The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-22

| independence, a dozen or more magnnnm-
Gus Knights Templars met and organized
| this Grand Commandery. III you Will trace
| Its history for the first few years Of its
existence and progress, subjected to the
same dangers and perils to which we have
alluded. maintaining its organization de-
| spite adverse circumstances, with increas-
ing numbers and prosperity, aud compare
the land which but yesterday was a Wild
erness, but now blossoming as the rose. and
peopled with the most refined and cultured
| Inhabitants on our globe. we must say the
hand OF God was in It. The deadly toma-
hawk, the poisoned arrow and the crack OF
| the rife of ambushed foes are no longer
seen or heard, but upon almost every hill
| top in every vale. temples are erected 10
| the worship of God The school house,
| seminaries and institutions of learning arc
everywhere ilourishing | repeat when
reflect on this wonderful transformation.
I see nothing but an omnipotent arm that
has sustained us, an overruling and pro-
| tocting Providence that has preserved u.s.
and the seal of high Heavens appreciation
stamped upon our order, standing. as We
do today, in all the glory OF our strength
and influence for good more than con-
querers, surrounded by the sweet influences
I of peace and brotherly love- with none
daring to modest or make us afraid. | am
happy in the belief that God has honorod
! the Christian soldiers in our ranks among
the instrumentalities in the accomplish
ment of the wonderful advancement of the
civil. social and spiritual conditions we
enjoy and which challenges the admiration
OF all the good and true in our whole Ma
ton. and l doubt not among Celestial
armies in Heaven.
| DO YOU ask how it is that Christian Tenn
piarism has been such q potent factor in
this great work? | answer because II is
rounded on truth. and in truth. Truth is a
unit Truth is one and indivsibe; 1t is
hos, ogeneous. Truth is immortal and will
liNe forever without change or decay The
hills shall pass away the mountain be re-
moved: the stars fall. like untimely figs
| from their orbits. but truth is eternal and
will remain" 1t is the opposite Of error.
Error has no unity: 1t is disintegrating
| ard has within itself the elements of self
| destrt ction. God is truth; Jesus says Il
am the way, the truth and the life" And
| his is the eternal rock upon which our
| institution Is founded. and the superstruc-
ture is slowly but surely rising, and Will
continue rising heavenward until the cap
stone shall be brought forth with shoutings
o. grace, grace unto it," But, brethren.
our work is not done. There yet remaineth
much TO do, and an individual responsibility
rests upon each one OF us 10 do our part.
Though so much of our favored State is
| like a garden of flowers, to excite our ad-
lmiration and pride there are millions OF
Iiertiie acres yet uhoccupieu, nut tue 'ihe
OF emigration has set in like mighty,
flowing stream and it won't be long before
our wide extended territory God grant 1t
may never be less). will BE filled with
population vieirg in prosperity, industry
and wealth with the more favored States
in our bapnv Union. This condition opens
lup field for the Christian Temnar IN
which to labor for the Master. dcmandi.g
all his power II he is faithful to his vows.
The beautiful lessons impressed upon us
OR asylums are the teachings OF the
Christ TO whom we have sworn aiieg'ahce'
we are to lend the hulbry, ciotuc 'hc hiN
ed, soothe. as iar as poas,ule; lne soItoma
OF the widowed heart' anu "Ipe AVA! Wv
orphans tears. we are 10 Whisper eooa
counsel in the ears OF the hayward ana
turn their steps INTO the pains OF WISDOM
and truth. Thus, 10 every way munster
Ing to the wants OF me heeuS rs uut ,o.-
lowing the example oil our great leauer'
and in so doing reflect ms siur,ous ena'
acter This is sowing sood seed II is
pure and incorruptible seed ana IL pear
fruit unto immortal life brethren, what a
work is ours! What held on when 10
perform it, Have we beeil iaithtui! feI
hans we would not IKE inc RECORD Oh our
unfaitbfulness during ihe pas. 9.al icau W
public. but let 20 forth INTO the empty
months of t'iis now year and FURNISH
record that the blessed Master VIII approve.
Let every Commandery be as CITY SET on
hill that can not be md Let inc aa,ly
walk and conversation OIL every hnisnt pI
n benediction and safe sulue 10 otners.
repeat we have much TO 90, ana the time
is short. The day is far spent ana ,ne
night approaches when no man can Worh
Our ranks are often broaen. Every year
some of our valiant soldiers are called 10
lay their armor BY. They have Fought
their last battle. the victory won, ana now
they wear the conauerers crown ana
wave the sceptre amid celestial armies In
heaven How have we all been wont to
turn cur eyes on assembling. first OF ALL
to the seat for so many Seais h''cu Wy u
The weight of more than four score years
pressed heavily upon MN, aggravated by
years of bodily anlIction. and yet as duly
as the appointed time came round, inspired
by his love for the order and faithful TO
the end, he was b. his post. and his genial
oountenanee and words of counsel and wis
dom gave new inspiration to every Knight
at our last conclave with feeble frame and