The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-03-13

the other hand, it adds to our business,
by making it pleasant; and leaving nc
sting behind, leaves us with that pecu,
liar, delightful feeling which only the
practice Of virtue and kindly Offices car
originate. II is our duty to practice
charity. We learn this not only from
the teachings Of the golden rule, but
either directly or by implication, from
every degree known to the order, be-
ginning with the initiation.
BY charity, is not meant aims, or mo.
ncy giving; but that peculiar state Of
the mind and affections which creates
love, liberation, and Il disposition tc
conceal from public gaze the faults OF
our brothers. Need you reveal u slight
backsliding Of your brother? Remem'
Der, man, human nature is fallible, and
50 intended the Almighty God, else he
had created it otherwise and that the
best Of rs are subject to go astray. In
such an event there is a kindly admoni-
ton, not Il harsh criticism. We are a
band of brothers, bound by every tie of
sociability and obligation Of honor, to
support, protect, defend, and warn each
other. Is it proper to speak to the pub
lie Of n brothers slight shortcomings,
or even Of his vices? Verify not and
the odd Fellow who does it has either
forgotten his duty, or wilfully violates
it. If the brother needs correction take
the proper steps in the lodge, and let
outsiders know nothing Of the matter.
Tolerate the principles and the belief
of all. If one chooses to hold different
opinions from myself upon the subject
Of religion, politics, or any other mat
ter, should | therefore discard him rs a
Il friend? Remember that this world
is one great brotherhood Of men, under
the supervision of one common Father
hood, and that each brother has u right
to his own peculiar tenents, as much so
rs we have II right to ours. Then tole-
his principles; give him the credit
Of being honest in his professions until
the contrary be proven. As Odd Eel
lows, we all kneel at q common altar,
md recognize that great, incomprehen-
Being who manages the machinery
If the universe, and counts the hairs of
Dm heads. Has he a distinguishing
mark between the Jew, the Christian,
II the Musselman? If that all-power-
i'll mind has no distinction why should
We weak, though vain and bigoted crea-
ures, attempt to beget strife among
ourselves?
Charity is another word for love and
n the text from L. Peter, chap. iv. 8,
which says, "And above all things have
eryent charity among yourselves ; for
shall cover the multitude of
The word charity might have
zen translated love. Affords Greek
says, when translated into
"Above all things having your
owe towards one another intense"
Paul says "That Of the three things
hope, and charity-which re-
main, which hold in the most perfect
ullflment of the kingdom of God, the
is charity" or love.
SO we have the highest authority for
aging that charity is love. Those
whom we love we invariably treat with
he utmost charity. Consider your
wife, your. mother, on your child and
ust 80 should Odd Fellows be charita-
de toward each other; and not only to-
ward each other, but toward the world
It large. 1t is a part of our teaching,
he object Of the order being to make
men better. Odd Fellowship does not
its doctrine to the members of
is organization, but goes outside into
he bitches and waste places and ex-
ends II hand to help all who are in
ayor Of virtue and morality.
An Odd Fellow may ask, How can |
owe disagreeablo people? 1t is hard to
%olcrate them, impossible to like them.
II answer to that question, We say we
re not in favor of sycophantism or of hy-
but at the same time we should
mt up with our disagreeable neighbors
$ good humoredly rs possible in our
,owcr so to do. We can all show n
rood nature, and none ever loses by its
There is no saying how good
lumorediy n man may act until he tries;
md his good humor may possibly thaw
much of the ice that is frozen up in his
leiglbor.
Charity il like mn ignited match
,mong combustible sticks. 1t not only
)mrns itself, but it ignitcs them. 1t is
contagious, it is catching, and those
Who catch its flames are made happier,
md render us thanks, which though
hey may be silent and mute, can not
to have n bearing upon the conduct
If our lives.
"IJuo charity, q plant divincly nursJ,
Fed by The love from which 1t rose at first,
rbfi,os against hope, and in the rudcst sccne
storms but enliyen It's u%nfading green.
EyGberant is the shadow it supplies;
LIS fruit on earth, its growth above The shies.n
As we look with kindness on the faults
# those we love, with tears it may be,
nut at least with a heart full of compass