CHAPTER II.

O man, however poor or despised he may be, is entirely friendless. The natural affections never completely die: sympathy will at least survive, and prompt exertion in behalf of the forsaken. Yet the kindly sensibilities often become blunted by time, and the heart, hardened by selfishness, forgets the tenderness with which it was wont to regard the sorrows of the distressed. Associations for purposes of benevolence, or charity, serve to banish selfishness, and to keep alive and active the kindly sensibilities of the heart, by enforcing an observance of social and humane duties.

2. We must, if we would be MEN, be sober, temperate, and chaste. The drunkard is a curse to himself, his family, his friends, and the world. He renders himself wretched in this life, and unfitted for the life hereafter. The intemperate man is only one step behind the drunkard; if he do not pause, he must shortly overtake him. The unchaste man must bring upon himself certain disgrace; he is a scandal to his kind, and shall be despised by the good and pure.

3. Benevolence diffuses a lustre at once around the benefactor and the object of his bounty; it is a

crown of glory to the meek and merciful of heart, and while it challenges the admiration of men, must secure the favor of him who said. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." If there is any thing that tends to exalt man in the scale of sublime virtue, and assimilate him to the Divine character, it is this. Benevolence does not consist in fair words only-it is not a mere name, but a deed; it is a duty to be performed from principle, and not from the excitement of mere pity. It will carry us to the abode of the sufferer, and it will seek out sensible, living objects, with the purpose and intention of relieving them, because it is a duty so to do.

4. Brotherly Love shall dwell among those who meet for purposes of Benevolence. Kindly sentiments for each other and for the world shall be enkindled in their hearts, and burn brighter and brighter throughout all time. If Benevolence, Brotherly Love, and Charity dwell in our breasts, and are exemplified in our lives, who can reckon the amount of happiness they shall bring? The fraternal relation is one around which cluster the best feelings of our nature; and he who becomes duly impressed with a sense of the obligations of this relationship, can neither be controlled by selfishness nor indifference. In the sacred chain that binds us. whatever link is touched by the hand of Violence or Corruption, tenth or ten thousandth, breaks the chain alike. Let there be no strife, therefore, between us, for we are brethren: yea, let us leave off contention before it is meddled with. We profess principles which shall destroy the stubble and the chaff of dissension, and refine the powers and faculties which constitute the dignity and glory of man. Charity springs from the heart; it softens the

affections; it brings to its dispenser pleasures the most sublime. The poor and the rich love him; he is honored and respected at home and abroad. His home is the mansion of peace, and in all its relations he is blessed. He who is actuated by the heavenly influence of charity-who is deeply imbued with that spirit which not only "worketh no ill to its neighbor," but which is constantly striving to do that neighbor all the good possible-is always pleased with any opportunity that may present itself for relieving the destitute. The man who has true charity looks upon the world of suffering humanity as the objects of his regard and care; and so far as he may have the power or ability to relieve suffering, he performs the duty with pleasure.

Nor does Charity aim only at the alleviation of human misery. It strives also to prevent unhappiness. It watches with anxious eye the threatened ill, and throws up its protecting hand to avert the danger. It hesitates not to step aside from its ordinary course, to warn the object of its concern of any evil that may be, by such friendly warning, avoided. It throws its mantle over the faults and failings of humanity, and seeks to find excuses for those frailties, rather than to hold them up to the world's view, to the injury of mankind: for it considers that men are at the best erring beings, and that as such they cannot avoid the failings incident to human nature. In a word, Charity, if its impulses were faithfully regarded, would change this world of gloom and misery to a paradise; it would lead man to follow the golden rule of doing to others as he would wish others to do unto him; and thus might the whole human family become united in the bonds of friendship. He who practises this charity, and teaches it

to others, shall be crowned with honor, and come down to the grave in peace, with the full assurance of a blessed future.

5. Innocence is one of the loveliest qualities which adorn human nature. The corrupt laugh at, and affect to despise it; but in their hearts they honor it. The temperate, the chaste, the benevolent, and the charitable, are beloved by the most abandoned wretches that disgrace humanity. Innocence of wrong-doing commends itself to all, and he who evinces it in his life and conduct may command the confidence of the whole world.

6. "In union is strength," is a common axiom. We must be united in this cause of Odd-Fellowship, not only in our corporate capacity, but in our DEEDS. A single individual, if he labor with a will, may accomplish much in the field of fraternity; but a