The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-04-02

OF the Crand Lodge but We submit that IL
might be we'll for brethren from different parts
OF the State to get together, organize an Asso-
citation, perfect all the details and when Grand
Lodge meets, let that body adopt, or improve
upon the same. The meeting of the Grand
Commandery at Columbus, next month, would
be a good time to consider this matter
Address of Bro. Frederic Speed at the
Lodge of Sorrow held at Okolona,
Mississippi.
The procession having completed the three
Circuits, and the Honors having been given.
and the choir having rendered "De Profundis,'
The Lord is my Shepherd" II know that nv
Redeemer Hveth," ILL., Bro. Frederic Speed,
$50, introduced, and delivered the follow
ing address:
All nature is one vast clock. recording time
which like river, flows silently and inces-
sanity by US and little wayonward falls into
the ocean OF eternity. The geologist reads the
story OF the years in the strata of the carth'-
surface and even the pebbles upon the sea
shore speak to him Of the procession of the
ages. The astronomer reads Of the flight of
the hours upon the face Of the heavens; TO
HIM, the sum- moon and stars that mvsteriouslv
glitter there, in the wondrous beauty of their
eternal calm and silence are numbering the
hours, minutes and seconds as they become
part OF the dead past.
Again, the hands upon the dial of the I'M
errlng clock OF nature, point to low twelve
and remind Us that the record Of another year
with all its manifold joys and sorrows, its
merry-makings and its funerals lis
Sobs intermingled with laughter,
And loathing mingled with love-"
its plaques, pestilences and famines for those
upon whom God has frowned and peace.
plenty and prosperity for those upon whom He
has smiled, has been written by the angels in
the great book Of Heaven.
Ave. sir. another year has passed away like
an unbidden guest and sunk into the gloom
ard darkness OF the past, unregretted and we
are again assembled round the altar OF Mason
~ to renew the pledges OF brotherlv love and
affection, to extend to each other the hand OF
traternal greeting and salutation but the
season usually consecrated to festive enjoy
ment is overcast with clouds OF funeral dark
ness, and our hearts are filled with anguish
as we resume our labors for alas death and
the dead are with us again, and we mourn
grieyously the loss of many dear friends for
whose familiar faces which were wont to greet
Us with smiles, and TO cheer and gladden. us in
the work of building the House of the Lord,
we shall henceforth look in vain
1t Is well that we should pause in our labors
to commune with the spirits of the master
workmen who have been called by the voice OF
the Grand Warden from the labors OF the
earthly Lodge to refreshment in the Heavenly
Temple OF our God 1t has been tritey said,
that we live only TO lose those we love. and to
see our friends 90 away out of our sight and
this Is the penalty we paw for living the few
brief years which shall swiftly glide under
our feet before We, too, shall join the innu-
merabe caravan and cross the dark river Of
death.
Bruised and bleeding from the many wounds
which heavy calamity has inflicted upon us.
we are not yet sufficiently composed to con
template with calmness the fearful wreck and
ruin which death has wrought or to make
choice OF words adequate to express our love
Tor those upon whose hearts he has laid his icy
| fingers, and stilled their beatings forever.
Stunned by the magnitude of the blow We
| cannot realize that we shall see and hear our
| friends no more; that we cannot 90 to them or
| they come to u, until we, too, shall take the
| last sublime degree, and enter through the
| portals OF the tomb into the Grand Lodge.
where death is the Tyler, and the Supreme
| Grand Master OF heaven and earth presides
| Nature abounds in mysteries, and they are
continually presenting themselves to us.
| Providence Is perpetually evolving them, and
| although we know that not even sparrow
| falls to the ground without the knowledge and
| in pursuance to the law OF our Heavenly Fa-
|
| assemblage of sorrowiug friends, confound "
Not that there is anything incomprehensible
| in death, which Is occurring everywhere and
| at all times. We are constantly expecting
| many persons OF our acquaintance to die and
| we even know of some who are impatiently
waiting for release from the calamities OF
| life. We see the lettering footsteps OF the
! aged a. they pass YEARLY by us,
Who wait like ripened grain
For the touch Of the reaper's breath"
We watch at the bedside Of friends suffering
| day by day the grevious torments of an incu-
rable disease, and hear them pray for release
from their sufferings. We know Of those who
| contend against long years Of trial and adver.
| sity, until their hearts sicken and life become.
! a burden. We criminals dragged from
| friends and the light and sunshine OF the world
only 70 lead lives OF shame snd misery whose
| useless days are protracted into many weary
years OF hopeless and aimless toll and We ar,
| amazed that death does not come and sci
them free And we behold others who mis-
spend their days that we should not b,
shocked or surprised at any time t. know they
were dead. We see the .asstng funeral pro
cessIon and do not even stop TO inquire III,
name OF the occupant Of the plumed hearse
| Tolling bells ring out knell for others, anc
iau UNDECIDED upon our ears. Everywher'
around Us death is perpetually intruding upor
Us, and we become so familiar with his pres
ence, that We are not moved by it.
And not only without, but within the pre-
sincts Of the Lodge is the contemplation o
death familiar theme, FOR no symbols of which
Masonry makes use, speak more eloquent,
than those which tell Us of death and the lif
beyond the grave. In all her rights and Ger
emonies, she teaches continually that lie
but the threshold of the grave, and that ate
death comes new and better life wherein
there il no death
We seek not TO fathom the purposes of tn
Almighty in sending forth the angel of death
and bidding him break the blessed seals OF tn
pestilence, for we know,
"All is Of God! If he but wave his hand.
The mists collect, aid the rain falls thicl
and loud
Till, with a smile of light, on sea and land,
Lol He looks back from the departin
cloud.
Angels of life and death alike are His;
Without His leave they pass no threshold
DER;
Who, then, would wish or dare, beIievin
this,
Against His messengers, to shut the door?
We can no more understand, as we contem
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