8
THE DAILY EVENING TIiXEGRAPH.- PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1867.
I. O. O. F,
rftttioiml Tlm.tUwfjlviiif; of
tlio Order.
Tho
Exercises in the
This' Morning.
City
Addresses by tlie Rcr. D. II. Nadal, D.D.,
Rev. K. W. natter, D. D., Rev.
Daniel Washburn, Rev. John
Chambers, Rev. W. T.
Eva, and Rev. T.
A. Fern ley.
tc, Kte.
Ktc.
Kte., Ktc, Kte.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
throughout the Union observe to-day as an
occasion of general thanksgiving, in pursu
ance of the following proclamation:
Whcrtat, The B. W. Orand Lodge of the United
Stales ol the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at
II late Hepleuibtr session, 16. In gralelui reoogul
0f ,ie unerring hand or Uud lu rcsculot the
enlus or Odd Fellowship from the ruin wulch deso
lated to ma'iy ot the beLevoleut and charliauie lusli
imions ol our common couutrv, an the indispensable
Herts of civil war, and ol the unmistakable pros
...rlty which has crowned lis labors during Uio yeur
dhirli has Just passed, did, by ununlmous vole, direct
tlie M. W. (irand c lie to Ihiig Inn Proclamation ap
pointing a Day ol Thuuksglving lor these and count
Iras other blessings voucnsuied to our beloved
Miw', therefore, I, James P. Sanders, M. VV. Grand
Hire do hereby fraternally direct that the vwenty
tdxtii dav ol April, 117. be observed by the member.')
f our Order throughout the general Jurisdiction, as a
av ol Thank-giving and Prayer, and that they do
assemble on. skid day in such manner and lorm of
iirgunlsnlliin. with their families, as the appropriate
authorities in their respective (Stale Jurisdictions may
prescribe, to render thanks to the ever-living ood lor
His manliest lavor and protection to that Institution
which we so much love and cherish, and esowhil y fur
the pnserviuion of Its unbroken unity llirdugh trials
and perils ol 'unparalleled severity.
Done at the city of Baltimore this first dav of Nov
ember. A. 1). ISliU, and ol our Order the Forty-eighth.
' JAMKrt P. HANDKKS,
M. W. Oraud sire.
The charitable organization which thus
returns to the Almighty thanks for the favor
and blessings which He has vouchsafed uato
them, was organized in the year 1820, in the
city of Baltimore, by the late Fast Grand Sire
Thomas AVildey, who had been connected with
the Manchester Unity of England, previous to
his removal to this country. The Order in
England originated about the year lbl'2, and
under auspices that were none too favorable.
George IV wished a near relative to be ad
mitted into full connection with the Grand
Orient of Freemasons, without being compelled
to pass through the preliminary initiations
and stages of membership, which would have
consumed several years of his time. The pro
position was submitted by the Duke of Sussex,
at that time the M. W. Grand Master of the
Order, and emphatically rejected. Thereupon
George IV, who was a member, withdrew from
the Order, declaring that he would establish
one of his own which in time should rival in
numbers and influence the one which had
shown him such little deference. This pro
mise has been strikingly fulfilled; hut, fortu
nately for the interests of its members and the
world at large, the new Order to which his
action cave rise has never taken either his
private or public character as a model. The
Manchester I'nity, at the present time, com
prises within its jurisdiction over 3G00 Lodges
and 250,0(10 members.
As already stated, the first Lodge in this
country was organized by the late Thomas
tVildey, at Baltimore, in the year 1820 ; and
a short time subservient to that it obtained a
foothold in this State by the establishment in
Philadelphia of Pennsylvania Lodge, No. 1,
which was organized at the hotel of John
Upton. In 1823, the Grand Lodge of Penn
sylvania was established, with Aaron Nichols
as the first Grand Master. From that day to
the present, the Order has been gradually and
Tapidly spreading throughout the length and
breadth of the country, its wonderful progress
being mainly due to the untiring exertions of
the original founder.
According to the reports made to the Annual
Communication or Session of the Grand Lodge
f the United States, held in Baltimore, in
September, 18GG, the Grand Lodge of the State
tf Pennsylvania numbered a membership of
tl,78, while the Grand Encampment of the
State had 5944 members. But so rapid has
leen the progress of the Order within our
limits during the past year, that its member-
Ship is now said to exceed 100,000. In and
around this city there are about one hundred
lodges and twenty-two encampments, with
about 2.r,000 members, and the amount of
good winch they are doing, in a quiet and
unostentatious way, is not easily calculated.
The special object of the Day of Thaukscriv
ing, as set forth in the proclamation of the
M. W. Grand hire, as given above, is a recog'
mtion of the gracious manner in which the
Order was preserved from disruption during
the progress of the late civil war. The Order
of Odd Fellows was, indeed, the only organic
tion of the kind in the country into which
dissension was not brought by the great
struggle between the two sections ot the
country. During the whole course of the con
flict, delegates to the Grand Lodge of the
United States were regularly elected by the
Grand Lodges of all the Southern States" and
such of them attended the regular sessions of
the former as could succeed in penetrating
the lines. At the first session ot the Grand
Lodge at Baltimore, after the close of the war.
representatives from every Grand Lodxe in
the country were present, the organization of
Odd Fellowship being thus preserved intact,
The Thanksgiving Services this Mom
leg
were of the most impressive and interesting
character. There was a large turn-out of the
brethren of the Order, who were all appropri
ately dressed in dark clothes, with white
cloves and the badge of membership.
Lodees Nos. 1. 2. 3, 4, 23, 21), 33, 34, 114,
327, 145, 150, 250', 202, and 383 assembled at
half-past 9 o'clock, in Room No. 1, at the
Sixth Street Hall, and' proceeded in a body,
under the Marshalship ot Brother joun w
auoacv, a riuiiy memuiLiai jjuiauuuai vuuivu.
on Eighth street, above Itaee, to listen to the
discourse of the Rev. Dr. Nadal, which we
give on our sixth page in full.
Lodges Nos. 5. G. 13. 15. 43. 4(5. 61. 95.155.
