Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1867-10-26
CHARLESTON, Sept. 23d, A. l. 5s67.
NJ. ". j. r. CONN, Grand Master, Illinois

H. W. j. r. CONN, Grand Master, Illinois
Most Worshipful and Dear Brother: Your
noble letter, restoring a jewel taken from this
State during the late war, is in the right spirit
Of Masonry, and admirably illustrates the
efficacy of our venerable institution in promo
ting peace aud good will among men 1t is
to the great glory and triumph of Masonry
eh"', III. :, oil ,nr henisphere has been rock
ing with the convulsion OF civil war, while
PFtaJh,u ugrSstVjieag taclg ssersd Offices, we're
mencc becoming in uttcrance only before the
shrncs Of Moloch, and while protesting con-
gregations of the Church Of God were forging
spears for human massacre, Masonry held it
self uloof from the councils Of violence, and
sought only with assuasive acts to mitigate the
ferocty Of man and to soothe the asperticS of
strife. Both while the war was in progress,
and now that it is happily over, we have the
constantly recurring proofs among US, and in
all quarters of our confedcracy, of that loving
temper, those close sympathies, that fratcrnal
regard which contribute the living and vital
essentials of our Order as embodied in the
faith which we profess, and the charity which
shines pre-cn,inent our guiding light. Your
independent action, without waiting upon that
OF the Grand Lodge over which you SO happi.
ly preside, in thisvcry restoration Of one of
the sacred jewels of the temple, is in proof of
your perfect confidence in the fraternal spirit
which prevails among your brethren. That
the jewel in question thus restored to us is
not the property of the Grand Lodge of
South Carolina, but that of citizen who was,
while living, most highly honorcd brother,
does not impair or lesson The feeling OF graf
itudc with which VIC receive it at your hands
simply that wc may restore it to the rep
rescntative of the family, one of the most
esteemed among us, to whom it rightfully be-
longs. This, dear sir and brother, We shalI
do with equal prompttude and pleasure, and
on behalf of the family, as of this Grand
Lodge, | beg to return you our best thanks
for the generous interest, the fratcrnal regard,
and the true Masonic virtue which you have
shown in this proceeding. | should do my
7ef 7o naiHStiee and do injustice to our people
you have SO ooqucny saia En sHa !, ln.ea
Of your hope and faith in tho future neocc
prosperity, and harmony of our beloved coun.
try know OF none within this jurisdiction
to whom war is now or has ever been dcsir,.
BILE; and surely in this age of great intellect
nal II not moral enlightenment, with pros
perlty which has been so wonderful, it is mon
strous that war should ever be thought of as
tho only remedy Tor human wrong, the only
arbitor by which to decide upon human rights.
What we need everywhere is that simple sense
of Justice so well taught hy our, fraternity,
which cheerfully renders to Caesar the thinSs
which are Caesars, and blends with Justice
the full faith that God will assure to his pco
pie who live undcr these laws the prosperity
and peace which faith is authorized to seek
and charity to secure. We all join in your
prayer for the continued peace Of our coun-
try; not that peace which merely forbcars
violence, but the peace which is born of good
will, love, charity, and the virtues which not
only never do wrong, but never think of
wrong.doing. Once more refer to our noble
Order as perhaps tho only. civil and religious
institution in this country which has kept its
charities warm and it's virtues bright amid all
tho storms of war and faction in the past. -
Surely we may now rely upon the same i,lsti.
tuition for helping to heal the wounds which
war has made, and for lifting up once more
those virtues which were beaten down by the
hoofs Of violence and passion. Let us strug.
ple with new hope Of usefulness III the future,
seeing what noble charities our Order has ex
llbited id the past.
With sentiments Of the highest respect and
regard, I am, M. w. rand dear brother,
r S. BRUINS, S2o,
t'rand Secretary !