AN DELIVERED BEFORE THE UNION SOCIETY, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, IN THE UNITARIAN CHURCH, •ON ITS EIGHTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY—ATOIL 23B, 1839. By William Bacon Stevens, M. D, SatoaitttHli; PRINTED BY THOMAS PURSE. 1839. UNION SOCIETY—EIGHTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY. iCf3 At a meeting of the Union Society, held at their Hall on the 23d of April, 1839, for the purpose of celebrating its Eighty- Ninth Anniversary, the following Resolution offered by Dr. R. D. Arnold, was unanimously passed : Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be returned to Dr. W. B. Stevens, for his classical and eloquent Oration delivered this day, and that he be requested to furnish a copy of it for pub¬ lication, and to be deposited in the Archives of the Society. True extract from the Minutes. EDWARD G. WILSON, Secretary. ORATION. Gentlemen of the Union Society: It is a pleasing feature of this Association, that its Catholic spi¬ rit embraces a diversity of religious creeds, political opinions, and professional pursuits. However these distinctions may obtain without, and however high, and acrimonious, party feeling, whe¬ ther of the Churcl^r State, may rage abroad, yet within our bor¬ ders, the clamor<^rvoice of controversy is hushed; for casting aside all minor discords, we have met, with one spirit, in this Temple of God, to lay upon the Altar of Charity the oblation of generous and sympathising hearts. If there are deeds which ally us to the Ministering Spirits about the Eternal Throne. If there is one trait, which assimilates us to Him, who sits upon that Throne, those, are the deeds of Charity, and that, the trait of dis¬ interested benevolence. Even the immortal Tully felt the force of this sentiment when he exclaimed, that " Men resemble the Gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellow men" ;* and if the faint illumination of Nature, impressed this principle upon the pagan Orator, how, with a pancil of celestial light, is it traced on the pages of God's legacy to man—that grand textbook of the benevolent heart. In that volume, are developed those broad principles of " love to man" which paganism never knew, and which even in the high wrought morality of Socrates and Plato, and Seneca, had but an ideal, a visionary existence. Where even amidst the enlightened states of Heathen Antiquity, shall we look for those eleemosynary institutions, which now gladden the face of society ? They had Temples dedicated to the divinities of their Mythology, to Mars, to Bacchus, to Apollo, and a host of other Gods, and Demi-Gods, but no sacred fane bore upon its front the inscription of Charity, and no associations, consecrated to the mild virtues of fraternal sympathy, relieved the brutality of their gladatorial shows, or their victorious triumphs. War, was their study^ conquest, their aim? and " the earthquake voice of victory," to them, the very breath of life. The system of Educational Charities, is one of comparatively modern date. It was not until near the close of the Tenth Cen- * " Homines ad deos nulla re proprius accedunt, quam paluturn hominibus dando," Cicero. a iury that the idea was conceived, and its feasibility tested. But when its utility was established—when the public mind saw and ac¬ knowledged its importance, it was urged onwaul with unceasing vi¬ gour, and gathering strength as it advances, now numbers its bene¬ ficiaries by millions, and measures its influence only by the immor¬ tality of the soul, and the infinitude of Eternity. In the Constitu¬ tion of the Union Society, this system holds a prominent place, and its introduction there, bespeaks the enlightened views and liberal policy of its revered founders. Upon this laudable feature we de¬ sign to make a few remarks: for interweaving itself as Education does, with the very ground work, the initial principles of onr Re¬ publican Institutions, the support of this Association becomes no longer the mere exercise of benevolent sympathy, but the Charity of patriotism and morality—a charity which passes not away, with the gift that was received or the service rendered, but which will live when both donor and recipient, shall have mouldered back to their native dust. That Society, then, which is engaged in the training and instruction of Juvenile minds, is an object of intense and watchful solicitude, and is exerting a power of tremendous import. Take one youthful mind, give it a good education, and then send it abroad in the world—can you ever arrest the influ¬ ence of that mind ? No ! mind