alk of a friend; nothing more difficult than to find one;
nothing more rare than to improve by one as we ought.

The only reward of virtue is virtue. The only way to have a friend is
to be one. Such is friendship. Next in our golden chain is Love.
Love is the stepping stone to heaven. This principle teaches man his
capabilities for good, enlightens his mind, enlarges the sphere of his
affections and leads him to that true fraternal relation which was
designed by the Great Author of his existence. Love teaches us to be
self-sacrificing. For a bright instance of this we point you to Moses,
the great law-giver of the Jews. He turned his back on the splendors
of Pharaoh's court and chose rather to share the wretchedness of his
lowly people than serve as a king for their oppressors, finally dying
in sight of that inheritance, which, though denied to him, was given to
his ungrateful countrymen. How very bright on the pages of history
shine such acts of love and sacrifice. This principle belongs to no
one organization, party or sect. It can be made to bud and bloom as
well under the fierce rays of the torrid zone, midst the icebergs of
Greenland, or the everlasting snows of Caucasus. It always carries the
same smile, whether in the cabin or in the palace. Following in its
footsteps there is such a halo of glory, such a gentle influence, that
it gathers within its sacred realm antagonistic natures, controls the
elements of discord, stills the storm, soothes the spirit of passion,
and directs in harmony all of man's efforts to fraternize the world.
In this strangely selfish and uncertain world none are so affluent or
favorably circumstanced as not at some time and in some way to become
dependent. Oh! there are emphasized essentialities that are not
embraced among the commodities of the market, and in order to the
realization of which money possesses no purchasing power. To relieve
the pungent pinchings of penury with raiment, food and shelter, and so
send the sunshine of gladness to the poor and needy, is
something--indeed is much. But, ah! the delicate and intricate
mechanism of mind is out of gear, a secret sorrow swells and sways the
heart, and unitedly they cry: "Who will show us any good? Who remove
this rankling sorrow? What good Samaritan competent to the task of
affording relief to this dazed brain?" Oh! it is here that the trained
votaries of the triple brotherhood bring to bear their wondrous power.
I