Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1905-05-17

Rev. N G. Augustus at Verona.
The good people Of this noted VIE
lage were given a rich intellectual
treat on Friday night when the dis
tinguished divine, Rev. n. g. Augustus
Of Okolona, delivered bis famous lee
ture on the eLise and Charactsi"o f the
great leader Of the Confederate hosts
during the historic war between the
State. The coming Of the gifted
speaker had been heralded sufficiently
to attract q large audience which
comfortably filed the rp%aclOus audi
forum Of the Methodist church. The
audience was composed Of q pro-
miscous assemblage OF both old and
young, male and female, who had been
attracted by the reputation Of the
gifted gentleman and the fame Of bis
ornate and classic lecture. A select
choir OF the best musical talent Of the
village rendered insplriting music for
the occasion which did much to en-.
liven the large a~ssemblage, and
quicken their eagerness for the
speakers eloquence.
There is no other subject that so
arouses the eager expectation Of gem
timely southern audience as the dis
cussion Of events and the famous
personages who participated in
them, as that selected by Mr.. An.
gustus for his lecture. The fame OF
Robert E. Lee is world wide and bis
glorious name will Ill a place in history
as long as the record Of English speak
ing people shall figure as a part Of the
worlds history. 1t is not a hard task
for a speaker Of quick %perceptives to
strike a responsive chord with such an
assemblage as be had on this occasion
and it is an easy matter for one so
gifted as he, with heart aglow with
warmth Of patriotic devotion to the
glorious Lost Cause", to arouse kim
bred listeners to demonstrations OF
strong and hearty approval. The elo-
quent speaker began with a recital Of
the great southern chieftain's boyhood
days and followed his career as he
grew step by step into the proud place
which he held in the hearts OF his low
ing countrymen, as strong in defeat as
in success, or in the role of a prisoner
of war as when the victor of ensan-
guined field.
Such lectures as this are potential
agencies in correcting the errors Of
partisan history, and speakers of such
force and power as Mr.. Augustus per-
form q patriotic service when they
give their time and eloquence to such
labor. There lie no man in the state of
Mississippi whose heart is nor fully
enlisted'i in this grand work than that
of this distinguished divine. Every
fiber of his frame and every thrOb Of
bis manly heart is intensely southern
aud he stands ever ready to uphold
and maintain the righteous principles
for which his forefathers fought.
It is a pity that this grand lecture
cannot be heard by every man, woman
and child in the state. Churches, ~
ceums and other organized bodies
should engage him to deliver It. It il
highly educational and encourages the
desire for truth upon all matters per-
tanning to Confederate history. Be.
sides, it is a work of benevolence. Hi
lecture at Verona Melted a.goodly sun
which was devoted to the Womeu'sAi'
Society. This lecture has been the sub
iect Of much favorable comment AM
the distinguished author has contrib
uted through it to the pleasure AM
profit Of the community. J. K.