BROTHER TANNER-DEAR SIR: Syracuse, April 8th, 1845. At the suggestion contained in the last Gavel, I improve the opportunity of sending by Brother N. Randall, a statement of the present condition of our Lodge, i. e. Syracuse Lodge No. 109, I. O. of O. F. This Lodge was instituted about one year since. This is the first quarter of the second year. The following are the officers of this quarter: Morris Kain, acting P. G.; Isaac R. Quereau, N. G.; Oliver Ť. Coutch, V. G.; William H. Kelsey, Q. Sec'y; Edward O. Gould, Treas.; William B. Ayres, P. S. We now number 65 members, and have about $200 in the general fund, besides the widow and orphan fund. The condition of our lodge is every way prosperous. Brother W. W. Stanley is now fitting one of the best rooms, in style and convenience, in the centre or western New York. It is large, and will conveniently accommodate from three to four hundred persons. be dedicated about the first of May next. Yours, in F. L. and T., It will W. H. KELSEY. "PROGRESS OF THE ORDER." BR. JOHN TANNER: I. O. of O. F. Dist. of Albany Co., It is my pleasure and inestimable privilege to give you the result of our last quarter's doings. Odd Fellowship, in this district, still continues prosperous and flourishing, exerting her happy influence in enlisting under her banner men who have heretofore watched with jealousy the workings of an institution of doubtful utility. They have seen the maturity of the germ planted under the fostering care of those inestimable principles, "Friendship, Love and Truth," and it has blossomed in all its comeliness and luxuriance, giving promise of a rich and glorious ripening. They, too, have become co-workers in the great cause in which we are engaged, and by their acts have demonstrated the beauty and utility of the institution of I. O. of O. F., in their labors of love. Convincing the world that they are not governed by sinister motives, nor their usefulness confined to the narrow limits of their own organization; but, that all objects of charity participate in their bounty. The number of contributing members in District, Amount of cash receipts, Paid for sickness and death, 931 120 $1988 90 400 20 En-hakkore Encampment, No. 5, is also in an uncommonly flourishing condition-its increase the past year being unparalleled in the history of the Patriarchal branch of the Order in this district. All of which is respectfully submitted in F. L. and T., V. B. LOCKROW, D. D. G. M. EDITOR'S TABLE. VISIT THE SICK. "WE COMMAND YOU TO VISIT THE SICK," is the first injunction of Odd Fellowship. It is impressed upon the seal that gives binding force to every mandate from the supreme head of the order. It is drawn from the fountains of inspiration, and enforced by the illustration of the great exemp ar, in his summing of the virtues that commended the faithful -"I was sick and ye visited me.” Other cares are enjoined; other duties demanded; but first, the care of the sick. When health has departed, and pain racks the body, the mind excited, and fears, doubts, misgivings, and perplexities crossing it at every turn; when the comforts that wealth and power otherwise bestow are shorn of their potency, and the proud figure of erect and selfish man is prostrated in anguish, his luxuries turned to nauseating drugs, his refinements but greater susceptibility of misery, his wealth inadequate to purchase an hour's relief, and his power and pride of place but so many mockeries of his helplessness; then the only source of comfort is in the sympathy of friends, the only soother of the maddening pang is the balm which love tenders in the fervency of hope, and the watchful care of then dear friends. The wiping away of the perspiration from one's fevered brow, or the tender of a cooling draught to the burning lips by a sister's or brother's attentive hand, will carry a pleasurable sensation to even that sick heart which quickens its pulsations, and arms it with courage and hope anew to overthrow the malady. 'Tis there too we can measure the regard of our friends. Cold formality will not intrude itself into the sick room, nor will mere worldly interest be very zealous in its attention; but the pure impulses of friendship and love will bespeak their emotions in unmistakeable assurances, and nothing so relieves the tedious hours, or intervenes the restless days with a pleasurable moment, as a call from an anxious friend. Visiting the sick room has less of selfishness in the act than is found in most others of a kindly nature. There is no charm in a sick room to lure the visitor; sentiment and wit are not expected from fevered bodies or distracted brains,-nor is there enticing elegance in easy chairs and bolstered couches to make a lounge agreeable, not even with the perfume of bolus and lotion superadded. Who visits the sick, therefore, does it from a purer, a holier impulse than that of pleasure. It is the prompting of a humanizing love; an acknowledgment of the obligations of fraternal kindness; a tribute to that principle which teaches to regard our neighbor, and sympathize with the distressed; an emanation of the soul, pointing its paternity to the source of love. VISIT THE SICK. COMMITTEES OF INVESTIGATION. THERE is no duty more important in its character, and which is so often wholly neglected, or so frequently but half performed, as that devolving upon committees on applications for admission within our lodges. That provision of our economy, requiring all applicants for our fellowship to be subjected to the scrutiny of an investigation, means what it enjoins; and no committee should ever suffer a report to pass from its hands, without having faithfully discharged the duty with which it is entrusted. The mere fact that an individual has been proposed, by even a truly worthy and tried brother, is not of itself a sufficient reason why he should be accepted. Some trait of character may exist, or habit indulged, unknown or excused by the brother who makes the proposition, which render the candidate unfit or unworthy of admission, and which a proper inquiry would disclose to those who, less partial as a friend, would be more discriminating in judgment. Many a lodge would be saved from internal trouble, or open mortification, were the first duty well performed, and due precaution taken on the initiatory ballot. "Prevention is easier than cure," is a maxim, the truth of which much sad experience in our order has fully established, and which, in the present high tide of prosperity and numerical acquisitions, is likely to be still more frequently exemplified. While a wholesome caution should never be neglected towards the propositions