The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-07-15

~ 'y""S'''teo " Ihc Bood ana just IN every
cline. AS agents, therefore, in this educational
movement we are led to contemplate in the
ceremonies of this occasion the stability, strenqth
ana smm"tadility of tho principles we advocate,
and the work in which we engage Our prin
ciplesare drawn from the Bible and are but
the echo of elevated humanity everywhere
Our work is but the reflection of those princi
pies, which bind us to reverence our Maker. and
to seek the cultivation, of His image in the
minds OF His creatures, from whence it has been
partially effaccd An edifice in ruins is to be
reconstructed; temple covered with the rub.
6lsh Of Ignorance and vice is to be exhumed: n
shrine thrcwn down and polluted is to be conse-
crated pearl ofincstimable value is to be sought
Tor III the ocean depths of human passions and
To- DC poi'shed; soul of immeasurablc capac-
Ties for good or i'll, is to be renovated and clc
Vated; passions whose depths no deep SEQ line
OF human skill has been able perfectly to fifth
ON, are to be purified and converted from. in
struments of wretchedncss and misery into nm
gels Of peace and happiness; characters, whose
force and power to tell OH infinity itself are
to be formed within the sacred walls reared
upon this corner stone. A work affecting oil
the interests of time, and extending into the
remotcst reccsses of ctcrnity, is to be accom-
pushed here What though this building should
crumbie int" lust and this stone itsclfs should be
dissolved into its original elements, still the
spiritual mental ends which it is intended to
subserve, will endure parallel with eternity
| itself
IL tis not, then, the brick and mortar and
granite which compose the material parts of
tilis house, that we have met together to glori-
~. 1t IS the great unchanging and unchanged
bic mental and moral truths which hcy sym
Doiize that engage our attention. Empires, and
dynastics may rise and fall-generation after
generation may flourish, prosper and fn,le away:
tile great and humble may minglc into common
! dust; systems and creeds, new and imposing
may entrance and stultfy their adherents, and
then be consigned to the musty tones of neg
| lected libraries; even time itself lnay become
hoary with age and effete from agitutious and
yet the high moral suggestions made to our
minds this day will flourish in perennial vieor
and beauty. Errors may obscure, and selfish
ness may defle, and worldlincss may pervert,
aud men may traduce, still it will be seen that
in the distant future the old maxim, '':Magna est
veritas ct prevalabit," shall have q verfication
which the present times do not justify.
The proper educing of the mind, and the fur
nlshing 1T with such instruments for the search
OF that Which is beautiful and true. is beyond
all parallel the most gollike work in which be.
nevolent men can engage. And this, in our
measure, we propose to attempt All discour-
agements we give to the Winds, and in humble
reliance upon the blessings of Heaven and tho
intrinsic value of the end, we lay our hnnds
manfully to the work. In the symbols of our
OrdeS We see the most beautiful harmony with
the associations crowding around the operations
OF this day. To build, metaphorically, symbol.
icaily, upon the Great Foundation, ib emphati-
cally the labor to which we arc called. To
build under the supervision Of the Great Archi-
tect, spiritual and moral cdifce embracing
within its ample proportions the needy and help
less constitutes the glory as it becomes sthe re-
sponsibility of our Order. Here, addressed to
our outward senses, we see the emblems of our
duty, and is suggested the fearfulness of our
responsibility. Partial and circumstantial fail
ures are not to discourage; local prejudices are
not to disarm; opposition, even, must stimulate,
until this Institution shall demonstrate alike to
{ friends and foes the wisdom and patriotism of
its founders. The most sacred of all books de-
clares that to do well and to be reproached, is
the very highest position of frail humanity
. 30 to shed the blessing of thorough educa.
ton on the unthankful sand persecnting shall
constitute the very highest type of human be.
+ neyolence. The Creator of the Universe meets
with poor returns for the fullness rof his love !:
so must those who would be like him be content
/