Page images
PDF
EPUB

they not look with approving eye upon this Hall, where Friendship, Love, and Truth, are the basis of action, and are inculcated, in all their multifarious forms: where, in truth, meek-eyed Charity presides?

It is not woman, however prejudiced she may once have been-if the feelings of her tender heart do not swell forth, as she candidly hears and sees the question discussed in this view, and its illustration. The Ladies not friendly to Odd-Fellowship! The idea is preposterous! It argues them much more deficient in good sense, than we are prepared to admit. Who feels sooner, for the weight of sorrow-the load of grief, which weighs her down--who hangs over the sick bed of her husband? As I have said in another place-who steps in at this critical moment, and helps to sustain the invalid and relieve the wife? The Odd-Fellow!

Who takes the widow by the hand, when death has dissolved the dearest ties, and whispers resignation, consolation, protection? Who more faithfully than the Odd-Fellow?

And then, are not sisters and mothers and daughters made glad, again and again, by the blessings poured out upon the Orphan's head, as he is guided and guarded, by the same beneficent spirit?

It is to effect these objects-great, in the true sense, they may be called-and also others equally laudable,-and to preserve the dignity of the Order, that this Hall is decorated and enriched. It is to maintain the Order pure, that none are admitted who cannot pass the ordeal of scrutiny as to character and other qualifications. Females should be the last to complain of scrupulousness in this respect. Purity and woman should be synonymous terms. Every day is dissipating from their minds the little remains of prejudice that linger there, and winning them over as fast friends to the noble cause. I see by the countenances of these present, much confidence, hope, faith,-but little doubt or fear. The Rubicon is passed, when woman approves and smiles. The time was when opposition strangely sprang up from this source. It is vanishing away, I hope, in all directions. It has no place, I think I may say, in the hearts of those here now.

We may well go on rejoicing and with great courage in any enterprise, when the female sex say, by their approbation-Amen. How confidently may we do so here, when the comfort and happiness of woman are so intimately blended, and enter so largely into our designs,-and when she hallows it by her presence and approbation!

us.

My Brethren, we are here, I repeat, to Dedicate this Hall to the noble purposes of Odd-Fellowship. How fitting an occasion to admonish each other, "to keep the faith in all its purity"-that has been handed down to We are a numerous Branch of the great Body of Odd-Fellows. We stand before a world, more ready in some particulars, to chronicle our errors than to treasure up our virtues. As we dedicate this Lodge Room, may we not with propriety re-dedicate ourselves to the noble work in which we are engaged. The declaration,-"I am an American citizen,”—so highly stands our country in the eyes of the world,-is sufficient to guarantee protection to the feeblest of our countrymen, in almost any part of the world. Brethren, let us so keep our principles bright and active,running as they must so largely into a participation of the sufferings and calamities of the town or city where we may be, that it will be sufficient at any time, to ensure a fraternal grasp of the hand, a cordial reception at

any board or in any circle, to simply declare-"I AM AN ODD-FELLOW." Let us strive for this excellence, and we may be sure, if we live up to our faith, much time will not elapse, before we shall be appreciated, and hailed universally as benefactors.

Finally, we are in this Hall for the first time. It is now to be solemnly Dedicated. Let every one of us resolve, in the strength of our principles, that we never will cross the threshold of that door, with any but good and true purposes in our hearts: That sectarianism, or partyism, or prejudice of any kind shall have no place within our breast while here-however much it may hold sway elsewhere. Is a Brother named for officelet the only inquiry be,-Is he capable, is he worthy? Is a plan suggested whereby to benefit the world,-or to improve ourselves-let us ask only, will it best accomplish the object? With these high motives-this discarding every thing ignoble from our hearts-we shall not only be purified here, but we shall go into the world with higher principles of action. This Hall will never then be profaned with feelings and prejudices we shall be ashamed to avow. It will indeed be that seat of Friendship, Love and Truth, where our present four hundred Brethren—and hereafter many more-will desire to congregate ;-where no jealousies or prejudices shall mar the beauty and happiness of the scene: where, we trust, we and they will resolve, (our Heavenly Father blessing us,)

"To live in deeds, not years-in thoughts, not breaths;

In feelings, not in figures on a dial:

That we will count time by heart-throbs-knowing he most lives

Who thinks the most-feels the noblest-acts the best."

