The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-04-29

ODD FELLowsIllr-Odd fellowship
indulgcs in no idle mummcrv: her
mystic emblcms, and solemn ceremonies
without meaning to the uninitiatcd, arc
pregnant with important recollections.
From the step Of initiation through all
the various degrees, the candidate is
taught the most solemn truths by regu-
lar and progressive stcps-They are
taught in a manner calculated to make
the most lasting impression, and while
they improve the mind, make him at
heart n better man. His duty to his
Creator, his family, his neighbor and
himself, rank among the first of his les
sons; while the great principle Of
Charity presents itself at every step;
not that charity which procaimeth it.
self from the housc-top, but "charity
which docth good by stealth and bushes
to find it fame" 4 case came under
the immediate eye Of the writer in {,
nelghboring city, which may prove of
interest to your readers. In 1910,
gentleman from the North, who was an
Odd Fellow, came south on some urgent
business; on his way down the Missis-
sippi he fell dangerously sick Of typus
fever. The captain, crew, and boat
physician dcspaired of his life, and be-
ing desirous to get rid of such charge,
determined to thrust the sick man
ashore. On reaching the landing, the
mate and hands were ordered to take
him off upon litter, and put him in
one ofthe miserable doggeries, which,
to the disgrace of civilization, infest
nearly all our river towns. The rude
hand OF the mate was laid upon the
frame of the stranger, and his gruf'
voice as he beloved out, "go ahead"
partly reused HIM from his stupor, and
he family asked what they would do
with him-hc was told that they were
putting him ashore at --. He in
quired, care there any Odd Fellows
here?' Il brother standing on the
wharf, who had been gazing on the in
human scene, replied. instantly Yes,
there are many and true" "Then,"
said the sick stranger, "put me down,
put me down, right here. sha!! be ta-
ken care Of" FIc ac0S taken care of:
though Il stranger in strange land,
ready friends clustered around him
they tested him be was an Odd Eel
low, and in good standing in his Lodge;
it was enough, he was taken up by bro.
theirs hands-supported on friendly bo-
soms-hswas provided place in the
best hotel, the best medical aid was call
ed in: he was nursed by friends whose
eyes never slept over his couch Of an
gush. For many weeks his case was
considered almost hopeless, but by strict
attention he got we'll. He returned home
to gladden. the eyes of his aged mother,
and to infuse new Joy into the warm heart
ofhis young and beautiful wife. Odd Eel
lowship is not only charitable, but it is
philanthropic it gives the initiated bro
the. l>good standing passport in eve
ry land where the Order is known. AL
though stranger in strar. e land, he
will have that which vii ain his ad.
mittance into the Lodge, where his
hand will be pressed by the hearty re-
spending grippe of a brother, and his de-
sires and necessities attended to. 1t is
also sympathetic. 1t never heard Wi
dow sigh, nor saw the orphan weep, and
not relieve. Indeed in all Lodges there
is fund especially set apart for the wi
dow and orphans of deceased members;
a committee is appointed from each
Lodge, whose duty it is to see that the
orphans, are properly fed clothed, and
educated.
At the latest accounts from the
seat Of war in India, the British
troops were in a very critical stu
ation-another battle between
them and the Sikhs was daily ex-
pected; and the people and gov
ernmentr of Great Britain are evil
IDENTIFY much alarmed, with regard
to the result.
AS late as the second week in
FL