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

purest breathings of the human heart, we
Iondly hope TO superinduce in our transac.
tions with the world, a close approach to
those distinguishing traits which signalized
the character OF our ilIustrious patron, in
whose life and conduct the pristine beau
ties of brOtherly love, relief, and truth,
were displayed without single interven-
ing cloud 10 shadow their eflulgence from
the delighted view Of an admiring world.
1t must be obvious to the most inattentiye
observer that there is material distinc-
ton between this and almost every other
public celebration known 10 the present
age. We are not assembled to immortal
ize the distinguished achievements Of a
conquoring general, or to rejoice at the
results of fortunate victory over an OPP
posing enemy; but VIC are assembled to
commemorate the reign of peace and to
cherish, cultivate, and improve those re-
firing virtues of the human heart which
always avoid the pomp of public show,
and hence, in our exhibitions, there is
nothing the most remotely calculated to
awaken up the strong emotions of the
soul, or to arouse the passions of the
heart. The wild and destructive tornado,
which levels with the earth whole cities,
and submerges beneath the oceans wave
entire naves, strikes upon the mind a hor-
ror whose impression nothing can eface,
while the common air which keeps the
mysterious machine Of life in motion, and
is every where disseminating health a.
broad, scarcely eXcites thought. The
towering mountain, whose lofty brow is
wrapped in volcanic flame, and is ever
and anon emitting its destructive streams
Of molten lava, seizes the Imagination
with an intensity which no object howe.
vcr beautiful, pleasing and delightful, can
divert, while the extending plain beneath,
whose fertility fruits and flowers, bring
wealth and competence, pleasure and hap.
piness 10 all around, is viewed without
emotion, and passed by without reflection
But in still more essential point, is this
anniversary distinguished from those
which are Of political or purely national
character. If we assemble to commemo.
rate the achievements Of the commander
who by proves, slaughter and conquest,
has added to national fame the lannon's
roar, the victoT's shout and extended do.
mlnlons, necessarily and unavoidably as
socate with them the thoughts of embat-
tied field, contending hosts, and thousands
slain, Is the banner of victory unfurled,
behoIds, in its train, pest,
lence and famine, the sword and death.-
Do we gaze with rapture upon the laurel
which encircles the conqueror's brow,
the ecstacy is repressed when fancy views
it crimsoned with the blood of the slain
and embracing in its tendrIls the cypress
that mourns over the devoted destiny of
vanquished, perhaps noble and generous
foe. Even on our own national festival,
whose annual retGrn brings TO mind our
happy and glorious deliverence from the
calling expressions of foreign yoke, the
angry recoIleclions of cruel, tyranncal
and vindictive foe, mingle in our most pi-
Gus and feryid gratitude to Heaven and
colors it with dark hue Of revenge; but
far different are the "reminiscences which
this celebration induce. The embems
which we display, speak alone of the
peaceful triumhps of virtue over vice, and
indicate a charity as wide in its contem-
plation and action, as the earth ITSELF
Delineated upon our masonic dress, is the
great temple of masonry. Its ample de
mansions and impershable foundations
reach from north to south, and sweep from
east to west. It's expanded gates are open
to receive the just, the pure and upright in
heart, of every tongue, kingdom, country
and cline, and its arms encrce in their
benevolent embrace the whole familiy of
man.
In thus meeting upon the day we dedi-
cato TO the memory of our christian pa
iron, the mind naturally retrospects the
past. Time, in his silent but irresistible
course, has brought US down his current to /
the period Of another masonic year.
Twelve months have now passed away, /.
since the last anniversary consecrated |
TO the memory Of ST. John the Divine
During that period, how many Of our fel-
low-beings, then in the bloom and vgor Of
health, have gone to encounter the solemn
realities Of another state Of existence - |
How many communities are now weeping
over the bereavement OF beloved and yaIu.
able citizens, and yet our little band has
been preserved almost entire. The de-
stroying angel, at the fat of Him in whose l
hands are the issues OF life and death, has |
r,rgoI fhr1uph ou- midst and hoe loft rs ]
mourning the loss Of but one Of our num-
ber--I alludo to the death Of our esteem. |
ed brother, the Rev. Josiah Box. Then I
it hehoo, es US, as masons and as men, 10 /
look with deyout and grateful feeling to
Him who is the great fountain Of every .
good and perfect gin, for tho special mercy /
and protection which ho has lhUs y0ucA. /
safed to us, and 70 Invoke the continuance /.
If bis special providence TO- the year mp. 1