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MASONIC* ADDRESS.
Delivered by I'rol. R. II. C rozier,
*2 lib June, is US.
Hickory Plain, June 26, 1808.
Bro. 11. II. Cboziek:
The undersigned have been appointed
a committee to request a copy of your
address, for publication, delivered the
24th inst., on the occasion of the In
stallation of tho Officers of Hickory
Plain Lodge, No. 95. Believing that
the address would prove beneficial to
the Masonic Fraternity, and interesting
to the public at large, wc hope you will
comply with this request at your earli
est convenience.
Yours, fraternally,
C. M. Greek,
Jorn Johnson,
I). F. Branch.
11K KORY Plain, Ark., .Tunc 27,1868.
Bros. C. M. Green, John Johnson and
1>. F. Branch:
Feeling assured that, your request is
not intended as an unmeaning compli
ment, I herewith enclose the Address
to which you allude. You can use it
as you deem best. As it is rather
lengthy for publication, 1 suggest that
only the portion be published which I
have left unmarked.
Yours, fraternally,
R. II. Crozier.
*************
The history of God's dealings with
the ancient Israelites is the most re
markable contained in the annals of
time. There was one scene, however,
which beautifully illustrates the office
lfnr.A. MaI „ i I...A ...1_it.-. I
complaining children of Abraham had
gone from Hie presence of Pharaoh, and
(lie shades of the first night had settled
upon them, there was confusion and
fear throughout the entire host. The
Almighty temporarily withdrew his
presence in order to teach them an im
portant lesson. Moses, the leader was
vociferously called for, and was doubt- j
less severely censured for the eondi- :
(ion in which they found themselves, j
“Why,” said they, “hast thou brought |
us out hither? Would to God we had 1
remained in bondage and served the !
Kgvptian task-masters. Hut Moses, aj
poor mortal like themselves, was pow-|
crless; and God had determined that I
Mis people should not trust to human
beings for deliverance. He allowed j
them to wander on in darkness till the j
pntiemu- and faith of even Moses were |
almost exhausted, and the Jews were I
becoming insolent and blasphemous in (
mutiny. Then all at once a bright ]
Pillar of Fire flashed forth front the !
bosom of night, stood before the nmr
intiring, disobedient people, and a voice I
was beard exclaiming in thunder tones, !
“1 am the God of Ahraham and Isaac
and Jacob.” Then they repented of!
their sin, and followed on after the |
light without doubt or fear. lint morn- j
ing dawns, and the pillar disappears;!
and now while (lie Jews stand wonder- I
ing what will next he done, a beautiful
white cloud rises up at the head of (he |
marching column, and the people know ;
that the God of Salvation is near them, |
“in the dark as well as in the light.” |
l.o, at one time, the world lay slum- j
liering in sin and superstition. The
worship of the Most High had degen- '
crated into a system of external cere
monies; and Hip miracles which Me
had performed were probably regarded ,
a- mere myths similar tft those of Ho- j
man mythology. Men were now wait- i
ing for an event to transpire which had j
long before been predicted- by the i
prophets of olden times. At last the
ktar appeared to the wise men in the
east, ami stood over the birth-place of
that great I.iglit, of which St. John
spoke. There the Pillar of Fire reap
peared, and hurst forth upon a world
of spiritual darkness, and scattered the !
mists of religious ignoMhce which had
been degrading the mind of njan for
ages. A new and startling era was now
dated in the history of Adam's fallen
race. The Kingdom of Christianity
was established, and by the excellence
of its doctrines, the exalted charftcter
of its precepts, and by the splendor of j
its spiritual achievements, eclipsed all !
other “principalities and powers.” Hut j
it was not left alone to combat the er
rors of men—to sow the seeds of virtue j
and to soften down the harsher feelings j
' ■ * * HI I It <111 llilllliu illKI I III lloj't I HUS Ml
life. Side by side with (lie Empire of
Christ, the institution of Free Masonry
arose; and in its form tlie magnificent
Pillar of Cloud reappeared, to guide
men in the way of pence and holiness :
that lends to the celestial lodge above,
prepared for all true brothers and fel- i
lows. We do not claim for it the su
pernatural brilliancy of the Pillar of;
Fire. Wc do not say that it as now |
practiced, is capable of dethroning ig
norance and like the reformation of
Martin Luther, overturning the pro- j
conceived opinions of men and creating :
revolutions. But we do claim, that as j
coadjutant of Christianity it is almost,
as necessary to the world ns was the ;
Pillar of Cloud to the ancient Israelites.
