Year: 1873

In the Talisman for August, the ed.


itor pens few thoughts under the head


of characteristics ofa True Odd Eel


low" 1t has some hard hits, but they


are true, and deserve wide circulation.


There are some diseases that require


severe remedies, and physician that


has not the nerve to administer them


does injustice to the patient. We re-


print Heart and Hand. aye.s


CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE ODD
| u asa FELLOw.p a Hif
1 There are many Odd Fellows who
are such in NAME, but who lack the
SPIRIT of the institution. Who enter
Within its pale from purely selfish or
sordld considerations, never dreaming
of the grand results to be attained
from practical apprehension of its
teachings. We have known many such
persons. who have attached themselves
to the Order, with seemingly little or
no apprension of its design-who re-
gard it merely as an asylum to shield
and protect them from the storms and
tempests of life-who seldom look be-
yond SELF in their estimate of Its
worth. They have no appreciation of
the true mission of Odd Fellowship,
and hence fail to derive any benefit
from their connection with it, only in
the matter of dollars and cents. Hence
1t is that there are SO many IN our
ranks who are mere passive members
who float along on the surface of the
Order, without eyercontributing in the
least to its prosperity and advance
ment. For a season they are charmed
by the novelty of their surroundings,
and are drawn to the Lodge-roonf,
much as one would visit circus or
menagerie. to witness the performance
But having no well defined or settled
conviction of the intrinsic excellence
of the superior doctrines of this school
of charity, they soon lose all interest
in the meetings, and are only seen,
perhaps, on due night, or when some
unusual attraction is presented. Such
persons are dead weight to any cause,
and a serious hinderance to the pros
perity of Lodge. Their example ex-
erts pernicious influence upon all
with whom they are brought in contact.
Not only is this the case among the
membership of the Lodge, but the in
fuence of such person is felt through
out the entire community. Those not
members of the Order have been told
that its principles are salutary in their
influence upon human character cal
culated to make men more scejal and
humane-to beget in them lively in
terest in the welfare of others; and
yet there is a man who is wholly wrap
ped up in self, and whose whole life is
a contradiction of the great doctrines
enuciated by Odd Fellowship. Hence
the conclusion is that there must be
something wrong in the system, other
wise it would produce better fruit.
By their fruits We shall know them,
is precept of Christianity, and it is
no less test in the character of true
Odd Fellow.


" An Odd Fellow in SPIRIT as well
as in NAME, may be known by his con-
duct not only in the Lodge-room, but
in his intercourse with the world at
large. Having thoroughly studied the
beautiful charges and lectures of our
ritual, he IS not unmindful of their
teachings. His whole life becomes
radiant with deeds of goodness and
love. He is regular in his attendance
upon the Lodge, unless prevented by
circumstances beyond his control. He
is ever courteous to his brethren in the
transactions of the Lodge e-room-aid-
ing by his presence, counsels, and ad-
vice in imparting interest to the meet
ings-in encouraging those who have
just entered upon the threshold of the
Order, by his example of fidelity to its
obligations. He is likewise an orna-
ment to society at large. Wherever he
is known he is admired for his enlarg-
ed benevolence, his disinterested re-
gard for the welfare of others. He is
ever ready to lend a helping hand to the
needy and unfortunately protect the
widow and the orphan, and in every
possible way assist in relieving the
wees and distresses of those around
him.


"Such are some OF the characteris-
ties of true Odd Fellow-one who is
such in spirit and in truth. May it be
ours to attain this high standard, and
thus exemplify in word and in deed the
profession we have made"