The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-03-22

SeorEe * AlcOrD, sunday, DCcetH
ber 18th, ISIS
WorSdiJW Nastcr, Hardeas ami ByoiltyS.
1t can be said to the honor of our
deceased brother. George Randolph
Alcorn, who departed this life on the
18th day of October, 1873, in the 42l
year of his age, that he, as a Master
Mason, was often tried and ever found
to be true to the sacred VOWS and obli-
cations which he took upon himself
when he was clothed with that proud
insignia OF honor, the white apron.
Raised to the sublime degree of Mas
ter Mason in Coahoma Lodge No. 40
in the year 1869, he was, at the annual
election of that year, made Secretary
of said Lodge, and the jewel of his
office ever shone bright and lustrous,
by reason OF dnty well performed, from
that time, to the hour in which the
sickle Of death reaped him down.
But, Worshipful Master, it is not as
a Mason alone that we are calleed upon
to deplore his death, for in all walks of
life he was governed by the precepts
taught, and practiced the virtues i'm
bued in him in the temples and at the
affairs of Masonry. His actions were
squared by the square of virtue, and
his walk governed by the plumb-con.
sequently, upright and erect.
He was kind, diainterested, generous
and true He was manly and magnani-
nous to his friends stern and resolute
to his foes.
He served his country as an officer,
in times both Of peace and war, and as
a civil officer he was courteous, prompt
and rapid in the discharge of his duties,
and no one ever came III contact with
him as such but felt that the trust he
held was well reposed. He filed sew
eral high and responsible positions, but
upon the robes of the several offices he
left not a single stain.
As IN officer and soldier he was un-
firing in his efforts TO provide for those
whose wants it developed upon him to
provide for, and 10 desire of ease or
wants of self ever caused him to neg
lect them. In the hour OF battle he
was ever at his post, and though hostile
cannon echoed and re-echoed along tho
line, and bursting bombs swept rs
besom of destruction through the
columns of his command, rendering
red the fields of his native land with
the blood OF her best and noblost chill
dren' the great heart of George r.
Alcorn never quailed, nor his spirit
faltered.
He was true to his post until the COM
mand came to furl the "Confederutn
Banner . and when that banner was
furled. like the true patriot and soldier
he accepted from the victorious hosts
parole and returned to his home, ruined
as it was, and to his friends, to whom
his pleasant and hopeful words were
good cheer. Without stopping to re-
pine over his losses and the country's
defeat, he Immediately sought such
as could be found at which
to earn an honest living, consolod with
the sentiment that
''Honor and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honor Hes1
When our brother realized that he
was to pass through the ''yalley of the
shadow of DEATH" he believed lie was
leaving behind him, to love and soothe
5he sorrow of his little children, his
owing, pure and devoted wife. Little
lid he suspect that but few hours be-
fore, his, her angelic spirit had taken
It's flight for that radiant sunset be-
yond the Skies" and was there at the
gate of the Beautiful City, waiting and
for him. And may we not be
allowed to give freedom to the imagina-
lion, and dwell for a second upon the
beautiful scene that meeting presents to
he mind. See the intense and raptur-
JUS joy which lighted up that angelic
ACE as she recognized the form of her
husband enter the heavenly portals.
See her greet him as wife alone can
rect. See how quickly feeling of sad
less followed, when she finds that he
lone came-that all their little children
re left behind to bear the trials and
utier the temptations of this world
Without them. Listen to his words rs
lie recounts the guards which he and
Ter threw round them, while here, to
'rotect them from physical and moral
irong. Hear him tell her that the
lcred VOWS Of the brothers of Our Order
orm prOtectoratc around and over
heir orphans that the five points of
heir perfect entrance are pledged to be
sed by every Mason in behalf of their
hildron, and assure her that he feels
hat the guardianship will be well per-
)rmed. Watch the smile of happy as
lrance and consolation which gently
.eals over her face as he displays and
Iplains to her the suLlimity and gran
eur of revealed Masonry rs We all hope
} see it in the great and grand d" Be
ond."
And now, brothers, as we stand at
le tomb Of one of our Order. and pay
, his memory the last tribute of yo-
)ect, can we not montally resolve in
lturc to try and live closer to cacl
ther, and to that Grand Mister who
IN cndow lis with wisdom on high to
perform the duties of life. that when
II summons comes, We may welcome
st from all WORK that wearies. and
lter with immortal energy upon the
,tivities and aspirations of an eternal
ie in the presence of our Great Grand
Laster-our Father and our God.
Mrs. FELTON, wife of Congressman
elton of Georgia is making war on
snator Gordon it is thought by the
lends OF both parties that duel nav