The Oddfellows' Decoration Day
 


from the Port Hope Weekly Times  Thursday morning August 6, 1891
PORT HOPE ODDFELLOWS
DECORATE the GRAVES Of Their Deceased Brethren With Beautiful Flowers.
The members of Durham Lodge, No. 78, I.O.O.F., held their annual decoration of the graves of their departed brethren, on Tuesday, and were assisted by a number of visitors.
The procession formed shortly after 3 p.m., and, headed by the Citizens Band proceeded to the Cemetery, where the beautiful ceremony was begun with the following Hymn:—

One by one, our loved ones slowly
Pass beyond the bounds of time;
One by one, among the holy,
Sing the victor's song sublime.

Cho.—
One by one, one by one,
"We shall soon, yes, soon be there;
One by one, yes, one by one,
We shall endless glory share.

One by one, soon we shall gather,
Not as we have gathered here—
Bowed and broken,—but the rather,
In eternal youth appear.

One by one, our ranks are thinning—
Thinning here but swelling there;
One by one, bright crowns are winning,
Crowns they shall forever wear.

Good-bye! hail! the fondly cherished,
Tears and joys are ours to-day;
Some have gone, and lo! the others
Hasten on the shortening way.

The Chaplain then repeated the following prayer: —
O, Thou Great and Eternal God, our Father, Creator and Preserver of the Universe, look down and bless us in the solemn services of Decoration Day. Wilt thou give us grace to emulate the virtues of our Brothers sleeping in peace beneath the silent sod? And while we pay our tribute to their memory, may we never forget that reverence for the dead is best shown by care for the living. Bless the widow and the orphan; and raise them up kind friends in their hour of need. And may we, together with our departed brethren, gain admittance to the Celestial lodge above—there to be with Thee forever.
The procession was then formed and visited the several graves in the order following:—
 
Bro. Geo.
Bro. Thos.
Bro. John
Bro. W.
Bro. J.
Bro. P. H.
Bro. J. A.
Bro. J. H.
Bro. Thos. F.
Bro. Curtis
Bro. Dr.
Bro. J.
Bro. W. H. 
Bro. J.
Bro. Geo.
Bro. John
Bro. G. W.
Sanders
Sanders
Mimms
Roche
Hawken
Milligan
Campbell
Cox****
Hayden
Dean
Wade
Warmington
Kells, P.G.
McGibney
Chrysler
Rundle
Lambert, P.G.
Died January 12,1877
Died July 20, 1884
Died October 12, 1875
Died December 12, 1877
Died February  21, 1884
Died January 27, 1882
Died August 13, 1883
Died March 15, 1878
Died March 6, 1885
Died February 3, 1890
Died February 8, 1879
Died March 27, 1886
Died August 1, 1877
Died May 1, 1878
Died October 25, 1878
Died September 17, 1888
Died May 27, 1880

In the absence of the Noble Grand, (Bro. R. C. Smith,) Bro. Henry White, P.G., delivered the following eloquent address:—
My Brethren, we have now performed the duties of the day, and by these simple services have paid a tribute of respect to those of our number who have finished their work on earth. Our Order, instituted for the purpose of self-help, and calculated to aid its members in the struggles incident to life does not allow Death to terminate the fraternal relationships formed within our ranks. After we have carried our deceased Brother to his last restang place in the silent city of the dead, he still retains a claim on our affections. Through his bereaved and orphaned family he still asks our sympathies, and our material aid; and while he has himself passed beyond the need of those kindly benefactions we owe each other in life, he still holds a place in our memory and love.
Here to-day, surrounded by these tokens of mortality—by the grassy mounds that cover the remains of those that once lived—the monumental tablets that record their history, and the epitaphs that tell their virtues—we are forcibly reminded of the perishable nature of the things of time.
"To every man upon this earth death cometh, soon or late." Wealth cannot bribe him to remain away; rank and power cannot shield us from him. No strength of mortal arm can bar his onward march; no prayer can turn aside his stroke. He alone is no respecter of persons. The ruddiest cheek pales before his breath; the stoutest heart ceases to beat at his touch; the strongest frame bows and falls before him. As he moves swiftly and silently among the ranks of men, he lays on one and on another his chilling hand, and they fall on either side lifeless and cold. Friends and loved ones may mourn for a brief period of time; but society soon forgets the one whose voice is no longer heard—whose face is no longer seen; and only a few cherish the memory of the departed.
We stand to-day by the graves of our Brethren who have gone to their rest. Some have reposed beneath the sod for years; and their names are almost forgotten by the world. Some have but lately been laid in their silent bed, and warm hearts are still grieving over their death. But for all alike—in sorrow and in love— we have come to awake the tender thoughts of old associations—to recall to mind the virtues of our departed friends—and to lay on their graves the floral offering that shall speak for us, better than words can speak.
And, as there comes to us the thought of lives cut short in the midst of usefulness, let us heed for ourselves the lesson that is taught. If life be so short, and death so sure, how can we be careless of the lives we live, or of the deaths we die? Life is the time to labour; the night comes all too soon, when labour must cease. Waste not the hours—so precious and so fleeting! Work while the day of life may last, so that after life we shall live in the hearts of our Brethren; in the love of those we have blessed by kindly words and deeds. So shall our histories be written in colours glowing as the flowers we spread upon our brothers' graves; and our memories be fresh and fragrant as the perfumes they shed to-day.
Silent are our departed Brethren now but could their voices come from beneath our feet, for each one of us would they utter this solemn exhortation:

