Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-05-18
THE ODD FELLOWS

we are Sudd part Oh u mlSnty
and aggressive order. 1t leads all in
number of members, lodges, house
holds, finances, good deeds, charity,
and long line of illustrious and no.
BILE men and women who gave us a
great heritage.
Let us be worthy of the trust i'm
posed upon us. Wherever, therefore,
the Order of Odd Fellows has a home
its object is to bless mankind by lead
ing them through friendship to love
and uniting all in the bonds of truth
We have met today in an annual
thanksgiving to return thanks to Him
who doeth all things well. l appreci-
ate very highly the honor that has
been conferred on me upon this oc-
casion. / realize much is-expected of
one who is so honored and l will do
the best l can to merit the same. My
subject will be upon the sublime prin-
ciples of our order, namely, Friend
ship, Love and Truth 1t requires no
stretch of thought to understand our
constant and earnest interest in ev-
erything which concerns our environ
ments. The position we are to def
nitely assume and maintain in the
distinctive American civilization now
cealed in the womb of futurity. We
can neither anticipate nor force it
against the period of it's advent.
Moreover, our shortcomings. like the
shirt of Nessus. are not only with us
ever, but they are on constant exhibit
ton to shame, mortify and humiliate
us. While it is not sensible to shut
our eyes to these painful reminders
of tba oh for II n W q
it is best to invite a searching scrut-
my of them to the end that they may
be torn off by heroic methods II need
be, after all, an occasional study OF
our strong parts is help in the strug-
gle. In the theme | have chosen for
my subject, shall endeavor to show
that the sublime principles of our or
der properly applied in our every day
life will adapt us TO be classed among
the survival of the fittest" in the
family of races. Our motto is: Do
unto others as you would have them
do to you.
Friendship is the close relation one
has for his fellowman: it goes from
one to another until in its flight II
causes men to stick together and bear
their portion of the burden in the heat
OF the day, and when in need they are
ever ready TO come to your rescue:
in fact, it is golden knot tied with
an angels hand.
Love is that divine attribute hand
ed down from the mighty Jehovah. God
is love because He is the author and
finisher OF it, and to be like Him we
must love one another as He loves us.
Love should beat in the breast OF
every honest man; matters not what
your task or vocation may be In life,
learn to apply to it this great princi-
pie, love. Love thy neighbor as thy
self, thy enemies as thy friends. vir-
tue above passion, moderation above
excess. but above all, love thy God
with all thy heart, mind and strength.
Last. but not least, comes the great
est of all principles. truth. without
which your life is but blank. If you
wish to be honored, be truthful: II
YOU crave for success, be truthful; II
you wish to build up character and
standing in your life, be truthful.
Truth and knowledge lend charm to
youth and dignity the man.
"a dreary place would be this earth.
The song of life would lose its mirth,
If there was no friendship, love and
truth.
Build today then strong and sure,
With firm and ample base,
And ascending and secure,
Shall tomorrow find its place.
Thus alone can we attain
To those turrets where the eye
Sees the world as one vast plain,
And one boundless reach OF sky.
To accomplish this in age or youth,
You must practice Friendship. Love
and Truth
|. Fraternally yours,
C. S. MUSE, p. S.
Denver Lodge No. S646, G. U. o. OF
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