The following Original Hymn, by Br. CHARLES P. ILSLEY, was then sung:

LINK'D in a cause most dear,
We have assembled here.

A BROTHERHOOD.

But late a feeble band

Now with full ranks we stand,

Seeking with heart and hand
The greatest good!

Not for a fond display

Come we up here to-day

An idle throng;

For no unmeaning rite

No purpose vain and light,

Would we our powers unite

To swell the song.

A higher duty calls -

To consecrate these walls

We gather here;

TO FRIENDSHIP-high and pure

To LOVE-that shall endure

To TRUTH-forever sure

This shrine we rear!

And may this sacred dome

Truth, Love and Friendship's home

Forever prove!

Here may pure concord dwell

Here tones of kindness swell

Here generous strife impel

To acts of love!

Thus in this noble strife,
Throughout this mortal life,
Each hour improve;

Then called to leave this shrine,
With a sure PASS and SIGN,

May every Brother join

The Lodge above!

The following Ode, written by Bro. J. G. ADAMS, of Malden, was then sung by the Choir.

ODE.

WE sing of Friendship's blessing,

Life's gloomy way to cheer,

And with it onward pressing,
Life's trials will not fear;-

'Mid evil and temptation,

Its word shall be our guide,
While in its inspiration,
Our trusting souls abide.

Of Love, most high and holy,
Our joyous voices sing;
Although an offering lowly-

Our fervent praise we bring;
All-conquering Love! O, never
Shall thy great conflict fail-
On earth--in Heaven-forever-
Thy mission shall prevail.

Of Truth, all pure and glorious,
We sing with tuneful voice,
And in its work victorious,
Unitedly rejoice;

Truth, that deception spoileth

That darkness scatters wide

And as for right it toileth,

Doth in God's strength abide.

Grant us, all-gracious Spirit,
Thy counsel, now, to bless,
And let our souls inherit
Effective righteousness;
Such as forever moveth

In vigorous age or youth,
Where thine own eye approveth,
In Friendship, Love and Truth,

HARRIET BRUCE.

"To be beloved is all I need,

And whom I love I love indeed-Coleridge.

My friend Harriet Bruce was a healthy, tall, bold looking girl; somewhat too large and vigorous for genuine beauty, yet gifted with a speaking expression, and a rich, perpetual colouring, that would have made any other face stylish and attractive. She was no favourite with the gentlemen; but there was an indescribable something about her appearance and manners which always compelled them to inquire who she was. No person ever talked with her without remembering what she said; and every one criticised what they could not forget. Yet it was not intellect that made her unpopular- had she chosen to affect reckless misanthropy, maudlin sensibility, or any other foppery whereby to distinguish herself, she would have found plenty of admirers and imitators; but, in her mind, genius was checked by manly philosophy; and she could ill conceal her contempt of those who knew talent only by its most common diseases. The consciousness of mental power, that lighted up her eye with such a burning spark of pride, and the expression of scorn for ever dancing on her lip corners, ready to embody itself in sarcasm, was unquestionably the true reason why this splendid creature became the Paria of the ball-room. She was a strange sort of Die Vernon--no, she was not a Die Vernon either -and as I now remember her, I cannot think of a single character, living or imaginary, whom she did resemble. She fascinated her enemies, but never pleased her friends. Power! power! and, above all, intellectual power! was the constant dream of her wild ambition. To have been sure of Madame de Stael's reputation, she would have renounced human sympathy, and lived unloving and unbeloved in this wide world of social happiness-there was such magnificence in the idea of sending one's genius abroad, like a spark of electricity, to be active and eternal-defying education in its form, duration, and power! Sometimes I talked of love, and reminded her how Madame de Stael herself had become its reluctant victim. On this subject she often philosophised, and always laughed.— "Who," said she, scornfully, "who that has felt the gush and the thrill attendant upon fame, would be foolish enough to exchange dominion over many for the despotism of one?" Thus Harriet Bruce reasoned, and thus she actually thought; but I knew her better than she knew herself. Her affections were as rich and overflowing as her mental energies; and her craving for human sympathy was in direct proportion to that intense love of beauty, which, in her, amounted to an intellectual passion. That she would love exclusively and extravagantly, I had no doubt; and my penetration soon singled out an object. At a large party, I first saw her with George Macdonough, the son of a rich southerner, first in his class, and in the full flush of manly beauty. I knew by the carriage of his neck that he was a Virginian; and the hauteur with which he received adulation attracted my attention, as the pawing of a high-mettled horse would have done. His conversation with Harriet seemed at first to be of a sober and learned cast, but on her part it soon became petulant. Now and then I heard some remark which seemed to relate to a transmigration of souls, and a continual rise in intellectual existence. "Oh," exclaimed Harriet,

