The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-28

DIR. Charles woodhousc's Grafton

Our space on Tuesday morning forbade an
abstract of the excellent address, of DR..
Charles Woodhouse, delivered before Kill
lington lodge No. 90, on the occasion of
the celebration of the fifty-sxth anniver-
sary of American Oddfelowship, on Mon
day evening We are unable to give but a
brief abstract of the leading thoughts of
the speaker
He began by saying that the grand lodge
of the United States have decrecd the pro-
per observance of the anniversary of the
order in America. This is the fifty-sixth
anniversary of that event, and we meet in
obedience to this arrangement which is de-
signed for fixed feature in the work and
ceremonies of the order When large
and respectable body of men, as il the
grand lodge of the United States, they
claim something Of value in the institution.
What are they?
The speaker proceeded To answer this
query in a negative form.
l. IL is not In our own secrets, for all
men have secrets of their own, different
organizations have secrets peculiar to them
selves, our legislative bodies avail them
selves of its benefits upon extraordinary
occasions, therefore we can claim no merit
on that account.
2. Our ceremonies, in and of themselves,
are possessed of no merit. They are for
the enforcement Of principles, accompa-
MED with solemnity, to the better impress
sion of them upon the heart and character.
8. Our unity does not distinguish us
from other bodies of men. Other insttu-
tions, like the different churches and other
bodies are united men united together
for evil may gather around them bands of
their fellows, among whom there is as
much of mystery as among good men.
There is no merit therefore in our unity.
3. Our numbers strong as we are do not
present anything on the score of merit.
Numerical strength is possessed by many
other bodies of men, but are far from the
essence or spirit which commends their
cause to public recognition.
b. Our endurance is not particularly COM
mandatory although our institution NAV
exist for centuries.
6. Our antiquity is not of character
which possesses essential merit. We do
not claim far antiquity, originating as
the institution does not claim further back
than the Manchester Unity-a band of
social fellows. If we had moss covered
ages to boast of there would be no virtue
in it TO give us stability.
Z. Our influence, great and wide spread
as it may be, has none of that quality
which gives stability TO institutions
Having answered the query negatively
let us turn to the consideration of the posi-
tive qualities of Oddfelowship. In the
Brotherhood of Cod and "the brother
hood of man" may be found the essential
alop,optu ,,e, 4
two great truths are not ours exclusively
but belong to the race. All we can justly
| claim is that-we make them fundamental,
in conspicuous degree. Our methods OF
work may often be changed, but our prin-
ciples never. The speaker had been con-
nected with the order for nearly forty
| years, since which the work had been en-
tirely rewritten.
An annual thanksgiving having been de-
creed, we may suppose, that the value Of
our principls is not only recognized but
that the value to us of being thankful for
| them, is also recognized, gratitude for
| favors and blessings, to the giver of them,
| is sign of noble nature, aud the means
of its growth and perfection. lngratitude
| is a black and dsgraceful sin, but few so
| black and dishonorablc. The man is a
wretch who rewards friendship with in
gratitude. Gratitude is due for the
protection and prosperity of our order.
| How best can we show this gratitude.
l. BY making our methods us simple as
is CONSTANT with proper instruction in our
| prnciples-in this consists the chief value
| of our ceremonies.
9. BY correcting any of our mistakes.
3. BY the practice OF our doctrines.
We have attempted to gave only the
leading thoughts of this excellent address.