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

w AenhS PiinSlples OF the
Order OF independent Odd Fellows !
Had not these principles been the main
pillars Of our Institution, had no. those
who entered our Temple worked un-
der the rules Of morality, and for the
good Of Brethren, thousands would not
be seen held together by our myste-
rious ties; that Temple would rot have
stood till now, but crumbled in the
dust OF its own unworthiness; ''and
our Order, with but an odd name "a
support il, would have Rlitterrd in
external gaudiness for a time, and
passed of condemned BY the current OF
just consideration. But not so. my
Brethren; the principles Of our Institu
ton has ~ithstood tie test Of ages, and
At we act as becomes good members,
we shall receive our reward in eterni-
ty. What is human greatness but
vain show. and the wisdom Of the
world but chat before the wind. Upon
the things of Earth, Time has stamped
mutation? Go for q moment with me
back TO The history Of the ancient
world, and ask where is Rome-tho
mistress Of Nations' Alas, her glory
IS shrouded in the lapse Of time, land
the lasd Of Priam lives only in song"
and Thebes, with her hundred gates.
has crumbled into dust. The country
OF Demosthenes and Leonidas is tram
pied by the timid slave and Athens is
insulted by the mindless Ottoman; the
days OF their glory are as If they had
never been. But while the countries Of
Cicero. Caesar, Demoslhenes and Han
nibal have dwindled int insigniieance.
while scarce q monument appears 10
mark the gloTies OF their past ages, the
principles of our Order, though per-
haps under another name, have sur-
vived it all; though fame'S loud trump
has not been enthusiastic in our praise,
yet We have survived the fall Of Ma
tons and the crush Of States; and our
Order has shown in the Eastern and
Western hemisphere with a radiant
brightness never equalled. And il shall
continue 70 shine and increase in be-
uevolence and virtue till time last knelf'
shall echo Ger burning world and
when our name shall have been put TO
legend Of tradition. and the light OF our
virtues only live in song: v hen the
tongue which now speaks shall be ST.
lent in the grave, and this hand shall
have gone to it's mother dust, posieriiy,
as they behold our names upon record
in the Order, shall bless US, and receive
mighty impulse 30 go forward in the
great work Of leading nan from the
paths Of vice to those Of virtue.
Then, Brethren, LET Ms continue
faithful 10 the end. Dersevetina ia tho
work Of Odd Fellowship, and living as
become members Of that exalted In
stitution. Let Us renew our VOWS IN
der the motto Of "F. L. T." end 90
from conquering 10 conquer I'LL our
Order shall embrace within lie bosom
the whole extent Of our beloved eoun-
try, and is principles known and ap-
preciated, and Schools for the educa.
ton OF the Orphan be founded in eve
~ village; and when our course is ter
Minated, when we arc summoned from
this earthly Lodge 10 that Grand Lodge
whose Master is the Great Jehovah.
our graves shall 6e moisiened by the
Widows and the Orphans tears, " hose
bereaTed hearts we have conSoIed. and
our names will be held in grateful re-
membrance by those that shall Gil our
places in this terrestrial Lodge while we
Shall be enjoying 10 their full eonsum-
nation the principles Of our Order in
the world TO come.