Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-03-30
Opp FELLows.-A society of this

ODD FELLoWS.-A society OF thlS
name is making considerable noise in the
city of New York; they have become so
extended as 10 start a periodical there.
The members are decked of with little
white aprons, and sufficiency of other
trumpery after the Masonic fashion; they
have their grand lodge, and subordinate
lodges and secrets; bat not the Masonic
oath: They barely promise to maintain
the secrets of the Fraternity if there are
any! They also have grip. sign by
which they recognize each other. Their
object is said 10 be benevolent one-the
aid of needy and poor members and their
widows and orphans, Very considerable
sums are raised for this purpose, but like
those raised by Masonic lodges formerly,
the chief of them probably, are expended
for halls, furniture, and show. The Ad-
vocate has had several articles in regard
10 them. giving very judicious counsel.
and admonition 20 Christians, and We find
the following most excellent remarks in
the Journal of Commerce, which must
commend themselves to every intelligent
and candid reader--Boptist Register.
ODD FELLows-Thcf fraternity of Odd
Fellows has lately become quite numer-
Gus, and made no little noise IN the WORLD,
especially 10 this city. The bret hren are
decorated with an abundance of red mo.
rocco leather. white satin, gold spangles,
and the like. They have white aprons
like the Freemasons, and some other dec
oratons resembling theirs The fratern
ity also have private grip, or shake of
the hand, by which they recognize each
other, and some secret principI One Of
the first objects of the respective Lod ges
is to collect money, which, we believe,
goes into a common fund, for the purpose
of assisting the sick and disabled of the
brotherhood, and their families if necessit.
Gus, after their decease This is some
thing like the outlines Of Odd Fellowship.
We should not expect such inducements
would attract many sensible then to the
lodges. BenevoIence is not a powerful
principle in the human breast, and if it
were,,he benevolent plans Of the fraternity
are not sound, though we know that va.
rious associations have been formed in the
same way. For individuals 10 form a
common purse by general contribution,
upon the condition that they shall draw
> from the fund when sick, and their fam
lilies if neccssi.ous, afer their decease. j:
very direct way 10 make men live sicL
and die poor. Uponthis plan the industri
Gus will always make the fund, and tn,
lazy spend it. Such plan is hardly ell
E titled to the appellation of benevolent. 70
the benevolence of the brethren is all ex
pended on themselves, and is little els
= than a very Objectionable mode of mutus
| insurance. Each mans benevolence
; intended 10 return upon himself, and-so q
;, least should be called forethought. Their
- is, no doubt, attraction ia this scheme 70
some minds; there is something to cate
i the aborigines, in the white aprons AM
red scars; something in finding out
4 secret, thou gh it may be good for nothin
;, when found out; there is something il
y getting Office and being a great man il
! any fraternity; and there is something 70
- the knowing ones, in taking care OF tn
money, getting the votes at elections, an
all that. So far as we understand III
- matter, Odd Fellowship is Objectionable i
every one of its features; having notbin
\ 10 il which should be countenanced b
:, good citizens, but much which is dar
i eerous TO The brotherhood and to the pub
= lie. 1t brings men together not sorted a
: thew should be-, and so make FELLOWSHIP
- where there ought to be none. No res
" good is to be expected from such careles
y associations, but much evil. Such al
of br1i ~
- great spring Of human actions, seI6shnes
" Benevolence may be emblazoned as muc
IL as YOU please on all their banners, selfsl
- ness is really the fundamental principle
- ~, and that seI6shness always grows, We
" aIwags, into dishonesty towards the cor
-, ~ munity at large. We know that son
~ conscientious men have already aba
~ doned The lodge. because they requir
;, pledges of mutual protection and sup2o
20 inconsistent with good citizenship. Ar
n H, erican citizenship is fellowship of an he
oo order, with which no other should be g
~ lowed to conflict. If We wish for mo
-" -" than this, thew can have religious felo,
~ ship of the CHEST order which this wor
- affords, in the Christian churches 3
~ let Americans, and especially America
Christians, be cautious of commi!tir
- themselves 10 combinations who ha
" secret sentiments, secret rules. and secl
signs, and who seek to draw numbers
m gelher by the attraction of tinsel and ge
~ gaw. There must be great want of re
ett excellence, where such fummeryi is nec'
m. sarv. There must always be great da
cts ger in associations upon the plan of Fir
rit Masonry or Odd Fellowship.
"" The HAvERHILL PETITION FOR d
50 UN1oN.-The Haverhill Gazette says Il
ne this famous document is literal copy