The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-06-28

u
eI Mauch Chunk and Hdzleton Lodges .
the l9M Of Aprii, 1874.
By ANDREW ID. Cool.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS:
7 Odd.Fellov
ship is the fruitful theme Of my addres:
and The occasion; the anniversary Of the in
Iroduction of The Order in B.Meadows w
come not TO celebrate IKE riumphs Of party
OF the brilliant victories Of the proud wal
|riour, but 10 portray the more ennoblin
achievements Of an Order whose member
are united in the bonds Of Fiendship,Lou
and Truth, whose altars arc reared upol
Faith, Hope and Charity, and who's
benevolent principles sprung into existence
when the breath Of life brealhed into tht
|nosiris of man, 1t inculcates the pures
morality, and in God we Trust. In III,
|day of prosperity, when flushed with healIf
land joyous hopes,it silently and impres sive
y admonlshes us of the uncertainty OF life,
in the dark hours of adversely, it nourishes
us, and soohes our depressed spirits, and
in every sIualionwhelher in the gay, social
cIcle. or The house of mourning, bids us in
solemn tones, Remember yOur Creator!'
|! improves the.morals, expands and soflens
the heart, enkindIes the sparks of social
feelings, checks the vain assumption Of
pride, and imposes no obligation inconsis-
tent with our duty TO our friends, our coun.
Try, or our God. 1t teaches honesty, tenn
perance, industry, and, as guardian spirit,
hovers around US and protects us from the
snares and vcissi!udes of this life. With
the cold, selfish and avaricious, although
virtues of Odd-FelIowshIp are dark, ,mysser-
ious and inexplicable! Their love is SELL
their charity begins and ends at home, ,'heI'
friendship is But name charm that luis
tc sleep. A shade that follows weal'h o.
lame and leaves the wretch 10 reap They
have no tear for the widow and orphan, M
sorrow for the distressed, no sympathy 10
the rriendless and destitute stranger, an
every avenue 10 their hearts is closed
the bright rays Of benevolence, The poi
tails of her temples are open to the VII
tuous and respectable Of every nation.
, every political and religious cleed' and {
one family they ningle around her commo
altars, joined by the IenderesI lies OF bro't
ery love. The demon of party spirit In
Iarouses all lAe baser passion, and presecut'
lCor opinion sake, never deseCrates her a
liars, the wild and ungoverna5le spirit
ranalicism ,ha. applies The torch, and r
Iioices in the death of its victim, nev
o brea,hes within her solemn temples. III
a mated by the nobIesl impulses and guide
. by The winged messenger OF peace she
'' deaf 10 the bitter strife Of party;
Iior the afflicted, the faiberess and helpe
S she hath tear for pity, and a hand open
al day for melting charity. When Initial
J., into her lodges we give no pledge but @
Ihorour, and are sustained alone by
principle of voluntary association. 1t
- Ihe same principle that is shedding It's b
nign influence in every quarter OF the GIt
and enables the zealons missionary TO SC
Ter lhe seeds Of knowledge, and dssemin
among healhens in the land OF darkn
and superstition, the pure doctrines OF
asIblessed Saviour. |; is this principle
olbIis SO powerful in the advancement. OF CT
lza,ion, in the ameliOraliOn Of the condlI
d 1t of mankind, and dragS the inlemperate e
,cdtIrrom the brink of ruin.
Such is the theory of Odd-FeIlowSt
=" bu, how beautiful and instructive lis pra
- cal operations! The poor, but honest,
industrious abourer arrives al our hospll
pub. village, and admiring the benevolent G.
Pled acler of The Order, enrolls his name am
on its members lie is now buoyanI in sPl
ITS prosperous in his vocation, and GLOW
r. With the freshness Of health. Does he
The cry of distress, he flies 10 its re
oes the pesIiIenrlal blaze sweep over
5 for devoted village, and the young the
burg. iE, The beautiful, wllker beneath its polso
sny Influence AS the first born blossom
-. spring uipped with the lagg'Gg rear OF
- 49,. r,os,7' Ha braves the destructive