Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-05-04

not the aDllity or cOuraget TO MAINTAIN themselves
there. Failure, sometimes inevitable by com.
bination of circumstances, is then so much more
disgracefu, the world, not over charitable,
heaps all the blame and censure upon the poor
unfortunate for thrusting himself forward, when
in reality had he been allowed TO choose, would
have gladly remained in opscurity.
| find myself in precisely this position. By
desire of NORTH STAR LODGE of Odd Fellows,
appear before you to-day in role which | have
not sought, but which at the same time could
not refuse to accept for the wishes of NORTH
STAR LODGE to me equal to commands
Like the newly-wnged fedgling will try my
first flight and like it tremble for my success
Let your Judgment therefore be lenient let your
criticism be not too harsh for remember that my
success may reflect credit upon the Fraternity,
while the disgrace of failure would fall solely
upon myself.
see fair ladies here, who came to grace our
gathering. Their presence shall cheer and re-
animate me- for we would be very odd fellows
indeed if rosy cheeks aud flashing eyes, coral
lips and peary teeth, did not exert their magic
influence upon US all.
The occasion which has called forth this cele-
braton is the Forty-Eighth Anniversary of Odd
Fellowship in the United States, and 1t is my
task to tell you something of its leading traits
and principles. Before doing SO, however, per-
nit me to speak of other secret organizations, and
the motives which called them into existence.
It is natural for men, when they wish to effect
something great and noble, to band themselves
together-to form associations within which they
NAV work with a sole view to their purposes, un-
disturbed by outside influences. Such associa.
tions existed in the earliest period of man 3 his
tory, and of some of them l shall endeavor TO
give you an account, concluding with Odd Fel-
owship, as we conceive, the noblest OF them all.
At that brilliant epoch when Greece was to the
world what our own country is at the present
time-the envy and admiration of all-the Olvm-
pic Gods still reigned supreme. Jupiter, the ac-
knowledged ruler of heaven and earth, sat un-
disturbed upon his throne, the forked lightning
and crashing thunderbolt in his extended right.
Neptune still held undisputed sway over the
waves, and with his trident ruled the Trtons OF
the sea, and the Nymphs Of the fountain, while
Pluto, in gloomy majesty, held his court in the
internal regions. Every forest and every tree,
every fountain and every brook, was the resting
place of some deity, each of whom was suppos-
ed to exert more or less influence upon the deg
tiny of man. That religion, sensual yet poeti-
cal. pleasure-oving yet artistical was the relig-
ion of state, and woe to him who dared doubt its
truth. Nevertheless, there were some'wise and
good men with thoughts and ideas far IN edvance
OF their age, who while outwardly contorminglo TO
the ceremonies and rites of that religion in their
innermost hearts despised the folly. Such men
associated themselves together, and in secret
meetings, with impressive ceremonies, first pro-
mulgated the sublime idea of one great, spiritual
and omnipotent Being. None but the wiseat
and the bravest the most learned and yrtuous,
were admitted to these " mysteries, as they
termed them We have no definite accounts Of
the mode of initiation, but it is known that their
ceremonies were calculated to impress the mlnd
with awe and reverence, and that an emblem Of
Death was introduced TO inculcnte she doctrine
of q future life The most celebrated OF these
mysteries were the Eleusnian, and men from all
parts of the world came 10 ask admission.
In Egypt with priesthood which formed n
state within the state, also existed secret sos'e-
ties with similar purposes, but where none oTs
Priests were admitted. Although Offering in.
cense TO the statues Of Isis and Osiris, these
same men. when unrestrained at their secret
meetings would laugh at the folly of the masses,
and rererentlv bend the knee to one invisible
God, whom they but imperfectly knew and uu-
derstood From Greece with its arts and litera-
ture, such societies were transplanted TO imperi-
nj Rome, where they lourished and grew to i'm
portance. In that city hourished another soce.
ty, extremely secret, an account of which might
perhaps be interesting to the ladies present. It
was society composed exclusively Of Roman Ia
dies and matrons. Men were not permitted to
enter or be present under penalty of death, and
their ceremonies and proceedings were kept 50
secret as to prove refutation of modern Sian.
der which however never believed, that wo-
man cannot keep secret.
In the north of Europe, inhabited By race Of
men as wild and ferocious as their surroundings.
religion naturally assumed an aspect fearful and
repusive. In their wild and interminable for
ests, full of gloom and darkness, with sky
above them rarely smiling, but nearly always
threatening, the Druds, their ancient priests,
with hideous gestures and contortions, brought
human sacrifices to their terrible gods. The
shrek of anguish and sigh of the victim WAS
drowned by the discord Of their chaunts and
the North Sea, as its waves in fury lashed and
broke against the iron coast, added its thunoer-
ings and mutterings to the terror of their wor'
shin But even there secret associations existed,
where none but Drnids distinguished Tor manly
qualities were admitted. Their mysteries MI"
ceremonies rude as themselves, nevertheiess eA
ercised great influence upon the people, Ano
they were able to maintain their power ions az
ter christianity had triumphantIy Piao'eu 'ne
cross in the south of Europe
Cbr;e,ianitv itself in its infancy wns secret
.;.a,;o, Its followers for long success
on of wears were compelled 10 meet III ca'erhs,
~ IN tbe babitations of the dead, there to pray
IN the God of their choice, and to instruct tho
noonv who were anxious to learn its doctrines.
They had means to recognize each other in the
,bronging crowds of the streets Of Rome, had
certain signs and ceremonies which distinguished
them from the rest In the heart of Germany,
during the Middle Ages, a secret society sprung
into existence, which in a short time, became pos
sessed of fearful power. Its object was to bring
great and noble criminals who defed the law
and broke it at their pleasure, to punshment.-
Such men compelled to defend themselves
at the secret meetings of the Brotherhood. II
found guilty, or the accused refused to appear,
the punishment was death. Wealth and rank
formed no protection, but all men were alike in
the eyes of the 90 Holy Tribunal of Punishment"
as the Order was named. But corruptioRente
ed the organization its power soon declined, and
the only remaining traces of its former great
ness are the ruins of the castles where they met,
and the traditions of the people.
There is one society, however, of which wish
to speak with respect and admiration . society
whose origin dates back to antiquity greater
than chrstianity-one which has seen nations
rise and disappear, Kingdoms and empires grow