cannot act without influence, it is its noblest prerogative ! And no proscription, no fetters, no dun¬ geons can destroy this mental birth right. In our land, this influ¬ ence, guided by intelligence and morality, constitutes the corner stone of the " Temple of Liberty," and that stately edifice can never be demolished, so long as its foundations of education and virtue remain unshaken. Undermine these, and it will topple to the dust—weaken these, ami it will wave to and fro with the wind of every political faction ; but confiim and enlarge them, and " the rains may descend, the floods come, and the winds blow," but it cannot fall, for it will be founded on a rock. As Patriots then, as those who desire the best welfare of their country, this Society should be to us an object of unwavering inte¬ rest. Lord Bacon has observed "that there is scarce one instance of a disasterous government where learned and virtuous men have been seated at the helm," and the voice of History speaks the same emphatic language. How severely does Plutarch, in his comparison of Numa and Lycurgus, reprehend the former, because he did not, like the latter, consider it his first care to give the chil¬ dren such a bent of Education, as would secure the continuance of his laws ; in consequence of which neglect, " the beautiful pile of justice he had reared presently fell to the ground, being without 7 the cement of Education."* "Thus much," says the learedKen* net, "seems agreed on by all the later historians, that in the looser times of the Empire, the shameful negligence of parents and in¬ structors, with its necessary consequence, the corruption and de¬ cay of morality and good manners, struck a great blow toward dissolving that great fabric ; but in the rising ages of Rome, while their primitive integrity and virtue flourished, the training up of youth was a most sacred duty, and they thought themselves obliged to leave fit successors to the Empire of the world."f " What," says the Abbe Barthelmi, speaking in the name of the Grecian sa¬ ges, and profoundedly versed with their writings, " What are the solid foundations of the tranquility and happiness of States? not the laws which regulate their Constitutions, or which increase their power, but the institutions which form the citizens, and give activity to their minds—not the laws, which dispense the rewards and punishments, but the public voice, when it makes an exact re¬ tribution of contempt and esteem. Such is the unanimous deci¬ sions of the Legislators and Philosophers of Til the Greeks and perhaps of all nations. The laws, impotent in themselves, borrow their power, solely from the manners. Hence, results, in every government, the indispensable necessity of attending to the educa¬ tion of children, as an essential object of training them up in spirit and love of the Constitution—in the simplicity of ancient times, in a word, in the principles which ought ever after to regulate their virtue, thair opinions, their sentiments, and their behaviour. All who have meditated on the art of government, have been convin¬ ced that the fate of Empires depended on the education given to youth-"| Consequently, that Charity, which even in the smallest degree, checks the inroad of ignorance and despotism by the diffusion of education, which, like the fertilizing river of Egypt, pours its heal¬ ing waters of knowledge into the sea of popular opinion, not by- one but by a hundred mouths—-a broad 'Delta' of intelligence, does indeed commend itself to our alms and efforts, by motives of no ordinary power. Every educated man is a rallying point, and every virtuous citizen a beacon light of liberty—-and they who multiply these nuclei of freedom, these watch-fires of republican¬ ism are true patriots, worthy of the independance whose bless¬ ings they enjoy. * Plutarch, Numa and Lycurg. compared, vol. i. t Antiquities of Rome, vol. i, Essay ii, page xvi. : " Travels of Anacharsis, vol. iii, pages 357 and '8; Lond. 1796. 