A Monument To Goethe.

A MONUMENT TO GOETHE .

An Oration delivered by Bro . the Hon . Judr / e Arnold , Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodt / e of Pennsylvania , at Fairmount Park , 14 th November 1877 .

THERE is no more convincing evidence of civilisation than the monuments which men erect to perpetnato the memory and celebrate the virtues of the great and good . Veneration of the dead springs from that just pride of ancestry which exists in the human breast . It manifests itself in memorials of various kinds . When a

great man dies the memory of his good works becomes the heritage of all the people , and thoy show their feelings by enduring testimonials . In the olden time temples and obelisks wore erected and dedicated to perpetuate names and reputations , lessons and examples for future generations . They marked tho era when kings and rulers ,

soldiers and conquerors , were the only persons so honoured . In theBe later years the fact is recognised that men in other walks in life , do works which live after them , so that the memory of them ought to be celebrated and preserved . Statesmen , scholars and poets make and leave such impressions on the human heart , that those

who contemplate their labours and enjoy the benefit of them , feel a generous impulse to pay the debt of gratitude which they owe for the pleasure and knowledge received from those labours . In former times memorials were erected in the country of the person commemorated by them . Fow , indeed , have attained so great a

distinction as to be accepted as citizens of the world , celebrated and revered in all lands , and immortalised in the language of all nations . Here , in America , we , a composite people , have presented the spectacle of monuments erected in memory of great men of othor lands ; so that , on looking around us , we see that which revives not

only the recollection of our own citizens , but also those of other nations . Our vision is not confined to our own borders , but ifc extends beyond them into other countries , and makes us feel that we share in the heritage of their people . Their pride becomes our pride . Our people trace thoir lineage back into the fatherhood of other

nationalities , and claim kindred and heritage with them . Here , to-day , we begin the erection of a monument to Goethe . German-American citizens—who are none the less American because

they are German—meet to congratulate themselves that there was a Goethe to commemorate , and to show their appreciation of him by erecting a monument to perpetuate his memory , in a country of which he was neither citizen or denizen .

Who is Goethe , and why do we revere him ? On an occasion of this kind nothing could be more appropriate than for me to tell you in English words who this man was . Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was one of Germany ' s greatest poets , novelists and playwrights . In the course of a long and

industrious life , he made such an impression on German literature that he touched the hearts of the German people to an extent never excelled . Even tho gifted Schiller , his beloved friend and associate , must divide with Goethe the honours which the German people profusely shower upon merit . Goethe was born in Frankfort

on 28 th August 1749 , and ho died 22 nd March 1832 , having nearly completed his eighty-third year . He came of good stock . His parents were persons of character and strength of mind , who had a good influence over him while they lived . His father was an Imperial Counsellor—an office he received by appointment . He would have

willingly taken part in the government , but in the free city of Frankfort , the persons who were called to official station had to be elected by popular vote , and John Casper Goethe would not run for an office . No doubb he would have overcome all scruples on that subject if ho had come to this country .

The education of Wolfgang Goethe was irregular . He went to no school , but he picked up and absorbed an education by travel , by association with men of letters and by attending lectures . The result was that he learned French , and he read French poetry ; ho

learned English and he became acquainted with Shakespeare and Goldsmith , both of whom he resembled in somo respects . He was for a time the director of a theatre , like Shakespeare , ancl he roamed ahoufc the world like Goldsmith . He was also a musician and a

painter , and his loeeot science was gratified by his studies in chemistry and alchemy and botany . It was the desire of his father that he should become a lawyer and advocate ; but Wolfgang had no taste for legal learning , and so he gave up that course of study , although he received the degree of

Doctor of Laws . Wolfgang loved the society of gay people . He took more pleasure in riding , hunting , dancing , balls , masquerades , and similar enjoyments , than in the dry routine of an advocate ' s life . He wandered about , making new friends , gathering new ideas and laying in a rich store of practical knowledge , and acquiring poetical

tastes , which served him so well in after years . Ho became the companion of dukes and duches .-es , and other persons of distinction . He posspssed the strength and beauty of youth , and captivated all he met . His father—a dignified and ambitious man—wa 3 disappointed at his son ' s inconstancy , bnt his mother encouraged him ; or if ho was

at fault , she defended him . Ardent , loving , and susceptible to the deepest feelings of human natnre , he soon developed a love of poetry , and gave expression to his feelings in poetical writing at a very early age Ono poem of eleven stanzas , called the " Happy Pair , " shows his love as a husband , his fondness as a father , and his belief in God .

He had become acquainted with tho writings of Goldsmith and Shakespeare . Goldsmith ' s "Vicar of Wakefield " enchanted him , and strange to say , ho found juvt such a family among his own German people—a father who wa 3 a simple aud worthy man , with

tlirje daughters , one married aud two unmarried , with one of whom Goethe , true to hi- ) instincts , fell deeply and passionately iu love . This ivas Fredericko Lrion , of Sescuhcim . I refer to her as the cause of several songs addressed to her , and others writteu for her . Thoy were uoi married . Sherruained singhj . spying fcaehaari Goethe had

A Monument To Goethe.

loved shonld never be filled by another . He so admired the" Deserted Village , " of Goldsmith , that he translated it into German , and thu 3 gave the German people a feast of that most beautiful poem . The work which drew out all his genius was the dramatisation of

the history of the imperial knights of tho Middle Ages—Gottfried or Gotz von Berlichingen . The cause of it was his enthusiasm for Shakespeare , who , ho said , made him feel like a blind man who suddenly receives his sight .

