Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-19

4
w In was large delegation of
members and friends pres
ent' ana enjoyed the hospitality of the
magnolia members. There was music,
vocal and instrumental, addresses and
Rotations. Past Arch Fred Charbin-
nler In an able manner acted as chair
man. Aug. K. Bayer secretary of
Magnolia grove, addressed the gather
ing on the principles of Druidism, and
said In part:
Although numerically small In
southern California, the order of Dru-
Ids is represented in almost every state
OF the Union, and its various groves
bear an almost international character.
Near and far do bodies of Druids con-
gregate to practice that time-honored
principle of the Druids.
Nor is this principle confined to the
land of the brave and the free, but
beyond the blue Atlantic, in far off
Great Britain, in Europe, Australia and
New Zealand we find thousands and
thousands of members rallying around
the altar of Druids.
The Druids Of tradition held their
gatherings in the heart of nature, sur
rounded by beautiful trees, in a grove;
there they communed with their better
selves, thus strengthening and elevat-
ing their indwelling God-nature and in
| spring and fitting themselves for the
higher purpose of life.
THE frequent communion with ma
ture, and the concomitant concentra-
ton of thought, made them men in the
better sense of the word. Their judi
cial decisions were generally and read
| lily acquiesced in, and the elevated
principle invigorating their whole life
work must of necessity have caused
them to be objects of admiration and
generation.
"They became one with nature, and
| thus became one with God. For nature
is only the echo of God, the manifesto
tion of that cosfnic principle which this
very day is comparatively little known
and that little less understood. Undis-
turbed by diverting influences, they
learned to understand the language of
nature, the power of their better selves.
Ere the frost of winter fell upon hill
and vale, ere the crust of snow wrapped
| the bush and tree into several months
sleep, it was customary to bring from
the forest a specimen of nature to the
pine and the mistletoe were the objects
of search for the purpose. Into the
habitation of man these were brought
with appropriate ceremonies.
rs it surprising, then, that this Dru
Idle principle finds happy expression i
our modern Christmas tree? And |
this tree and the May-pole practice no
an embodiment of the very same Dru
Idle principle?
1.-THE first Druid is f1ttingly chroni
cled In the Book of Books, in the Bible
for twas Abraham who dwelled in the
grove Mamre (see Genesis IA, verse 13)
Again, we notice recorded a DruidiC
! principle with Noah, for when the flood
had begun to subside the bird, on COM
| ing home to the ark, brought twig OF
branch of tree, and did not God speak
to Moses from a burning bush?
again, the underlying Druidic prin-
ciple we find practiced when the Son
| of Light, Jesus, entered into the city
of Jerusalem, branches of the palm
tree they strew upon the ground. Thus
| II is seen that no other principle, by
whatever name 1t be known, Is as an
Client and universal as the principle OF
the Druids.
"The masters Of sound and the mas
ters of color, the masters of thoughts,
every one is portrayed with laurel
wreath, the emblem of subl1mity' per-
lection, admiration and veneration.
mo gathering of people for the pur-
pose of celebrating memorable events
is conceivable without appropriate dec
grafton with objects of nature, by the
wreath or garlands, or other effective
means employed by the decorative art.
Our mediums of commercial exchange
hear no less witness to the grand prln-
chile. Look at yout cent, nickel dime
quarter, half dollar and dollar, ana the
wreath is not wanting.
scan any other order boast OF sueh
universally and such antiquity"