The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-10-12
ADDRESS,.

Friends and .tellow .Nasons! Ladies
omi Gentlemen In responding to the
invitation of Salem Lodge, to address
you on this occasion, we are deeply sen :,
siblc, from our. own small experience in
the grand scionce and philosophy Of
Masonry, of our inability to represent
fairly and rightly the claims Of the
oldcr to that public favor and. conf
dence which its merits justly entitlc it
to-and which it has commanded where
ever Masons have expoundcd by their
conduct, and their lives, the true prin.
ciplcs of our order. And we are feel-
ingly admonished of the responsibility
We have allowed to bo placed upon US,
when we look out upon this crowd of
faces, beamipg with intelligence, and
bright with expectation-a brilliant
asscmblage of youth and manhood-of
beauty and wisdom; All met to bid, as
it were, a hearty "God speed" to the
great and noble order whose humble
advocate, for this occasion, now Graves
your indulgence.
The claims of Masonry to your favor
and confidence is theme, in it's various
aspects, too vast to be traversed in the
short apace of time which We can ask at
your hands-we are compelled there
fore, to select only few, among the
many attractive and interesting features
Of our order, for your inspection; and
our time, as we'll as your patience, will
permit only hurried glance at these.
AS we conduct you then, thus hastily
through this spacious garden Of rich,
oriental shrubbcry, planted by our ances.
tors and nurturcd with SO much care by
our fore fathers, and point out to your
view some of its beauties, forget not
that, amid its deep shades arc cooling
bubbling fountains upon whose brink We
have not led you-that from the hidden
branches of its deep recesses hang
delicious fruit, the flavor Of which you
have not tasted, and among its rich
foliage lie hid many sweet flower,
upon whose beauties your eyes have
not gazed and whose fragrance could
but add new charms to those, we shall
be able to discover to you.
1t will be expected, in this, tho. first
public Masonic cdemonstration.in this com,
munity, aud on an occasion ofso much i'm.
portanceas the laying of the Corner Stone
of a Temple of Masonry, that we give
account of tho origin, progress and or.
tent, as we'll as of the principles of our
order, aud the Fruit it is calculated to
produce.
To a consideration of these we invite
your attention.
Masonry is said to have originated
in that nature which God implanted in
the bosom Of man--and thus, in one
sense, IL claims "The Great Architect Of
the Universe" as it's author.
From the time when Adam wandered
afriendless and homeless outcast from
the terrestrial Paradise unprotected
amid the pelting storm and the burning
curse, which the anger Of an offended
God had cast upon his naturel yea
from the time when he came fresh from
the hand Of his Maker, is dated th,
aecesaty Of our institution.
Man, by tho fat oe Heaven, is a 80
cial being, subject to variety Of want
aud inRrmities, and mutually depen.
dent one upon another.
1t is well said, "such is his nature
that he caunot subsist alone, for out 0
society, he can neither preserve life
display nor perfect his faculties an
talents, nor attain any real or solid hap
piness." Nature, as we'll as revelation
teaches it to be our duty, ss we'll as ou
first interest, to be "kindly, affectionate
ono to another" The false and mslevo
lent assertion * Hobbs, shst "maa y "a