The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1870-05-19

not for all IsraeIs Christ called !
about him select circle for per.
sonal instruction. Shall we say. !
then, his teachings we're DESIGNED
only for them2 His "Go We into
al the world to every creature," Is
the answer. Our Government calls
a select band Of young men to |
West Point and instructs them in |
the science Of warfare. Is that in
struction designed, thereforc, to
end with them? Look at our ar
mics, and see the science, and vigor,
and drill and discipline Of that
school in the practical training Of |
every soldier in the eranks. So Odd
Fellowship seeks thoroughly to in
doctrinate and drill its members,
that they may 60 forth and IN turn
become teachers Of many others,
contributing thus in an ever in
creasing proportion to the bring
ing about of the universal recogni-
tion Of the Fatherhood Of God and
the Brotherhood Of Man.
And now that have noticed an
objection urged against Odd Eel
.lowship, indulge me in q brief ref
erence to the opposition with
which we In common with all sim
liar societies have to contend-an
opposition better organized and
bolder to- day than at any period
since the great anti-mason agita-
ton.
Opposition that is unprincipled
and reckless is beneath our notice,
and will har1nlessly expend itself
upon the unmovable foundations
of our order. Opposition that is
sincere and honest arises from mis-
taken views of our principles and
practices and Is best rebuked and
silenced by the faithful exhibition
in our lives Of the virtues inculca-
ted, and the duties enforced in our
Order. All other attacks upon us
will be shown, in view of the prac-
tical exhibition of our lofty and hu-
name principles to proceed from no
other spirit than. that which led
wickedmen ofyore to say that John
had q devil, and that Christ was a
gluttonous man and wine -bibber, a
friend of publican sinners.
But to return In endeavoring
to bring the world to the practical
recognition of the brotherhood of
man, Odd Fellowship does not
claim to be alone, nor to be chief
est. 1t claims only place in the
army; only to be one of the many
agencies employed. There is work
enough for all-and honor enough
for all. Interfering with none, en-
vious Of none, cooperating with
all, Odd Fellowship seeks only to
do its whole proportion of ,oork to
hasten the glorious day when
swords shall be beaten into plow-
shares and spears into pruning
hooks, and nations learn war no
more, and when one law shall bind
together all races of nationalities
in that the law of universal brother
hoodp
1t is grand thought that men
are Brothers; that there are bonds
of affinity binding all to each and
each to all. But while our hearts
! glow with the conception, we are not
! toclose our eyes against the difficult
ties in the way of it's realization.
The passion, prejudice, and igno-
rance of men are against it. The
superstitiousness ofpride, the grasp
ing greed of selfishness, the guilty
: Indifference of tyranny, and the
lust of goddess power, are against
it, and form a mighty alliance Of
opposition, entrenched in the hearts
t of men and fortified by the institu
t tions of society, of business, and O.
government.
5. Yet this hoary and colossa
opposition has yielded, is yielding
t still more, and must finally yield
altogether to the assaults of truth
and right.
"For right is right, since God is God,
And right the day must win;
: To doubt would,bc disloyalty,
J To falter would be sim"
And all about us may be seer
e cheering indications that the world
e is making progress toward the
t practical recognition of this great
:, truth.
t They may be seen in the better
4 adjustment of the relation between
5 labor and capital; in the growing
I prevalence of religious liberty; il
j the destruction Of Russian serfdon
: and American slavery; in the sig
S niflcant fact that, the world over, the
e question ofhuman bondage is being
taken out of the arena Of mere po
n litical strife and debate, and settled
: before that higher tribunal, tn
0 hearts and coRsciencss Of men.
They may be seen also in thu
growing amity and commerce o
e nations, and their reluctancy to en-
U gage in war, and, when in arms, il
their rivalry in the merciful treat
} ment of prisoners, and the tender
8 ness of their care for the sick anC
: the wounded.
!, They may be seen, also, in th'
! greater humanity of legislation
!, and in the fact that the majesty o
u violated law is no longer vindica
: ted by fire and the rack and all cru
el torture, but by penal system
: as merciful as just. They may b
u seen, finally, in the growing con
J. viction ofrulers-- of which Napo
e Icons Piebiscitum is perhaps tn,
a z clearest, as it certainly is the newes
= illustration--that no Government
.e is happy or safe that does not con
o suit the will and prosperity Of tn
n. III 4koco khsrern q