The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-07-02

altar for her worshippers she has also
dedicated q temple for science and re-
finement." .N..l i..t ...t
81 am delighted that what Lewis and
have said has led TO this conversation"
said the bride with face beamng with
pleasure. 81 am glad, James, that you
are an Odd-Fellow, and shall always
thenk we'll of all your Order. You may
go tonight. But,p she added, looking
mischievously, 81 have one thing to OBJ
iect to in it," H E..
"What is that ?" he asked. smiling
and half guessing. .N un.l
"That there is secret in it. AS q
woman must protest against that"
"'rhat is my objection, too," said
Lewis, 81 dislike secret societies. Their
history shows that they have in all ages
been productive of great mischief; been
tools of despotism aiding the cause of
bigotry and the designs of the power
full and bad Ifyour deeds are SO open
and honorable why should your meet
ings be held in secret and your proceed
| ings in session be veiled in mystery?
Truth fears not tho light" ...r
"It has been said, i'm opposition to it,
that ours is a secret ORDERLY those who
think secresy is incompatible with in
npcence. True IL Is, we are, in part, a
secret society. But is secresy crime?"
"Most undoubtedly" said Mrs. lay
ton, with an arch look. "What woman
would deny it?" ..
| Her husband smiled and then contin-
ued, "Secresy is rather an attribute of
the good. The world itself, the Universe,
the God of eternal truth, are surrounded
with an impenetrable veil that mortal
eye hath never pierced! Shall their ex-
istence be denied because their are not
revealed at our bidding? Shall we pro-
nounce them evil because their opera
tions are hidden from our view and
above our comprehension ?" ''
"Yet what security has the good nan
who, won by your eloquent account of
your Order, fain would join it that he
may bestoW and receive, if need should
be, the blessings that onanatc from it,
within the mystic veil Of your Temple
he is not committing himself to an Or
der, and uniting himself with a set Of
men whose outward charities arc but
the whitewash to cover all manner of
wick edness within 20
| "IIe cali be Judged beforehand. 70
bo initiated into our Order is not as you
suppose ito take n leap in the dark
The fundamental principles of the Or
der are before the world! Its deeds are
not concealed from the public scrutiny.
The constitution and laws of our So
cicty arc within the reach of all who
wish to examine them" "..' ..i
"Yet your proceedings are kept secret.
You have certain initiatory rites that
are kept secret. Your arrangements in
your halls are mysterious and point to
mysterious ceremonies"
? "Ycs, there are mysteries within the
inner veil of our affairs that no uninita-
ted eye can ever behold. 1t is not the
mystery of mere paiaphernalia, but /,
moral mystery! Solemn and sublime
truths ale there inculcated that have
never reached the ear of any mortal
save he who has been proved worthy.
They have remained there for ages,
hallOwed archives in the sanctuary OF
our temple may they ever rcmain,un-
sullied and inviolatc."
SLOW enthusiastic, James - said his
wife with surprise. "rhere must he
good in society that has so warmly
enlisted your feelings" she added pay
ing deserved compliment to his vir-
tues and worth.
81 am almost persuaded TO become an
Odd Fellow" said Lewis, seriously,yet
smiling at his own ardor. "But must
wait to have some practical demOastra-
ton of It's usefulness upon its members,
Who clso arc Odd-FellOws, that may,
as you say, observe theircOndu net among
men ? ..- . ... H..t
"You will find many in the city
among the venerable as well as the
youthful, among the rich and the poor,
the humble and the eminent"
"But who of my friends 81"
James was about to reply when the
street door bell was rung, and the next
moment the maid came in and said Il
man wished to see the man of the
house. ..... ...a.i
"Ask him in," said James. .. 4.s
"IIe says he is too wet-besides, sir,
he is u poor looking man and looks as il
he wanted to beg" added the girl pert
ly. .. ........ .. ... .....
Mr.. Layton rose and went to the
door where he saw man poorly clad,
and looking very destitute, who hand
ed him dirty, wet paper, and said
"Read it if you please, SIR" .
81 have no time now,my good man, "
said James, whose hour to be at the
Lodge had already come. 81 suppose
from your appearance and the title OF
this paper, 10 all good Christians, that
you are in need. There is a dollar for
you. 1t will get you supper and lodg'
ing. Good night" u.. -......
"Be so kind as to open the paper, sir
perhaps you are one Of" the mai
hesitated. .. .. .....
His manner led him to comply ant
glancing over it his eye rested apon ;
mark near the bottom which at onc'
arrested it.
, "Ah, my brother, 1 am very glad
: read the paper" he said in gratiflet
tone. "Give me your hand"
> "Thank God! now am no longer
stranger in strange land" said tn
man in grateful voice. az was Il
:. hopes some brother would see that sig
and relieve me-"
, al am glad you have come to NE
Walk in, and while You are dryin
A yourself and taking warm cup of to
; / will SOC what you are in need Of"
i M L. u-a...n...nIin..I LII LnLl. h..I IAnl