The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-06-28

Interesting Event at the Oxford
Orphanage.

Interesting Event at the Oxford
Orphanage.
1t was our pleasure to attend the
celebration Of st. Johns Day at the
Oxford Orphan Asylum last Friday.
The exercises were Of an interesting
character and we are quite sure all felt
that it was good to be there. A large
crowd was present from Granville and
adjoining counties, many prominent
Masons and distinguished gentlemen
from distant parts Of the State being
in attendance and taking part in the
exercises of the day. Hon. B. S.
Register delivered the address of well
come, and that he performed his duty
well, those who know the gifted and
ready young orator need not be told.
This was appropriately responded to
on behalf of the visitors by Col. Calvin
Parrish, of Hillsboro.
The annual address was delivered
by Hon. John r. Webster. editor of
the Reidsville Weekly. We knew
him to be one of the ablest writer's
connected with the State Press, and a
speaker of pleasing manner and strong
powers, but he surpassed himself on
Friday. His speech was one of rare
force and beauty, lofty in sentiment,
eloquent in diction, Astounding with
apt illustrations and we'll rounded
periods. Col. Webster paid high and
merited tribute to Free Masonry, to
our educational institutions and public
charities, and cited the Oxford Orphan
age and those at Thomasville, Char
lotte, Barium Springs and Goldsboro,
the natural outgrowth of this, as ex-
amples of one of the cardinal principles
of the order. At times he was eloquent,
culling at will the rarest buds Of fancy
and weaving them into bouquets of
Opulent rhetoric rich with the perfume
of the choicest flowers of speech. The
speaker was introduced in a graceful
and felicitous manner by DR.. Geo. L.
Winston, president of the University.
Gen. John w. Gotten, of Tarboro,
Grand Master of the State, was master
of ceremonies, and no man is more at
home in this position, or any other.
The singing and recitations Of the
children were well done and greatly
enjoyed by the audience. Many of
them are manly, handsome little boys,
and pretty, bright-faced girls, for whom
this noble institution is doing God
given work. Taking them from all
parts Of the State, of all sizes and con-
ditions, they are brought up under
wholesome influences, fairly educated
and given a chance in life. 1t would
be we'll if every intelligent, humane
person in the State could visit this in
stitution at least once year-on such
an occasion as this. No one can wit
| ness such scene as was presented
last Friday without invoking blessing
upon the Oxford Orphan Asylum, the
| officers and little children, and those
who have stood by it in the past, and
be moved to do more for its support in
| the future. Superintendent n. NJ.
Lawrence impressed US as beving the
right man in the right place, and we
| are more than ever convinced that a
wise choice was made in selecting him
| for this important and responsible posi-
ton. He is kind hearted, pleasant
hammered, patient and sympathetic, a
man of broad humanity and Christian
spirit, and the children appear to be
very fond Of him.
! just before the exercises closed it
was suggested that Mr.. N. B. Brough-
ton take up collection. Such thing,
on such an occasion was always in
order, he said, and he was always
ready. He made pleasing and effec-
tive talk and presented his case in a
way that caught his hearers and their
subscriptions. The result was about
$500 in cash and pledges-a very nice
little amount, all things considered.
We had the pleasure of meeting
many friends, some from distance as
we'll as among the good people of our
neighboring town, and so much did we
enjoy our visit to Oxford that regret
is felt at our inability to 60 oftener.