The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1878-06-30
rr.....c apoarss
Delivered Before The MasoniS
Fraternity ~ Thr celebration OF
81. Johns Day. June 2sth. Isss.
ny T. W. uoSfrxaros. NJ. D.

~ aNfaahff tf1f AsAsffa re- OfNNtthffN.
In conmomorat;on Of this. an annual
festival. n day whose recurrence awak-
ems such pleasant memories and such
enthusiastic loyalty to "a cause in the
mind of every votary at the Masonic
altar. we might very properly devote
the few minute allotted to Us in a cars.
DRY review Of the history of our Order.
Indeed we should Indulge n pardona-
bio conceit were we to ring h~igh-sound.
ing changes ON her prowess aud achiev.
ments. Her venerable age her quiet
persistent and efficient efforts toward
the alienation of human misery. her
Office as sponsor of the liberal arts. her
relation to society rs an incubator OF
purity in morals, as Il disseminator Of
trnth and an unhinching defender of
the right. each and all afford ample
scope for the poets pen or speakers
tongue.
But in fulrllment o; tie ~obligutio..
imposed by Masonry, Hn obligation
which is but the legacy of humanity to
mankind, il will he more profitable to
study the realities of the living present
and tho possibilities Of the budding ia.
ture; than to proudly trace the course
OF Masonry until it disappears amid
tho ruins Of the past, the gathering
gloom Of years.
As entered apprentices, while yet
standing III tho yostibulo OF Masonry,
we were taught that it is the design of
the institution TO make its N~otGrics
wiser. better and consequently hap
pier; and it is with this in view that /
purpose to speak to you upon The
rSdfion 5dWesn SpeealGtiee Masonry and
.Nsatgl culture.
To have lived during the last half
century has been a grand privilege.
This period forms mn epoch in human
history, conspicuous for mental activity
aud grand achievements. Each sue
ceeaing decade, aye almost every gear
Inns given birth to ideas hat have in
turn revOlstIoui2ed the manners and
the methods Of former times. again
aud again the world has halted in
MANAGEMENT rs some strange almost
maryclOus phenomenon has trapBpirod.
Philosophers have tremLled lest their
highly wrought theories aud fne-spun
hypothesis, concerning social or politi-
cal economy, should be set u. nought
aud society DO precipitated into II state
Of nsyer.cEdius chaos.
But these shocks have been only
momentary. As the canvas Of a
staunch vessel under The direction Of n
skilled muriner is trimmed to gain the
vantage Of some nor current or fresh
gale, society has learned TO discard its
t~hroadbaro notions and ancient pre-.
iudiccs, aad to adapt tho results OF
scientific research and thoughtful en-.
3 quiry to its own fast multiplying nccos-
sites. Thus steam power and the
electric telegraph with their untold
possibilities now need no champion to
assert their position among the choicest
allies Of our civilization. Indeed it
requires but moderate hith i'll human
ingenuity to enable rs to anticipate an
era when the world will aghin be awak-
omed BY eyUn more startling develop
monts than before.
Ia politics there has been observed
tho same maintenance of equilibrium
Under q rapidly shifting panorama Of
events. Tho long moOted, and holly
Contested question as to the disposal Of
these millions of people, liberated from
Iohdasc 10y IA gigantic political up
nj, has found It's truo aud only
solution in the comforting upon them
the unrestricted rights Of American
citizenship.
In Europe u single year sufictd to
dothrono a monarch. overturn n mon
nrchy aud plant in its stead u republic,
which VIC may safely trust will af'orri
endless relief aud prosperity TO n long
suffering and outraged people.
Very recently the death knell Of Mos
lcm power upon that continent was
sounded from The turrtted dofnes Of
C~onstantinople; and while yet the sound
Of those funeral bells was reyerberatiug
throughout northern and eastern Europe
English diplomacy has hushcd the
angry mutterings from n half scoro of
strongholds and ayerted u calamity that
would have delayed n continent in
blood and tears. But in marked and
saddeDing contrast TO these bright
phases Of modern civilization there
have occurred many startling errors aud
conspicuous failures.
Often there stalks across our
pathway the ghost or shadow OF n man
whose every sep and gesture aro the
index Of un supplied energies and a
wasted life.
Oh every side arc strcwn the wrecks Of
fortunes and the the graves Of buried
hopes. Very often selfish interest has
arisen uppermost in mems minds and
smothered out those puror motives the
offspring Of the Golden Rule. These
pcrhicious evils have established them.
selves at the root OF society and politics
threatening public prosperity and per-
haps national existence with ultimate.
destruction.
In lieu Of this apparent diversity In