8 But this Society does not commend itself to us merely in its ed¬ ucational aspect, it is also a charity productive of virtue and mo¬ rality, and as lovers of these, it is our privilege to engage in its plans and advance its designs. The objects of its benevolence not only receive an education competent to the demands of ordinary life, but it is a further aim, to imbue their minds with those good¬ ly principles, without which, the most exalted intellect and the most lustrous fame, are dimmed and tarnished. Learning can never, of itself, preserve any nation. It is indeed the helm of the ship of state, but as the helm is of no avail, and may in fact be of incalculable injury, unless guided by the experienced hand of the mariner, so public morality, like a skilful pilot, can alone direct the vessel of our republic over the turbulent waves of the political ocean, and steer her safely, amidst all its dangers, into the haven of national glory and repose. A striking example of the truth of this position was furnished by the French Revolution. Never had France beheld such a galaxy of intellectual men—never were the old foundatior|j|of superstition and scholastic and dogmatism so broken up—never was liberty of thought, and liberty of action, so universal—never had the public mind been so elevated, so en¬ lightened, so intellectually brilliant, as in the reign of Louis XYI. The whole firmament was constellated with genius! What did all this splendid array of mind achieve? It destroyed Royalty, abolished the ancient orders of nobility, and banished religion from the realm. But, as the actors in that sanguinary drama well knew, that in proscribing religion, they must substitute some ob¬ ject of adoration, to which the moral sensibilities of our nature could do homage, they deified Reason, and proclaimed her the Goddess of the land. But this did not suffice, it was no hold¬ ing ground for anchorage, and the nation, as if by one consent, swung loose from her precarious moorings. It was a reign of mind, and it demonstrated tb the world, how impotent was its do¬ minion, when public integrity was repudiated and private virtue trampled in the dust. So cjlear was this i-esult, that even Voltaire exclaimed, " If there was nb God, we should be obliged to invent one.''* Knowledge, then, however salutary in conjunction with strict moral feelings, is without them wholly inadequate to diffuse either happiness or security, through the various departments of state. Greece was not happy, even amidst the glory of her Peri¬ cles, because there was nothing in the exercise of her mythology, which could operate as a principle of moral life, and Rome be- ' " Si Dieu n'existoit par il foudroit l'inventrc." 9 came dissolute, because she received from Athens, at the same time, both ber literature and her manners. The absence of this conservative principle, was the remote, but efficient cause of the political overthrow of each; for neither the menaces of foreign ag¬ gression, nor the restless turbulence of internal demagogues, could ever have accomplished their ruin, had they not been enslaved by their passions and corrupted by luxury. Then, and not till then, was it, that Philip at Cheronea, and the faction of Caeser at Philip- pi, completed the subjugation which licentiousness began. Then, alas ! was Liberty immolated on the altar of despotic tyranny, but she did not there expire!—for her spirit rising, Phoenix like, from that inglorious sacrifice, has wandeted from those classic shores^ like the dove from the Ark of Noah, finding no rest, until, attract¬ ed by the Olive Branch of American Freedom, she folden her wings beneath our banner, and was hailed the guardian genius of our country ! Happily, the beneficiaries of this Society are instructed in the principles of rectitude and integrity, and whikt we would depre¬ cate the least tinge of sectarianism—yet we feel that we express the united sentiments of all, when we say, teach them the sound lessons of wisdom—lead them into the path of virtue—check the first approaches of vice, and ever preserve that sensibility of con¬ science, and that probity of judgment, which is an inheritance that gold can never purchase, or adversity take from them. If we now turn to humanity, as an incentive to this charity, we shall find it peculiarly strong in those whom this Society relieves. Distress, in whatever shape it appears, has a claim upon our sympathy.— Even the sufferings of the brute creation affect the sensitive heart; how much more then, those of the unfortunate of the human fami¬ ly. Brethren in the flesh—children of the same great parent— resident on the same earth, and destined to the same Eternity ; can any thing be stronger than a claim founded on these affinities ? or more pertinent, than an appeal, based on these relations ? The orphan! what images of sorrow does that one word excite ! The orphan ! is he not the legitimate object of our alms and sympathy ? does he not stand in pressing need of the generous and substantial offerings of benevolence 1 does not his melancholy lot demand our aid, in lightening the burden of his grief, and banishing the romem- berance of his soi row ? If it be true, as Demetrius of old has said* that " nothing