187, 188, 190, 283, and 294 met at the same
place, m Koom No. 2, and under the Mar
uhalship of Brother Andrew SDroul. pro
oeeded to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church,
T . 1 A 1 1 - '
on l'tew irei, oeiow tourth, to par
ticipate in the services conducted by the
Jtev. Edwin W. Hutter, D.D., whose address
on this occasion we liKewise give below.
Lodges Nos. 18, 19, 21, 22, 104, 10G, 110,
115. 201. 20G, 224, 237, 29G, and 495. met in
ttwuns Nos. 3. 4. and 5, of the same build
ing, nd, under the marshalship of Brother
J3. S. Jtowand, proceeded to Nazareth Metho
dist Kpiscopai inuron, on inirceenta street,
1elow Vine, to participate in services con-
dnr.t lv the Kev. T. A. Ferniey. me aw
JuMrered is reported below.
lodges 1708. 41, 15, A113. W33,
144, 14G, 174, 18G, and 258, with Encamp
ments Nos. 24 and 14G met at 10 o'clock on
German street, and under the Marshalship of
Brother William C. Steadman, attended the
services at Trinity Protestant Episcopal
Church, on Catharine street, below Third, and
were addressed by the Rev. D. Washburn, as
reported elsewhere.
The Lodges whose places of meeting are in
the northwestern section of the oity, assembled
at 9 o'clock, in the hall at Broad and Spring
Garden streets, and attended Divine service at
the Spring Garden Baptist Church, on Thir
teenth street, above Wallace, where they were
addressed by the Rev. John Chambers, as
given elsewhere.
Lodges Nos. 25, 100, 220, 344, and 354 at
tended Divine service at the First Presbyterian
Church of Kensington (N. S.), on Girard ave
nue, above Palmer street, and were addressed
by the Rev. William T. Eva, as reported
elsewhere.
These thanksgiving services will le still
further continued this afternoon and evening.
Rev. John Chambers will again officiate at the
First Independent Church, corner of Broad
and Sansom streets, at half-pant 3 o'clock;
while at a quarter to 8 o'clock this evening,
various Lodges will be addressed by the Rev.
R. Jeffrey, at the Fourth Baptist Church, Fifth
and Buttonwood streets; and by the Rev.
James E. Wilson, pastor of the Bloukley Bap
tist Church, at the Asbury Methodist Episco
pal Church, in West Philadelphia. At the
place last named, the services will be attended
by Lodges Nos. 243, 508, 572, and 59G, who
will first assemble at the Lodge Rooms, at
Thirty-seventh and Market streets, at half
past 7 o'clock.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF ODD FELLOWSHIP.
A Discourse delivered on the Odd Fel
lows' national Thanksgiving, by the
llev. Daniel Washburn, at Trinity P.
K. Church.
In the Houiheust part of the city', the lodges
thut meet at the halt lu Third street, below Ger
man, enlivened lu Trinity Church, where Hev.
lni)iel Washburn, M. W. I Grand Mauler, by
invitation, conducted the services. A very efli
cieut choir sung, as uu opening piece:
JJow vast must I heir advantage he,
Jlow great their pleusure prove.
Who live like brethreu. and cousent
In oflices of love 1
Tlie morning Service included the eighth selec
tion from the Psalter and the Gloria lu Excelsis,
the first seven versesof Isaiah 4U, the Te Deuiu,
Irom the H2d to the 31st verses of Acts xvti,
with the Jubilate, pruyers, and special thanks
givings. The 124th Psalm (within) was then sung, and
a put t of Ht.Johu vn 1 was the Gospel, followed
by the l&Jd hymn, "Uu Joyful lu Ciod." &a.
The address by Fast Graud Master Washburn
was an appropriate review of the occasion, the
origin, character aud work of the Order. , Tak
ing for his text the following passage :
" Sirs, ye are brethren" Acts vii, 26, he said:
Brethren: Our first thought uu this great
occuhiou of assembling in this house for a spe
cial thanksgiving to God, is of Jinn who huth
here recorded His name, and would have us
know and love Him as our Father. Next, and
inseparably blended therewith, is the recogni
tion of Him who as man, yet being truly (Jod.
when teaching us to recognize "Our Father,"
bids us to pray to film for that perfect coming
of ills ruling presence among and within us
Which secures to men the beatitudes of Heaven.
And this is the work of the Spirit of truth, aud
life, aud love, who alone can enable men to say,
"Father," as did the leturned prodigal, with a
due sense ol our own uu worthiness, and of His
loving compassion in extending to us a know
ledge of His grace and goodness, and lu pre
serving unbroken our organized Brotherhood
throughout this broad Union, amid all .the
perils and horrors of a sharp, fierce, and bloody
civil war. ';
We are glad at the return of peace to repeat.
with our SI. W. Grand Hive Wanders, that "war,
with its destructive luituences, has not severed
the bonds ol love." And lu the words or our
H. W. Grand Hcerelaiy Kldgcley, "As an Order
we owe largely accumulated obligations to the
Supreme Dispenser of hutiiuu events, not ouly
lor lis integral preservation, uut nir uuumuuku
prosperity aud splendid progress, for the uuex
ampled strength ot its national finances, and
especially for the heroism which lias agaiu up
lilled and unfurled the banner of "Peace on
earth, good-will towards meu." Each of us, for
tnese things "giving iiiuuks io uou, even me
Futher," will feel it a blessed privilege to unite
wit h our brethren on this favored occasion, at
tills Kaster season, guthered. like ourselves, m
countless sanctuaries over all this lately dis
tracted country, in singing a hallelujah to Him
who, having risen from the sepulchre, breathes
His heaven-born peace upon previously scat
tered disciples.
Yes, breihieu, lie wno. irom an origin as
despised as JSazarelh, called our Brotherhood
into existence, Knows how to provide His own
Instrumentalities lor making men to be of oue
wind in oue house, whom for a time and in an
evil hour, things "earthly, sensual, aud devil
ish" had so nopeiessiy aiviueu. xne uou oi
peace smiles on us ugaln through all these
United fcjlates. We Join hands with breturen
In them all. And together, triply linked, we
rise up in all these temples of God to cement
iorever tne doiiu oi union wnicn tie nas so
mercifully perpetuated through all the late
strife and Bloodshed.