Blot out Christianity, and where, I ask
would the knowledge of the true Cod
and the destiny of man be found ex
cept with the Masonic fraternity?
Where is any other Institution on this t
earth in which the Bible is regarded
with reverence and devotion ? In well
regulated lodges the Book of God is
never shut. But there on the altar it
lies open night and day that all may |
read and gather wisdom and consola
tion from its sacred pages. Enter, cast;
your rye on that hook iud the first
■ ■■■■■
passage which arrests your attention is,
“Behold how good and how pleasant it
is for brethren to dwell together in
unity! It is like the precious ointment
upon the head, that ran down upon the
beard, even Aaron's beard ; that went
down to the skirts of his garments : as
the dew of Herman, and as the dew
that descended upon the mountains of
Zion ; for there the Lord commanded
the blessing, even life forevermore.
Thus the first lesson taught is the
necessity of fraternal union. The
cxxxm Psalm is parallel to a passage
in the New Testament that constitutes
the test of true piety. “We know,”
says the apostle, “that we have passed
from death unto life because we love
the brethren.” He who attaches him
self to the church, and yet loves not the
brethren, may be satisfied that he is not
an heir of God. lie has no “lot nor
part in the matterbut is an Anuanias
—a sort of semi-hypocrite attempting
to deceive not only himself, but that
Great Being who knows the thoughts
in the darkest rocessos of the human
heart. “Thou fool! It were better a
mill stone were hanged about thy neck
and cast into the depths of the sea.”
Likewise when the applicant for the
privileges and benefits of masonry en
ters the lodge—if his feelings are not
in sympathy with the great objects to
be Achieved by the Order—if he docs
not feel lie is entering the precinct of
a band of brothers working together in
peace and harmony—if lie is impelled
to the step by mercenary motives—or
a no is unucr me impression umi mis
institution can be prostituted to the
base purposes of ambition, we say unto
him “take thy money and go home.”
For as Simon the sorcerer could not
purchase the gift of the Holy Ghost
with money, neither canst thou buy the
spirit of Free Masonry. If thou canst
not dwell with (lie brethren in unity
without any base purpose in view, he
assured thou art not and canst not he a
true mason in thy heart. It will not
be denied that there are unworthy men
among 11s. There are those who have
not profited by the teachings inculcat
ed in the several degices—who are;
perfectly destitute of all those virtues |
which the Order illustrates with sueli j
striking and sublime ceremonies—and i
who arc hypocrites at heart; hut such
characters by sonic unaccountable 11m-:
nctivcr have crept into every assoc.in-1
lion that ever existed. Masons fre
quently tirnl men in their lodges of j
notorious immorality, and how such oh-!
tained admission is a standing wonder, j
But let tHut institution which is not;
distinguished by this particular feature j
east the tirst stone, and then we will 1
I
purify our Order and exhibit a frater
nity without spot or blemish. Until
that shall he done let l.lie Pharisee on
1110 outside world no longer curl the
lip in haughty self-righteousness, point
the linger of scorn, and greet our pub
ic proeessious with “I thank God I am
not such as you masons are.”
Masonry leaches another lesson of
most vital importance. The outside
world doubtless imagines that if rliris
ianity were abolished men would lie
eft to grope in darkness relying upon
liiman reason to solve the problem of
denial destiny. But not so;, for our
)rder tenches that there is a God whose
dossing it i> highly necessary to invoke
lefore entering upon any important
lndertaking or enterprise. This priu
•iple constitutes the rorner-stouc of;
lie masonic edifice. AVitliont it the <
foundation of the Order would he 1
lapped, and the whole structure would .
je as a corpse cold, decaying and loath- j
some.
Political bodies may frequently rise
ip amid commotions, and with all the
lower of civil and military authority
iecreo “there is no God.” Tlius did
lie French once when they assembled
11 a legal capacity and in impious
mockery attempted to dethrone Deity,
md erect the throne of reason upon the
min of Christianity and placed those
words of blind folly and madness at
.be entrance of every grave-yard—
‘Death is an Kternal Sleep." But such
preposterous enactments affect not the
immutability of masonry. For the
landmarks of the Order like the laws
of the Medea and Persians are un
1 .. ... 1 1.J _ I_. I . . . la _! _I. 1
possibly be destroyed but to erase a
landmark, especially that which relates
to Deity can never be done. Upon
this rock tlie whole superstructure
stands in beautiful symmetry. Once
remove the foundation and Hie institu
tion lies in ruins. “So whatever the
tongue of slander may urge against us
it can never prefer the charge of Athe
ism. No Voltaire's, nor Hume's, nor
Paine's are in our midst to profane the
name of the Most High and contend
for the worship of a golden calf or the
ancient gods of Greece and Home. We
are taught to adore the great I AM and
bow in His presence with reverence
and humility : and wo are taught in a
way thnt no mason ever forgets If we
are true to ourselves, true to llie tenets
of the Order and act up to tiic faith
handed down by the Saints John,
"That when we drop this dying flesh
We'll rise above the sky.”
