Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-29
WATERVILLE.
ODD FELLOW ANNIVERSARY
Observed BY Lodge, Encampment and
Rebekahs on Sunday.


read the story of David and Jonathan,
from I. Samuel Xxx.
Mr. Bradlee took for his text the
first verse of the 18th chapter of He
breWs: Let brotherly love continue"
Mr.. Bradlee said in opening his SER
that the service marked the beginning
of the fifth year of his passionate, and
that there was much that might be
said in the nature of family talk on
such an occasion, but as the church
was permitted on the present occasion
to have present visiting friends. it was
fitting that the discourse be upon other
lines.
The speaker then addressed his re-
marks to the members of the visiting
fraternity. He said that the present
condition was in observance of the
8Sth anniversary of the order in Amer
lea. This was a great age 10 which to
attain, and Notwithstanding, not a
wrinkle marred the brow of Odd Fell
lowship; but how much older was the
English mother of the order with her
$50 years OF existence. The order was
destined TO run race with radiant and
rapturOus Immortality.
The speaker said that although he is
not an odd Fellow, he is a Free Mason,
and as such he expressed his belief in
the SO-Called secret orders, which were
rot secret orders. but orders with
secrets. Tile speaker had seen again
and again the practical benefits oil
such fraternal organizations during
his labnrs i'll The New England states
Mr.. Bradlee took up separately the
three words in the motto Of Odd Eel
lowshir: Friendship, Love and
Truth"
He is indeed poor man." said the
speaker, who has not 4 friend His
IS lonely ana well nigh hopeless lot.
Friendship is absolutely necessary to
the development of human life. To
enrich the heart, to enlarge the under
standing, there must be developed
friendship. No one can be more to me
than friend, from the mother who
gave me birth to the God who will re-
ceive my spirit. Friendship is seen in
steady faithfulness amid the vcissi-
tudes of fortune. L may be honored
today and set aside by the world to-
morrow, but it makes no difference to
q friend. True friendship is no hot
house plant. 1t is hardy as the old
fashioned New England winter we
have just passed through.
II need not remind you of the CO.
operation Of woman in this heaven-in-
spired work The best man is but
bungler when compared with woman
in acts of charity and benevolence |
have marked your sister Rebekah in
the sick room, her ready tack and I'M
failing sympathy. What marvels she
has accomplished Simply by the touch
OF q hand!
Love comes next in your motto
Love is the fulfilling of the law of
Jesus Christ that we share one an
others burdens. 1t calls every man
neighbor. And let me say that men
must believe III the human Christ be-
fore they can believe in the Divine
Christ, and He must live in our hearts
that we may represent Him among
men.
christian love is piety with its pet
ais open-that is love. And so l con-
graduate you, brothers, that one of
your principles is love
"Ah, how the world Of mankind
needs and longs for this mission OF
love; love free as air, gladdening as
the songs Of birds and full to over
flowing, like the fountain in the noun
tain's breast,
Truth is another principle of your
Order--a glorious one. If love is the
capstone. truth is it's sure foundation.
love only wien / trust. Where there
IS no truth there is no trust Truth is
what we need above all in this world |
today. TO thine own self be true and
then by night and day thou wilt not
be false to any man
The speaker then gave historical ey-
amples Of men who stood for the truth !
IN religion. science and discovery. |
Some, like Calico. dimmed their fame |
by recanting. The speaker cited as an
example of steadfastness Martin Lu-
Their, who said Here I stand. God
help me, can do no other way"
Such a man." continued the sneak
cr rs stronger than any ecclesias-
teal or monarchical despotism.
truth IS made real by practice, and |
SO all moral truths become more plain
10 us as we nut them in action. All |
nan TO an order which pledges its |
members to truthfulness. Oh. this is |
"tdith OF soul; this is SoundnesS of |
spirit; this is manhood. The God of
rum give you grace to speak the
ruin the one 10 his neighbor."
Inc speaker held Christ to be the
'erSonlfication Of truth. He was
rum IN whom was no guilt In Him
indeed this trinity Of moral virtuas
net and blended; Friendship. Love
Truth blessed trio,"
ne speaker then summarized the three
words of the motto, and declared tbat
'nly in Christian living could no fouo1
he complete fulfllment of tho ohIi,ro
ions of the order.
oh. let me declare to YOU that ra,;gi
N IS necessary, and that religion tbo
ehgion Of Jesus Christ. OF this reIig-
On would exhort you to become ner-
onal poSsessor. Cultivate its precents
md principles; SO shall VA, ILL.