The Van Buren press., 1872-01-30

of its members, these are but the means,
the objects they aim TO effect. are thS
ends Instruction may change or alter
its drapery, but the lessons taught-the
ideas embedding the principles-thsse are
the SPIRIT and the llfe.
Nor is Odd Fellowship, even the Torks
of the Order; it does not consist ,choiIy
in deeds OF mercy, benevolence and
brotherly love These it is true, are. its
genuine manifestations, and ,eitout which
we might pronounce it asleep, or as no
thing worth these are the outwdrd ap-
pearances, by which il dscloses its inae'
life, and its tue self, But to produce
these works, there must be an interior
spirit, working oat for itself, this living
form, and action.
This interal, truly living spirit of Love
and universal Fraternity, pervading al
our rituals and ceremonies; recognized
in emblcms, colors and regaias; using
every adjunct for strengthening its lnilu
eye. in every lecture, charge, sign and
token; and to the touch, in every grip
and pressure and manifesting ITSELF { 81
lently like rain and sunshine) in bsneii
cent organizations and institutions this
scM of all its teachings and workjnJs, Is
Odd Fellowship. Tho hidden name in
the white stone, which he knoweth best,
who most truly possesses it,
The FotherAood Of God, and the Droth-
erhood Of 4Man, these are the great prn
cipes of our Order embodied III the
notices, "In God we Trust and
" Friendship, Lovo and Faith. " And to
illustrate these principles, on the limited
scale prescribed by human abilities, and
our pecuniary resources, we have united
| in Lodges, each Of which is a mutual i'm
provement and mutual aid association.
Aud to further extend our operations,
and increase our advantages and useful
ness to one another, we have united all
Of our Lodges in General Order, which
we desire to render as unirersal, as the
| family of man upon earth. These are the
| principles, which have actuated US, in the
formation of our Order. Let us now in
quire into the objects of our Association
1t is unfortunate for our Order, and for
mot few or its members, that too much
prominence has been generally given, to
its feature of pecunidry benefits, in sea
sons of sickness and death and pecunia-
ry Aid in times Of want and distress.
This, though a laudable and useful trait
in our operations, is hardly 4 1.-THE ofour
aims and objects BY this undue prom
nence Of tile pecuniary relief afforded,
even our own members, have had their
attention and efforts greatly Withdrawn
from the moral and social influences
which the Order, is So eminently calcu
lated to promote. But so it is; the sud
u fla ,aoloahla tho material. more
rsodUy gains attention, than the gradtial,
the insensible, and the moral. All can
see the visitation of the sick, the relief of
the distressed, and the bounty bestowed
on the widow and orphan, whose neccs
sites call for aid but, few stop to esti-
mate the suffering prcrented in thousands
Of families, by relief given, before pov
erty called attention to their situation.
So men lcok with interested eye, and
ready appreciation Of utility on the
buhblng spring the rolling river and the
heaving ocean. But how few consider
tho gentle mist that rises in the morning
sun, to fall in the evening shower on the
broad PLAN and in the fertile valley; and
after working fruitfulness there, to per-
colate in crystal drops through every
yein OF rock ana EARTH until it shall
burst forth again in cooling spring and
mountain rill, to feed the mighty river
and replenish the briny deep
Men look at our system of weekly ben
eiits, mutual relief, watchings at the sick
bed burial of the dead, and support Of the
widow aud orphan; but their thoughts
seldom stray beyond, to those harmon
izng influences, which the performance
of these deeds cxsrts on the doer; nor
vet to the social and moral tendencies OF
the other means. employed by Odd Eel
lowship for the Improvement and eieva'
ton of human character.
1t is not to be wondered ut, then, that
so many, even among Odd Fellows, have
overlooked, or at times forgotten, the
most important uses Of Odd Fellowship,
to be the imbung the minds OF our
Brethren, with proper conceptions OF
their powers and capacities giving them
Just and practical yiows Of their duties
and possibilities. exhibiting their
dependence upon God, and bringing
them, TO knowledge and practice ofthe
true fratcrna rslstions between man
and man.
Having then such principles and sueh
objects, what are our duties and what
should be our department in illustrating
those principles and in securing those
results? Each and every member OF our
Fraternity, whatever be his rank and sts-
tion in the Order, has certain duties to
perform, and obligations TO discharge,
by virtue Of his connection with va, as
an Odd Fellow. These exist and SUI
round him, in every situation aud condi'
ton, in which he may be placed in life,
public and private; in the Lodge aud in
the bosom OF his family.
Some members are worry faithful in
Lodge attendance, until tncy have" pass
ed the chairs, or until they find that
they cannot succeed in doing so aud
then their zeal suddenly cools down; and
they seldom attend, except to pay their
dues, and even these, they sometimes
send in by Brother. DO not, ! be-
seech you, my Brothers, be one OF these,
and never vote for, or aid IN any way to
elevate to tho honors OF the Order, any
Brother whom you have good reason to