Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-04-30

1ounu IN tne frosty latltuues OF tne Canauas ana
in the sofest twilight OF the SOUTH their tabcrna.
cles overlook the turbulent Atlantic and stand
upon the land-verge nearest to the west ; and the
savage, lingering in the ancient burial places Of
blems displayed to day, while away to the north,
where pyramids of everlasting snow lift their
frosty capitals to the skies, Odd Fellows come
ont from their rough dwellings, anti are glad that
the Ark OF Safety rests in the wilderness where
their children shout with elee when the firtree
reels from its base. oh, ye all pervading spirits
of Friendship, Love and Truth / behold you
lingering by the couch Of death on the eastern
cape discern you in the solitudes Of the west,
binding together the broken heart of the exile
see you through the midnight of the south,
lifting the fatherlcss from his pallet Of straw ;
descry you through the drifting SHOWS of the
north, uphoding the shiverng form of her who
is ready 10 despair. And angels, leaning from
the ramparis of Heaven, let fall their benedic-
tions on the sons of men. when you, blessed of
earth, meet in The chamber of death where con-
sumption slowly moves his raven pumes over
the breaking palace OF a soul! Heaven born
sisters of mercy, blessed trio of love, immortal
trinity of truth, enter ye the mansion in The val
ley, and the cottage on the hill, and let oil the
faltering tongues of the houses of mourning pro-
claim you blessed
In the earlier history of this Order, it was the
subject of persecution and suspicion. Strangers
believed that its exclusive and guarded chambers
were the councling places of treason, conspiracy
and crime but crime never went forth from its
secret chambers, treason never came back with
the traitors reward ; no avenging pestilence fell
on .he people no corpse was disturbed in its
reposc the world and the alI-scarchng eye of
Deity saw bencvolcnce and relief only, going
forth to the desert places of human life, giving
bread to the hungry, consolation TO the mourncr
and graves to the dead. And the strange ones
have discovered that our secrecy cOnceals no in
famous wickcdncss that our halls are not the
places Of Internal orgies aud devlish ncanfatons.
that our signals and passwords but the simple
guards from imposition, and means of summon
ing Il ready help in time of trouble. Fellow cit
izens, we are but one great family Of peaceful
father, the Con over ALL our brothers, they who
dwell within the triangular walls of Friendship,
Love and Truth On that strong and lofty defence
we place brighteyed and quick-cared sentinels
they look away across the field Of lifc's battle
they hear the dstressfnl ontcry when the ironcd
h0of aud wbirling chariot wheels grind among
the fallen; they discern the wasted hand of fam
inc bcckoning from brothers. tent, and the wild
owls heart, comprising in her lonely chamber, is
heard from afar There is a bridge over silent
valley clouds roll under its arches and rainbow
gilds its lofty piers in paricolors. The structure
rises MS it extends ; underneath is the river of
l,fe, and high on its upper walls and eqn distant
are watchers, looking down the Valley Of Sin for
signals of distress. They interrogate every pas !
sing breeze whether it has let fall sorrowful
sigh or dying eroan they sound every drifting
cloud to know whether cry of distress has
s.rangled in its damp folds they probe each
bubble on The stream 10 see whether il contains
the last life OF sunkcn swimmer, and send
hourly messengers through the deserted lanes
where affection is pressing her last kiss on the
pallid lips of starvation. Oh, it is n wonderful
causeway of mercy, leading from the tabcrnacles
of men up TO the eternal palaces of Heaven and
over which the haltng Lazarus bounds like the
playful roc.
But sacred MS we esteem the principles of Odd |
they nre not advanced to the sanctity
Of revelation All people have had their gods
some discovered in the solar system, some in the
creatures that swan the Ganges and the Nile ;
some in legions Of the air and others in mysteri-
caves. where the leaves Of sacred trees quakcd
in the breath of Deity. The Con of Odd Fellow
ship is JEHOVAH! We have found no better chart
of eternal lifethan his word we know of no pur
rcr theology, no system of wiser philosophy, and
we recognize its teachings as the basis OF our
faith. It's beautiful and sublime declarations are
reverently pronounced 10 our public ceremonies,
clared in the uprising of the geniest flower, and
in the sounding anthem of the sea. Who can
believe that it is all Of death to die, when n
thousand tongues of inanimate things are declar-
ing eternal life, from the violet of the rocks to
the wondrous mound of Shasta that lifts its hoary
front among the feet of angels, and is forever
crowned with the sparkling crystals of celestial
frost? Can you drop the smallest pebble on the
coffin OF your wife child, and hear no echo from
the endless ases of the invisible world. declaring
am the Resurrection and the Life 2" Away
thou baggard prophet of annhilation. Lay not
thy skeleton hands on the graves of Odd Fellows
Come not near the dying place OF any that we
love. meet us not in the valley OF shadows but
come thou blessed seer who dcclarcst immortal
life, and write thy prophecy in the dust we cast
one upon another
The concluding hours of forty years admonish
Odd Fellows, all over the Union, to rejoice at the
wonderful progress of the fraternity. 1t has fol-
lowed hard on the trail Of civilization to Kansas,
Nebraska, New Mexico. California, Oregon. Wash
ingon, and unstayed by landward waves it has
JnI 4 oli Of I'm D,,I, M