Southern shield., 1851-03-08
A MASONIC ADDRESS,
 DELIVERED AT
 FalAg'S POINT, MTS5y s THE OF CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY pr Saint John, the Evangelist
 .yso DoMINl, 1850.
FalAg's POINT, MISS,
By l)r. Wm. M. Brown.

LADIES' GENTLEMEN AND BROTHER NAsoNs:
 The appointment of the Worshpfu Coahoma Lodge No 1O4 of Free and Accepted Mason in accordance with which an this day address you Though may be consld cred as cooering high and distinguished honor on your humble orator. imposes, at the same tme most arduous ana rno,slla dntv Grateful to you, my Brethren, for the honorconerred by voar appointment am at the same time most fully sensible of feeling ot rrepressble dthdence, when contemplate the maghi'uoe anu ueo"oy o 'e 'SA ] to perform
 The orators of antiquity, when addressing their country men upon important affairs, were accustomed to beg by suppcating their Gods that nothing unsuitable to De sad or unworthy to be heard, might escape from ther lps How
 uch more forcbe my obligation the present occasion, to invoke the Grand Master of Natons the Supreme Arch feet of the Universe, that He 'Woud Hume what Tn me that is dark what ow raise and support that 10 the height of this oreat argument" may be enabled 10 elevate my mnd and that He would oberate every conception uuted to the beauty and submy of the subject upon which am 10 speak, and suggest thoughts and ideas congen to the merits which it the duty of your orator to unfold And supply words unworthy the attention and dignity ot the respected audience before whom stand
 The tjmehonored festival of Masonry which have sembed this day commemorate Is in honor ot one ot the most eminent and amabe patrons oi our order St. John' the Evangelist He had the distinguished felicity ot being member of the Holy family which Saviour assembled around him whilst abernacng here earth; and was hon. ored as the bosom friend of his Lord and Master He repre- sented in Holy writ, leaning upon the bosom o Jesus when the affecting announcement was made that one o the twelve should beray him. And was 10 hS care that our Saviour when about 10 expire upon the cross committed HIS mother Mary by the simple and touching eXpreson Wo- man. behold thy son." We informed by bis blographer, St Jerome that when the inrmites ot age had rendered him unable 10 preach, he caused himself every Sabbath day o be carried to his avore Church in Epesus where his nvariabe sautaon to the congregation was' my cn dren love one anoher Thus feeling his ruling passion death he continued enforce the Divine precept o .neace on earth and good will man, holy principle incucated alike by Masonry and Religion, unu ne received the final his station in the Grand Lodge ao0'e whose Tyler death, and whose portal IS the grave
 am to speak this day upon the subject o Masonry and ahouoh ardenv attached this ancient and venerable institution, shall presume to draw upon my nancy TOT for words of high wrought euogy or enthusiastic encomu but in the language of truth and soberneS shall endeavo 10 convey sch of the obj and origin our society, as shall be both interesting and edylng 10 my auditory
 Free Masonry compehends within its circle every branch of useful knowledge and leang and stamps an lndeOe mark of nreen,inepce on its genuine professors which IS not in the power either of chance ororuhe 10 bestoW O his first introduction into Lodg every candidate for Ma sonic honors is presented with the peculiar ensgna ot our Order which is at once the emblem o innocence, and the badoe ofa Mason: which he is inormed "S ancient than the golden fleece or Roman Eagle more honorable than the Star and Garter or any other oFde a couu pc conferred on him that any other time, by hng Prince, or Poenate or any other person except he were Mason and which he instructed how to Wear Wllh pleasure 'o himself and honor to the fraternity And the experience of many of the Brethren will attest that when us ruieS are strictly observed furnishes sure foundation of tranquility amid the storms and vicisstudeS o e friend that Will desert deceive, but will comfort and assist m pros pery, in diversity. blessing that Will remain at all times, and under all circumstances, when olet erhy co forts fa and the heart is ready to sink Tn desPaIr
 Free Masonry confer real and intrinsic excellence upon the character of man, and qualities him in high degree boh enjoy and adorn society," Its tendency IS 10 acllita.e progress through this vale of tears and to sweeen those ills which incident mortaS It strengthens the mind against the of life, promotes social and domestic happiness and teaches that wisdom whose ways are ways of peaantness and all whose paths are peace
 soace in sotude and gives vvacy, variety, and interest social It ameorates the temper and ln- proves the understanding In youth teaches to clrcu scribe passions and keep desires within due bounds and old age when sickness mbecy. and disease, have benunbed the corporea frame and rendered the union ot soul and body burden furnshe grateful fund of com fort and satisfaction. From this hasty and imperfect sum- mary of the general objects of the nstuon its bencence and utility must be sufficiently obvious Nor is this al for tie principles of the being universal tunes in one ndIs- soluble bond of affection of the most opposite enets o the distant countries and o the most contradictory opinions. So that in every country a Mason will hnd friend, in every cline home, in every lodge brother Such the nature of the Masonic Institution, that n the Lodge union cemented by the most sincere aecilon and pleasure ecprocaly communicated by the cheerful per omance of every oblging office Virtue the grand object view luminous the meridian sum- shines reiugent upon every mind enens the heart and heghens the cool appro baon of judgment, into the warmth ct mpusve sympathy and cordial affection.
 Free Masonry passes under two denominations, oper ative speculative By operative Masonry is meant the proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence
 derives figure, strength and beauty, and from whence also results due proportion and proper correspon dence all parts By speculative Masonry are taught govern our passons to upon the o vrue 10