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

US as cardinal-FRIENDsHIP, Love and
TRUTH-we cluster them together and
suspend them upon our walls. We send
them forth 20 the breeze upon our ban
ners, cherish them in our hearts, and
endeavor to practice them in our con-
duct with one another. Like the bum
die of sticks that cannot bo broken, we
are tied together by the band of friend
ship, brotherly love connects the union,
while truth renders its members incor-
ruptible, and gives to the whole dura-
ton and strength. By these heaven
born virtues and principles we seek to
be governed, and endesVor by exhorta-
ton and emblem to impress them upon
the heart. But we are not so vain
glorious as to claim that we have eleva-
ted ourselves to the sublime summit of
these perfections-and although we
may never in this life be enabled to
attain that exhalted position, let rs en-
deavor TO approach it by every means
in our power.
That we may not at least fall below
the common level of morality, let US
tear from sin his alluring mask, that We
may see the monster in all his hideous
deformity. His heart is petrifaction.
The cold worms of avsrice, greed, hate,
envy and malice, crawl through his
brain, corrupting judgment, destroying
every kindly sentiment and emotion.
Horror sits in his lack luster eye. Now
looking with cold indifference UPON
the sick, poor and disconsolate; now
with fendish grin, ridiculiDg and de-
spising the unforaRste and oppress-
ed. We turn from the loathsome sight
with disgust and fear. While thus IN
yelled we shall never be tempted to
come within his grasp.
How widely this picture differs from
charity, our guardian angell She sit
teth upon q throne Of mercy. In her
crown sparkle the gems of Friendship,
LOUe and Truth, and while she scatter
eth peace and good will to the inhabi
tants of the earth, drop by drop she is
giving consolation to the hearts of the
afflicted. Let US ever propitiate her
power and receive from her smile of
approval. ~.
Think how soon it may be your lot
to need helping hand. Do not con-
s:der yourself secure because now in
the full tide Of health and prosperity
you stand independent of the world
You who least suspect it have at this
moment hanging over your heads, sus
pended by single hair, Ills which if
seen would cause your flesh to creep
and your heart to faint. z-I
Bolstered up with wealth, you now
dare wrong your neighbor. oppress the
poor and take advantage of the weak !
Your feet tread upon the gulf of woe
and vretchedness. Go at once to the
altar of charity, and by laying the ever
repeated offerings Of benevolence, ap-
pease her Just indignation against you,
and you may yet be spared from many
sorrows which it would now seem must
inevitably fall upon you.
1t may be customary on occasions
like this to address the ladies special
ly. To them, however, we can say but
little, for it becometh US not to exhort
them to perform duties, in the exercise
of which they are undsniably so much
our superiOrs. We could only speak of
your efforts in behalf of the cherished
principles of our Order in terms of
commendation, hut We have too much
respect for your intelligence, to-fatter
you with vain adulation. We can only
apologize for not giving you more SYM
pathy and encouragement in your
efforts to promote the cardinal virtues
of Odd Fellowship. To you we must
ever look as guides to worthy objects of
charity, and while we admire, if We
never fail to respect the tear of pity
upon the cheek Of beauty, we shall do
much to alleviate the suferings and as
suage the ills of human life.
Finally, let rs to-day renew our
pledge of sacred honor, that we will
promote the interests of this heaven
institution, and while we send
up our grateful thanks to the ever hV-
ing God for past protection and mercies,
beseech him to hasten the coming
Of that day yet hidden in the womb of
time, but to which hope looks forward
with ardent joy, when the tears and
woes of this life shall be submerged by
the healing tide which flows from the
fountain of benevolence and peace
Then shall one law bind all nations,
tongues and kindreds, and that law
shall be the law Of universal brother
hood. ..