Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-08
THOUGHT LINKS.
A Talk to Odd Fellows by One of the
Order.

While the shores of time have been
Uttered with the wrecks of hundreds Of
thousands of corporations and business
Ienterprises since 0ddfellowship I'M
] furled its white banner to the breeze.
the order has successfully pursued it's
way. scattering blessings on every
/ hand New creeds have come and
gone. political parties have sprung
! INTO existence and passed into OBJ
HNion since then. but the mutations of
time have only broadened and deep
ened the scope of the benefit influence
of our fraternity In its earlier years
or ganized opposition attempted TO
CIeck it's onward progress. but even
the names of those who organized and
led that opposition have passed from
the minds of men. while the names of
those who founded the order and fos-
tered and defended it in days ~ trial.
are now held in grateful remembrance
by millions, and viii be handed down
TO the faithful for untold cycles yet to
come.
There is just as great difference be-
tween lodges as between individuals.
The visiting stranger knows this. In
some ledge-rooms fraternal atmos-
phere prevails. and one can detect 1T
or entering In others there is an ut
ter absence of fraternal warmth that
should stimulate the members to their
best efforts Where the fire of frater-
nal love is absent the lodge cannot
prosper.
I Noble grands installed into office this
month should remember that they have
been put there by the preference of the
lodge and that much is expected of
them. If they do not lead in good work
no honor will be attached to the Office.
Open promptly at the appointed time
aud dispatch business so that it will
not drag along until the brothers lose
interest which will later mean lack of
attendance. suspensions and the final
climax. Keep every body interested and
you viii always have good meetings.
A good Odd Fellow does kind things
because he likes to. for no other reason
mot for money, nor to become famous
nor even to win-although all these
may come TO him and it is quite right
that he take them and enjoy them.
/ Only he does not do the things for
them. but for the pleasure of doing
good
Love Of our principles. rather than
love of popularity. should inspire and
stimulate the efforts of every lodge Of
fl'cer No man should be allowed to go
to the enair of the noble grand who
has not given convincing proof that his
controlling motives and desires are to
advance the best interests of his lodge
and of Odd Fellowship.
The brother who does not think as
you think may still think that no
thinks right and If you think that he
thinks that he thinks right, There
should be no cause for trouble between
you Every brother is entitled 70 his
own opinion. and every honest opinion
is entitled to respectful consideration.
The brother who is so sure of his own
position that he will not hear the
opinion OF others is so narrow minded
that he is liable to be in the wrong
In lodge debates or in committee
work every odd Fellow should be
broad enough to match his opinion
with the opinions Ct his fellows and
then allow a majority vote to decide
the matter.
Too many are like the old Scotchman
who said, everybody was in the work
except myself and Sandy, and l ha'
me doots about SANDY
The way to settle matters in lodge or
committee is for each brother to ex-
press his opinion honestly and candid
~. Then let each listen attentively to
the opinions expressed by others
Then vote. Then accept the verdict of
the majority Then work. one and all
for the success of the enterprise. Re-
view.