Reasons Why We Are Galilean Fishermen

by Thomas I. Hall

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AN ORATION.

Reasons why we are Galilean Fishermen,

———by———

THOMAS I. HALL,

R. W. National Grand Supreme Ruler of the National Grand
Tabernacle of Galileans, that was organized by Hemsley
and Harriet Nichols, in Peach Alley,
Baltimore, Md., Feb. 2d, 1856.

Oration Delivered

At Island Park, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., in honor of the
Consolidation of 24,000 Galileans, at the 30th Anniver-
sary and Fish Passover, held June 22nd, 1886, on
which occasion there was present a vast con-
course of people of both races.

BALTIMORE, MD.:
Printed by Hanzsche & Company,
No. 2 Light Street.
1886.

THOMAS I. HALL,

R. W. N. G. Supreme Ruler of the National Grand
Tabernacle of Galileans.

AN ORATION.

Reasons why we are Galilean Fishermen,

———by———

THOMAS I. HALL,

R. W. National Grand Supreme Ruler of the National Grand
Tabernacle of Galileans, that was organized by Hemsley
and Harriet Nichols, in Peach Alley,
Baltimore, Md., Feb. 2d, 1856.

Oration Delivered

At Island Park, Harper's Ferry, W. Va., in honor of the
Consolidation of 24,000 Galileans, at the 30th Anniver-
sary and Fish Passover, held June 22nd, 1886, on
which occasion there was present a vast con-
course of people of both races.

BALTIMORE, MD.:
Printed by Hanzsche & Company,
No. 2 Light Street.
1886.

Gentlemen and Ladies, Grand Officers and Members of the National Grand Tabernacle of Galileans:

It has been my happy lot to address meetings in peculiar and even under agitating circumstances, but if I ever labored under a difficulty in my life, or required of my friends more than an ordinary share of their indulgence, it is on the present occasion.

It is a well known fact, that our Order has too long been a subject of ridicule and contempt, by the unprincipled, who are ignorant of our object. They have hurled the shafts of malice against us, which have fallen and lay harmless. The time has now arrived in my judgment, when we should offer a proper defence. For we are divinely taught that benevolence is a sure foundation of all that is noble in human nature. It is an oasis among the barren spots of life, producing rivers of goodness flowing for the benefit of mankind.

Appearing as the R. W. N. G. Ruler of the National Grand Tabernacle of Galileans, I am overpowered by your kind response and ask you to forgive me if I fail to express to you, as I ought, my most heartfelt gratitude for this most distinguished mark of approbation.

I am proud of being connected with any thing that has brought together so large a number of my friends. Were I to consult my own feelings, I should after offering my fervent thanks in fear, resume my seat and relieve myself of an onerous duty, but I feel that this is no ordinary occasion, but one of which I shall be expected to do more than return thanks; and in making the attempt to address you on the foundation of our illustrious Order, I feel the threat of a tremendous penalty hanging over me, somewhat like that of the naked sword that hung over the head of the Sicilian Monarch. No wonder then there was hesitation.

Heaven gave every man time and talent for some useful purpose, and a man's life must have been badly spent if there is no green spot in the past, to which he can look back with consolation and pleasure. For four thousand years darkness covered the land, and gross darkness encircled the people. The history of each generation serves to confirm the truth that the world by wisdom knew not God. The elements of religous knowledge lay concealed beneath a veil that no human sagacity could penetrate; nothing but a revelation from God would dissipate the darkness of moral death, which hung over our race, such a revelation, God in his mercy did give. One single promise was given to the representatives of our race, as they looked upon Eden's entrance closed, which revealed to the eye of faith a ray of hope, beaming from the throne of God. The angelic messengers announced upon the plains of Bethlehem to the shepherds "behold I bring you glad tidings."

Such was and is the person that the Order of Galileans is predicated on. He selected and organized an army for the conquest of a revolted world.

In Gethsemane's garden he recognized in that little band the elements of that kingdom which is destined to extend from sea to sea, and from land to land.

The theme chosen as the foundation of the remarks I shall have the honor to make on this occasion, "why we are Galileans," is one so closely allied to our beloved Order, that I, as its chief officer, by the voice of the people, felt it my duty as well as pleasure to investigate and study it as profoundly as I was able. And the more I studied it the grander and more intensely interesting it grew, and more and more beautiful collateral facts showed themselves embalmed within it.

The term Ichthyology, I find is derived from two Greek words, Ichthus, a Fish, and Logos, a discourse or science, and taken together mean the "Science of Fishes." Treating of their classification, their different kinds or varieties, their growth, age, habits, manner of life, etc., etc., making it a very extensive and interesting study. Exhibiting a far greater number and variety of animal life than are to be found on land. Embracing by far from the most stupendous down to the most minute of the living, wonderful works of God; from the gigantic whale, sometimes 120 feet long, a blow from whose tail is sufficient to crush the mighty ship, and from whose fat as many as 2500 barrels of oil have been extracted, down to the infinitesimal Infusoria, a Fish so small, that Quackett, the great master of microscopy, found 225,000 in a single drop of water; so small that two millions of their bodies did not weigh over a thousandth part of a gain.