‘Ulessed hope of Immortality I’ So
dear to the Christian heart and e<]ually
dear to the true mason. Oft when the
good mason is tormented with fears
and clouds of doubt hover over his
pathway—and lie feels disposed to dis
cuss the question whether man with
his noble intellect returns to dust like
the reptile that crawls at his feet and
the magnificent, celestial lodge begins
to dwindle down into an idle dream,
then in thatbour of trial he recollects
the emblem of the evergreen, and the
lone star of hope bursts through the
dnrkncss of doubt, casts its rays even
to the “Valley of the Shadow of
Death,” and lights up the cheerless
prospect of the tomb I Oft when
struggling in the slongli of despond
and his faith begins to waver and tlic
black waves threaten to sink him for
ever to the yielding bottom then that
beautiful star gleams out, gilds the
dark horror and he mnkes another ef
fort, recovers his foothold and springs
to the shore 1
When misfortunes gather, calamities
come and the chilling blasts of adver
sity howl about him, then as a guardian
angel
“Hope, like the glimmering taper’s light,
Adorns and cheers the way ;
And still, as darker grows the night.
Emits a brighter ray.”
Who then would strike that brilliant
star from the blue vault of masonry?
Ko, let it shine to cheer us along the
pathway of human life and whatever
else may happen to our Order, let these
three go hand in hand, Faith, Hope,
Charity.
Faith, Hope—and then comeB Chari
ty—the crowning virtue of all. Faith
may be lost in sight, Hope ends in
fruition but Charity reaches beyond
the grave and extends through the
boundless realms of eternity. This is
emphatically the great fundamental
principle that distinguishes our Order
from nil oilier institutions. Though
we ninv excel in other virtues ami
graces, yet, if wc have not Charity, in
the language of St. Taul, "we arc ns a
sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.”
Amid the ills of mortality some of
which have already been mentioned, it
is absolutely indispensable. "Non ig
NAKA MALI, MISKKIS SUCCERRERK DISCO,”
exclaimed Dido to the shipwrecked
Trojans when fugitives from their na
tive land they were cast upon the
shores of Tyre. The sentiment is
beautiful for a heathen upon whose
mind beamed only the light of natural
conscience. But masonry recognizes
a higher motive of action than Virgil’s
principle of wluit might be called re
fined selfishness, which the bitterness
of misfortunes will impress upon any
one's mind. Men are sometimes be
nevolent from motives that originate,
in selfishness, and relieve distress
merely because they fear that calami
ties may overtake themselves and then
they wish to have claims upon their
fellow creatures, or because they have
experienced the bitterness of life's ills.
But the true Christian mason is chari
table because find is such and he wishes
to imitate Deity. Me pities the weak
ness of nature, overlooks transgressions
and pardons follies. "Co thou, broth
er masoifc and do likewise.” When
thou scost one, especially a brother
mason, attacked by foul calumny, when
reproaches are heaped upon him by a
whole community and vile slanders
are in circulation derogatory to his
character or that of his family, be not
satisfied with the exercise of negative
charity which consists merely in main
taining profound silence. When dark
whispers are afloat concerning an inno
cent brother, keep not thy lip sealed
and thus give countenance to slander,
but speak out and frown down any
attempt to tarnish the fair fame of a
member of the Order. Such is the
spirit of masonry. We arc sinful crea
tures and strange beings; be it spoken
to our shame that we arc envious of
another's prosperity and we are glad
to see a man of brilliant qualities
hurled down from tlw> sphere lie has
occupied and placed in a lower posi
tion. We cannot bear to hear virtues
of which we nre destitute praised in
our presence. We arc so depraved
that if a falsehood is bruited through
the community, we keep silent wilfully
and thus say by our actions, that we
believe it. Such a course is highly
criminal and not consonant to the
genius of frec-masonrv. It is our duty
to conquer prejudice and make our
benevolence active by speaking out in
defense of an innocent brother, even
though he possess some qualities 1
which wc do nut approve. But inn
sonry is not so selfish in its nature as
to confine (lie exercises of eharitv to
the fraternity. Its sublime precepts
enjoin upon us to cultivate this princi
ple till it shall become eo-extensive
with the boundaries of the earth.
Universal, whole sonled charity! “it
suflereth long and is kiud—it envicth
not—thinketh no evil—rejoieeth not in
iniquity—betroth ail things—bellevetb
all things—hopeth all things—endn
reth all things.” This is the kind that
“never faiieth.” This is the kind that
should glow in every mason's heart
and permeate his whole nature. This
is the kind that conics gushing up from
the heart and flows on and on like the
pure waters of a gentle stream, defus
ing joy and gladness wherever it goes
and bringing life to the flower of hope
that is withering in some poor being's
breast. This is the kind that makes
green and bright the oases in the
parched Sahara of life—
'•True charily, a plant divinely nursed
Fed by the love, front which it rose at first,
Thrives agaiust bops, and iu the widest some,
Storms but enliven its fading green ;
Exuberant is the shadow it supplies
Its fruit on earth, its growth abovetheskios."
But charity would be defective if it
required nothing but the exercise of
feeling and the control of passion, it
involve the relief of pin sh al suffering
and distress. And here masonry dis
charges an office that no other institu
tion in the world has ever filled.
Though the assertion may shock the
nerves of the Christian who is “right
eous over much,” I claim that our Or
der in one respect is superior oven to
tho chnrch. I am the last one to de
tract from the Christian religion, hut
wo must admit that its principles and
injunctions are not carried into cficct;
hence, as now practiced it is inferior to
masonry so far as charity of that char
acter is concerned which relales to the
relief of physical evil. Sec how the |
principles of masonry operate. A man j
commences the battle of life with fair
prospects before him. A blooming
family cheers his dwelling and the
happy voices of children ward off the
attacks of sorrow and gloom and he
moves on in peace and quiet. During
these joyful days he conceives a favor
able opinion of masonry and nttnclies
himself to the frnternity. For a brief
space his barque glides smoothly down
the stream of time; but after a while ;
the fickle goddess of Fortune changes j
her smiles iuto frowns. The slippery j
hill becomes more difficult to climb, j
and in despite of all his efforts he is ,
borne downward by tho tide of calami-1
ties. The world looks coldly on and
is often disposed to accelerate ids re
trogressive pfbgrcss. Misfortunes fol
low each other in rapid succession and
come thronging too thick and fast to
be resisted; ho yields and feels the '
pangs of pinching want. At last death I
ill his sable plumes appears in the
train of evils, and with one fell blow
of liis relentless hand, strikes down the
only prop of a dependent family.
Who now will minister to the wants
of those weeping orphans, friendless
and alone, whose inheritance is pover
ty? Who will wipe their tears away,
and pour balm into their bleeding
hearts? To whom will that disconso
late widow appeal for aid and comfort,
in her hour of sorrow, and bereave
ment, and want ? ‘•Work," says the
world in accents that send shudders
through her fragile frame, “work, and
thou shalt live. We nrft not responsi
ble for thy misfortunes; labor, and
thou shalt eat bread.” The poor, deso- ]
late woman struggles and toils day
after day, but her strength is not suf
ficient to stem the mighty torrent.
When about to give up in utter des
pair, and when like Hagar in the wil
derness, she feels inclined to retire that
she may not witness the death agonies
of her children, then masonry, like an
angel descending from the heavens,
speaks words of comfort and chcer-r
extends a hand to these helpless or
phans, supplies their necessities, and !
leads them in the way of light and ;
knowledge. 1 know that the outside |
world is inclined to laugh such asser
tions to scorn. I know that we arc
frequently taunted with the barrenness
of our proposed charity; and we are!
often called upou to prove that ours is
a benevolent institution, and that it
practically fulfills its aims and designs,
lint I claim that' we act in accordance
withthis scriptural injunction : “When 1
thou givest alms, let not thy left hand
know what thy right doctli.” We
sound no trumpet before men, that j
they may witness our good works, j
Hut wo arc satisfied with the approval i
of conscience, knowing that lie who
seelh in secret, will reward good men
openly. Wo like not that charity,
which comes with great outcry and
clamorous ostentation ; but rather that
like the beautiful snow-flakes which
descend gently from the heavens, and
settle down upon the bosom of the j
earth in peerless purity. Sometimes,
however, the deeds of masonry become i
too noble and magnanimous to*be
passed by without notice. It is my j
privilege upon this occasion to men- I
lion one, which is not known to oven j
a great number of the fraternity. Af- j
ter the disastrous termination of the
late war, most frightful destitution
prevailed throughout the whole length
and breadth ot^iur country. We were
indeed a conquered and impoverished
people, with all our liberties prostrated
10 TIM' it 11.st, ami (Mir son urcnciicu a no
the gore of the South's noblest sons.
Thousands of widows were left to be
wail the fule of companions who could
no more return. The North looked on
the scene of suffering with Indifference,
regarding it probably os the penalty of
retributive justice for the grievous sin
of rebellion. But not every heart there
was dead to the nobler impulses of hu
manity. The Grand Lodge of New 1
York, rising above tlio passions that
ruled the hour, donated $5000 to re
lieve the urgent necessities of our op
pressed people. True, this is no great
amount. But taking into view the
fact that the donation was made to
persons who had no more claims upon
the fraternity than thov did on the
church, it is a magnificent sum. Ma
sonry is under no special obligations
to the world, that it should scatter its
charities through the country broad
cast. And when its liberality is exer
cised beyond its strict and legitimate
jurisdiction, It is in obedience to that
sublime injunction, “Love vour cue.
mice.'’ But the character of the Order
is not to be determined by acts of gen
erosity, bore and there. The vast ocean
is composed of little drops that keep
continually (lowing into its broad
bosom, and thus keep it supplied. As
no just conception can be formed of
that grand body ot water, by viewing
one of its component parts, neither can
it be ascertained wlmt amount of good
masonry accomplishes, by contemplat
ing isolated acts that occasionally reach
the public car. It is little deeds, per
formed constantly and steadily all over
the country, that make up a history
upon whose unsullied pages no mortal
eye will ever look.
There is nnotlicr phase of masonic
charity that deserves notice. It is
sometimes displayed under circum
stances which would seem to render
its exercise impossible, except to be
ings of a higher order of intelligence
than we are. It is sometimes exhibit
ed amid difficulties that place masonry
before the world an aspect of moral
excellence that would appear to be
scarcely attainable by any but those
beyond the control of earthly passions,
and who, in respect to that sublime
command, “Love your enemies,” have
become god-like in their characters
and natures. For instance, a war rages
between two hostile nations, and the
armies of each meet upon the Held of
carnage and deadly strife. Gory Mars
gazes o%thc scene and urges the com
batants on to deeds of personal valor.
Presently the note of the charge is
heard ringing loud and clear above the
din and confusion of battle; they rush
together; they meet with a terrible
shock in mortal hate. Some poor
wretch, wounded and disarmed, falls
prostrate before his merciless enemy.
The doomed victim now appeals to
his enraged foe by the common in
stincts of humanity to spare his unpro
tecteu me; nut useless, because all the
kinder feelings of the human heart are
blunted and deadened by the thirst for
blood. lie next tries tho power of the
Christian religion ; but, alas I Baptists
and Methodists and Presbyterians have
dissolved all connection, sundered all
the bonds of union, and tho mild pre
cepts of Christianity have ceased to
wield any influence over the minds of
men. At last, in the agony of distress
and dispair, lie cries out, ,-I am a ma
son I” Instantly the enemy’s counten
aneo changes, the dark frown disap
pears from his brow—the deadly wea
pon drops to the ground—he grasps
the hand of his fellow foe and embra
ces him with the affection of a brother.
This is no fancy picture, but a most
beautiful and touching reality. Dur
ing the late war that swept ovi^ us
with such fearful destruction, it wns
the lot of your humble speaker to meet ;
with those who owed their lives to tlie
institution of Free Masonry. Such an
occurrence as this is no matter of as
tonishment to masons; it is nothing
more than would be naturally expect
ed. Every brother here knows that
that mason who would resist the np
penl of distress is false at heart, an un
worthy member of the fraternity and
deserves the severest censure of all
true men.
Now what other institution in tho 4
world has ever furnished such sublime
exhibitions of charity, benevolence '
and humanity. Examine the history 1
of the church, and from the days of St.
John down to the present hour, it pre- i
scuts but a scene of turbulence and
bloodshed. True, humanity is no
longer disgraced by bloody persecu
tion, but there is a war of bitter words
between tho different sects and be
tween members of the same denomi
nation that is greatly to be lamented.
