Norwich bulletin., 1913-09-13
ECHOES FROM THE LODGE ROOM
F. A. Haglund Elected Outside Watchman of Past Masters Association A. o. U. VII. F. Palmer Addresses Grange The Age of Passing EFiciency-Odd Fellows Have Degree Work-Heptasophs District Convention Here Today

application and divided interest ia less ! important things.
 Pursuit of Ainess Pleasures. 1 The fundamental purposes of life seem to have been transmitted into aimless pleasures, barren of whole some or profitable results; consequent ly, legitimate achievements worthy of admiration. fall to the lot of few
 who are willing to forego empty pleas
 ures that defeat prosperity.
 The wonderful achievments of the kings of industry, commerce, finance. railroad agriculture and invention, are no superhuman mysteries. they are no less nor more than the natural results of well directed energy of those who have sacrificed empty pleasure and embraced opportunities that others have slighted.
 Their labors have been absorbing
 pleasures instead of dreaded hard ships, and their accommodations may be seasoned with usefulness which proves a universal blessing. They strive to get, that they may later give. Beyond a doubt this is an age of early individ- ual demise. The causes are conspicu Ously apparent to the oldtime observer, who makes note of the multiplying fatalities that seem to deVastate the ranks of the young and middle aged men. The present age seems to be
 
 veloping means for early disolution; yet, utterly oblvious to the fatal eX- amples of foolhardiness that result in self destruction, mostly of a type not calculated to elevate social or physical standards. Individuality is much less in evidence than the tendency to emulate popular fads and follies that weaken the minds of She populace.
 Tolerance of Social Evils,
 It Is equally painful to observe the declining quality of Lhe higher order of private or public services that were instituted to serve and continue to be the fundamental principles and safe- guards of human existence. But social or political reforms never occur spOn- tanously but are rather the fruit of strenuous protests of longsuHerlng public who have endured to the limit of endurance; and a public will endure long when a considerable portion of it's citizens are involved in the support or even in sympathy with q system Of transgressiOn looked upon as only semi criminal, This type of social tolerance seems to be deep rooted in urban com nunities and public tolerance operates as an unwrttten lieenee for it's contin- nance.
 It would seem as though ordinary human intelligence could comprehend the nature and consequences of all il- leeitimate or unWholesOme tranSSreS- sion of either human or Divine law. But the power of disobedience seems tO dominate in the lives of many who possess some virtues notwithstanding many of whom we socially respect with bToJherly fraternity, but to whom we fail to administer the timely re- buke. Silence operates synonymosIy with approval Most rebukes require moral courage, but the absence of timely rebuke attests the weakness of true, deep seated friendship. Open rebuke is far better than secret love. "Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee" Thus saith the invincible Prov erb, the manuel of righteousness. In conclusion, after years of experience and well focused observation l feel justified in well grounded belief that the fundamental principles of social industrial. commercial and political forces have been shifted from ripe experience and practical ability to an embryonice age of self-impOsing, self sufficient promoters who demand the directive forces with empty theo- res for security, under system of re- numeration little less than imperial. Economy is one of the discarded func- tions that gave thrift and prosperity to the nation, d COmmendable feature in every phase of human life.
 Lecture on Good Roads,
 Following an announcement by the lecturer that an illustrated lecture upon Good Roads would be given at the next Grange meeting by Hon. George $. Ladd, past master of the Massachusetts state grange, the meet ing voted to invite neignboring granges +-