Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-07-29
The Charter, Constitution and Bylaws Of
Ottawa Lodge, No. 46, Of the l. o. 0. F.
of the State of Michigan.
TMTPOD HNTTON
INTRODUCTION.

Any thing that has for its object the ad-
vancement of human happiness or human In
tellect; any thing that tends to the amelio-
ration of the condition of mankind, or to
lessen the ills and miseries incident on hu-
man life; any thing that draws closer the
ties Of human sympathy and strengthens the
bonds of brotherhood between man and man,
is not only worthy of appreciation, but of the
warmest support and admiration. That such
are the objects of Opp FELLOWSHIP, none,
who have taken the trouble to investigate its
principles and operations will attempt to de-
ny. When the Almighty Architect of the
universe spake, and this sphere which we in
habit burst into light and loveliness, every
fundamental principle on which our Order is
based, was stamped with the signet Of Om-
impotence upon her young and unstained be-
ing, there to remain in legible and enduring
characters, as constituent elements of her per-
petuity and existence. FRIENDSHIP then
wove her silken bonds; LOVE breathed forth
her strains of mutual sympathy and confd-
ing tenderness; while TRUTH, above, around,
beneath, shed forth her blaze of living light,
as pure and unsullied as the rays that ema-
nate from the throne Of the eternal Gop.-
Upon these three pillars rests the structure Of
our Order; around them cluster our bright
est hopes and fondest anticipations. Here
the venerated patriarchs of our ancient and
honorable institution, in by-gone days, have
worshipped; and with unstained hands, have
transmitted down through the lapse of time,
the sublime mysteries, the sacred rights, the
solemn and eternal truths unfolded to those
who enter within the arcana of our Temple,
and bow as sincere suppliants to the inner
veil of our altars.
The fundamental principles of the Order
are before the world; its deeds are not con-
cealed from public scrutiny; while the con-
stitution and laws Of our society are within
the reach of all who wish to examine them.
But there are mysteries, within the inner veil
of our altar that none except the members
of the fraternity, are permitted to behold
Solemn and sublime truths are there inculca-
ted that have never reached the ear of any,
save those who have proved themselves wor-
thy of the sacred trust. They have remain
ed there for ages, hallowed archives in the
oduCIudiy vi OuI IcIlpio-duu nave never
crossed its portals; and there we hope and
pray they ever will remain, unsullied, invio-
late and untarnished.
Our Order is the handmaid of virtue and
religion, and it must flourish; it calls into life
and action the best and holiest feelings of our
nature, and success must crown our efforts.
Poets have bound their brows with wreaths
Of immortality; orators have reared eternal
monuments to their names; conquerors have
had their trophies; but the pathway to glory
Of these are often watered by the despairing
tears of the widow and orphan, whilst the
trophies which lay at the feet of our affairs,
are the result of the principles of "good will
towards man" and the proud achievements Of
lives spent in the cause of benevolence and
virtue, unsullied by crime, and unstained
by tear, unless it be tear of gratitude and
Joy. Our course is onward, and we may look
forward with confidence to a day not far dis.
tant, when our society shall find an abiding
place in every village and hamlet of our land
and the smoke of our altars shall 90 up from
thousand hills.