The Louisiana Democrat., 1879-12-31
PRESERVATION OF A BANNER.
ADDRESSES BY MISSES MARY E. A. DE
LACY AND SARAH c. MAYO
AND II. j. WRIGHT.

Q
Of the l7th inst. of the presentation
of a Banner by two colored young
ladies of our Town, to a Benevolent
order of colored young men, known
as the "Rapides Grove Benevolent
Association No. l." The presents
tion took place at the Murray Street
Methodist Church, Friday evening
December 10Th, 1879, where your
:'Suaib' took cognizance of the fol
lowing
The Church was crowded with col
ored and a good number of our white
citizens, which the colored people
were glad to see. The Grove arriv.
ed few minutes after s o'clock'
in body, neatly arrayed in black
suits and regalia used by them, con-
sls.ing Of a large blue merino collar
for the officers, and white collars fol
the other members, with gilt stars
and neat white apron. After be.
ing seated on the front seats com.
mittee, consisting Of j. H. Dennis:
j. W. Alban and L. L. Porter, was
appointed to escort the ladies and
the Banner. Everything having
been previously arranged was car
ricd out much to the credit Of oul
colored friends.
On the arrival Of tho ladies and
Banner, accompanied by the com.
mittee, Rev. j. E. Marshall read I
Cor. XIII chap, sung Hymn 7-l2-
"Blessed be the tie that binds oul
breasts in christian love-" etc. Wm
Murray played the accompaniment
on the organ in the familiar key o.
Dennis. Prayer was then offered by
Rev. MIR. Marshall. The two youns
ladies, Misses Mary E. A. De Lacy
and Sarah C. Mayo, were escorted
by the committee to the stage, whicl
was decorated with the national col
ors and evergreens. Having beer
seated on the stage a few moments
Miss Sarah G. Mayo arose and spoke
as follows:-
Gentlemen Of the Rapiaes Groue 4sso
ciGti0n-
In behalf of Miss De Lacy and my
self, beg your acceptance of this tes
timonial of our appreciation and re
gard. The laurel of the citizen is rich
er by far than that of the warrior
His fame is not leralded by the expir
ing groans of thousands, but his slit
tie deeds Of kindness" scattered herr
and there, shall be gathered up b!
Angels hands and woven in the grea
chaplet of Immortality which sl,al
hereafter grace his brow. You have
made it yonr pleasant duty to bless
to carry light, hope and cheer int
homes mate desolate by want or af
Fiction. BE it your happy priviles'
to receive the benedictions Of those t.
whom ynu lave carried consolation
AS agents of Divine hcni!icence, g,
forward then in your good work, an.
may the record of the kind deeds ant
noble feelings which have Il. tuatet
each heart among you, be best tols
| when the great account of hamanit,
shall be closed ut the throne Of Mercy
Brightly gleans yonr banner, pointi g +
the sky,
Waving wanderers onward to the hom
Oh high
Journeying OR the desert, gladly let Il
pray,
And with hearts united take our heaven
ward way.
PRESENTATION SPEECH OF MISS MAR
E. A. DE LACY.
Ladies and Geatlenmen. Officers ant
Members of Rapides Groee No. 1 =
/ am not insensible of the homo
conferred in selecting me to presen
this Banner to the Rapides Grow
Lodge No. |, Of Alexandria, whicI
holds rank with other star Lodges tina
have been established in the Pelica
State, In presenting you this Banner
permit me to say in behalf of tile do
nors, that this present is inadequate t
give true expression-nay, it is incom
mensnrate to pay the gratitude whic
the denizens of Louisiana owe to you
order. not only binding men togeth.'
by the tie of brotherly love and friend
ship-but for the morality that you
benifcent institution disseminates, &C
cept this token, and may it be an in
ceutive to cause you to husband al
your strength, to work on and wor
even, until the principle of your Orde
shall be known by all men. Protec
this Banner, and always remembe
that while you are i'll the moral aten
that you have the prayers and bes
wishes Of the donors.
Take this Banner, unfurl it and le
it flaunt in tho breesze of Heaven
Never, oh, never! let it trail in til
dust. Lift it high aud let it kiss til
clouds, and when the world shall ltav
been fraternized by your etfo,ts, na
tions unborn will rise up and call yo
blessed.
TIE RECEPTIoN-ADDREss BY MR. Fl.
| WRIGHT.
| Ladies On the part of the Rapide
Grove, of which / am member, IL,
honor has fallen upon me unanimousl
to represent to you the expression {
gratitude that they are justly indebte
to you two young ladies of our Tow
in the event of this presentation. 1t
u =