"So live that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan that moves
To those mysterious realms, where each must take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go, not like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to the dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach the grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

At the conclusion of the Noble Grand's address, the Chaplain finished his duties with the following prayer:—
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we pray Thee to accept this humble service performed in memory of those whose loss we mourn. May we be enabled to emulate their virtues, and meet them again in that land where the links of friendship are not broken by the hand of death.
Response.—So may it be!
The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you! The Lord give you peace!
Response.—Amen!
The ceremonies were concluded with the following Hymn:—

When our heads are bowed with woe,
When our bitter tears o'erflow,
When we mourn the lost, the dear,
Jesus, Son of David, hear.

When the heart is sad within
With the thought that all is sin,
When the spirit shrinks with fear,
Jesus, Son of David, hear.

Thou our throbbing flesh hast worn,
Thou our mortal griefs hast borne,
Thou hast shed the human tear;
Jesus, Son of David, hear.

Thou hast bowed the dying head,
Thou the blood of life hast shed,
Thou hast filled a mortal bier;
Jesus, Son of David, hear.

The turn-out was a very creditable one and shows the Order in Port Hope to be in a flourishing condition.
On the return to the Lodge Boom a cordial vote of thanks was voted to the choir for their services, and also to all others who assisted in the successful carrying on of the ceremonies of the day.


from the Evening Guide  Saturday August 4, 1928
DECORATION DAY
The annual ceremony of decorating the graves of their departed brethren will be carried out by the Oddfellows on Sunday next. It promises to be one of the largest and best parades yet held.
The Canton (Patriarchs Militant) of Belleville, are expected to be here, and invitations have been sent to lodges in Peterboro, Millbrook, Cobourg, Bowmanville and Orono to be present.
A good band will furnish appropriate music.
There are 107 graves to be decorated in the Union and Welcome cemeteries, and every Oddfellow is asked to bring one or more bouquets of flowers.
If the weatherman will furnish a day like last Sunday a most profitable service will be held.
Rev. Mr. Hornsby of the Presbyterian Church, will give the address.

DECORATION DAY
The members of Durham Lodge, No. 78, I.O.O.F., and all visiting brethren are requested to attend at; the lodge room on Sunday next, Aug. 5th, at 2.30 for the purpose of assisting in decorating the graves of their departed brethren at the Union and Welcome cemeteries,
The list of graves is a large one and it will need every Oddfellow who can possibly attend to successfully carry out the ceremony. The brethren will please bring one or more bouquets of flowers.
A. W. Fisher, Noble Grand
H. H. Wilkinson, Rec. Sec.

LOCAL ODDFELLOWS AND WAR VETERANS WILL PARADE TO UNION CEMETERY SUNDAY
Sunday afternoon, the members of Durham Lodge, No. 78, I.O.O.F. will conduct the 51st annual decoration of the graves of their deceased brethren at the Union and Welcome Cemeteries and as usual a large number of the fraternity will take part in the annual beautiful event.
The Oddfellows are asked to meet at the lodge rooms on Walton street at 2:30 Sunday afternoon and the local order of the British Empire Service League will also take part in the parade. Cobourg Kilties Band under the direction of Bandmaster Goldring will lead the procession.
The service at the Cemetery is always marked by a considerable degree of impressiveness and following the singing of the hymn 'Unto the Hills' prayer will be offered and the band will play a selection.
The address of the afternoon will be given by Rev. J. G. Hornsby, pastor of St. Paul's Presbyterian church. The graves of the departed brethren will then be decorated and after the hymn 'Abide With Me,' the Doxology, Prayer and Benediction will bring the service to a close.
Following is the list of graves to be decorated:
[An asterisk * indicates burial in Welcome Cemetery. The date of death is given.]

