Lane County leader., May 13, 1904, Image 9

Supplement
to
V O L. X V I
XEbc Xanc County Xcabcr
C O T T A G E GTIOVE, O REG O N , M A Y 13, li*U
No. 4
ing together in friendly association
the members of our fraternity be­
W H A T %
come mutually interested in the
IS
IT ?
welfare of e1' ill other. A kindly
Address o f Dr. W. W. Oglesby b e fo re Cottage Grove Lodge, No. 68
sentiment is thus eukindled in the
breasts of all which expanding into
This question has doubtless pre­ ministering to a limited circle, by geuerous sympathy is ever ready to
sented itself to tunny who know merely natural affections. But un­ relieve a brother when oppressed by
nothin^ of Odd Fellowship, except happily in the rugged journey of affliction. Bound together by the
perchsuce from common report, or life it to often occurs that these ties of honor and morality as well
the vngue suegestious of a morbid kindlier sensibilities either become as humanity, we encourage no secre­
predju' ice; hence, it is ofteu con­ blunted by time causing the heart cy as a cloak for evil; nor do we
demned us an idle organization, to contract as friend after frieud is keep anything hidden except what
characterized, as its uame would snatched away, or else that selfish is necessary to give efficacy to our
seem to import, rather for levity pursuits absorb the mind which in works, aud permaucy to our order
than for fidelity to the noble object the mistaken hope of finding solid by preserving its unity and guard-
at which it professes so earuesty happiness in them, forgets the suff­ j ingit against imposition. The mor­
and exclusively to aim. To correct erings, the interests, and sometimes al precepts which we would have
so common an error, to remove even the rights of others. These ; all regulate their conduct are the
such unjust prejudices, and to se­ things are the inevitable lot of hu­ laws of God. In all countries Odd
cure for Odd Fellowship the ap­ man existence, no institution bow- Fellowship has flourished when na­
proving seutiment it so well de­ ! ever admirable its coiitrivance, cau tions prospered and where miud
serves, are the objects of this brief I hope to banish from society at was free. In every laud where
paper. In the confidence of con­ j large; for the noblest institution learuiug and virtue have arisen su­
scious merit it courts a scrutiny j can exert but a circumscribed in- perior to intolerance and fanaticism,
into its principals and practices, | licence in comparison with the so- it has been supported by the wise
with the assurance that an enlight­ j ciety amidst which it acts. Still aud patronized by the great. It
ened public opinion will render #r j by habits of closer association in has no mystery so sacred but that
impartial judgment an the stand­ objects of an enlarged and anunat- every honest nnd upright man mnv
ard of excellouce which pervades ; ing philanthropy, much may be become the possessors of it. The
the one and the practical benefits , doue without risk of injury to iu- doors of ths order nre now, and ever
that How from the other.
Its j dividual fortunes to make meu have been, open to all the good and
name is affections ■ ly cherished by more useful to their kind, more the virtuous who now seek or who
its votunes because it hus lived and | helpful to the distressed, more reg have sought, to be iuiliated into the
moved and had a prolonged and ularlv thoughtful of the happiness mysteries of the order. To the
useful bemg through the vast past, of those around them. Such is the base, the profligate, aud the vicious
still lives in the teeming and novel aim of Odd Fellowship, aud hence only, are they closed.
Millions
present, and gives promise that it | by enforcing an observance of so­ have entered and I hope that mil­
will survive through the distant cial and human duties, we strive to lions yet may enter, uay more; I
and pregnant fyture. Odd Fellow­ re-animate those purely benevolent would to heaven that the whole
ship is a moral, not a religious or­ faculties which it has pleased an world were one great brotherhood
ganization. The religious worldis all wise providence to confer upon of Odd Fellows, practicing the pre­
divided into many seels; each in­ man. Aud the practice of which cepts of our order. Then indeed
tent upon the promotion of its pe­ contribute so eminently to the ele would the lion and the lamb lie
culiar plans und interest, and of vatiou and
happiness of
all. down together and nations know
consequence wanting in that unity Friendship is truly a noble seuti­ war no more. Our association is
of action so essential in every secu­ ment aud one that well deserves one for the cultivation of virtue and
lar institution to the securement of the exalted rank which Odd Fel­ friendship and the works of eharity.
those great results which illustrate lowship assigns to it. Heathen na­ Are these pursuits such as men
the triumph of benevolence and tions even have not been strangers would advertise to the world? I
charity. This want is in a good to its cultivation. That the Greeks know that in this age of philanthro­
degree met by the employment of held in high honor the information pic effort and modest refinement,
an agency not amenable to such a of ties
of particular friendship men have learned to improve on
disability, and in which men of amoug their braves and warriors is the practice of the ancient Pharisee,
many sects and creeds may cor­ attested by their mythology as well aud although they may not now as
dially cooperate and labor upon as ttieir history. The noblest of of old he found in acts of self adula­
common ground for the relief of their poets whose immortal verse is tion at the corners of our Btreets
human suffering. Such au institu­ still the chief wonder of all litera­ they are content to give only when
tion is Odd Fellowship, It does ture thought incomplete the mighty their names are to be emblazoned
not array itself against the church character of Achilles himself, until iu the public prints and they hearld-
nor presume to arrogate its func­ adorned with a devoted attachment ed forth to the world as the verv
tions or to supervise teachings. to a temporary chieftain. In the buds and blossoms of charity. Not
Its Lodges are not the council times of prosperity it is easy to as so with the true Odd Fellow; he
rooms of enmity to religious, civil, sums a frieudlv demeanor, mere calls no witnesses to admire the ten­
moral or social organizations. Far professions of love and esteem may derness of his sympathies. Instead
otherwise—all its oracles aud in­ co exist with the most hollow and of seeking the gaping admiration of
structions in relation to those superticial sentiment. But in the tbe multitude he looks for true re­
grave subjects, find their warrant season of adversity the professed compense in the smiles of ah ap­
and authority in the devine law friend is called upon to show the proving conscience nnd in tbe favor
under the inspiration of which it depth of his attachment to abandon of him who though seeks to be wor­
proclaims the golden rule as the ease, to part with a portion of bis shipped in secret, has promised to
sublimest illustration of the law of goods, bis tnonev, or even to risk bis reward them who worship him
love. In whatever circumstauces life. Genuine friendship will en­ openly. But after all what is there
men be placed in, there are none so dure this test, and when adversity so obnoxious in tbe idea of a seciet?
destitute of friends as not some­ comes it will abide the gathering Every individual bosom, as well as
times to have the tenderest sympa­ storm aud shine brightest in the every family circle, is the repository
thies called into active exertion, in darkest hour. By frequently meet- of some secret which it would be
ODD FELLO W SH IP