The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1854-08-19
NO.. a..

! for II permits and encourages the free ex-
ercse Of whatever religious or political
predictions its devotecs may entertain.
and holds its claims upon the fraternity
subordinate to their duty to themselves,
their families, their county, and their God
/ The chief objects OF the order A. an
organized institution, arc 10 promote NOR
! atty, elevate and refine oar social relations.
and advance the cause of benevolence and
/ humanity; and, when viewed in this the
/ light OF ito true character, II is \ public
benefactor, striving By force of moral sus.
sion to regulate the conduct aud actiens OF
all men, by the standard Of rectitude. and
10 harmonic the jsrring elements Of uni-
yersal society. Sooner or later this benign
( influence will extend iis mild and peaceful
/ dominion over the hear.s of men. That
/ these objects are IN themselves meritorions.
it would be madness to doubt, and tina,
/ they canno, be affected BY the mer'bers OF
/ general society. in their individual capacity,
is equally clear, and the attempt. by
church OF state, 10 accomplish them within
the sphere of Odd Fellowship. would .bs
absurd. Chnrch discipline can only be-
extended over those who have embraced
! Ah' &Hfisbhh i'' ~ e'iie " VIC tV'iiS
! in which il Is taught, while, on the other
hand, the moral. social. and benevolent
sentiments of individuals can never be reg.
ulated by positive law. Tho attempt
would render the best and purest governs
men, in the world an in,olerablo despo,ism.
When /. is asserted that our order is an
invaluable mora! agent in the government
I of society, 1t is not assumed pretended
/ that there was divinity in its origin, 1t
Is n fabric Of delicate moral proportions.
suggested and required by the wants and
necessities Of our nature, bot purely Of
human construction. The principles on
which it is founded grow gu, Of the res-
lions Of man in civilized society. and they
are Therefore as ades,ructiblc as the laws
of nature. The magnificent slpersuucs
ture erected on these principles may DO
oyerhrowu, aud its proud columns lc, eled
with the das,, and another Of the same OF
a similar nature, having Ike objects in view.
will ri.e from its ruins, a sublime monu-
nent Of the principles on which it is found.
ed. Persecution may assail its out posts,
aud substitutes mey he offered bu, as a
moral agent, il eau never DO abolished OF
superseded.
The morality of Odd Fellowship and
th.. If Christianity ara tina s,ma. They
arc both founded upon the Bible, and reg.
ulat.d bv i,s orncer,s Christianity il ans
mated and inspired by Gods holy spirit.
,bose illun,ins,iou ep,sr. tho rarcz.es of
the dathes, mind and nursnes wayward
man along tho voyape of lie. TO direct his
t.unost.,oss,.a h,,k to the haven Of saletv
and ,enoss Tia p,n..l,y n .zr i,,.titu>
III, da,,yss H. raj, f,o,n tha same luu;,>
ous sou,ce hut i \, rsaec,ed h, tho intel.
leet of ,n,u and deneoJs unou human wiz.
dom for liz b,illisncy II NAV be obscured
far n time Int being a .nark from tn.
same divine torch its sacred ares will
again burn with feryent heat. and send forth
their rsdian, splentor 10 snlichten uniyer>
sal society. The morality of Odd Fellow.
shin anuroaches near 70 rerfee,iop: whils
: Chfistianity is itselg nerfection. and towers
"a ar above il as The throne OF God ia
above our altar. Between them in,,ita,s
no comparispn. Sooner would | co,pnate
the fam, midnich, taper to eartl,'s brioh,>
sst luminary in heaven. The Christian re.
Hson is spiritual. and has power to restore
the wholo man ia the IMAGE bf hi, God.
I ODD Fellowship makes no such preten,ion.
II Judge. men by their works. ard not by
,helr faith. !. a.pires to no higher moral
aim than TO regula,e the external conduct
OF i,s members. and thereby eleyats and
refine their moral natnre. willis Christian.
il, seeks 10 reeensra,e the sonl. and hence
ADMINISTRATORS Int two great classes among
men. The one consisting Of the Worship
pers OF the true God--the other OF the
balance OF mankind. Odd Fellowship also
recognizes two classes. The one embra.
clog tho atheists and those so abandoned
as to render them unwor,y OF confidence
aud good society the other. the remainder
Of the human race. Thus apparent, that
il embraces within its pale the great mass OF
men as worthy of place in lis ranks, while
the church can admit but small minority.
The distinction drawn by the church 10
enforced by rewards and penalties. Odd
Fellowship denonnccs no penalties against
those who do not enlist under It's banner, but
opens wide its doors to all Of decent behs>
vior. who acknowledge the existence OF
God, aud invites them 10 its sacred retreat.
Odd Fellowship thus understood. comedies
throughout, It's whole extern, with Chria-
iaaiiy but stopping shor, Of the spirilu'
atty of religion, it holds millions worthy