A regular meeting of this Society was held on the evening of the above date, was called to order by the President; and in the unavoidable absence of the Secretary’s books—the Society proceeded to other business—the matter of the Annual celebration (which was unavoidably postponed) was now taken up; a committee was by unanimous motion—appointed to confer with Mr. Rich[ar]d Dereef on the proffered use of his House for the place of celebration;¹ it was then moved and carried that the third Monday in the present ^month^ be the time for that event.

The Society now entered into a discussion concerning the propriety and necessity of a change in the object and purposes of the same—from a debating to a reading association; which was thought would be more suitable and of meeting quarterly, instead of monthly—which was thought would be more favorable to the circumstances of the members—who found it difficult to meet the present requirements: but it was agreed upon by a majority of those present that it should continue as heretofore; with the exception of a motion by Mr. S. W. Beaird that the “legal quorum be reduced from five to three members”—which was thought would be result in more regular meetings—this motion was seconded, and unanimously carried. All business being now concluded; the Society by motion adjourned.

H. Cardozo Jr.

Uncontrollable circums ^causes^ preventing the observance at the usual time; it was accordingly had on the above date, at the residence of Mr. R. E. Dereef, where a respectable audience of the fair and sterner sex assembled—awaiting Page 134 →the exercises—At a few minutes before 5 o clock the Members—with their Honorary Member appeared in the Hall, and commenced the regular exercises with prayer by Honorary Member Jacob Weston; after this it was announced by the Acting President W. O. Weston that the Ninth Annual Oration would now be delivered by R. L. Deas Esq. a Member, who now arose, and after a fitting exordium; proceeded to show the advantages of Intellectual and Moral culture—combined—its tendency to ameliorate the condition; improve the circumstances; and elevate the views of Mankind; illustrating his position with forcible and striking instances adduced from the History of Individuals and Nations; and in such a strain ^the modest speaker^ enchained the attention of his audience for the space of thirty minutes; and then closed with a happy application of the foregoing truths—obtaining during from beginning to end, loud demonstrations of approval and delight at the successfulness of the effort.

The exercises were then closed with the benediction and the audience retired with countenances and expressions that told of the instructiveness as well as pleasantness of the afternoon’s entertainment. The members then exchanged their mutual joys and pleasure on the refreshing and encouraging influences of the occasion, and then finally dispersed for their respective homes.

H. Cardozo Jr., Sec.

1. 1. Dereef lived on Washington Street, not far from his wood factorage on Dereef’s Wharf. See J. H. Bagget,Directory of the City of Charleston, for the Year 1852 (Charleston, SC: Edward C. Councell, 1851), 33; and Frederick A. Ford, Census of the City of Charleston, South Carolina, for the Year 1861 (Charleston, SC: Evans and Cogswell, 1861), 215.