Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-28
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
THE ABINGDON ACADEMY

Masonic form. The members of the Abingdon
Lodge, aided by visiting Brethren, from Wytbe
| and BlountsvilIe, and the Honorable Peter Jobn-
ston, also OF the Fraternity marched With suitable
mnsic In Masonic Order, to the scite of the build
ing. The ceremony was there performed in The
presence of multitude of citizens of both ,.rss
OF the Town and Country. The novelty of the
exhibition, and the large number of ladies. who
were attracted by it to the spot, gave unusual in
erest to the scene.
The laying of the Stone was preceded by PRAYER.
sacred music. and workings peculiar to the Graf
"A meuai, win suitable inscriptions, and silver
coins OF the United States, of various Jenom;n,.
tions, being deposited in a niche of the Stone. !,
was then laid in its appropriate place. An Od..
composed Tor the occasion, was also sung. Tbs
ceremony was closed bysan address, delivered by
previous request of the Lodge, By the Honorable
Peter Johnston.
Having concluded the business of the day, the
Brethren dined together at the Bell Tavern in
Abingdon; after which, they separated in peacs
and harmony. F~S
The following note being addressed 10 Ju5ye
Johnston, he politely furnished with his answs-
copy OF the address delivered by him ON ,b,,
occasion: "
ABINGDON. Nov. Sd. 1926
oik: ne undersigned. by order of the Abingdon
Lodge, request the favour of YOU to furn;.b ,Isr,
with copy OF the address, delivered by Won. nm
laying the Corner Stone of the Abingdon Acaa,.
N.Y. with permission to have it published. Your
absence is one apology for not having earlier made
this communication.
Believing, that the value OF the sentiments con-
."ined In the address, will not be impaired by de.
lay, and that they will be rendered more ,sei,I r.
publication, We trust you will accent our apoIooy
and with 1t, assurances of the pleasure we t.ke;n
performing the duties assigned u.s.
With sentiments of high respect, we are xo,r
obedent servants, ~"
PETER MAYO.
p. c. JOHNSTON.
]. II. FULTON.
lion. PETER JOHNSTON.
ABINGDON. Nov. 3, 1896
GENTLEMEN: Your polite application for
copy OF ne address delivered by me, the request
OF the Abingdon Lodge, when the Corner stone
OF our Academy was laid, has been received
Whatever may be my opinion, or that of
o'her persons, with respect 10 its imperfecions
90 not feel myself at liberty 10 refuse trauscrin
20 The deputation which you compose You will
therefore, be pleased 20 accept it, with nv warm
and respectful Acknowledgements, for the kind and
friendly terms In which you have requested it.
Your obedient servant,
PETER JOHNSTON.
10 Messrs. Peter Mayo, P. e. Johnston
and John II. Fulton, composing Com
mttee of the Abingdon Lodge
The following is copy of the address delivered
by the Honorable Peter Johnston, ON LAYING the.
corner Stone of the Abingdon Lodge:
Address delivered by Peter Johnston. Esq.
we have convened for the purpose of Iayiny
the Corner Stone of an edifice, such as has never
been erected in Virginia. on the Western side of
tne Allegheny. Here, science has Iangu.hed. and
the culture OF literature has been neglected by all
classes OF society; until after the lapse of perhaps
seventy years or more, from the first settlement OF
our rich valiies and green hills we are at last ami
mated Dy the prospect of establishing Seminary
OF Learning, which, if wisely conducted, viii
spread the light Of knowledge over this hitherto
oenishted section OF our land. Who, that looks
around MIN and reflects, that opportunities of
acquiring the high benefits of literary and mora,
Improvement have existed within the reach of the
population on the Western waters of our STATE
does not from bis heart rejoice that the scene r.
ABOUT TO Change! that the day is at hand when the
rising generation will no longer be compelled 10
seek abroad for the springs of learning; but NAV
CRAFTY their thirst for knowledge, and may drink
CO It's pure stream to safety, at the very doors OF
their fathers: In the immediate vicinity where I've
now stand, and at another point. nearly s;x,v
miles Eastward of US, a respectable collection nj
'hteiiSence has been formed, and few individuals,
possessed OF wealth, have been able to command
the benefits OF classical education for their sons bv
sending them to reputable institutions, at great
distances from their families and friends. and by
mourning an expenditure which none except the
wealthy can meet. But, no College, no Academy,
no SCHOOL, on scale sufficiently extensive TO
produce important advantages, has ever existed
amongst u.s. The effects of this privation have
peen, and yet are, deplorabe. In some of the adj
joining counties, classical scholar is a character
quhe unknown: in Others, the utter negligence and
uhconcern OF all, on the subject of literary i'm
proVement, are such, that il may be fairly aues-
TONED, whether one man in twenty can read dis
tinctly, or write legibly! Let US, then, eagerly
ana assiduousy, avail ourselves of the benefits
with which we have been presented by the tesla
mentary donation of liberal individual Let us
make The most OF his munificence, by erecting the
Abingdon Academy on solid basis; and by pro.
noting IFS interests with all cur resources
know that there are persons of upright inten-
'iohs, out by no means distinguished for mental
viSor, who consider learning useless and unpro.
ouc'iVe Oh substantial advantage to tie human
race. Let me ask these advocates of ignorance
and darkness of mind, what it is which constitutes
the difference between savageness and ciyilizs-
ton! They must admit, that it consists in supe-
riority OF intellectual and moral atainments and
refinement oil manners on the part Of The cultivated
over unImproyed man. History is ieplete with
facts, which conclusiyely eyince, that science and
tne arts are the sources from whence he has derived
all his temporal benefits, all which can conduce 10
bis comfort, emolument and happiness. ON this
scene OF action assigned to him by the author of his
existence, who has endowed him with high capsci.
ties OF mind, not that their Improvement NAV be |
neglected; but that they may be strengthened & en-
larged by culture.
what, but practical science, has enabled man
10 suodue the winds and the waves? What,
out practlcal science, has invested him with
the wonderful faculty Of exploring bis way
lQaoa AL ..u