The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1891-07-02
htRUSSELLvILLE DEMOCRAT
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
Democrat Printing Co.
RUSsELLvII.LE. ARK.
A TRIBUTE.
LATE =. W. GEO. \. MEAoF.
Grand Treasurer, at a Lodge of sorrow
Held by Magnolia Lodge No go,
n. and A. M, In the City
of Little Rock, June
"a 1891


oHs II stitution known as Free Masonry
has survived the centuries, and genera
tions yet unborn will bask in the sun
shine OF its beneficence. While its
principles are eternal, and defy the
ravages Of time, its instrumentalities are
human, and obey the laws which limit
the duration OF human existence. While
certain mystic symbols point to that
Immortality which Is one of Its funda-
mental tenets, there is another class of
symbols, equally familiar to all Masons,
which reminds us of the brief span be-
tween the cradle and the grave, and
that the ''grim reaper" stands ready
with upliftec scytbe 70 cut the brittle
thread OF our earthly existence, and to
usher us into the eternal realities be-
yond this mortal sphe.e.
And so II is, that while we reflect
upon the unfading grandeur of Free
Masonry, and point with fraternal pride
TO its enduring monuments, which bear
the stamp OF Immortality, we are too
often caused to stand and contemplate
the .Pros trate Column which sym
bolizes the sad fact that in Israel a
great and good man has fallen.
The diversity of gifts and virtues
which are blended In the construction
of our symbolic edifice, is as marked rs
the variety and form of the materials
which are used by operative Masons in
the erection of the great works from
which the symbol originated. From
corner stone to cap stone, each fits
perfectly in its allotted space.
There must be the wisdom which d.
reefs, the strength which supports, as
well as the beauty which adorns. The
PROSTATE column which we now con-
template, and at the sight OF which we
axe aim in unison, 'sAlas! My Broth
rl'' might fer accuracy of description
DC classed within the Doric order of
architecture.
No one who knew our deceased
brother, r. w. Csc. n Meade, late
grand treasurer, would doubt his aver
sion to anything like fullsome laudaticn
of the virtues OF the living or the dead.
No one, knowing the almost msthemat-
ical lines which marked the life and
character of our deceased brother, but
would recognize his preference for ae-
curacy Of statement, rather than for
anmeasured words OF extravagant
eulogy. By temperament and educa
ton our brother was, In an eminent
degree, careful, exact and painstaking.
As ia his chosen profession of civil
engineer, he was accustomed 10 "prove
all things,i so in his social and Masonic
life, he sought that In his actions to-
ward his fellowmen, and theirs toward
him, should be tested by the Plumb of
Rectitude' and by the 'sSquare of
Morality"
During many years OF intimate asso- !.
citation with him, had opportunities
for observing bis accurate and method
ical traits. In discussing the pros and
cons of proposed transaction, his
methods were as infiexible as the rules
Of geometry. / call to mind one in
stance of many, for the reason that 1t
was perhaps the latest, and grew out of
matters connected with the adoption of
plans for the building OF our temple,
which Is now in process OF erection.
While the question at issue was viewed
by his associates of the committee,
more as one of expediency than Of
principal, Brother Meade's mind had
grappled with it as If 1t had been
block OF stone, or beam of timber. II
was as If, after having applied the
plumb, and square. to the material
substance. he had found it lacking, that
he expressed his opinion In the simple
statement, 'sNo, Ii Is not right
He had applied his iniallible test.
He had not guessed at 1t, but had for
INFLATED conclusion which was to
guide his individual course, with as lit
tie misgiving on the score OF its correct
ness as II he had reached certain re-
suit from the use of his surveying in
struments.
| have had occasion, at times, to ask
him to tell me about how much GER
tain thing would cost, or how much OF
given material would be required for
certain purpose, when only an approx
mate answer was desired. Invariably,
with pencil and slip OF paper, would
he work out not an approximation, but
a mathematical demonstration.
1t Is not to be wondered at that such
man should prove to be veritable
pillar of strength in any undertaking In
which his services were enlisted, nor Is
II strange that such man should be
selected, year after year, by the unani-
mons vote Of his brethren, to receive
and dlsburse the large sums Of money
belongi z to the grand Masonic bodies
of this state. That This high trust was
placed in worthy hands, and that these
important duties were discharged with
strict honesty and fidelity, the universal
sorrow Of the craft and the respect paid
to his memory amply attest. Pursuing
the Al alogy SO familiar TO all Masons
between operative and speculative ma
sonry and seeking for q material SUBJ
stance to illustrate The symbol, the Doric
column Is naturally suggested.
Such life and character MS we are
aow considering, while II Is fraught
with suggestions Of strength and solid
ty, Is not lacking in beauty and SYM
TRY. While 1t possesses these latter
characteristics, we do not look SO much
for the follated capitals and deliberately
decorated entablature, which Is charac-
teristic of the Corinthian order.
Rather are we disposed TO dwell upon
the salient features OF the Doric,
which, while strong. are not severe,
but with sufficient exhibition OF orna-
mentation TO remind us of the appre-
citation which our brother had OF the
graces and fine prophecies Of life.
The accurate and methodical charac-
ter OF his life are best illustrated by a
style Of architecture, Of which IL has
been said that s.if the dimensions of q
single column and the proportion the
entablature should bear to IL were
given to two individuals acquainted
With this style with directions to COM
pose temple, they would produce de-
signs, exactly similar In size, arrange
ment and general proportion
Such designation, 1t seems to me,
COMFORTS more exactly with the char
aeter Of sn exact man aud Mason, such
as our deceased brother was well known
| 10 be.
With nature keenly alive to the 10
nocent pleasures of life, and susceptible
to the eDjoyments of social intercourse,
his chief traits were OF practical and