Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-10-27
ODD FELLOWSHIP.

Odd Fellowship indulges in no idle mun,e-
ry; her mystic emblems, and solemn icere-
monies, without meaning TO the ,uninitiated,
are pregnant with important recolleciions.
From the first step of initiation, through all
the various degrees, the candidate is taught
the most solemn truths by regular and pro-
gressive steps. They are taught in a manner
calculated tc make the most lasting impress
sion, and while they improve the mind, make
him q; heart better man. His duty TO his
Greater, his family, his neighbor and himself
rank among the first of his lessons; while the
great principle of charity presents itself at
every step, not that charity which procai
meth itself from the house top, but charity
which doeh good by stealth, and bushes TO
mediate eye of the writer in neighboring
city, which may prove Of interest TO our rea-
ders In 1910, gentleman from the North,
who was an Odd Fellow, came South on some
urgent business; on his way down the Mis-
sissippi, he fell dangerously sick of typhus
fever. The captain and crew, being desi-
rous 10 get rid Of such charge, determined
to thrust the sick man ashore. On reaching
the landing the mate and hands were order
| ed TO take him off on a litter, and put him
in one Of the miserable doggeries, which,
to the disgrace of civilization, infest nearly
all onr river towns. The rude hand of the
mate was laid upon the frame of the stranger
and his grntf voice as he beloved out, Guo
ahead," partly reused him from his s,upor,
and he family asked what they would do
with him-he was told they were putting
him ashore at -. He enqnired "are
there any Odd Fellows here!n A brother
standing on the wharf, who had been gazing
on the inhuman scene, replied instantly.
eyes, there are many, and true" '!fhen,''
said the sick stranger, "put me down, put
me down right here, shall be taken care
Of" He was taken care Of though sran.
ger in strange land, resdy friends clustered
around him--they tested him, he was en- Odd
Fellow, and in good standing in his lodge; j,
was enough, he was taken upon brothers.
hands--supported on friendly bosoms--he
WIS provided a place in the best hotel the
best medical aid was called in he was nur.
sed by friends whose eye never slept ovel
his couch Of anguish. For many weeks, hi:
case was considered almost hopeless, but by
strict attention he got well. He returned
home to gladden. the eyes of his aged mother
and ntuse new Joy into the warm heart of hi:
young and beautiful wife. Odd Fellowship
is not only charitable but philanlhropic i
gives the initiated brother in good standing
passport in every land where tie order i.
known. Although a stranger in strange
land, he will have that which will gain hi
admiltance into the Lodge, where his han,
will be pressed by the hearty responding gri
of brother, and his desire and necessiiie
be attended to. Ii is also sympathetic.
, never heard the widow sigh, or saw the OF
| phan weep, and not relieve Indeed, in a
lodges, there is a fund especially set apart fc
| the widows and orphans of deceased mem
/ bers committee is appointed from eac
+ lodge, whose duty il is 10 see that the orphan
are properly fed, clothed and educated. - Lri