Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-10-09
tAt 81 90 in Advance.
Whole Number s25.
oDD FELEowsHrp-Ax E,oO,.x,

-ODD FELLowsHIP-AN ELoQuENr
ExrRAcr.-On the 18th uIt., Grand
Sire Robert A. Griffin. Of Georgia,
on retiring from Office, delivered his
valedictory before the grand lodge
Of the United States, then in session
in Baltimore. The following glow
ing extract from it will be read with
interest: W 81 &WFf,E
One generation ago prophets
eye might have pierced the dark and
heavy folds Of the curtain which
separated the pioneers of the order
from the days in which we live; but
a prophets voice revealing, in the
glow Of inspiration, the unaffected
history ol that Intervening time,
would have fallen upon mocking
ears. From the pinnacle on which
we stand, the retreatinI shadows Of
the events which prophecy would
have predicted are dimly visible.
The bubbling spring has expanded
into the rushing river. The pigmy
company has swollen into the giant
army. The bending sapling has
fiourished into the anchored oak
The rough foundation stone proudly
bears up the towering marble. The
humble instrumentality Of man has
been used, my brothers, to bring re-
suits upon which YOU look with such
admiring affection. But II becomes
US always, and more especially on
these occasions OF solemn reunion, to
lay the tribute of our fervent grati-
tude at the foot OF that throne whose
Almighty occupant has nourished
our weakness into strength, and
suffered US from such small begin
nings TO increase into so great a
community. And with our thank
offerings let us send up TO our great
and good father our earnest petitions,
gushing warm from the heart, that
His protecting arm may never be
withdrawn, but that in His all-wise
councils il may be ordained that our
beloved order shall go on from good
work to work, prospering and to
prosper.
] cannot take leave OF you without
a few words oil fraternal counsel.
The times in which we act are times
of restless motion. The age to
which we belong is the transition
ags. The foundations Of society are
heaying upward. Science is peo-
pling the earth with new creations.
Art is disinterring her old renown.
Grim antiquity is giving up its buried
lore. The fair features Of the youth
ful present are wrinkIing with strug-
giles to bring back all the conquests
Of the ancient past. The old law Of
progress has been re-enacted and is
sweeping the world. The glorious
contagion you yourselves have
caught, my brothers. Your honora-
bic ambition stimulates you to ad-
vance further and yet further the
standard of our Order. God speed
you in the good work. But, | be-
seech you, snake haste slowly.n
Make your fires glow with seven
fold heat, and submit all proffered
gold TO the fierce trial of the cruci-
bic. Remember in your heart of
hearts, that all changes are not re-
forms, and that all movement is not
progress. Chain down with ada
mant that portion Of your legacy
which has passed the ordeal. Seat.
ter to the winds whatever your iudg-
ment deliberately, yes, even painful
ly matured, shall report to you as
worthless. But, in all coming time,
guard well those great feathers Of
our time-consecrated institution,
which have preserved their beauty
and integrity through all mutations
Of circumstance and fortune. And,
as the parting admonition of one
whose counsels derive importance
chiefly from the position which you
have assiged TO their author, but in
the solemn language of the inspired
king, | charge you-"remove not the
ancient landmarks which your Ga-
L 4