Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-03-22
OddfelloMshIp.

A very large audience greeted Rev.
b i. Wheeler, last Friday night to
hear his lecture on 0ddfellowship and
kindred topics. The hall was literally
packed. Music was furnished by a
chorus of gentlemen from the Lancas-
ter lodge, accompanied by Aug. Michae-
lis on the organ and Messrs. Hyde and
Howdle on comets. Prayer was offered
by Rev. S. d. Pulford Mr. David
Schreiner introduced the speaker.
1t would be difficult to reproduce so
fine discourse without doing injustice
to the speaker, and we do not pretend
the following to be more than synop-
sis with much that was good left out.
Mr.. Wheeler began his address by
repeating from Phil. iv s. Breth-
rem whatsoever things are true. what
soever things are honest, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue in them
and if there be any praise, think on these
things. Also Luke Xxx %; and he said
unto them, render therefore unto Cesar
the things that are Caeser's, and unto
God the things tina are Gods. Jesus
said, he who is not for me, is against
me. am here to speak of Oddfellow-
ship, the elements of which existed
even before Christ in the elements of
christianity. Pleasing is the duty that
has been assigned me. 1t is pleasure
to have been the one selected, and a
pleasure to speak to you of the society.
which, in its rules and requirements
comedies with those of the church that
love
In the society on which | am to adj
dress you may be said to be novice
only, when compared with many of
your members here who have risen step
by step to the highest ranks of the order.
| may however be able to make up in
youthful ardor what / lack in the ex-
perence they enjoy. 1t is well known
fact that men naturally look with aver
sion AID suspicion upon that with which
they are unfamiliar and with which they
have no sympathy This we must re-
move as our society must have an in
fuence for good or evil upon all.
1t appeals to the strongest OF
our instincts and is essentially a social
order. It has many elements of attract
iveness; it has noble Immortality; it
appeals to us by its antiquity. Vastness
of duration inspires awe and reverence.
The ocean, the symbol of strength and
antiquity teaches US this. Navies have
swept its pillows but it is older than the
white wings of the ships of Tarshlsh;
its age overpowers us, but the oceab,
old as it is, cannot compare with the
Ancient of Days who existed when the
ocean lay as dewdrop in the hollow
of his hand, and when not seraph had
waved its pinions even then He was the
great II am" having neither beginning
of days nor end of life.
Our order, we believe was first in
stituted by the Roman soldiers of the
Emperor Nero, in their camp 90 A. d.
In the year SO he gave them the name
they now bear, Oh account of their
peculiarties. They were distinguished
for their courage in battle and for their
fidelity TO their leader Nero also gave
them their emblems In the 9Th century
the society was founded in Spain and
in the 9th it was introduced into France,
and at the time OF George III. it was
carried to England.
We feel no doubt OF its origin in the
manner described. and we know that
at this day our banner floats in every
cline. 1t was first brought to this
country by Thomas Wildey and since
that time has increased rapidly.
OF its origin, however, we are less
concerned than about its present char
acter. Sin is not entitled to reverence
if old asthe bow that spans the heavens.
The obligations of our order are as old
as those that bound the frs pair IN the
garden of Eden. They are the obligs-
tions of man to man, and the law of
doing unto others as we would be done
by. Our mysteries are objected to by
some. but the reasons for our secrets
are simple and easily explained.
To US our symbols are language full
of meaning; they bind us more closely
together and afford us q means of rem
dering help to other members without
a possibility of being deceived. There
is secrecy in everything; in science and
religion and in our own business as
well as in our lives. The society is not,
in its strictest sense secret, the time and
place of meeting are always known and
our aims and objects receive the widest
possible publicity. Those who simply
accept the testimony of prejudiced
neighbor would be surprised and pleased
at the simplicity of our secrets; they
are used simply for the purpose of rec
ognition.
What evil can these things do? What
matter is it to the world if we fit men
better for lifeP There are legitimate
secrets in every branch of business;
the physician, the lawyer,the merchant,
all have their secrets, aud are only
worthy of confidence so long as they
keep them sacredy. Slanderous libels
have been circulated, but they are not
worthy of our consideration.
The order is not a religious organiza
ton, but "Do unto others as you would
that they should do unto you is its
foundation. 1t demands no obligations
that man cannot keep consiste ntly
with his duties to his family, his church
aud his God. "Judge not, that ye be
not Judged is the rule OF the lodge.
This we try to do well and cheerfully.
Catholics and Protestants are alike well
come to our society and our hearts
Pure Oddfellowship, is to visit the
widow and the fatherless, and to do
deeds of charity and love. The