The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-11
ODD FELLOWS

ODD FELLOWS
ne Sentiment of Odd Fellowship.
me sentiment upon which odd Fell
Sshp depends mostly for support
existence IL the sentiment of true
otherhood, that mutual principle
dch should prompt us to lay aside
personal differences and sacrtilce
party considerations for the benefit
the general welfare of our noble
Ter. The effect of this dangerous
rit, personal and party differences,
nv be read upon the past pages OF
worlds history. Institutions laid
on foundations more solid and en-
rlng perhaps than that of our own
We felt its shivering force and gone
wn to oblivion, and live only upon
eir worthless and tinle-worn rec
as. Nations standing high, reJotc-
! In an Industrious and prosperous
pulation, with all the means and
plfances OF endurance, have been
'uck down from their high and ex-
ed eminence, and become the
choolboy's dream, the wonder of the
ur!" This baneful spirit can never
productive of aught but evil. and
cry true odd Fellow is called upon,
the most emphatic and forCihle
nsideratiohs, 70 frown upon the APP
zach Of this insidious and destroy
6 hydra Where fellowship is the
eat sinew. and harmony and good
III the aim, peace and plenty viii
like household gods upon our altar,
Odd Fellowship, when considered
ON a moral point OF view, may he
onounced one OF the most splendid
I'd stupendous undertakings ever set
foot by man.
The very nature Of our fraternity,
its formation. is em!nently caicu-
ted to inculcate the true feelings
liberality. TO soothe all feelings Of
gotry and prejudice. Within our
INKS may be found members Of the
ost hostile sects and parties. forget
az, for the time, their peculiar tenets
Id predictions, mingling together
friendship and love.
AZ Odd Fellows, We number in our
aternity many OF the eminent men
| the iand---eminent for their intel
ctual abilities, for CO pacity
r the purity and probity Of their &C
ons: men who have given hostages
! tbs world for the FUN performance
| their duties. and none can suppose
lat they. with full knowledge a. its
|aturs, would remain connected with
II II were different from what II
|rofesses to bean institution the
Feat object OF which Is to better
ankind.
The infatuated sectary finds within
he sacred borders of Odd Fellowship
b responsive converts 10 his faith
he violent politician finds neither
[Iaoe nor time within tins lodge room
b ptomulgats his peculiar views and
|pinions: here men must lay aside
heir prediiections. and, unitediy. en-
|age in the noble work Of craternizlng
he world.
Odd F'ellowrt1fp tn nc religious insti-
|1tton, yet 'fDo unto others as you
|ouid they should do unto you" Is the
basis on which the entire
kbrtc OF our fraternity reposes. X
assumes no higher authority than the
regulation of the moral action Of It's
hembers, while It conhdes an eluci-
|ation OF the sublime requisites OF the
hered Scriptures 20 the ministers Of
|aa gospel II demands no obllga-
Ions which would. IN the slightest
|egree, violate a mans duty TO his
nod. HIS family. his country, OK his
|rienas 1t sxacts mo psrhous VOWS
|ghich would I'm plicate his fealty 10
- spiritual persuasion, for II com
|rehends and embraces men Of va
|lous creeds. tenets. and religious de-
Nominations II repudiates in8delity.
|ut Il assumes not that preTogative
hitch the great searcher Of hearts
as reserved to Himself alone, Judge
ot, that ys be not Judged" is the
ule of action for every member OF
bur vast brotherhood. The depravity
4 man randers II expedlent for means
% be employed 10 lead him from the
,aths of vice to those of virtue, and
his can only be done by intoxicating
he divine precepts OF Odd Fellowship.
mis- Ia what. as Odd Fellows, We do.
But, while we teach these precepts in
/. manner peculiar to ourselves, we
10 not war with the principles OF any
set
Nor In ODD, Fellowship a political
We are taught. as OdG
Fellows. to be su bservient 10 the pow
rs That os, ana TO 6Dey me faws
4rictly: yet we give no political pledg-
., we are not united by any political
,ond OF union. nor do we aspire to
my political authority. We are bound,
~ obligations, to perform all the du-
les which can be required Of good
,4tixens: ard any violation OF those
avs, il proven against a brother. viii
ubiect him TO expulsion from the
rder. The test necessary for admits
don into our fraternity is a high one,
nat of a good reputation and charac-
Ter for morality and honor. and it
aeeds not whether man he q Jew
,r GENTLE, rich or poor: at his APP
uroach our portals open. he enters
md becomes one Of our vast army
The tendency Of Odd Fellowship
mon the minds and characters OF its
members. independent of The direct
Md which 1t confers, is well calculated
% develop those fraternal and social
feelings which are the honor of our
nature. II inculcates morality by the
most forcible, and, we might say
practical. lessons ii reaches men the
sweetness OF friendship and affection
md renders every man more III to full
All his duties as the head of his own
household and as a member of the
in which he dwells Its
Expressive notices and axioms are
most accepta Bile to the moral, the
and the charitable. BY
lhem men are reminded of their duty
toward their God, their families, and
heir friends. In the lodge-rooms
lhey listen TO exhortations which must
hanish evil and improper thoughts
nom their hearts, and render them
rood and peaceful momhers or So
eiety.
As odd Fellows. we do not profess
q a love of country beyond that OF
ntt1er men. In eur teachings We eeHfa-
rel and inoulcate peace and deprecate