, 1889-05-02

"
There IL nothing which
transpires within these sacred walls of
which we are ashamed, but 1t is not pub.
lie property. When you call upon your
neiRhbor why not walk in without knock.
ing at the doorp Decency requires it,
that's why. Why not court sweetheart
in public, before the familyp God. given
modesty forbids it. Why not write
all communications on postal cards
or place them in unsealed |
envelopes9 Because there is no
these things secret organizations, yet they |
are as much so as Odd Fellowship. 1t is
human to oppose, but II there is anything I
less human in opposition than the sen,eless
clatter of anti.sscret societies, / have not
yet discovered it.
These so called societies profess to regard
with holy horror class of organization Of
which they are absolutely unqualified to
judge. Ignorant Of all the bencfcient
teachings of Odd Fellowship and kindred
organizations, they satisfy along cher, shec
hatred and an abominable spirit OF re-
venRe by denouncina them as clans of law.
breakers and revolutionists. Never have
these great auailiaries of the churches
been guilty Of deeds of which justified
these slanderous accusations. but II needs
no evidence to satisfy the judgment Of
self-appointed critics who endesvor tocast
upon noble institutions reproaches too dire
for any other than their own miserable
creators.
Compare odd Fellowship With these An.
taRonistic organizations. Compare the
work Of educating the orphan and reliev-
ing the distressed with the oppressive tyr.
amy OF those whose avowed object Is to
pull down truly Christian associations and
institutions, and after careful considera-
tion, tell us which Ia the better entitled to
the encouragement of an upright, moral
loving community.
Again, many are of the opinion that
Odd Fellows organize for the purpose of
paying certain sum of money per month
and receive stipulated amount per week
when sick. This 10 not true, and II such
motive prompts men to membership, they
receive but sOrdid Impression of the true
objects of the order.
Fraternity is the foundation on which
rests all OF the material that goes into the
temple of Odd Fellowship. and every par.
ticles that goes into the structure is de.
signed for the purpose of making man
better, and bring him as near
fe sim the aid that i. extended sn to tse sSe
sick and distressed ia in obedience to our
There is no charity about it.; it must be
done. But there are other matters that
rest entirely with the member, and it is
dependent upon his honor, whether or not
he performs them.
'Tis often said by q brother, ~ think
as much of Odd Fellowship as any man in
the order" Do you, my brotherp sup.
pose, then, that you are always ready to
serve upon the visiting committee, to see
the sick brother needs neither comfort noe
care. That you are willing to put your
shoulder to the wheel and help forward any
enterprise looking to the the advance, nee,
you are always ready to assist
in comforting the degrees, and to aid by
your presence and make the session an
interesting one. That you are ready to
point out to = worthy friend and compan.
ion the exceilenciss and beauties of the
order, and strive TO bring him within its
folds. That you are ever ready to serve a
brother, to assist his family, to defend his
character, and TO stand by him in adver.
sity. That when you End him to be a man
Of sterling character, you will rebuke any
slur upon his life or principles. All this,
and more you should do. and the half has
not been told. These duties do not come
upon us at one time, yet there is nothing
in this short index of your duty which you
cannot easily perform and which you must
perform, il you are, or want to be as good
an Odd Fellow as some other men In the
order.
The principles and teachings of fra
ternity, mean more than words. They
mean action. and not merely q perfume
tory performance Of them either He,
who. with his whole heart, goes into the
work Of fraternity has rich reward. The
consciousness Of duty done, the approval
of his fellowmen, the gratitude Of the
as much as ye do it unto one of the least Of
these my brethren, you have done it also
unto me. Keep on my brother of the
true and noble heart. KeeI
on in your work of love. Turn neither to
the right nor left, but let the last call oil
humanity be to you that post of duty
where you may show the world thai
Fraternity" is u pure. a true, Holy
word. because in the fullest sense you ex
empiify 1t by your actions.
This is an institution which will deve-
lop mans powers, tbs conductive to q
development OF tht mind and the affections
'Tis relief to the suffering. school o
moral and social culture, home for the
men To q knowledge and practice oil
brotherhood. Friendship is that attribute
Of the soul and mind, which gives light
sweetness, Joy and courage, sprinklinR
them abroad as the showers Of dewdrops
are left in the hearts of flowers to be
evaporated by the sun of love. Love il the
anchor of the world. 1t is the golden
magnet that draws and welds the home
together. Without 1t the component
elements OF home would be physical mat
ter without the law Of gravity. Truth