To whom, brethren, do we owe it that the
voice of joy and thanksgiving is this day heard
through all our borders? Whose arm brought
us salvation 7 To whom do we owe It that we
are this day a nation, free, reunited, attracting
io our resources lue streaming myriads of other
lands, a happy people, more powerful than ever
befoi e ?
To Him. doubtless, from whom hn.a fmanaipil
tousthetiuth ol human brotherhood. That
truth, however imperfectly realized by us.
underlies and vitalizes all our institutions. Let
us stana up then, brothers, and sing our filial
anthem, Children of the Highest!
t at her, to thee my soul I lift,
On thee my hope depends:
C'onvmeed that every proper gift
irom thee alone descends.
Mercy and grace are thine alone,
Aud power and wisdom too:
Without the Suirlt of thy Sou
e nothlu good can do.
Thou all our works In us hast wrought,
Our good is all divine:
The praise of every holy thought
And righteous deed Is thiuo.
From thee, through Jesus, we receive
The power on thee to call.
In whom we are, and move and live-
Our Uod is all lu all.
(All having united with
the discourse, iu the above hymn, the speaker
thus resumed:)
isow, brethren, I suppose you have all heard
of people who were usuamed of their relations
Perhaps it Is a weakness to which ciroum
stancei mav render all more or less liable But
wicitj is yjuo wno "iiaiu inaue or oue blood all
uawuuBui men ior io uweii on an tne face of the
earth" who, when He took on Him our
nature, did so thut He might show that lie was
ir u ,s al1 1118 oretnren.
Well. I llf-n lint, frnltiiy t.n rlntalti vaii r
day as this wllh long discussion. But I enun
ciate a principle And true principles, like that
"i personal freedom lu our Government, some
-.7 v,. uiuer, wuen organized, work them
selves into power.
i'V? Pllnt,lle which we have specially organ
ized is oueof human brotherhood, the beuriug
!5reToth?r. burdeus, without which hS
Kw'.i l"iw of. C1rl'lanity remains unfullllled.
iifl WW rauy '"struct mankind by whom
thiloser ,W, '1 uulhbor and neither be
the loser. Ho only the chosen people learn to ko
and niise ttaiT.' 1 ".ha.U 4ve each o 55?
?o welldofnV i 'ft 11 U,one of tlie incentive
cheeTu e wav8, Thi'Lnnloolte(1-for Pleasures
K,.rv S anil ,pel'i.al J" of this anniver
Iit th..', ttt by UBOr by our fathers.
It was enougn thui the work of our organiza
tion needed to be done, and ours was i the
opportunity and ability to eiiBuW l ianri?r!i
cite it. The joy of serving tfie cause ot at
tlonal union comes In as au lnc dental reward
of encouragement. We knur
uniting individuals in bonds of lraprovTnB fl
lowshlpand helpfulness, but wernaraiyeLn'
lotis now muui iuu u"uum Iullowstiln ami
uuity would gain from our humble labors lit
us glanoe, for a moment, then, at the unpr'eteu
tloua origin and progress of the Order which
stauds np so strong to.day, rejolclug In ua
aaarvellous capabilities for trood.
1'he history was then briefly sketched and
the present statistics. There .are about aooo
bers.
During the last year some 2700 widowed
leg and 20,000 sick or disabled Brothers
relieved. The expenditure woe t.VjO,287-7!l.
families
VAia . 1
It may thus be seen at a glance what an agency
this is a power for beneficence how great! It
mattflts not how lowly Its birth. As the Jews
exclaimed Willi s"Tr .....
fell from heaven," What Is It?" so an intelligent
generation is inquiring concerning an organiza
tion so elleotive for the relief of our sullering
fellow-beings, "What is It?" But, say some, it
Is a secret society it Is full of mystery I Yes,
Its great practical secret is by association to
unite men in providing means for their mutual
relief in times of their greatest need or distress.
Here is the secret of our success, the mystery ot
our growth.
By systematic regulations a weekly contribu
tion, which every laborer can easily oommand,
Is saved and laid tip in store; and behold the
result) Though only planted like a grain of
mustard seed In American soil on the VMh of
April, 1819, eur institution is this day a mighty
tree, which spreads its roots Into all the States
ol this vast republic, and its branches cover the
land a tree of life, whose ever-ripening fruit
for human support and human comfort Is
plucked by brotherly hands daily for the disa
bled, the worn, and the downcast, as they lay
strewn In sickness or on dying beds yea, tlie
wine of lis nurture cheers even the bereaved
and sorrowing ones whose guardian is gone.
We meet lo-day to express our thanks that
this goodly tree has outlived the desolations of
war, unshattered by the storm that so fiercely
swept over us. We speak aloud our thanks to
Hint whose hand has shielded It, and whose
blessing Is giving us tokens of iu yet more
abundant growth and fruitfulness.
The exercises concluded with Psalm 118, and
the benediction.
I he church was filled to its utmost capacity,
and all present will long remember the grate
ful joy of this celebration of the forty-seventh
anniversary of this benevolent Order.
PRE-EMINENCE OF CHARITY.
A Discourse delivered on the Odd Fel
lows' National Thanksgiving, by the
Hev. T. A. Feruley, at the Nazareth M.
K. Church,
"Aow ubiiMh faith, hope, charity, these three,
but the greatest oj these is charity," 1 Cor. xlii, l.'J.
The sneaker's exordium was a carefully pre
pared exhibition of the circumstances and con
nections of the text.
National and miraculous gifts have been
greatly overvolued, and been the prolific cause
of divisions and henrt-burniugs in the early
Church. To antidote or correct these, the
inspired Apostle proceeds to point out a more
"excellent way," and to show tho vast superi
ority of charity over knowledge, teaching mar.
tyrdom, faith, hope and every other Christian
grace.
This Is the crowning grace of humanity, the
royal purple degree of grace, the keystone to
virtue's arch, and the finishing link to religion's
golden chain.
