Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-28

Fellowship higher than the statue of man
It il Of earth earthly. The church, how
ever, is based upon the rock Of ages; hence
it's foundations are immovable; it's walls
are raised heavenward, and it's spire points
to the very throne of God, and within it,
sacred walls men and women are thaught
to seek, and If they will only heed the les
sons how to enjoy eternal life beyond the
skies. The one is spiritual and the other
secular. One reaches the hearts of men by
exciting within them a desire to secure
happiness beyond the grave, and the other
labors to incite them to alleviate each
others s~ufferings in this lite. Among the
principal objections to Odd Fellowship
and other kindred societies is
SECRECY.
The word secrecy denotes something hid
den OF concealed from the common eye.
stun the light, and shrink from it's gaze
into the darkest recesses, mankind are
accustomed to associate evil with every
private or secret organization; hence the
too general condemnation OF Odd Fellow
ship and other kindred benevolent societies.
Under the rromptings of this ordinary
prejudgment it is often asked with an air Of
conscious triumph, why hide your light
under q bushel? This argument, If such it
may be called, addresses itself against the
merit of everything which the vulgar eye
cannot discern. 1t is a general, or rather
q universal anathema against secrecy in
the abstract. There is no relation OF life,
or sphere of nature which has not it's
proper and inevitable secret. No science.
no art. no philosophy, nothing beneath tho
sun which the mind OF man canfully scan."
The true tombstone is the use, not the
abuse of secrecy; to this test Odd Fellow
ship cordially submits it's work. But apart
from this general view of the subject Odd
Fellowship is not q secret society. BY far
the larger portion Of its work il in print
and is known to hundreds OF thousands, all
of its legislation, comprising volumes OF
ma, ter, is accessible to the public. True,
it possesses An unwritten and unspOken
language ineligible only to the member
ship; true it has it's signs and passwords,
but these are merely passports to mutual
recognition, and for practicable purposes,
are only resorted to when members are in
distress OF overtaken by sickness when
lodges, scattered all over the civilized
"OAAOS "AV PAofSAV ~AA <0S0S
can only be made available to those in
possession Of the key to unlock the vaults
in which they are deposited. Surely there
can be no reason to find fault with secrecy
when employed only for such purposes.
The order has no secrets inimical to the
State, reli ion, or morality, but in it's
secret chambers it i%nculcates q veneration
for and a subordination to all these, and
teaches its members chat they cannot be-
come Odd Fellows in spirit and truth unless
they are grateful to their Creator, faithfulto
their country and fl aternal with their fellow
men.
BENEFICIAL FEATURES.
The by laws of a lodge may be regarded
as a contract with it's members. They
prescribe the amount each one shall pay
into the common fund, and the sum to be
paid in case of sickness or disability. Or
d narily this sum does not exceed ten cents
per week, but in some cases as high as
twenty-five cents per week. This secures
the payment OF weekly benefits OF sums
varyin from four to fifteen dollars, and a
funeral benefit in most cases not only su6i-
Gent to defray the expense OF burial, but
something additionalfor the widow, orphan
or nearest relative.
lTs CHARITIES.
Lie SredLe6t VI tleSc IL CAdIloy, odyo
the Apostle. So Odd Fellowship regards
charity as the corner and capstone of its
good works for humanity. Its contribu-
lions for the relief of communities afflicted
with fire, flood or famine are second to no
other secular or religious societies. Indeed
the record proves that they, are
far in the advance. It points to
it's homes for aged and INDECENT
members and orphans asylums as evidences
merely of it's fidelity to the teachings which
say: Charity never faileth." The time is
not far distant when in every State and Ter
ritory there will be seen monuments OF it's
unselfish works 'or the relief of suffering
humanity and the .betterment Of the con-
dition of humanity.
CONCLUSION.
Our great aim and mission is to impress
upon mankind the great principle of uni
versal love, which goes behind the distinc-
tions of party, sect, and nation, and recog-
nizes all men as brothers. The neglect or
violation of this principle is the source Of
all the social evils which afflict mankind.
and disturb the general harmony. War,
other wrongs, all tissue from a prevailing
sel6shness, which locks up mans affections
in his own breast, and blinds him to the
fact that his own comfort and welfare are
interviewer with the well-being OF the great
aggregate of humanity. Man needs a closer
acquaintance with man the world over.
We should ever remember that all men are
brethren, and that God is our common
father; that the Monarch on his throne, is
no better than the be9gar in his rags. Ali
have one nature, all are immortal, and in
the soul OF the least, and the poorest, are
the signs of human equality. If these
truths were universally received and acted
upon, the state OF society would be
changed; it's sounds of diseord would die
away, it's ancient wrongs disappear, and it's
millenial glory arise.
The grafton was frequently applauded.
A hymn was then sung. after which the
Chaplain pronounced the following benedic-
ton: Nov, unto Him who is able to keep
you from falling, and to present you fault
exceeding Joy, I commend you and the
whole family OF man; and to Him, the only
wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, new and forever.
Amen"
The large audience then quietly dispersed
about one-half of the Butte contingent
taking the train for home.
THE BAL
The festivities Of the day closed by a
grand ball in the Amphitheater. The at
tendance was very large and the very best
people of Anaconda participated in it. 1t
was a great success in every respect.
The Butte train lett at +he appointed
time, 2 o'clock, and reached Butte II little
past 4 o'clock this morning.
NOTES.
Conductor West and General Agent
Scott wore nntirinp in their efforts to &C
commodate the exc lrsionists.
The Alice Band furnished splendid music
The ball was a grand success.
Grand Master McMurphey presided will
dignity and expedited matters.
The local committee had neglected tc
make provisions for the reporters, which
was a serious oversight.
Many of the excursionists visited thu
Anaconda smelter and were we'll repaid TO-
it.
No end OF banners, but one missed tn
stars and stripes.
The Amphitheater had been h~andsomel.
| 1ocorata0