Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-07-13


just been received. With difilence, and a
knowledge of the deficiencies and mperfections
contained in the address. herewith comply with
your.reque st. FraternaIly yours. &C..
JOHN S. ROANE.
To I. C. Foyer, J. A. Dibreil and H. W. Bell,
Committee,
ATIoN.
bRETHREN:-Wc have met to celebrate tho n.
nversary at our patron, ST. John tho Baptist.-
We do this in pursuance of a custom which has
long been in use-chershed, md held sacred bv
all good Masons. This is day which is ever
looked forward TO with pleasure, and its arrival
hailed with heartfelt JOY and satisfaction by every
member of the craft who understands its doctrines
and appreciates its teachings. its blessings. its emf
nent moral and Christening effects upon the huma
heart. 1t is custom as ancient as society itself
ana common to all naions and people, whc,her
civilized or savage. to celebrate with demonstra-
tons of JOY and glndness the natal day of such
amongs, them, rs have rendered themselves illus
trious and worthy of admiration. by deeds of
prowcss-by polft cal or moral achievements, cal.
cusaied to shed tustre upon their arms. or result
IN great and permanent good to tlloir country
or mankind. 1t is right that II should be so, and
never fails TO result in gooi when properly con.
ducled 1t brings our minds to reflect upon vr.
tuous and noble deeds; it brings our souls in con.
tact with the noble. tho generous, the elevated
feelings and sentiments of those who have gone
before u.s. and we are purified by the association.
We are stimulated to follow their example; to
walk IN the paths of honor and virtue, which they
pursued when on their march to distinction and
renown. For there is admontion so salutary
IN It's eects--so unerring in its tendency, as the
teachings of gnod example. There is no appeal
TO tho human heart 20 irresistible. penetrating
so overwhelming as that "still small voice." which
sneaks from the silen, tombs OF the good men, and
pure, who have gone before, nnd left name.
around which is thrown n halo of glory, a blaze of
admiration, perennial coronet of rcnown.
Was the individual in commemoraton of &hom
we have this day met, one of this character!
Was his example one worthy Of imitation! Did
his life esult in auyht Of good to mankind! 9.
Unfold the nrou dering record of ages behold
him prototype of tae Son Of Col, denying to HIM
self the ordina ry Comforts of life, in ordor that
he might be the more useful to his fellow men -
Hear his sacred yoce. preaching in the wilderness,
calling upon men and women to repent. for the
kingdom of God is at hand; viow him on the con.
secrated bank Of Jordan's sacred stream baptizing
Tor The remission OF SINS; and remember too. that
TO his unsuied hands alone, was iutrusted the bap.
iism of the Savior of the world.
Yes he was great because he was good. He
strument Of the Deity himself, to prepare the way
tor The coming Of tho Messiah. lie was great uo,
Ike Caesar. stained with blood, the scourgo of man.
KIND, ana the terror of imperial Rome-tho onca
proud mistress OF the world. He was grea. but not
like alexander, whose triumphant banner i1oated
over the battlements of sea-girt Tyre; and was
thrown to the breeze from the walls of Ba lon,
whose only object was conquest whose whole If.
was one scene of carnage; and whose ambition
was checked alone by the conquest of the world.
He WIS great, not like Napoleon, who, thrown in.
to life IN the very vortex of revolution rose with
rapidly that aslonshed the world, and whist
mankind looked on with wonder aud anna azenenl,
he snatched the crown from the head of the Bour-
bons, and calmly seated himself upon the impe.
rial throne OF France, to deuge her plains with
the blood Of her proudest sons, and spread dosola-
tlon throughout all Europe. For military glory
nc scaled the snow-caPped summit of the towering
q 'ps, mel aad vanquIshed the conce rated egions
OF Tho South, detied disease and death, as he tra-
versed the burning sands of Egypt, sought danger
IN every form am'd the SHOWS Of RUSSIA, arose to
that proad emnence, from whence he spoke and
nations irembed. tle gave but tho nod, and
kinSgs and polehtates yielded up their royolty.-
tie dazzled the world for while, when his sun
went down IN darkness on the plains of Waterloo
The ono of whom we sp,ak was great, not as
lsterias TO the wants Of mn ignorant and destitute
people. as christian whose whole life was em
nenI for true piety and religion. 1t is for ihes.
qualities we would celebrate tho natal day of ST
John the baptist; and not solely because he wa.
the friend and patron of Masonry.
But II IS not SO much my purpose to dwell upor
the moral excellence OF those who have shown tn,
greatest devotion to the Masonic institution, an,
whose characters for vrlue, eurity, and morllt,
should serve as protecting shield against the lei
Thousand aspersons which are daily and hourl,
hurled forth by mo wicked, the ignorunt. and the
malicious, against Masonry, us it is to treat Of the
principles, the doctrines. and the teachings Of the
Iinstitution itself.
To treat OF Masonry. disconnected from reli
gion. 10 somewhat difficult for Masonry is the
hand-maid Of religion. Whilst il is the object ol
religion to prepare us on this earth far triumph
ant entrance into world Of happiness beyond the
grave, where thu weary shall 10 at rest, and the
sroubaed cease to sorrow, it is theobect Of Mason
~ = sootbs down she aspsritss Of this life. calm