The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-02-10

my library and my papers were destroyed
consequently the documents referred to arr
not to be had These sheets were saved b.
In the remorseless flames that swept from
my dear children the gatherings Of my
former years. know the Grand Lodge will
be lenlent in their judgment ola brother &C
severely stricken The severity Of the stroke
can be appreciated by none except by those
who have been suddenly stripped Of food,
raiment and shelter
/ coECLUsIos.'
| now approach the conclusion Of my Off
cial life in connection with the Grand Lodge
of Mississippi. was elected, the first time,
when brethren of prominence-ofhigh char
aeter for intelligence and good works, were
presented by those who desired to see their
great services to the Fraternity rewarded,
and their eminent qualifications laid under
contribution for the good of Masonry. i
served, as best I could, my first term
elected, on the first ballot, by the largest
mum Der of votes ever cast for Grand Master
by the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. Under
any circumstances, / should feel oppressed
by weight of gratitude to my brethren for
so manifest display Of fraternal confidence
and affection. Under he peculiar circum-
stances that Surrounds me, know not how
feel. i entered the borders of your State
sixteen years ago, to discharge the duties OF
an humb BILE calling, with dimit in my pock-
ct, signed by our Past Grand Treasurer A
L. Barry, who was Senior Deacon, and after
wards Secretary, in the Lodge where and
when / was made Mason. From the day
of my utilization in a country Lodge of this
jurisdiction, up to the present moment, /
have experienced nothing but kindness and
consideration. In my secular business,
Masons have not wearied in their preference
and cordial support. My brethren, teach me
how to speak and how to thank You, and how
to reach out into the airy regions of the spirit
land and embrace my beloved associates in
this Grand Lodge, who have been raised to
membership in the Grand Lodge above.
l have served you, brethren, TO the best of
my capacity, and am now ready to return to
you the robes of Office, unstained and I'M
furnished, and to descend to the general
level, and to be second to no member Of the
Grand Lodge in doing homage to my sue
cesSOr.
Brethren, feel sad; I am oppressed. LIT
me relieve myselfby crying aloud, Oh ! God /! |
pour Thy blessings upon the people of Mis- |
siSsippi; command Thy smiles to rest upon |
every member of this Grand Lodge, and |
upon every Freemason within the borders of
our beloved Commonwealth.
l have feeling unusual to myself as Hook |
over this assem- bly,. Brethren, let us draw |
close together, as doves do, on rapid wing, |
when the storm god blows his breath, and |
let us embrace each other as children do, |
when ghost-stories and strange noises |
alright them. There are strange noises with 1
out our household gods have been spit /
upon; our dearest memories are laughed at. /
There is safety close to the Masonic altar:
gather around, brethren, and remember in
whom you put your trust.
While we cling together, let us have |
hand in every good work. and in every labor
Of love. Let US study to initiate one of our
ancient and first Grand Masters, in an ex
lbition of the sublimest devotion to duty |
hat Eliminates the pages of history, or
lights up the gloomy pathway of tradition.
Coming down from him, let us study all the
models on our longest of all scrolls, and
seek to emulate their glorious deeds.
Lives of great men. all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leaves behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o er life solemn main,
forlorn and shipwreck'd brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again"
THOS. S. GATHRIGHT,
Grand Master.