The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-02-20

and in tho same city hst gave
birth TO The Order, and around the
statue of Charity, designed to
commemorate the services, Of its
ilIustrious founder, they there re-
ncwed, as one man and with enc
heart, their VOWS of fcalty to &
common cause, and testified their
undying attachment TO Odd Eel.
IOwShip; thus happily aud oppor,
timely 'affOrdinY o glorious and
practical illustration Of the doe.
trine Of the brotherhood Of Ean.
which our Order inculcates and
eniorees in all lie teachings.
Much Of the misapprshension
and prejudice toward our Order
would be removed BY . careful TO-
yesti Saiion Of it's theory, moral
Influence and effects
The value OF an institution 70
the world, 'oits bearing upon the
happipess of mpnkiDd, and the
benefits il proposes 10 confer on
society, may be safely. tested BY
the principles it promulgates, and
the result attained By the adapta-
ton ot the proper means 10 its
ends. Applying this test todd
Fellowship, it will be seen. that its
claims to usefulness and efficiency,
as n moral and benevolent organ
ization have been triump mphantly
sustained.
IL shrinks not from the closest
scrutiny OF its work and labor OF
love" but rather invites the i'm par
tiai criticism Of .he Christian, the
Pbllanthropist anc the Statesman.
The principles Of our institution
are founded in the purest morality
and 10 the most exalted virtues.
The Holy SCRIPTURES are the
source whence we draw our princi
plies us an Order, and the SACRED
volume may be seen upon the al
tar in every Lodge Room. Prom its
sacred pages every member of the
Order receives Instructions calcu-
lated 10 affect his heart and con-
science, and its divine law is &C.
knowledged 10 be our guide, and
of binding force on every one who
Is taught ut our sltars. .lcr r.i.
No one is admitted 10 member
ship who does not believe in tho
existence OF one supreme being, the
Creator and preserver Of the Uui.
verse. At every step Of his pro-
gress he is reminded that tho All
Seeing eye is upon him, and that
h. will be held amenable 10 the
law which his Creator has giveL
him us the rule Of his conduct in
all tho relations of life. gfd .~sy
The chief corner stone nnderly.
ing, and upon which tho entire Su.
perstruclure OF Odd Fellowship
rests IS Fraternity. '''A ''' p u
Its very existence as an Order
its etficieney aud usefulness in the
sphere of it's operations, depend
mainly not upon the mere reeog.
milton OF this principle, but upon
iLs constant practice. 1t isa ton.
damental axiom OF Our afilialion
and is adhered to with rigid exact
ness. 'J .'" t.1i or
With questions Of state policy,
with political parties and sectarian
creeds, Odd Fellowship has nvth-
Ing TO do, interdicling as it does by
wise and salutary restraints all
political and religious discussions
from its councils. lJOur Fraternal
compact is independent OF all the
classIfcations OF the outer world.
The portals of our Lodges are
closed and barred against the in.
PRODUCTION Of those topics which in
their very nature endanger the
peace and harmony Of the Order,
or that would tend in the least de-
gree 10 weaken the hallowed ties
OF a cordial and genuine Fellow.
ship. aa' ''- 40 t'a.'".. -1
Here we fully sacrifice clashing
opinions on the altar OF concord.
Whatever may bo our views
touching the vexed questions Of
the day, however vital those views
may bo under some aspects, they
are nevertheless excluded from The
lodge room. ScctariEn n intolerance
and prescription whetheriD relig.
ion or politics find no place in our
meetings; they are wholly incom.
patible with tho teaching of our
ASSOCIATION and cannot exist in the
breast of II true Odd Fellow. ..H
/ Around the altars of Odd Eel
lowship the clamors and discords
of earth are hushed and its volaries
meet as brothers, bound together
by acommon' sympathy, stronger
than legislative enactments or
bands Of steel. .I ..
Thus amid the strifes of earth
there is one place where men of all
opinions may meet in sacred iel.
lowship. aaI Eaa9 t a
Odd Fellowship beholds men d.
vided by party lines, Swayed by
passion, and controlled by selfish
ness, and it cndeavors to bring
them into u relation OF amity tow.
ard each other, 1t socks 10 pro.
mote the widest humanity, and to
unite all men however diverse in
nationality, religious predictions,
or political atiinities, under the
broad Aegis OF Fraternity. I9 4aa
1t ignores all geographical
boundaries, or divisions Of party
or sect. The great mission Of the
order is to harlnonize mankind on
II wide platform oftolsration and by
the gentle influence OF tone to bind
all people, tongues, and creeds, IN.
a Uniuersai Brotherhood which re.
nn,n;.na ,la ,yk ala .,orfh M -.