Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-11-06
SECRET BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
BY GEORGE W. GIFT.

In fair, gentle weather, when the
south wind wooes, we wonder why
it is that the gallant ship is cumber-
ed with those MASSEY iron-bound
spars, why such ponderous cordage
and those stiff, unyielding sails !;
why the hull is held together by
bolts and rivets, beams and knees.
We ask this when zephyrs fan, and
the vane scarcely tells us from
whence the breezes come. But let
the wind pipe high, and the pillows
grow fierce and threatening, and
then we begin to receive answers to
our queries. See the gallant masts
strain, and the shrouds and back
stays grow taut as the lutte string,
and the bellying sails seem swelled
to their utmost tension, and the gal
liant bark groans as she feels the
strokes of the mighty and ponder
Gus waves, aud we know why
strength and beauty have been com
bined. So it is with secret societies.
In ordinary times, when there is no
epidemic, no extraordinary amount
of sickness, no suffering indulgence,
no new-made, helpless widows, no
crying orphans, we ask ourselves,
why do these people meet and prac-
tee mummeries by gaslight, away
up in the fourth stories of buildings
Why should valuable time be wasted
III meetings of men together with no
further object than to meet? The
previous metaphor answers the
query; or, if it does not, the ex-
periences Of the past six weeks do.
We know now how brother may
stand to brother, though no drop of
kindred blood flows in their veins ::
how the sick are nursed, how the
widow is cared for, the orphan given
a home, the dead buried, and mis-
cry, pain and suffering alleviated
Now we know that the meetings
were but to permit new members to
assume the vows of brotherhood.
and old ones to renew the covenant.
Quietly and secretly they are build
ing the strong ship which is to
weather fierce gales like that which
now roars about US, and ride secure
ly over turbulent and towering
waves like those which lash US.
They were not working in vain, but
were perfecting and adding to or
CARNATIONS which in time of need
are to make them one family. Let
us see practically how these secret
organizations have performed their
work. AT the first outbreak of the
fever they rallied about their lead
ers and prepared for the onslaught.
NO volunteers were asked to per-
form this or that duty, but veterans
We're told off to their work like
trained soldiers. A member, or his
wife or children, are reported ILL,
and straightway the brotherhood go
to their succor. 1t matters not how
deep they are in the gulf of the pes
thence, or dreadful the attack of the
infection, the brothers of the mystic
band fly to the relief, and remain
until all Is over, and then perform
the last sad rites which the living
QUE to the dead. 1t matters, not If
some of these shall fall who 90 out
to battle, others will promptly close
up the gap and take their places In
front Of the dread enemy. No toll,
no danger, no fatigue deters them.
What member of a secret society
has been left to suffer! What one
has been compelled to appeal to the
public for charity? Where are
their houseless widows and starving
orphans When did you see these
societies asking for assistance from
others than the brotherhood Not
here, recently; but you have heard
of such noblemen as William S.
Bruce, who said to the Odd Fellows,
''Draw on me for an unlimited
amount" Where did he learn that
sentiment of brotherly love and az
lection! Possibly where he was
taught that all flesh is grass, and
must soon pass away; that man owes
a duty to man, and that when that
duty is pc, formed he may live from
youth to age and yet not see the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed
begging bread. During the present
epidemic many of the brothers OF
the mystic tie have been c.alled from
labor to refreshment; have been
commanded to appear before the
Grandmaster above, with specimens
Of their workmanship. May they
be found to have walked by the
plumb, worked by the square, and
acted on the level in all their deal
ings with their fellowmen, and so,
as living stones, prove acceptable
IN the great temple above-that
house not made with hands, but
eternal in the heavens. Though the
dead brothers succumbed not amid
the dread carnage of battle, heard
not the strains of martial music, or
the exultant cheer of victory as they
fell, yet they died gloriously, and
their bright example viii be held up
to generation after generation to
come, as worthy to be followed by
the heroes who are to adorn the
future pages of our history. The
ranks have been thinned by death,
but the rolls will soon be filed m