Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-07-07
The Commencement Exercises

attenied. Incrc was Sohcrii coHFoci'io"
of beauty and talent from every part OF tho
State, filling every house in town. On yes
tcrday, the 9th, the annual address before the
Literary Societies was delivered by Rev. j.
HAWKINS. 1t was an able and elegant ad-
dress, rcplete with good counsel and practical
common sense. lie spoke to tho youth OF
the country, and pointed them to the oppor.
tunities offered them in the present condition
and circumstances of the country, of bccon-
ing Eonorcd and useful men, and ornaments
to society. Theirs was the duty to rcsusci
tate public virtue, to purify, strengthen and
rc.energisc the denying spirit of morality
and civil liberty. Tho difficulties and op-
prcssions surrounding them, instead of crea-
ting dependency, should rather stimulate
them to higher and stronger efforts in tho
great work of moral md political rcform.-
These arc but opportunities to develop the
true man and hero. In our past history, as
cxigcncies have arisen, men have been form.
I'd to meet and answer them. SO it will ever
be. The saying that history repeats itself is
not, or at least should not be, true. Man is
progressive being. If ho yields to Difficult,
ties, aud hults at obstacles, he fails of his du-
ty Energy, perseverance and firm, fearless
discharge Of duty will lead to increasing de-
yclopmcnts in liberty, knowledge, civilization
and christian morality. Let the youth of our
State strive to mako history Of their own.
Let them employ the powers given them by
their Creator, to mould the times and the af
| fairs of men to tho good Of tho country and
the glory of God. ~ heavy responsibility
rests on each and every young man Of the
State, and to him who is faithful and cncrgct
ic to his trust, will belong honor and useful
ness in this life. and rest in the life to come.
| At night the address before the Alapni
was delivered by j. Il. IIoUsEAL, one of the
graduate, Of the institution. Mr.. IoUsEAL
is young man Of promise and good speaker
| lie is engaged, at present, in the study Of the
law, and bids fair to reflect in his life credit
on the institution which trained aud nurtured
his intellect.
| Wednesday was the great day of the week,
| both in the numbers present and the interest
manifested in the programme OF the day
| Apart from the brethren Of the mystic tic,
who had come from adjoining counties to aid
| in laying the corner stone Of the College, Gu
| riosity drew large crowds from the County to
witness the ceremony. That myst,rioi is
Brotherhood, that order of charity aud moral
ity, whose secrets have remained inviolublc
for thousands Of years, is an attractive sight
to the ilnni,iatcd. At 10 o'clock lodge
ct entered apprentices was opened, by Rev
D. II. IIoNouR, of Charleston. Immediately
afterwards, the procession was formcd in the
esclibcd order and marched to the Luther
an Church Arriving there, an Impressive
and appropriate prayer WAS offered 10y Mr.
Nnlcn ESTER, of Charl, son, after which an
address was delivered by Rev. W S. Bow.
1850 1850 -c.;'s Prcsident Of the Bo,rd Of Trus.
| tees. For nbl'tyHnn cnWucncc. IL surpassed
anything we have ever heard. The subject,
in substance, WAS the Importance of chris
tian education and the tendency Of Free Ma.
sonry to promote morality. The speaker
pointed to Prussia, triumphant, crowned with
victory over the greatest civilized power of
the Eastern Continent, as living ,mplif
cation of the power of Christian education
| When tho German States were ovcrrun by
the first NAPOLEON, broken, crushed power
| less. their armies scattered and their trcasu
rcs e,np'icd they sought remedy for their
| misiortuncs. One of the counScllors Of the
King suggested that they try the effect of a
christian education. The suggestion was acted
upon, aid soon Berlin became the Athens of
| Germany and Germany tho Athens of the
world. Her institutions Of learning offered
the highest grade OF instruction, and hcca,ne
the resort Of the world. Her citizens of all
classes were educated and religion disscmina-
ted among the masses Witness the result
in the military power of Prussa-witncss it
in her contributions to science, medicine, it,
eraturc and religion. The French, in one
sense, were regarded the most elegant and
| polished people in the world. Paris was con
| sidcred the great centre Of civilization and re-
| nemcnt. There was, however, wanting in
! France that vital christianity which purified
and elevated the people of Germany. The
teachings of VoLrAIRE and RoUSsE EAU had
poisoned the fountains, and to civilized France
belongs tho shame of the Commune, at whose
deeds Of blood humanity stands mortified. -
In our trying condition, the speaker suggcs.
ted that we seek u remedy in christian c1u.
cation. Let our colleges and churches be
built up aud sustained with liberal hand.
and soon our courts Of Justice and Legislative
halls will be resonant with the voice of public
! virtue, patriotism and morality.
The speaker then gave a review of masonry.
from the building of King SoLoMoN's Ten
pie to the present; how it wns founded on
the bnsis of mutual esteem and how each i'm.
plcmcnt taught lesson of moral duty how