The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-02-27
storm of adversely. and across and be-

hard pressed and weary one, to cheer,
encourage, assist, and carry if need be
until all the trials are past, and the high
and fertile table-lands are reached, and
the footsore, weary, and aching, may
! hap, from the struggle so bravely en-
| dured, the brother can stand in the full
MONDAY of victories gained and hopes
fully realized. tits that friendship that
will take the brother man by the hand.
| when the light begins to wane, and the
! tickle goddess of fortune has ceased to
| smile, and then in the hour of sorest
need gives substantial aid and encour-
! agement. Its the friendship that when
I darkest forebodings come creeping into
the soul, driving the light from the eye.
and the smile from the face; when the
head is bowed down and the spirit is
/ broken with the heavy weight Of adver-
| sity, and the man and angels, yea, and
( God himself, seems to have turned
awav and hid his face from the poor
mortal, that can, even then throw about
the broken body and fainting soul the
arms of love and sympathy, and lift him
up and speak words of comfort and
cheer that shall cause him to look up
and take heart again, and once more
stand upright as man among men.
Charity is not a more benevolerce
A man may be benevolent, yet exceed
ingly unchariatable to others who NAV
chance to differ from him in either be-
lief or station. A profession of charity
that only shows on the surface while
at heart 1T is more ready to hear i'll
spoken of one than good, is a lie and
cheat. The charity intended to be
taught by this order is such an earnest
and abiding regard for the welfare of a
brother that will silence all evil reports
of him instead of enlarging or repeating
them from mouth to mouth, TO be mag
nltled as the SANDER or evil report cir
culateS. Homes have been ruined,
hopes blasted and hearts broken, be-
cause some noble charitable soul has
not been found to step in and stem the
| tide of evil and false rumor that has so
often been started in motion by some
evil disposed and venhmous heart and
tongue. Men are too apt to misjudge
the acts and words of their fellows.
Brethren of this Knightly order, re-
member the words of our declaration of
principles, Ito cOnstrue words and deeds
in their least unfay orable hight granting
honesty OF purpose and good intentions
to others.
Here some objector steps in and says.
I'VE always heard that these secret
orders protected its members in crime, "
and in rebutral let me say with all the
vehemence of an honest man, that no
greater sIanderous libel was ever con-
cocted by the prince of devils. Dear
Knight, would you be your brothers.
murderer? Would YOU take your
hrpt hpr's hfao | haa,.
eXclaim no. no. Yet the Knight who
forgets and adopts any other course
than found in our declaration Of princi-
pies is worse than murderer. Rob a
man of his good name, blacken his
character, prefer a false accusation
against him which brings about his ruin
| socially, or his reputation as an honest
man, and you have done worse, a thou
sand fold worse, than if you had sent a
bullet through his heart. The Knight
who would DO this is not only more
guilty than a murderer. but he Is also q
perjurer and blasphemer for he will
fully violates a solemn obligation. IN
| the taking of which he calls upon Al
mighty God to witness the sincerity of
his vow. Some have said that this
principle does not apply during the
heated political campaigns of this
country; that the utterance of lie and
the publishing of a falsehood that will
backen a man 5 character are not to be
taken into account. The man who
claims such as the doctrine Of this order
is not worthy to be called Knight If
we would truly keep our vows in letter
and spirit, we must have broad liber-
atty in judging of our brethren and
their actions. Instead Of being fault
finders and suspicious, we must have
generous manhood and knighthood that
will put the very best construction on
the words and actions Of our fellowman.
Our Charity means faith in brother,
confidence in him as man, and implicit
trust and hope IN him and for him.
Charity is as immortal in her existence
as the soul she inspires and as the God
from whence she came. She will
ascend hike Elijah, in a chariot of fire
and be translated to the realms of life
and Joy The benevolence taught bv
our order is that higher aspiration of the
soul that draws US nearer to God in the
great bonds of sympathy and well-wish-
ing that unite the Creator to all human
ity. 1t is the well spring Of love flow
ing from warm and tender heart wat
ering the seeds of friendship and charity
causing them to grow into realities;
that with open hand gives bread and
strength to the hungry and perishing;
pours in the water of comfort and con-
ISOLATION to the hearts of those who thirst
for sympathy; that sllences high sound
ing words by quiet acts, clothing the
naked and giving shelter to the aban-
Goned. 1t is the unobtrusive love COM
ing from true and lofty spirit that
can, with hand as gentle as Woman's
and a sympathy that is genuine. care
for and comfort the sick, or perform
the last sad rites at the grave of
brother, and while we lay his body in
the the tomb can cherish the recolIec-
ton of his virtues and throw a mantle
of charity over his faults.
That the objects and purpose of the
order may best be served, we teach
caution in our individual lives, that we
may not violate the reputable rules of
society, caution IN our association with
our fellow men, that we may not need
lessly bring pain to the heart of any,
not even to the lowliestof God creatures.
Another tenet taught by the order is
bravery. This attribute is defined as
courage, gallantry, fearlessness of
danger, undaunted spirit, intrepldity
and when applied to man refers to one