Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-06-26
Response to Address of Welcome.
(By Rev. T. NJ. Stribling.)

response to Address of Welcome.
(By Rev. T. NJ. Stribling.)
AS pupil Of the Richland school,
who has made his home in the Great
West | desire to record my appreci
alton Of the words of welcome so
warmly spoken here to-day, and in
behalf Of those pupils who cannot be
present | know | voice their senti
ment when | say they are all loyal
to the old school and their hearts
and best wishes are with us.
In behalf Of those present | will
say we are glad indeed to be on our
native heath again and to mingle and
have fellowship with our friends Of
former days.
Many OF the pupils Of the Rich
land school are now holding posi-
tions Of trust and responsibility in
various parts Of this great country,
and wherever they may be found they
always retain warm spot in their
hearts for old Richland and her gen.
erous people, We appreciate these
words Of welcome, not because they
are necessary to make us feel at
home, but because they are the eX-
preston Of the real feelings of this
noble community, and 1t does our
hearts good to be with you and to
enjoy your hospitality once more.
TO the Richland school we all owe
debt Of gratitude and probably a
greater obligation than most of us
are conscious of. When our fore
fathers braved the terrors of the
deep and came to this beautiful
country it was that they might en-
JOY greater liberty, both civil and re-
ligious, and we find some of the
hardicr ones forging their way from
the coast country up into the foot
nils OF the mountains-into this pic
turesque country known now as the
Piedmont section. This was then a
wilderness roamed by tho Red Man,
and abounded in the dangers Incl
dent to frontier country. But, un-
daunted, they built their homes, not
the proud mansions some in this sec
ton now enjoy, but more modest
homes, such as they were able to
construct out of the logs Of the ma
tive forest. These were real homes
where love reigled and where chill
dren came to bless their firesdes and
TO be reared and trained for useful
citizenship.
These pioneers bravely maintain
ed their homes under great difficult
ties, for they loved their homes and
were ready, If necessary, to die in
defense Of their homes and their
loved ones.
Next we find them erecting houses
Of Worship, where they might enjoy
that religious liberty which was so
dear to the early settlers OF this
country. Their religion meant more
than mere form Of words and a
vain show; 1t was the expression
Of the deepest sentiment OF their
souls, and its exercise was necessary
to their existence. They also sharp
~ realized another need, for hard by
the church we find the school house,
in order that the rising generation
might not be reared in ignorance.
They rightly judged that religion
and education ought to thrive to-
gethcr, because religion without edu-
cation breeds ignorance and super
stition; while education without re-
ligion fosters rationalism and athe-
ism, but where the two go hand in
hand. there we find the well bal
anced citizen and the noblest people
OF which any country can boast.
Here we have the true type of the
American home, where the children
are taught to love their Saviour,
their homes and their country. We
find Richland and Rock SPRINGS
churches, with their faithful pastors
to care for the spiritual needs of
this generous people, and we find the
ftichland school, with her cultured
and refined teachers, to educate and
inspire the young with those high
ideals which are necessary to the
best citizenship. These agencies
have worked together for the up
building and strengthening of this
splendid community. Happy indeed
Is that ncighborhood where godly
ministers. true teachers and loyal
parents cooperate for the common
| welfare.
Such has been the history Of this
disappointing. The Richland com
| munity has a reputation for morality
| progress and good citizenship that
any people might covet. The sons
and daughters OF this school have
| taken positions Of honor and trust
Wherever they have gone, and eter-
nifty alone can reveal the good that
has been done in these sacred pre-
! cinctS. We are thankful that such
is our heritage, and let us see to II
that no backward step Is taken. We
| cannot afford to rest on our laurels
for this IS 4 busy age and there is
progress on every side. The ole
school has made good and we have
abundant confidence In the new
Then with gratitude for what has
been accomplished, and with faitf
in our future. let us press forward
with renewed vigor an energy, ant
with the determination not only tt
keep abreast with the progress abou
us, but that we will continue to leat
In all that Is noblest and best, an
that makes for true progress.