wall of some ancient and deserted castle, might perhaps protect us from the "pitiless storm" without, but would afford nothing to console, animate and cheer us in our lonely retreat. In the exercise of "brotherly love and relief," the heart of the Odd-Fellow glows with a principle pure and holy, expanding with every heaving breath until it embraces in the scope of its affection the whole family of man. The sordid calculation of avarice, the contracted and selfish views of covetousness, and a cold indifference and disregard to suffering humanity, find here no resting or abiding place.No vain and ostentatious display mark his progress in the dispensation of his munificence; no herald sounding the trump of his fame is heard in the way before him. But in the lonely and wretched vale of misery and suffering humanity, is to be found the theatre of his splended and exalted actions. Having been enlightened in the governing principles of his profession; having felt their influence strongly impressed upon his mind by the most solemn and forcible symbolical representations; having applied them with assiduity and zeal, to his individual advancement and improvement in virtue, truth and honesty, and having received the sacred treasures of inspiration as the rule of his constant faith and practice, he is richly "furnished unto every good word and work," and well prepared to officiate according to his ability, as the almoner to the needy, and as the minister of consolation to the afflicted. Although in his feelings, principles and obligations, he has strong incentives to benevolent action towards those to whom he is allied by affinity of principle, and to whom he is connected by cords stronger even then ligaments of life: Yet it is not such alone who feel the kindly influence of his liberality. But within the sphere of his action, and the extent of ability it is not with him, is he Jew, or is he Gentile? is he of this religious sect, or is he of that? but is he needy and in distress? is he suffering and in affliction? And with a heart glowing with generous sympathy towards such of the children of misfortune, he extends to them the hand of relief. It is in the possession of this principle, in the warm glow of brotherly love and charity, and extending that needful relief which it prompts, that man on earth is exalted to his true dignity and glory, and appears as the angel of mercy bending with generous compassion over the misfortunes of suffering humanity. In the pursuit of that truth which Odd-Fellowship teaches, the persevering brothers find, at every step of his progress additional light bursting upon his understanding, and confirming him in the correctness of those principles which he has received. And while surveying with admiration the beauty, the utility, and excellence of that moral edifice into which he has been conducted, and witnessing the peculiar fitness and the application of its emblems to the moral objects designed, his attention is constantly attracted by the superior refulgence of the first great light in Odd-Fellowship, that sacred work which alone can make us wise unto salvation. Having thus faithfully and perseveringly pursued his object, truth, he is well prepared to travel the remainder of his pilgrimage through the rough, difficult and dangerous way of darkness and tears; and with a firm and unshaking confidence in that faithful conductor," who leads the blind by the way they know not," he will safely pass the "veils of mystery," and consequently find himself truly exalted." Beloved Brothers:-Much of the glory and renown which the institution to which we belong has hitherto possessed, has depended upon the reputa tion, character and zeal of its votaries. Hitherto its character has been well sustained, and it has been handed down to us unsullied in its reputation, and unimpared in the purity of its principles. Seeing then that so valuable and important a deposit is committed to our care, let us evince to the world by our faithfulness and zeal, that we are not unmindful of the magnitude of the charge, and the responsibility of the trust. And although we do not, neither can we expect among Odd Fellows, an exemption from the frailties and imperfections of human nature. Yet having taking upon ourselves a solemn profession of a strict and rigid morality, it is, and will be expected that we shall in some measure exemplify in our practice that which seems to appear so praiseworthy in theory. Let us then endeavour so to demean ourselves as the citizens and subjects of a free government, as fully to comply with the charge given us at our initiation,"to pay just obedience to our superiors, and act in subordination to the laws of our country," and by continuing faithfully in our endeavours to maintain the character of the friends of order, and of law, and to discharge our duty as "good men and true," as faithful citizens and subjects, we shall continue to merit, and to receive the confidence of a liberal people. Let us continue to cultivate the principles and practice the work of benevolence and charity, thereby offering to the Christian world continual proofs (if proof indeed be wanting) that Odd-Fellowship is too closely allied, and too strongly bound to Christianity by the ligament of principle, ever to be found in the ranks of her enemies; and that whereever that gospel which bringeth life and immortality to light, shall be proclaimed, there the genius of Odd-Fellowship is, and will and shall continue to be found co-operating with Christianity in the great work of reform; and that she does, and will continue to hold a conspicuous rank among those mighty moral engines, which are in operation for the benefit of the human family, and which in their progress are calculated to enlighten and overspread with their happy influence the whole habitable globe. Finally, Brothers-let the emblems of our Order, those external ornaments of an honourable brotherhood, have their appropriate and constant application to our hearts and lives, and continually remind us of our duty to God, our neighbour and ourselves. Thus the institution shall be handed down through all succeeding times as safely protected, as though guarded by the mystic cloud by day, and the miraculous fire by night. And when then at last the principles, the secrets, and all other things belonging to the Order, shall be fully disclosed, and stand confessed before an assembled universe; then shall those who are found most faithful, hear the soul-enrapturing declaration, "These shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.' ODD-FELLOWSHIP-No. 3. In my last number I spoke particularly on the financial part of our system, and in a brief manner attempted to show its importance in the work of our Order, and as giving us the ability to carry out the principles we profess. It is my desire in this to direct attention to our By-Laws and Rules of Order, not for the purpose of establishing any particular law, or sett of laws, but to shake off that careless spirit that often takes possession of our minds in relation to objects quite within our reach. This is the more important for the reason that members sometimes manifest almost as much ignorance in regard