The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-05-01

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Inc tongue that speaks the trutik!GyGs God.lik,
promises. In its words no chicALsy,-in tone no.
uoupts, IN effect no disappointment. Imaginu
siP" GU, haray piciuse the happiness Of world
an truth. II Odtfelowship taught no Other
lesson, had no other article of faith. ana all il,
members were governed by truth, everything
would be accomplished that the organization
designed.
While our beloved order prepares liz with
weapons OF aggression with which ts meet sin,
misery ana want--thc outward foes of humanity
II also gives us ample means to complete orr
own inward happiness, by teaching lis the les
sons OF faith, hope and charity.
The ialth Taught is not the braggart's srlf,s
TEEN, not the blind trust of gnorance-not an
unwatchful confidence, but that faith which
gives the brave man his strength the good man
ms trust, and the sinking man his rescue A
iaIth in the justice of ones cause and in ones
own strength, has already won, while dstrust
with every other advantage has already lost. In a
physical contest the man with the superior faith
in his good right arm is victorious In any
arena OF business, in reaching after any attain
ment, faith III our possibilities gives the courage
to dare and the energy to win. Faith in our
Fellow men teaches US that In every human
heart there is some warmth, in every human
soul germ OF good, which, if cultivated, will
save the man to himself. his family, his country
and his God. Faith in God leads to that trust in
his government, and Fstherhood to his children,
that gives restfulness, does away with complain
ing irresolution and the weakness Of uncertain
W. OddfellOwshp strives to fill every mans
heart with hope. Not the hope Of the dreamer,
waiting lot the stream to run down, but that
which incites him to reach the guerden on the
other bank not that hope which sits OH oceans
shore watching for that ship which he knows
has gone down forever, but that which strives to
bHld and launch stronger craft in which to
regain his treasures. Without hope there would
be no tomorrow. The true hope OF to-day
gives fruitien for tomorrow. Without hope,
each days setting sun would 20 down into
restless, gloomy night, only to bring another
weary day God pity II hopeless life! IT'S hope.
less misery.
The most blessed and useful preparation Odd
fellowship makes for the happiness and comfort
of its members and the world is the lesson OF
charity, not for the sin, but for the sinner. We
must take man as We find him. Under the best
human nature is imperfect
When we feel disposed TO impugn mans mo
tives, and cr,ticiss unfairly his actions, let 10
look into our own mirror and see If there are NO
reflections Of the same fauhs, and if the mirror is
a good one, the word charity written by some
other hand may bring blush to our check. In
the exercise Of this holy attribute, we need not
go near enough to be corrupted by contact, but
near enough to lift the fallen and aid with out
stretched hand and cheering voice the repcntant,
even near enough to snatch from the sinners
form his tattcred robes and reclothe him with
the garments Of truth.
Oddfellowship is progressive in its prepare
tons. II throws of the worn out garments Of
the past, and with new habiliments reclothes its
expanding form. While its principles stand i'm
mutable, the method OF enforcement changes as
the wants Of men require 1t does and will pro-
vide for that expansion it gives to the soul. 81
will lead if we will follow. There is no directions
in which its progression has been more marked
or beneficial than in its acknowledgment OF the
just claims and rights of woman. The order has
lodges for the wives and widows Of
Odd Fellows and conferred degrees and prlyil-
eyes within their lodges. Formerly woman was
merely the recipient of benefits. Now she can
in all good measures and cooperate
IN all good deeds. She has not yet attained the
full privileges which in time will, OF necessity,
be conferred upon her. A woman's warm heart
and quick intuition in any good cause is worth
more than mans cold blooded calculations.
hope the members Of the Rebeca Degree will SO
cultivate their minds and judgments-wll SO pre-
pare Themselves by 4 study of the principles,
laws and forms of the order, and observation Of
the effects, that their true worth Will be acknoNL
edged. In its preparations the order iRcitps us
to obtain comfortable and safe place Of meet
ing-requrcs certain SURROUNDING to make il
forms aud Ceremonies to i'm.
pressupon US Its mcaalass--plac-s certain in
ducements before US Br advancement to higher
positions-motiVes that can ennoble the soul
furnishes e literature that can expand tho mind
us by the strongest obligations to be
true te our country; enfOrces absolute Obedience
to law, kindness to friends, usefulness TO com
IN God. A member who has passed through the
chairs of thoroughly intelligent lodge with
studious attention to his duties, is fitted to pre-
side over any dclibcrative body, to facilitate the
OF any meeting, or TO head IN the
councils Of any gathering OF good eltizens Tor I"
good purpose.
There Is no place more comfort able and in
structivc than well conducted lodge; there is
no safer retreat than lodge room. There, II NJ
desires 1t, he Is free from the temptations an"
- 4, txifh hon hp a 1p-
sire TO be good and true ana useful IN fact to be
worth ANYTHING, he receives the weapons OF Of
tense and is clothed with the armor OF defence
with and in which he can successfully meet
the assaults of any foe from without or withii-
Many men find fault with the professors OF DOLE
oddfellowshp and religion because they do not
live up to their professions. No doubt to a large
extent these professors are inconsistent. Bnt
what right have these men to find fanit2 Are
they any better il they stand back and sncer,
while they have not even the merit OF tUd3 To
profess Common dcccncy, or ut least common
sense, should keep them silent--orr il they VIII
throw stones, let them get oHt OF their Slass
houses and build for themselves character LOT
truth and justice.
There are two errors in regard to our order, one
being entertained by some OF the unlnltiatcd,
and the other by some OF the initiated, whlch
will, not entirely pass over. Some OF the unihl'
tiated charge that our order protects the dishon'
est and strives to shield the criminal from the
nepalties of broken law This is absolutely
false. Our order hold that it requires proofs 10
convict and there must be conviction before pun
ishment A brother must not be condemned
upon suspicion. lime and assistance must Gt
given to decide on his guilt or innocence. IL
guilty, the penalty of broken law must De en-.
forced; if innocent, he must he defended Against
all assaults The other error is that many oud fel
lows make oddfcllowship paramount to CHRISTIAN:
ity. Odd Fellowship is christianity's hand'maiu
en-. 1t is for this world christianity Is Tor ooth
worlds. We do claim for our order that therc i
no organization on earth that has more power or
makes fuller preparations to advance the mental
strength, moral worth and temporal COCA OF
mankind How shall.we best direct TINS resist
less power these lavish preparations entrusted
to our hands? The answer is plain, anG so Vo-
luminous that one essay cannot comprehend IL
Attend every meeting Of the lodge when possl-
bile: make no trivial excuse for absence; make
some elfsacrifices for the advancement OF the
cause; take part in and assist the actions oil the
lodge by YOUR counsel and money, and by eXeIu-
plifyins lis principles. Let love- prompt con
slant care for your families, let kind words