The reverend gentleman then proceeded to
define Ihe term Charity,
This Is confessedly a bad translation made by
Wkklifie, who, lollowiug the vulgate Vhrtritaa,
gives us "charity," and lu this he is followed
by the authorized translation. This merely
conveys the idea of almsgiving, etc. Modern
translators and commentators agree that tlie
word Charilas can be only nroperly expressed
by Ihe word love. It is a lull recognition of
the paternity of God and the fraternity of man,
prompting the heart upward towards the
Father of all, aud outward towards universal
man. Love is the fulfilling of the law which is
called the Golden Kuie: "Do unto others as ye
would that they should do uuto you." Without
this every thing, however baptized or called, I
nothing but sounding brass or tinkling cym
bals. This love as a principle will manifest
itself whenever and wherever it exists.
Ab the self-loving or unloving and avaricious
man is known by his grovelling, mean, or
sordid look and spirit, or as the licentious and
sensual man is manifested in the earthly or
animal nature always predominant, so the
heart of love sheds a tone and coloring over the
uian wherever lie lives or moves.
Tlie Christian Church has not always mani
fested this love after which the worlu is con
stantly calling, "Give 1 give 1" and associations
have been raised up to help make up the de
ficiency. True love contemplate! all men as proper objects
of esteem, because they belong to the human
family.
To deny any man the consideration due a
member of the same family with ourselves is to
deny our own Immunity. Is he a man? This,
per se, gives him a claim upon me. If he be my
bi other, I must have such affection for him as
prompts me to desire his happiness, and seek
to advance his interests.
Teach me to feel for others' woes,
'1 o hide the laull I see:
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.
Hood beautifully laments the want of this
bltssed sympathy:
Alas ! for the rarity
Of t'hrlsllau charity
Under the sun !
Ob 1 it was pititul
iear a whole city full.
Borne she had none!
Love includes benevolent sympathy with
man as a fellow-heir to misery, trouble, aud
death.
Life is like a kaleideseope; its figures are ever
changing. That poor beggar is some
body's son; might have been your brother; or
yourself, but lor the grace of God. That poor
trail creature, too often the victim of heart
breaking deception by some worse than heart
less tuuu. may be thy daughter or sister. Love
is omnipotent. A lady lu the "Uueeu City"
rushed out at the peril of her lite to save a
child from being run over by a fractious horse,
hhe grasped Ihe child; it wassaved from death.
1 lie h j'sianaers presseu urouuu, aau luijiureu
anxiously, "is that your child, Madam 7" "uu,
lio! but it is some other mother's."
The late war, amidst lis blood ana carnage,
has presented to you, my Brethren, many speci
mens of this cardinal part of your Order. Love
is manifested still further by an intense desire
for the well-being of all men. It brings meu
together in benevolent associations and makes
them study each others' good, remembering
thut "no man liveth to himself alone." But
while all are to put their trust iu Ood, all are to
seek the good of each other.
Love lu its outgoings, is two-fold. First, it is
kind. This is its breath. Its languageaud suirlt,
mild, gentle, and benign; but how the world
needs perlectiou of this essential element of
love! Second. It is long sullering. The inspired
apostle Is careful to say, "it sutlers long not
soon tired," making allowance for trail human
nature. Third. It is honest and unsuspicious
not disposed to suspect others while it Is pure
itself. The history of the world goes to show
that he that has the most faults has
always been ready to throw the first
stone. This Jove is intimatly blended
with the three great laws of Odd
Fellowship, "Friendship," growing out of
"Love," based upon "Truth." These graud
piilars support tho fabric of your Order; but I
cannot pass from the contemplation of this
bright-winged angel of love uutil your thoughts
are directed to certain principles which are
antagonistic to love, and should bo avoided, as
poisonous to the Order, by every good Odd
Fellow.
Love Is not puffed up; is not proud; vaunteth
notitfelf; Is not Hellish. Pride aud selfishness
should not enter the.sacred portals of Odd Fel
lowship, or be allowed to take a seat lu the
mystic circle. They isolate man from his
brother, make him the centre aud circumference
of nis life. They are tlie rankest and vilest
weeds that grow on earth; the most malevolent
and withering feelings that now blight and
wither the human heart, and uuman aud curse
the immortal soul.
Charity seekelh not her own; is not preju
diced; thlnketn not evil without a cause; is
gentle to hear aud kindly to judge. The want
of this charity Is seen. The seed of too plentiful
a harvest has resulted iu heart-burning, soul
bitterness, family Jars, and separations, cmuc'i
divisions; and has crushed hope the free flow
of heavenly charily that else would long ago
have encircled the globe with a 'Aon of Divine
light. The pre-eminence of charity, or love,
ranks higher than knowledge, higher than
faith, higher than hope, higher than all other
moral elements In the world. Without this
they are nothing. This, the pulse of true man
hood, the heart of truth, the crowning grace or
Odd Fellowship.
The absence of love Is fatal to every claim to
be a Christian. Tho Bpeuker lllusl rated tills by
alluding to the nature of God. "God is love.
The greut Father of us all has pure, unmixed,
chsmmlesM. ami eternal love. The worksof His
creative hand and the revelation of His grace
all alike, in unmistakable language, proclaim,
"God Is love." His provldeuoe providing for
all, Busialalug all, declaring His paternal love.
Tlie great gi ft of Ills Hon Jesus Christ is a mani
festation of love to our lost, ruined world lu
darkness and In chains. The Divine union of
God with man la the Incarnation finds lis solu
tion In love. "Oo.d so loved the world that He
gave Hi only Rod, that wuvsve vex believe Hi In
ITIm should not perish, but have eternal life."
tH . .1w)licl.,.,n love dwelleth in God."
Ixive is to the Christian what a coronet is to the
i..,u.-,uiuwu w me monarch; his badge, his
ensign, " '
lAwe nnnes noart with heart In most delight
Jul harmony and kindred affection. Charity
is the bond of perfectnees, to love one another
Is a divine command.
Oh, sweet It Is over life's dark wm
In fellowship to move, '
Illumined by unclouded skies.
And one In friendship, truth and love.
This love is greatest booause It binds the con
tinent of heaven and the continent of earth
together. It is the great bond of the universe
the centripetal power whloh binds beings to
gether In blissful union. Angels and meu meet
In companionship. The great cable of love has
been laid, by tiie God of all, from the shores of
time to the land of glory, and angels have he.
come ministering spirits to men. The spirits
of love, on their snow-white wings, are often
herein the scenes of earthly Borrow, doing as
every true Odd Fellow does visiting the sick
and relieving the distressed.