"how that idea savours of New-England house-keeping!-how can a Virginian patronise a theory so economical?" At that moment, a very lovely girl entered the room; and the young man did not answer Miss Bruce's question. "Ah, there is the beautiful Baltimorean," said he, “she whom I told you reminded me of that fine engraving of yours, 'La belle Suisse.'" She is beautiful," said Harriet, with unaffected warmth. "Her full dark eyes are magnificent-what a pity it is they are not lighted from within; that expression alone is wanting to fill the measure of her glory!" The remark was made to an inattentive listener, for Macdonough's whole interest was absorbed by the new comer. A slight shade passed over Harriet's face-but it was too transient to define the emotion in which it originated; and she smiled, as she said, "You had best go and talk with your powerful beauty-the body should be where the spirit is." "That reproach is too severe," replied the Virginian. "I meant no reproach," she answered; "I have observed that beauty is your idol, and I wish you to worship it." "I did not think Miss Bruce had observed my character sufficiently to form any conclusion with regard to my taste." The pride of the proudest girl in Christendom was roused-and there was something indescribably provoking in her manner, as she answered, "I assure you I think you quite a specimen in your way. 'Society is such a bag of polished marbles,' that any thing odd is as valuable a study as the specimens of quartz Mr. Symmes may bring us. Your modesty has led you into a mistake; I have really taken the trouble to observe you." "Truly, Miss Bruce, you are the most singular girl I ever met," said the offended southerner; "you never did, said, nor thought any thing like another person." "When a compliment is doubtful, Chesterfield says, one should always take it; therefore, I am obliged to you, Mr. Macdonough," replied Harriet. And so saying, she turned abruptly from him, and directed her attention to me.

During the remainder of the evening, I saw no indications of a reconciliation. Harriet danced but once-Macdonough and La belle Suisse were near her in the set; and they met frequently. The extreme nonchalance with which she now and then exchanged some casual remark, led me to suspect that he had obtained more power over her extraordinary mind than any other individual had ever possessed; but Harriet was no trifler, and I do not venture to prophesy.

Time passed on, and with it nearly passed the remembrance of this skirmish of words, and the thoughts thereby suggested. My unmanageable friend seldom alluded to the fascinating acquaintance she had formed; and when she did, it was done naturally and briefly. Soon after this, I was obliged to be absent for several months. I did not return until two days before commencement at college; and Harriet's first exclamation was, "You must go to Mr. Macdonough's room-he is to have the first part, and his friends expect every thing from him!" "But I thought you considered commencement days very stupid things," said I. "So I do; you know I always said life itself was a very stupid thing. There is no originality above ground: every thing that is true is dull, and every thing new is false and superficial. But there is no use in quarrelling with the world -it is a pretty good world, after all. You must go to hear Mr. Macdonough's opinion of it: I am sure he will express it eloquently." "Then you are on good terms now?" said I. She blushed painfully-excessive

« PreviousContinue »