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

lJuSuce, mtegrltys cnaIits ana loVe
Is II not to become a better man, q
more patriotic citizen, purer,noblel
christian? In fine, is il not to cult,
vate and encourage every virtue thai
may cluster around the heart ol
hearts? Does be come in for benefitsi
pecuniary benefits? from hercenary
motivesi Is this the object Of true
man in becoming an Odd Fellowl-
If it is, then have not learned the
first letter in Odd Fellowship. What
are our pecuniary beneftsi Are they
anything more than legitimately
grow out OF our principlesi Can
our laws make IL more knding on
US TO bestow them than do our prin-
cipIes. Do not our PRINCIPLES tell US
to give pecuniary benefits TO needy
brothers as loudly as do our lawsl-
The truth is, our laws simply compel
our members to live up to our prin.
ciples, so far as they can compel it.
Their design is TO make our practice
agree with our profession. Tempo
raj and timely aid is the offspring OF
a generous heart. He who has your
heart has your money, in he is in
need. "Whele your heart is, there
will your treasure be also" The man
whom you love has one hand on your
heart and the other in your purse
You place il there and tell him TO use
freely in his time Of need. This is a
law Of Friendship, a law of Love,
Two OF our cardinal principles. Their
do they not teach US to give benefit,2
He, then, who becomes an Odd Fell
low for the sake of the benefits which
our Institution bestows OF tempo
raj or pecuniary nature, is traitor
TO its first principles. bypocrite, a
dishonorable man, and will be dis
grace TO the Order. The benefits
are the result of Odd Fellowship. not
the object Of il. Its objects is bene-
fits for the heart, the mind, the soul,
the inner brother. That is most
needy. The world has for ages
abused the inner man; trampled it
down; heaped burdens upon it; called
it by wicked names; denounced il as
awfulIy wicked, irreclaimable, "to-
tally depraved," the child Of the
wicked one. Odd Fellowship saw
this and wept, and stepped in with
dement's for IL, with rich, glorious,
imperishable benefits, "which moth
and rust cannot corrupt" nor the
wrenching hand of theft bear away,
with Friendship, Love and Truth,
trust in God, and faith in man.
These are its grand and permanent
benefits. Odd Fellowship fixes its
loving gaze upon the heart, the mind.
1t greets the soul with gladness. 1t
lets in Gods bright sunshine upon
its barren wastes, and plants in them
the seeds Of virtue, love and truth.
1t strives TO make good men out OF
all its members, noble men, with
their hearts in their hands, strong
men whom the thunder storms of
this cloudy life cannot move from
the rock bound anchor of truth and
right, who will be true to principle
and duty though the heavens come
down.
This is what ! understand TO
be the second element Of Odd Fell
lowship, or its principal result. II |
am right, it will at once appear clear
to every mind that the true Odd Fel-
lo1U is a true man, and that TO be an
Odd Fellow in truth is no small mat
ter. Itrequires a lull-growthed heart
and soul. fa.
But let US return now to the first
element Of Odd Fellowship, its fun
damental principles, md enquire
what they are, and what are their
results in the minds that cherish
them. .-s
Its first principle is written and
visably symbolized for the gaze Of US
all,-"Trust in God whose All-seeing
Eye is ever upon u.s." The great
and universally acknowledged truth
that God is the only power we
can trust with perfect safety and
that the glences of his AlI.seeing
Eye..are perpetually penetrating our
hearts, over the motive chambers OF
eur souls, and setting in judgment
on our thoughts, feelings and actions,
is the basilar principle Of Odd Eel
lowship. On this the whole rests.
1t would teach reliance upon God,
trust in his Holy name, leaning OF
the head on the bosom Of his love, a
sweet resignation 10 his will, a care
full obedience TO all bis laws, yield
ing of the soul to his purposes and
requirements. As a result, il de-
mands OF every brother, that he shall
worship God in spirit, revere his
name, love his laws and obey them,
and tune all his heart to his praise.
It follows, then, that no brother has
the sanction Of Odd Fellowship to
profane or blaspheme the name Of
n L