Th© Orphans^ Priond. I Gaining oducation were not so
: ; good as at present.”
FRIDAY, - - - APRIL 13, 1883. -.xr i • , n
We were much interested
in our old friend’s garrulous
“GOOD OLD TIMES.”
“Say not thou: What is the
cause that the former days
were better than these! for
thou dost not inquire wisely
concerning this.” In conver
sation lately with a venerable
gentleman now eighty-two
years of age, we received
some new light concerning
those “good old days” of our
fathers that some would have
us believe were little less than
paradisiacal. We propose to
give our readers the benefit of
the interview.
Said he, “People live much
better now than they used to.
I was a stout plow boy before
I ever saw any coffee, and
was utterly ignorant concern
ing the manner of its prepara
tion for the table. My father
has often told me that he was
fourteen years old when he
got his first pair of shoes. The
children of the wealthy wore
shoes, but others did not; and
even grown persons went bare
footed in the summer months,
except when they attended
church; then shoes would fre
quently be carried in their
hands till they caino near the
church, when stepping aside
they would be placed on the
feet. Money was not so plen«
tiful then as now. When I
was first married my wife used
to spin a pound and a quarter
of cotton per week, and I, in
order to increase my income,
made shoes when I conld spare
time from tlie farm, at 25 cts.
per pair, and it took me all
day and well into the night to
make a pair. Buggies were
unknown. Vehicles of all
kinds were scarce. Tobacco
was rolled in tierces through
the mud from Grranville to Pe
tersburg. There were no rail
roads. Postage was 25 cents
a letter. Lucifer matches
were unknown, we had to
save fire, or if we failed to do
so must borrow from our more
provident neighbors. There
were very few saw mills. All
the lumber used in building
some large residences,was cut
by liaud with a whip saw.
Panning tools were very
inferior then. The only kind
of plough was a jack hoc, as it
was called, and wheat was
cut with an old fashioned reap
hook. Scythes and cradles
were scarce.’’
“How about the morals of
the people in those days,” we
inquired.
“There used to be a great
deal more fighting than there
is now. Whisky was used
more generally. There was
more horse-racing and cock-*,
fighting. The neigiibors oc
casionally met to shoot at a
mark for a wager, consisting
of beef, a turkey, or some-
tliing of the sort. Inhere were
not 80 many churches then,
nor so much preaching. Sun
day Schools were unknown.
Tlie hoys used to go out in
the old fields on Sundays and
lun foot races or pitcli horse
slices or ]jlay “cat” or engage
in boxing and wrestling.
Soniotimes they would go
’ fishing or rabbit hunting. We
didn’t luive any free schools
then, and the facilities for oh-
description of the “good old
days,” but as we contrasted
them with these days of pro
gress and comfort, we inward •
ly congratulated ourselves
that we live in the latter half
of the nineteenth century.
WAY-SIDE GLEANINaS.
MissP. F. Smith, the ener
getic canvasser for the Or
phans’ Friend, is now in the
Eastern portion of the State.
We desire to express our
thanks to those friends who
have rendered her such time
ly assistance at the places she
has visited. We make the
following extracts from a letter
just received from her, begin
ning at Murfreesboro:
Prof. Delke is quite unwell,
but says he would not take
ten thousand dollars for his
chance of marrying yet. He
sent Col. Wynn and Mr. Rolfe
to see mo. Col. W, very
kindly escorted me around for
an hour, then introduced lue
to that most kindly and esti
mable gentleman, Mr. Henry
H. Cook, who took charge of
me for the rest of my stay in
this place. Rev. Mr. Vann,
of the 0. B. F. Institute, in
vited me up to tea. I very
gladly accepted, and spent a
most delightful evening. I
found Mr. Brewer and lady,
and his assistants,Misses Griey
and McVeigh, and Mr. Vann,
most highly entertaining com
pany. After tea, Miss Julia
Brewer, a miss of eight sum
mers, gave us some deliglitful
music on the piano forte. At
o’clock the young ladies of
the College assembled in the
chapel, where they held us in
ecstacy till 9^ o’clock. We
bad music from the following
young ladies : Misses Mittie
Stephenson, Grace Brown,
Susie Phillips, Mollie Moore,
Lucy Bynum, Clara Watford.
