Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-26
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR IN
 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

At the Masonic temple on Broadway, Columbian Commandery, No. i, Knights Templar, held the customary Christmas day observance on Wedncs- day at noon with Eminent CoTa:Ian- der Louis H. Geer presiding and an attendance of 150 Sir Knights.
 The observance opened with the reading of the following sentiment prepared for the observance:
 To Most Eminent Sir Lee $. Smith,
 Grand Master:
 With steadfast devotion to Flag and Country, Knights Tempiar have with stood the shock of battle, and counted no sacrifice too great that the princi pies of humanity and fraternity may be vouchsafed to the people of all na- tions. Let US now, with the same he roic faith. face the, mighty problems the new era brings to civilization. The Grand Master sends the follow ing response:
 Brother Knight:-
 The toast you propose Is most ap- propriate at this time. The dark cloud | that cast it's gloom over the wor.d when we celebrated this natal day one year ago has been dispelled, thanks 1 to the aid of our brave boys who have ] made the supreme sacrifice by offeline l their lives on the Altar of our country in the cause of God and humanity. l Many of our brave Knights are ir i the service of our country, while oti3- ] CTS have those who are as dear to 1 them as life itself Over There" Ours l is a peaceful order, but not to sNch an extent as to sit quietly by and see our i felloWmen ruthlessly murdered, wo~ 1 men outraged and innocent children slain. The existence of such a condi~ | tion long years ago>first called our 0. 1 in h ic&O 1 of the world have the laws of Col anc l humanity been so ruthlessly swept aside as in this worlds war. | For a long time it looked as if migh. was to conquer over right. And in cur despair we cried out. "Watchn4an,
 what of the night?" and the answer
 came back, Fear not. trust in God " 1 Behold, the dawn is breaking The
 Sun of Righteousness is shining, and
 now thanks to Almighty God we see
 the dawn of day full of promise to al,
 the peoples of all the world. Autocracy has been overthrown, and
 we hope so crushed to earth as tc never dare persecute mankind again
 But our labors are not ended, for the
 world must Aow face the great re.
 responsibilities of guaranteeing a last ing peace under new conditions This
 great news has set the jov bells ring
 ing once more, procllimtng the tri.
 umph of the true religion of oui
 Blessed Emmanuel as announced il the angel chorus heard on the plain, of Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago. Glory to God in the Hiah est, and on earth Peace, Good Will
 Toward Men"
 l Courteously and fraternally yours 5 LEE s. SMITH, l Grand Master. t My Dear Fraters:-
 The Christmas season is at hand
 bringing to our hearts the famiIia 3 and well loved thoughts This yea cur sentiments take on a deeper an, = mOre significant meaning. Let us giV
 thanks for the inestimable rriviIeg F that has been ours to do our share i : the great cause. and let us realize tha p the teachings of our order have liter ally been eXempliffed not only by ou . brothers on the battlefield, but b p those of us who were denied the op : portunity but who answered humani tvs call in humber way. Ma
 Christmas and the New Year brin
 you happiness and good cheer un Il 1 bounded.
 T. Courteously yours,
 f WILLIAM W. PRAYER, n Grand Commander = Greetings were received from Wash . | ington commandery, No. l, of Hart = ford, Clark commandery, z No. '. ( l Waterbury, Palestine Commander.
 No. 6, of New London, Nara aganset
 commandery, No. g, of Westerly an
 St. Johns commandery, No. Il,
 WiIlimantic.
 From his post somewhere in Franc Sergeant Major Paul c. Carpehfe e sent the following greeting to h II brother Sir Knights:
 e Somewhere in France.
 Nov 1S 1918. $ MT. Louis H. Geer Eminent Co,nmar e der, Columbian Commandery, N
 4, Knights Templar, Norwic .e Conn.
 Ie Dear Sir and Brother Knight: C l. Christmas Day 1918, kindly extend " all brothers of Columbian Command 70 cry, No. 4, the seasons greetings .o my behalf n Although e% many miles away IT De thoughts will be with you at his g twelve. Id Now that the victory is won let
 pray that Swords will be beaten in
 :ough-shares" and the glpricus tr
 ditions of Masonry will 'hine forth.
 Fraternally yours.
 'S Regt. Sgt Major Paul c. Carpenter, ce Regt. Hqrs 302nd Field Artille1 IT, American F, F, France. a. A toast to the deceased memb h. and to the eminent commander " of also offered at the service n