The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-07-19
CORRESPONDENCE.
Bro. S. w. McGILL:

THOMAS WILCOXON.
Pattersonville, June "a, 1851.
Bro. THOMAS WMcoxoN:
| am happy to receive, and would be happie
to have merited, the thanks which Lafayett
Lodge, of its kindness, has rendered me, but fur
nish the address for publication the less wllingl
as the imperfections, which escaped their motto
in the fervor of delivery, will become palpable t
the least observant in its printed form.
Respectfully and fraternally,
s. w McGILL.
Pattersonville, June 25, 1851.
~~--
Companions and Brethren:
By an act of fraternal courtesy, char
acteristic of the Order, the Lodge al
this place has made me the instrument
of rendering to you, and each of you
kindly greetings and respectful saluta.
tions upon this anniversarial reunion.
While the selection affords me an op-
portunity of making public acknowl-
edgement of the brotherly kindness
which has been extended TO me by the
fraternity here, and the uniform cour-
tesy of my fellow-citizens generally,
am sensible that it will also be the oc-
casion for the exercise of your charity
and foFbearance, two of the virtues
which lie at the base of every perfect
character-moral, masonic or religious
that trinity without which life were in
deed a conflict, civilization But base
less dream, and eternity itself too FORM
less TO throw shadow of its mystic
grandeur on the horizon OF the widest
thought
do not understand it TO be my duty,
and certainly it is neither my inclina-
tion nor intention. upon the present
occasion, TO detail the history, make
an elaborate exposition of the objects
of Masonry. or answer the objections
which have been made or may be
raised against that institution. Even
were my powers adequate to such de-
sign, it would be wholly unnecessary.
Not oteverytravelleralong the dusty high
ways of life that slakes his thirst and
laves his limbs in the cooling waters
which meet his view, thinks of inqui-
ring in what precise spot of earth the
fountain first struggled into light, or
what particular fields have been ferfiI-
Ized by it in its course onward to the
sea. Nor need we waste the brief
period allotted us to day in like inqui-
ries, although they might be fruitful
in pleasure and full of profit. Of the |
history of Masonry we know that there
remains no authentic record of an age |
when it could be said to have no exist.
ence, while there are many internal
evidences to show that even anterior to
the building of that magnificent temple
wherein was not heard the sound of
axe nor Of hammer, it was animate with
glorious life. 1t stood in the dawn of
civilization, and has kept pace with its
progress in every land and among every
people. 1t has marked the birth, the
spread, and the decay of empires-seen
the rise and fall of numberless institu-
lions, itself unchanged and unchanging
fresh in perennial youth-immortal
as the circle of fruits and flowers, or the
glory of the heavens, or as the Mem
phian pyramids,
Whose lofty columns stand sublime,
Flinging their shadows down from high,
Like dials which the wizard Time
Had raised to count his ages by.a
Wherefore is thisl Wherefore, amid
hese works SO full of promise in their
inception, so towering in the day of
heir strength, and so gorgeous even in
heir ruins, should Masonry alone, of
IL human institutions, stand unscathed |
mong the wrecks which time has !
aadea Wherefore enjoy irnmutability q
a world of change? II is because Q
er roots lie at the lowest depths Of !
nan's physical wants, and her branches 7
re coextensive with the capabilities of \
is spiritual nature. Her body is truth,
er spirit all-embracing charity blended =
nth the diviner rays Of love. She seeks \
OF 70 oppress the weak, but to make y
hem strong by developing the dormant 2
nergies Of their natures, with appear Y
nces OF sympathy in their trials aud Y
ompanionship in their struggles. She u
,eks not 70 curb the strong hand, but
mako Its pulses more in harmony SC