The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-01

For often Is hre aim perverted, olten
does she inject the Shiny ooze ofhy-
pocricy, hatred and conceit into the
unsuspecting breast, instead of fill
ing it with pure, crystal flow of hui
man love. Its enjoyments are made
injuries and its pleasures superficial.
How can such evils be averted,
unless by the potent agencies of So
cieties? How can the ties between
members of community be strong,
unless connected by the golden links
of concord and unity? How can any
bond of sympathy exist among them
unless fully acquainted with the
ailings of each other. Let the force
of social organizations be directed
against the impurities of society,
and it will purge the fountain of
pleasure from it's bitter ingredients,
it will do away with the petty dis
tinctions so often made between
man and man on account " some
religious or political preference and
wipe away all such vestiges Of bar
barous customs.
But by none perhaps are the ben
efts of social organizations greater
felt than by those whose traits OF
character are not yet fully develop
ed, and should for that reason re-
ceive most careful attention. l
would plead for the support of these
societies mainly in behalf of the
young. Life with all it's beauty,
full of hope and bright expectations,
lies before them; and in the pursuit
of pleasure, the social and moral
benefits derived from these societies,
should merit their special and dill
gent study. What these benefits
are in the speakers opinion, is bas-
ed upon his limited experience.
Its members, joined by the ce-
menting element of mutual affection,
and stimulated by the noble princi-
pies ofvIrtue, cultivate the purest sen.
timents of the human heart. 1t fills
them with the love for their fellow
beings; 1t elevates in them the stan
dard of morality; it has tendency
to make them men and women ac-
cording to the highest interpreta-
tion of those terms. Intemperanc'
and ignorance with all their atten
dant evils would not predominant
over the better principles, if socia
societies received their proper atten
ton. They would diffuse pleasure
and enjoyment, and the influence o
one would not be confined to its
members, but also felt by the entire
community. 1t erects a throne il
their midst, at whose shrine friend
ship comes to offer the VOWS of hel
religion. There all differences are dis
regarded, all are members of one hu
man family subject to the same joy
and sorrows and bound together by
mutual interest 1t lights the val'
of life with CLEANS of sunshine
whose rays falling upon the shielt
of every household, portray the di
vine sentiment, "Peace to God ant
good will to men,"
| MEMBERS OF THE CoNcoRDIA:-
The task is done-yetI cannot con
slider my duty wholly discharged
until l give utterance to the feeling
of my heart toward you, for having
elected me to the highest position
within your power. To represen
you before such a brilliant array
of beauty and intelligence is an hon
or fully worthy to crafty the lofties
of youthful aspirations; and l bes
to accept my humble thanks for this
mark Of trust and confidence placed
in me. The celebration o
this, our first anniversary, leads
memory back to the scenes
of the past year of the Clubs exis-
tence; and while meditating upor
the events of our former meetings
and of the pleasant moments spent
under Concordia's honOred banner
cannot help but express my sin
cerest wishes for the future welfare
of my Club and happiness of its
members. May you as Concordians
bear in mind that your Clubs des
tiny is in your hands; that what
: she shall be to you, what she shal
} be to this community and society i:
entirely dependent upon you. Le
us hope that her bright name may
never be tarnished by any Of oul
acts but ever let it be a source o
pleasure and pride to wear this badge
as advocates of her noble aim anC
principles.
"Be faithful 20 yourselves, act wei
your part, and-then when life's
!, young dream is DER it's battles Tough
and won, and the mellow light of ,
peaceful old age gathers arounc
your pathway, the scenes enacted a
Concordia's meetings, will rise upoi
your memory like consultations up
on an evening sky to cheer and com
fort you.' Ladies and Gentlemen
: and Members of the Club, | thanl