Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-05-17

and candid confederation. few mo
,,enls.
First then, I shall notice the general
prosperity Of our Order; Seco,NV. the
origin OF an unsusisin.d prejudice
against u'i and IAird'y the manifest
uii'i'v OF secret associations. wish
10 impress upon your minds many i'm
poriant considerations connected with
my hrst ProPo'i'ion-nanclv. the ge-
neral prosperity of our Order. You
may AK What Is the origin OF this ins,i-
tuition. from what source did IT derive
rs being. IN wha, age of the world did
IT hrst manifest itself? These are
questions which Is for a conceivc ne.
oeSsarv, ! intend answering. This IS
an Institution. bearing a name which
perhaps may be rcpugnaut TO the fc.l
insS Of some and sound harsh upon de
ears OF others. and excite the cnndrrn-
nation at many. of these things am
well aware; bat nv audience. If upon
the other hand we had come before the
world with plausible name. and our
principles and preccpis had not hecn
IN accordance with The name Of our
Society, what would have been the
consequence We should have glitter.
ed IN external saudine.s Tor time. but
would have. passed of contruned bv
The current of Just consideration. and
our Order. bcaien hy the storms Of fate
on every coast, ami shiinkia, from The
light oil investigation. and fearing the
touch stone Of free enquiry, would have
been hdrlrd 10 oblivion. If n1ne
alone could sustain 1t. then would Old
Fellowship lie unSuSiained: hut while
our title Is calculated 10 excite disgust.
our principles command revetcnce.-
NV audience to-day Tor The FIR; time
IN this village, YOU behold unfurled tho
banner Of an Institution. ancient, hon
durable and prosperous; " hose prcccptS
are drawn from the Book OF Inspiration
the Chart fiom iha, Eternal World.
" hose Ruler Is the LORD OF Hosts. and
whose Builder il the King Of Kings
given TO man that he should regulate
his conduct thereby-precepts a. i'm.
mulabie as Jehovah himself.
] do no.. purpose drawing aside the
curtain Of antiquity and referring YOU
hack 10 the days OF heather lore 10 show
YOU manifestation ofiho.e principles;
no, they are evInoed wherever our
banner has been unfurled. or our pre-.
cepts taught. in administering 10 the
wants and dIs,rcSses q the human race
Go with me back but nineicen wears.
and see tie seed OF Odd Frll.w ,bin
when II was FIRST planted in American
sofa small. obscure Plant, nurtured
only hy persecution and sca,hed bv
'ahaiicISm. spraying up. rising superior
10 the bownN oi us enemies, pfos;raiIns
the seryile tools Of biyoirv. and snil,no
at The means resoricd 10 hv The false.
hearted ninion~ OF corruption. 10 obtain
IT'S downfall. But behold 1t going fyr,h.
amclIoralIng tie suiiriing condition Of
man, ins,Ituiing schools for the cduca.
ton OF The orphan. drying the widow >
traTS, clothing the destitute. feeding
the hungry, aud soothing the bed OF
aiiiIeiion. And now. where BIZ, nine.
teen years ago Washington Lodge in
Baltimore, stood alone. her banner, are
uuinIIed and her hlllowcd motto.
= FRIENDSHIP. LOVE. A$o Tnurn.'
read Is tar ~ the wide domain Of tli,
happy Republic extends. and SIX han.
dred ilonri,hing Lodges now under he
dueclIon oi The Grand Lodge of The
United States are Dissemination. Virtue
and Chluiy. spreading consolation and
happiness around. Brethren. such has
been our prosperity, and what are We
not destined 10 accomplish We hold
80 our hands the means Of re ,eucr,iirg
not a Nation or People. bat the World.
by leading the minds Of men from hat
which Is evil by kindlinz The fires Of
genius upon the altar Of poverty. bv
ncu'cl'ing the pfecepiS oi Vi:,uc and
Universal Benet olrucc. bv clusIny AZ;
men 10 bow With united interests and
affection before The same shine. &C
kno"lcdging opr principle, aal acting
90 coni'rmarce thereto. Tas brings
re - nv second rfpp0 i'ion-niwol
the on-in OF an unbuiai7cd p,Sjulcs
at1ind as asa Secret Society.
IN all ages ~ tic world men have
formed themsclvcs INTO a.socia'irrs fof
their mutual advancement. iti. in &C..
cDtt'Ucc vth TIC nature OF the pbflln.
'hrorisi - 30 80 while tie uis,1.
thrnpr has laughed 90 sr0rn ffci. art,
oi bcne,ulcrrc aud attempted io,tarp
upon and attach t31f,m deed. dcroya
tory tpihe ohlrtcfcro'mcn. Theirin.
.ensa'r hearts can never bc pierced o.,