Mary Pearce, Laila Pope and
Lucy Bynum. Elocution
from : Misses Lula Mitchell,
Lottie Harris and Bettie Her
ring. The young ladies did
not know, when they entered
the chapel, who would be
called to perform, but lassure
you they are a great credit to
the Institute. After the en-
tertainmeuT,, I returned to tlie
parlor, wliere 1 received sever
al subscribers and renewals to
tiie Friend.
I had the pleasure of meet
ing liere one of Mr. Mill’s for
mer wards. Miss Julia Parker.
Mr. Jh-ewer informed me slie
was quite a credit to the Asy
lum, also to all of her teachers
in his college. She is all that
we could ask a young lady to
be. She sends her love to Mi-
Mills and expresses a desire to
see him. She sends’ him a
very kind invitation to be
present at the commencement,
wnich takes place the 25th,
2Gth and 27th Juno. I also
spent a few pleasant moments
at the Methodist College with
Mr. Parham.
I stopped at (be Spencer
House. Mr. S. and family
were quite kind.
I left Murfreesboro in one
of heaviest falling snows I
have ever seen. Mr. Wise
kindly volunteered to take me
to the boat, which I gratefully
accepted. I will be glad if
you will return my thanks to
the people of Murfreesboro
for their kindnesses.
Since leaving Murfreesboro
I have had one minister to
tell me that “the Asylum did
not need anything; they were
not suffering.’’ “No,” I re«
plied, “tliey aro not suffering,
but like every family, it lias
to be constantly replenished,
or it will suffer.” J3ut he wUvS
an 0 ! Oh 1 beg pardon !
He simply belongs to that class
of gentlemen who lias never
had to provide for a family,
and is of course excusable,
THE OXFORD ORPHAN ASYLUM-
Bingham School, April 5,1888.
As there have been efforts made
to prejudice the public against
the Or2)han Asylum, I deem it
proper to give the impression
made on my mind by a careful
inspection of the institution du
ring an official visit on March
31st, April Ist, 2ud and 3d ; and
having some knowledge of edu
cational and charitable institu
tions in this and other States, I
feel as competent to judge as
some who have never seen the
asylum or as others who saw its
defects. I made a thorough iu-
spectiou of the buildings and
grounds; was in every dormitory;
was in every class-room; heard
every ‘fform’’ recite; ate of the
children's bread at three meals ;
was in the hospital on three dif
ferent days; exauffned kitchens,
store-rooms and cellars; talked
freely with the Superintendent,
the teachers and the children;
and I am sure that the purposes
for which the public contributes
money are faithfully, economi
cally and successfully carried out,
and that the asylum is condue-
ted^as much in the interests of
the inmates and as little in the
interests of the officers as any
other institution with which I
am acquainted. The Superin
tendent’s whole heart is in his
work, and I doubt whether there
is another mau in the State who
could have accomplished as much
under such difficulties. The la
dies who do the teaching, and
superintend the hospital are
competent, zealous, efficient and
kind. The cooking is reasonably
well done, and for the girls by
the orphans themselves* The
food is wholesome and abundant,
but, of course, not luxurious at
$5 per month for all expenses.
The children are well taught,
kindly treated, well cared for in
health and sickness; as well
dressed, fed and housed as the
money contributed will admit of,
and they seem contented and
happy. In short, the Asylum is
in every way worthy of the con
fidence of our people, and it only
merits a more generous support
to make it equal in every respect
to any similar institution in the
United States.
R. Bingham,
Omnd Master of Masons in N. C.
Allurements,—Masonry is
one of the most sublime and
perfect institutions that ever
was formed for the happiness
and general good of mankind;
creating in all its varieties uni
versal benevolence and broth
erly love. It holds out allure
ments so captivating as to in
spire the brotherhood with
emulation to deeds of glory,
sucli as must command
throughout the world venera
tion and applause, and such
as. must entitle those who per
form them to dignity and res
jiect. It teaches us those use
ful, wise and instructive doc
trines upon which alone true
happiness is founded; and at
the same time affords those
easy paths by which we at
tain tlie reward of virtue; it
teaches us l.lie duties vvhicli
we owe to our neighbor, nev
er to injure him in any one
situation, but to cauduct our
selves withjustice and impar
tiality; it bids us not to di
vulge the mysteries to the
public, and it orders us to be
true to our trust, and above
all meanness and dissimula
tion, and in all our vocations
to perform religiously that
which we ought to do.
