The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-05-21
From the Gavei.-
R JAMES:
Or Odd Fellowship Triumphant,
BY J. STANLEY SMITH.

80 ~
are more noted for their integrity of char
acter and purpose, blunt honesty 10 al
their dealing. and rather a clustering
straight forwardness in every department
oftheir lives, and for quick perceptions of
right and wrong, calm consideration and
sound intelligent judgment. He was a
man beloved for his many sterling virtues;
a man whom none hesitated a moment 10
trust. He was not what we called an ed
ucated man. All the book %'larnin' he
could boast Of, was the distant and rather
stiff acquaintance one scrapes with the
Spelling Book aud Testament, Daboll and
Murray, in a four winters tug with a
specialized country pedagogue. But his
mind was naturally strong, and mainly
well directed by a high moral sense OF du-
ty, and piety, which adorned his daily
walk and conversation.
1t was in the summer of 1889, that an
Odd Fellows Lodge was Instituted in the
village of his residence. From the first
James opposed it.. The whole bias of his
mind tended against Ii, aud his narrow ed.
ucalion, combined with strong prejudices,
prevented him from entertaining for a mo-
ment the thought, that the brethren of the
Order, or the Order itself, were any bet
ter to use his W language, than Jacob
inicalis. Jesuits that ever lived on this ere
airth."
James had a son who was the very anti.
podes of his father, in most respects. He
was clear>headed, well educated, %inteIli-
gent and unprejndiced. The denuncia-
tons Of Odd Fellowship which rung in bis
ears at home, led him 10 look carefully
into the matter. Having surveyed the
whole field, he came 10 the conclusion that
his father was wrong, and that he ignor,
antly abused Il glorious institution. He
soon united with the village Lodge, and
having thus fully satisfied himself with re.
gard TO its objects, character and results,
undertook the task of enIightening and
setting right his father.
otis no use. Bill" cried the old man,
at the end Of long and stormy debate, its
no use to try to make me believe that Sc.
crel societies is good for anything. Evil
grows out on 'em in the long run"
"But what is your particular objection
to Odd Fellowship"
81 haint got no purticuIar objection, but
a thousand gineral ones. LIS silly, on.
proper, sinful, dangerous, and more'n
all that, its secret-they've got secrets
'mong 'em--they dasent for the life on 'em
give me a sign or a grip"
"Yes, father, they haze secrets; secrets
that teach them TO entertain and practice,
with their own brethren not only, but with
the grand brotherhood ofaIl mankind, the
principles of Charity, Friendship, Mutu>
al aid, Love I'D Truth; secrets which
learn them to be near and aid each other,
at all times, & in whatever circumstances
they may chance to be; secrets which en-
able them 10 minister to the sick, relieve
the unfortunate, cheer the heart Of the
mourner. provide for the widow, and lead
the orphan 10 u happy home; secrets which
make them love one another secrets which
klndle in the heart an adherence OF the
vices which disgrace and Cypress our fell
low men; secrets which learn them 10 love
good for itself, and to reverentialIy wor.
sip and adore the Great Source of all
Good, secrets which preserve US from the
Intrusion OF the unworthy, and the mach
nations of the malignant; secrets viii"
"Thcre, there Bill, I've heorn enough!
Its impious, blas.phee nous, false i l
kn0W tt is /"
"H0w do you know, father2 you're
not a member of the Order"
"How do know, Bill? you're not a
member either F."
III anil"
t'TVha:r'
al am a member of the Order, e. wha,
have said, that | do k4ow."
The old mar sat a moment in speech.
less amazement; then, after a fierce denun.
citation, In a fit of ungovernabIe passion,
opened wide the door, and babe the aston,
iShed young man pass Out forever!
Poor William, driven from his fathers
house with Il fathers curse burning in his
heart,scarce knew where to turn his stems.
He was poor in this worlds goods, and
inherited a poor mans %fortune-a ftmilv.
A wife and three young children looked
TO him for support. From his father he
had received employment when the busi>
ness OF his trade, engraving, was slack
Now Ihnt source was closed, dried Up, and
the future looked dark. But he did moi,
despair. The heart of an inteIIioen, and
lovely wife sympathized and counseled
with his own, and trusting hopefully ia
God. a smiling face soon d~ispeiIed what
seemed a frowning Providence.
A few months rolled bv. One EVENING
there came tidings to James that his son
William was very ill-had been sick EIGHT
weeks, OF q fever. The news fell UPON
his heart like water upon a rock-moislrn
ing bat not penetrating it. Presently,
however, it worked lis way % the old
fount of parental feeling, aud it was not
long ere a fierce conflict ensued between
all the emntinnS of a nn.nr,lL.. LII c.L-