How solily on the dreamers hend
They lay their soft and huimy hand,
Onesmlle, then In a nanment lied.
And they meh away In happier land.
Love will gladden the earth in her future
atKicalypse of bliss. Much misery has existed
and still continues to exist. "Alan's Inhuman
ity to man makes countless millions mouru 1"
But let us cheer up.
There Is a good time coming, friends,
There Is a good lime coming.
We may not live to see the day.
But earth shall glisten In Die ray
Ol the good lime coming.
Cannon-halls may aid the truth.
Hut thought's a weapon stronger;
We'll win our buttle by Its aid
Wall a little longer.
Though divisions and strifes and wars yet
continue when the might makes the right; yet
"for a' that and a' that.il'scomlng yet for a' that,
that man to mau, the world o'er, shall brothers
be. for a' that."
Love is to rute mo worm. Knowledge shall
be increased. Peace shall cause every spear to
become a piougnsnare, nnu every sword a
nrunine hook. Divine glory Bhall cover the
earth, and love shall be euthroued in every
lienrt. Then shall be realized the angel's somr
"Glory to God lu the highest, ou eurlh peace
and uood-wiii to men." ine law oi tne world
shall be the law of love. Iiovo Is of eternal
duration and continuance. Names, creeds, de
nomlnatlonal distinctions, snau men away as
the snows of winter. In the presence of the
bright suu of love. The spark will then become
a flume, aud tho drop a lummy stream.
You are observing, my Brethren, your first
national thanksgiving to Almighty God. No
order of men has received greuter marks of
Divine lavor than the "Independent Order of
Odd Fellows." When the dark Cloud of war
burst upon our beloved country, and its Hag
wns insulted, your Lodges were among the first
to rush to the rescue, and your Order poured out
thousands of loyal, patriotic men who bid tare
well to Iheir brethren and families, aud went
away never to return, i heir names are recorded
upon your roll of honor, and the nation, free
and sale, slieus tier tears over itieir graves.
Your hearts are bound together In Friendship,
Love, and Truth, even ot tne soul of Jonathan
was to liavld, nnd "Jonathan loved him as his
own soul." This is no mere theory, for facts
speak volumes.
For twenty-two years I have been personally
acciuainteu with the practical workings oi your
Oruer. 1 hail you ns the right wing ot the army
that Is seeking to improve and elevate man, to
imbue him with proper conceptions ol his capa
billtles for good, and establishing In the heart
or man tne supremacy oi love. ar against siu
in all its lorms. Friendship towards man
luonints you to the contest. The ciantinllu
ence of love is the best weapon. Truth conse
crates the effort, and leads you to a certain and
glorious victory.
In this Btate you have four hundred and
seventy lodues in connection with your Order.
In these there are enrolled, under the banner of
"Friendship, Love, aud Truth" nearly OUIMJO
members, and commanded "To visit the sick
and relieve the distiessed, bury the dead and
educate the orphan." Theie have been relieved,
during the pust yeur, no less than five thousand
nine hundred and eighty alllicted brethren. In
five hundred aud twenty-three cases the Odd
Fellow has been present to bury the dead, and
comfort the distressed, who otherwise would,
perhaps, have had no earthly friend. You luivo
relieved six hundred aud five families lu want.
Why dwell upon these good deeds, done, I trust,
for the snke of iliiu who said unto you uud me:
"Go ai.out doing good ?"
Odd Fellowship exists on the principle of
love, and I hull you, tnerefore, us workers Willi
God. Put your trust lu Him ulone. Let your
lives and conduct be cousecrated to humanity
for Christ's sake. Go visit the sick, go relieve
the distressed, go bury the dead, go educate the
orpbun, go glowing with lervor; love with urdor,
wuim with kindred sympathy, and breathe
an unbroken harmony. Let our united efforts
be to fraternize the world. May love kindle
your camp-fires; may irleudship cueer your
sentinels; may truth guide you in the path of
duty until we como to the Grand Lodge of the
skies.
THE MERCIES OF GOD.
A Discourse on the Odd Fellows' Na
tional Thanksgiving, Delivered by the
Rev. Edwin W. Hutter, D. D., at St.
Matthew's Lutheran Church.
Fourteen Lodges met In this church. There
were, also, a lurge number of the stated congre
gation, besides a concourse of strangers in at
tendance. The choir discoursed excelleut
music, and the services throughout were highly
interesting. Wepreseut a synopsis of the dis
course, wuich was upon the following text:
"ConsiiliT how great things Ood hath done for
you." I Hamuel xli, 2-1.
Among the most solemn utterances of earth,
said the preacher, ure words of jarewell.
Whether spoken by a dying parent to his
children, or by a departing pastor to his flock,
or by the illustrious head of a nation, about to
relinquish his high oilice, ao words are more
impressive, or linger longer in the memory.
These are, besides, always honest, sincere
words words of truth and soberness, because
then there Is no room or motive lor dissimula
tion or disguise. Such are the words quoted as
a text on theoccaslou of this National Thanks
giving of the Order of Odd Fellows throughout
the United Btutes.
The words constitute part of the glowing and
eloquent valedictory of the Prophet Bamuet to
the children of Israel ou the occasion of their
clamorous demand for the abolition of their
tbeocrallcal form of government, and for the
substitution of the earthly regal system in
vogue among the surrounding uatlons. Find
ing them Inexorable in thtlr demands, Samuel
accedes to to their wishes, and exhorts them to
"ear the Lord and ttrve him in truth, with all
their heart," busing the exhortation mainly ou
the very principle which underlies tuose
solemn observances of Thanksgiving, viz.,
thut of grulitudo Io Almighty God for His im
measurable benefits and blessings, aud the
suitable rendition of thanke; "ior," says he,
"consider how great things God hath doue lor
you."
Adopting the Prophet's exhortation, as the
basis of our ineoltulious, we enter upon a re
view of the great tilings God has done tor us as
a people, and lor you. Odd Fellows, as a social
and benevolent Order, not engngiug, however,
to lurnish any minute or specific details, us the
field would bo altogether too vast, aud the time
too short.
