The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-05-05
e. o. o. O..
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS BY
CAPT. s. A. MATTHEW'S,
OF SUMMIT.

Order of Odd Fellows:
Ladies', Gentlemen and Brothers.
The young, full of life and vigor,
with elated hopes, bright anticipations
fitting before their vivid imaginations,
Time in his flight, seems tardy, and in
his revolutions turns slow and laggard.
The middle aged, with flxed purposes,
more experience, less vigor, but statlier
thought and varied experience. learns
that us one year courseth another, sees a
fitness in all things; that stated periods
of seasons. and festive occasions, pursue
thateven course which nature prescribes,
aud that time moves on with equal reg
nlarity. But as age creeps on apace,
and his winter frosts whitens and pre-
pares the hoary locks for a transition
soon to another world, that remember
ing the past aud looking forward to tile
future, conscious that the harvest is
ripening in his greatness, has
heightened his strides. although enfee-
bled in his energies, flies faster aud with
more fapidity than in days Of yore.
Such, presume, is the experience of
all who hear me, ard none more so than
those who have counted the many mile
stones along the pathway Of life by scores
and are nearing the end, and will e'er
long. with dimmed vision, count the last
marker on the great highway.
| These thoughts have forced themselves
upon our mind, and to some of us the eel
ebraiion Of the last anniversary Of our
Order seems but day hence, as of yes
terday; to others 1t has come to them in
line time and season; but to the young
that time has been slothfnl in his aunu-
nj rounds.
Yet the 63rd Anniversary Of the birth
and existence Of the Independent Order
Of Odd Fellows has come. and we stand
here in this Tenple Of Justice. in the
presence of an enlightened assembly,
moved by common interest TO be in.
strucled, and wish TO encourage the
promotion of the welfare cf mankind.
i While we stand here, beneath and I'M
der the shadow Of the departed worth o
that trio (Jndges Lamkin, Smiley. and
Cassidy, who were our neighbors, in
structors and friends, the canvas seemt
to speak and hold communion with us t.
day. Having filled the measure OF thei
days. they too, have passed away quiet
ly, leaving behind true record IF noble
ness of charncter aud nntarnished virtue
aud whose course of life connected will
their history, should stimulate us to EN-
ulate their examples. From their puri
ty Of life and unblemIshed reputation w
are taught lesson-that in their dealt
i they had the sympathy of the world, th
respect and veneration of their friend
and neighbors. the deep anguish Of thos
who we're near aud dear to them, and th
sdmiratiou of the world for the purit,
aud integrity of their lives
o But they are where each dream of hope,
Shall IN fruition fade.
And live immortal, and refined
GLOW on without shade.
: And to-day, united with us are thei
noble sons of noble sires, impaired t
us 40 striking that none should forget.
b By some coincidence, while we al
here by command Of our Order TO cell
brate our natal day, thousands through
J. out our sunny land are making the
annual pilgrimage to the cities Of th
4 dead, there to bring their choisest hov
!. !. ers to bedeck the mounds, where
ssAsIeep are the ranks of the dead, uDd.
the sod and the dew. waiting the indi
d ment day." and
! On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with silent tread
a The bivouac of the dead.
! On this day set apart for the decor
ton Of the graves Of the fallen Confede
N ate braves, are assembled the friend
!. fathers, mothers, sisters brothers. wi
y ows and children of these fallen soldie
9, lying under the sod, gathered to dec
rate their graves. and TO pay tribute
y their memories, and homage to their VI
{. or. Flowers, those eloquent symbo
which time out Of mind have made
81 emblems to remind us Of those wi
= = sleep in the tomb that they are not fc
gotten-that some fond rememberi'
!. heart, who deposits this token OF 10
Y which death and time has no extingui'
ed.
We come not only with cyprus to m'
u. tlc the crypts and monuments DER Q
n land. but TO weave new blossoms in Il
garIands, that fond hands have g
a. twined, to replace those faded meme
4 4 toes with fresher blossoms and gent
perfumes.
y This custom ic not 10 renew onr gri