The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-20
Masonic BANQUET.

Owing to the crowded state of our columns on
Saturday, we were preventedipublishing very full
and interesting account of the banquet given at the
Continental Hotel on Friday evening by Potter
Lodge, No. AL A. NJ, at which over ol Two hundred
ever, from presenting the following brief extracts
from most able and eloquent speech delivered on
the occasion, in response to toast, by Colonel A.
Loudon Snowden, Master-elect OF Phllo Lodge No.
44a Its OF regret that the report from which
these extracts taken does so little justice to
speech that was repete with beauty and power, and
that received with the most unbounded satsfac-
ton by all who had the pleasure T & OF hearing IT. -,
honor conferred by selecting him TO represent the
guests present, among whom were some OF the most
prominent gentlemen Identified with the press and
learned professions, Mr.. Suowden proceeded by
referring to some remarks that had fallen from the
lips OF the Grand Master the State who had preceded
him. as to the influences that are at work, and the
various agencies employed principally sectarian, to
impede or destroy the Order Tne speaker observed
hood we In part represent II its past history has
not been free from contests neither is 1t barren OF
the ripe and precious fruits or victory.
Its teachings, power, and influence have not alone
blessed those enfolded in It's mystic embrace but
have exercised a most powerful influence upon so
ciety and governments in all lands and ages-not by
direct interference in the political movements or the
times-but by its pure and exalted teachings ope-
rating upon the hearts and shaping te lives OF Its
members, and through them creating or sustaining
that public opinion which, after all s the power be-
hind the throne in nearly all civilized States.
No thoughtful student OF history but must have
been struck with wonder and amazement at the
maintenance OF THIS sacred bond OF srotnerhood
through all the ages since It's establishment. AS he
reviews the records OF the past marks the corrodDg
influence OF time, sees mighty empires overturned,
and institutions the slow growth OF senturles) up
rooted In single day, and yet through all tine
stOrm and upheaval, beholds this ancient and
honorable Order standing with more than its
original beauty and power, with its ancient land
marks preserved, growing With the growth OF the
centuries advancing with the spirit of civilization,
always in the front rank in the exercise of purest
charity, and adorned win the nooest virtues that
charaoterize this enlightened age, he would be-
say, more or less than man were he not moved with
wonder and admiration. (Applanse)
Why has Masonry been able thus to resist the
tooth time aud those mighty influences that have
operated one generation after another for its
throw? Why has 1t been permitted TO stand wher
institutions without number have passed away anC
been forgotten? When religious creeds have be
come enete and worthless in the worlue advance
ment? Through that terrible night OF the NTH cen
tury, when the Omnipotent seemed 10 nave handet
the world over TO barbarsm; when art was troddeI
In the dust; when the walks OF literature were for
saken when civilization itself went down before tn
irresistible oncopng of Goth and Vandal, Ere
Masonry survived the shock, standing like som
mighty granite cn that hurls back the angry ocea
that rushes against its base, (Applause)
Its victories not cochned, however, TO far dis
tant ages, and It's contests have not been entirel
and at all times with ignorance aud barbarism.
our own free country, and In an enlightened Ell
Masonry has bad TO stand the combined assaults