of the old and approved members, it ought particularly to be exercised in those of the younger and less experienced class. These latter, pleased with their new associates, and gratified at their connection with an Order so beneficial and respected, are naturally desirous to bring within it those with whom they associate without. A laudable ambition, too, to be known as working and useful members, may lead to efforts to introduce to the same fellowship which they themselves enjoy, those whom a longer experience in the business of a lodge, and a better estimate of the necessary qualifications for good membership, would induce less anxiety to obtain. An unwillingness to wound the feelings of a young and respected member, by the rejection of his proposition, has frequently permitted the recep tion of those who would have been refused admittance if proposed by others, whose age or honor in the Order would have removed all considerations other than the merit of the candidate himself. This ought not to be, but is nevertheless so; and improper men are perhaps as frequently admitted from this cause, as from a too great confidence in the simple recommendation of those who have acquired a good name and standing in the order by faithful and active service. The place of a committee man is by no means intended as a mere compliment, to be acknowledged by signing a name to a report, without knowing from personal or other reliable knowledge, the truth of the fact it states; but is always a responsible, and frequently a delicate and difficult trust, to be discharged conscientiously and fearlessly. When this is invariably done, we shall hear less complaints of bad members, and have less occasion to regret a misplaced confidence. GRAND LODGE OF OHIO. WE are indebted to some unknown friend, for a copy of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of this State, from February, 1844, to February, 1845, from which we glean some intelligence that may be interesting to our readers, on the subject of a law by which the N. G. and V. G. of new lodges, are entitled to side degrees. The grievance committee reported as follows: "Your committee are of opinion that those degrees are intended to be a reward for labor, and that, by actual services alone should they be obtained. The Grand Lodge of the United States has, by a special act, left it discretionary with State Grand Lodges, to regulate this as they might deem proper, but your committee can see no good reason why the settled policy of your body on this point, should now be changed. "They offer and recommend the passage of the following resolution: "Resolved, That this Grand Lodge, recognizing the principle 'That labor in the Order is the legitimate mode in which honors should be gained,' declines passing a law by which those who have not filled the offices shall be entitled to the degree appertaining to them," G. Rep. CLARK, in his report to the Grand Lodge, holds the following language on the subject of revision: "It is not deemed necessary to make a lengthy argument to prove the necessity for such revision, as every one at all familiar with the language will readily admit that it much needed correction. And the present being thought a more favorable opportunity than would be likely soon to occur again, owing to the fact that the present edition is entirely exhausted, and a new one imperiously called for, it was deemadvisable, before publishing, to render the language as correct as possible. MARSH'S MASONIC REGISTER. OUR acknowledgements are due to Bro. P. G. THOS. W. I. GROVES, for a copy of " Marsh's Masonic Register" for the year 5845, (1845,) containing a correct list of the officers of the grand and subordinate Lodges, Chapters, Encampment, and Councils of the State of New York, and the grand and subordinate Lodges of New Jersey, Grand Lodge of Maryland, the general Grand Encampment, the general Grand Chapter, and Grand Lodges of the U. S. The representatives of, and to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and a Chronology of Masonary for 919 years, with other matter of interest to the Craft. It is a very neat, and undoubtedly useful book, and should be in the possession of every Mason. Bro. Groves is the agent for this city. Price one shilling. DIPLOMAS. Bros. STEELE & DURRIE have received some beautiful specimens of diplomas or certificates of membership. They are got up in the most chaste and elegant style at the low price of 25 cents each. We hope every brother will avail himself of the present opportunity of supplying himself with so appropriate an evidence of his connection with the Brotherhood. THE SUFFERERS AT PITTSBURGH. THE members of the order will be called upon to contribute their mite in aid of the sufferers by this distressing fire. We hope they will do their duty with promptness, which is one of the peculiar characteristics of every good Odd Fellow. THE Illinois State Gazette, in a complimentary notice of the " Gavel, thus discourses of Odd Fellowship: "Wherever this institution is established and progresses, its influences upon the moral tone of society is deeply felt. There is no tie of self-interest to hold its members together, but they are bound to each other by the christian virtues of Truth, Love and Charity. Benevolence in its most extended sense is their characteristic, and the golden rule of do unto others as you would be done by,' is a leading of their conduct. We would recommend the work above mentioned to those who are interested in advancing the cause." EXTRACTS FROM THE GOLDEN RULE. ODD FELLOWSHIP vs. DUELLING.-Touching the practice of duelling, we find the following resolution quoted from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, and which cannot be too highly commended: Resolved, That any member of a subordinate Lodge in this State, who shall in any wise participate in duelling, shall be expelled from the Lodge of which he is a member; and if such offence be committed by an Odd Fellow who is not a member of any Lodge, he is ipso facto expelled, which expulsion shall be announced by the Grand Master of the State, immediaiely after the facts shall have been known to him. COMMITTEE OF REVISION OF THE WORK OF THE ORDER.-This Committee assembled, to complete their labors, in this city, on Tuesday morning, the 22d inst, pursuant to adjournment. Present-P. G. Sire John A. Kennedy, of New York, Rev. E. H. Chapin, P. G. M., of Massachusetts, James M. Ridgely, P. G. M., of Maryland, and Wm. W. Moore, P. G. M., of District of Columbia. Rev. Jas. D. McCabe, P. G., a member of the committee, is detained in consequence of indisposition in his family. |