Muiiliold and distinguished have been our
benefits unci blessings, if we relied inwardly
upon ourselves, we discover that the Dlvlue
goodness occupies and penetrates the very root
uud centre oi our beimr. Our bodies, learfully
and wonderfully made, have been kindly pre
served from "moving accidents by lield aud
Hood." Our divers senses, laculties.and powers
indicate, not retrogression, but progress and
development. They have not declined into a
dwarlisu and Lilliputian effeminacy, but their
stock of wisdom aud store of kuowlotlgo have
sensibly increased. . ,
Thanksgiving, like charitv, must begin at
home, in the family. To this circle of juteresl s
and endearments all others are subsidiary. Of
all our enjoyments this is the grand centre.
Fruit and grain, wool and Uax, root and teed,
derive their value hence. I he plough does not
serve the Held, but the owner; aud plough and
scythe and sickle are the lamliy's subservient
Instrument. The echo of the woodman s axe
speaks not of toll alone, but of the affection of
him who wields It lor those at home. Hera the
streams of the heart collect and overflow.
Our religious privileges are still enjoyed In
greatest amplitude aud perfection. 1 he lolls
Sf the week are si ill relieved by the delights of
the Babbath. Our eyes still tee our teachers,
and our ears still hear the Joyful sound. The
circling months have still seeu the banners of
King Immanuel carried forward, and multi
tudes profess to have been subdued to the
patience and obedience of the Gospel. The
Borlptures are still u us the wisdom and power
oi Jod. Z4VU la still beuutifui forsltuution,
and the salvation of our Ood Is still our wall
of tlelense and bulwark or strength.
Among our manifold public blowings we
must include our matchless form of govern
ment, dearer to uslnow than ever, because pre
served in a baptism of blood and a martyrdom.
of fire, our educational iBciune"
before so great. Colleges, seminaries, and
academies spring up as by maglo. and our admi
rable system of common schools is affording
tne means or meniaianu mwni
to ihe children of the humblest and Purest ,ln
the land. Our literary (lva1ulRp?tIe,n,ev1?I
before so many, nor so varied. As H was lu tne
dnysof King Holomon.solt is still. "'
making of many books there is no end." Our
cheap and well-conducted newspapers serve to
enlighten and Improve the masses, arid the
press constitutes a most poieui.
t i.i t ..,i tin i ii ir nowor of the pulpit.
Thomas Jefferson said, if the alternative were
submitted to him or uoing wiwiuuh s'u
menl or without newspapers, ho won d prefer
to dispense with the government. Ihe news
papers WOUKl SOOU recousn mo s"'' u.i.o..,
nut government could not start newspaper.-..
These are the fulcrum of Archimedes, with a
place to rest on, capuuie oi muving ine worm.
Vi.nr Order of Odd Fel'ow 8, especially, has
abundant reason for indulging In grateful
ascriptions of praise io ine Aiiuior oi nu
created good. During the years of the llebel
llon, ltsTisrmony, North and Honth, remained
undisturbed. nd no sooner had the sword been
sheathed, and Ihe shrill clarion of war had
ceased throughout our coasts, than yon were
the first to meet In harmonious council, and
interchange fraternal greetings. Based on
principles of purest philanthropy, the object
of your Order is to imitate the example
of the blessed Jesus, lu going about
doing good. By some it is made an
objection to your Order, that all the
sullering, want, destitution, and wretchedness
that alflict mankind should be relieved by tlie
Church. Bo It oueht to he; as the Church Is
of Divine origin, the planting of the Lord. But
If she falls to rise to the full stature of her
obligations and opportunities, her defaulting
membership has no warrant to complain if
others do the wort mat is lncutnoent. on ner.
But he that Is not against us is with us, and for
us. The relief of the destitute, the sorrowing,
and the oppressed is still always mo worn oi
Christ, whose mission on the earth it was to
benefit and bless the weary and heavy-laden,
both for the Ule that now is and for that which
Is to come. The Christian, hence has to garland
God's altars with trophies of kindness. Not
cieeds and catechisms, statute praise and saintly
kneeliugs. are the true glory of the Church-
but sinners reclaimed, widows and fatherless
relieved, the disconsolate make glad, and
avarice conquered by Rweet aud gentle speech.
Benefits iiccepted bind the receiver. Unto
whom much is given of him much is required
Charity is like a circle in the water. It radiates
from the centre, and at the centre Is the greatest
agitation. But it is diffusive, aud from the
centre it spreads until It is lost in the theatre of
lis owu expansion. A benevolent lady once
asked the ccceu trie John Kandolpu.of Koauoke,
for a contribution to assist the Greeks, then
struggling lor freedom. "Madam," said he, "the
Greeks are at jour door." Ho with all sym
pathy and charity. It must begin at home, but
irom hence it Is to go out lu a stream or sulva
tion to a perishing world.
As citizens and Christians, too. we should
seduously cultivate the virtues which are tho
foundation of all true happiness, public and
private. We have other enemies to fear be
sines armies with banners. They are luxury,
idleness, venality, corruption, mere is a way
In which we all can act the part of public bene
factors. Let. each, in his own alloied sphere,
perfoun a worthy and honor tble part, do all
the luood he can. and labor and ptuv fur the
advent of the reign of Christ's own perfect
holiness, justice, auu trutu.
BROTHERLY LABORS.
A Discourse Delivered on the Odd Fcl-
lom' National Thanksgiving, by the
Hev. John Chambers, at the Spring
Garden Baptist Church.
Mr. Chambers, after reading the low Psalm,
said: The Independent Oruer of Odd Fellows
have set apart this day throughout our whole
laud ns a day of 1'hadksgivlng a thuuks
giving to the infinite Kuler of the world tor ills
benefits to them and to our country.
In order that we may unite with them In
Worthip and service, we have gathered together
tins morning in this house of prayer, and
assuredly we have great cause for gratitude, as
well ns lor mourning, lamentation, audsoriow!
mid this Order of ueiitlemeu ought to be most
thankful to the inlinile God, not ouly that He
lias been good to you, but that lie has allowed
you to be bo good to others. Let us then unite
our hearts In thanksgiving to the Infinite God
for all that He has done lor you, and to you,
and by you'
He theu offered an impressive prayer, exhort
ing God to bless the Order and increase its
uieitiLcis uud instrumentalities of benevo
lence. As a text Mr. Chambers read the 133d Psalm,
beginning:
"Jlthold how good and how pleasant it i for
brethren to dwelt toyether in unity."