Great Lights.—The Free
masons are enlightened by
great and small lights. The
Bible, the square, and the
compasses, belong to the first;
and the sun, the moon, and
the Master Mason, or the stars,
to the second. The great
lights are immortal, and neith
er limited by time nor space ;
the small ones are limited by
both. The Bible rules and
governs our faith; the square
our actions; and the compasses
keep US in a bond of union
with all mankind, especially
with a brother Mason. Or
with other words, the Bible
directs us to elevate our spir
its to a resonable and rational
faith; the square teaches so to
discipline our minds as to
make them correspond with a
pure and prompt obedience
to the laws of our native land;
and the compasses teach us so
to cultivate our underatun
dings as to live in tJie bonds
of .social and fraternal union
with all mankind, whatever
may be their peculiar views
oil religious or political sub
jects.
ken from the /fible, only ; as
it contains the autlieutic rec
ords of Ancient Masonry.”
y^“In 926 the Masons
assembled at York to organize
a Grand Lodge, and formula-*
ted the ancient constitution
and charges from manuscripts
in Greek, Latin, French and
other languages. One of the
first charges is as follows: “A
Mason is to study the moral
law as contained in the sacred
code: to consider it as the im
erring standard of truth and
justice, and to regulate bis
life and actions by its Divine
precepts.”
Dr. Oliver, the most learned
and 'distinguishsd Mason of
modern times, in his Symbol
of Glory, vol. 2, page 170,
says : “It (the Bible) is the
pillar and ground of truth;
the pedestal and support of
Faith; and hence the Masonic
ladder is planted there as on
a foundation that cannot be
shaken, because its divine au
thor is Je-ho-vah himself.
The first great light of Ma
sonry is not only perfect, but
free from every admixture of
imperfection; for if the slight
est doubt could be raised res
pecting the truth of any single
fact, or doctrine which it con
tains, it would cease to be the
Book of God, and our Faith
and Hope would no longer
have a solid basis to rest upon.”
A Free Mason must be one
who duly fears, loves and
serves his Heavenly Master.
He raised a spiritual build
ing according to the laws and
injunctions laid down by the
Supreme Architect of the uni
verse in the book of life, which
may justly be considered his
spiritual trestle board.
REASONABLE
AND RELIABLE!
The Valley Mutual Life
Association of
Virginia.
For particulars address
GEORGE C. JORDAN.
State Ageut,
No, 6, Mahler Building, Raleigh, N.C
ON THE ASSESSMENT
ANT) BESEMVE
FUND PLAN.
One Thousand Dollars
Will cost upon an average as
follows:
At 21 years of age, $6.85,
At 30 years of age, $7.20.
At 40 years of age, $9.60.
At 50 years of age, $12.50.
At 60 years of age, $20.00.
S^Only three thousand dollars
written on one risk.
Among tlie great lights of
Masonry the Holy Bible is the
greatest, By it we are taught
to rule and govern our faith.
Without its sacred light we
find no Masonic altar; without
it no Lodge is perfect; neither
can anj’ one he legally initia
ted into the order unless lie be
lieves in the great truths there
in contained.
Every candidate before his
eyes have beheld the beauties
of Masonry or he has discov
ered even the form of a Lodge,
must express his belief in God
—being told that the reason
for requiring this expression is
“that otlierwise there would
be no binding force in an
oath,”
Masonry throughout the
Christian world requires a be
lief in the God of the Bible, and
in the divine authenticity of
that “Great Light” in Mason.
In Helvetian Masonry tlie
rule for tiio devotion of tlie
lodges is that “The proper im
ages or emblems are to be ta-
Feiizer
—AND—
INSECTICIDE!
SIS PER TON,
Delivered at any of the Depots in [Norfolk
or Portsmouth.
Manufactured bv
Styron, Whitehurst & Co.,
NORFOLK, Va.
Ca?“Office, Biggs’ Wharf.
Also Dealers in Charleston Ground Bone
Phosphate and Kaiuit.
CERTIFICATES:
Nottoway Co„ Va., Sept. 20,1882.
This is to certify that I usM two tons of
the Norfolk Fertilizer and Insecticide, pur
chased from Styron, Whitehurst & Co., Nor
folk, Va., on my crops of cotton and tobac
co this year, and that it acted to my entire
satisfaction. My tobacco is considered equal
to the very best in Nottoway county, and
niycottonmuchbetterthan where I used the
in equal quantities, say from two to
three hunfedpound^er acre. Such is my
satisfaction with the Fertilizer that I expect
to use it much mure largely in the future.
