The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-07-02
aBut what can be its object ~ asked


to advance the happiness Of the race by
drawing closer the tie of human afiec-
tion, and strengthening the bond of
brotherhood between man and man,
"You demand as much for your So
ciety as does Christianity itself. 1t asks
no more. 1t takes no wider range"
said Lewis with emphasis. ...
"Ify you had said we demanded what
Christianity does not, then you had ut
tered what should have denied. / do
not deny that we aim 10 as wide a range,
for our field as we'll as that of Christi
anity, is the human society. 1t can
cover no more; we aim at no les.. But
we work for man as mortal and immor-
tai for both this life and the life to
come. Therefore, we reject the compar-
ison when made invidiously; admit it
when made on the basis ! have laid
down. Without Christianity this order
would have been what it now is; for
its principles existed thousands OF years
before the era of Christianity.
"Where, then, did the Older begin to
exist ?" inquired Lewis, with surprise
and incredulity. t. .t ..
"I will reply to you in the language
of an eloquent writer who has recently
answered your question-'When the
Almighty Architect of the Universe
spake,and this sphere which we inherit
burst into light and loveliness, every
fundamental principle upon which our
Order is based, was stamped with the
signet of Omnipotence upon her young
and unstained being, there to remain in
legible and enduring characters, as con-
stituent elements of her perpetuity and
existence. Friendship then wove her
silken bonds, Love breathcd forth her
strains of mutual sympathy and con-
fiding tenderness while Truth, above,
around, beneath, shed forth her blaze
Of living light, as pure and unsullied as
the rays that emanate from the throne
Of the Eternal God! Upon these three
pillars rests the superStructure of our
Order; around them cluster our bright
est hopes and fondeSt anticipations.'
This is all very pretty, but it seems
to me visionary enough" said Lewis.
"pray what legitimate good, what tam
giblc benefit has it ever done, or can it
do? 1t is very line TO talk about ame-
liorating the condition of mankind, en-
hancing human happiness, and advan-
cling the human intellect; this is all very
fine. But lay your finger on single
good your Order has DONE"
ego with me tomorrow, Lewis, and
examine the records of our doings only
for the past year, and the inspection will
be sufficient reply. There you will
find widows assisted, orphans protected
and nurtured, the sick visited, the pris
oner liberated, and the afflicted comfor
ted and made happy. The principles o
our society are those of humanity ant
religion. 1t not only prompts the com
mon cause Of philantllrOphy, but insure'
to its members in the hour of adversity
IL source of safety and comfort that moth
ing can destroy. The affection of par
ents may change; the friendship of Tho
world may turn 10 hatred, and evei
love may he transformed 10 loathinp
and disgust. But the ties that bind liz
together are never sundered our claims
of brotherhood are only dissolved by
death no, not death can destroy them
they descend to the widow and the or
phan."
"You have led me to think very diff
ierently of your Order, James," sale
Lewis "still il seems to ME that Chris
tianity, without this, would do all thai
you pretend"
"All men, unfortunately, are moi
Christians, The holy principles Of the
Gospel have an influence upon only {
portion of what is called a Christian
community. A. society, then, thai
while it gives now zeal to the Chris
tian who is q member of it, bends down
to the observance of Christianity, and
healthy morality to him who is not a
Christian, is positively good and use
full institution, and certainly does not
initiate against Christianity. AS l be
fore said, our society is for Earth Chris
tianity for Heaven" ....
81 am satisfied. Still do not see il
the daily events of life that you are bet
ter or am worse for being an odd
Fellow" If could see that it made
you more charitable than you otherwise
might be, or that it aided human be
ing who otherwise would not be aided
j shall be half disposed to become ar
Odd-Fellow.
"Many is the penniless and friendles'
wanderer of our Order who can attest
to its holy charity" !" said James, Will
feeling. SITS hand reaches the wide
world over Its language breathes it
eloquent tones in the ear of the wander
er in a foreign land, and his necessitie
are relieved, If sickness lays its para
Lying hand upon him among strangers
a brother of the mystic tie' admins
ters to his wants, soothes his distresses
furnishes him with money; If he recov
ers, to go on his way, or follows hin
with honorable burial to the tomb. Th
sick amongst our own brethren are no
left to the cold hand of public charity
They are visited by the members ant
their wants ascertained and provide,
for by funds they themselves, in healtl
and prosperity, had contributed to raise
and which, in times of need they ca
honorably claim, without the humilia
tion of suing for parochial relief"
"But what moral influences does You
Order exert over its members? j
fraternity of Charity is not of nocessit.
a school of morals, How arc Odd-Fe
lows in their intercourse with the wOrl
better than other men ?" inquired Lev
is, apparently interested in the conveI
sation, while the wife of the eloquer
husband sat gazing upon him with TIL
most pleased and absorbed attention.
"We must know the character of hi