The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-23
SERMON TO ODD FELLOWS
LARGE CONGREGATION At EDWIN
RAY METHODIST CHURCH.
Rev. c. c. Edwards, Himself an Odd
Fellow, Addresses Brothers of the
Order-Gist of Discourse.

annual sermon to the members of Meridian
Lodge of Odd Fellows at his church, Edwin
Ray Methodist Episcopal, yesterday morn
ing. Many of the lodge members met at
the lodge rooms, Indiana and Senate ave-
nues, and marched to the church in a body,
while other Odd Fellows, who were accom-
panied by their families, went to the
church as individuals. The church
crowded during the service, and the sermon
of Mr. Edwards, who is himself an Odd
Fellow, was an impressive one. Mr.. Ed
wards took as his text the verse from
Matthew, Wherefore by their fruits We
shall know them" He said in part:
THE age in which we live is pre-emi-
nently utiitarian. The days for specula-
ton and splitting hairs are over. Philosoph-
1cal and theoretical niceties and distinctions
have passed. Men are not caring what
we think or profess, or what our theories
OF life are Rather they want to know
what we are and what we can do. What
one can do or does do is the fruit of his
life by which men know what he really is.
The question asked of every mechanic is
not what have been his opportunities for
becoming competent skilled workman.
The world cares but little for these things,
but what can you do? Can you turn out
as result of your skill the kind of work
skilled mechanic we would be convinced
of the fact, not so much by what you say
of your skill. but rather by what you do.
Snow us some o. the fruits of your skill
and we will believe and employ you.
TRUE OF PROFESSIONAL MEN.
'"The same is true of professional men.
| The young physician and lawyer pass
| through the preparatory stages before they
| are permitted to hang out their shingles
and declare to the public that they are
ready to receive the public patronage. AS
| a rule young professional men will have
their diplomas framed and hung in the most
| conspicuous place in their Offices OF these
| they are very proud. But do you know
that the practical, busy world does not
care a fig for how many schools man
may have graduated from nor how many
| diplomas he may have. But 1t asks the
| question what can you do? OF the doctor
a man asks can you tell me what is the
matter with my sick child, and after you
| find out the disease do you know what to
do? If you can do this your services need
and will pay well therefor. If you cannot
| do what 1 want you and your diplomas be
gone. The same is said of the lawyer and
1 port OF the community.
| This same principle obtains in the realm
| where the church of God lives and holds
sway. Men do not care so much as to the
| creed and the nice theological distinctions
| of which once much was made. These have
| their place and due reason of Importance
1
| do in determining his conduct. But the
/ chief thing in which the world is interested
| and which the great head of the church
is interested is the kind of fruit the church
/ of the church in the world is to make men
| better; to keep them fine-a true solution
burden of the Oppressed: to loosen the fet-
| tiers of the enslaved; to lead the lost ones
| to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the
| sins of the world; to overthrow the king
/ darkness
| the kingdom of light and of righteousness
| If the church fail in its great mission to the
| world of teaching and leading Ii in the
ways of life AMI salvation then 1t fails in
| the great mission given IL by our Lord
| Jesus Christ. What the church really does
| is the test of its right to the condolences
world at large.
FACES ODD FELLOWS.
This same question faces Odd Fellows.
| AS with every other individual and organi-
| zation, it shall lie known by its fruits. This
is the question suggested by our text The
fruits of the tree are the final products of
the operation of the internal forces of the
| tree of life.
1.-THE impression has gone abroad and 1t is
generally understood that the Odd Fellows
are a generous. benevolent company of
men. / am not to say just how this i'm
preston has come to be so general. But
that 1t is so there can be no question. This
means that the order stands for the spirit
of helpfuness to those who are in need.
| The hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the
sick are visited, the widows and orphans
| are ministered to and sheltered, schools are
protected and the aged and feeble of both
sexes are made comfortable and happy in
| their declining. years This is to be done
for those who belong TO us; not alone those
| of our fraternal household. but to all others
who are in need so far as our ability may
make us able to help them.
True fraternity grows out of the broth
| erhood of men; helps those who have need
of our assistance and asks no questions as
to how they got into trouble or as to their
| family, tribe, race or financial condition.
| May every Odd Fellow get the spirit of the
/ Good Samaritan in his heart"