The Russellville Democrat., 1881-08-04

z.
 tily approve of the selection of Dover
 as the place of holding this your second
 annual convention. A people never
 felt more highly compllmentesl, and
 assure you that they esteem it a high
 honor paid to their humble worth. We
 feel deeply gratified that an All-wise
 ProYidence has done nothing to pre-
 vent your meeting, and we regret only
 that moro of your number-of your
 families --and of your friends, couldnot
 have availed themselves to have been
 present on this delightful occasion.
 In looking over this audience, we see
 many familiar faces, many, that it has
 been our privilege to know for long
 years, there are others here, that we
 have not the pleasure of knowing but hope by being brought thus in contact. that we will become better acquainted, and thereby cause cement of brother ly union to take place, that will in all time to come, completely harmonize all parts, and all sections of our country. Hence we readily percieve the many advantages that are to grow out of va rying the place of your annual meet ings.
 We can readily imagine, that the del- egates of this convention do fully real> ize, that they do not only, and alone. repI esent the interests and speak the the sentiments of the viciDage of Co.,, nor of State, nor any particular secs tion, but of all sections,-al parts of the countryside whole world, that the humble efforts that are put forth here to-day, are only Gn integral part of harmonious whole, or system that is as vast or extensive as the inhabited world. We realize that there are voices whispering sentiments in our midst ey- en to~day, of those who have long since departed from the shores of time, and are standing as so many Beacon Lights in the misty shadows of the great Be- yond.
 He who leaves humanity wiser and better because of his stay upon earth |, has not lived in vain. Looking backs
 ward over the dim ages of the past we take up tho mouldering record of other days, as we slowly, and, one by one turn over it's mnsty pages, we see here and there character, that has risen above their fellows, the representative men of their age, and of their time, moulding and turning the current of the worlds thought into brighter and better channels; those, who, as with a-magic's wand changes the face of History and applies a new force to the great lever of Truth, se as to contribute something toward eleva- ting poor suffering humanity from the miry slough of sin and ignorance. to the highlands of light and knowledge, that are forever illuminated by the glo- rious rays of the son of Righteousness.
 Had we the time, we would be pleas ed to make brief reference to few characters that have figured eonspica- ously in the history of the past. But had we the inclination, we have not the time to more than glance at one of those Beacon Lights of other days"
 The day upon which a man is born who rallies the sluggish race of living humanity, and puts 1t upon it's honor for all TIME, stands out from the rank and file of the dull calandar, as a senti- mel of the ages! The day upon which a man dies, who gave some other DAY,a might and meaning 1t never had be- fore, is crowned with wreath of inns and is borne abreast the centuries. Such, dear friends can be said of him of whom we are go- ing to speak.
 Then let me invite you to stand with us, upon the shores of time, and gaze backward through the misty wales of the centuries that are buried in the sepulchre of the past,and as we thus stand upon the shore of that and ever-flowing river-Time whose steady course began in the dim twilight of crsation's morn, we behold In different ages, and in other times situated upon it's shores, many monu- ments standing as so many lighthouses and, serving as so many beacon-lights to the world. Among them, we see one far more imposing than any of it's fel- lows, yet notwithstanding its beautiful the preceptive eye, can see that it has grown from an humble be- ginning, to assume this vast, and mag nificent splendor. We behold resting in the shadows of it's base, the weary, the toil-worn, the sick of soul, and heavy laden from every cline, drink ing In the sweet inspiration of this hal- lowed spot; and around it's cloud-capp- @ summit the breath of eternity shall play, shedding forth lustre that will ever serve to guide the weary to ha- ven of safety, to place of rest. Hoy ering over and around it's dome, we can behold the presence of him whom it has the honor to represent, fame ra- diontlv and divinely lovely, ever breathing forth to the world tale of love, of peace, and good will to man. Yes, kind friends, behold himl That beautiful vision, Is the spirit of him that has whispered encouragement and council, in our midst to-day, it is the spirit of ROBERT RAIKEs Yes, this man made an humble beginning in behalf of the Sunday Schools of England over one hundred years ago.
 Long since he has passed away, and sank peacefully to rest beneath the sod of old England's hallowed soil. His mortal remains sleep indeed. but his fame can know no sleep, no death We often hear the muttering voice of dark ness, as it tries to detract from those that have poured out the endeavers of their lives as Robart Raikes did; say
 ing that they have lived in vain, that ieath, THAT MUTATION, is written upon all their efforts, that mildew and blight will settle like pail upon their names md deeds, and they will soon be as a dream that was drempt, as tale that was told and forgotten, that neyermore will the lips of any one living will be moved to refrain the name of Robert Raikes. But 1 tell you, my brethren md friends, the glorious work has just begun! It Is beyond the ken Of the most majestic mind of the age to con seiye of the glorious achievements ofthe next hundred years to come that is to be effected through thu organized Sun