can be more unhappy than he who has never seen affliction," surely it is also true, that he of all men must be the most miserable, who has never relieved affliction. He who can turn a deaf ear, when distress invokes his aid, and misfortune B io claims his regard, is worthy to fellowship, not with men, but with the Neros and Caliguias—the abnomul monstrosities, vrhich have deformed the human race. There is something noble—something morally sublime, in true, disinterested benevolence; a benevnience in which self is lost, and asfl personal considerations merged in the one unwavering aim, the relief of the poor and the oppressed ; a benevolence which recog¬ nizes all men as brethren, and which, Samaritan-like, pours the oil and wine of consolation into the wounded breast wherever it is found. Such a spirit confers a dignity on human nature, and elevates man to a station, " but little lower than the angels." These are a few of the motives which commend this Society to our peculiar consideiation. For charity, founded on patriotism, morality and humanity, can seldom fail of accomplishing benign result. This is not one of those ephemeral schemes, which, born in the excitement of an hour, expire, in the calm scrutiny of sober judg¬ ment ; neither does it obtrude itself on the public, by a pharasaia- caj ostentation, for, like a beautiful stream, winding along valley and glen, its silent course of philanthropy is only to be traced by fh^ beauty and verdure which is spread along its banks. Does antiquity confer honor? Here is a Society which now celebrates its eighty-ninth anniversary—it has survived nearly three gene¬ rations of the human family! It has lived through some of the most amazing changes in the condition of the world !—it has wit¬ nessed alm-os* the first planting of this colony, its youthful pro¬ mise and its manhood strength—it has seen a beautiful city, rising in the midst of an Indian forest, and a river, whose waSers were only parted by the light canoe, bearing on its bosom the rich fleets of,a magnificent commerce—it has passed, though not unscathed, the perils of the Revolution ind the dangers of a more recent war ; hut neither the blood-.lyed sword—the noisome pestilence, or '.he destroying ftame, have been able to arrest its quiet, but onward march.—It has outlived theim all! and now, in a green old age, but yet possessing all the spring-like freshness of youth, it pre¬ sents itself to our notice, an object of praise and admiration, arui worthy of a lasting remembrance on the page of History. It is a beautiful comment on the benevolent designs of Ogle¬ thorpe and his associates, that seventeen years had not el&psed from the first settlement of the colony, before two institutions, the Orphan House and the "St. George Society," were in active operation." The former, founded by Whitfield, and nurtured by the fostering care of Habersham: the latter, now known as the 11 Union Society, originated in the generous bosoms of a few Scotch Emigrants. We challenge the annals of the world, to produce another instance of such early and philanthropic associations, by any colony, in ancient or modern times. Methinks I can see the spirit of Charity stooping from her blest abode, and while, with one hand, she wipes the tears from the eye of the friendless and the orphan, points with the other to that historic scroll, where are recorded the names of those who gave birth to this Society; and though time's effacing finger has erased 4,he inscription of two ^f the pumber, yet the names of Sheftall, and Tondee, and Mill- edge, stall remain, to be, in the language of Milton, " a bright ex¬ ample to the latest ages."* Do good deeds, commend to you Societies that perform them1? What can be more laudable than to relieve the orphan '.—to pro¬ vide a home for the houseless!—to furnish the minds of the igno¬ rant with instiuction, and train the wayward in the path of integ¬ rity. What are belter deeds than these? what will receive a rich¬ er reward? Do you judge of an institution fey its result ? Behold, then, the extent of this charity ! Read the long catalogue of its nine hun¬ dred beneficiaries ! Trace them in the various departments of Jife—at the Bar—An the Pulpit, and in the Halls of Legislation : fitting stations of honour, and of trust—of respectability and re¬ nown—of wealth and influence. Behold some of them in our own community—the active members of this Society—the firm sup¬ porters of that which once gave them food, and raiment, and in¬ struction, and a home. With the filial piety of the Roman Daugh¬ ter, who nourished her aged father in the