Evening journal., 1909-04-26
ODD FELLOWS HEAR
SAMARITAN STORY
Rev. G. c. Williams breaches
on Subject at Anniversary
Celebration
LODGEMEN TO CONTINUE
OBSERVANCE TONIGHT

Members Of the Independent order OF
odd Fellows in Delaware began a two
days observance Of the nintieth anniver-
sary of the founding OF the order in
America by attending services in Ep-
porth NJ. e. Church yesterday morning.
The celebration will be continued to-
night when a large class Of candidates
will be initiated in Odd Fellows Hall,
Third and King streets. Prominent mem
bers of the order will be present.
The Rev. George c. Williams. pastor
of Epworth Church. and himself a mem
Der of the fraternity, preached to the
odd Fellows yesterday. His subject
was:
For all the law is fulfilled in one
word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself" Galatlons 5-4.
Mr.. Williams said
This statement is taken, of course
from the words of Jesus in answer to
a demand made upon Him for the great
commandment Of the law, when lie said:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart and with all they soul. and
with all thy mind; this is the first and
great commandment and the second is
like unto It. thou shalt love thy neighbor
as thyself'
1--WE would be glad to take up both
thees commandments, but inasmuch as
Paul has said all the law is fulfilled in
one word, even In this. thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thysef we will dwell
entirely upon the relation we should sus-
tain toward our fellow creature.
"The moral law requires a disposition
of universal friendship.
''This disposition is beautifully por-
trayed by the Scripture in the story OF
the friendship between David and
Jonathan. Their friendship becomes more
interesting when we stop to consider
who. these men are, whose hearts are so
knit together. Who is David? He is the
son OF Jesse. He is a sherherd bov. He
is the conqueror of a giant. He has
saved Israel from defeat and disgrace
He has won the applause of the ma
tion. but in doing so he has also won
the hatred OF King Saul.
"Who is Jonathan? He is the son OF
Saul He IS the heir apparent to the
throne Of Israel, but David has won the
hearts Of the people. 1t is the natural
thing that Jonathan should sympathise
with his father and despise David. Why
should these men be such friends? BE
cause each Of them recognize the worth
of the other, and was satisfied 10 oc-
clpy the place his merit would win foi
him Jonathan was free from prejudice
and jealousy and saw in David a mar
whose natural qualities entitled him &c
a throne lie could do that most difficult
thing. He could see the righteousness
In the claim OF another when that claim
la.
Again the moral law demands the
application of the principal Of universe
philanthropy rather than the indulgence
Of selhshness. To apply this principle
We must recognize the human race al
a unit. and not as broken fragrants o
warning factions God has divided tn
race, for convenience, into tribes and ma
tions; but underneath all our difference
we are all OF one flesh and one blood.
ITO enforce this idea Jesus used tn
parable OF the good samaritan. Tha
parable is worthy OF careful study.
man on the way fror Jerusalem {
Jericho fell among thieves who robbe
him and left him wounded on the high
way. A priest came by and raised on
A Levite followed his example a Sa
maritan coming that way stopped, say
the mans need. placed him upon his ow
beast, took him TO a hotel. paid his bill
and left an order that he be cared for a
his own expense.
"rhe Samaritan had time TO stop an
see the mans need. He had the cour
age to stop also upon a road which wa
infested with thieves We are too bus
IN these days TO see the needs of man
kind, and too cowardly to face IN
thieves along the highway "
"rhere is need today for a good Ss
maritan for there are thieves along tn
highway. Landlordism. and those VIII
spend their days and nights gambling /
the necessaries Of life are strewing ou
highways with the robbed and bleedinl
Some one with sympathy and couarg
Is needed even now. Philanthropy 70
which / plead is that which sees its dut
when a man Is down. robbed and bleed
ing; and has courage enough 10 releN
tho situation. But the disposition {
meet the demands OF the moral la
comes as a result OF a heart that
right with God. Love for God begei
] love toward our fellowman. Let us loo
! beyond all forms Of outward ethics. unit
) the theme Of God for this spirit which
required by the words Of the text"
I