The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-09-11
Secret Orders or Beneficiary Organiza.

secret OrOerS or benenc1ary OfSanlZa.
tiOns.
There was once time in the worlds his
tory when secrecy was an essential element
in the safety of the individual, as we'll as in
the preservation of the rights and liberties
of certain classes of the community; and it
is to this epoch of communal existence. both
in the old and new world that many of our
secret orders, such as the Masonic Fraternity.
the Foresters. Odd Fellows. and other So
ceties for mutual protection and benefit
owe their origin. The fundamental prin-
ciples on which these organizations are
founded; and the primary objects which
their promoters had in view in their estab-
lishment are most praiseworthy; and have
contributed largely to the harmony, good
feeling. and permanent prosperity and
progress of the community generally.
There is no secrecy as to their principles
or their Objects-these are approved and en-
dOrsed by all intelligent human beings-the
only, or principal, reasons for the adoption
of secret ritual or form of procedure. the
exclusion of strangers from their meetings.
and withholding all knowledge of their
transactions from the outer world, is to
protect their members from fraud, impOst-
ure and undue Intervention; and to preserve
in all it's native purity and intensity. the
feeling of fraternity. mutuality of interest,
and undying sympathy which is the very
essence of their organization. and the sheet
anchor of their existence.
AS community. we are mainly indebted
to the influence exercised by these Organiza-
items for the preservation and maintenance
of many of the moral and social advantages
we now pOSSeSS-and. indeed. for our edu-
catiOnal and commercial prosperity and
superiority to other natiOnalities By their
MEANS the fundamental principles of the
universal brotherhood of man-the mutual
interdependence of every individual on his
fellows for happiness, success. and even the
ordinary requirements of our daily life
and the absolute necessity for harmony in
sentiment, action and effort, have been eff
fectively and indisputably demonstrated.
They have enabled us to extend the amen
tiles and affectionate ties of the home circle
into the broader sphere of our social life
they have brought home to our own hearts
the irresistible truth that our fellow
creatures when under pressure of adversely,
bodily aff1ictiOn, or mental anguish have
claims upon our active sympathy and per-
sOnal aid which we cannot ignore without
outraging the primary laws of our common
humanity. In word. they have taught us.
that if we fail in giving practical issue to
the Golden Rule-''DO unto others as ye
would they should do unto you'-an in
evitable and fearful retributiOn will await
us, in our own persons, when we, in our
turn, shall be overwhelmed in sorrow and
trouble. with no one to lend helping hand.
Lastly. these secret societies. have taught
uS the Valuo Of a manly in6anandancp-
they have shown us the folly and degrada-
tion of dependence on charity (?) and the
abandonment of personal effort, even under
the most depressing and distressing cir
cumstances. The fact that we are men,
bers of an organization. the special object
of which is to preserve our manhood in its
entirety, sustain our holiest relations to