The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-07-05
Published at the request of the Lodge.

Published at the request of the Lodge.
Every Odd Fellow should understand
the objects and the practical operations
of the brotherhood to which he belongs.
Ignorance Of these will lead to failure
in the fulfllment of obligations, and
will prevent his realization Of the full
round of benefits which the Order, to
the initiated, unfolds. To contribute
in some feeble way thereto, I beg leave
tonight to offer few explanations and
suggestions. or na ia .9 Ia
In almost every decade, in some por-
ton of the country, excitement has
sprung up and spread against "all Sc
cret societies." AT the present time
there is an organization which has it's
| ramifcations in this State and North
ern Illinois, and which sends out it's
| lecturers and messengers to utter their
Trades against our workings in concert
with those of kindred institutions.
The week before last this society's an
nual meeting was held at Wheaton, Ill,
at which there was great talk and Won
derful resolutions were adopted, re-
mindiAg one of the Well-knoWn express
sion of the Latin poet-tThe mountain
labored and brought forth a mouse"
There is actually religious denomina-
ton in existence which will admit no
one to it's membership who belongs to
"secret society," | have met many
conceited religionists who actually
pride themselves on belonging to no
secret society" Tt is important that
every Odd Fellow should understand
this "anti-secret society business, and
should be ready to give reason where
necessary for his principles and con-
duct .,e
We are told that goodness seeks the
light, and only evil seeks darkness and
loves to surround itself with mystery.
But men need to understand that Sc
recy is no conclusive proof Of evil.
The Divine Creator and Father of all
in the execution of his wise and beney-
olent designs for universal good, works
in secret and secret places. The labor
atory Of nature is not thrown open to
every mans gaze, but it's mightiest
forces and its greatest achievements
have their birth where no eye but the
all-seeing one can penetrate. And in the
wonderful Book called the Bible, we
find it written "rThe secret things be-
long unto the Lord our God, but those
things which are revealed belong unto
us and to our children for ever" Thus
the Divine Hand works in secret, and
claims this secrecy as his own inherent
right. Surely secrecy in counsels and
workings cannot then be necessarily
i evil ->s.s
| The family is OF divine appointment.
It's influence on the race is unbounded.
/ But it's dearest and hottest operations
are properly secreted from public obser-
J walton. Its joys and sorrows, its hopes
and depressions are ofttimes matters
with which no stranger intermediates.
| They would shrink, like the sensitive
mimosa, from the cold and unsympa-
thetic touch of the curiosity-seeking
intruder. Every family has its secrets,
and no man or woman, has right to
pry into them, or demand their revela-
ton. It is sometimes done, but the act
is regarded as dishonorable and base.
| Who does not deem it base to be an
eaves-dropper among neighbors, or to
pump a wife to reveal the confidential
conversation of husband? Can Sc
crecy then be denounced as wrong when
it lies at the base of domestic happi-
ness and family unity? and what is
Odd-fellowship but an enlarged family
circle where fraternal relations exist,
and where, for the administration of
sympathy and help, and to promote
each others true good in society and
the world, secrecy is an important de-
sideratum2 y -a 2
AL business men are aware that
trade and merchandise have their Sc
crets which only the initiated know.
Banks have secret signs by whichthey
can detect the genuineness of drafts
and bills. Trade marks and cipher
letters are sometimes seen by those out
side thelpersonally interested, but they
are not understood. The Presidents
4 hInnf q rrr0rl s,,,~- - a