. J. M. HURT.
Heetford, N. C., Nov., 10,1882.
Styron, Wiiitehurst & Co., Gentlemen : I
take pleasure in saying that the five tons of
Norfolk Fertilizer purehased of you last
spring I used under cotton, corn, potatoes
and vegetables witli decidedly better results
than where I used the high-priced fei*tilizei'8
which cost from $35 to $45 per ton. Am
satisfied I will get one-quarter to one-third
more cotton where I used yours, lu com
posting with cottou seed, stable manure and
rich earth, it is the best Fertilizer I ever
used. Will use it under all my crops next
year. Hoping you much success, I am,
Veiy truly,
JOSEPH A. HUGHES.
Kbmpsville, Princess Anne Co.,Va.,1882.
Messrs. Styron, Whitehurst & Co.,Gentle
men; I used your Norfolk Fertilizer under
Irish potatoes at the rate of 300 lbs. to the
acre, and the yield was abundant, in fact
surprised me. Also used it under com and
made an excellent crop. My kale is lookin;
well where I used it. Am so well ■■
with it shall use it ag^ next Spring.
Very respectfuUy,
N. B. 8ANDERLIN.
Perquimans Co., N. C., Nov. 30,1882.
Messrs. Styron, Whitehurst & Co., Gentle
men : The naif ton Norfolk Fertilizer pur
chased of you last Spring gave entire satisfac
tion; lused it along side of higher priced
fertilizers, and the yield from yours was
fully as good as where I used the other
brands. Yours truly,
B. F. CITIZEN.
Skbrbix’s P. O., Southampton Co., 1
Nov. 30, 1882.
Gentlemen: The five tons Norfolk Fertili
zer pui-chased of you last Spring 1 used under
cottou and peanuts with very satisfactory
results. Please ship me ten (10) tons bv
Ist February,
Very respectfully, W. N. SEBRELL.
WlNTAXX, Perquimans Co., N. C., ?
Nov. 10,1882. (
Gentlemen: I used 1^ tons Norfolk Fer
tilizer under Cotton this year, side by side
with Peruvian Bone Dust, at the rate of
about 175 pounds per acre. The result was
iu favor of your Fertilizer. Will use ic
again next Spring. Respectfully,
W.L. JESSUP & CO.
WinfAll, N C., Nov. 10, 1882.
Gentlemeu: The two tons Norfolk Fertil
izer purchased of you last Spring I used un
der cottou at the rate of about 175 pounds
per acre, which gave better yield than any
other Fertilizer. Will use it more extensively
next year.. Yours truly,
febTii^ R.B.KIKBY.
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flans & Fonaii,
OXFORD, N. 0.
PURE
DRUGS.
All STANDAED Preparations.
PEESOEIPTIONS AOOUEATBLT
COMPOUNDED,
UUU UUUUIJI
ALL NEW ! NO OLD STOCK
ON HAND! WAEBANTBD,
THE BEST!
ALSO
Clover and Orchard
Grass Seeds, and
Seed Irish Potatoes.
A Fresh Lot of Apples and Oranges
Candies and Oonfectioneriesj
Generally, which are
VERY FINE!
A large supply of
School Books,
Stationery, &c.,
on hand. Any article not in
stock will he ordered.
J^PCall and see us, we ZITOW we
can please you.
WlllIABSA FIJRMM.
Mitchell’s old Stand.
J.F. EDWARDS. | W.F: ROGERS.
EDWARDS&R0GERS
GENERAL
MfaieUaits
OXFORD, N. 0.
We keep on hand a; well selected
stock ol HARDWARE of every des-
crlption, embracing
CROCKERY AND GLASS-WARE,
COOKING AND HEATING
STOXTES,
POCKET AND TABLE CUTLERY,
WOODEN AND WILLOW-WARE,
Guns and Pistols,
Cartridges,
Ammunition
AND SPORTING GOODS.
We Invite attention to our stock oi
SEWIE HACBHES,
OILS,
NEEDLES AND ATTACHMENTS.
We also carry a heavy stock of
Paints Oils,
BRUSHES AND VARNISHES.