Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-01-01

tutioh aPpeaIs to oetaPioy '"S'o"S'"S,
il may not be amiss to acquaint our rea-
ders with some Of Ne peculiar and dis
tipgushipg characteristics of the Order,
as we lind them set forth in an address
by the Rev. CHANDLER ROBBINS, before
the PAciric LODGE in Boston, on last
Thursday evening week. The following
sketch is from the Boston Daily Tribune.
The views Of the writer in reference
to The origin of the Order, differ in some
degree from other writer's on the subject,
though that is matter, after all, of but
rlling Importance as by "thcir fruits"
they will ever be known and regarded.
Societies of similar nature, having
in them the secret element has always
existed. There seems to be chain
running through all history and all ma
tons, of organizations Of this character,
having mysteries forther bond Of union
1t appears to be N 1lement common to
Gss ioa sss Ss:! 4 sIs ss.
had traced the order Of Odd Fellows
back as far as the days Of Nero, and
even much farther, but he, himself, was
not satisfied with the grounds upon which
such a hypothesis was based, and felt
assured that it sprung up at the close of
the last century, with other affiliated 80
cielcs among the middle and lower
classes.
1t could not boast of high origin. 1t
was formed by working men, and no
doubt its first meetings were those Of a
social festive character. Men Of intclli-
gence and moral worth gradually became
associated with it, and they perceving
the good influence of which it nigh. be
made the instrument, commenced a re-
form, the immediate result of which was
rupture, from which sprung the mde-
pendent order of which class The Lodge
in The United States are composed.
The orator stated many interesting,
and to us surprising facts Of a statistical
character, of its rise and progress in
Great Britain and the United States, of
the number of its members, its amount OF
revenue, and the great good which it had
actually accomplished, AT the time of
the great commercial distress aud dostI
tuition which occurred a few years since
in Eogland, not single member Of the
order which consisted OF many thousands
called upon his parish for relief.
The idea which lays at its foundation,
is that craving for sympathy, and that
recognition ofthe universal brotherhood
which is the dearest princi pie Of the hu-
man heart AT the Threshold of the
Lodge all factions and artificial ranks
and titles are laid aside. Every one is
recognized in lis simple manhood, hav-
ing common wants and common sympa-
lhles, and bourd together by a common
destiny. The relief which is offered
carries wiilfts 5 the recipient, no feeling
Of dependeice, 1t is from funds TO which
he himself has contributed, and his cir
cumstances however sore or grieyous,
are those TO which every one IS equally
liable. yleely has be contributed, so
ire ely ndteoeiyss Its choicest benetac-
lions are not those Of cold pecunary
character for IN all his troubles he has
friends to sympa,hlZe with hlm his long
and restless nights OF sickness arc rem
dered comfortable by kind and attentive
watchers, he is made brave for his last
struggle by the tender ministrations of
coniding friends, and when borne to his
ast resting place, he is followed by manly
forms whose hearts are beating with
gushing emotions OF love nor is this all,
his widow is solaced and her wants sup
piled, and his,orphans find friends and
protectors.
Mr.. Robbins alluded to some objec-
tons which have been urged against the
order, particularly that It confined its
benefits solely to its own members. lie
stated that this was not the fact. by
be oming n member the individual is not
released from those obligations which
every one owes to his fellow men; he
only takes upon himself additional and
specific duties. A simple universal phil
an'hropy is no. very effective. 1t must
have direct ard special object 10 bring
forth fruits. He appealed 10 Tie expe-
rience of his brethren OF the order if their
hearts had not been quickened to every
good work since they had been its mem
bers.
The name Of the order had found OBJ
jectors. 1t certainly was odd it did not
promise much, but he had often thought
there was much significance in it, IL
might be considered sly satire upon
many Of those high sounding and pomp-
Gus associations, which promised so much
for the welfare of the human race, but
whose performance was so meagre. =
The name Of this promises liltle, but lis
works will show how much il does.
lis secret character had been called
in question. IL its objects were good
why should its meeting be private and
exclusive 1t was to prevent imposition
Other societies, legislative bodies, often
transact business with closed DOORS
There are secrets in every family
There is drop curtain to the hearth of
every bouse. Goedmen as well as bad
devise their plans in secret. Ii could
not be made a dangerous engine against
Church or State, because its members
were composed OF all sects and parties |
Ii il should favor any gross evil, mem 1