smoothing the ragged edge of want, and extending to those who are bound
down by the iron bands of misfortune a helping hand. Odd-Fellowship
holds no affinity with the classifications or distinctions of society,
but dispenses charity to all alike. It does not array itself against
the church, nor presume to arrogate its functions, or to supervise its
teachings. Its lodges are not the council rooms of enmity to
religious, civil, moral or social organizations. Far otherwise; all
its oracles and instructions in relation to these grave subjects find
their warrant and authority in the divine law, under the inspiration of
which it proclaims the Golden Rule as the sublimest illustration of the
law of love. Odd-Fellowship keeps a close watch over its subjects, and
constantly impresses upon their minds the fact that their hearts must
not foster evil, the progenitor of crime, or hatred and vice, whose
evil consequences must continue to afflict mankind until the coming of
that time to which hope looks forward with ardent joy, when one law
shall bind all nations, tongues and kindred of the earth, and that law
will be the law of "_Universal Brotherhood_." Odd-Fellowship also
teaches us that we are never to judge a man by his outward appearance.
A man's form may be clothed with rags, his hands may be rough and hard,
his cheeks may be browned by the rays of summer's sun; yet underneath
all this there may be an honest heart. If so, we take him by the hand
and call him brother. Odd-Fellowship teaches equality; we must meet
upon one common level. The brother who lives in the rough log cabin
enjoys the same right and privileges as the monarch on his throne. We
live, we move and have our being, and are indebted for all things to
the One Great Ruler of the Universe--God. All persons are desirous of
being happy, and happiness is sought for in various ways.
Odd-Fellowship teaches that man is responsible for his own misery. I
believe that no mere misfortune can ever call for exceeding bitter
sorrow. As long as man preserves himself from contamination of that