The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-03-26
LAMBERTvILIE N j.. WEDNESDAY, MARCH g. 1879

the same employments, having common inter-
ests and placed in such circumstances as make
it both desirable and mutually beneficial to
seek closer union than that obtained by be-
ing members of the State, and for the pur-
pose of securing this result they unite them
selves in smaller organizations and for this
reason and with such an object, as under
stand it, we are united in the societies called
by us Grange. Now it will be admitted on
all hands that there is no principle that is
more effective in binding the members of eth
er the family or the State together than love !.
What the family would be without the opera
ton of the divine principle binding 1t togeth-
or, the Saviour of men has we'll represented
when he said :" house divided against itself
cannot stand," and it is everywhere recogniz.
ed that citizen who has no love CT country,
not to be trusted, and, when occasion offers,
or when tried with a sufficient temptation.
would prove second Benedict Arnold have
now reached a point at which l think may
say that no man is a good Granger who does
not love his Grange,-and, Of course, by the
organization. But think hear some one
ask, what do you mean by this brotherly love
What is implied in it ? What duties and OBJ
legations grow out of it ? l may not be able
to answer the question with entire satisfac-
ton permit me, however, to offer few sug-
gestions. 1t will not be needfu for me to re-
mind you of the instructions given upon this
point in our manual, where we are COM
manded to fertilize our minds with the virtue
of lone, truth and charity. With this you are
all familiar. But in addition let me say that
love is that divine grace by which we are led
to think no i'll of our neighbor. If we Guilt
vate it we will not be forward to contend or
quarrel il our brother differ in opinion with
us upon occasion as he will be likely to do IF
we both have opinions of our OWN we will be
careful to cultivate the habit of paying prop
er respect to his opinion when expressed, and
if we find it necessary to differ with him, will
try to express the difference in courteous
and brotherly manner, keeping before us the
golden rule to edo to others as we would
they should do to u.s." And If for any reas-
on we have failed in this particular and in the
heat of argument have been led to treat our
brother unkindly, then it becomes our duty to
confess, and apologize on the first opportun-
ity. Such course would prevent any serious
difficulty arising among brethren when caus-
ed by ill-advised words-and would tend to
produce very pleasant feeling among them.-
And then further, we should also remember
that in becoming member of any organized
body we surrender measure of individual
liberty, and deposit that as kind of working
capital and receive in exchange our share of
the public benefit resulting from the organi-
cation. Let me illustrate this point. A man
and woman when they are united in marriage
each for themselves surrender part of their
individual liberty, and submit themselves to
one another for the greater benefit of BOTH
In like manner when we join the Grange We
surrender part of our individual liberty, and
agree to submit ourselves to be ruled by our
legally elected officers, laying all proper re-
spect to their authority and cooperating
with them cheerfully for the common good Of
the society at large, esteeming them highly
for their works sake, holding up their hands
and working together with them for the pro-
motion of her best interest and each individ-
ual member doing this with as much stead
fastness aud zeal as If they themselves were
standing in the most responsible position and
occupying the highest Office. 1t will be read
ily seen that if such spirit as this animates
the membership of Grange there would be
no cause to complain of slim attendance at
meeting, or lack of interest, or want OF
co operation with the officers in plans for the
advancement of the society's interest--as all
would be on the alert and each working for
his own and his neighbours good. If there
were any cases arising where Bro. A. was
tempted to run the meeting to suit himself
and in opposition to his brothers and sisters
he would no longer do so, as he would now
recognize the claims of his brothers and sis
tiers as equal to his own. Ii there were any
cases where petty jealousy had crept into the
hearts of brethren, leading them to impute
bad motives to those who took an active part
and were Jealous in promoting the society's
interest, saying that those brethren were
working for their own interest instead. they
would now be ashamed of these unworthy
suspicions-and proclaim their full confidence
in the integrity of their fellow members and
thus prove to all that they were possessed of
that charity which thinketb no i'll to its neigh
Dor.
Behold how good thing it is,
And how becoming well,
Together such as brethren are,
In unity to dwell.
But not to make my paper too tedious, per-
init me to say in closing that this principle,
which is universally acknowledged as the
central virtue of all religion and morality,
and which is to continue long after we cease
to exercise either faith or hope, because the
one will be swallowed up in sight and the
other in fruition. AS it will continue to be
lasting as eternity, SO it is the more import
ant virtue, as being the one which harmon
ICES MS all and cements us all together here in
the bonds of brotherly and sisterly affection
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