BELFAST RB BOOKLET 2020 - Flipbook - Page 75
Ci t y of Belf ast Grand Bl ack Chapt er - Dem onst rat i on Bookl et 2020
people to keep fighting for what they citizen, every citizen .. to fight and defend their
profoundly believe in; and praising those brave own democracy and self freedom as well as
sacrifices of the dead, so that others will exalt others across the globe.
and take courage from them; for they are a
SO READ FOR YOURSELF, THE PERICLES
powerful expression of the duty of every ORATION AND THEN FORM YOUR OWN OPINION …
"Such was the end of these men; they were worthy of Athens, and the living need not desire to
have a more heroic spirit, although they may pray for a less fatal issue. The value of such a spirit
is not to be expressed in words. Anyone can discourse to you forever about the advantages of a
brave defence, which you know already. But instead of listening to him I would have you day by
day fix your eyes upon the greatness of Athens, until you become filled with the love of her; and
when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired
by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it, who in the hour of conflict had the fear
of dishonour always present to them, and who, if ever they failed in an enterprise, would not allow
their virtues to be lost to their country, but freely gave their lives to her as the fairest offering
which they could present at her feast.
The sacrifice which they collectively made was individually repaid to them; for they received again
each one for himself a praise which grows not old, and the noblest of all sepulchres; I speak not
of that in which their remains are laid, but of that in which their glory survives, and is proclaimed
always and on every fitting occasion both in word and deed.
For the whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men; not only are they commemorated by
columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten
memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.
Make them your examples, and, esteeming courage to be freedom and freedom to be happiness,
do not weigh too nicely the perils of war. The unfortunate who has no hope of a change for the
better has less reason to throw away his life than the prosperous who, if he survive, is always
liable to a change for the worse, and to whom any accidental fall makes the most serious
difference.
To a man of spirit, cowardice and disaster coming together are far more bitter than death striking
him unperceived at a time when he is full of courage and animated by the general hope."
Grand Master; Right Worshipful
Sir Knight Samuel Stewart
along with his fellow Officers
and Sir Knights within R.B.P. Nos
1607 : 1670 : 1690 : 1776 : 2011
in our combined transatlantic encampments in the United States of
America, Grand Black Chapter; are equally proud to be co-sponsors
within this year's Demonstration Booklet associated with Northern
Ireland's great Capital City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter's
traditional, annual celebratory date on the 'last Saturday' in August.
IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN - 73 - AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIVING