The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-12-17
Steens Letter.

IT
saturday night. The meeting was
very interesting one and was presid-
ed over by Past Grand Jack Penning-
ton of Bradley Lodge No. 335, of the
grand Jurisdiction of Alabama Bro
,. A. Mehaffey of Union Lodge No
S6, of Columbus, was one of the Wis
1ting brethren. At the next regular
meeting of the lodge, on Friday even
Ing before the third Sunday, there
VIII be some degree work to do, and
all members are urgently requested
TO attend and help to make the cere-
monies as impressive as possible
The New Hope lodge is well differed,
as follows: B. G. Hull, noble grand
W. B. Thomas, vice-grand, and r.. T.
Green, secretary. Brotherly love, re-
lief and faith are the three great ten
cts of Odd Fellowship, and the moral
character of these three should be
deeply impressed in the mind of the
Initiate and made to shine in the life
OF every member, that all others may
see and acknowledge their power.
BY the exercise of the first, we are
taught to regard the whole human
species as one family. created and
cared for by the same Almighty Par
ent. and to be aided, supported and
protected by each other under all just
and honorable circumstances. How
endearing the tie, then, which binds
Odd Fellows together. How high the
obligations to promote each others
happiness. To relieve the distressed
is duty encumbant on all men.
How much more are Odd Fellows,
who are linked together by an indis-
soluble chain of sincere affection, in
volved in the very name of brother.
Truth is the foundation of every yir-
tue, and is a great lesson in Odd Eel
1owship. The contemplation of this
theme is elevating, and it's dictates
are a bar to the entrance of insin-
cerity, deception and wrong dealing
among us. The heart and tongue of
this divine attribute join in promot-
ing each others welfare and rejoic-
ing in each others prosperity. But
how hideous, how loathsome and
much to be dreaded and Stunned the
glander-loving ear, the deceptive
tongue and the unfaithful breast. |
Can brotherly love exist in one so
selfish who would even injure an
other in word or act for his own ad-
vantage? Can the duty Of relief be |
exercised by him who will make no |
sacrifice to benefit an unfortunate
and distressed brother? Does truth
abide in the heart of him who Vio
lafes his promise and evades his OBJ
legations to another? The true prin
eipie of Odd Fellowship will ever ex-
ciude such character when discov
cred from the fraternity, whatever
may be his worldly wealth or posi-
tion Much less will a lodge, when
alive to it's high calling and respon-
sfbiIity, receive such a one into its
sacred precincts, however able he
may be by his talents and pecuniary
influence to build up the outer walls
of our loved and honored edifice.
Rev Geo. B. Taylor of Richards
passed through Steens last Saturday :
en- route to Mt. Vernon, where he
intended to preach on Sunday, but
was prevented by the inclemency of
the weather. Bro. Taylor is a good !
man, a good preacher and citizen, and
enjoys the esteem and confidence of
his fellow neighbors and all the good |
people in his vicinity. Is
Mr.. L. c. Smith is now running a I
blacksmith shop at the Hunter log {
camp, and all who want some first {
class horseshoeing done should give
Mr.. Smith a trial. He is good shoer I
and deals in the links.
DIR. A C. Bennington, our we'll I
known and highly esteemed physician t
and surgeon, Is still sick at his home, ]
and the writer joins his many friends f
East Mississippi and West
Alabama in the sincere hope of his a
early restoration to health. 49, Ia
The young folks OF the Steens and a
vicinfties enjoyed very e
nice song service at the home OF Mr..
and Mrs. T. K. Jones on last Saturday j
night. Their lovely daughter. Miss Y
Icie Jones, presided at the organ, and Z
there were several young volcalists
La attendance from Lone Oak, Sunny u
side and Melbourne, who enjoyed the J
very much, and report de- Z
Iightfu1 time.
The winsome Miss Susie Green, u
who is teaching the Yulande public | t