The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1872-05-02

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Odd Fellowship IL m institution formed b
good men for tlr advancement Of benev,
lence and truth. As an operative intlisidn,
compact, II may 81 may not bs Of anciel
origin; in opr Territorss Of Montana, it ma
be said to b. in its earliest infancy. being o.
" about five years since the first Lodge wa
instituted ut Helena, and this, the 18th day Q
April, 1877. is the fiity-third anniversary q
its legitimate organization lii the UniteJ
States, though institutions of this characte
We're known long preyioIs II this in En-
gland, and We have positive evidence that IT
principles and its material have existed from
time immemorial It's first duty is to its owl
household, but its influence IS felt beyone
this, in uniting good men in the practices o
acknowledged duties. lit requires no surren
der OF religious or political creed it car
have no conflict with the church. being com
posed OF Christians of every denomination
We all acknowledge individually the author
ity.of the church. and in the most perfect
obedience as an order. unite to do precisely
what its teachings command to be done, in
going forth among the homes of men-like
some commissioned spirit Of good. with its
words Of comfort and its deeds of kindness
wherever it has moved. rs
In instituting ourselves under the infiuen-
ces Of the social principles of Odd Fellow
ship, it demands the practice Of beneyolence
and charity, and ii order to impress these
duties upon the mind and flrnish incentive
/ to actieH-in those moments of relaxation TO
which all men are subject has instituted
solemn ceremonies, ordained frequent meet
ings. and formed a language Of signs, all de-
signed to fnc,lleate habit OF beneyolence
and educate the moral faculties, and by.so
doing, promote the well being of society.
The principles emblazoned upon our ban
ners, and inscribed upon our affairs are.
| FRIENDSHIP, LovK and TRUTH and tits the
constant Incubation of these principles Il, al
comes Odd Fellowship to be strictly rracti-
call iaHoa ad 5t HjA4 III a3YsH Nyg
The pecuniary contributions of the men,
bers. consisting of small sums, ere to con-
stitute a fund tor the purpose OF frelieving
the sick, buryingg the dead, educating the or
phan and protecting and assisting the Wild
ow. In this respect our order Is a vast ssnill-
tual aid society, Numerous instances ot the
advantage secured to individuals who when
they entered the order, did not dream Of
needing Its benefits, might be given How
many are the strong arguments to be fur
nished In favor OF our order by This view of
its character. Its advantages are further seen
in the fact that it bringstogetler men of the |
most discCrdant opinions and sunites them
in bonds of brotherly love, affortling as it
does by. its frequent meetings social inter-
course far from the communicating influence
of vice. tpromotes the morals Of COM
munitY by restraining its members. from all Z
intemperancc and other Illegal practices. 1t
Is calculated to make men social and humane
by bringing them frequently together to
devise means and measures for the relief of
sEeir distressed fellow creatures, thus braking
Town the barriers erected by sect and party,
md uniting men as citizens of one country +
sTHE WORTH" members of one family ssTHE
HUMAN RACE" The the Otla Fellows found |
Ii all the various walks and occupations Of b
lie; in the field gathering the ready harvest,
n the workshop laying his; strong hand to
he anvil, the loom and forge: in the teoun- :
ing house, in mercantile pursuits, or en-
loyed in the pursuit OF professional labor,
nd he is equally at home fulfilling tile du-
les OF parent; husband and gladdening the
earth and tile board by tile virtues Of his
ocial spirit. alstsfsa4 Es5aF9ss sa
He is found by lie bed of sickness wiping Ia
he moist brow, and cooling the parched fps
els id serroWfnl places nlihistAring to pover-
4, comforting affection and relieving dis =
.esses. In the prosperity OF the individual !,
odge, that we each nave a part, every one
aould feel. and ;displayaa deep Interest. !,
IS interests are our interests; we are pro- b,
ssed supporters offs objects, and as far as Itt
lr abilities so are responsible for its pro- &C
ceilings; therefore we should actively con- "a
I'm ourselves for, the faithful preservation a. a.
its tenets. and we can but rejoice IN it's Il
sagetll state Of activity. 10 every one of nc
II members we should stand ready to cx- W
else kindness, gentleless, forboar,lnce and ]
lelity. To any that are wandering from the :,
rict paths OF rectitude we should be assidu- b,
IS in imparting warning. reproot and in 3sNi
ructions, thereby cenle1lting more firmly te
e bonds which endear us. g 2s.A ssf7f3a
TO the afflicted we should administer as
i Is ability will admit to their comfort, lit :
e same time nlanifesting our sympathy H.
ID BY thtls bringing together cur good liz
ntions, and combining their influence, IL II
cry individual will partake sofIhe general Lii
ergy. AS Odd Fellows we should endeav- :.
to convince the world by our conduct as ,
ighbors and citizens, that the teachings st,
d objects otours Institution tend to make So,
wiser aud better melt, 81 ..ss Elm br
The days Of prejulice. superstition and per- pi
eution against sseret soeieties, or belief s., gu
at they area nucleus for immortality and ssI
fidelity are long since past and gone, and inss
ere are bit few WHO desire to be esteemed 60
Cd men who now oppose the spread of pc,
I'd Fellowship ard conid the few that ARE ~ Y.
Ii welded to their pfejudices be indueeu q
examine the transformations aweik OF 1lle an
teriiity they would readily abandon their q
potent Opposition and become earnest 81.
pporters Of the Order. Thatfhey are deiag IL
its increasing prosperity from year to. r. .
ii is ample evidenGe, and as evidence that j