Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-06-15

Is expended in comforting the afflicted
IN burying the dead, supporting the
widow and educating the orphan. Blu,
Odd Fellowship is beneficial from the
fact that II inci;es to virtue and incul-
cafes porality; that il points 10 the
golden beams Of truth. and binds n,
members IN the silken cords OF affec.
ton. and creates and perpetuates a
firm and lasting friendship. We, how.
ever, disdain TO crafty the unbosnded
curiosity OF man, or sacrifice the priu-
ciples Of our order 20 vindlcate its pu-
Iity. but confident am Of all Who have
entered its wide extended portals. tina,
internal monitor, a good conscience.
VIII, an the breast Of every Odd Fellow,
respond that our principles are purer
than our practice. Then, all ask is,
TO let the tree be judged by its fruits.
II we SOW the seed Of discord among
you; IL we endanger your civil or re.
ligious liberties. if We compromit those
high and exalted duties YOU owe 70
your God, then condemn us but II We
lead the mind into the paths of virtue.
and promote that social intercourse
which should exist between all ration.
al beings; if we unite discordant hearts
and cause them to love with reciprocal
feelings at the same shrine il we re.
lieve the afflicted. and bury the dead,
and comfort the widow and educate
tue orphan. (which none Of YOU will de-
n.y. is IL reasonable that we should be
charged with crimes Of blacklist dive.
and hunted as beasts Of prey by bigot.
ted fanatics, Religion itself has been
followed by seas OF blood and the hor-
rors Of an Inquisition. Ecclesiastic
teuds have marked the birth OF every
denomination; aud does this argue that
religion IS the less valuable, II GER
tainly does not. While upon the other
hand no course Of blood has marked
our path, but benevolenee and char.
ty have followed our progress. And
looking 20 the grand Millennium dAy.
when swords shall be beaten into
ploughshares. and spears into pruning
hooks, and the lion and the lamb shall
lie down together; when the feuds and
contentious Of christianity shall be lost
n Letbe's cold stream; when sectau.
anism shall shrink from the light Of
truth, and bigotry shall hide her de-
formed face, and prejudice shall let 20
her hold on The human mind, and har-
mony and peace shall usurp the throne
OF diseord, ve, contemplating upon
that period, foresee Odd Fellowship as
being instrumental in uniting the whole
christian world in the bonds Of unity,
and causing all nations 20 bow to one
seepire. and with united hearts and
voices lisp our sacred motto. Let us,
then, my brethern--let us look with
anticIpaiions Of delight TO the acme Of
all our hopes. and ever remember that
persecution will only serve 20 yindicate
our purity. Let us ever meet in the
bonds Of social love, and let it be our
study to aneliorate the suffering condi-
ton Of man, and to defend and spread
the truth till il has expanded to crea-
tons utmost verge.
And Time, that great Mirror which
shall strip all things Of lie gnlse, and
reflect the honesty or the dishonesty
Of man, and prove the purity or the
impuriiy Of our inshtulioa, which is
as pure as the gem in oceans bed,
washed by lie transparent waters, or
the beams Of the golden orb Of day. and
then you will see political Anti-Ma-
sonny reflected as but lamp burning
upon the altar Of unworthiness, and
its yolsries, those that have sought
our portals, to bow before Ihe shrine Of
our sacred motto; but whom we have
spurned as vipers, they being unwor-
thy TO receive the truths contained in
our order, fulfilling the command Of
Jesus Christ, 10 cast not our pearls
before swine. We ask not the worlds
applause, we seek not its honours; we
wish not its appreciation 10 our acts;
We meet together 10 the bonds Of bro
therhood, and concert 40 10 the best
means ofrelieung the distressed among
Us. and taking the orphsn's mind,
which has been beautifully represent
ed, when in ignorance. 10 be IS the
nnhown marble or misshapen brick
taking them from the night Of mental
darkness and Enchanting their intel
lecis, by giving them lbo greatest Of
ell earthly blessings. namely, Educa-
ton; making the mind ss the seulp.
tured marble, preparing them for ele-
walton IN society. And education has
been truly said 10 be the safe guard Of
liberty, and ! hesitate not 10 say, IN
view Of the facts presented, that odd
Fellowship Is The fostering mother Of
Republication; and IN after years.
many that shall stand high in the scale
of human greatness, and become starr
10 adorn the wreath Of liberty, will
trace back 90 our Order as the means
BY which they Obtained iheir elevated
situation; snd we shall have tho con-
sciousness Of adding 10 our conniry's
honor BY 20 doing Bot we may be
told that h every age. IN every country.
schemes and projects. however ropue-
uant 10 The diciaies of common sense.
have met with advocates 10 support
their folly; wo may be told that il IL
consonaut with the ingenuity Of man 10
be ever searching lor new devices with