Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-05-08
ODD FfllOWS HAVE ANNUAL SERMON DELIVERED
Gather Together in Large
Numbers in Bluefield.

Last Sunday was great day in
Blnefeld Odd Fellow circles. The
occasion was the annual sermon and
attendant services. which were held
At the Christian church on Mercer
Street This is the largest church
auditorium. at present. In the city
and on this occasion was crowded
with members or the order and their
friends. In their bright regslias aud
Lodge insignias. the two Lodges and
the Encampment made an Imposing
display Just before eleven O'Clock
the procession formed at she Red
Mems Hall on Thomas st. BY meu.-
bers of the order OF the local lodges
and visiting brethren. and marched
TO the church in body. They occu-
pied reserved seats In the front part
OF the church, filling nearly half or
the house. There were also present
many members OF the Lodge of Re
beccas. the woman's degree OF the or
der
The services were conducted by
Rev. s. VI. Thompson. pastof OF the
First Baptist church OF this city. Al
the tap of Noble Grand Cooper's CAV
el the congregation rose ihnd to-
gether sang Nearer, My food. 10
Thee" Rev. Thomas Priddt, pastor
OF the Grace NJ R. Church Invoked
Divine favor upon the assembly and
the service. After song BY the
choir Mr. Thompson introduced Bro.
w. X Thomas, who made q ,most ex-
cellent address upon the ssubiect
The Brotherhood OF Man"
He pointed out the mutual ~rIa.
tionship OF all material things In
Gods universe. These. whether the
tiniest grain OF sand or the measure
less worlds above and beyond us. arc
held, each In its place. each perform
ing its functions, each mutually
drawn together. by that mysterious
and all-pervading Law of Gravita-
tion, thus forming complete and
harmonious whole. So. he reasoned
this principle of brotherhood In It's
broader and truer sense. binds to-
gether all races, all tongues and
! peoples OF all lands, In the common
bond OF love and heipfulness.
Al the co. '"sion or Mr.. r1honas
address, Mrs Frank Maynard sang q
beautiful solo entitled, Face Ca
Face" As is always the case, Mrs
Maynard's singing was greatly enjoy
ed. Rev. J. T. Adams read scrip
lures and offered prayer and also
| sang an impressive solo. Reckoning
Hands. The sermon was preached Ly
Rev. $. II. Thompson, who selected
| as his text Sam. 20: and ~. His
/ theme was The Drama OF the Com
pact OF Friendship" The scene was
That which occurred between iona
than and David at the Rock Ezel at
ter David had ned from the wrath of
Saul. Out Of the little drama. he said
grew the compact OF Friendship.
which Is based upon two things
first, the human need, which is tenn
poral; second the Divine element
which is eternal The bond which
binds true brotherhood together Is
made up OF three links, friendship.
the human end OF the chain. truth.
the divine end OF the chain. while
love is the middle link that unites
me other two into an unbreakabIe
bond The speaker made two ap-
plications OF this lesson The first
was one Of helpfuihess 20 our fellow
man in case OF need. The other. fhet
divine helpfulness OF David's great
or Son rendered TO sinful man. This
latter compact is sealed not by the
Rock Eel but by the Rock Of Ages
The sermon was listened to with
profound attention throughout. At
It's conclusion Rev. Thomas Prlddy
led In prayer. the choir sang God
DO with You till we meet again A" The
benediction was prOupunced and
again the marshalls formed the line
OF procession and the order repaired
10 the skating rink oyer ne I'D Fiat
Top building where q bountiful re-
past was spread. II thee could any
thing have been added or anything
else have been done 10 make this part
Of the affair a greater success, this
scribe could not discover it Thus was
concluded most profitable and en-
ioyable day for the order and one
long 70 be remembered by all who
participated in IL.