Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-07-05

I selves In one OF the most negtecteus anu
yet one of the most graceful and useful
accomplishments of these times, the pow
err of private conversation. This is not
! ALL In this order woman, associated as
she always is in this institution with her
| husband, not only cultivates and exercises
the esthetic side of her nature, but
she sees in the future, so full of misfortune to
the whole race, an arm that will ever in
the temporal affairs of this life be stretch
ed out to shield and protect her and hers.
In the organized friendships of this or
der she sees brother that can and willpro-
tect against any dark and terrible storm
that may burst withou. warning upon her
head. saw in Hudson but just last week
an example of the value of this order to
woman, and of the deep and tender inter-
est that woman feels in it. saw chris
tian lady, cultured, refined, and in every
way qualified to appreciate the kindness
and worth of this order, in a position to
test for herself the sincerity of her breth-
rem. Having but recently stood by the
open grave of one dear as her own life,
she was again summoned to stand by the
sick bed of husband and child. Two
brows were aching, two temples throb-
bed with pain, two forms burned with fe-
yer, and two voices in the same breath
spoke her name. Worn with previous
watching, and burned with the dull, heavy
pain of recent bereavement, she had
hardly sufficient strength to stand alone
at the couch of husband or child. Her
christian faith sustained her, but yet fire.
quently the inquiry came into her mind,
as the dread possibilities of the future
arose before her, What shall l do?
What will become of me if my husband
dies ? Just then, in obedience to their
covenant obligation and the promptings of
their own hearts, two of the brethren
stood in her presence. MADAM" said
they, eve have come to relieve You of all
care, of all labor, and, if we may, of all
anxiety" What kind of an act was that
Hear what they said. s'We have come to
minister earnestly, faithfully, lovingly,
TO your husband and our brother come
to watch in your stead at the bedside of
pain" and from that time, sleeping or wax
ing, that mother knew that watchful eyes
were upon her husband, listening ears
heard and obeyed his slightest wish, and
strong, manly arms supplied his need of
strength. Is not this ministration of
charity of more valueto man than any
words can express.
Is it true that woman has no deep inter
est in this institution When sickness
lays its hands upon the husband or the
sire, has woman comfort in the daily
visits, the nightly watchfulness, and the
tender, loving, liberal charity, if needs be,
of true, faithful men, who tell her with
fearful eyes that all is the free will gift of
a broth er's love. Is it no selace to a wo
mans heart to KIN Ow that there are those
who will mingle their tears with hers in
the hour of bereavement? Who, when
the cherished of her soul is laid low in
his narrow and dreamless bed, will lay
the clods lightly on his bosom which is
now still forever? Who will so draw the
curtain over the commerce of the grave
that she shall not be made to feel, by
the words of the sexton and the undertake
err, that the world makes merchandise of
her affection? Has woman no interest in
that institution that wraps in the broad
mantle of its protection her orphan chill
dren when the wild storm of death blows
down the trees in which their nest was
built, and leaves them cold and naked by
the way? No interest in that order which
will lead her .fatherless children along
the path of learning, and, if possible,
teach their inexperienced feet TO shun the
way of sin and death?
Woman denied membership in this or
der? Untrue. Woman no deep or vital
interest in this institution Say That the
sowR grain has no interest in the rain
burdened clouds; say that the meadow
brook leaping down the hillside, cleaning
through the meadow, has no interest in
its fountain say that the birds have no
interest in the wide, all-pervading air /;
say that the flowers. the violet Of the field,
and the wayside daisy, have no interest in
the sun; say that man who becomes a
monster by isolation land a wretched pris-
oner by solitude has no interest in wo-
mans love,-and you will have spoken
more truly than when you say woman has
no interest in this institution, the organ
lied principle of Friendship, Love, and
Truth.
Thus briefly have 1 noticed the origin
and history of our order, the popular OBJ
jections, the relation woman sustains, and
the deep interest she has in the institu-
ton of Odd Fellowship. We come now
to speak of the advantages arising from a
connection with this institution.
The motto of our order has come to be
a household word-Friendship, Love, and
!. Truth. In the economy of this order, and
in the heart of every true Odd Fellow.
these are not mere empty words. On
these our whole superstructure rests. In
the spirit of these words we conduct
all our work. These are the handspring
of its seton, and the unyielding cement
of its union.
Our friendship is valuable because it is
I organized. II has the means. Friend