Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-01-15

little from him who is prodigal. When in
dustry and economy are wanting, the be.
nevolent disposition may exist, but the
means will almost invariably be found lack.
ing. There is no benevolence which Sc.
cures confidence, merits osteem,or reflects
moral worth, but that which prompts to in.
dustry and economy; but that which enters
into a mans every feeling, plan and pur-
pose, poryados his whole life, and blends
itself with the very conduct of his exist
ence. The man who possesses this kind
Of beneyolenco, is an ornament to his spe.
cies, arodeeming spirit in our fallen, ruin.
ed, and degraded race. lie is an abiding
light 10 this dark, loathsomo prison.houso
of woe, wretchednoss and misery; fruit
fu spot Of perennial verdure in this worlds
vast desert; an untoiIing spring in this dry
and parched land, where the weary travel
Ter may ever find refreshment. Like an
angel of mercy, he travels from one recep-
tace of misery and misfortune to another,
leaving the pennry which he has relieved,
the pain which he has assuaged, the con.
solutions which he has impaired, and tho
hopes which he has inspired, to do him ho-
nor, and manifest to the world that he che.
rshes in his heart the true feelings of cha
rity. Then let the proud victor boast Of
his conquered realms, the selfish miser of
his gitterng wealth, the learned orator Of
his medals, and the ingenious poet of his
civic wreaths; but the mason should strive,
above all things else, to possess the bene.
dictions of the widow and the ORPHAN
The omblems inscribed upon his monu-
ment, should be the charities which he has
administered, and the last solemn whispers
that breathe over his grave, should be an
abiding gratitude. His humble aims may
never awaken the eloquencc of the orator,
excite the as:onishment and admiration Of
the selfish and the proud, or gid the histo.
rian's page yet he must bestow them still.
His retiring charities may never attract
observation, or occasion even n passing
remark, vet he must pursue them still
No romantic gratitude may weep over the
manifestations Of his philanthropy. No
ethereal lhank(ulness may breathe its ce.
losial rhapsodles around the benefits OF his
beneyoence. No mccarthy voice from
the silent grave may salute him with
good cheer, and no spirit from on high may
impel him onward;--yct he must be up and
about his work, which is TO do good to his
fellow beings: and for his reward, he must
wait patiently until the last sunset of time,
when our grand Senior Warden, seated at
the west gateol that heavenly temple, will
pay to each his wages due,
But Masonry requires the practice, not
only of bcneyoIcnce, but it enjoins upon
its votary the practice Of every other viz.
tue. To be good masons, we must be no.
nest, correct and moral, in all our dealings
with mankind submissive and obedent 10
the laws of our country, in all their rea-
sonable requirements, and circumspecl in
the department Of all our conduct. But it
requires US particularly TO be temperate
in all things, but more especial
ly in the use of ardent spirits. It requires
;his more particularly, from the disastrous
runous, and destructive consequences
which inevitably flow from habituaI intoxi.
cation. There is no habit within the range
Of human deprayity over which Masonry
is so often called upon to weep, or by which
tho dazzling lustre of its bright esculchoon
is so often sulicd, as the odious practice of
Incorporate drinking. There is no habit
which has made such widespread havoc
among our fallen race. II bears lis annu-
al thousands 10 an untimely grave, and
their immoral spirits TO an unprepared
reckoning with their final Judge. And
what renders this habit alarming above
all others, is the strange and unaccounia-
bic insensibility with which il invests It's
unhappy votary. The unfortunate victim
Of confirmed lnebratlon is manacled by
an inlaluation which no reason can assaiI,
which no admoniiion can remove. lie de-
.lberately prepares himself for the unhul.
lowed sacrifice, binds himself to the occurs.
ed altar, and with its own hand voluntarily
applies the cruel instrument Of his own
dreadful immolation. Whenever and wher-
ever such are found among US, masonry
mperously requires at our hands the i'm.
mediate and constant application Of all
hose correcllves which ita principles and
rules provide. We should never cease to
whisper good counsel in the car Of our
unfortunate brother and never, while one
single hope remains, should we cease in
1ur efforts 10 snatch him from the awful.
vortex into which he is fallen.
Bot there are many objections urged.
against masonry. Il is said By some, 90.
posed to our order, .aal although The dc.
ign Of masonry may be commendabe, vet
he world has never been furnished BY any
iiriking evidences Of MS utility, and hence
he Institution should be discounlenancod
d; the bar Of public opinion, This obicc.
lion IS, TO some extent, true, for tho obyi-
Gus reason thar masonry, 10 nh It's bonii.
'onee, oboys The Injunction Of our saviour.
f hq l1uuhf ua that when We 40 uur ALL.