Do not understand me to claim that
our Order is superior to the church. 1
compare it with other institutions
merely to illustrate its exalted charac
ter; but 1 do claim, that there is no
persecutions among masons on account
of opinion. Our Order takes the i
broad and liberal view that every man
has tho right to worship God accord
ing to the dictates of his own’ con
science, to advocate what political
creeds h# thorns best, and in case of
war to attach himself to that party
whose principles he secs proper to es
pouse. In a word, it is designed not
to inculcate political dogmas nor the
ological doctrines, but to make men
morally better—to polish the rough
ashlar and prepare it for the Builder's
use in the great Celestial Lodge. It
proselytes no man, nor esteems him
on nccouui oi rauK or conumoii* A.1I, i
rich and poor, high and low, if found I
worthy may “seek and they shall lind,
knock and it shall be opened unto
them.” It courts not the favor of the
prince, nor is deaf to the voice of the
peasant. Its business is not in the:
halls of the proud, nor the palaces of |
the rich, it enters not the gay house j
of laughter nor visits the haunts of |
pleasure; but with humility and love
it sreks the grief-stricken mourner and j
pours out the oil of joy and the wine ]
of consolation. It goes down deep to
the dungeon dark and dank and bids |
the chained captive look up and hope. I
It throws open the prison door and of-'
fers life and liberty to the oppressed j
victim of ruthless war. it seeks the
widow's lonely cottage in the wilder
ness and want (lies from its approach.:
it gives bread to the famished and
light to the blind. And those upon
the battle field amid the hurtling mis
siles of death, the shrieks of the
wounded and the groans of the dying,
ffko an angel of mercy with a weeping
face, it hovers over sinful humanity
and pleads forbearance in accents soft
and mild, in short, wherever it is I
known, whether amid the ice-bound
coasts of the frozen /one or under the
burning son of Afrir's clime, north,
•oath, cast, west, it displays its motto'
in letter- of burnh bed gold as plain a
the stars in heaven, “Peace on earth,
good will to men.”
Little knows the world what moral
power there is in the institution of]
Free-Masonry, and how strong and
deathless arc the ties which bind the
fraternity together in one holy broth
erhood. I may venture to assert that
If all men were good masons, there
wonld bo no more wars nor rumors of
wars. The goddess of Peace wonld
wave the olive branch over one happy
family knit together in the strongest
bonds of human affection. Envy, and!
strife, and foul-mouthed slander wonld !
retire down to the dark regions of
horror where they rightly belong.
Dishonesty would be unknown, and
[lien would we see the beginning of
Hint great millenium for which flic
world has long looked and waited in
vain. That glorious period will never
;omc till the precepts of our Order
slinll exercise control over all men’s
feelings and motives. And when ifs
principles become universal—when its
mild teachings are absorbed by the
Christian religion, then we will sur
render our visible organization ; we
will give up our jewels and regalia
ind lay them with reverence at the
foot of the cross that wears the crown.
For the mission of Free-Masonry will
have been accomplished and its “still
imall voice” will be hushed.
Then, brethren, let us go forward In
nur work of love and charity. We
have an institution of which we may
well be proud. It is no creature of a
day springing from (lie new-fangled
notions of modern times to subserve
the purpose of unholy ambition, or to
promote the selfish interests of any i
body of men. It is time-honored, and
during its progress it has witnessed |
many strange and startling scenes. It j
lias seen empires rise and fall, and
principalities overthrown. It has be
held kingdoms flourish for awhile and
then crumble into insignificance. It
lias witnessed the destroying march of
many a mighty ariuy, whose boasted
deeds lie buried in the rubbish of the
past. It has gazed at many an occur
■ence about which the theological
world has been engaged in discussion
for hundreds of years. It witnessed
he baptism of the Redeemer, IIis trial,
rod wept over the agonizing scene of
Calvary’s hill. All these mooted (plos
ions, whose discussion engenders so
much bitterness of feeling, would he
settled if the voice of masonry could
ic heard; and then there would be
leaee and harmony in the Christian
world. I!ut its tones hare been lost In
he dark mists of the silent past, and
we must be satisfied with the traditions
hat have come down through a long
leriod of bv-gone centuries. Enough
ins been handed down through tradi
ionury channels to convince any rca
lonable mind that our Order is the
lldcst institution !h the world. It
ihould, however, be dear to us for oth
ir reasons than that of its wonderful
mtiquity. We should venerate it for
lie long list of names of great and
tood men, in whose tombs have been
leposited the white leather apron and
lie sprig of evergreen—men who have
ong since gone from our midst, but
who Imre left behind that nobler part
—the example of their noble deeds.
L'hev have passed away, but we re
ncuibcr with emotions ot pleasure
hoy once honored the fraternity with
heir living presence. I cannot for
icar mentioning, among the many
lames which adorn our pages, that of
jicorgc Washington. This illustrious
nan, to the character of a true patriot
mil a useful, unostentatious citizen,
uldf d that of a true, Christian mason.
