constituent of
one universal brotherhood, and teaches him that as he came from the
hand of a common parent, he is in duty bound to cherish and protect his
fellow-man. Viewed in this light, Odd-Fellowship becomes one of the
noblest institutions organized by man in the world. If the beauty and
grandeur of universal brotherhood could be impressed upon the minds
of all the people, how very different from the past would the future
history of the world read. What a delightful place this old stone-ribbed
earth would be if men would look upon each other as brothers,
members of one common family; enjoying the many comforts of one
home; trusting to the guidance and protection of one Father--God. We
are more nearly related than we think. Running through all humanity
there is a link of relationship and a bond of sympathy that can not be
exterminated. The principle of brotherly love is so great and broad that
all mankind could unite in offices of human benefaction. Brother. Oh,
how sacred and how sweet when spoken by a true heart! Whether it be
in the home circle, lodge-room, or in some distant land, it sends the
same soothing thrill of joy to the heart. Let us pause just a moment to
think of the time and place when we first learned to call each other
brother. Ah! Methinks no Odd-Fellow will ever forget his first lesson.
He will always remember how quickly he was changed from the
haughty disposition manifested by that one of old, who, when he
prayed, went to the public square, or climbed to the house top, and
thanked God that he was not like other men, to the humble attitude of
that one who stood afar off and bowed his face in the dust, crying aloud,
"O Lord! Be merciful unto me a sinner." How very much like this
ancient boaster are thousands of the human family today. Sitting in
high places, surrounded by wealth and power, they see nothing beyond
the narrow circle in which they move. They are deaf to the low, sad
wail of sorrow that comes from some breaking heart. Seated by their
own comfortable fireside they give no thought to the lonely widow
standing outside in the cold. It distresses them not that the keen, wintry
blast sends its icy chill to the already broken heart. No thought, no
feeling, for this poor creature that must now fight the fierce battles
incident to human life, all alone. How sadly these tender duties to
suffering humanity are neglected when left to the cold charity of the
world.
Odd-Fellowship seeks to lessen sorrow and suffering. It supplies
temporal wants; gives encouragement; aids and comforts those who are
in distress. In sickness we watch by their bedside and administer to
their wants. If death calls, Odd-Fellowship forsakes not its follower,
but hovers near, listening attentively to the last words and parting
instruction of the dying one. Brothers and friends, let me admonish you
to do all the good you can while in health and strength, for at most life
is short and we know not how soon the Angel of Death will unfold his
broad, shadowy wings over our path and call us to give an account of
our stewardship; then all that will remain of us on earth will be the
good or evil we have done.
Odd-Fellowship is full of sacred teachings and sublime warnings. It
teaches us that we are in a world full of temptations, sin and sorrow.
We see the emblems of decay all around us. The strong man of today
may stand forth, nerved for toil, with all the bloom of health mantling
cheek and brow, seemingly as strong and vigorous as the mighty oak,
and yet tomorrow he will fade as the autumn leaf. Then he realizes how
foolish it is to be vain; thinks of the instability of wealth and power,
and the certain decay of all earthly greatness. Odd-Fellowship teaches
us that charity springs from the heart, is not puffed up, seeks not its
own. It makes us strong, and encourages us to push on through life,
even though we are beset on every side with toil, danger and strife.
Brothers, let nothing cause you to turn back or away from the
principles of our noble order. Cling closer and closer each day to
honesty and truth, and bear in mind that be the road ever so rough and
untraveled, narrow and dark, if you follow truth you will find light at
the end of the journey.
THE SECRESY OBJECTION.
More common, perhaps, than any other filed against it has been the
objection that Odd-Fellowship does its work secretly, this objection
being not unfrequently urged by persons of candor and honest impulses.
"If," it is demanded,
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