The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-09-26
81. JOHNS DAY IN CALIFORNIA.

The Masonic fraternity in Sacramento
California, celebrated last st. Johns day II
that city, and We believe it was the FIRST eel
ebration Of the kind in that city. The nd.
dress was delivered by Sir knight J. H
Ralston, and BY the suggestion Of q friend
We print the portion relative to the Sain,
the birthday Of whom they celebrated, John
the Baptist, Masons should gather courage
from retrospect Of the thorny pathway Of
such man, and the firm step with which il
was trodden by him. ..t,.
SIR KNIGHTS, CoxPANIoNs, BRoTHERs:-
The day we celebrate is made memorable
as the birthday Of great man, a truly de-
yout Mason. He was no less distinguished
rs the forerunner Of Christ ssIn the spirit
and powar of Elias, to turn the hearts Of
the fathers to the children, and the disobcdi-
ent to the wisdom Of the just, than as a yea
lous Free Mason. lie preached to the Jews
ssthe baptism of repentance, and they Of Jc-
rusalem and Judca were all baptised Of him
in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.''
After his death, Masonic Lodges were dedi-
Gated to him, an honor never awarded to
any but the purest and most exalted Mas0ns.
After the death of his eminent namesake,
John the Divine, Masonic Lodges have beer
uniformly dedicated to the two st. Johns;
the sublime and mystic love CT the latter
shall not, on this occasion, dwell upon, but
the fervent zeal, the truly Masonic charac-
ter Of the former, will engage our attention.
His whole life most happily illustrates the
virtues Of Masonry. He was truly tempe
rate, the mountain brooks and Jordan's pla-
cid stream alone quenched his burning
thirst. 'sHe came drinking neither wine nor
strong drink His parents were both well
stricken in years at the time Of his birth,
and he grew up to manhood in the wilder
ness without the usual parental care, early
displaying that singular fortitude SO truly
commendable. ...-...
No character renowned in history presents
life in which the virtues of temperance
and fortitude are SO happily blended, yet
no free and accepted Mason, who reverces
the institution, who honors the fraternity
with which we are proud to claim brother
hood, who walks by the plumb line of truth,
can consistently depart from the strict rules
of temperance as presented in the life and
character Of st. John the Baptist. Nor can
he walk with fainting steps; but rather arm
ed with the noble shield Of fortitude, COM
bat bravely with all the ills of life, and en-
counter death in righteous cause rather
thanswerve from the principles of honor.
Prudence and justice are Masonic virtues
commended to our admiration in this same
lllustrious examplar, as eyinced in the ac-
knowledgment Of his own inferiority; when
the multitude believing in his teachings were
baptized by him, he remarked with humility,
''there standeth one among you, the latchet
of whose shoes am unworthy to unloose.''
Instead of appropriating to himself tho glo-
ry Of his success, he turned their attention
to Christ. Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee,
could not escape his direct reproyal. The
intermarriage Of Hcrod with his brother
Philips wife was an abomination in the
eyes Of the law, but his high position was
regarded by him as sufficient security
against punishment or public condemnation;
yet he boldly said to Herod, sit is not law
full for thee to have her." For this truth
plainly expressed ho was imprisoned, and
afterwards, to crafty the capricious whim
of the daughter Of Herodias, his brothers
wife, was beheaded. Thus is presented a
striking instance Of the trmness Of his pur-
pose and the boldness of his character. The
Tetrarch ruled with absolute power: to Of
fend him was but to excite his vengeance,
and endanger personal safety. The intrepid
heart of John the Baptist cared not for
earthly applause or condemnation, prefer
ring always 'to do right, though the hea-
vens fall"