The Arkansas banner., 1850-06-18

 umphs of mind. wAich have carried genius into paths never before rodden;'' If government itself finds it's fiFmest support in the affections aud quick intelligence of the poRe, rather than in the forms of lawlf lhese win other countless blessings gre but title of the secet springs of the progress of our country, of the aabity Of our insttalioas, of the prosperity of ou, people, thea may wonnter- stand what have bssn the agencies which have guided the counsels d Odd Fellowship, and wrought out 50 effectnaiIy ;smission of bsnevoIsnce amonR men The causes which have perfected govern meat, and which especially prevailed la the fogma- ton of that well baanced political system under which we dwell, arethe same in truth the infiu- enees which have m,alded our order have advanced its usefuiDsss, and sRow leading u OBward to the faIlfinsnt of its destiny. That cause ls nov known and designated as the lew of Progress-the same in principle which for sges has been silently, yet ef- rectivsly combating error, as well in theories of government as n dO,rnas of religion. as well in the distractions of mora xs in the devices of phoso- phy. The struggle las been earnest and persever- iug-rnen cling with fondness to the institutions and opinions in which they have been edueatsd-- they finger with concern uroUnd the sEppoaad ex cellencss of ancient system--they war hrmty Ios the preservation of cherished lsrHas-they are slow in yielding to what Is termed innevaton-yet, against this mass Of opposition, the continuously advancing judgment of mstarS tights from sge to age has suecessively contendedahd substituted other principles more in consonancf with the progression of things, and better adaptd to the pursuits and happiness Of men, Hence, .he improved and iIn- proving condition of society supplies an answer to inc advancing prosperity oiour inssitation, uader the auspices of American etmPle, and directed by the indomitable energy of tle American character.
 Oar Order was origiuateeby men of limited pre- tensions but with hearts | sd with generous sym pathses and prompted by th nobest impulses As pioneers in great work of philanthropy, their early efforts commend tkm to our profoundest gratitude; and whilst the serGIe, which pervades the system has been essenlly the fruit of progress, the broad principles whichie al the foundation or the institution as laid by thir wisdom, remain fixed and unchanged. If we wotd, however, understand the secret of our Ithe mission In which Te are engaged we must refero the countless blessings which Odd Fellowship hasscatIered in it's pathway to the progressive enlightenment which has so thor oughly controlled its couseis awakening 8 con stantly enlarging humaniy, refining the nature, and notifying the heartsof its volaries. In the early days of Odd Felowsp, it's manifestations were comparatively circu mscribd-its officers were com paratively circumscribed offices comprised in vistatons 10 the sick relief of the distressed. and the burial of the dead A benign progression, acting upon it's dsspline, and stimulating it's latent energies has greatl enlarged the field of its benef lctions, comprehenong within its function moral agencies affecting sciety at large, as we'll as it's membership. It now clans supervision over the private character of the constituent; watches his conduct citizen, parnt aud husband; impo- upon him strict obedene Co the laws, and holds him 10 prompt accountability if he Offends. It also claims the moral guardanstp of his offspring when death summons him from ae world, and sedu Ous. y Tor the temporal saA inteliectua interests of the orphan. The schod and the library are among it's noblest eharti=s,snd the prosperity of these departme nts uader the management of brethsrsh, who have made a office, which draws largely upon their time and s,'vicea labor of love, ot. M in de5,ed to gentleman, (not sf the Order.l long distinguished and valued dtizen of Baltimore, many years deceased, Hezerkish Niles, for the idea of school under the auspices of the Ordef.- That gentleman beinl entitled 10 receive, us the nearest relative of hs son, who died in 1851 {, a member of Columha Lodge, the of thir ty dollars, requested hat hs might be permitted to constitute that suma nucleus, under the control of the Order. around wich fund might be gathered for the education of tie orphan children. Column bia Lodge, 10 which b,dy the request was made, in ved the corporation pf sister lodges and the Grand Lodge, aud from this Ieginning, by the small con lribuiion of half cmt per week by each brother, all the orphan childre of the Order, during eigh- teen years past have fnen educated and, in many instances, their physical wants supplied, leaving unexpended, as an accumulated surplus to the cre- dit of the school fand the sum of Sl3,oO0 on the 18th January, 1850, invested in State aud city stocks
 
 ded for this object sincelS3l when the fact Is con sidered that our order IS composed for the most part, of the working clsses, and the average mor- tality is not less than ore per cent per annum At present the committe. have under their charge four hundred and sixty chldren--a large number Of whom are now in our ridst-whose countenanees, radiant with gladness, seak in language of unuier able force, the funess hearts, whose every pulsa- ton beats in unison win our own in appreciation of our fellowship. VII, my brethren, may We pause, to exclaiu, in tie sentiment of the Roman matron-these, these sn the precious jewels oi our order.
 Thus has Odd Fellowship gradually expanded, and gathered its fulness- Its march Is still onward, moulding the hearts sndsoftening the stern nature of men, under the inspirations tAseparable From liberal and tolerant principles The fraternity of man is it's emphatic iouci stone. This is the broad basis upon which its loft, superstructure rePoses - Fraternity, in its literal apacieus. comprehensive aeceptation, not the insdated individuality. which limits brotherhood to seds crseds, classes, or kim dreds, but that vast unty whose grasping infiaen- ces overthrow the barriss set up to divide and dis tract men. and brings them together in one commu- nion--a communion and fellowship which wars against vice in all its forns recognizes man, how ever debassd and fallen. a hnGaa being; pursues him the affsctonatsy, because of his fraiity, aud cares for his condition with eoaeernment as well, sympathetic as effective. This is Odd Fellow
 
 legislative cou ncils-that Odd Fellowship which has literally covered this Republic. Some there be who interpret it's tendency dangerous to the tiber ties of the people; there be- who regarding afiliation harmless, if not, usefa, ahect to hold the symbols and typical devices of the Order as worthy of enlightened men, and the intelligence of its membership. and yet some who. in lgnoraaee of principles, disrust the value of the institution To this last class, we commend instruction; to those whoss patriotism Is startled by the vastness of our feefatien. and its possible endaagesmsat of liberty, let say that the government of Odd Eel lowship, If not strictly analogous to that of the Union, has been cast la "a ike mould.
 Each State. In our confederaey is distinctive part of entire ystem having its own local laws executive and legislative bodies; these State de- paEtmeats. by representation, constitute the Grand Lodge of the United States, the Legislative and Ja- diciai head of the ontire frat1rai,y--hers then Is presented bond of Union, is net aa enduring as patriotism. inferior only 10 that undying ieye ef coantsy. Every Odd Fellow, bs he from the North or South, East or west. Is pledged to the aLoa of these Uniaited States, net more by the hrm lis oi h., th. nIs.x haaA of nal