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

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Of the Heavens, who combined within
himself the philosopher, statesman, and
sage. who transformed the printers boy
into a nations boast, and became the
wonder and admiration Of the world.
was not he too q member Of a secret
association And dare political anti
Masonry brand his name with infamy,
or defame the memory Of his immacu-
late spirit. which reposes in the bosom
Of the God Of Washington But they
denounce Us again. for reason Of our
emblems. and declare them useless
show. Let me ask them, il, before
printing was invented, emblems were
not the means OF perpeluating the most
important events And in the present
day, are they not the means Of trans
hitting to posterity the strongest moral
lessons. and calling up 10 their minds
the most delightful ideas, What Ame-
rican Is there, who. far from his home
and friends, can behold without emo
ton the proud, towering. and princely
Eagle. grasping the arrows Of desiruc-
ton and the olive branch Of Peace,
emblematic Of the youth, strength, and
proud soaring station Of his native
countrys How delightful the associa-
ton OF ideas IL presents 10 his mind,
and pictures the scenes Of his home.
commingled with the past, the present,
and probable future destiny Of his own
native country! But those opponents
OF secret institutions have arrayed in
their maddened fury, and bound them
selves by curse, to pursue with una
batting ardour, to the downfall Of secret
societies; and with SANDERS emanating
from hearts whose thrones are envy,
and whose breath is desolation-in
whose presence every virtue wilhers-
who have lighted the fiery :orch Of per-
seoulious, aud apply it only to subserye
their own interests, and picture TO their
infatuated Imagination the period when
they shall have arrested the progress
and consigned To oblivion secret assoc
Citations. But, 10 such vain, pTesuming
mortals, Who have dethroncd reason,
and buried every good thought N the
sea of prejudice, would say. that 20
attempt TO draw the veil Of fotgetful-
ness over the principles Of Odd Eel
lowship, or Free Masonry. they might
as well attempt TO roll the majestic Po-
tomsc back TO its source, or pluck the
stars from their shining orbits. or cause
the golden orb Of day to pause in It's
course. or to suspend the immutable
laWs of nature, or roll the pcnderous
wheels of time backwards, and pro-
claim themselves destined 20 triumph
over all earthly existencel Yea, they
might as well seek the elixir Of immor.
ialiiy, or attempt 10 grasp the reiDs OF
tutuTity. Yes, my brethren, am
proud 90 declare, that the history of our
country shall be the history Of Odd
Fellowship; It's interests shall be iden-
tiled with hers; its prosperity shall be
her prosperity The aspiring mind may
bow before the cross, the politician may
cast bis offering upon the throne Of
royal favor, she warrior may wade
through seas Of blood. to win those lau-
rels upon which Time has stamped mu-
taiion-lhe statesman may strain his
gigantic intellect, devisinS means TO
lead him to preeminenee among his
fellow-men, but the true and faithful
Odd Fellow considers il his richest
need TO cast his offering upon the altar
OF Charity. feeliog conscious within
that the act will be Feeompensed by the
widows and the orphans tears. And
this IS not all be feels that IL shall live
when STARS shall languish and expire,
and ensure him a rich reward in eteE-
nifty. But there is another objection
urged against Us, and one. if possible.
more futile than | have hitherto no
ticed. II is this /: thu, secret societies
arc ~ direct opposition 10 scripture. Ia
reply to this, I have only 10 call the at
tention Of you, M brethren, and those
that have kindly honoFed us with their
presence. TO the garden Of Ge,hsemane.
The Saviour Of Mankind, about to be
offered up, TeiiEing with a chosen few.
the companions Of his vieissitude lhro'
life, end those destined 10 plaat the
standard Of the Cross, and defend that
faith requisite 20 the happiness Of man
We see, I say. the Saviour, retiring
with his disciples. 10 teach them in pri-
yats, charging them 70 watch, for
The hour drew near. And ia bic in
teFcoprse with his disciples, both before
snd after bis crucihxion. we see him
retiring from The world. and teaching
them in private The doctrines Of the
new covenant Bot. you may ask me.
II wish 10 connect Odd Fellowship
With the Scripture; my answer IL, that
whatever may be the speculative op,n-
ioa Of men respecting Odd Fellowship,
iis origin and principles, though they
may pronounce iis origin 10 be locked
10 antiquity, and iis principles 10 Be
immoral; yet say, emphalically, that
&c origin is IN he volume q inspira-
lion, clear 10 every discerning mind,
and ils principles ere embiazoued
upon che pages 81 the same, written IN
indeiible Characiers. which he regolu.
ton 81 Mature, that shall east Time To-
TO Eternity, VII only serve 10 hIiRbten.
So. Paul. u will Be remembered, 10
summing up The most essential. and