The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-05-04

The Federated Church was crowded
to the doors Sunday morning at the
anniversary service Of the Odd Eel
lows and affiliated bodiess Probably
$50 persons were in attendance The
Subordinate Lodge and Rebekahs were
escorted by the members of Canton
Somerset in uniform, led by the Cit-
zcn's Band, about 200 participating
in the parade.
Rev. George Loring Thurlow, the
pastor took for his theme Fraternal
Orders as Religious Plattsburgs, us
ing as bis text Galations 1924 where
fore the law was our schoolmastor TO
bring us to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith
lie began his sermon by stating
that Just before the World War under
the leadership of Gen. Leonard Wood
the Officers Training Camps first at
Plattsburg and later in other places
we're initiated and continued to the
present time. These camps turning
ont trained officers made possible the
army of 100000 men We sent irto war
and our decisive part in winning 1t
for the Allies.
Speaking of these camps in 1916
Gen Wood said. The Plattaburs
idea is nation service. 1t is found
ell upon an appreciation of indiyid-
ual obligation for service to the ma
ton in war as we'll as in peace, that
there may be built up better spirit.
of national solidarity. He further
more stated that there was a tend
ency in America to expect and demand
equality of privilege and opportunity,
but to deny equality of Obligation
These camps teach that the privileges
and obligations of citizenship in a
democracy are inseparable."
Mr.. Thurlow stated that he beliey-
cd there was a striking similarity in
the essential place of Citizens train
ing in the life of the nation and the
Mace of fraternal orders in the moral
and religious life of the community.
First the Citizen training camps
were and are a means to an end, new
or an end in themselves. They eX-
list not for the selfish satisfactions
e the individual, on their own i'm
portancc. but for the national good.
So like all truly worthwhile organi-
cations fraternal orders exist not for
themselves but to contribute some
thing worth while to the social. the
moral and spiritual life of the com.
munity and to advance true ideals of
practical helpfulnesS.
Second in the officers training
camps the idea is to break up class
distinctions. Every effort is made to
break up business. social. college and
school groups To cause a mans
past to disappear and put all on the
same footing with the same Opportu-
mites When man enters lodge
his business, social, professional or
financial status disappears. He is a
brother among brothers. The hum
hlest member has the opportunity to
It worthy, to use the highest place
in tile Order
Third, the Officers Training Camps
stress the idea of national oblgati
to serve ones country That privil-
eye and opportunity mean obligation
as we'll
Surely no man can Join a noble
fraternity like yours, taking upon
hlmselt It's serious oaths and pledges
without relaxing that not oaly is it
a privilege to be an Odd Fellow, there
are moral and religious obligations
as well to God and men.
Fourth, in the Officers Training
Camps there are symbols of war and
sacriiice for country. The flag, the
uniform, the life and the maneu-
Vers symbols of great reality below
the service. SO also Odd Fellowship
has its symbols which stand for great
realities of morality and religion. Let
us not make the mistake of substi-
tuting the symbol for the reality or
thinking that If we know the one. we
nossess me other. Thew were de-