The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-02-07
For the Reporter.
The Christian and the Secret
OF6ar

An article with the above title Wa
recently printed in The Christian Ap-
peal, and evidently has caused more
discussion than was anticipated A.
though not the author OF the article. vet.
If any have taken the article as an alta OK
On the secret order, it seems to me that
purpose has been misunderstood. Pain
ed by the interest that many men take
in the lodge az compared with the Chris.
tian church, feeling that with many the
lodge is made a substitute for a personal
Christian life, while seeking to give the
lodge due credit for what it is doing Of
good, the purpose was to raise the
query whether a Christian was wise or
right in putting largely of his time and
money into the secret order. Is it not
fair question to ask? A prominent
Christian laymsn has recently written
II have pretty thoroughly canvassed the
pastors and Christian workers in and
about Boston and find growing con-
yietion that the lodge Is one great
| source OF the spiritual dearth which they
deplore." Is it not worth while for
| Christians to think well on these things +:
As member OF one of the secret
orders | know something of their work.
ings. AS far as / am able TO Judge
they are seeking TO have men help one
another, by cementing friendships, by
caring for the sick and needy, and by
safeguarding the home in the hour when
its head and support is taken away.
Their work is not for evil but for good
aud it Is beyond question that the Worlc
Is better because OF the work which the
orders are doing. Our hearty God
speed ought to be given to every organ
ization Of which this can be said.
1t is true that it sometimes happens
that the attractions OF the lodge lure
Christian men and women away from
their duties TO the church and to God
but as one man keeDly remarked to me
the other day ''that is not necessarily
the fault Of the lodge but of the man.
| may have been more fortunate than
other pastors but can truly say that in
the church OF which | am pastor it has
rarely been found that the Christian men
and women in it have put the interests
OF the lodge before that of the church
They have been true to what appears to
be the right oder of responsibility for
every Christian, first, the home, second.
the church aud then any other interests
for which they have time and talents.
My first duty is to my home and then to
the church of my Master; after that |
am ready to do all can for any order OF
which | may be member or for any
organization which is seeking to make
this world kinder and better.
The thought that was in mind when
this article was first suggested for the
christian Appeal was kindly word
pointing out the dangers that come from
an undue Increase in the number of
secret orders in town. Unfortunately
this thought did not appear 10 the article
as written. A question well worth con-
sidering whether the rapid increase of
lodges is not danger, to the home and
to mems own personality, as well as
to lodges already in existence.
These few words are written by one
who loves, above any organization, the
church OF Jesus Christ but who honors
also the lodge for what it does 10 un-
ostentatious care for those who need its
help. H. W. KIMBALL.