The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-05-26
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD
FELLOWS.


When the Grand Lodge and Grand |
Encampmentoi Odd Fellows met at
Holly spsnss. Mr. W. M. Strickland,
| Vice Grau'3 u Holly Springs Lodge, de.
livcred the s9l.)wiue address Of welcome:
It is my pIeAeure 10 meet you worthy
Grand MAstan aud Brethren of the Grand
Lodge Of tha Independent Order Of Odd
Fellows, II tie State, and in the name
and on belspii Of the mayor and citizens
Of our little'risy Of flowers" welcome
you to our hotpiialities. And whilst |
may not be permitted TO raise youran-
ticipations e any grand display Of con-
viyial p ssnsps. snch as large pecunie-
ry wealth aud high life would Indicate,
remembering the severe and decimating
scourge, winch our people have beeu.
forced to combat within the recent past
The bereavements Of the good and the
great, who gave mp their lives in vindica-
ton Of the principles of our Order, de-
prive them of both the means and the
healt to attempt any great endeavors in
these respects. Yet | can. and do,
proudly, invite you, to commune with
us, during your vista community
which today receives you. prepared to
dispense for your pleasure, hospitatal-
ity than which none more liberal and
cordial, dare say can be found within
the broad limits Of this or any other
State. Then it is to this repast on this
I beautiful May morning, which promises
40 propitiously for .he session Of your
annual conclaye, that welcome you.
Aud in the name ahd on behalhof our
people most earnestly hope that in
your departure, when yonr session shall
have closed and your duties ended, you
; will carry with you to your homes and
/: loved ones, their richest blessings, and
that you will leave with them your kind
remembrancy aud best wishes for theiI
future prosperity and happiness.
Again l tender you hearty welcome
to the hearts and hearth.stones Of the
people Of Holly Springs.
O Past Grand NJ ,ster Hirsh, OF Vicks
d burg, responded as follows:
4 Brother Stri6klaud:--The pleasing
4 duty has been allotted TO me to RESPOND
in behalf OF the Grand Lodge TO yonr el
il oquent address of welcome, and 70 20
!. turn thanks for the hospitality so kludl,
| rendered. Yet in essayiug to discharg'
u this task l am confronted by on almos
b uusurmountable dllfi,ulty. lack o
words to convey to you IN au appropri
ate form our idea Of the terms "hospi
d tality" and "welcome. when uttered b,
representative Of your noted city.
q Language, even when the willing IN
d strument Of a mastery mind. respond
" but lorly to the intense emotions tha
j thus seek expression, aud when employ
ed weaker intellects absolutely fail t
= grasp aud tlelineate the feelings, gratl
9. tude and admiration inspire. We 0
Mississippi, know and feel that tIies
simple words, when interpreted in th
light Of your past history, have with yol
y deeper meaning than when embodie'
in the stereotyped phrases SO oft EN-
:, ployed in social intercourse. II is th
~ :, coinage Of generous heart and not th
slippery offspring Of ceremoniou
: tongue.
& SIR:-We are proud to be your guests
For it is not only now whep nature
clothed in her richest garniture, whe
4 ], the many birds are wsrbling their swee
= est tunes, when from every bush an
I, tree, buds and blossoms are creepin
= shyly forth to greet tae smiling sprinr
]. when the warmth imparting rays OF
: May day sun, kissed aud cooled by th
! soft and balmy breezes waited froI
y. y southern seas are wooing the shrinkin
= plants from the beaying soil, not onl
+ now, when our homes are blessed wit
. health, life aud Joy, does Holly Spring
4, send forth her inspIriting messages {
y cheer and welcome.
!. BIT her gates were unlocked, aud h'
IL parlors were opened, when darkness eI
shrouded the land when the drsadt
plague like hot simeon swept aero
our beloved State its pestilential hresi
,ok shriveIling the fairest flowers tn
adoruedour hearths. Of our strongest al
onr material whom walls Of distress re
the the air, aud covering multitudes soug
gs, safe y in fight.
ties fn hose fearful titles that we shudd
even now TO recall, here was the refu
au. aud the asyInm for the freeing. the dc
dy. ntuie anl the dying, and here was pl
sented those examples u lofty courte
bat snd.unselfish daring that fnd no riyi
! in in the pnpals Of castiliap chiyalry.
di. trust that press not upon a won