The union Democrat., 1869-05-29
GRAFTON,
Delivered by Rev j VI CnmpbeIl, at Coll
ANA bin, April 26th, 1so9


Officers and Brethren Of the l. D. o. F.,
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are glad to meet you here to-day 10 par
ticipate, under the henignant smiles nf gra-
cious Providence, in celebrating the 50th An
niversary of our noble Order.
| The record of our past history is so full OF
interest, and our present capabilities for go"d
are so great and so suggestive to the thought
| ful mind. that il is with feelings Of diffdence
that attempt to perform the part 10 which |
have been invited in this days celebration.
| am conscious that this honor might nave
been conferred on some one better qualified to
measure up to the. demands Of the occasion.
and TO raeet the reasonable expectations of an
| intelligent audience. such as is now before
me. However, trusting 10 that principle of
Charity which we endeavor to exemplifv in
our own conduct toward others we shall con-
tribute our mite to make the exercises nf the
day proper tribute Of respect to the memo
ry of those noble men-the founders of our
institution whose hearts beat high with gem
eious sympathy for suffering humanity. and
whose labors, in the great cause Of philan-
thropv have been as seed sown upon good
ground. springing up and producing abundant
fruit, or like showers of divine blessings
spreading all over the land, conveying joy to
the disconsoate. and hope TO the despondent
in their struggles against the tide Of ad-
versitv.
1t is eminently fitting and proper that the
exercises of this hour should be engaged in
with hreathed prayer of tbankfulness TO A.
mighty God for the success that has marked
our progress in the past. and for a continuance
of the Divine favor, without which no human
enterprise can permanently prosper.
The suhiec. suggested by the occasion. viz:
Moral Refnrm or Social Improvement. ia one
that commends itself to the candid cOusdera-
tion. the calm reflection and patient invest-
CATION of every lover of his felow-men.
What nohler aspirations can fill the soul
What holier ambition can fire the heart than
that of propa eating the principles Of Benevo-
lence and Charity principles which are
intimately allied 10 Justice and Truth. and
which, when faithfully reduced to practice
are productive Of prosperity and happiness in
| the highest degree.
The pages Of history sparkle with the names
Of heroes. whose darir deeds on we'll contest
ed battle-felds in behalf of human rights and
human freedom, have rendered them immor-
tai. But they shine With no greater lustre
than do the names of those moral heroes.
whose bloodess victories over ignorance. op-
preston and wrong have made their memo
ries blessed.
Jonathan. the prince of Israel appears great
as. accompanied nv his sarmnr-haarpr, he strikes
dismay into the hearts of the Philistine host
bat he appears equally great in the true and
generous svmrathy manifested for David. a.
he weeps over that young mans m'sf"rtunes
and endeavors to save him from the cruel and
| IL L L.. L Al
1t is useless to denv or to disguise the fact
that, selfishness is the hane Of the social fab
ric. 1t wields mighty influence in the af-
many, if not all of the Thousand ils' that
lict humanity, or "that flesh is heir TO.
Its tendency is to dry up the fourtain of
the social affections and to prevent the gener-
Gus ou'fnwing of the pure streams of sympa-
thy and br,iberly kindness. which, spreading
in ten thousand rills over this moral dpser,
would cause it tn hecnme fruitful field, and
| make il to bud and blossom rs the rose.
Selfshness. regardless of the relations
which men sustain to each other-rplations nf
mutual dependence. and an equal claim To the
hountieS of iife->ilences the prnmntings of
the better feelings of our nature; casts pail
Of darkness over the intellect; warps the indg-
ment; bunts the sensihilitieS; sears the con-
! science and hardens the heart
Its unhallowed influence IL felt everywhere
1t draws over the ewes =" that they NAV not
behold the struggles of the unfnrtunate-I
stops the ears against the cry Of injustice and
oppression, the widows gruan and the or
phan's vail.
1t affects the physical powers. The hands
that should be ever open tn supply the wants
or minister To the necess " of the afflicted
hang lstlesslv down or clutch with tighter
grasp their golden treasures. The feet which
should always lie ready to run on erran Is Of
mercy are bound, as it were, in the stocks or
imhedded in the mire Of Indifference.
The tongue, that most potent engine for
good or i'll, which should he diligently en-
nloyed in soothing the sorrnws of hearts
wounded by the keen arrows Of adversitv and
affection; pouring in the vial of consolatiLn,
and speaking words of encouragement to the
hereaved.-the tongue. which should give
forth mighty utteranres for humanity aud
which should he employed in leading men TO
knowledge of themselves. their lut.es, their
capabilities and their destiny: lifting bv gen.
tie and cheering words the veil Ct desponden-
cv trcm stricken hearts. and pointing to the
beacon star of hope on high, and a bright fu-
ture beyond this vale of tears. is. ny the in
fluence of seli>hness. placed under the han Of
silence. if. indeed. it is not engaged in vilify-
ing those it should hefriend.
Sel6>hness is exhibited in some degree in
all the various relations of life 1t is most
prolific source of evil. giving birth. among its
numerous progeny. TO pride and jealousy. ha-
tired and oppression; prompting those who are
under its unhallowed influence to prosecute
their ambitious designs for power. or for gain
regardless Of the groans and sweat. and
struggles of the hard working sons Of TOLL in
their honest endesvors to discharge the duties
imposed upon them. and their effrts TO stem
the current of adversely and suffering that so
generally embitters the cup of earthly allot-
ments.
But it is cheering to know that there is an
antidote for all these evils. and that cnun-
terscting principle is working and gradually
diffusing itself abroad amonv the people.
The history Of past centuries is. in MANY
respects. history of progress and improve
ment. Wherever the heavenly RAYS of Divine
Truth have penetrated the growth of selfish
ness and its blchsing influence have been
measurahlv checked Centnr;es +. co rho .sax