PETERSFIELD.
Agent—Miss DUPLOCK.
ODD FELLOWS—FUNERAL OF HOST WALKER.—Our obituary last week contained a notice of the death of Mr. Francis Walker, of the ‟Golden Horse,” in this town. His remains were interred in the new cemetery on Saturday last, on which solemn occasion the members of the Lodge 4180 M.U. Odd Fellows (of which deceased was Host) attended in procession, wearing the usual insignia of mourning. The burial service was impressively read by the Rev. M. A. Smelt, curate; after which P.P.G.M. Owen Outridge delivered the following oration at the grave:— ‟At the request of our deceased brother, whose loss we lament but whose memory we cherish and revere, we have accompanied his mortal remains to the place of interment. Some of you spectators may be anxious to know what are our professions. We inform such that the Order of which we have the honour to be members, is formed on the broad basis—Philanthropy; its object is to promote the happiness of mankind generally, but that of its own members particularly; and we accomplish this great object by benevolence to society at large; by cultivation of friendship, social and beneficial virtues among ourselves, by mutually supplying the wants and alleviating the distress of each other: and impressed with the inestimable blessings we enjoy under the mild government of our beloved Sovereign, we pay a willing obedience to the laws of our country, a proper deference to all our superiors, and a most sincere good will to all mankind. ‛What man is he that liveth and shall not see Death?’ ‛The living know they must die.’ ‛Man cometh up like a flower and is cut down like the grass.’ ‛He heapeth up riches but cannot tell who shall enjoy them.’ ‛Naked we came into the world and naked we return out of it.’ ‛The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.’ To the dark grave, the last retreat of all, we have consigned the mortal remains of our departed brother, but though his voice can be no more heard among us to gladden our passing hours—though his hands can no more extend their wonted benevolence, nor his informed mind impart its sage intelligence, yet in pious recollection of days that we passed together we will follow him beyond the grave, and he shall still have a place in our memory, till we too pay the debt of Nature, when we hope we shall once more meet in a happier Lodge, and live in perfect unison of friendship before the All-beneficent and most high God. To us who still remain candidates for holy bliss and never fading crowns, do Thou, O most Holy Father, shower down Thy grace and bless us evermore.”
Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette - Saturday 29 January 1859
ODD FELLOWS.—A procession of a very novel and interesting character took place in this town on the afternoon of Saturday last, the 22d inst., at the funeral of host Walker, of Lodge 4180, M.U. of Old Fellows. Although we belong not to this society, we were highly gratified to witness such a ceremony, carried out with such order, regularity, and serious bearing, as to impress us with the soundness of the views of this brotherly connection. Burns says—
‟Its coming yet for a’ that,
That man to man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that.”
The procession having formed, the lead was taken by mutes, followed by 21 brothers of the order, wearing hat-bands and scarfs, the P.G.’s, officers, the hearse and mourners, through the town to the new cemetery, where ample justice was done to the beautiful service of our church, by our worthy and respected curate, the Rev. A. Smelt, M.A. We understand that the Lodge has been established 12 years, that it numbers 53 members, and has a capital of about £350, including widows’ and orphans’ fund.
(See also 22-Jan-1859)