In so far as they minister to the same results, they are identical. To visit the sick, protect the orphan, relieve the distressed, and bury the dead, are duties common to both. And so to "believe in one God, the Supreme Ruler and Governor of the universe, an intelligent Creator of all things" - to maintain a good moral character, and be a person of integrity and virtue--are indispensable requisites to become identified with either. But this affinity extends no further.

Is not Odd-Fellowship, then, destined to perform a holy mission among earth's pilgrims? earth's pilgrims? Are not its principles, its objects and operations, indicative of the advance of the great benevolent enterprises of the present age? Those gigantic schemes of reform, which have elevated so many from the lowest degradation; those institutions calculated to bring the mind and affections in contact with each other; asylums for the poor, the deaf, the dumb, and blind; the great amelioration of prison-discipline—the substitution of moral influences for stripes and torture; the loud call for the abolition of the death-penalty, as being contrary to the spirit of our religion, and the genius of our noble institutions; the vehement earnestness with which schemes for moral improvement are discussed, and the universal indignation of the world against the wrongs of humanity—all are ominous of the triumph of truth and love, and of the extension of friendship among men. Every institution, every reform, has its earnest advocateswhose friends are busily employed in collecting and ar

Even the annals

ranging truths and facts for the benefit of the present and succeeding generations. All are engaged with a zeal commensurate with the objects aimed to be effected. Another view: We live in an age of unbounded curiosity. The passion for information on all subjects was never developed to the extent it now is. of crime are exhibited in all their hideous forms, and published with all attendant circumstances. This leads some, who do not look through to the end of the matter, to suppose the world to be degenerating: not knowing or thinking that, ere the rage for information became general, wickedness was committed and allowed to perish in secret. Then, the infrequency of detection prevented open discussion. Hence we aver that the very fact that our country is so alive to every outrage against morality, is proof abundant of the increase of virtue and philanthropy among men.

Now what prompts to all this noble effort? Doubtless many things combine to produce the great moral movements we witness. But take away the influence of our literature, and the entire machinery of moral effort would be suspended in its operations. We deem this position too obvious to need.demonstration. We do not aver that all the popular literature of the day ministers to virtue. But yet, we would not be insensible to the many advantages we receive from the public press. Our business, as its supporters, is, to elevate and ennoble its sphere by timely aid; nor will mere pecuniary assistance effect the

object. We must furnish matter adapted to the end we have in view, and suited to the growing wants of the people. Such is the duty of every citizen of our Union; and this duty, well performed, would witness a revolution in the present rage for light and frivolous reading. This brings me to the application of the idea advanced in the commencement: that, as man was created for progress and improvement, so must he aim at that result in whatever station he is called to fill. And now for our duty, as Odd-Fellows.

We have said that it was the mission of Literature to illustrate the beautiful and true, and to aid the mind in its efforts to obtain all true excellence and virtue. We wish now to bring this truth home to us, as laborers in the cause of "friendship, love, and truth." We humbly conceive that we are not merely called to sustain our periodicals and publications, in their design to disseminate our principles, but to strive and elevate our literature to that standing which those principles demand. We are now writing and publishing for generations to come; and our principles will be received by our successors just as we form and present them. Admonition here is needful, because we have no guaranty that our presses will not, sooner or later, follow in the train of the trifling and intellectbenumbing quantities of literature continually streaming forth from the thousand presses in our land. lines, musical cadences, and elegant and well-turned periods, are not to be regarded as a test of our advancement.

Polished

Only that literature is worthy, which gives utterance to noble aspirations for progress, and perpetuates a sacred devotion to truth and a high ideal of beauty This is true improvement; nor does it matter in what language such thoughts are communicated the sole object should be, to convince the world that every new form of truth and loveliness is of right intended to bless humanity.

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Every age, and every scheme of human improvement, is but the expression of the idea of truth possessed by that age or scheme. And now, what think we of the application of this to our institution and its progress? Are we prepared for the issue? What a mighty influence for good or ill can the ten thousands composing our Order exert, and what a weight of responsibility rests upon us, to "do good, to communicate, forget not!" What an impetus can we give to the advancement of "peace upon earth, and good-will toward men!" But to effect this with either profit or advantage, requires a corresponding concert of action and unity of purpose. In other words, we must make our institution all we would have others believe it to be. And our literature will assist to this end, in proportion as we elevate and ennoble it by our welltimed exertions; while, on the other hand, our influence will decline in proportion as our literature degenerates. And this degeneracy can exist only when we become less devoted to the true, and less susceptible to the beautiful, which compose and illustrate our principles.

It is too obvious to escape notice, that thousands con

nect themselves with our Order purely through pecuniary motives to receive assistance when in need. But this

imparting of assistance is but one among the many objects of our Order: and we might add, one of comparatively minor importance. Were this the primary object of OddFellowship, it would claim little sympathy with the good and true. But the customs of society have not only generated but perpetuated the idea that "man's chief end" is, "to keep what he gets, and get all he can ;" and this unhallowed sentiment actuates the larger portion of those professedly engaged in the reforms of the day. A revolution must therefore be effected, and the edict sent forth from the hearts of millions, that he who would live for himself alone, ought in justice to be made to live alone. The entire hosts composing our Order are to be regarded as one family, "whose actions should be founded on that grand principle which makes men social and humane." As in private families, so with us: the ill conduct of one member affects the prosperity of the whole. "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; and whether one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it."

We have said that there is a sense in which nothing human ever dies. Nothing, at least, which proceeds from the higher and characteristic part of man's nature; nothing which he does as a subject of God's moral government. And this will apply with force to all efforts made for the improvement and happiness of society; it will apply with