Let us endeavor to imitate his virtues,
lie did not consider it derogatory to
lis dignity to visit the sick widow’s
mt and supply her wants. By such
ids lie has beautified a character that
stallds. forth in purity upon tlio page of |
listorv like a single star struggling to j
lenetratc tlie gloom of a midnight I
itorm. The Alexanders and Ca'sars |
mve left no legacy of benevolence to I
'linear tneir memory to mankind: but
Washington, differing from all these,
lisplnycd such nobility of nature that
lis fame is co-cxtensive with civiliza
tion, and his bright name is revered in
3very quarter of the globe—not on ac
count of the brilliance of his military
feeds, but the many exalted virtues
that adorned bis privato character,
l.ct ns follow in his foot-steps, and do
this from pure motives. Let us be
liaritnblo from principle, without hope
of reward, and thus imitate Deity.
Let us discharge our masonic duties
without one thought as to the censure
or applause of the world. Let your
light shine, brethren—that is, the light
of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Let it
burn, like the sacred fire in the temple
of Vesta, steadily and perpetually, and
thus put (o scorn those foul aspersions
which have been heaped upon our Or
der. We are too much disposed,
brethren, to wait for grand opportuni
ties of displaying striking examples of
benevolence that will command praise
by their munificence. Wcaronot en
tirely free from that unworthy ambi
tion which courts the flattery and ad
miration of tnen. Wc want to perform
something great and startling. If we
could relieve distress by wholesale ; if
we could with a giant's grasp throttle
an Irish famine; if we could battle
against national starvation, and the
world could hear the joyful shouts of
victory over the terrible monster, how
much more bcncrolcut and active wi
would be. But surely among the evils
of life, some few of which I have enu
merated in your presence, there is a
vast field of labor In which each may
work with profit to'suffering humani
ty. Heaven knows there is room for
active benovolenc.c and sympathy.
Each, If nothing more, may act the
part of the good Samaritan. Each can
do something in promoting the lauda
ble work of making men morally bet
ter. And what though no brazen
trump should sound your charitable
deeds to the nations of tho earth!
What though your names pass not in
to history like those of George Wash
ington and John Howard! Your re
ward will be none the less. That All
sccing Eye that never sleeps, that looks
into tho secret motives of all hearts,
and watches over tho widow and or
phan, beholds your efforts; and the
great I AM will reward you in that
last awful day, when the eternal desti
ny of ns all will be forever settled.
Let each achieve a succession of little
victories, and when all arc united wc
will accomplish a grand triumph for
Frco-Masonry, the handmaid of the
Christian religion. If, brethren, you
have done no magnificent deeds in the
promotion of Truth and Charity wor
thy of a towering mausoleum, yet re
member it has been said, “Inasmuch as
ye did it to one of theso little ones, yc
rltrl it f a mn ^ 1 Ia i?ah» <1 n i tr f L »>v> ••
brother; be true to the order—truo to
thine own self, and
“So live, that when thy summons comes to
join
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall
tako
His oliamber in the silent halls of death.
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and
sootkod
Tty an uufalleriug (rust, approach thy grave
Like one that draws the- drapery of his couch
About him,and lies down to pleasant dreams.”
8®*When do ladies carry lire?—
When they have taper fingers.
Bay-True liberty allows each individ
ual to do all thegood lie can for himself
without, injuring itis neighbor.
Bgr-IIate not opinions for being con
trary to thine own. It is not certain
butthou thysclfmayst bcin the wrong.
SSyA black sheep—the Radicals of
file Third Indiana District have nomi
nated^ man named Lamb for Congress.
JC(5y-Thc minister who boasted of
preaching without notes, didn’t mean
to be understood to refer to greenbacks.
ggy-Tho parent who would train up
a child in the wat he should go, must
go the way lie would train up his child
in.
^Bay-They who drink away their estate
drink the tears of (heir widows and the
very blood of their impoverished chil
dren.
®®-T!ic Omaha Herald lias “high au
thority” forstating that Senator Grimes
will shortly take the stump in Iowa
against Grant and Colfax.
J®-Tho return of Livingston to Eng
land is expected in June, lie will be
welcomed as one coming from the
grave.
KPA fossil frog has been discovered
in the Wabash bottom, underneath
strata which, if science is correct, lias
been 40,000 years accumulating.
fcjy-A Missouri farmer being asked
if raising hemp was a good business
answered, “I can't surfin' say. hut it is
surely better than being raised by it.”
Jgy-Col fax's described as having a
“birdlike quickness of thought,” by
his admirers. Wlmt bird is not stated
but we suppose he is “all right on the
goose.”
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
W. J. ROGERS,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
BROWNSVILLE, ARKANSAS.
