Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1904-04-30

can and do do good, that humanity has
been benefited by their existence.
cit is sometimes said that some of
our members do not conduct themselves
in manner that reflects credit upon
our order.
"Alasl This is too true. Seed to
grow and produce good results must be
sown on suitable ground.
Did you ever notice how much easier
it was to let heavy load pull you down
hill than it was to pull it up? 1t is only
by constant effort that mans foot
steps are guided Alright. The mind
wherein the light of reason has never
penetrated may not be benefited by o.
F. We cannot transform a degenerate
into a saint but we can and do teach a
higher ideal life. Our teachings give
men new faith in Virtue, Charity and
Love. Like light from heaven we
point out the true life.
''None of us are perfect, and were
we to love none who had imperfections,
this world would be a desert without
love. We love and cherish what is good
in man, and try to eradicate what is
bad. Oftentimes he who appears un-
worthy to our eyes may be battling
nobly, earnestly and honestly to over
come difficulties that we know not Of
His pathway through life may be beset
with obstacles that would cause you to
stumble and perhaps fall. To remove
these obstacles is the mission of o. F.
''In physical warfare the world does
not ask, who was the victor? but with
what courage did they fight? 1t were
a greater credit to have lost at the
Alamo or Thermopylae than to have
won on fairer fields where the odds
were less.
Upon our emblems and symbols you
see inscribed three letters, F. L. & T.,
emblematical of the three degrees of o.
F., Friendship, Love and Truth.
''The first link on the chain of 0. F.
is Friendship. Constancy and Fidelity
are the pillars upon which rest pure
Friendship. Confidence and Gratitude
are the offspring or outgrowth of true
Friendship. Gratitude is the fairest
blossom that springs from the soul, and
the heart of man knoweth none more
fragrant. All of these virtues are por-
trayed in the lessons of our order, and
should be oxemplifed in the life of
every true o. F. We are taught to
practice them without ceasing.
"Our labors should be a willing sacri-
flee for the redemption of humanity
We have been taught to emulate the
highest ideals of friendship in ancient
and modern story. AS we meet from
week to week within the walls of our
lodge room, we are taught that it is our
duty to exemplify the teachings of our
order in our daily life; we are taught
that we are not to live for self alone,
we have mission to preform, we owe
something to humanity. Our daily life
should be fresh and sweet as the morn
ing fragrance, breathing and inspiring
thoughts and acts of friendship. What
o. F. can look back to the first degree
of o. F. and not feel that Friendship
has deeper meaning than he had ever
before realized.
''The world has grown better as it
has grown more Fraternal o. F. adds
a glowing flame to the torch of pro-
gress.
"There is a divinity in man that is
constantly endeavoring to elevate and
make him better. We seek to strength
en- and encourage this divinity, which is
to save.
''The soul scars up toward heaven.
For millions of years man has been
toiling upward, impelled by the same
mysterious force that causes the wheat
of the fields and the tall pines of the
mountains to stretch their heads toward
the blazing sun.
Love is the central link in the gold
en- chain of o. F. Love is the grandest
attribute of God. 1t is the Queen, the
brightest and fairest of all the virtues,
guided by its influence we can lead the
erring to repent, soften every obdurate
heart, and reclaim to the paths of rec
titude every viscious mind. Love in its
highest and purest form is the redeem
ing happiness of humanity.
" Love is the Saint, enshrined in the
breast,
And angels themselves would admit
such guest.
fsWhere Love is enthrOned God reions