Think of a population twice as great as that of Virginia, in a teaspoonful of your supposed pure water; of double the population of the whole United States, taken at one drink of a thirsty man or woman, and yet such things, scientists tell us, are facts.

What a wonderful science is Ichthyology, which comprises such vast magnitude of God's creation for the home of the Fishes. Holding vastly more inhabitants than earth and air combined.

Interesting however as the science may be considered in a scientific light, very few have the opportunity to investigate it and its wonderful revealations, and still fewer have any inclination. Where one man may not care a straw about the Fish's manner of life, five thousand will have a lively interest in the manner of his death, and how being dead he may minister to the life and enjoyment of the student. This is the practical outcome of the subject.

The Fish enters largely into human support and enjoyment. And just here a humorous phase of the subject flashes upon us. Some years since it was universally held and taught, that Fish diet was peculiarily nourishing and strengthening to the brain, and was so accepted by the popular belief. George D. Prentice, the celebrated writer, combatting the idea, said:—"it was nonsense to suppose Fish would strengthen the brain, when they themselves were not even caught 'till they were in seine," (insane.)

But to return to the serious consideration of the subject. I do not propose to load you with its consideration as a science, interesting and instructive as that might be made. For while the Fish itself is seldom dry, as a subject, he may by many be so considered, unless discussed on a plate at the table, in which latter case the Pass-over would prove the exception rather than the rule.

I propose rather taking a few suggestions pertinent to the subject, as a basis of a few practical deductions, interesting and instructive.

First, the Fish itself, as well as those who followed its capture, have played an important part in the history of our holy religion; an important portion if not a majority (and beyond all question its most distinguished champion, Peter,) of its first apostles were fishermen. Peter, James and John, sons of Zebedee; Andrew and Philip certainly, and possibly others, were called from seine hauling to be fishers of men.

The Fish has appeared as a prominent figure during the many ages of the Jewish Church. But I shall not go back of our Christian era. Beginning with that it is a little singular that among the little band following the Divine Master, there is no other animal food mentioned but Fish. It was the factor in at least the four noted miracles. The feeding of the five thousand was upon five loaves and two Fishes. Of the four thousand was upon seven loaves and a few small Fishes. It was a. Fish that brought to Peter the tax or tribute money for him and the Master (in which those ancient waters were transformed into a Roman mint,) from which a coin was taken from the Fish's mouth. And His last miracle, after His resurrection, was the wonderful draught of Fish, that rewarded Peter's all night fruitless toil. When they landed they ate bread and broiled Fish. Again, after the resurrection, when He asked for meat they gave broiled Fish. The Fish thus honored at the start held an important place in the church for many years. The Christians simple repast when they came together, their love feast and their breaking bread together (with prayer) from house to house, was always simple bread and broiled Fish.

But the Fish held a still more important place in the church's early and troublesome days. In the bitter persecution of Christianity, by Pagan Rome, during the first, second and third centuries and into the fourth. When they were hunted as partridges upon the mountain, and when they were given to wild beasts to be torn asunder, given to the flames and racked with every conceivable torture, to compel them to abjure their faith in Christ. When they wandered about in sheep skins and goat skins, afflicted and tormented to cruel death; hiding in secret caves, dens and sepulchres, holding their faith in Christ far dearer than their lives. It was then even in such peril they forsook not the assembling of themselves together, to cheer and comfort and strengthen one another in secret assemblies.

It was then that the Fish was adopted as an emblem or sign of Christianity, and to-day, in the Catacombs of Rome the symbolic Fish marks the repose of some departed saint, gone home to glory. And this symbol had a wonderful meaning.

The early Christians dared not put any written inscription that might be understood as well by their enemies as themselves. But the Fish said to the Christians what it refused to say to their enemies and most deadly persecutors. The Greek word for Fish is Ichthus (Ixœus), and the Christian saw in this the dearest object of his faith and adoration. I is the initial of Ipcous the Greek of Jesus, Xqioios Christ, Œeos of God, Vios the Son, and Earzp the Saviour.

Whenever and wherever the Christian saw this emblematical Fish, his holy devotion at once saw Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my Saviour, as a sort of door plate, announcing who lived there, and knew he was a younger brother of that Saviour. He was there a welcome guest and entered to enjoy his elder brother's loving hospitality. And when he came to leave this dark vale of tears, like unto the Jews in Egypt, they sprinkled the blood upon the door posts, that they thereby might be recognized as the people of God, so he put on his tomb, the symbolism, which to the archangel that should come to call to the first resurrection, spoke in holy accents, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my Saviour."

