New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-12-31
0Sarret Socictics.v

Mr. EDITOR In your paper OF Monday there
arc two articles in defence OF Secret Societies against
an article published in your Supplement- the previous
"Wednesday Poor arguments and injudicous friends
WAYS put a good cause in jeopardy.
IN tho secrecy of these Societies offer this single re-
rsrkif there be in the community any where preju.
dire against Secret Societies matter whether well or
III founded, why should the Temperance Cause be bur
dened wit it and especially in this hour of sore trial
The particular point wish to call attention is that
these friends of Secret Societies entirely msrepreseni
them by calling them Associations of Philanthropy and
Benevolence
Odd Fellows they two Of the mos, noble chara-
BILE and benevolent Institutions of the age" J. B.
speaking of the Association OF the Independent Order OF
Rechabiies calls it one OF the most Philanthropc of
this Of moral improvement and benevoenCe TO our
fellow-men."
Have these gentlemen heard OF such Institutions
as the American Bible. or Tract. Temperance Soce-
ties of either OF the various Missionary Societies OF
the day and it among these noble specimens OF Char
y. and Philanthropy. aud Renevoence that these Sc
cret Societies are classified So understand them.
Ii seems have been entirely overlooked by these
writer's that these Societies are charitable phian.
hropic or benevolent at all That they are companies
Of banded together for purposes OF mutual ald IN
time sickness and DEATH and that IN order 10 conhe
these benefits their own members exclusively all OF
whom must paw the stipulated price certain secret signs
OF recognition are adopted
Where is the benevolence here more than in an insu
for which you have paid equivalent that moment the
benefit ceases also in these cases, whenever you
cease to pay the regular dues that moment the Charity
"ceassth'-the hand Of Benevoence is closed.
1t is universally known that the Secret signs are adopt
ed TO prevent persons not members from shareng the
benefits and that persons certain age are not
permitted 10 join lest they should too soon become
chargable and ask in view OF thu Sc facts these
Societies are exclusive and selfish inSteadof phian-
thropic and benevolent.
What would be thought if the A. Bible Society shouid
adopt rule, that none but its own paying members
should receive Bibles ii the A. Temperance Society
should that person above certain age should
become a member. if our Missionary Societies were
to adopt Signs by which the uniniiiated
from claiming the bread aud water OF lie. Would not
their charac for benevocnce he forfeited at once and
for
VIII these gentlemen give definition Of charity or
philanthropy or benevolence which does not Involve
the idea OF universally, all the suffering and dest
tue and which limits and confines ito provisions to our
party to those only who pronounce the Shibooleh
Until this DONE ought not the friends OF these
Societies TO sustain them their true merits as Mutual
aid Societies guard against want in time OF affection
Ia this respect they may have their use just as Associa
lions to insure life and property may have their USE
Although it should always be remembered that the con-
tributions of members equivalent fully and justly
paid in for all the benefits received and that such ben
fits are claimed on the of justice and right and not
of charity. W. H.