Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-05-08
JUDGE TYLER,s ADDRESS.

OS-A-s ~ ~1AA
JUDGE TYLER'S ADDRESS
In compliance with the proclamation
which has Just been read in your hear
ing; this day has been set apart by the
fraternity generally in the United
States, as a day of thanksgiving anC
prayer; and we are particularly re
ouested by our most worthy grand of
ficer, ito render thanks to the ever liv
ing God for his manifest protection Il
that institution which we so much Low,
and cherish"
Perhaps some may say, this not be
ing a religious organization, it seem
an impropriety to set apart a day 70
the purpose designated.
Although it is true that this is not 8
society that claims to promulgate any
particular religious doctrine or creed
yet it holds most sacred the great prin
ciples of christian truth, and the whole
superstructure of its teachings, is bull
upon this ever enduring foundation.
To me it seems not only duty which
We owe to the Great GiUer of all good, thai
we should render thanks for blessing
received at His hands, and ask for a
continuance of His benefcent. provi-
dence; but we have no doubt, thai
through the operation of His infinite
plan of moral government, it is one o.
the means employed for the elevation
and perfection of humanity. That il
is the medium through which the mind
of man has converse with that Grsa
Mind which is the sum of all perfec-
tions, and that this is one of His es.
tablished laws to unite and harmonic
the moral universe.
That such devotional acknowledge
ment has an ennobling effect upon the
conduct and character of mankind
when sincere-can not be reasonably
doubted; although it may be quite diff
6cult to appreciate the object and pur-
pose of this, for the government of the
spiritul as well as the ply sical universe,
is beyond the conception of finite NOR
tails. They are each governed by GER
tain wise and unchangeable laws, some
of which are comprehended, at least
they are thought to be understood /;
but most of them are beyond the men
tai vision of man, and as he attempts
to untangle the webb Of their myster-
les, he becomes bewildered, and is only
eft to wonder at their complexity and
sublimity, and to admire the beauty
and harmony of their operations.
To illustrate: We know that God has
,et out in unbounded space, number
less suns, and has tied worlds to them
BY invisible threads of attraction that
beneficial relations exist in
these celestial families; that millions
Of these planetary systems, are in like
manner Joined to grand central pow
Or, around which they revolve, and in
whose will they have motion and exist
snce. The great philosophers and as
however, merely give names
% the leading laws governing this inf
mite mechanism. but fail to discover
heir essence and to comprehend their
power.
Now the laws governing mind, are as
much more difficult to understand,
compared with matter, as is the spirit
ial superior to the physical in the scale
If creation.
The metaphysical scholar will testify
o the doubt and uncertainty attend
ng the principles governing the oper-
.tion of mind, and will assure you
hat scarcely anything but speculative
deductions in relation thereto, can be
.rriYed at by the most learned in men
al philosophy; especially mysterious
re the connections of mind with mind
nd with the great spiritual universe
utside of earth.
But cardinal, moral obligations are
lot difficult of comprehension, al
hough we may come far short of ap
,reciating them fully. Still we can,
nd do, realize the effect of complying
nth, or disobeying them, upon our
wn kearts, and what effect the con-
Iuct of others in this respect, has upon
heir character, prosperity and happi-
less.
Now God has established as one of
lis cardinal ordinances, to render man
harmonious with his fellow man, and
nth God himself, that he should be
rateful. Gratitude is the great stream
f virtue through which many good
motions of the soul flow. 1t in
ludes all that cluster of graces which
urround charity, for it implies feel
ng and generous heart, and a proper
ense of duty. According to these SEN
iments, and in conformity to the proc
amation just read, the Odd Fellows of
his nation, then spread over our coun-
ry, from the evergreens of Maine to
be everglades of Florida, in every |
tate and territory between the two
ceans, comprising oVera quarter OF a mill
on brothers, met to day in grateful re-
ognition of the unerring will of God in |
escuiDg the genius of Odd Fellowship |
,om the mine which desolated so
lany of the benevolent and charitable |
of our common country, as
be indispensable effect of civil war,
nd of the unmistaksble prosperity
-hich has crowned its labors during
be years which have just passed.
The chastening rod of divine prov
lence, is often laid upon nations by
ne bloody hand of war, in consequence +
great national wrongs. Then often
ONES a general breaking in pieces of
ing cherished connections and associ-
tions and the oyerturning of old es-
institutions, and their frag-
lents being hurled by supreme power
Ito his purifying crucible of national
generation, are left again to crystal
ze and reorganize upon principles
lore in harmony with the divine mind;
I'd, when amid such general DEM
litiou of national fabric, a certain
'gsnization finds itself spared from
le general wreck, may not its mem
srs feel that they had the special IA
Or of Him who judgeth the nations of
le earth, and the inhabitants thereof.
nd, brethren, from the manifesto
on of divine power in preserving our
'ganization intact, when the nation
embed through every connecting
Dre, sand wide breaches were made
nong those counted most firmly uni
d, we may feel additional encourage !
Ient, that however much as indiVid i
dusls we may be undeserving, and !
I've come short of performing our 4
'ws, yet that the work in which we I