TO THE MEMORY OF
A. A.
S.
Geo.
David
Thos. H.
Geo.
Jas. W.
W. R.
W. H.
Jas.
J. N.
W. G.
W. T.
W. H.
H. C.
W.
P. J.
Jas.
C.
E. G.
G.
A.
C. C.
W. J.
H.
J. H.
T.
Fred
C.
C.
Hermisdas
W.
S.
T.
Wm.
W. L.
Wm.
L. W.
John
H.
J. C.
Jas.
Walter
E.  J.
E. T.
Carl S.
H.
C. E.
E. F.
T.
T.
J.
J.
John
J.
J.
W. H.
G. W.
S.
J. F.
J. H.
Ed.
H.
J.
John
J.
P.
John
T. O.
W.
H.
F. T.
B. F.
J. H.
B. L.
Wm.
Byron
A. W.
Wm.
G.
G.
W.
Wm.
J.
W.
H. B.
J.
A. A.
Jas. A.
G. T.
A.
J. L.
W.
A. J.
J. B.
W. R.
John
W.
T.
Dr.
H. A.
Thos.
J.
H.
C.
M.
J.
Adams
Adams*
Archer
Bell
Bell
Bennett
Bevan
Boundy
Bradburn
Britton
Brown
Brown
Brown*
Brownscombe
Brundrett
Bullen
Burt
Campbell
Carscadden*
Chant, P.G.
Chrysler
Clegg
Coleman
Colwill
Corbett
Cox
Crossen
Currelley
Curtis
Dean
Dore
Douglas
Down
Earl
Glass
Glidden
Goheen
Greenaway
Hagerman
Hales
Ham
Ham*
Ham*
Hamly
Hamly
Hamly
Hansman*
Hardy
Haskill
Hayden
Hayden, Sr
Hewson
Hoffman, P.G.
Holden
Holmes
Hunter
Kells, PG
Lambert, P.G.
Lockington
Lyall
Magill
McElroy
McElroy
McGibney
McMullen
McNabb
Milligan
Mimms
Monaghan
Morris
Neville*
Pedlar*
Peters
Phillips
Pillsworth*
Pomfret
Preston*
Pringle
Pym
Reading, P.G.
Robertson, Capt.
Roche
Rowden*
Rundle
Rundle
Sanders
Scrimger
Stevenson
Stinson
Strong
Tate
Thompson
Thorndyke
Throop
Trayes, P.G.
Trenouth
Trick, P.G.
Trick
Tuer, P.G.
Wade
Walker*
Walton
Warmington
White, P.G.M.
Whittleton
Wilcock
Williams
May 18, 1909
March 14, 1897
November 26, 1926
August 17, 1918
February 23, 1928
November 18, 1922
February 3, 1924
August 4, 1919
April 7, 1915
December 4, 1919
March 23, 1909
March 8, 1925
May 14, 1914
July 18, 1916
November 14, 1924
January 12, 1916
January 12, 1904
August 13, 1883
July 10, 1922
February 23, 1894
October 25, 1878
August 24, 1893
December 2, 1902
December 27, 1923
July 31, 1916
March 15, 1878
March 19, 1918
December 19, 1922
February 17, 1911
February 3, 1890
April 14, 1917
March 12, 1902
June 6, 1924
December 9, 1902
June 17, 1915
December 27, 1907
July 6, 1927
October 22, 1918
September 8, 1901
August 7, 1926
June 13, 1916
February 14, 1920
October 22, 1918
August 2, 1907
January 18, 1923
September 24, 1927
November 15, 1918
September 6, 1919
December 16, 1920
March 6, 1885
July 22, 1908
October 29, 1902
May 14, 1902
August 9, 1918
October 31, 1896
March 12, 1910
August 1, 1877
May 27, 1880
January 30, 1924
February 12, 1881
June 19, 1922
July 21, 1905
August 8, 1918
May 1, 1878
November 18, 1922
June 20, 1915
January 27, 1882
October 12, 1876
April 7, 1924
October 25, 1899
August 31, 1917
July 24, 1925
July 16, 1924
October 31, 1923
December 15, 1923
March 1, 1923
January 11, 1928
March 28, 1904
March 27, 1920
December 26, 1902
January 1, 1911
December 12, 1877
November 6, 1921
September 17, 1888
October 16, 1917
June 16, 1917
October 28, 1892
April 20, 1907
November 7, 1926
May 28, 1898
April 21, 1902
March 30, 1920
May 2, 1919
March 27, 1907
October 14, 1892
April 9, 1926
January 14, 1921
February 14, 1899
November 5, 1912
February 8, 1879
April 14, 1920
October 21, 1919
March 27, 1886
September 30, 1921
December 31, 1904
March 19, 1902
January 19, 1911