What a holy office therefore in the Church of God and in our association does the Fish sustain. Well may the Church militant have its earthly origin among the lowly followers of the Fish. Well may Fish minister to it in its helpless infancy. Well may we, as the orphaned followers of Hemsley and Harrie Nichols, who followed Christ, the Divine head, adopt and cherish as our symbol and emblem that same traditional Fish and returning Pasover. Well may we in equal imitation of the Egyptian Jew and the Early Christian keep and celebrate a "Fish Passover." Bat intensely Interesting as these thoughts and facts are, I must not linger, but must speed rapidly onward to reach my long journey's end in season.

And as in all cases of rapid transit, my examination must necessarily be very superficial. Still all aboard and on we go.

Of all God's creatures none are endowed with such wonderful fecundity as the Fish. He practically obeys the injunction to multiply and replenish the earth to such a wonderful degree, that but for hosts of foes devouring or otherwise destroying its offspring, that a single-breeding Fish, within ten years or a single life time, would become the progenitor of over fifty million descendants, and unless made away with would soon utterly clog up our rivers and water ways.

Said Dr. Geo. W. Bryant, at Irving Park, July 14, '84:

"Your name is of Bibical origin. Galilee, originally, was given by King Solomon to Hiram, of Tyre, and consisted of about twenty towns, (Joshua 20-7, 1 Kings 9-11.) Subsequently these towns were occupied by strangers, and for this reason Isaiah gave to that district the name 'Galilee of the Gentiles,' (Isaiah 9-1.) The strangers increased until at length Galilee became one of the largest provinces of Palestine. The river Jordan, to the fountain at Dan, formed the eastern border, and the northern ran from Dan westward across the mountain ridge till it touched the territory of the Phoenicians. Galilee was divided into two sections, 'upper' and 'lower.' Galilee was the scene of the greater part of Christ's private life and public acts. His early years were spent at Nazareth, and when he entered on his great work he made Capernaum his home. The Apostles were all either Galileans by birth or residence. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Galilee became the chief seat of Jewish schools of learning, and the residence of their most celebrated Rabbins. The sea of Galilee borders on the province of Galilee. No less than nine cities stood on the very shores of this sea. The sea is about thirteen miles long and six miles wide and of an oval shape. The river Jordan enters in at its northern end, and passes out at its southern end. The water of the sea is sweet, cool and transparent, and the beach is everywhere pebbly, and it has a beautiful sparkling look. It abounds in Fish now as in ancient times, and fishermen line its shores and glide upon its waters. This brief outline, therefore, gives not only a biblical history, but shows our Order to be both ancient and sacred. May you all so act that it shall be said 'truly these people are emulating the virtues of the Galilean Fishermen of old.'"

The Fish as the emblem of our Order of Galileans, leads every Galilean to pray that we may also rapidly increase and multiply and replenish the earth, till we have brought every sun-bronzed son and daughter of toil, into one hallelujah of swelling chorus. Glory to God in the highest, who hath redeemed us out of every tribe and tongue and people, and hath made us kings and priests unto our God forever and forever. Let us as Galileans cherish the emblems and the faith that guarantees this coveted consummation.

But again, the sand glass is turned and we must speed on. The Fish as a generic term typifies and repesents all the proper inhabitants of the water, and these inhabitants, inseparably connect themselves with the elements they inhabit.

What then of the water and its inhabitants? Water is the great leveller and is the symbol of democratic equality. I use the term not in its political acceptation, but in its broader catholic significance. It washes down the hills, it lifts and fills up the valleys and constantly labors to bring all to an equitable level. It buoys up all that can float, without at all impairing the freedom of action which allows every being to persue any course it listeth. It is a great discerner and tester of character. That which has the innate ability to float it sustains and supports. That which lacks that ability it quietly and gently allows to sink out of sight and memory, where it will cease to trouble, annoy or obstruct that which has the ability to float.

May our beloved Order of Galilean Fishermen be the true leveller of artificial and arbitrary distinctions, raising up the lowly and humbling the proud looks. May it give flotation and support to all having the ability to float, and peacefully and kindly lay to quiet and undisturbed rest and repose all lacking that buoyant ability, where each and every one shall find his true level, 'till sweet harmony shall flow as a river and joy and gladness abound as the waters fill the sea.

When the Order of Galilean Fishermen has accomplished this high and holy mission, shall be heard the "Great I Am" pronounce the grand plaudit, "well done good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of your Lord."

Then let us fasten our symbolic and emblematic Fish or Ichthus to our outer walls; with its noble signification Jesus Christ the Son of God our Saviour, then shall victory crown our humble efforts and our glorious Ichthyology receive its noblest interpretation, and the faithful shall join in the swelling song "unto him, who has loved us and washed us and made us kings and priests, unto God be glory, honor, power and dominion forever." Amen.

Attest:—

COLUMBUS GORDON,
R. W. Nat. Grand Secty.