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 species of immorality are rigidly discountenanced.  We have pledged ourselves to aid in diffusing the principles of brotherly love throughout the world.  We have assumed the office of guarding the holy flame which burns on the altar of benevolence, and we are bound to cherish its principles.  That brother is recreant to every honorable feeling who can trifle with the solemn pledge he has taken.