The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-01-30

( at 1t Is any manss right to object to
secret orders; but it n not his moral
right to publicly proclaim fhat an order
founded upon the Bible. which takes
for lis foundation principles the teach
inss of Jonathan and Dzvid, prepare
mn 10 rGed snd deYreciGe true
Christianity, If he himself be q
Christian. All orders have their
"black sheep same as all churches,
but this fact doesnot justify the con-
demnaflon of the one more than il
should the other. Some of the MODEST
men energed In the ministry TO-DAY be-
long 10 the Masons. Odd Fellows,
KNIGHTS of Pythias ard kindred ofgani-
xations, and does our self-consEituted
censor believe that these men are any
the less qualified to carry on the great
work In which they are engaged be-
cause OF their connection with these
frzternal orders?
M. Overn seems specially interested
IN having the editor of The FEE Press
explain what ne means by '.True Clrls-
tlaniry." Well, TO crafty our friend,
we viii say that orr definition Is taken
from Webster who de6nes True as gen
uine; pure; real; not counterfeit, adult
Grated or false" The same author de-
fines Christianity ss the religion of
Christians; or the system of doctrines
and precepts taught by Christ, etc
This is precisely what Odd Fellowship
teaches. No man can become an Odd
Fellow who does not believe II sS1preme
Being. He is taught the principles OF
Friendship. Love and Truth The
Golden Rule-'-Do unite others and You
wCuld have others do unto vou" is
lesson that Is never forgotten or omitted.
There is lot single requirement exact
ed of mem Der Of this order that II
any wsy conflicts with his religious or
political freedom. while the whole work
Is founded on the Bible and almost the
entire ri1ualistie WORK can De found
word for word, IN the Holy Book. We
repeat that Odd Fellowship better BELTS
men 70 appreciate True Christianity, De-
csuse II teaches the word OF God
and eDempiifes the acIs OF many
Of the Biblical characters Il taxes
care Of liz SICK. educs;ss It's az
phsns, and 5uries 20 dead. II last year
expended over s3.G00, 600 for IMPOSES
OF this kind and who dare say al these
we're not acts Of Christian char-1y :?
Homes for the orphans OF deceased
members and the destitute Widows OF
dead brothers are beng built ali ov-
er the country. Thousands are bang
daily cared for by this order that Mr.
Overn saws better TT men TO reject and
1eDreciGts True Christianity
If Mr.. 0vern wants % excommuni-
cate members from his church who pc
long TO secret orders, srd who are not,
Is ne szys paying members" or OF the
supporting sind, lie has the privilege,
but because they ere not what they
should Dc he should not dsuOuDce an
organization that Is teaching from the
same book from which he draws his IL
SEPARATION, and Is doing N its OWE good
way Whist /, can for humanity.
IF the Reverend gentleman knew more
about secret orders, ne would not be
found trying 20 belltlle the great work
they are doing If CUR friend vii make
it little study lie will fUd that few OF
themen who lsrguish II the "a Il and
other peral instItutior Of the country
belong 10 secret orders, and If he VIII
excuse tie txpress:OU. We vii state less
5f th-m c-I Fs7 found n such PLACES
han csn rsrH who prxyed uTOothe con-
6deuce # TIE public under the CLOAK Of
church membership
STATE OF 0EI0. CRY or T0LEDOI
T-CsS f'O,T-NTT