Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-10-20
Tributes Of Respect.

At a Special Communication of Stauuton
Lodge, No. l3,hed at the Masons Hall ON We'd
nesday evening, Oct. 18th, A. L., $3.50. A. D..
1852.
A Master Masons' Lodge was opened in duo
form, whereupon Bro Thos. J. Niche arose and
addressed the Lodge as ollows:-
Wor'hipfM .Master- n 49,.
1t becomes my painful duty to announce to this
Lodge the death of worthy and well beloyed
orother. James Points is no more. The husband
the iatner-the friend-the enlightened and exz
emplary Mason, is gone, and forever. from among
us. A few days ago he moved in our midst. dis
pensing social and domestic happiness around him.
and fulfilling all the high and noble duties of Ma,
sonry. Now, all that was mortal of him. lies
Wondering in its parent dust, while his immortal
spirit has gone TO the Grand Lodge beyond the
skies, and mingles there; as we humbly hope, in
sweet communion with the splits Of '.ust men
made perfect"
Worshipful Master: The heavy and sudden be-.
reavement is appalling. He who sits enlhroued id,
Heaven and rules the destinies Of men. seems TO-
proclaim by these sad providences. BE still and
know that am Cod" Yes. kind and mercifui
God who does not cauSeessly affi;ct Father. who
loves not as men love, with fleeing and fading
and errng fondness, but as God alone can love-
unspeakably, wisely and forever.
Oh, may the stricken family of cur dear brother.
hear that heavenly voice and ''be STILL" Nav
they see through the dark and mysterious Proyi-
dence which has dealt this dreadful blow the sus-.
taining arm OF tender mercy stretched out to shield
them in their desolation.
May we. als).his brethren, who are left behind
him, still bufieting the dangerous pillows of this
dark world. learn to '.be still" and humbly read
lessons of eternal wisdom from this sad event,
None OF us are, at this moment, more promising Of
life than he was few short weeks ago Let us
learn. thence, that WE are mortal. and looking to
his example whose untimely death we lament. let
us engage actively in the work of Charity in which
he 81 much delighted, that when we 90 where ho
has gone, Cur graves may be wstered, as his will
be, by the tears of the poor and destitute. In his
systematic and liberal charities, cur brother was
most remarkable. In The true spirit of Christian-
ty. his left hand knew not what his right hand dds
but never did the widow or the orphan 90 hungry
or comfJrtess from his door, 1t is not. therefore,
to be wondered at that he should have been most
active in originating and organizing the grand
charity fund Of Virginia. in which NIasons 80 just
ly pride themselves. 1t is glorious work, alto
geiher worthy OF Masonry, and have been credi-
bly, informed that brother Points eXerted himself
far more efficiently than any other maa III its &C
complishment.
Charity most beautiful pillar in our beau
tiful temple-attached him To our Order in HE ear
ly life and made him jealous and faithful labor
er in cur cause far more than thirty years. His;
eyes kept stcadiasily fixed on that pillar-when,
some years since. a mad and fearful excitement
ragged in the mnds'of men against our Order and
threatened TO blot cat the light Of Masonry from
the world. Enrapturcd with its loyeness, hea
breasted the storm that ragged around and threaten
ed It's destruction, and, aided by few other no.
bic brothers here he revived the spirit of Masonry
in StaGnton and saved Our Lodge rom becoming
dGrmant
About that time he vas elected Master Of tho
Lodge, and has often since served with honor in,
that important office.
For two years he presided rs Grand Master over
the Grand Lodge Of Virginia, and was also cxalt
ed to the honorable station of Grand High Priest
of the Grand Chapter of the State. having thus
received The highest honors that Masonry could
bestow.
Such was the mantle brothcr-wIlosa IN
timely end we are called upon - moira-whoso
bright example we are pointed to as our guide in
the duties ef Masonry.
Lei us. dear brethren. while We she'd tears Of
bitter sorrow oytr his memory, endcavor to lore
and emulate his many virtues. 50 when in tho
course Of few short years the Great Grand Mas
ter On high shall call u5 away from labor to reiesh-
ment, in the beautiful fields Of Ills eternal rest tho
voice Of bitter mourning shall be heard over our
graves, and Tie prayers Ct the poor and destitute
shall ascend with cur liberated souls 10 the Throne
OF GCd--Cur passport to the JOYS of Heaven.