He then spoke tin lollows:
1 find myself this morning, beloved, in a
novel, if not awkward, position. I am iu the
presence of a band of brethren, of whose orga
nization, and Institution, and Internal arrange
ments I Know nothing, but with whose opera
tions and unobtrusive operations I am long
aud lamillarly acquainted.
It could not be otherwise with a minister of
the Lord Jesus Christ, In a large and populous
city like this, Intermingling with my fellow
beings as I have done for many years. For forty
years have I lived lu your midst; I have beeu
in the houses of the poor and the rich, aud in
multitudes of cases I have seen the footprints
of the man of benevolence, aud the mau of love,
and the man of truth. The eyes of the widow
and fatherless have often looked me in tne
face, and said, "We are Indebted for these
comforts to the Order to which the huspand
and the father belonged;" and in Innumerable
instances, when the question was asked us to
what Order the husband was connected with,
the reply would be, "The Independent Order of
Odd Fellows."
You have been in existence, to my certain
knowledge, forty years. 1 1 euiem her well, when
a young man, In the city of Baltimore, when the
advertisement first appeared In the papers of
thut city that an institution bearing your name
was to be organized. I was struck with aston
ishment, like many others, at the novelty of
the name "The Independent Order of Odd
Fellows." ... , .
There was stirred up In the minds of not a
few a very strong opposition, I recollect, as we
are apt to allow leulings to arise in our minds
without thinking, without Inquiry, without In
vestigation. It was entirely new. of course, in
our country. It was brought, h i am not mis
taken, irom our fatherland to this couu try.
It originated, I believe, in England. The
prejudice of the people was very strong. It was
not until the course of conduct pursued by the
Older was seen that that prejudice seemed to
give way. Many of the strong feelings of oppo
sition to the Order grew out of the fact oi its
secrecy it was a secret organization.
i lull feeling also existed towaids the ancient
aud houoiablo institution to which it has been
my honor and privilege to belong. For fifty
years 1 have been Identified with the Masonic
Oroer. J bis feeling existed against that prior
to j our existence, and I need not say to you
what an amount ot feeling it produced at one
limelu this country.
But it was very soon ascertained that while
you hud your secrets they were your owu they
were for your own udvantage. TUey were Ihe
guards of your Order to protect you from im
postors and evil Influences of bad men. Ho fur
us the religion or politics of the oounlry were
concerned, you hud no secrets.
You asked no man his political creed, you
asked not his religious faith, it was enough
lor you to know that he was u true man; tliut
he deserved to fraternize with you, to share in
your Joys and in your sorrows; that he whs
willing to go with you to the home of sorrow,
to open his band to the needy, und extend
relief to lhe;destltute; that he was willing to
accompany you to the bed of sickness aud the
couch of death, aud go with you to lay the mor
tal remains or your brothers quietly In the
home of the dead. It did not, permit you to ask
ot him his relluious or political creed. Huch au
organization would be dreadful iu a couu try like
ours. Any organization that would endeavor
to Interfere either with the religious or political
Interests of the land would be a curse. I can
conceive of no greater curse to this oountry
than a secret political organization. There Is
not a man In the land who has a heart in his
bosom, that ought not with Indignation frown
down such a thing if It attempted to lift lu
head in our country.
Your graud object was that of benevolence; it
was "Friendship, Love, and Truth." These
were your guiding stars the morning, noon,
and evening stars that guided you in the dis
charge of your dalles, and then, growing
brighter and brighter, ana ascending higher
and higher, they live in the memories of th
millions of to-day.
From a few von have InerenaB.t t .n .....
monsnumber. If I sm rightly informed, in our
own htuteyou number thousands and tens of
thousands, and I presume there Is soarcely
B,.toWun,'.h.lp ln the Hlle- Dor ard in this
city that has not realized the good effects and
the gt od acts and the kind benefactions of the
Independent Order of odd Fellows.
Ho far as my knowledge, experience, and
observation goes, this has ben the course of
insi I tutlon purely a benevolent
Mr, Chambers continued at somA iiv,
was Hsu ned to with deep attention. '
THANKFULNESS UND LOVE.
Extract from a Sermon Delivered This
Morning, by llev. William T. Kva, at
the First Presbyterian Church of Ken.
slngton.
Ihe Church was decorated in no manner
whatever. At 1G"UU A. M. the building wat well
nneu uy memDers oi ine following lodges:
Kensington, No 11; Jefferson, No. 12; Northern
j.ineruts, xo. i. ; nosen f riends, No, loo
lictieosis Adelphon, No. '2H; Parity, No. 8i"'
Improvement. No. 311; under the marshalship
of Past Grand Hamuel McCleman, of Chosen
friends' Lodge, No.;ihO. A fair representation
of the wives und families of the members were
present.
Alter an appropriate anthem bv the choir
Rev. Wm. T.Eva delivered a su 11 able prayer',
and the following address.
The theme of my address to-day is, of course
suggested by the occasion. But it finds lu ex
pression In Holy Writ in these two brief pas
sages: 1 Johu iv, 6, "Uod is love!" and Col ill
15, "7e ve thankful." '
I greet you, my brethren, members of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, on this your
festal day of thanksgiving. I greet you in the
name of the great principle upon which your
beloved Order is founded love, God is love!
and on fit foundation uud chief corner-stone
jou have built the majesiiouud beautiful tem
ple ol your Ordpr.
I greet you, too, in view of the appropriate
and delightful services lu which you are this
day engaged. Gratitude swells your hearts to
day, and thanksgivings rise frnm your lips. It
is now nearly fifty years lacking about two
only since in this country, in the city of Haiti
more, your Order was first established. It had
a small beginning, only four persons besides
the venerable; Thomas Wlldey joining the first
Lodge. But how has it grown ln that period!
having gathered to itself, since theu, nearly five
hundred thousand members. And how much
has it accomplished ln that time, ln the prose
cution of Its great work of benevoleuco and
mercy ! How many hungry men has It fed?
