when man seeks this imperial
virtue and acquires it, he is in possession of great power.

This brings us to the final practical thought. This power must be
appropriated. The cable car that is unattached to the cable will make
no progress and stand still forever, even though the engines in the
power house glow with heat, and the cable, gliding along in the center
of the track not two feet away, is laden down with power. The cable
car must close its grappling iron and grip the cable before progress
can be made. It must come in contact with the power. An electric lamp
will swing dark and unlighted while all the other lamps about it send
forth enlightening rays, and all the dynamos in the world may be
revolving in the engine house, sending a surging current within a few
inches of the isolated lamp, and all in vain unless it come in contact
with the power. You must turn the switch and let the current flow in,
and then the lamp will itself shine and will illumine its surroundings
like the rest. So, in like manner, if we are to make progress in this
life, we must lay hold of the cable. We must come in contact with the
Divine. If we do not, the power of God is of no avail to us. If we
would be lights in the world, we must come in contact with the Divine
spirit, we must unbar the doors to our hearts and let the current of
divine power and love flow into our lives and illumine them.

The great design of Odd-Fellowship is to improve the morals and manners
of men, to promote their interest, well being and happiness. Great
prudence is demanded in our daily life and conversation. We should be
actuated by a realizing sense of our position, and by example, action
and generous thought, recommend our cause to the consideration of
others. We should persevere for the attainment of every commendable
virtue, to raise the mind from the degrading haunts of intemperance and
folly; we should be distinguished for usefulness to society and the
community at large. A good Odd-Fellow must necessarily be an upright
and useful member of the community. The precepts inculcated are
calculated to stimulate to the faithful performance of every moral and
relative duty; and an individual who holds a standing with us, and is
careless and negligent of these things, is a reproach to the
Order--they wear the livery, and bow before the same shrine, but in the
heart and practice they belie their profession. Profanity,
intemperance and every specie