Los Angeles Daily Herald

AN IGNORANT MINISTER.

C. A. McFadden, pastor of St. Charles Church, Mahoney City, Pa., in a letter to the New York Herald, denounces Free Masons, Odd Fellows, and kindred societies as "enemies of religion and morality." The Herald of a few days later contained the following response, which, being but a straightforward statement of facts, should be read by all:

"An attack has been made in your issue of the 27th ult. by a correspondent who signs his communication 'C. A. McFadden,' that demands at least a passing notice. I have no desire nor capability of writing a long article, but would simply state that I am a member of Unity Lodge, No. 238, I. O. O. F., and a member of Fortitude Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M. Being, therefore, an Odd Fellow and a Mason, I regret exceedingly to find a gentleman so far deficient in knowledge though entitled to the prefix of reverend, denouncing the societies of 'Odd Fellows and Masons as one of the great curses of the country, and the enemies of religion and morality.' I will not follow in the footsteps of the teacher of morality by affirming that he is stating a 'falsehood,' but in the spirit of friendship, love and truth, I assert that he is perfectly ignorant of the principles, actions and teachings of these institutions, when he writes that 'they are a curse to the country and the enemies of religion and morality.' The secrecy imposed on me stands not in the way, nor is it a barrier to my giving the reverend gentleman such information as he seems to lack. All lodges of Odd Fellows, of the Independent Order, Subordinates or Grand, are opened and closed with prayer, solemn and fervent, addressed to the same Heavenly Father as the Rev. C. A. McFadden prays to; and after reading the minutes of the previous meeting, the first business is for the principal officer of the lodge to make that beautiful and Samaritan inquiry, 'Does any brother know of a brother that is sick or in distress?' The information given, the necessary relief, always at hand, is without stint afforded. It is with feelings of pride that I make the assertion that Odd Fellows relieve their own distressed; relieve, visit, watch and attend their own sick, no matter how long the sickness may continue; relieve their own widows and orphans— ay, and send their thousands of dollars to the relief of Shreveport, Memphis and Chicago in their great calamities, all out of their hard earnings. No aid sought from the outside world, no throwing ourselves upon the charity of any corporation; but, as good citizens and Christians, knowing that God will help those who help themselves, we lessen the taxes and burdens that, as a natural result, would fall upon the State, were it not for the existence of such moral and religious institutions.

"Robert Burns, the poet, says that 'facts are chiels that wunna stan' disputin'.' I shall give my friend and brother a few facts that should satisfy him or any other friend whose mind is not warped by prejudice or bigotry. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the State of New York alone number 35,655 contributing members, and 402 Lodges. The aggregate amount of relief paid by the Order last year amounted to $1,490,274 72, or nearly a million and a half of dollars. We number nearly half a million in compliance, and our annual aggregate approximates $5,000,000. I may, therefore, with some equity ask the question, What immorality, what irreligion am I guilty of in thus combining with my fellow-man, no matter what sect or creed he may advocate, to elevate our characters and prepare for adversity in the days of our prosperity, making ourselves better husbands, better fathers, and better members of society? There are many more Odd Fellows than ministers, and I would advise my worthy friend, the Rev. C. A. McFadden of Mahoney City, when he next wants to write about the immorality of his neighbors, to take a short excursion to Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, Jersey City, and several other places where strong suspicious circumstances among brethren of his own cloth might produce the text for a good letter about The Enemies of Religion and Morality.'

A MEMBER OF UNITY, 283."