But the work which made tho first and lasting impression is " Werthor . " It deals with the real events in his own life . It met with different receptions at various hands . Some approved while others condemned it ; some loved and some hated it . But ifc spread all-over Germany in a short time , and out of Germany all over the

world . His fame was now firmly established . Anything ho would write was sure of a hearty reception . All Germany was proud of him and in love with him . His friends and associates became so enamoured of him that their transports know no bounds . One said of him , " I know of no man so completely full of genius . " Another

said , " Goethe is the man whom my heart required ; the man is complete from head to foot . " And another said , " What hours ' . what days ! ( with you ) I seemed to have a new soul . " That was the genius , and those were the tributes paid to that genius . The only other work which I will refer to is the great work of his

life—the story of "Faust —known everywhere , read everywhere , dramatised and performed , and sung everywhere . Ifc contains a reflection of his studies iu alchemy , his observations of men , his conception of what unrestrained love will lead to , and , above all , a moral . Tho story is told with such interest , and the dramatisation

is performed with such effect , while tho musical rendition is so enchauting , that tho mind does not seem full y to comprehend what the eyes are gazing upon . This is the man whom you deem worthy of a monument . And the place yon have chosen is a fifc place for ifc—the people ' s pleasure

grounds . A free people—self-governing and self-restraining—have selected here and dedicated to the people ' s amusement these broad and magnificent grounds . No kingly purse has bonght and laid out these grounds to amuse the people while a monarch rules them ; but the free people , accustomed to governing themselves , have laid out

these grounds for health , pleasure and amusement . The lesson ifc teaches is thai ; those who would govern must be worthy to govern , and no one is fifc to rnle until he first learns to obey . There can be no unrestrained freedom of action , for the very essence of liberty is protection against wrong , and that cannot be secured without restraint .

When the people speak their will is supreme , even over themselves . You have invited the Eight Worshipful Grand Lodge of Freemasons to lay the corner-stone of this monument . This is a proper selection . We aro taught by signs and symbols . Tbey teach us enduring truths . As landmarks teach permanency , so do monnments

symbolize enduring memories , Masons recognise in Goethe a workman who used words to typify and convey great ideas . The implements he employed were used with all the skill of a perfect workman .

He built up , in beautiful words , a structure , which we , as Masons , recognise as perfect work . He laboured in the quarries of language and knowledge , and produced polishe 1 stones . As such a workman , Masons hail him .

Here , then , lot U 3 erect our monnmeut to Goethe . Here let us rejoice that we can build a monument to him ; and here lot us pledge ourselves to a free country , jnsfc laws , and cheerful obedience to authority . Goethe would havo done that , aud wo would not be worthy to pnfc a monument over him , if we would not do as much ourselves . Therefore we honour him and his labours .

A Masonic Fair In New York.

A MASONIC FAIR IN NEW YORK .

IN spite of the moisture which was descending in rapid penetrating streams yesterday , tho 28 th November , a crowd as large as could be accommodated squeezed into Masonic Hall , at Tweuty-third-street and Sixth-avenne , to witness the opening exercises of the Ladies ' Masonic Fair , given by fair Masonic ladies for the benefit of the

Masonic Asylum Fund . Tbe Hall , already occupied by over fifty tables or booths , with their more than five hundred occupants , was brilliant and inviting . Wherever the Rye rested there was some beautiful bit of fancy work , a graceful figure , or perhaps the bower

of evergreen and tropical plants in the centre of the room . In the inter-spaces swarmed a good-natured , jovial multitude , who calmly endured the great heat , and submitted with apparent enthusiasm to bein ^ r reduced to the cubic measurement of a sardine .

At two o clock the notes of the great organ , under the manipulation of Mi . George VV . Morgan , roused tho attention of all , and throngh a narrow space in the crowd the Ladies' Executive Committee and Officers' Executive Committee filed to the stage and took their seats . Then the stirring strains of a military band , composed of

members of St . Cecile Lodge , heralded the approach of the Grand Lod ? o Officers , who also marched on the stage . Tbey were headed by Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of New York , Frank il , Lawrence . The Eight Worshipful C . T . McClcnachan , Officer of the day , then introduced the Kev . Flovd E . West , who delivered the

opening prayer . After more music Eight Worshi p ful John J . Gorman , Chairman of the Officers' Executive Committee , on hehalf of the ladief , sketched tho history of tho organization of the Asylum Fund which was started in May 1887 , by forty-two ladies , wives of Master Masons , and then formally presented the fair to Grand Master

Lawrence . Gravid Master Lawrence accepted the gift , with praise to the ladies whose energy had caused its existence , and declared that ho had until tho present been somewhat sceptical of the results . He took occasion to remind his hearers that it had been his chief care

of late to see that the balance of the debt on the Masonic building was paid , and that ho regarded ifc chc first thing to be attended to by the Grand Lodge Officers . Then he formally declared the fair opeii .