Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-05-23
Odd Fellowship.


2fth (4sth anniversary of the introduction of
Odd Fellowship into Amerca), Pep John s.
Follansbee said
In efficiency the Order within the jurisdiction
OF California has surpassed the most sanguine
anticipations. There are in active opera
ton under its charters l43 lodges, with MEM
bership Of some ten thousand, and having an
aggregate annual revenue Of about S22O, 900.
Its liberal disbursements for relief let it sutflce
TO say, have placed the Pacific branch Of the
institution among the brightest exemplars Of its
pure principles of Benevolence and Charity.
Such, my friends, IS some of the fruitage of
seed planted forty-nine years ago by Thomas
Nildey and his four associates. But these are
not the only results of our utilization. There are
those that figures cannot compute those which
the infinite mind alone measure. II compre-
hesds within its functions moral agencies that
10 greater or less extent influence its vast mem,
bership in all the relations of life. We resort to
our lodges to advise to counsel, to instruct and
Improve each other in those exalted duties,
which incumbent alike on all of the great
family of man. 1t is the design of our teachings
to lead men from sensualiy and passion by the
light Of the truth which reveals to US Love as
the grand remedy for all social evils 1t is the
object of our institution to against vice in
whatever guise it may appear. Friendship to-
wards prompts the contest, the gentle in
HuenceS Oh Love supply the weapons, ruin con-
socrates the effort and leads 10 victory.
But Notwithstanding such are the purposes
and results Of Odd Fellowship, objections are
sometimes urged against it, and to the principal
of these pass, briefly to notice:
First-lt is objected that Odd Fellowship is a
secret organization. Properly speaking secret
society is one that conceals its times and places
of Meeting, the names of its members the rules
by which tho society is governed and every
thing pertaining to its business and purposes
The institution Of Odd Fellowship is not one of
This character. The times and places Of our
meetings are well known as the hours and To-
calitcs cf public worship Our members and
oihccrs are known as such in every community
Our objects are declared without reservation in
our text books and rraneal our magazines and
papers which are scattered throughout tic land
sAr claws and constitution Of our lodges may
F,e found in the workshop and DIV Yelling. in the
office and library. open for the inspection of all.
Where, thea, is onr secrecy? answer. that the
whole secrecy OF the Order is. first. in the mode
of our initiation and the manner of our instruc-
,ious Second, in our signs, tokens and pass
words, bv which we recognize each other at
hcme or abroad These are necessary 10 protect
rs against the impositons Of the unworthy and
&c sning-
Lastiv-If assistance is rendered to a brother
or his family we keep il within own breasts
for we would not wound the feelings of the
neely by prorlaimiug their dependence, or by
seeking the worlds approval Charity. we are
taught, is its own reward. Oar secrecy bath
this extent and 10 more.
But il is said by some that secrecy is danger
ons. Crime turks in the shelter of darkness.
Yes, but it also naunts beneath the meridian
sun MANY Of the legitimate transactions of
every day life are yelled from the scrutinizing
eve of the pullic. and ono is so foolish as to
dcciaim against their cOnccalment. The physi-
clan is made the confident of his patients, and
the lawyer of his clients, the man of business
very properly refrains from disclosing all his
plans and operations, and there are few families
that would choose to blazcn before the world
ill that trauspires around the domestic hearth
Generals, too conceal their designs from the
enemy, aud armies are protected, not only by
the strength of their battalions, but by their
words and countersigns. Our National Senate
sits at times with closed doors and not unfre-
ouently it may be the destiny of our Nation has
depended the secrecy of Il Cabinet meeting
Further remark that secrecy is in divers
places positively commended in holy writ ::
- When thou prayest, enter thy closet and pray
in secret and when thou doest aims, let not thy
left hand know what thy right hand docth that
thy Father who heareth and seeth in secret NAV
reward thee openly" Secrecy, then is not of
itself nt-nsically evil. The richest blessings
Of heaven may be prevented for wicked purposes,
and so secrecy may be employed to conceal evil
,le.igns or to keep hidden that which if revealed
might he promotve of good. Whether such is
the use of Odd Fellowship makes of secrecy, we
are content to have you decide from our actions,
satisfied that.if Won Judge the tree by its fruits,
that you will judge righteous Judgment.