confinement of the dun¬ geon, from her own breast; these, recipient of your "bounty, are now refunding the charities they have received, and animated with the spirit of this noble lady, they are almost read to exclaim with her— " The milk of his own gift, It i» my sire, to whom I render back the debt of blood, Born with my birth, No ! ha shall not expire !" And Philanthropy, pointing to our Association, prolongs the echo, No ! it shall not expire" ! The United States, possessing such immense resources, which are ever open to her industrious »nt it has already exhibited the fruits of its eminent usefulness, by feeding the hungry—clo¬ thing the naked—instructing the ignorant—wiping away the tear from the orphan's eye, and causing the " widow's h« art to sing for joy." It is indeed a younger offspring of benevolence, but promises no inglorious competition with its eldrr Brother in deeds of charity and love. H ovv delightful to contemplate such a unity of design, such a similarity of purpose : to behold two such insti¬ tutions, joined hand in hand, for the noble object of resrueing the fatherless, and the distressed, from poverty and ruin. We are training up those who hereafter perhaps will distinguish them¬ selves as civilians, who will give tone and character to society, and on whom our mantles will fall, when we shall have passed from earth ; and they are engaged in the no less important work of educating those, who are to sustain the burden and responsibili¬ ties of the domestic relations, and who are to wield an immense influence over the circle in which they preside. The day of fe¬ male depreciation has gone by, their ascendant power, and their intellectual and moral worth are acknowledged. The writings of Confucius—the precepts of the Shasters—the doctrines of the Koron, and the customs of the uhole uncivilized world, may con¬ demn them as menials and slaves, but the principles Heaven-born born tinth recognizes no such degredation and servitude. By that she is elevated to her rightful position, as the friend—the com* 14 paniou—the ministering spirit of man's earthly abode, and it is not mere poetry—mere sentUneoulism, when we say, that " Woman all exceeds In ardent sancti'ude, and pious deeds, And, chief in woman charities frcvail, That soothe, when sorrows, or disease assail * * " Peruse the sacred volume ; Him who died, Her kiss betrayed not, nor her tongue denied While even the Apostles left him to his doom, She lingered round his cross and watched his tomb." BARRJgT. Gentlemen of the Union Society; The return of another Anniversary, is an appropriate season for mutual congratulations, and we rejoice thai we can exchange them, under circumstances so prosperous and auspicious. For number¬ ing nearly two hundred members, and enlisting the syn patiiies of this whole community, we confidently JuoJj .to its augmented use¬ fulness, and its uninterrupted perpetuity. Press onward then in your noble undertaking$<>t ytw labours of benevolence, for " the blessing of Him that was ready to perish" attends your step, and to you will be vouchsafed that sweet serenity—that ele¬ vation of spirits, and that commendation of the "God of the FsjL- .therless," which are ever the guerdon of Heaven's almoners to men. But this is also a time for reflection, calm and solemn reflection,, on the events of the year which has now closed around us; a year which, in the annals of our Cjity, will never be forgotten, and whose records, graven as with a diamond, are indelibly traced on m^nya. broken and bleeding heart. Amidst this general bereavement, it would'be almost too much to expect, that this little band had pass- fid ypscathed. Yes, on us also, has fallen a portion of this calam.- Aty; from our rap^s were sejected victims for this tragic sacrifice, and some, who on the last Anniversary, were joyous in health, now slumber far down in the coril graves of the ocean, where no mar¬ ble tablet covers their last testing place, and where the y^ice of the deep, and the voice of thje tempest sing their only requium. Bird, and Huntington,/and Pakkman are there! they left us in the bright anticipations of hope: but they left, .to return no more. Their voyage of lili is ended—the waters have flowed them—they have "gone to iheir long home, and the mourner go- eth about the street." But we will not harrow up the soul with this mournful catastrophy, for linked with the remembrance of 4 H 1 i» that ill-fated boat,* are associations which open the very flood gates of an»uish, and deluge the sou] with unutterable sorrow. We turn irom these scenes of lamentation and despair, to