The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-04-19

to prixc and rejoice IN mans soc1cty, IT u
for what he really is, and not for what he
appears TO DO.
end. Moral 6ensfts. When We say
Odd Fellowship improves men morally; we
speak what we know, and testify TO what
we have seen. Your humble speaker has
somo undor his own pastoral charge, who
took their first reformatory steps in the
Lodge. Odd Fellowship did not make
them christians, bat it paved their way to
the cross Of Christ, just Ms We have above
stated, il seeks to do. We can furnish
many bright examples Of the beneficial ef
fects of our institution upon the moral hab-
its Of men. She has often reclaimed poor
inebnatcs. The profane, licentious, and
dishonest has been reforme by her. am
not much acquainted with this communi-
ty, but I will venture the remark. that
there are men in North Adams that have
been improved morally by Odd Fellow
ship. Are. there mott (Seyeral nodded
assent.) When the institution Is in good
hands it, must do good in this respect -
For while our lectures and teachings are
highly moral, lhere are other things, that
naturally benefit the man in this regard
We know that man will have rest and re-
creation. There arc many places, in most
cities and villag 2, whero is found many
vicious influences; and to these places men,
and especially young men, resort for rest
and recreation, unless thcy are furnished
with better ones.
In the Lodge Room man has rest from
the cares and labors of the day; ard in
the place of the vicious amuscmcuts above
alluded TO lie las the associations, core
monies and order Of business 10 interest
him, which are wholesome in their tcn'en-
cy; and this resort Is uniform. If the
meetings Of the odgc are wha, they were
de isned to be. a true Odd Fellow anxious
ly looks forward to tho regular night of
meeting, and is then found in his proper
place. lie is q very poor member who
prefers sscl places as has hecn ALLUDED TO,
to his Lodg meetings.
Odd Fellowship, TOO, reprpvcs nil the
COMMON vices Of tn" dav. The Saviour of
Of the world, said, "TelI him ,te alt be
tween thee AND him alone" So says Odd
Fellowship. Yes, where this Institution
is kept in its purity, the crring arc con.
stahtv meeting with those who are "good
men, and true" that kindly admouish
them of tho errors Of thor ways and lead
them bsck to the path Of sobrietv and yir-
tue.
Odd Fellowship, too. cultivates the NOR
al feclin e.. A just s. nse Of the rights of
Others is here cultivated. Our obligasions
TO God, and humanity, are deeply and ccn.
stant!y impressed. All arc taught in tho
initiatory degree, that "Eo man is an Odd
Fellow, in spirit and in truth, unless he has
n heart grateful to his Maker for the benc-
fits bestowed upon him, and IL heart to
sympathiro witq suffering humanity every
where" AS We advance in tho degree,
still, we are advancing in moral trath and
moral prccepts. Must not tue institution
then benefit men morally? Where it is
kept in good hands it certainly must.
3rd. obi Fsllo,sship affords relief TO
fa?il'es in sickness and distress. What
relief is our institution 10 the wife and
mother, from at least a share of the caro-
and fatigue Of the sick room. Daily, and
nightly, does Odd Fellowship come to her
relief Is that man placed upon a bed of
languishing and disease who is dependant
upon lis daily labors for his support and
the maintenance Of his family? Ifso; his
resources then stop. Our institution here
comes to their relief There loss, is in part
at least made up. Your speaker once had
the pleasure Of seeing paid to such fami.
ly in behalf Of a Lodge, seventy.fve dol
lars in three months. THIS too, they re-
ceived not, as charity, but as their ligh,.
4th. 0dd Fellowship affords safety and
assistance among strangers. Is the Odd
Fellow thrown into strange eitys sick or
in distress? No sooner is he and his stu.
attioa Known than he has all the caro- and
assistance that he needs. Our noble Order
knows no difference, in men, or places
AT home, or abtoad, brother is cared for
when sick, or in distress. A few ycers ago,
man was put off the cars in ono of our
florrsling towns, dangerously i'll. As
soon as tho train had left; the men at the
depot asked "what shall we do with him T.
some said "take him to the poor house.
others said mot yet; perhaps some of the
Orders will own, and consider it a privil-
ege to take caro- Of him." Accordingly
leading men among tho "Sons," "Alasons,"
and "Odd Fellows" were called; and up
on examination, be was found to be an
"Odd Fellow lie was taken TO 3 broth
er's house and thSre received all the care
and medical attendance needed; and after
the elapse Of nine long weeks Lis bills all
paid by the Order, and means furnished
for the journey, he returned to his friends
in n. Y. no doubt, thanking God, for
Odd Fellowship.
Aud here, by the way, VIC have strong
argument in favor Of this and kindred in
situations. How restless and uneasy our
communities have become! What con
slant moving "too and fro in the carrhw
A man is here to-day; in Few days
more he is in California, Australia. Oregon
or Pixies Peak. And, is il not / ask
matter of great consideration. 10 him and
the loved oncs he leaves behind, a. he
journeys To some Of these distari lands, 10
know that ho u allied to an ins tuition,
that will afford him care and rei {, when
sick and in dstrcssi Permit mo to ask
the mother: woulI IL not afEDrl Won great