Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-06


very lately, taking their places on the front
benches.
The assembly was then called to order BY
President Estill, and 3 prayer was offered by
Rev. Richard Webb.
President EstiIl then briefly introduced
Rev. Robert P. Kerr. who delivered the
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS,
which was listened to with the greatest
attention.
The reverend gentleman spoke substan-
TALLY as follows
1fr. President and Gentlemen Of the Union
Society, Ladies and Gentlemen Of the aa-
Although conscious of my unftness for the
work 10 which your kindness calls me to-day,
did not feel at liberty to decline for to have
my name recorded in a history which begins
with that OF the fllustrious George Whitfield
is distinction too great not to be accepted at
all hazards That honored name Is one which
will ever live In the hearts of mankind And
this reminds US that the world Is never willing
for its heroes to die. 1t ciings to their memory,
and, lest they should be forgotten, 1t
has been customary to erect monuments
over their graves So. as nearly every man is
a hero in some circle, large or small, few pass
sway without some token or anectionate re-
gard being erected TO keep their memory still
alive Friends left behind are unwilling that
the departed should be forgotten, unwil-
ling that they should die out of the thoughts
of men. So they build over their graves those
mute marble reminders which tell the world
continually of those whose forms have dlSap-
peared from the walks of life. These monu-
ments may be the costly offering of wealth or
royalty, like the pyramids-the TaJ-and those
stately tomhS which corruscate IN chIseled
beauty IN Westminster Abbey-the treasure
house of England's mighty dead-or they may
be offerings of the poor, which,
with uncouth rhymes and shapeiess sculp-
ImpIore the passing tribute of sigh
But in either case they are silent protests
against forgetfulness, unspoken prayers that
the dead may live.
The same thing is seen in the national offer
ings to our country dead. 1t is noble to erect
monuments to dead soldiers; they deserve a
monument whether they wore the blue or the
gray; for any man who dies for principle is a
hero be he right or wrong.
All these monuments point back into the
past. They weuld teach us the lesson the world
has learned, that we may not have TO learn
them over again. They stand in the midst of
the mad race for pleasure. wealth, and fame,
and point with mute marble finger backward
up the track of time TO spots made sacred by
herolsm IN victory or defeat, and say to man
kind-Remember!
But there is another class Of monuments
erected, not to the dead past, but to the pres
e7tt and the future. There are other things
men are apt to forget besides the dead They
are those great principles of wisdom, power,
holiness Justice, goodness and truth =" which
and advancement. We should not speak one
word against monuments erected to the past,
but must consider of even more importance
those erected to the living present and the
glorious future.
We have monuments to commerce. The
great bridge, which in three mighty strides
spans the Mississippi at st. Louis, is
a massive monument in granite and
steel, erected to that great agency
which, across its splendid arches, carries
the comforts, luxuries and refnements of civ
liz ation all over the world. Why such forms
or beauty in this mass Of stone and metal?
Why such magnifcence of proportion and
characterization? a palmer structure would
have served just as well, but it was we'll to
build structure which should command the
admiration of the world, and advertise the
benefits Of commerce to mankind.
We have monuments to literature and intel
lectual culture. Our public libraries and uni
versities are not only places for reading and
study, but, by every grace and beauty of archi-
tectural art. eloquently tell the masses that
the better part of man is the intellect that it
is capable Of infinite Development AMI that at
last it shall be like The Almighty
Religion also has its monuments. This is
the highest type In our classification Our
churches declare mans highest destiny. They
tell US to love each other here-yes, to love our
enemies; they teach US to attain our highest
happiness here and hereafter, pointing us with
conspicuous hand to the better world alb we.
Why should they not be inexpensive and plain?
Because we want them not only for use, but to
stand as monuments which by their magnifi-
cence and grace shall impress upon the world
those great principles and agencies which are
concerned in the redemption of men. The
ceStlieSt monument ever erected was Solomon's
Temple, OF which Solomon was only the con
tractor. but whose architect and designer was
God.