How many naked clothed! How many sick
ministered unto! How many weeping widows
comforted ! iiow many orphan children blessed!
But you have, to-day, a special reusou for
gratitude and thanksgiving. Through the
dangers and perils of the great civil strife
which has shaken our beloved republic to IU
very centre; which has deluged her fleldi with
blood; tilled thousands of graves with her sons,
dead in field and hospllai; desolated so large a
Eel tion of our couulry and rent asunder the
onds of so many associations, both civil and
ecclesiastical your Order lias passed salely.
Ihe coids of love by which, in North aud
Houth, and Eust and West, it is bound
t (tether, have not been taken, or even loo
sened, so thai to-ilay, like the triumphant and
united Kepubllc, you aie still one, the banner
o Fellowship still waving aloltoveryour Order
from Maine to California, from the keys of the
Gulf to the shores of the North Pacltic; and the
music of charily swelling ln high and noble
anthems through every Old Fellows' temple
and lodge room ln all the land! And hence,
especially, your gratitude; hence your thanks
giving to-day; hence the gratitude aud thanks
giving rising In concert ut this moment Irom
Lauds of looking brethreu) assembled ;iu every
town and village and hamlet throughout the
length and breadth ot the land.
Yet we must not, however, anticipate. I
shall, ln the progress of my address, advert to
these topics again. Only now, my brethren, I
would greet you in the House of God ln this
ervice,uiid would join my heart uud voice with
yours iu lis duties und exercises. Tls a proper
und becoming service. A profitable and de
lightlul one 1 trust it may be; and that, us its
nsult, the cause of. virtue und benevolence
miiy be grintly furthered aud promoted ln tlie
land uud among men, Is my sincere and hearty
prayer.
Uol is love! A brief but exceedingly enmnro-
heuslve statement is this, the consideration of
which is eminently ptoper on this occasion.
The great foundation principle, thechlel corner
stone of your Order, as I have Just said,
is love. Your motto gives H to us
us the central virtue, out of which
spring, and around which radiate, both friend
ship and truth. In your chosen and expressive
symbol, it is tho middle link, joined at each
end by another, dependent lor its Btreugth and
virtue upon it wholly. Can there be any friend
ship without love? Can there be, any truth
without it ? Aud so all your teachings, all your
brotherhood and benevolence, recognize this
great principle and proceed from iu Bee,
therefore, Uod Is love! and being such. He is
your Lord, whom,you to-day,. iu this service,
confess and adore, uud ln the contemplation
of whose character iu this aspect of it, you can
have a deep and absorbing interest.
Hut what does the statement mean? As you
perceive, it is somewhat peculiar in its lorm,
and needs a word or two of explanation. The
word "love," as ordinarily used, is a noun
substantive, and stands for a quality, au attri
bute, an affection or passion well known to
us all. And the assertion ttiat God is such a
quality, or attribute, or affection, seems a some
what strange and ambiguous thing. Observe,
It Is not said that Uou is lovely, or benevolent,
using the adverb to qualify the statement what
God Is. But the assertion is positive and em
phatic that God Is love. The word love, here,
then, cannot bo Intended to signify a quality or
attribute of the Deity, but Is evidently put for
His whole moral nature or character, which Is
love, or goodness and benevolence in the general.
Now, there 1b a class of attributes which are
considered as making up whatever may be re
garded as the natural character of God. For ex
umple, His unity, Hisspirltuullty, His omnipo
tence. His wisdom, His omnipresence, His
eternity. But there Is another class of attri
butes belonging to Him, as those which make
up His moral character, and which, as I think
It can be made to appear, are all included and
Implied by the word love, as used ln this de
scription of Deity. These are holiness, truth,
meicy, and such like. And as they are attri
butes of which a moral quality may be predi
cated, they together make up the moral char
acter of Gud, the whole sum aud substauce of
which, according to the statement of Holy
Writ, is love, i
Note then, my brethren. God isholv. God Is
true, Uod is lnercllul, uud taking these attri
butes and perlecilous with others together as
composing goodness and benevolence, God is
love.
TheAociriCMOf the Divine Being means nis
purtly His freedom from all sin aud wrong.
Aud this every believer iu Kevelation will at
once be ready to admit is Infinite and perfect.
The Bible declares Hun to bo "glorious lu holi
ness." it represents the bh ssed angels as ever
being before Him, crying "Holy I holy! holy! Is
the Lord God Almighty !" it portrays Jehovah
Himself ascalllug upon His people, saying, "Be
ye holy, for I am holy!" Aud pure us tho
driven snow which has Just fallen from heaven
upon the summit of some lofty aud far-away
Alpine mountain, and iutluitely beyond what
it is possible for mortals to conceive, is the
matchless and respleudeut holiness of the Lord "
Jehovah!
The truth of God Includes His veracity and
faithfulness; His absoluie freedom irom all de
ceit and falsehood, and the certainty with
which He fulfils aud brings to pass every de
claration which falls from His own lips. "God
is true," declares an aposile, "though every
man were a liar!" The Psalmist positively
and unequlvooally asserts, "Tub truth of the
Loid eudureth forever!"
Can truth divine fulfilment full ?
Sooner shall Mar-crowned nature die I
Truth is Hie very breaih ol love H
Part ot His own eternity I
But God Is merciful, too! Who doubts It? "His
teuder mercies are over all His works !" Aud
He Is declared to be "The Lord God, merciful
and gracious, slow to anger.and plenteous lu
mercy, forgiving our guilty transgressions aud
sins !"
O mercv ! beaTenlv boon I sweet attribute!
'1 uou great, thou best prerogadva or pu'er
Justice may guard ihe lliroue, but Joined wllh tuee..
On rocks of fcdsmsnt II stands secure
And braves the storm heueatn l
Think I think upwards. a me thrones above
Uisdalu not mercy, as diey uieroy love;
If uieny were not mingled with the power,
This wretched world could uol vxutl au hour I
The reverend 'gentleman continued at some
length, and concluded as follows:
And such, my brethren, is only a small
I CcmMimmi vn 0 Fifth P9t,