Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-07-06
ADDRESS

i
ID. M'CAnE, on ST Johns Day, the 24M of June, 1887
MY FRrENps BREruREN
1t is custom halowed by Masonic pr,c,;co f,r o,
sies, to mark the annual this day as period of
rational rejoicing and holy twninp IN.
Myrtle and Cyprus to deck the mausoeum of the dstn
SulSned Individual whose virtues commemorate Sc
custom acquires additional force at the present dav
when the Gospel Sum- high the ascendant of which
S John was the day-spring, is shedding its glorious
beams throughout the world causing the solitary pIc. h
be gad and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the
-dsPeAng the mlsts of which blind the sight Of
countess mynads OF earl's immoraIs, and affecting in
the circle OF It's influence, extends and enarras The
destines not only of individuals but of nations
Nor does the condition of legitimate Freenasonry in
tho relation susains to the Patron of the Order
other than pleasing associations. Amid the din and
fusion incident to the present sointed times we look
back through the long vista of ages the period when
fewdescendans Of the workmen from the Temple solitary
and unaidcd taught the knowledge of the ONE TRUE COP
IN the midst OF aneS by TO strange
Des, adjoining by the sublmy their conceptions in
Architecture and Theology, not only the Temples of the
polished Greek and Roman but likewise illuminating the
altar OF the FreworShppcr and the lonely of Britan
Druid Thence pass down the we'll worn path of time
surrounded by the ruins of empires bottng out of DIV
nasies, and still amid the political and moral storms that
Tor centuries have swept with desolatng fury over the
world, we distinguish the lofty form of the Genius of Ma
sonry smiling the troubled waters unmoved bv the
temPests roar Around her appears another Cosien
@ne upon the warning Winds her banner floats unham
leaving inscribed upon its pure field spo;less white
"brotherly Love, Relief and Truth
"Ne summer ,h.~ sf. day
Born but to bloom, ea o fade away"
The everlasting mountains that stand as the landmark
OF creation, dividing empress and bounding human rule
even the pyramids themselves covered with the gloom
OF ages and bidding defiance to the tooth of time are not
more understandable than the temple of those moral virtues
or inc goddess mnlserng there, that of est stands
among to-day, araycd in vestments pure as the unrod-
den snow upon the highest peaks Of Blue Ridge
ST. John, the Baptist has been selected as one of the
Patron Saints of our Order because conclusive
erdeise that he wasa member of the institution Specu
laiVe Masonry but IN consequence his devotion 70 the
principles OF the Order, and the esteem and yeneation
with which early Christian Masons regarded his virtues
This habinger Of the Messiah was the sen of parents dis
en9nsiet Tor their piey TO God His birth occurred n
SIX nonns previous to that OF the blessed Reeemer
AN angel was despatched to Communicate the tidnrs of
th event to his mothers when age had caused her to de-
SPAR OF having children 1t declared of him that he
should be titled with the Holy Ghost from the womb and
'nat ne should prepare the way of the Lord and many
OF his counrymen to the knowledge of Israel's God
The prophetic description of his mission is lofty and
sublime, containing all the majesty truth the power
OF song! Isaiah describes him as he voice of one cry-
ing in the wilderness, Prepare We the way of the Lord
make straight in the desert highway for our God ?''
@he the yoce of Malachi the last prophet still fingered
around lsfaes affairs at the time OF his coming proclaim
ing the gracious promise, 'BeholdI will send Elijah
the prophet before the coming of the great and evenf
day of the Lord TO the Baptist blessed Lord refers
these prophecies when he declares that sail the Prophets
and Law Propheced until John and if We will receive it.
TINS Is Elias who was to come" His appearance
responded with the character of his extraordinary mission
and verified to the letter the declarations made concerning
him. His clothing of camel's hair bound round with
eathern girde his food, locuss and wild honey the
wilderness the temp in which he held his services
ana 1.-The couded canopy starry decked heavens was
the covering of that temple denotng the universally of
heavens mercy and the boundless grace of that system
Oh which lie the forerunner
Under the influence of his inspired message seJerusa-
lem and the region round about crowded to his baptism
OF repentance and received the significant ceremonial
preParatlon Tor the appearance of the kingdom of the
Treat DellYeEer But Notwithstanding the sancty ofhis
person. and the high authority of lis mission che
eli IN tie midst Of life Of usefuieess,' by the whms of
%anton woman, and the edct Of weak minded tyrant
Herod Autpas having married his brother Philips wife
while Philip was still alive, John, with noble independ-
enee that scorned SO derecton of duty reprov
go him 10 his face, telling him that it Was not lawful to
marry brothers. wife, while that brother was still living
erod, ncensed at this liberty, ordered him to prison
where he was subsequently put death the nsgaton
of Herod's wife F'rhus fell this honored prophet a
martyr to ministerial faithfuness. His nexible nteg-
ry would not permit him remain silent in the presence
OF Princes, when virtue virtues threatened
with SO foul stab Oher prophets testified of Christ
ne pointed to him as already Others saw him afar
on ne behed the advancing gorieS his ministry ecpsing
his own and ejoced that his Master sincreaseSn while
ne decreased." His ministry stands as the type Of the