The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-06-21
IN MEMORIAM.

The sad announcement comes to our
hearts Sir Thomas Ballantyne is no
more.
I'VE know when moons shall wane
When summer birds shall cross the
sea,
When. autumn's hues shall tinge the
golden grain;
But who shall teach us when to look
for thee,
Oh, Death?"
BY his death Palestine Commandery
has sustained a most crushing and
cruel blow And the only solace to
our grief is TO recount his chivalric
virtues.
His nobility was patent In his sim
pie, guileless nature. He wore no
mask but was always frank and sin
cere.
The way to his large, sympathetic
heart was straight and open, without
a barrier or obstacle. His generous ma
ture attracted affection. None knew
him but 70 love him" and he met his
friends more than half way. And so
he was Tom" to nearly all his asso-
ciates and to all his friends. This ia
miliarity was not an impertinence,
but term of heartfelt respect, born
of high regard and unquestioned feal-
ty to him.
With all his gentieness and goodness
of heart he was a man of strong, res
dilute character Honest and honorable
to the core, he could not tolerate hy-
pocrisy or cant. He may have had
enemies, but if there were any, they
were either the ungrateful recipients
of his generous bounty, or had failed
to appreciate his true nobility and
worth.
Thomas BalIantyne was pre-emi-
nently the foremost craftsman in our
community. His zeal for Free-Mas-
onry was steadfast and earnest. His
attachments made him an arbiter in all
difficult or disputed questions and his
unselhsh. honorable life illustrated
the grand tenets of the craft.
Sir Thomas Ballantyne from the date
of the Accolade which raised him a
Knight of the Temple, and of Malta in
Palestine Commandery all through his
career, was a prominent Frater in her
councils. AS Eminent Commander he
ruled the commandery with firm, but
courteous sway. and the order pros
pered under his charge
He was put forward by his Fraters
for advancement in the Grand Com
mandery of the state and received their
loyal support until he attained the Of
flee of Grand Commander.
When he retired from Office he was
not stated with the honors he had won,
but he continued an active and earnest
participant in the conclaves of Pales-
tine as we'll as of the Grand Com
mandery, rarely was his place vacant,
and his absence from either could al
ways be charged to Providential
cause. He now rests from his la
bors, his sword is forever sheathed in
its scabbard, his shield is turned to
the wall, never more will his martial
form be seen in the ranks of the
Knights, and his voice is hushed in
their councils. His departure from
out midst is like the removal of some
majestic and stately landmark which
had become the chief object of our
admiration. And the landscape is
desolate and void of grace and beauty
without it. How we miss his genial
smile, his warm and kindly greeting
his wise counsel and his bright exam
pie of sterling honesty and unblem-
ished integrity. In his calm sleep OF
wrapped the drapery of his couch
about him, and laid him down &c
pleasant dreams" So sweet and win.
ming are the pleasant memories of his
gentle life that cluster about oui
hearts, that we can only think of hin
as a kindly friend who has bid Vi
goodbye as he journeyed to a faire
land.
Palestine commandery pays this low
ing tribute 20 her departed Knigh
with bowed heads and sorrowinl
hearts.
Therefore. be Il Resolved. That b.
the death Of Sir Thomas Ballantyn'
this commandery has been bereft o
one OF its most devoted and distin
guished members. whose fidelity 10 IN
order will always be held IN lovinl
ana uDfading remembrance.
Resolved. That this memorial b.
spread upon the records ~ the Com
manaery and thaf copy be sent q
ms relatives ~ our deceased Fratsg
Respectfully submitted.
~ A. QUITS. Chairman.
W. ~ ROCK WELL.
a Il u - l.