Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-02-11
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THE oDD-FELLow,swI WIFE; Or, The
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we proceed now to notice more lmme-
diately the inquiry, Are Odd. Fellows
wives benefited by the institution Of Odd
Fellowship? This we shall do by re-
hearsing an incident from the common
walks Of life, not unlike what every care
full observer of the operation ofthis ,iusti-
tuition has, or may have observed in al
most every place where Lodges are inst.
tuted, and where the principles of Odd
Fellowship are faithfully practised,
Odd-Fellowship, as we have remarked
on former occasion, like every other hu-
name Institution, gathers within its fold
not unfrequeutly, unworthy members
men who Join purely from selfish motives,
for the '"loaves and fishes" A few such
men paralyse the benevolent designs Of
the rest; and hence the peace, harmony
and usefulness of the Lodge is entirely
DESTROYED. Are the wives and families
of Odd-Fellows benefited? We will en-
deavor to adhere to the question before
as. Facts are stubborn things. And
here permit us to make an extract from
the Returns of the Grand Lodge of the
United States.
During the year ending June 80. 1849,
$272,l74 so were paid by the Lodges in
the United States for the relief of sick
ness, $685. 80 to widowed families,
$6,732 rs to educate orphan children,
$51, 1886 IS for burying the dead; making
in the whole, $363, 934 95 paid out du-
ring that year for the above objects.
We now proceed to our narrative.
Emily, my DEAR said kind husband
to his young wife, few weeks after their
marriage, l have thought Of joining the
Lodge of Od-Fellows in this place.
But why do you wish to join them ?
asked Emily. You certainly do not need
their add and as for society, hope you
do not wish to seek it so soon from your
home
No, my dear, l wish for no better So
ciety than find at home; and as for aid,
but then all are subject to the changes of
life. Health and fortune are not always
secure. Though might never need aid
from that institution yet it would be sat
isfaction to know that I contributed to
the aid of others. But if it is not your
wish that l should join, will rolinquish
the thought of it,
i do not know as have any serious OBJ
jections, Charles--if you desire it l
certainly shall not object but then
Then what, Emily Q
1t is a secret society. and l do not
know where it may lead you. You re-
member Morganp
Morgan was not an Odd-Fellow. And
If he was murdered at all, it was by a
drunken class of rowdies. Masons never
sanctioned such deed and many of
them honestly believe he was never MUIR
dered. That institution has unjustly suf-
tered on account of undue eXcitement.-
But then, if you have not confidence
enough in me to believe that should not
long remain connected with an unworthy
institution, l will press the subject no
further; will not join without your free
consent
Charles, my dear, have never had
occasion to distrust you. l do not be-
lisvs you would wish to Join a bad insti-
tuition, You have my free consent to-
night
Charles Isely was young merchant in
the city of N, He had prospered in bust
ness, and at the time of his marriage TO
the accomplished and beautiful Emily
c., had amassed snug little for
tune. If Charles was benevolent and
kind in his feelings his young wife was
not whit behind him. When they com.
menced housekeeping, they established
a rule never to turn any one from their
doors hungry, and TO extend the hand of
charity to all such as bore the marks of
misfortune. We had better, said Emily,
bestow Our charity upon dozen unwor-
thy objects than that one should 90 away
hungry They seldom, however, gave
money to strangers, as they deemed t sa.
Ter to give such things as could not be
readily appropriated to bad uses. Pos.
sessing heart Of benevolence, it is not to
be wondered that the attention of Charles
should have been directed towards the
institution of Odd-Fellowship.
The next night after this conversation
with his wife, Charles was proposed to
the Lodge, and in due time was initiated.
Several years passed away prospcrously,
and he had no occasion to ask for or re-
celve aid from the Lodge but he volun-
tary contributed many dollars for the aid
of others. An evil day came. His kind
and benevolent feeling led him to take a
step that nigh proved his ruin. A pro-
fessed friend and member Of the same
Lodge too for wolves are sometimes
found iii the clothing of sheep, in this in,
sstitution as we'll as others, pretended to
be in deep distress, and solicited his
name on a paper of his, for a large
amount; for which he gave as Charles
supposed, at the time, to be good securi-
ty, but to his modification, he found af
terward that the security was worthless.
Before the note came due, the william alb
seconded, and Charles had to meet it
This nc could, however have done with
out seriously affecting his bushes, had it
not been for several large losses he met
with in trade, at the same time. Times
became exceedingly hard and his los
Aes deranped HE oEIo;r, - 81 J. -