We come now to asylums and hospitals to
the unfortunate, and CONSPICUOUS among them
stands our own Bethesda, whose foundation
one hundred and thtrty-one years ago we com
memorate to-day. 1t is monument erected
by charity to glory of God and the welfare
of men. a great writer, speaking Of Faith, by
which man, reaching up and laying hold Of
Gods hand, is lifted to Heaven: and Of Hope.
that lovely grace which lights the fire on sal
dened affairs, and kindles joy in sorrowful eyes,
tells there is a nobler virtue still. 1t is
heaven born, God-like charity. Though
all things change, she is I'M
changeable and shall never fail:
and the death of time. She has builded many
monuments Bethesda is one of her honored
structures. What is the influence of such an
institution upon those whose privilege it is to
dwell ABOUT it: 1t is ennobling and refining.
This effect is very marked in some small com.
munities where have travelled in which are
located several great charities. 1t teaches
men that 1t is not unmanly TO be- tender and
compassionate, but that the noblest part of US
is our affections, and they are grandest when
exercised upon God and the unfortunate
Bethesda eloquently proclaimS mans adj
yancement-moraliy, socially and in
~
of what he may be- 1t tells US that father
less and motherIess child whose life might be
lost to God, man and itself, may be lifted from
the pain of despair and placed In the way Of
eternal progress. 1t may have noble principles
inculcated may be taue ht to love them; may
have splendid aspirations awakened in the
SOUL which will bring comfort. usefulness and
happiness here. and for their final qualification
will receive glorious destiny of progress on
ward, upward toward God. and without end
All this Bethesda does This monument was
erected first by noble characters. It was gift
of the old world to the new; and it has per-
formed a glorious work, the final results of
which only eternity can estimate. 1t builds
the best monuments of GU-not in moulded
bronze or chiseled marble 1t makes of these
boys noble men. who have eyes to pity, hearts
to love, and hands to save. These are the
monuments not made with hands, which will
remain. Bronze will rust granite will crumble,
but this work can never perish. Among men
they will live as active agents in the worlds
advancement, ever growing more massive,
polished and beautiful, until, the work COM
pleted, they shall be lifted, not to the palace
halls of prince, but from earth TO heaven, to
shine in eternal light. Hay this institution
ever live TO build monuments for the Temple
of God beyond the stars
In conclusion, to these boys Of Bethesda, |
would say few words. You all remember the
Rev. Charles B. King All, yes; I see on your
faces smiles of pleasure at the mention of that
name. | see that you loved him, and love him
still. He labored tenderly, modestly, patiently
and without reward-save such as God gave
him-for your welfare and happiness. He has
left US now; not to die, but to live again in a
brighter world; but, | beseech you, though
now unseen, forget him not. Drop q tear Of
love to his memory, and initiate him, in his
imitation OF God.
Boys have grand secret to tell you. 1t is
not that you may be like Alexander and Napo-
leon the greatest soldiers; nor like Shakes
peare and Milton, the greatest ofpoets; nor do
tell you that you shall be like
any angel in Heaven, but I would whisper
the splendid truth, that you may be like God
o, is not this something to fire your ambition!
VIII not this give you faith, hope and charity?
AS we came out to-day through the avenue
which leads from the city to this place we
noticed that the sturdy live oaks crossed their
long arms and Clasped their hands overhead
Over all was thrown leafy mantle of spring
leaves, and beneath the grass and flowers
made carpet loveieF than ever came from
loom / was reminded Of the journey OF life
from the cradle to the grave. Overhead
Bethesda would lift the protecting arms of
Justice manted in mercy, and below lay
the carpet of tender mercies all the way.
And so you shall journey on, safe and happy,
until as at this spot to-day. you come to the
lands end, and look out on the waters of eter-
nifty. Then shall you not take white-sailed
vessels like those we saw just now, to carry
you to the other shore; but with wings given
from an unseen hand, you shall, as an eagle
seeks the sun, rise to the fountain of all light
goodness and glory
Mr. President, and gentlemen Of the Union
Society. cannot repress an expression of the
nominational harness. Here, drawn by the
gravitation of charity, We all meet together
Jews and Gentiles of every Sect-not on the
ground of any creed. but on the broad plat
form of our common humanity, in that democ-
racy which recognizes all men as brothers and
God as the universal Fathsr The centrifugal
forces Of mans natural self1Shness, lust and
ambition tend to swing us ali apart but like a
nj orifx drla too fhaFz