We travel from star to star, from system to system, until we reach yon
lonely star that appears to be performing the Guardian's task, upon the
verge of unmeasured and immeasurable space. We may descry and describe
the form and outlines of those heavenly bodies, detect their movements
and approximately determine their distances and dimensions. But what
more? Little that is satisfying. When they had a beginning, what
purposes they subserve in the sublime system of God's stupendous
universe, and when they shall have a consummation, we may not certainly
know. Secrets, these, and such "Secret things belong unto God." We
would like to know these secrets, but must wait; for there, "roll those
mighty worlds that gem the distant sky," as distantly and dismally as
when Chaldean and Egyptian astronomers and astrologers viewed their
movements three thousand years ago, rifled meanwhile of but few of
their well kept secrets. He that pencils the lily and paints the rose
and gives to every blade of grass its own bright drop of dew, has been
pleased to say: "Hitherto shalt thou come and no further." And there
is great unwisdom in setting up factious opposition to the fiat of
Omnipotence. Possess your souls in patience, O friends! wait, as we
must wait, before knowing all, or even knowing much. If you can not be
Odd-Fellows, you can at least be _men_, with an effort.
WHAT IS ODD-FELLOWSHIP?
"But, sir," you demand, "can you tell us something more about
Odd-Fellowship, its purposes and its Work?" I can, a little. Come
with me, then, and we will look into the lodge. Ah! In the most
conspicuous place there stands an altar--upon it the open Bible, the
world's great word of Life and Light. Upon the principles enunciated
by that Book, largely rests the great superstructure of Odd-Fellowship.
The Bible is to the order what the sun is to the material universe--its
illuminator and vivifier, even as it also is the, guide to faith and
practice. A man may neglect his closet, his church, his Bible, but
when he enters the lodge he is bound to listen to the voice of his
Maker, as it thunders from His word; and while the lodge does by no
means lay claim to the possession of religious attributes, yet has it
been the means, by the constant use of the Bible, of turning many from
the ways of wrong-doing and sin, into paths of pleasantness and peace;
and by a unique system of symbolism and a comprehensive and practical
application of its sublime truths, the faith of the believer has been
strengthened, enlarged and rendered usefully active.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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