Oddfellowship.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 264, 1 December 1874, Page 7

Oddfellowship.

The following extract from an article in a home paper, the Brighton Gazette—in which town the A.M C. held its annual sitting this year—will be interesting to members of the Order. The article is from the penof Bro. Burns,a Glasgow P.P.G.M., und member of the Board of Directoi-s : The Order of Oddfellowship is both historically and socially of great interest; it is historially interesting from the fact of nearly half a million of men, living under a monarchic.il form of Government, and managing their own affairs upon purely democratic principles, and yet while this is so, there are no more loyal subjects to be found in Her Majesty's dominion. Moreover, the management of such a gigantic institution, with its extended ramifications both at home and abroad, furnishes good proof of both administrative talent and sound business habits of the men who conduct its affairs. The 19th century stands alone in the history of civilisation for the number of societies, clubs, and associations of men it has given birth to ; indeed it may be said that there is really no matter of human interest that is not watched over by some associated body of men who form a part of our wonderfully diversified social system. It may be said, without fear of contradiction, that among all the institutions in the country, of a provident character, the Order of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows stands at the head. As a social institution it presents a harmonious union of nearly half a million of men, whose diversified opinions embrace the compiss of every shade of creed within the religious, soeitl, scientific, and political circle of the age. This humanising feature of the society is one the members may well be proud of; and it should claim for them the respect and kindly consideration of the public at large. The institution not only protects its members from the moral and physical evils consequent upon poverty, resulting from long continued sickness, "it affords then) a pleasant relaxation from the caresof life by the kindly social intercourse the lodge meetings are so well calculated to «ire ; and when any of the members are obliged to leave home, they are furnished with recommendations to the good offices and kindly attention of their brother Oddfellows, in whatever country or clime they mav be found. ] . The success of Oddfellowship with its! little,mysteries, signs, passwords, its para-! pherialta and democratic form of Govern-1 ment, has been the means, un ntentionally, of calling into existence a number of other sociejies which ate all constructed upon the s une model, the only teal difference bein» the titles of their.oSicers and the forms of their, emblems. A great deal of fault has been found with the mem here of these institutions for their love of tinsel, official ! deceptions and regalia; bub the cynical' who do this, forget that grown.. I up p;ople as well.as babies are liable to be! "plased with a feather, and,tickled with! a stnw." It i s q U Jte as seemly, and no less rational, to see a Noble Grand seated inhil chair of state with bis right and left band supporters, as to &.<e the Chief Magia- !

kmte x of * city orbbrtfipr ironed ltd* o&*hi*d witfrtiietowgnUtf h»rauricijy.l |, ,g Yin mnjariU of *u«Sa l*y bauUee iw they would confess if interrogated tipoo th* subject jKfcvery shopkeeper, in modem timen thoroughly Understands the business vf « window, and every showman, from the cetebftted ttjbhWsoj to the penny peeps, undvrstanda'the n*taoiv of excitiag the faculty of curiosity though the organs of vision.