Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-03-18
AN ADDRESS.
Delivered before the l. o. of o. F. at Milton,
Pennsylvania, June 26, 1916.
BY JAMES GAMBLE, ESQ, D. D. G. M.

the ralty and perverseness of our nature that be-
ing fashioned after the great God of the universe
bearing upon his forehead the impress of divinity
endowed with noble faculties Lgh above all created
beings should yet be the slave of passions and propen
sites at with his happiness base and destructive
in their nature, and damning in their tendencies
Yet truth has ever thus written and spoken. since
the day when the virgin earth drank the blood of the
first v,ctim slain to appease passion Jealousy and
renge! since yonder sun behed the frst-born of the
chilren of men, guilty blood strained fratricide
and EARTH thus early, wore the dark habiliments of
death and wo.
The Christian and philanthropist have long wept
| over the extent of human depravity, which, like a
spring of bitter waters, is ending forth streams
of disquet and misery, nourishng the sordd and sell
fish propensities of mankind-the jealousy, the de-
cepton, the oppression of avarice-the pride and
feeling ambition of wealth-the debasng suspicion,
distrust and calumny of man toward man. In vain
have they essayed to stay the s,ceIng tide of human
wo, ever proceeding form these prolific fountains,
and mourned over their impotency to preserve the
peace and happiness of man. from their fearful devas
tations ! While these little babbling streams are
sep arately winding their way through neghborhoods
and disturbing the peace and harmony of families and
neighbors, the signs and tears and heartbreakings
which mark their course, are unknown to the world:
the extent and power of their bighting influence
are neither felt. 1t is when they unite and
roll their dark in deeper aud broader chan
mel, that communities and states tremble at their
power to overwhelm the peace, order and happiness
of man. 1t is when the standard of infdelty, trea-
son, some other fatal heresy, is unured to sum-
these elements of distinctions to seize the rens
of government; and nerve the national to strike
down Truth, and glut maignity and ambition in the
blood of innocence and virtue! 1t when these evil
propensites unite in collecting the Infatuated mob,
and changing man into frenzied demon, sends him
forth to take vengeance upon his ellow-man. 1t is
when the heavens are Lighted up by the confagra-
tions of the midnight torch; when the glaring coun
tenance of NAL ice revenge and desperation is re-
veaed to light, and threatening imprecations rend
the ART is then that virtue, with blanched check,
shrieks with terror: it is then that religion and phil
antnropy are overwhelmed with canstarnation: it is
then the patriot trembTes safety oil MS govern
ment the supremacy of her laws, and the perpetuity
of her institutions; it is then that the length and
breath of human depravty is known and felt and the
public mind awakened to realizing sense of the mag
nitude and Importance of conservative ameiorating
institutions.
Experience and observation teach us, that even in
this enlightened age there exists painful necessity
for the united efforts of all good men in the great
cause of philanthropy and conservative morality
Even in this favored land, vice be tracked by its
long train of concomitant misery and human suffer-
ing. How much pain is inflicted by the cold, selfish
uncharitable votares of wealth! How seldom does
the victim of misfortune affection receive the gen.
line sympathy he needs; or the prompt benevolent
aid he deserves! The bruised and crushed spirit
wIthers and droops for want ofthe genial warmth and
nvigorating influence sympathy and kindness would
mpart until black despair the heart, and nerves
its victim for crime madness!
To ameliorate the condition of man, to cultivate
the virtues of philanthropy, charity and benevolence
to break down the icy letters of seIshness and dis
trust, which confne the social spirit of mankind to
solitary and lonely cells divorcing them from en-
oyments the most rational and salutary their eff
ects to lead men to feel and act toward their fell
lows as brothers of the great family, is work
taught by reason and reUelations, and will be re-
warded by the approving smiles of Heaven. Such
is the work in which Odd Fellows are engaged
These the motives which have drawn from vari-
parts of the country this assembly of its faithful
and devoted members.
1t is an Association. Associations, combining and
uniting individual efforts for the accomplishment of
great and laudabe purposes, have at all time COM
mended themselves to the wisdom and judgement of
mankind, while all history and experience concur in
their utility in effecting important re-
SUITS beyond the attainment of individual exertions
1t by association Christianity is propagated,
churches built, and the sanctuaries of public
worship sustained. 1t was by association the fair
fabric of our own cherished government was reared
and is maintained. 1t was by association that the
friends of humanity have accomplished the great
Temperance reformation, which has extended over
the civilized world, spreading peace and happiness
where sorrow and anguish dwelt.
The leading and characteristic attributes of the in
stitution are Charity Benerolence and Brotherly
Loue. What mine of inestimable treasure to hu-
manity do these words embraced They emana-
lions from the shining attributes of Di, eney are
deep in the human heart by the finger of
Jehovah And its pulsations are framed to ybrate TO
their gentest touch! How damnins are the devices
which tend to seal up these fountains OF Ill that is
virtuous and lovely in man. Eradicate TIN. germ
of divine excellence, and plant in its stead the Seeds
of avarice, sel6shness and Hatred How proper
tionatey good and commendable must be that asso.
citation which devote all its combined powers ~