Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-01-22
Addison Association.

the NJ. p. Church Of Harper's Ferry, ~hich
was obligingy placed at the disposal OF the
Association, on Thursday evening, January
18th, and was in every sense success. 1t
was more: it was a credit, not only to those
who organized aud participated in it, but to
the town generally. The Church, notwith-
standing the bitter colIness of the evening,
was crowded AMI when the proceedings con-
cluded, there was a universal feeling Of graft.
fcation on the part OF the au Hence at the I'M
exceptionally frst-class Character of the en-
tertaiument, and with the pleasant evening
they had spent
An anthem by the CAoir introduced the pro-
ceelings Of the evening, which were opened by
the Rev. joseph M:Fa len, President Of the
Association, il brief lress Tae music
was selected with great taste and jllsment,
and Mrs Erwin was never in better voice, or
sang with greater effect The singing of each
member of the choir deserves complimentary
notice In tho background stood our old
friend John Kirby, his fine bass voice enrich
ins and mellowin: everything, reminding one
of the deep, dark shll.s in R,mbrant's pic
lures, an without which everything would
have seemed unfinished.
At an early hour in the even ing Mr. Davies
read several letters from distinguished gentle
men, including Hons Alex r. Botcler, W. II.
TrAvers, aud GYn'l S.ro;hor, wh) were invited,
Lut were unable 10 attenl. Toe following,
from the I)l. C. j. Faulkner WIS received
with great enthusiasm by the aulience 1t
deserves the space We give it, AMI will speak
/ tor itself:
House o. REPRESENTATIVES,, L. S.
WASHINGTON, d. e., Jan. s, 1876.
/ CHARLES DAVIES, ESQ,
DEAF SIR: Your very kind and frien,l-
| ~ letters Inviting me to be- present at the
/ first annual meeting of the ADDISON AssocIA-
TIoS of llarper's Ferry have been received,
aud are duly Appreciated lam truly delight
! ed 10 learn that the citizens of Harper'S Ferry
/ have shown SD much good taste and literary
| emulation as b form such an association as
I you have described 10 me It cannot fail to
/ lead 70 the cultivation aud enrichment of your
minds, to the elevation of your tastes, to the
enlargement % your Information, and to the
encouragement otthOSe social gatherings which
/ will enable you 10 pass the winter in pleasing
and Instructive entertainment. When you
/ tell me that could there have an opportuni-
/ ~ OF meeting aud addressing my old friends
aud my young friends, and their families the
/ appeal becomes almost irresistible, and no.
I thug but the stern sense of the duties which
/ devulve upon me here could make it possible
| for me TO decline so attractive a visit. But
/ my post Of duty Is here, aud know that my
/ friends Of Hlrper'S Ferry will excuse my alb
sence, when they know that their own impor-
tant Interests here are not in the safest condi-
ton, and that there is not moment Of my
/ time when those interests are absent from my
mind.
/ | an pleased with the n;me which you have
| given To- your association. IL is suggestive of
all that is charming in literature pure in NOR
ais, and fragrant in virtue JOSEPH ADDISON
after whom you have named your association,
was not only one OF & c most attractive and
/ facinating writers of the last century, but he
was a statesman Of unSuled reputation, and
/ christian full Of the divine spirit Of his Re-
deemer. His wit and humor were ofthe high
est aud most peculiar order; his laborS ever di-
/ rected to the improvement of his fel0wmln,
and his style probably the most agreeable aud
/ perfect in the English language. lie has been
/ called by some writer the &" Raphael Of Essay
/ lists" for bis pictures of human life have all
/ the beauty. graphic power, aud Glelty to ma
| ture that distinguish the paintings of the great
/ Italian master. DR.. johnson has said of him
" Whoever wishes 10 attain an English STYLE
/ familiar but not coarse, elegant but not oSten-
taiious, must give his days aud nights to the
study Of Addison"
Although no speaker, lie rapidly rose to the
/ highest political eminence in a country where
oratOry has ever been esteemed the only pass
port to such distinction Without the advan-
tageS Of high birth, and with but little proper
ty. he rose to a post which the psoudcSt noble
men and the most finished orators have thought
it an honor to fll All this was ascribable to
his great ard deserved popularity, and that
popularity rested for It's basis upon the nc
knowlcdged purity and integrity of his public
and private character Aud most sincerely is
it to be hoped that such qualities may be duly
estimated 10y the American people, and be ever
held as the indispensable condition Of political
prefcrment in this country.
7 ! INV Sdli tudI AtA'ilS'u WIS u Cuilolllu.--
This is apparent throughout all bis writings.
1t has been Justly observed by Tickle that
he employed wit on the side of virtue and
religion; he purified intellectual pleasure,
separated mirth from indecency, and wit from
. liccutiouSneSS, and turned many to righteous
ness" In all that he wrote, amid the jeal-
ousies and heart-burnings of literary COMPETE
ton and political contention, it would be diff
cult to find cue unkind or uHgencrous remark
about his cotemporagjes. His work on tlc
Evidences Of Christianity will ever remain a
monument Of the excellence Of his style the
force Of his reasoning, and the strength of his
religious convictions. When about 10 lie, he
sent for youns nobleman of irregular and
diSS"lute habits, nearly connected with him by
marriage. and addressed him in words that can
never be forgotten so long as the English Ian
guage endureS and religion is venerated a
moug men. Taking him by the hand with
great tenderness, he said: " have sent for
you my young friend. that you may see bor a
christian can die Such were the last words
/ of Addison; aud another English poet, in al
luliug 10 that most solemn aud affecting
dcath-bed scene, has said:
' tie taught US how 70 live, and oh too high
The price OF knowledge, taught US how to die
His remains were burie in Westminster Alb
tsr lhe Pantheon Of the intellectual Gods Of
. ne British Empire
i caluot better conclude this brief notice Of
y'rr i..G,tF'uu> patron than by adopting the