con¬ template the serene departure of one, who, bound to us by many ties, should not, and will not be forgotten. To him, Death came in the peaceful retirement of his own dwelling, and he happily ex¬ perienced the fullness of the Persian benediction, " May you die among your kindred." No terrific explosion roused him from the slumbers of midnight—no dissevering wreck threatened him with danger—no engulphing wave swept him into eternity; but in the quiet of his home, surrounded by those whom he Wed, iind bless¬ ed with the consolations which religion ministers to the sick and the dying, he expiied in the arms of affection, and was " btirjed iit the grave of his father's." I can hardly deem it necessary, before this audience, to eulogise the character of Judge Jones ; but as the former President of this Society, and its constant friend and patron, he merits a tribute which we cheerfully accord. Born and nurtured in this City, and but a youth, when the war-storm of the Revolution, burst its thunders of wrath over our country, he early experienced the rigour of despotic slavery, and almost learned his first lesson of Freedom, in the confinement of an English prison ship. Torn from his country and his home, and condemned to the severities of a Martial Prison, at a period when the political firmament was dark and starless, when Liberty herself, sat weep¬ ing over the victories of tyrannic power; he imbibed those prin¬ ciples of patriotism, which, thr >ugh a long life of usefulness and renown, flourished with undiminished vigour, and only drooped in Death. We have no time to follow him in his high and honoura¬ ble career: but, in all his relations, civil and political, as a Phy¬ sician, as Mavor, as Judge, and as a Senator in Congress, his con¬ duct was upright and exalted; neither is it our province to por¬ tray those finer traits of domestic life, in which he so abounded, thev are preserved in the hallowed sanctuary of affection, where the incense of praise can add no sweetness to the memory of the just. As a member of this Society, however, we can speak of him, without unfolding the details of public services, or obtruding upon the sacred griefs of his fireside circle. For forty-four years, near, ly half a century, his name was enrolled upon our records. From 1797 to 1799, he held the honourable post of President, was twice elected its Vice President, and in a variety of stations, freely gave to the Society, his valuable and energetic services. On perusing * Steam-Packet Pulaski. Ifi its Minutes, wc cannot but be struck with the regularity of his at- ten lance, and the unceasing interest he took in its affairs. Among the few, he was always one, and in times of doubt and despond¬ ency, his voice confirmed the weak and cheered the weary. Wc could not say of him as Cato said of Scipio : •'He is ihe soul of council, The rest arc shadows vain " But we can affirm, that he was one of the pillars of this Institu¬ tion, and it is no ordinary encomium to say, that he was as gene¬ rous in his sympathy, faithful in his duties, and untiring in his zeal as any who-e names grace our annals, and whose charities do ho¬ nour to the world. No character can be regarded as perfect, in which benevolence is wanting; however high the intellectual en¬ dowments, and however rare the qualities of personal merit, yet without this attribute, no man can be truly great, or truly good. It is one of the elements of moral nobility, a cardinal virtue in that finished and symetrical development, which but few ever at¬ tain on earth. In Dr. J ones this was a pre-eminent trait, and constituted the crowning glory of those superior excellencies of mind and heart, which caused him to be esteemed and venerated, by all who ap¬ preciated genuine piety, and unassuming wort's. To sum up his character in the expressive language of one, who, more than al{ others, was qualified to judgje of his christian graces and humility, we can say with cordial emphasis. "In him was truly exemplified the 'beauty of Holiness.''1 But he too is gone—the polished Civilian—the unbending Patriot—the able Jurist—the dignified Statesman, and (nobler prajse than all!) the friend of the Orphan and the Widow ! now slunibers in the voiceless dwelling of the Tomb. He came to his grieve full of years and honours, and his spirit, rising above the dissolution of its earthly tabernacle, and sighing for the mansions of jiJternal Rest, set it Death— J' As sets the m iming star, Which goe* not dowij behind ihe darkened west, Nor hides obscured 'midst tempests of the sky, But melts away intp the light of Heaven." Pollock.