The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-25
Address of WorshIpfuI Master james
l.. Orr

Address of VvorshIpfuI Master Jnmea
l.. Orr,
Delivered before the Grand Lodge of
Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, in
the city of Charleston, on Tuesday even-
ing, November 30:
BRETHREN: ! congratulate you upon as
sembling in your Annual Communication
under auspices so favorable Whilst the
husbandman has gathered but :. scanty
harvest from his toll during the year, and
whilst tumult and confusion pervada the
political world, peace has brought to the
Masonic craft in this state, renewed pros
perlty and the means of q more extended
Denevolence to alleviate human suffering
Let Us, then, not forget to make our
profound acknowledgements to the Grand
Architect of the Universe, for his manifold
and benetcient blessings, and SO govern
ourselves that the cynical will find no good
cause OF reproach against our ancient and
Venerated institution. Let us mark the
history of Free Masonry with good works.
and show how beautiful it is for brethren
TO dwell III peace and unity together.
Let us minister with a generous charity to
the wants OF our suffering and afflicted
Orethren-pour the balm Of consolation in
the heart, and relieve the crushing poverty
which has overtaken their widows and
orphans. The field in which we are called
to labor in this State, in ministerins to
the wants of those who have a moral and
Masonic right to call upon us for aid. is
broad and e1pansivc-let it not be chokcd
and bllghted by tho neglected weeds of
parsimony or callous heartlessness.
With these preliminary observations, l
beg leave respectfully to report to you the
operations of this Office
Not being present at your last annual
communication in Columbia, you author
lied my installation as Grand Master by
NJ. w. Brother B. Rush Campbell, Past
Grand Master, in any subordinate lodge,
and at as early period as suited our con-
Tenience.
No convenient occasion arose, and after
waiting until the first Mondayin February
and finding that the accommodating bust
ness required the qualification of the
Grand Master, l was on that day installed
by NJ. w. Brother A. L. C. Pierson, Past
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Min
nesota, in Solomons Lodge No 1, in this
city.
This ceremony was attended by brethren
representing nearly every State in the
Union-conducted by q worthy brother re-
siding In the far West, and representing a
people whO only q few brief months be-
fore, were arrayed in arms against our
people, but who, as soon as the obliga-
tions and allegiance of the belligerents to
their respective Governments permitted,
united on common altar. and buried the
anlmosltlcs OF the past III bottomless pit
claimed, than our fraternal relations were
re-cstablished, and the harmony Of our
temple reconstructed without question,
conditions or amendments. The charity
OF Christian churches has not yet been
equal to obliterating the bitter Gisscnsions
IN the past, and yet our brotherhood is
tirmly-gloriously- Such is
Masonry! May we prove worthy e1emplars
of an institution which teaches such tenets
as generously dispel all hate and malice
against brother.
There have been some signal illustra-
lions of the complete restoration of frater-
nal relations in every section of the Union.
and of the disposition of Lodges and
brethren to alleviate the misfortunes which
have overtaken as in various ways within
the past few sad years.
The Grand Lodge Of tho State Of Penn
sylvania, with q noble disinterestedncss,
responded TO the appeal made by our
Brethren Bruins and Simms, acting under
authority Of my predecessor, and donated
$1,000 to this Lodge. This donation was
acknowledged by me, and draft drawn in
favor OF Bro. Bruins for the amount on
Bro. Williamson. Grand Treasurer Of that
Lodge, and paid by him to your Grand
treasurer. l suggest that some action be
taken by you in acknowledgment OF cur
fraternal appreciation of this generous do
nation, and that the correspondence be-
tween NJ. w. Bro Lucius H. Scott, Grand
Master Of Pennsylvania, and myself, on
the subject, be published with your pro.
ceedings.
Sone worthy brethren in Boston have
presented set OF jewels to one of the
Lodges in this city, and worthy brother
ia New York succeeded in obtaining there
Past Masters jewel. which had Leon alb
stracted and restored it to Landmark
Lodge OF this city, through Bro. Gurney
n orother III Syracuse, New York as in
terested himself to recover the Jewels OF
Claremont Lodge-supply such as could
not be reclsimed, and restored them.
brother from Illinois has recovered and
kindly restored the Warrant Of Constitu-
ton of Allen Lodge; and several similar
acts Of kindness have been extended To
the Lodges of this State, the details of
which would not be of special interest.
Since the 7th Of February last have
granted dispeusations for seventeen new
Lodges, which is the largest number ever
granted in this State in any preceding
year, and furnishes the very highest evi.,
dence of the increasing prosperity, popu-
iarity and growing usefulness of our order.
recommend that Warrants of Constitn-
ton be granted them respectively The
names, locations and districts are as fol-
lows
l. Barnett Lodge, Pier. 'rder.on
District, 7th February,
2. Gowensville Loose. owensyil,e.
Greenville District, 9th Fel J, 1866.