to them, as though they had never read them. All associations that are formed for the purpose of mutual benefit require something for a general guide; something to which they can refer if a member is charged with wrong, and in which any one can find his duties plainly pointed out. The necessity for this, arises from the fact that men's minds are as various as their faces, and experience teaches us that no harmonious action can be had, without some common ground on which we may all stand, and feel an equal right. Having once adopted a code of laws, and established general principles we should all watch with an eagle eye that none of the same are violated. Circumstances may, and doubtless will arise in which a more full and definite explanation of duty would be desirable. If however the general principle is plainly laid down, the particulars in most cases may be easily inferred. To have a particular rule for every little circumstance that may occur, would be to have a volume too ponderous to be useful. In this country where every thing is in a state of most rapid progression; frequent changes are to be anticipated, and it will be strange indeed if there is not motions or resolutions made to alter or amend the by-laws. This is all right if they are proved to be inefficient, but until ample experience has proved them so we should be careful how we alter, or amend them. Stability of character is an essential element in individual greatness, and as a general rule is equally so to societies. I think it cannot be denied that frequent changes in the laws have a strong tendency to create ill feelings and divisions in any society, and for this reason we should endeavour to reflect well on what we do; we should endeavour to have as much permanency as practicable. We should make ourselves thoroughly acquainted with the laws we have adopted for our guide. A neglect to do so will render us unfit to discuss in a becoming and brotherly manner the various subjects that from time to time will be brought before the Lodge. We profess to meet together for purposes of Benevolence and Charity, and the best and kindest feeling, should at all times pervade all hearts. We all have feelings that may be deeply wounded, and we all have rights that must be observed and protected. Let us then be no longer careless in this matter, but rather let us study well our by-laws and rules of order, make ourselves thoroughly acquainted with our duty for knowing that we shall not only be prepared to defend our own rights, but also the rights of others. There is another subject that has doubtless often presented itself to many of the brethren, and which if properly managed would result in much good to the Order. I mean that of establishing a Library fund, by which in the course of time every Lodge would be able to own a handsome collection of books. The age in which we live is most emphatically a reading age. Library's of useful knowledge have been found to be of incalculable benefit to mankind. Meeting as we do weekly for the transaction of such business as comes before the Lodge, we shall be able to exchange books without any inconvenience, and besides it would be a new incen tive to be regular at Lodge meetings. There is no doubt many of our brethren, because they do not chance to find books to suit their taste, read but little of any thing, their means will not permit them to go to a bookstore and select such books as they wish. Now if such could have free access to a good Library they would soon acquire a habit of reading. It may be said that some have not the time to read, now we do not believe there is any one in this country if he desires to do so, but can find the time to read a vast amount in the course of the year. Let us suppose for a moment that every Lodge in the United States were in possession of a Library, composed principally of literary, scientific and historical knowledge. These books would be read and those who read them would be constantly acquiring intellectual ability, thus should we see solved the great problem of civilization, and man be enabled to form for himself a free and enlightened judgment. Without any desire to dictate the modus operandi by which a Library fund shall be created, the books procured, and the brethren admitted to a free enjoyment of the same. I here suggest for the consideration of the brethren, that which appears to me to be at once efficient, and least felt by the members generally. We will suppose that it is made the duty of every member to pay a contribution of twenty-five cents each and every quarter, we will also suppose a Lodge to consist of one hundred members, this would give us an income of one hundred dollars per year. Let there be a committee of three or five members, whose duty it shall be to purchase books, this of itself would give us in ten years a Library worth one thous and dollars, and besides, many of the brethren would give donations of books, and our Library although it might not grow like Jonah's goard all in one night, yet we fancy that it would not be long in making quite a respectable appearance in our Lodge room. I am much deceived as to the liberality of the brethren if we should not find instead of one thousand dollars worth of books, we should find some two or three thousand dollars worth at the expiration of ten years. The duties of the Librarian would require his attention only one night in each week, and we think a small salary would secure the services of a competent brother to attend to it. It is presumed that each Lodge is abundantly able to support a good Library, and we hope the brethren will take this subject into consideration and devise some means for its accomplishment, whether it is done by a uniform assessment or contribution; or whether it is done by voluntary donation of money or books, or both, it matters not so the plan is carried into effect, and all brothers in good stand. ing are permitted to have free access to the Library. When we contemplate the receptive capacity of the human mind, and find that the more we put into it the more it can hold, and when we consider that intellectual acquirements increases man's capacity for being useful in the world, we feel inclined to do all we can to open and expand the human mind. The power that knowledge gives may be abused, and that it often is so, cannot be denied; yet we beg leave to differ with some who contend that the abuse of a thing is an argument against its use, if the thing is not in itself bad, our desire should be not to annihilate, but to draw a line of demarcation between the use, and the abuse. All the relations of our Order prompt us to cultivate a spirit of good will to man. The principles of Odd-Fellowship are calculated to free the mind of all those narrow prejudices, that so often hang like an incubus on our social relations. They take within their gentle arms, and seek to bless the whole family of man. Through all the mazy tracks of Time, Hast thou not wept as sullen knell, Thus born of Spring those trees uprose, Forever caters Death's repast; Like all frail things at his command Yet dreamed I not of scathing storm, Casting its demon spell around; And shall their stems be leafless ever? |