The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-05-17


of man-that God hath
made of one blood all the nations of
the earth. Odd Fellowship then pre-
sents broad platform, upon which |
mankind may unite IN Offices of human
benefaction. Under its comprehensive
all the nations OF the earth |
may concentrate their energies for the
good OF the common race There is |
a cord of sympathy within us which
responds TO the vibrations in the at
mosphere in which all move, whether
this atmosphere be charged with sor-
row, distress, JOY or pleasure. 1t isl
our privilege to weep with those that
weep, and rejoice with those that re-
joice. We are then bound together by
those inseparable links of friendship,
love and truth. With some who have
had an occasion to mourn over the
weakness and Inconsistency Of man
there may be disposition to JOIN with
him who says, :: What is friendship
but a name, a charm that lulls to
sleep?" Such sentiments are not
those of the loyal Odd Fellow. How
can it be when the element in which
he moves is kove This is the spring
of our actions. " Whatsoever yewould
that men should do to you, do ye even
so to them. - Glove one another. y
BY these precepts we are animated,
until we know something cf "What is
truth ?" Thus you see our chain IS
one of progress and advancement, be-
ginning with friendship and ending
with truth, whilst the two are connected
| by love. He who seeks advancement in
our mystic rites has set before him upon
the threshold of our order, the contrast of
| the world without and the world with
in our lodge. Cares and distractions,
discensions and vices SO common, SO
characteristic of heartless world are
| left behind. Friendship and love at
once assert their mild dominion while
faith and charity combine to bless the
mind with peace and soften the heart
with sympathy and truth. TO one
whose eyes are enlightened. what sac
spectacle does man appear, in darkness:
and chain. He may natter hmsel
that all is we'll, and he may walk witt
confidence over the treachous paths 0
.fe, yet he gropes his way IN darSnes
and sin. And vnile he boasts, 0
freedom, he is indeed bound as a slave
with chains which fetter him. fo
often the good that he would he doe
not but the evil that he would not h
. does. So with confidence and assur
, ance he follows the path before HIM
5 when 10, he pauses over a sad am
mournful spectacle which lmpresse
i. him with the truth that man is mortal
For in our life journey we soon com
;. across the sad marks of death, and
we look upon the silentyet impressiv
picture, surely it should awaken tn
Y soul to a Just sense Of responslbllit
{ to It's God and of duty to itself. For
we but listen to the voice OF wisdol
IS speaking from age. .and experlenc
: as we regard the trembling lint
+ and wrinkled brow of the vcnerab
J. sage, we will hear him say
1t have been young, but now a
d old, vet l have not seen the Il
n righteous forsaken nor his seed be
n ing bread" What lesson for M
% to consider! With the maxlms whl'
>. govern the righteous, man Will ind
Of Safe Journey through this dark worl
le But in his practice of these virtues
u will soon learn that men are not
to WAYS to be taken for what they appei
e. Some may have rough, unseen
ne exterior, but good and true he'
e. within, while others possessing cap
RS waiting person and manner may
I'd destitute of all genuine prlnclp!
I'd Having been initiated into some OF
We principles which govern and anlms
Id us, YOU are now prepared to see III
to appropriate AID significant IS
he motto, :. Friendship, Love and lrut
of and the emblem of three links VIII
ge represent the combination.
nd The first link in this chain IS that
IS flIendshib. This isthe tie that binds
in. together and we would by it bind ma
nd more to us and to each other.
,se friend loveth at all times and brot
he is born for adversity," says the "
of man. A beautiful illustration of
rs devotion of friends is seen in
,ot representation of affection betw'
nd David the son of Jessie, and Ionatl
ser the son OF Saul, King of Isarel, as gi'
, a in Holy Writ. David was
~ eighth son of Jesse. a oomparatis
ed poor and insignificant man OF Bett
bv hem. 1t was David's business
zoe mind his fathers sheep. But JontI
was q Prince in Isarel, man OF va
Md who had wrought many victory
ga Isare! over the Philstines their erem
the Three sons of Jesse were enlisted
I is the armies of 1sarel and the faith
md heart yearned after them. To kr
hat their welfare he sent his younI
60 son, but mere youth to inquire q
are their welfare. When he came to
as brothers Goliath, the champion OF
roe Pbilis,ines, Isarel's enimies, dehed
Ian armies of the living God. The sPir
,;cb God moved the youth TO resent
en- charge, although rebuked and scoI
the by his brothers Tor his presumption