Prompt attention given to the Collection
of Claim*, Investigation of Lain! Titles, Pay
ment of Taxes. &c. my 16
«
hi Mon r. nrmies. wm. w. kmitu.
Ill fill CM & SMITH.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
-AND—
REAL ESTATE AGENTS,
CLARENDON, AUK.
DP.. J. TT. BTON1T,
Being permanently located at Des Arc,
will continue the practice of his profession in
all its branches.
Office at Col. J. M. Burney’s Drug Store.
OR. ROB’T. B. TREZEVMT,
Tenders his professional services to
the citizens of lies Arc and vicinity.
Office—AID. F. Johnson Drug Store.
sep21
F. L.EPTIEN,
DBS ARC, ARKANSAS.
IAM NOW 1*REPAKEP TO DO ALL
. kinds of work iu my line. Mend
ing. Cleaning, fcc.
-Thankful for past favor*, I solicit
[ continuance of tka patronage heretofore bt
stowed on me. feKJ8-tf
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
Z. P. H. FARR,
ATTOnNET AT LAW,
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
H. 3r\ Vaughan.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
AND
SOLICITORS IN CHANCERY,
DES ARC, ARKANSAS.
WILL practice In the Courts of the counties
of Prairie, White, Jnrkson, Woodruff and
Monroe. Particular attention given to the
collection of claims any where iu the State.
ecpTtf.
rF. E. EMERSON,
ATTORNEY AT LAW
AND OEKERAL LASB AGEIST,
AUSTIN, PRAIRIE COUNTY, ARK.
Special attontion given to the collection
nnd securing claims, buying and selling lands,
paying taxes, exatning titles, &c. april 11
t n P. ll.nniDCE.
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Cotton Plant, Arkansas.
Will practice in the Circuit Courts ot
Woodruff county, and the Circuit Courts of
the seventh Judicial District, and give prompt
attention to all business entrusted to his
care. janl2
n- s. gantt. J. bhonavoh
GANTT ft BRONAUGH,
ATTORSIgYS AT LAW.
Will practice in the counties of 1’ralrie,
White, Woodruff. Monroe. Arkansas and Pu
laski. Prompt atttention given to tho collec
tion of claims. Taxes will be paid and lilies
investigated for non-residonts. uprM-'lm
J E. GATEWOOD, J. S. THOMAS,
I
GATEWOOD & THOMAS,
4WWRW8X® 4$ £4W
OES ARC, ARKANSAS.
JAMES FI. PATTERSON, LUCIAN C. CAUSE,
Augusta, Ark. Jacksonport, Ark.
Patterson & tiause,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
Jacksonport and Augusta, Arkansan.
I Will practice in tho Counties of Woodruff,
Jackson, Independence. White, Lawrence,
Randolph, Green. Craighead and Cross, and
attend to special cases in any part of the
State. Address either office. myl8-ly
J. C. JONSON, Office—West Point, Arkansas.
JNO. M. MOORE, Office—Searcy, Arkansas.
JO\SO\ &. MOORE,
'Attorneys at Law,
SOLICITORS IN CHANCERY,
—AND—
General Land and Collecting Agents,
SEAIICY, ARKANSAS.
Will give prompt attention to any business
in tlie counties of Independence, Jackson.
Woodruff, Monroe, Prairie, White, Couway
and Van Buren. marO
SOL. F. CLARK. SAM. W. WILLIAMS.
JOE. W. MARTIN.
CLARK WILLIAMS & MARTIN,
Attorneys at Law,
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
WILL praotioe in all the Courts, proscouto
Claims of all kinds, collect debts, and
act as Real Estate and fleneral Agents.
Or non—Markham Street, near State House
april2H-tf
JAMES J. GALLAGHER.
Attorney n.t Law,
uui i w^y i t, rt '''.'i/ni'i a
Will practice where called.
*ep2K-tf.
KM. R. COODY. t> MC RAE
000DY & McRAE,
AnowmiAvuv
SEARCY, WHITE COUNTY,
ARKANSAS.
Will practice in all the courts of Arkansas
mar24
DR. ALIEN
Offers his services to the citizens of
lies Arc and vicinity in the practice of
medicine. Thankful for past favors,
and by attention to business he expects
to share a liberal prtronage.
Office—At his residence—late the
residence of W. G. Frith. sep21
Dr. R. B. SHELBY,
TENDERS hi?* professional services to the
Citiiene of Deo Arc and surrounding
country, in the practice of Medicine and Ob
stetrics. He hopes from an experience of
^ over fifteen years in ^outhern practice, to
* merit a share of public patronage.
Office one door Last of Burney’e Drug
St'Jre. merchj^ 1?