The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1883-05-17
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
DELIVERED BEFORE THE GRAND LODGE
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, BY MIR. NJ.
MAYER, TUESDAY MAY s, 1883.
Grand Chancellor and Brethren, Ladie
and Gentlemen:--

Grand Chancellor and Brethren, Ladies
and Geutlemen:-
Apollo No. ii has confided the
honor of bidding you welcome upon
one who fain would do justice there
to, but feels his inability, being un-
skilled in the art of oratory, and not
imbued with the powers of "a Cicero
or Demosthenes. However, in behalf
of our Lodge and for our citizens,
allow me to welcome you to our hos
pitalities, and whilst | may not be
permitted to raise your anticipations,
yet can and do proudly invite you
to share hospitality than which none
more liberal and cordial can be found
within the broad limits of this or any
other State.
The occasion of this meeting is, to
us, one of unfeigned pleasure. Aside
from mingling and meeting with the
Sir Knights of our order, we feel
the grasp, and meet in social con-
verse the friends of other years.
How endearing is the title of friend
What charm in the very name of
friendship! That friendship which
teaches us, that deep within the in
nermost recesses of the heart, lie
emotions which need only be warmed
into life by contact with kindred
spirits-That friendship which realizes
the term mobility of Nature"
"Friendship is the strongest bond upon
the soul;
That sacred tie has virtue oft begot,
1t binds where It's, and makes 1t where
twas not"
| do not deem it necessary to enter
at length into an exposition Of the
aims and purposes of our beloved
Pythian Knighthood. Its great cen
tral idea is Fraternity, its daily teach
ings the principles of Friendship,
Charity and Benevolence. 1t claims
no alliance with antiquity; it seeks
no aid from poem or from fable. 1t
deals with the active, stirring, needy,
present, and asks no recognition save
for its deeds alone.
Its works are found in the home OF
/ the lone ly and distressed, and its his
tory will end when mankind acknowl,
edges the common Fatherhood of God
and the universal brotherhood of man
am glad to note the attendance oi
the radiant and lovely women, who
lend cheer to this occasion, and by
their presence further aid us in the
salutation Of our guests, In every
age and in every cline, the fidelity
and example of woman has been felt
and acknowledged. In ancient my.
thology, even among the heather
when charm was needed to make
Divinity more perfect, they invariably
chose the type of woman. 1t is al
her foot we lay our laurels, which
without her smile, would never have
been won. 1t is her image which
sings the Tyre of the poet, thai
animates our voice in the blaze o
eloquent faction, and guides ON
brains in the council of state. Hel
devotion is the basis of patriotism
that love of country which nerves the
arm and fires the heart to protect ouI
native soil from the tread Of the inva
der, our hearthstones from the touch
of the oppressor. 1t imparts hope tc
the exile-high and low, rich anC
poor, alike acknowledge its power
1t heightens the pleasure Of the pal
ace, and alleviates the miseries Of the
hovel. Even the vicious whose heart.
have been worn away by the constan
drippings of evil, are subject to wo
mans influence.
What noble instances of heroisn
has it produced.
1t has supported the dying marty
in his agony, and cheered the lowy
prisoner in his solitude. 1t is the
golden thread, which runs through
the web Of human life impartlng to it
its strength and beauty.
"Oh woman, lovely woman, nature made
thee
TO temper man: We had been brute
without thee.
Oh woman, blessed partner of our joy
and woes,
Even in the darkest hour of earthly i'll
| Untarnished, yet thy fond affection grows
ThrobS with each pulse, and beats witt
every throe
When sorrow rends the heart, wlel
feverish pain
Wrings the hot drops of anguish from ON
| brow
To sooth the soul, to cool the burnin:
Oh, who so welcome and so prompt a
thou"
Once more, Grand Chancellor and
Brethren, allow me to bid you hear
ty welcome.