The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-05-02

is truth to-day Though the principles
underlying Odd Fellowship are ancient
were promulgated, may say, at the
first dawn of civilization-it forms, as it
exists in the United States, are purely
American Upon the grand idea of the
universal Fatherhood of God and broth
erhood of Man, which marks the distinc-
ton between savagery and civilization,
selfshness and benevolence, we have
built a temple sacred to the political
rights of the citizen. The free institu-
tons of the country afford the model for
our lodge polity. The fires Of patriotism
are ever brightly glowing within the
magic circle. Peace is the special mission
of Odd Fellowship-it will seek by all
honorable means to allay angry and tur-
bulent passions, and avert appeals to
arms; but when conflicts are inevitable
when the country's institutions are inn
perilled by reckless faction or foreign
foes, and their conservatism is only pos
sible by unsheathing the sword-no
blood will be more lavishly poured out
upon the battle-felds than that of Odd
Fellows. They will ever be acuated by
their highest conceptions Of patriotic
duty. To fight for the inviloable rights Of
man-for the flag that symbolizes Glib
erty regulated by LAWS to struggle for
the prosperity of their own institutions.
Though the enstranging influences Of
parrizan or sectarian prejudice are not
| allowed to throw their dark shad-
ows over our affairs, in any form, the gen
eral principles inculcated are those Of
right and justice. The state, and all the
institutions of civilization, are safe where
these prevail. Depend upon it, should
the hapless day ever come when the ele-
ments of discord threaten the stability Of
the country-when the spirit of fraterni-
ty shall die out Of the hearts of the peo-
pie, and the demon of anarchy usslrp her
place-the Goddess of Liberty will find
her last, her safest sanctuary among those
who are bound together by the golden
links of friendship, love and truth, whose
noble mission it is to bring joy for grief,
trust and confidence for fear and doubt,
light and knowledge for gloom and igno-
rance, liberty and happiness for slavery
and chains.
While Odd Fellowship will not assume
to control private judgment or interfere
with the business interest of individuals
it's influence ever has been and ever will
be found on the side of good order and
moral conduct. Though not generally
known-for we do not SYSTEMATICALLY pa
rade our virtues and reformatory works
before the world, 1t is fact that the first
organized movement in the United
States against intemperance originated
and assumed form among Odd Fellows.
This reformatory movement took place
in 1923, when the excessive drinking of
intoxicants was an almost universal vice,
when if any other organization, church
or secular, dared to Systematically oppose
the giant evil, they did not do so-and
when some of the leading members of
the order were largely interested in the
sale and manufacture of intoxicants.
These gave their hearty concurrence to
the movement. 1t was the principle
that was vindicated, in no sense were
business interests struck at. Temperance
is cardinal principle off Odd Fellowship
solemnly impressed by symbol and lee
ture; results are then left to individual
responsibility, as it will not assume the
part of a dictator over private rights.
And does not moral influence virtually
limit all efforts to abridge the evils Of
intemperance? Its victim is only truly
reformed when the desire for intoxicants
is rotted out by supplanting it with high
er and nobler views of human destiny.
But am bold to say that, as citizen,
would throw every legal guard around
the unfortunate victim of intemperance
Il would, if had the power, place over
every grog shop, in America, and through
out the world, in words of inextinguish-
able fire, the words of fearful warning
that Dante's placed over his infirno:
"Who enters here leaves hope behind"
The lodge room is practical school Of
industry and thrift. While the misery
spirit is deprecated, sordidness denoun-
ced, and the imperiousness of wealth re-
GREETED, the great importance of frugality
and reasonable provision for old age, and
those who are dependent upon us, is
ever kept before the brothers mind. The
scores of magnificent temples erected by
Odd Fellows throughout the country, the
millions held in their treasures, or in
vested in staple and productive securities
are the fruits of the excellent economic
principles taught in the lodges by pre-
cipt and example. The beneficiary policy
of Odd Fellowship imposes heavy fnan-
cial responsibilities; but its fiscal man
agement and provisions are such that
every just demand always has been and
always will be meta half million true
and generous hearts are pledged to main
tain the integrity Of the system. Thus
the financial sources are inexhaustible,
like those of a great river, and the yell
lowstone is as likely to rundry as general
bankruptcy is to overwhelm us.
Such. my friends, are the outlines-all
that can be given in public lecture
the aims and objects Of American Odd
Fellowship. 1t grows and expends with
the progressive spirit ofthe age. A great
moral rainbow, blending in harmonious
beauty the noblest sentiments of hui
mainly, it already spans like an arch OF
glory, half the world. 1t is destined in
the coming years to halo the entire
planet with the splendors Of its peaceful
conquests. Its aggressive energies will
not relax until prophets and poets
dreams shall have had their interpreta-
ton in a regenerated humanity-until
all nations, kindreds, tongues and people
shall be held together as one grand
brotherhood by the golden links Of
friendship, love and truth-until every
where the sword shall be beaten into the
ploughshare and the spear turned into
the pruning-hook.
| "Then let US pray, that come it may,
AS come 1t will for a. that,
1 ~ %I,ao prf1,