organiza tion means eXclusivencss and So
ciety means secusivenesS. In your order
you exclude certain people. and you have
certain ceremonies which make 1t seclus-
i've. but the church stands with open arms
willing to receive and not only that. but
inviting whosoever will to come. The
church is a pure charity body. 1t gives
out without hope of receiving again. You
are a reciprocal order in that you give
to those who must return in like favor.
He who receives from you is one who
has already given to you. The church
must never enter that field. She can
never take up that distinctive work. for
If she would she would soon swing away
from her God given work of pure char
ity and would become a seclusve organ
ization that would develop a hierarchial
! empire. Church authority would be so
binding that its members would lose
their individual freedom and become
slaves to the clergy.
"And so the church must ever remain
purely charitable institution. My
brethren You can, and I believe right
fully organize. and by independent COM
bination declare your principles to aid
each other along special lines. for yours
is n noble cause. When you see your
brother struggling with the adversities of
life with family depended upon him. with
wages all to small, even when he can put
in full time. but now when special trouble
strikes him, then comes in your brothorly
care. love and friendship. You drive
the wretched wolf from the door and say
to his wife or widow and to his children.
we have come to aid you with sympathy
and help. Not as INDECENT poor, however,
but as our wards, we are your protectors.
and will care for you Or when brother
has failed to follow the path of upright
ness. it Ia then your business to show
him the error of his ways. To restrain
his passions and help him make a true
man of himself So ! say to you God
speed the work of benevolcnce and hui
manity If by your eXclusiveness and Sc
clusiveness you can help man to be n
hetter husband and father, then l say
God bless your noble order. But breth-
rem. never forget that your order nor any
other order of this kind can take the
place of the church of God. No matter
how high its principles, nor how close you
live to them. But you can be so lofty In
your ideals that you will see added beauty