Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-05-24
Odd Fellowship---Our Emblems.

vey. That Jehovah searcheth our hearts and
trieth our reins that we cannot hide ourselves
from his view even though we ascend to Heaven
go down to Hades, or seek dwelling place in the
" farihest verge of the green earth. j" Hence the
motto written below the Eye-"IN COP WE
TRUsT'' -
The HEART AND HAND, imply that when the
Odd-Fellow greets his brother, the welcome pro-
ceeds from the heat. He extends not the right
hand of fellowship, while the left hand holds the
assassin's dagger!
The Hour GLASS, reminds of the speedy
passage of time, and admonishes us to improve
dound to the glory of God and our own neighbor's s
good while it also brings before US the great con-
trast between time and eternity.
The THREE PILLARS, represent Faith, Hope
and Charity They direct the Odd Fellow to cul-
tivate an enlightened and saving faith in God the
Father, in Christ the Sun, and in the sublime
truths of Divine Revelation. They emphatically
declare, that although we may possess every other
qualification, if we are destitute of Charity we
are but as the sounding brass and tinkling cymbal
The ScYTHE, reminds of the solemn truth,
that as the grass falls before the mowers scyhe,
SO man, being the grass and flowers of the field,
must wither before the touch of Time, and fall
before the King of Terrors.
The SCALE AND SWORD, held forth by Justice,
instruct US, that however much of the partiality
may exist in the world, yet, among Odd-Fellows,
both justice and mercy are administered without
regard to the idle distinctions of men.
The LAMB, suggests to us the Importance of
personal innocence and forcibly reminds us of the
paschal lamb under the law, and of Christ, the
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the
world.
The DOVE, calls to mind the salvation vouch-
safed to righteous Noah and the faithfunesS of
God in relieving the anxiety of the soul, by send
ing harmless messenger with an emblem of con-
tinued favor.
The TENTS, discourse to us of the ancient Pa
who abode in tents, and at the same time
admonish us that in this world we have no contin-
uing city.
The Arrows, refer to the plan adopted by jon
athan to apprise David, whom he loved with
fondness more than womans, of his good or i'll
fortune from the hand of Saul. And they should
teach us that every laudable effort should be put
forth to save brother from the wrath of an
enemy.
The SERPENT, is intended to represent the bra
zen serpent erected by Moses, according to Gods
direction to heal the Israelites when bitten by the
fiery serpents.
The BIBLE, is placed among our emblems, be-
cause it is the fountain from whence we draw in
struction the store house from whence our doc
sacred pages. 1t is our guide both in faith and
practice its promises cheer; its doctrines instruct
and its precepts guide us.
The BUNDLE OF RODs, shows the Importance
of union in our benevolent endeavors. As one of
the bundle could easily be broken
The THREE LINKS, remind us that the only
chain by which We are bound together, is that of
q Friendship, Love and Truth - and that we
obligated by the most sacred considerations to vio
late neither of these principles.
The AXE, conveys to our minds the wholesome
truth that as the trees of the forest must be cut
down and fall before the progress of civilization,
with view to convert the wilderness into fruit
full fed-so must the axe of Divine Truth, which
is laid at the root of the tree, cut down every evil
plant and poisonous tree, before our fellow men
can be brought under the influence of pure be-
nevolence
The SHINING Sun, reminds us of the command
of Joshua, which arrested onward course of the
Orb of Day: and it also points to the Sun of
Righteousness.
The HORN OF PLENTY, teaches us, that if we
are faithful to the discharge of our duty, we shall
ever find, in the resources of our Institution, an
ample supply of our wants.
The GLOBE, instructs us that the world is the
field of our benevolent enterprise-that our breth
rem are scattered over the face of the earth, and
from whatever nation they come, if misfortune visit
them, they must not solicit our aid in vain.
The ARK, reminds us of the disposition made
of the two tribes of stone, on which the decaogue
was written.
The BEE HIVE admonishes us to avoid indol-
ence, and wisely improve our time.
The RAMS Horns, reminds us of the safety
connected with the horns of the ancient Altar of
God
The ALTER OF INCENSE, suggest to us the man
ner in which God was worshipped by his ancient
people.
The SEVEN STARS, reminds us of the seven
pillars in the house of wsdom-the seven church
es of Asia.
The Moon, rejecting the light of the sun,
represents to us the welcome smiles of Friend
Ship Love and Truth, shining in the night ol
misfortune.
The BURNING RoD, reminds us of the favor
showed Aaron in his elevation to the Office of High
Prest-and of the kindly nterposition of God in
behalf of his ancient people.
The Crook, reminds us that the patriarcha
shepherds were Odd Fellows-that God is ON
Shepherd-that Christ is the good Shepherd who
laid down his life for his sheep.
The Bow reminds us of the ancient mode o.
warfare-of the conquests of the patriarch Jacot
with his bow-and the friendship of David and
Jonathan.
The COFFIN, reminds us of the certain approach
of death, and that our duties to our fellow crea
lures will not terminate, until our bodies are pre-
pared for the tomb.
The SKULL AND BONES, remind us of the desire
of Jacob and Joseph to have their bones removed
from Egypt to Canaan and they teach us, that W.
are obliged to commit the mortal remains of a de
parted brother carefully to the tomb.