The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-06-18
ADDRESS

1915
BRorHEss, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: On
the 4,h day of June, in the year ls4e, the
Pulaski: Lodgc Of DAD Fellows Was organized
at this place, by our distinguished friend
and brother. Past Grand Master John
Mckenzie, whose presence on this occasion
is source Of much qualification. We are
also delighted TO see in our midst, our
energetic and efficient Grand Master, Thom-
as s.een, together with many Of our oro-
theirs from, Columbia and Greenville. We
greet them one and all with hearty vel
come. This day then is our oath aaniVer'
sarv. and we have met here to begin its
celebration. We are not peculiar in this
respect. In all ages and climes, and among
al ncoulc. it is customary to honor and
distinguish the day on which some great
event occurred. Every great association
has periodically, some day Of testiv!ty on
which its members may assemble, 70
strengthen and renew the bonds OF fra
terni.y. Long continued public annl'er-
saries are good tests Of the success SIM
cerity and praiseworshy ends Of those who
participate in them, for evil organizations
canno: for great while engage in public
holidays in an enlightened community
They cannot bear the light Of inspection,
nor withstand the Indignation of an insulsed
people, because their deeds are evil, and
make them towards.
We have no such fears. We are here
today at the dictates of natural IMPULSE
in accordance with a custom honored by
time, having stood the test, backed by an
;llus.rious history, supported by strong,
intelligent popular feeling, animated with
lust motives, and rejoicing in the contem-
plation of Il successful past, happy present,
and the prospects of glorious future.
But while the best and most intelligent
are in sympathy with US to-day, there arc
nevertheless, many who object to this So
ciety. Some Of the objectors are actuated
bv candor and good motives, but, l am
sorry 10 say, the majority censure without
consideration, fully demonstrating the TRUTH
thatit is far easier to 6ud fault than to DO
right It would be wonderful indeed II
Odd Fellowship had no enemies, for what
ever is good and great is always hated oy
the low and vicious. Julius Cesar, one OF
,h, CREATES I men that ever lived, If not
the greatest, fell under the murderouS
knives of envious assaSsinS. The Immortal!
Washington had his slanderers. The
Church itself is not exempt from the vile
eDi,bets Of infdelic scoffers. The fact that
there are enemies to a cause does not
necessarily prove the cause to be unworthy.
Indeed, instead Of being an injury, oppo-
si,ion is an advantage, for it shows the true
status of the contending parties. Were
there no dark clouds there would be no
rainbow. The ye.dsnt Spring would lose
half its beauty if there we're no hosry win
ters.. Flowers are sweetest on cloudy days.
Recognizing then that there are opponents
20 this Order, shall ask your indulgence IN
that which to most Of you is trite and un-
interesting, the answering Of some OF the
unfounded and frivolous arguments that are
frequently urged against US. feel that /
am not p.csumptuous when say, that there
is 10 objection that can be offered agains;
this institution which will bear thorough
sitting. The current objections are like wet
sponges that get their weight from bor-
rowed water, and can be as easily squeezed
dry
Tie first to which direct your attention
is the charge of secrecy. The objectors
saw: Your Society is secret institution,
and therefore is not worthy Of the counte-
nance of Just and upright men," Strictly
speaking Odd Fellowship is NOT a secret
Society, for the place Of meeting, the time
Of meeting, the persons present, the consti
tuition and bylaws, and above all, the oo-
iects and principles, are known or may be
known to every one. These are the essen
,ial elements Of secrecy, but this orgsniza-
ton does not wish to concea! them. What
few secrets it has are defensive and not
aggressive. They violate no right OF any
individual! or OF the community. They
guard the treasury from imposition. They
are the certificates and badges Of member
ship, and the recommendations TO the
benevolence of the Order, and, Of course,
oniy the initiates have q right TO know and
use them.
But for the sake of argumen, We will ad.
mi, that Odd Fellow lip is secret organi-
zation. Is i. wrong?
Now let Us analyze the objection. It IS
either the principle Of secrecy that is op-
posed or it is nothing. The principle is
either right Or wrong Ifit is right, then
surely secrecy can not per Sc make Odd
Fellowship wrong if wrong, then whatever
is secret is wrong.
Is the Bible wrong because there are
secrets locked up in its sacred folds which
the wisdom Of ages has no: feTesJed: Is
Heaven not desirable because it has not
entered the heart Of man to conceive its
glory9 Are not His ways past finding out?
Are there no secrets concerning that
being which is fearfully and wonderfully
mades Is there nothing concealed beneath
the uniathomed waters of the ocean?
Has the earth stored away within its rock.
ribbed bosom nothing that the searchings
of geologiStS have failed to disclose l.