The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-07-19
OBJECTS OF ODD FELLOW
SHIP.
by G. ". CRADDOCN.

They may be considered under tire
following divisions:
lst. TO benefit the members Of the
Order in their necessities and misior-
tunes.
I'd. To inculcatc high and exalted
sentiments, and to preserve, 50 far rs
Il human Institution can do so. the
members from the con,amnating II.
fucnces of the world.
Man in all ages has shown the most
intense anxiety 10 provide against the
calamities and misfor,unes incident to
human existence. The mind has been
constantly and severely taxed u de-
wise some place OF safety and refuge
from the caIamiles to which all men
are continually exposed in this world.
Although we may feel the utmost
confidence in the energies and capac-
itv which God has given Us to bear
up under the storms to which our race
is subject. vet all feel a deep and
abiding sense Of their depcnIcoce
upon the aid and kind offices Of others
when sickness. disease or dreadful
misfortune ovcrakc them. No arm
is so strong that it cannot be bent. no
energy so powerful that it cannot be
exhausted. no will so dcspotic in its
purposes that it cannot be subducd.'
and no hope so bright that it cannot
be obscWred by the dark cIonis Of
misfortune. Il is hnmiiating lesson
for men to learn. vet it is taught that
mo matter with what care we guard
|. our interests, though we build RAM
fpartS around them and watch them
with Slecpess vigilance, vet mere
sbreath may scatter our deE'nccs aud
scXpOSe us to all the ills Of poverty and
.wan'. Human wisdom acknowledges
herself utterly incapable Of averlinr
the evil, but seeks in pallintivcs to
soften and moiifv what she cannot
prevent. But should we be go fortu.
nate rs to make our way through the
world without enCounterinr the re.
verses OF which ! have spoken, still
we are exposed at another point Of
,grcater interest to Us than our own
personal safety and ease Our cliI.
,drcn are liable to become orphans in
their tcndcr years. The soIjcitudr Il
man feels for his offspring is probably
,uncqualIed by any other earthly con
sidclation. Whilst we would not ask
any other protection for our children,
than that which our industry and lhcI
strength of our own arm can give sol
long rs we are permitted 10 remain!
with them, vet we know that in al
moment rhis protection may be cutI
off, and they exposed to the hard a6di
drcary fate Of tel rlcss orphanagc.-|
Who that has mol felt the most inlcnscI
anxiety in contemplating this subject
when he looks aIOar the Q Glonnv path
way of the poor orphan, and observes
his neglected condition and the cruel
wrongs inflicted on him ! His lifted
palrimonv is probably placed in thel
hanis of a heartlcss and dishonest
guardian; he is robbed hv the agrnl'
10 whose care the law has committed
his estate. and thus he is defraulcd'
and cheated out of the hard earnings,
Of IN ailcc,ionatc parent who sleeps
in the silence of the grave. No one,
comes to his rclcf--ZnO one pitics the
tears Of anguish which these wro1ge
occasion-no one wipes from his in
fant cheek those tears Of bitterness.
and cheers his little heart with words
of consolation. lie is an ORPHAN
How chilling the thought The friends
of his father pass him By. or perhaps
take him by the hand and Recognised
in the features of the child some Of!
the lineamehtS Of the friends of oihers
days: perhaps rccolcctionSmav srrin1.
up which move the heart 10 piry tu>'
ward the chilli uf his friend. He nav.
resolve 10 inquire more particphrIrs
IHlp iiiS ttl MS wv u ~ EA'"
business crowds upon hm. and h"I
passes of. immersed in the clash oi {
business. and soon fGrgcts the rcso.u
lion which he has formed. II this hcE
The fate of many whose parents havcs
left them a competency for their sup =
port and education. how sad indeed
must he the ialc of those who hlves
pccn left wholly destitute. | need no, {
Iepic. The dcsi;iuIion of their ccndi- 3
ion. 8
1t is 20 provide against these anit
,thcr miSlnrtunes that our Order wass
established. It's solemn ana h'n1-s
nc obligation on all the Lodges to,s
project and aid tire widows aud ci-S
,hans of deceased brothers. Thes
obligation upon the Order TO efucaicE Z
he children Of AN Odd Fellow. Gang
10, he neglected without prlpabic j
of one Of our fCndansGial /!
avs. Al Lodges have fund for I