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

mutual dependence upon each other, our
dependence upon hosame Providoncs, and
our destiny, to regard the whole race as
common family. and be ever ready to aid
all in their weary pilgrimage Of earth
We teach him that true friendship, which
extends TO all "a Lrother's hand and a
brothers welcome" :.
Another object of Odd Fellowship is to
train and correct the morals Of men,
Those who think this Order evil, and only
evil, may think tho above remark a strange
one; but Il is nevertheless true. And let
Odd Fellows live as they may, the teach
ing of the institution are as pure and holy
as they can he. II there is here and there
an Odd Fellow who is intemperate, pro-
fame, dishonest and licentious, the fault is
not in the teachings Of the Or'ler; for tho
standard or morality she teaches, is that
taught in the Bible. And however incon
slant any members conduct may be, he
will chccrfally acknowledge this. And,
furthermore, he will admit that to be con
sistan: with his profession rs an Odd Eel.
low, he should rcnounce his immoralities
and 1.-Two according to that high and holy
Law, given for mans government by God
himself. To induce men so to live is the
great anil constant object we havo in view.
Not that We attempted 10 suoplant the
Church; nc, no. We try to prepare men
to approach her al,as by making them
moral, and cultivating love for the truth
and the good. To accomplish this desired
end, we ave such ceremonies as arc well
calculated to make deep and lasting moral
impressions. Besides these, the scenes Of
the sick chamber and tho house Of mourn.
ing into which Odd Fellowship SO frc-
qucnily introduces its yotarics, are all NOR
al 10 their tendency. They head him 10
realize that he will soon be sick md dead.
and this lesson is well calculated to soften
and subGuo his passions, and mske him
moral and benevolent.
Another object of Odd Fellowship
is 70 rehess the wants Of the distressed
and needy. She commissions men to
"visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury
The dead, nud educate the orphan."-
She enjoins upon all her votalies these du-
tics-"Feed the hungry, clo,he tho naked,
visit and relieve those that are sick and in
prison." Are not these worthy oijcctss-
We have sys,cm by which each. in bis
turn, watches with the sick. ("And here,
again, we are all cqual.") Tho institution
has pail its thousands for thc relief Of the
distressed and the burial, Of the dead
Each member contributes stately for these
objects. And none Of Us can tell how
soon the Order may return to us an hun
dred fold for what we have paid. But
should brother never be In circumstances
to require it, he will regard it fortune, anil
rejoice to know that he las done some
thing for the relief Of others woes
The institution has system, also, bv
which small sum is stately paid by each
brother, which is kept SACRED for tie sup.
port Of widows, and the support and edu
cation Of orphans. But don't think tfat
an Odd Fellows charities are confined to
the Older. No, he is 10 relieve the dis
trcs.ed, both in and out Of the Order
The institution, to be sure. has 81 ecial
claims Upon him, but these do not inter
fere with the claims which the "Golden
Ruo" cnjoihs upon him towards all men.
An Odd Fellow in spir and in truth has
heart to sympathise with the suffering
everywhere. We give men both lessons,
and practice in doing to Others as they
would have others dc unto them"
Ano.her object Of the The Order IS to
give men knowledge Of III: manner and
art Of doing business IN deliberative bod
ies. Those acquainted with the embarrass
ments Of those who have not had knowl-
edge and practice, in speaking and acting
in such bodies can appreciate school where
this art Is systematically taught, and where
mch can practice without embarrassu ent.
In the Lodge Room We have just such
a school. Here, all kinds OF business has
its time, place and order. This teaches
US to have place and time for all kinds
Of business, and to attend to II, III its pre-
per time and place. Here, the usually ap.
proved rules OF debate are adopted for our
government; and we Of necessity must
become acqesihted with them. In every
well governed Lodge these rules are rigid
ly enforced. Here, each brother has con
slant practice, and without embarrassment.
Whenever subject is under discussion any
brother who chooses, arises, addresses the
Chair, and speaks out tho l.oaest feelings
Of bis heart, knowing that no one will
criticize anything but bis arguments. And
here he soon becomes skilful dcbi ter
Many of the best Psrliamentarian, in our
own and other States took their first les
sons and had their first practice ia the
Lodge Room.
With these remarks let US pass to con.
slider some of the benefits of Odd Fellow
ship; and
Ist. It's social advantages. In the
marts Of trade and places Of the active
business Of life is 10 place to become &C
quainted with man rs social being
Neither are the promiscuous social gather
ings into which we are 30 often called. In
the place OF business we become acquaint-
ell with him as tho cool business man. In
these social circl's wo know him as u gen.
tlemon, with all tho restraints that are
necessarily thrown around him in such
society OF ladies and gentlemen. In the
Lodge Room, how different. Hero We
have the man without the coldncss Of the
business house, or tho unnatural and ar
bitrary restraints Of the social gathering