The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-01-04
The Master. elect. Brother G T. Berg,
Addressed Rtother Walter as follows:

The Master elect. Brother G T. Berg,
Addressed Htother Walter as follows: !
WoReH1PlpL BRorHRR: The lodge has
assigned me swo pleasing tasks, in the
execution os which I enter the more
reaaiiyt as it's 70 me q source of almost
inexpteestble qualification. The breth-
rem might have selected better spokes.
man than myself, but they could not
nave found one who heartieI endorses
tne sentiments which am requested to
express.
am, first, to thank you. in the mama
OF Richland, Lodge No. 80, for,-ehe sbje
and faithful manper with yhich. air. yon
have discharged your DUTIES az III Mastar al
this lodge during your, admiaistratiou.
This just appreciation Of your services ia
the more due you, inasmuch as you an.
tered your term Of Office under trying
oir6umstau51s. Aa exhausted treasure.
dernnged set OF books, an officer re-.
iusing to serve. after he had suffered
himself TO be installed, another officer.
who should have been pillar Of strength.
upon which You might at all times lean,
proving broken reed-these, sir, we're
the trying circumstances which brought
distraotion to eaoh ono Of Us. Bet,
thank Godl We have weathered the fear.
fui storm; the clouds have passed. and
the sky smiles once more calmly and
oeruiean. Our finances are improved,
and there is nothing to prevent the pros.
perity OF the lodge. II We were men Of
var, we would place upon your brow
the laurel wreath, which is fairly yours,
for the interest you have taken in our
we!l-being. Bnt, since We are emphati-
caily men OF peace. such token Of our
regard would be misapplied.
! fi Nv oannpH %oolr =,
this jewel to q breast which has ever
pulsated warmly for Masonry and its old
rious mission. The intrinsic value of
this jewel, glittering though it be. ia as
nothing. You will please estimate it by
the consideration that it came from
loving hearts. who were anxious that Won
should have a visible token of their pro-
per appreciation OF your merits as q man
ana Mason. Wear it, my brother,
with this proud satisfaction. Wear il
Tor many long years to como, in health
and prosperity; and when called to the
eternal East, may you appear before the
ETERNAL Grand Master as pure as this
jewel. It is not without its alloy; but
the precious metal is by far outweiehipo
the baser one. Allow me to fasten IL to
it's appropriate place, with the assurance
that your honest surprise is genuine
pleasure to us, which we have long an
ticipated, and now most heartily enjoy.
Brother Walter then replied as follows:
WoRSHIPFUL Sm AND BROTHER: There
are moments in our feet career through
lie when the heart throbs with grateful
pride. and the brain is dizzy from con-
tending thoughts, which rush through
the mind In rapid succession, and vet
language fails to express the emotions of
the heart. Such, my brother, is my
situation at the present moment. ali
the tenderest emotions OF my heart are
stirred within me. and thoughts chase
thoughts through my whirling brain in
suoh rapid succession, that my tongue
fails to convey those warm emotions Of
my heart which beat in unison with
those OF my brethren. Il would, indeed.
be affectation in me to deny that feel
Just, honorable and gratsfu. pride in
this denomination of the love and
friendship of my brethren. When I
LOOK back upon my past life, see no
time or place when needed the symra-
thy and encouragement Of my brethren.
that 1t was withheld from me; and when
remember that shortly after my admis-
sion into the order, they gave me the
highest Office Of honor and power within
their gift. and continued me in it for
years, feel my emotions Of pride, tine
tured with those OF humility, and regret
that am 30 unworthy of this Drowning
acs OF their kindness and friendship, and
srast that 1 may yet prove worthy of
suoh noble friendship. If. in my Ma
sonic career, I have done anything to
advance the interests of my brethren. or
that OF Masonry. then, indeed, have I
been more than repaid, for to me IL has
been q labor OF love, and to YOU belonos
the honor, you having supplied the oe.
ment OF brotherly love and affection
which has cemented US together in the
past. You are pleased, sir, to refer to
the difficulties Of my past adminiatra.
ton, and cannot deny that there were.
indeed, sad trials to us all, but more &C.
pecially to one who no longer possesses
the vigor of youth. am happy to say
that these dark clouds were almost as
quickly dispersed as they arose by
the bright sun OF your Intellect and
hdeiity, aud the financial prosperity
OF the lodge placed on q Arm basis: to
your exertions, therefore. am indebted
for the financial prosperity of my sdmi.
nistration. It is also true that where we
expected strength and snpport-from the
West-we found weakness, and the
pillar OF strength fell from weakness.
This. my brother, only demonstrates the
fact that mortals should not rely upon
their own strength. and teaches us that
we should live more closely to the teach
ings OF our order, and that we should
constantly put watch upon our actions.
and never commence any great under.
taking without asking assistance from
above. 1t further teaches that "to err
ls human" and that we should cover the
faults OF each other with the broad
mantle Of Masonic charity. accept
this jewel as o token Of that deep
friendship and love which my brethren
have always exhibited for me, and will
wear it as memento of loving hearts.
Yon, sir, will please accept nv heart.