Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-01-25

nost significant ana Impressive rites
and ceremonies. that cold indeed, mus
be the heart. and benighted the n lind
that is no, amazed with the elegance
and symmetry Of our moral enple, anc
eager 10 take up his abode within the
FAIR proportions of MS virtue.
Here then. is the good tina; i, produ.
ces,--it sofiens the s,cTnest hearts into
a tender and conhding receptacle OF
friendship and benevolence. IL serves
TO make men less jealous of each other
in ordinary transactions: thus endear-
ing citizen 20 citizen. and making the
prosperity of one coeval with the
happiness OF the other. And, had the
principles Of this Society deeper hold
IN the hearts Of our fellow citizens ge-
morally. We would see the spirit of
broil and of quarrel less encouraged in
our land-our morality would stand on
iairer and more elevated ground; the
spirit OF kind fellowship would arse
from its degradation. and throw a bless
ed halo over the thoughts aud feelings
of our lives.
Go TO the bed chamber Of The bro
tier whom disease has Frustrated. and
there behold MacIvorship-see II like
a guardian angel, whispering comfort
and consolation, and performing every
duty that affection can suggest. But
even here It's influence does not cease.
no, should death prevail and hurry HIM
from among US TO the unbroken still
ness Of the grave, our Society would
then be found consoling the widow and
the orphan. and endeavoring To make
the loss Of friends and relatives le :
poignant and deplorable. All this i
the work of the institution at whose
shrine we have pledged our hearts best
devotion, aud whose principles we
love, because they teach us the prac-
,ice Of virtues which adorn and digui-
~ humanity.
Yes. such is MacIvorship such
arc the benefits i, conters-thc good It
produces.
f Within the scope Of our far motto
+ are comprehended all the Virtues; and
they are the foundation of our build
ing, the very pillars on which rest
. the grand superstructure o: our mora
edihce; and SO much isthe newlyinitia-
ted struck with the nobleness Of the
design. and the powerful lessons Of mo-
raj wisdom that they inculcate, that the
soul, awed into holy and profound nd.
miration. Is rendered pliable; and is
thus made ready 10 receive the instruc-
ton tha. our Order teaches every man
that finds al mission into It's temple.
Brethren, Charity is the main spring
Of our faith-ihe rock on which We as
Mlvorsmusi find refuge then. let US
endeavor with diligence and perseye-
rance TO practice 1t fully for let u'
remember, shat in that sacred volume
which We have this day publicly eXhi-
hi,cd, we are told that though We
speak with the tongues OF men and OF
angels, and have not Chdrity, we are
become a. sounding Grass or az tink-
ling cymbal." Nor tina, kind Of chart
IS which merely consists ia bestowing
aims on those that are needy and poor.
but rather that heaven-born principle
Which Is giving all the warm and gene
rous feelings OF our hearts freely 10 oui
fellow mcu-Wh hose origin We find M
that unequsl!ed exclamation upon the
Cross Father. forgive them'" /, l.
then, IN the practice Of this virtue, thai
We cndeayor 10 copy its great original
looking kindly upon the weakness
and faults Of our brethren, not goadIng
OF tantalizing them because Of their IN
fTuitIes but trying TO direct by gentle
means the wandsTings OF their footsteps.
And lei too, my Brethren, the impor-
iant fact be ever fresh IN our minds
that among the most prominent oharac-
tcristics Of the Clan Of Scotland, from
whose ancient trunk We claim descent
was the union, the confidence and
f friendship that existed among them
These were the strong cords that bound
them together; tie great moving prin
clples OF their strength 10 war. their
harmony and fellowship ~ peace. u
Is truly pleasing task Tor We that have
taken the name Of these hardy men Ia
search their history and behold the ma.
tny virtues which adorned their cbaTac-
Yer though rude, barbafous. and un-
acquainted Vith the finer polish Of G.
,ilized life, It's a compliment we'll doe
10 them % cav that by no people Of 40.
Gent or modern date we're pledge hsld
more inviolable, or the sanciiiy Of irlit
more hobored and respected.
Vcr1ing 20 the close 81 my duty
arm now called 20 note q fact. who-e cx-
istence - mach 90 be regretted set u
BE- nevertheless true. lhat ~. IN com.
mon with az human lnsiituiiens. have
been imposed on and Injured ~ on.
worthy professors Of Gus doctrines and
belief u IS not long since vr an.
nounced The name and form Of o4F .1
ciety 90 tbc public, and q vas 90 have
been hoped that We might have cscap-
cd ihis evil % ibis time Bot IT'S hfe
lhren has such been the case Alas
No. DEPRIVED hearts End sucked
heads have found way into our order
bui this should not discourage us Tor
look even AZ christianity itseif. and see
how shc has been degraded b. this 40
'al pesiilence ADD iJ1k. TO-, az aD in-
.ftfrfrr.r errarnffr .rH aIrrr.af ne Fr =