Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1905-04-28
G. u. O. o. F. ANNIVERSARY.

the 14th day of May, 1905, the Grand
United Order of Odd Fellows sixty
second anniversary thanksgiving SER
vice program will be rendered at the
Maple Street Baptist church. East
Ninth and Maple streets, at o'clock
p. m. Rev. Samuel Bates Of Clarinda,
Iowa, will preach the annual sermon.
1t is indeed pleasing to extend an in
vitation to all other secret organiza-
tions of the city to participate ana
help make a joyful noise unto God.
Sing forth the honor of his name and
make his praise glorious
This we should do, because when
the colored man was despised and re-
iected by all other organizations the
G. U. o. of o. F.. Leads, England,
heard his cries. saw his needs and
opened their arms to receive him,
giving the American negro the right
to open lodge thus correctly promul-
eating the principle of friendsip. love
and truth.
Those men not only read the Declar-
alton of Independence. but saw the
broad principles in it: that all men
are created equal. made in the image
and likeness of God You will thus
observe that God in his infinite mer-
cy and goodness did not intend for
the negro to be deprived of this nee.
essary means of bettering his condi-
tion in life. elevating the character of
each other and teaching the principles
of the fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood of man.
DntN i
tined to bring this Grand United Or
der Of Odd Fellows to the helpless ne.
goes of America, to bless and to cheer
them in life, making better husbands,
kinder fathers and respectable citi-
zens. This order, since it's introduc-
tion among the colored people, has
flourished and bloSsomed as a rose.
1t teaches them to endure, dem
onstrating to all mankind that by So
briefly. industry. frugality and an an
swering purpose they can compete
with the more favored races of the
world. This order has prospered in
every way and today stands at the
topmost round Of the ladder among
secret organizations in this country.
1t pays out to its SICK and dis
tressed. its widows and orphans,
more than quarter of million dol
lars annually. AS negroes we should
never forget, no matter what people
may allege. that no society or organ
iZation, with the exception of the
church of God, has done more for the
advancement of the colored man in
tellectually. socially and morally, and
cuniary aid in the hour Of distress,
sickness or want as the Grand United
Order Of Odd Fellows. "a friend in
need is friend indeed" and this or
der, which Is recognized all over this
great world as the greatest patriotic
lodge in existence, seems to under
stand this phase thoroughly.
q 1t Is evident that success lies only
in an honorable and upright course,
and our manhood and womanhood can
best be assisted by intelligence, pro-
gressiveness and respectability.. Then
we can feel assured of increased ben
efits in the future.
Our steps have been forward. not
backward. Fraternity and union are
deeply imbedded in the hearts Of the
American people. The sincerity of a
man reaches to his sentences. Every
word that he utters colors the atmos-
phere about him; therefore, let every
man speak wisely and we'll, for we
are persuaded that thread runs
through all things and all words are
strung on it.
Cultivate calmness of speech, and
harken unto the words of righteous
ness, for they shall be unto thee as
lamp that lighted thy soul. Love
transfigures. truth transforms and
charity glorifies.
1t is indeed encouraging to know
that this Grand United Lodge of Odd
Fellows has not lost any of its viril-
ity, nor have the self-governing prin-
ciples been weakened. lit is not stupid
but permanent, and it is magnet in
space.
1t moves and attracts, and we as a
people should do likewise. We should
advance as time advances, and be SO
welded together SO systematized that
we should be able to attract others,
but in order to be able attract we
must keep love, truth and brotherhood
as a printed sign for our observance.
Since the Grand United Order of
Odd Fellows has been in existence
from time immemorial, we should
hold IN the banner of it's principles,