Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-11-06

OI TlgntS ID SdIiCtlOuCu W tbO hOo'
Of humanity and sealed by its bes
blood. Hence, wrangling about doc
trines and principles is unknown Il
our Order. Theological hair splitting
and political quibbIing, have no par
with US. We have men of all sect'
and parties; but they all agree on oul
principles. And the charm of thi'
home OF peace, this meeting-place o.
all opposites, this mutual centre o.
all antagonisms. is so grateful TO al
who come in and feel it. that they
cheerfully bid adieu to the spirit oI
opposition, and come here-the lamb
and the lion-and lie down together,
and the little child Of principle doe:
lead them.
may not be a faithful exponent
Of all the principles Of the Order
In minute detail l may carry them
out too far, or stop short OF their
grand result; but | feel confident
that am not mistaken in this primary
element Of Q d Fellowship. Its
great strength, IFS mighty power, its
grand efficiency lies in this.
| believe that on account OF the
universally of its fundamental prin-
ciples, il affords a field for universal
labor for good, and unites the ele-
ments requisite for universal Broth
erhood. All might be united in lis
mystic tie who will live by its princi-
piles; and IFS principles are such as
every religioni,,, every moralist, ev-
cry politician. that asks, in sincerity,
the respect of his fellows, acknowl-
edges in his heart, are correct.
Then for an Odd Fellow TO fail in
duty, is 10 receive the open condem-
nation of the enlightened world, TO
be rebuked by the voice oI mankind.
The second element of Odd Eel
Iowship, as view it, is this: 1t seeks
not so mucn TO gain proselytes from
The world, as il does TO create world
in the hearts Of its members, in which
it may grow and flourish. Ii adopts
the old adage, "Charity begins at
home," that which grew out Of the
saying found in the sacred Book, "ll
is time that charity had begun at
the house Of the Lord" With this
as its second grand peculiarity, il
goes home to the hearts Of its men,
bers, with its symbolic influences, its
wise precepts, its kind and charitable
teachings and the force OF its righte-
Gus laws. 1t brings IFS members to-
gether upon the platform of its fun
damental principles, and then seeks
to make brothers Of them, to form
them into a social compact for mutual
good: to bind around them the strong
Pfilimeat OF fraternal interest; TO &C.
Tment their hearts in the bonds Of a
secret, yet uninterested friendship;
to make one heart beat in all their
breasts; one feeling rise spontaneous
in all their souls; one sentiment be
spoken by divided tongue. II seeks
to implant in the heart principles ol
Niustice, beneVolence and philanthro-
I ply, which shall live when sculptured
lombs and monumental busts shall
moulder in the dust; live when the
sun shall grow dim with age, and
the stars shall shed their silvery locks
for an oblivious sleep in eternal night.
These principles are eternal, and il
once implanted can never die out
from the soul. Odd Fellowship
would plant them well in the heart,
water them with her perennial dewS,
and behold them grow strong with
the lapse Of revolving centuries. Il
comes home 10 the heart and inter.
estS OF its members, comes with the
strong voice of an "alma mater
bearing its precious burden Of righte.
Gus principle and generous friend.
ship, endowing their souls with the
imperishable legacy OF fraternal love
Its principle love is a home love-
1 The strong tendrils of its friendship
cling around the members of the
Brotherhood. 1t does not waste its
charities on foreign objects while il
has starving children at home. Ii
does not seek 10 aggrandize itself by
missionary efforts among the heathen
of distant land. 1t does not spread
its charities with lavish hand, then
cry TO The world, "see here;, behold
my phild nthropy." No. If ]
rightly understand this second ele-
ment of Odd Fellowship, it whispers
with still small polce in every broth.
er's ear its matchIess words, "Friend.
ship, Love and Truth" 1t breathes
symphoneous echo in the heart
saying, "Be faithful, be generous, 6t
trus." 1t writes in solemn silence
on the armament OF the soul, IFS i'm.
pressive mandate from heaven.
"Trust in God" Il weeps over the
unfaithfulness and GOODNESS of the
world, then turns 10 the hearts oI
its sons TO build its temples there
Does not the true man become true
Odd Eallo,v ~ huild nm nohla nrinci.