Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-19

had been honored with an invitation 10 be
present. and in casting about for a subject
which should not be inappropriate to the oc-
cnsion. it had seemed to him that, as the or
der has for its chief object to purify the
home and contribute to its comfort and per
petuitv. he could not do better than choose
for his theme that Of American Homes and
Home Life"
Iu opening his discourse Mr.. Lobiell FIRST
considered the clements which make up the
true home and went OIL 70 contrast The homes
Of to-day with those of 80 years ago drawing
vivid picture Of the homes Of the olion
time, with their plain but substantial COM
forts, but destitute Of what are now considered
Indispensable appliances. Much las been
gained in late years in luxury convenience
and show, but it is asoriou- question whether
the gain has not been NOR, than couuterhal-
nnced by the loss in genuine home comfort
and home feeling The important influence
which the house itself and its surroundings
has upon the inmates was pointed out, and,
as illustrating this, the well known fact that
the worst forms Of vice, immortality and
crime are found in the crowded city tenement
houses was touched upon. In order 10 reform
a man. under such circumstances, philanthro-
pists have found that the first step is to give
him q decent place to live il. Every man,
Mr. Lobdell believed, should own The house
he lives in. and in most cases it Is possible
for him, through prudence, foresight and
economy. to do so. The furnishing of the
house was urged as an essential feature Of its
home-likeness. However simple aud COM
mon place the furnishing may be- it is just
a. cheap 10 have il il good taste Us otherwise
Every article should be for use, and no room
in the house should be too good to use.
From the house the speaker passed Oh TO
consider the marriage, which must prccede
the formation Of every true home and the
clements which enter into the true union.
with the resulting relations Of husband and
wife, were dwelt upon at length in earnest,
plain and practical words. No good can be
hoped for from hasty marriage, the result
Of fancy and not Of judgment The first
year Of married life, the period when the
husband and wife are really getting acquainted,
was described rs the most trying one Of all.
and the foundation for either happiness or
misery in the year. to follow. That me anest
and weakest of all cowards-the dome site ~
rant who visits upon his defenceless wife
and children such treatment as his partner in
business. his employer, his shopmates, or hit
customers. would not tolerate for week.
was shown up with the severity which be de-
serves, while. Oh the other hand the picture
drawn Of that abnormal development Of the
other side Of the house, the female tyrant,
who ASSUMES to herself supreme power il the
household, was no fAtteriIg or soothing
one
A. a third and final division Of his subject
Mr. Lobdel spoke Of the relations Of parents
and children, and this point, especially,
lis words were worthy to be heard and heed
ed ia every household il the land. The i'm
/ portauce Of al intimate acquaintance Of pa
rents and children was emphAsized-not that
/ acquaintance which comes from mere every
7 day contact, but that which springs from
/ Aear'y and genuine sympathy, appreciation
/ and understanding. As rule children art
made to obey simply because it suits the will.
/ pleasure or caprice Of the parent that they
/ should do so, whereas they should obey be
/ cause it II right and because what j. demand
/ cd Of them is right You have no more
right, Mr.. Lobdell said, 10 demand that
which is not just Of your child, than you
have to steal your neighbor's property. The
! equally pischisvpus and honorable fYtrepes
| OF severity and laxlty IN parental discipline
| were dwelt upon and illustrated, and lastly,
| the speaker said, the spirit and temper wish
81 in the child must be manifested and illus
trated in the daily life Of the parents
! Mr. Lobdells address, was, as We have in
! I'd T.g1
! presentation Of vital principles which liz at
the foundation of home and family life. Es-
! pecially for young men and women, just be
| ginning life, would it be well could they have
| it, homely precepts now again dinned il
their ears. The gentleman style is animal
ed. direct and pleasing. At the close Of the
address the members OF the order. with in
vited guests adjourned 70 the reform club
reading room where an elegant banquet was
served by Mr.. Cooper, and to which the
large company Of ladies and gentlemen pres
eut did ample justice. The banquet conclud-
ed, at the cal. Of Grand Dictator D. L. Her
rick brief speeches were made by Past Grand
Dictator L. NJ Reed Of Bellows Falls-who
/ was present with other brethren from the
| lodge il that place-Gnd by Revs. W II.
Collins and d. Z. Miller of Brattleboro il
vited guests on the occasion. The speaking
was brought 10 an early close on account Of
the necessary departure of the Bellows Fails
brethren for the 1880 train. The Brattle-
boro orchestra furnished excellent music.
both at Crosby hall, and during the banquet
We learn that Alpha Lodge, whose second
anniversary was thus happily celebrated, now
numbers upward Of 20 members. The num-
Der Of lodges of the order in the State if ten.
three Of which are il this county-at Brattle-
boro Bellows Fails and Jacksonville-Apha
Lodge having been the pioneer in the State