Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-28
ODD FELLOWSHIP
Local Order Observes
Tooth Anniversary
Members Of the Lodge March to Un-
iversaiist Church Sunday Morning
Where They Listen to Sermon by
Rev. A. Francis Waich

The 10rh anniversary of Old Fellow
sii, in America was observed in this
ct, sunday morning by attending d.
vine services at the Un.versalis. church
and it would lie sac TO say that there
was the largest turnout of Old Fellows
,here has been for several years. The
services were attended by AS, lum
Lodge No. - and alliel todies. The
70 lowing organizations met at Odd Fell
lows hall at $50 A. II. and formed in
line. icing escorted by Canton Angus
IL No. 9: Asylum Lodge No 20. Jerh-
tina Encampbent No. 3. and headed by
Dem s band marched to the church.
wnere they were met by membe II
X. b. Clpen Retekah Lodge No. 81.
They were assigned to reserved seats. 4
fcunGers of obi Fellowship in Ameri-
ca, the first noble grand OF Washing
ton Lodge No. in Baltimore. Md. va
ominenily displayed in front Of the
pulpit. surrounded b. the American
flag. Special music for the occas sion
wa, FURNISHED by the choir Rev, A..
Francis Wslch made a fine address to
the assemb'age. After a few words Of
welcome extended to the Odi Fellows
and Rebekahs Mr.. Walch said in part:
Religion has two sides and locks out
in two rections. toward God. and to-
ward men. In the teaching OF the great
Master it was summed up in love to God
and its complement love to man. Odd
Fellowship finds its source. its jnsrira-
ton. its power. here. 1t begins with
the thought of God as the supreme
ruler and the Father OF human souls,
and 1t finds in this tie motive to all its
splendid phil:nthropic labors.
We are here today to celebrate the
iU'h Anniversary of the orsanizatio
o. the first lodge. Washington No. !. in
Baltimore. April g, 1919. Five men COM
posed that lcdge. now the order boz at ;
a membership Of considerably over two
and one-quarfer of a million. with over
one.half million Rebekahs. OF this
numter nearly thirty thousand are in
this good State OF Maine. For the wear
ending Dec. 81 1917 lS47 brothers vere
given relief in sickness in cur State
3.a1 weeks benefits were maid AZ,
brothers were buried. The total relief
paid IN that time in this State alone
was nearly sS5.CC0.
At such time we must take account
of tire forces that rave contributed IN
make this great army of the commo,
good such a strong and vital force for
human betterment in the world. Osd
re lowship is founded in mans nobili-
~. 1t Is based on the better and mo e
enduring nature of men. Its method 4.
mutual service founded on the DR. ncip'e
OF brotherhood as taught by the xrea.
Master. 1t cares for the sick, buries the
deal. comforts thsOsorrowinx and p,o.
tects tie widow and orphan. 1t know,
no cr.e1. race or social distinction. So
Odd Fellowship Is a Christ an eoc.etv
1t finds Its NEST enduring lesson in
Jesus telching OF loving service iowa ri
the unfortunate and suffering. The tru.
OSd Fellow. then. - and must be at
fea't religious. he must love Cod And
love his trcther This act of love 10
impressed uron him as the supreme
1utv. - well AZ his chief source OF inv
the true Odd Fellow Is also a pat,io,
These are days when the mirsicn Of al,
real men is service. The race ia a
brotherhood, each one 10 dependent
upon all the rest. and the destiny Of all
Is de.ehdent upon the faithfulnesa OF
eaeh eos. No man can bs saved alone,