Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-12-21
.. For the Standard
Presentation of q Medal to Bro. WIN. T. Bain'

WV. 7. Balm, Grand Secretary, on oeush y. 'n'
Grand Lodge BY Bro Albert t. MAC nAcKlS, 1r,na
preached the Pedestal of the East was addressed as
follows by Bro. Msckey:-
MY DEAR BROTHER I'm Masonic experience,
not it is true as long as yours, and yet suhclenty
long to have afforded me many pleasing reminis'
eences, know of none which will, in future years,
be more grateful to my memory than the transac,
ton in which, by the kind Partially OF your arano
Holding in my own jurisdiction an official position
similar to that which for many years you have so
faithfully exercised in yours, l almost feel that
am, in some sort, the partici2ator in the honor
which is now bestowed upon you. 1t seems appr0-
pirate that the Grand Secretary Of one State should
be selected as the agent to express the sentiments
of respect entertained by his brethren for the Grand
Secretary of another, and sister jurisdiction. l,
at least able to appreciate the nature OF the a.
bors which, in your official character, devolve upon
you-the industry and energy which are required
for the faithful discharge of those labors-and the
conduct which you must have pursued to have gain
ed that respect and esteem, the evidence of which
is this evening demonstrated.
Yours, my brother, must have been happy life.
For nearly quarter OF century, the Masens OF
North. Carolina have come up together at stated
periods to renew their vows around our sacred al.
tar-to legisate for the government of the order in
their native jurisdicion-and to adopt those mea
sures which should be conducive to the prosperity
and healthy extension of our beloved institution
And at each anniversary they have brought with
them the renewal of their respect and esteem for
you as their Grand Secretary, and by repeated
unanimous re elections have testified their personal
affection for you as man and their grateful sense
of your fidelity as an officer This long continued
demonstration Of their confidence is something of
which you may well be proud.
Whom the Industrious architect of the metropoli-
tan cathedral Of England, had been gathered to his
lastdDstng place. no splendid obelsk or stately urn
was erected to point out the situation Of his grave
but buried in the very centre of St. Pauls that gor
geous pile which his skill and genius had erected,
plain marble slab alone indicated his tomb, but
on its surface inscribed these memorable words,
"lf you would behold his monument, look around
you"
So you, too need no written certificate of your
character of your services. Should any stranger
unacquainted with the industry, energy and fidelity
with which, for so long period, you have dis
charged the duties Of your responsible and laborous
office ask for some evidence of your worth, you too
might refer to the respect and esteem which your
purity Of life has won, and, pointing to these breth-
rem who now, with warm hearts and kindly glances
are gazing on your venerable form, might proudly
say, If you want the testimony Of my integrity
and my usefulness, look around you"
/ The uedal which the Grand Lodge of North Caro-
lima has ordered to be presented to you contains this
/ significant legend: 1--WE love those who love us
We honor those ~ho have honored u.s." Yes, veneer
able Brother, for than quarter of century,
you have demonstrated by all your words and ac-
tons warm attachment to our sacred institution,
and untiring devotion to its welfare. And now the
| sons of those whom you first met in our hal,ow-
ed courts, come UP here this evening to return, with
grateful feelings, portion of that love which you
lavished on their sires. Asd the Grand Lodge
,H,r, L.ro h- .slc -
discharge of one of the most important Offices in it's
gift now proclaims by this act in which we are en-.
gagged, how highly it honors and esteems the honest
| man, the upright Mason, and the faithful officer
| The bread cast upon the waters, after many days
| has returned.
In the name and in behalf of the Grand Lodge Of
North Carolina and the craft which it represents
present to you this medal as offering of affection.
May you long wear it with health and intellect and
usefulness unnipaired and when in the expressive
| symbolism of our Order, you shall in the 2grimage
of life have passed the Southern and the Western
gatcs, unconquered by the temptations which are
there, you shall at length have reached the Eastern
gate, and there been compelled to yield to the in
exorable foe of our race may death find you like
"the Didos0's son." not unpreparcd for the grea
change which will await YOU. But NAV YOUR dis
embodied spirit called BY ne Omnifc Word of thu
Grand Master of the un verse, from the grave t.
which weeping brethren shall have consigned you
be permitted to unite with the true and faithful
who have gone before you ia the eternal refresh
mcnts of the Celestial Lodge
10 which the Grand Secretary replied as follows
My DEAR BROTHER MACKEY:-I should certainly
be guilty of an act of objectionable ingratitude
were to refrain from expressing the feelings Of m!
heart in accepting this beautiful and valued toker
of the friendship and fraternal regard which my
brethren Of the Grand Lodge Of my beloved Stat
have shown towards me.
Tosay that am thankful only, would be but
poor return for this unmstakeable evidence of thei
kind and generous feelings. Yes, my brother,
can truly say that the gratitude feel will be cher
ished in my bosom to the latest period of my life
to remind me of the. many and multiplied favor
and acts of kindness received at their hands. If
were to say that have committed no errors in dis
charging the duties Of my Office, might Justly b
accused OF vanity and presumption, but [ hatte
, myself with the pleasing reflection that my breth
rem will ascribe those errors to the imperiections
my nature, and not from any disposition on IN
part to shrink from the performance o. those dute
connected with the Office of Grand Secretary
For more tl.an forty years have had the homo
OF q connection with the Masonic Fraternity. an
during that long period of time, have endeavore
to promote its interest and to act the part of use
, full and acceptable member; and here hope Ina
be INDUCED in submitting a few brief remarks o.
some of the excellent tenets of our Order.
+ Masonry may with much propriety be regarde
as moral institution, having among other object
calm and dspassionate inquiry into the origin
man, bis destiny on earth and his future state tina
it may be ascertained as far as practicable what
owes to his Creator, to society and himself.
Man was not placed on earth to live for himsel
{ alone
The Author Of existence has imposed imperativ
duties upon us, and we are not obeying the NOR.
law if we fail to discharge those duties faithful
l | under all circumstances of life.
ly enquire what essential duties are made oblivat,
ry on US to discharge!
Christianity will readily answer the question b
loudly calling upon us to feed the hungry, cloth
the naked, and to infuse comfort and consoatio
into the hearts Of the afflicted and distressed; an
Masonry at all times prompts US to act the Samsr
tsn's part when objects Of our pity and commise
alton present themselves claiming our benevolent
end ohor;kv "