The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1900-04-27

become Il member of the organiza-
ton of Odd Fellows, who does not
declare his belief in God, nor could
he remain member should ho dis
avow that faith
We look upon God as the Father
Of oil men, whose will should be the
law Of his creatures, Of whose bounty
wc arc all partakors, and in whose
lovo all arc participants.
We believe i'll tho Holy Bible, so
much SO that our laws require it's
presence in our halls in every meet
ing, whether for business or instruc
ton. From it, rs from an over flow
ing foun' 'ain, spring those streams Of
true and manly service to our fel.
low man, that ,aakes glad and beau
tiful the habitations of Odd Fellow
ship. TO it we look for those pre-
cepts ard examples, which teach us
how we should regulate our conduct
toward one another-thls is morality.
That man who says Pm an Odd
Fellow and have no need for
church, doesn't know the first princi-
pies of Odd Fellowship. We in no
sense rival tho church. We teach
mon their duty to men-to visit the
sick, relieve distress, bury the dead,
caro- for widows, support tho aged
and helpless, to educate tho orphan.
The church teaches mon her duty
to God as we'll as to men.
Religion and morality arc terms
often confounded, though clearly
distinguishable.
Religion is tho souls homage and
alteration for its God.
Morality is our service to our fell
low man, without entering into an
exhaustive, nor yet extensive defini-
ton Of the two torms.
Religion enters into it's closet alono
with God, shuts tho door, and by
spiritual communion with the Father
in heaven renews its strength, gets
new inspirations of love, feels the
touch of divine presence and the
holy impulse and uplift Of a divine
indwelling.
Morality out of the universally re-
vealed law of love and duty, goes out
to mankind to serve ones generr ton
with the best help he can bring, and
the most unseiish service he can
render. This Is the real difference
between the Church and the Lodge,
but fear we make it appear other
wise sometimes. Does it look this
way?
The Church enters the homes of
sickness and poverty and there offers
fluent and eloquent prayers for their
relief.
Odd Fellowship also enters these
homes and answer these prayers by
furnishing tho rolief-moneY and
flour.
| will, however, sound this noto of
warning. Every age has had its
central idea, its controlling principle.
Look into history and we see that
this idea in the age of Greece was
Letters and Arts.
Middle ages-was religious en-
thusiasm, uncontrolled by science
and knowledge.
Later age-Miltary despotism,
Tyrants exercised absolute authority.
Blood flowed freely.
Present ago idea is Fraternity-a
brotherhood that fosters love OF
country and family, benevolence to.
ward the needy, sympathy for the
distressed, relief for the oppressed
and brotherly love for those in afllic
ton. If the churches fail in this
spirit of frat Observation-Disclosures, Coo
will raise up people for this work
and if we pastors fail to lead oul
churches God will raise up men who
will. Humanity and charity hav.
ever gone hand in hand in the ad
vance of civilization and the triumph
of Christianity.
The first Lodge organized in tn,
United States was in Baltimore il
1910, April 25th. With our princi
pies we could but grow, and toda,
we number over 100000 souls, an.