The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-05-02
Preached By Rev. T. {.
MartindaIe, D. D.
Before National Lodge, No. 81, l. O.
OF, In The Elkton M. E. Church
On Sunday - Strong Discourse
On The Brotherhood OF Man.

Sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Martini
dale before National Lodge, No. 81, [.
o. O. F., al the Elkton VI. T. Church.
April 26th. 1903, on the occasion of tho
S4th Anniversary of the Order
SERMON.
And it came to pass that the soul
of Jonathan was knit with the soul
of David and Jonathan loved him
as his own Soul."-1 Samuel. 1S: /.
Gentlemen of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows 1T is n genuine pleas
lrc to have YOU present with us in the
worship of this sacred hour. This churci.
is the tent. not of the patriarchs, but Of
their God and with true. ancient hos
prality We welcome you to its refresh
ment ana peace. We are all pilgrims
with sandalled feet, staff in hand, and
faces set toward the land of promise: hut
is is well for us all. at times to turn
aside. as did the visitors at Ahraham's
tent door, and rest. and listen to the
voices which may speak to us from the
past and tn" future. from the hearts
within us and the God above us.
1t is particularly fitting that you should
come to this temple to-day. for it is the
occasion Of your Anniversary. Eighty
four long and eventful years have passed
away since your Order had its beginning
in this land; and who is it that has kept
and blessed you, that has watched with
sleepleSs eye your work and progress.
and inspired the best OF your fraternal
efforts; who is it but our God Back Of
all your charities, reliefS and ministries
mas dWclled the secret presence of the
One Great Elder Brother. and you owe
1t to Him, 10 light up the Altar of In
cenSe this morning, and let your graft
tude and praise ascend in fragrant clouds
to His throne. | congratulate you upon
the prosperity of your Organization. It
is no new and novel scheme of the last
year, bidding for a place in the crowdins
ranks of societies. 1t is venerable, stronx
and wise with three-quarters Of century
and more of service. 1t has stood in the
storms, and grown rich and noble with
the benedictions of uncounted bcnefici-
aries upon it To-day many nations bless
it, and many languages repeat it's kindly
creed. May it live on, and may it's spirit
fly to the ends OF the earth to bless the
needy and bind in one great bond all the
race.
hfe and great prosperity of Odd Fellow
ship, that it sets in the very center of its
emblrms the Open Bible, with glory
shining all about ii; and that every
where through its construction and rit-
ual, CLEAN and flash the examples. ideals
and preceptS of the word of our God.
have been greatly impressed with this as
| have gone over the literature of the
ht,ln E,I A,h 4 q
held up aS inspiring examples; and Ruth.
Naomi and Rcbckah set forth in the lus-
tire Of beautiful kindness and devotion.
! mark the old rainbow speaking its les
son of hope. and the dove with its olive
branch Of peace. flying to the hearts OF
thr troubled. find Odd Fellowship
climbing old Sinai for the tables of the
law, and going to Mt. Moriah for its les
son of sacrifice ! see it bowling its knees
before suffering with the Good Samuri-
tan | hear it chanting PaulS great
Chapter on Charity, and last of all. be-
hold it binding every mcmbcr in il bun
die Of strength and unity with ChriSt's
mighty cable of the Golden Rule. No
Institution can dwell Familiarity amid
such truths and symbols and reminders
of God and duty. without being lifted
into larger thought and wider faith.
Furthermore, we are inclined to judge
of any Institution by the motto or device
which it blazons on its banners. All
great organizations strive to condense
into single sentence their faith, their
purpose and their spirit. | find every
where in Odd Fellowship this triple alli-
ance-Fricndship, Love and Truth. Beau-
tiful words Rare gems with the light
of Heaven and the smile of God upon
them The intellect admirers them.
The human heart Graves their spell and
power Life would be dark and sad and
uncertain without their cheer and guld-
ancc. Remove them and society, home,
government and church. would disinte-
crate and die. But they are after all,
really only one. They are but different
forms of the same spirit. Friendship is
good will, esteem, sympathy and one
ness of feeling. Love is only Friendship
intensified, more ardent and mature. IL
is the free gift of self for othcrs-the
open hand with the heart in it. Truth is
only Love standing firm, holding on and
doing its clear duty in dark and storm
and misunderstanding AS well as the
light. And these are the three blessed
links which bind you together as broth
ers, and which should also bind you tn
the God who has given them to bless the
| race. This beautiful spirit has one of it's.
most distinguished illustrations in the old
and familiar story of David and JOINT
than. Here is n league OF friendship,
triumph of brotherly love and fidelity
| to truth which for romantic pathos and
thrilling interest, is unriyaled in the an
nails of either sacred or profane history.
Continued on page 8.