Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-17
COLUMBIAN COsIMANDERY WILL
 OBSERVE CHRISTMAS DAY

Columbian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, has arranged for it's annual observance of Christmas at the Masonic tepple at 11.30 on Christmas morning. An address at that time is to be made by sir knight, Rev. Alexander H. Abbott For those unable to attend the Norwich service. arrangements will be made for the observance of the day at Masonic hall, Danielson, and at Ma sonic hall, Putnam. The most eminent grand master, Joseph Kyle Orr, has made an earnest appeal for a special collection for charity on this occasion.
 The following sentiment has been pre- pared for the coming Christmas observ- ance:
 To Joseph Kyle Orr, Most Eminent Grand Master:
 Three hundred thousand Knights Tenn plar sincerely wish you "A Merry Christmas, and Happy Christmas, ! such as follows duty well observed, faith steadfastly kept, vows scrupulous- ly performed, ears ever attuned to the cry of the fa.herless and helpless and heart always beating in unison with your fellowman.'
 The grand master sends the following i response:
 Sir Knights; The words duty. faith and vows should never fall on closed ears nor hardened hearts Official posi- tion may bring high honors but not without responsibilities. The vows of knlghthood are individual to you and to me One would be faithless to his con science who should fail to impress upon the heart O Teach Knight Templar that he IS under vows for the defense of the innocent, the helpless and the destitute. It seems fitting at this Christmas sea- son that by some concrete act we should | give expression to a reconsecration of our better selves. Deeds speak louder thna words and go further than good in- tentions
 What part shall be yours of the good deeds that shall be done this day in the name of our beloved order? We are in the midst of year of re- J construction As We come down from i the pinnacle of Prosperity there are many pitfalls.
 In the industrial world there has been an orgy of riotous living. A wave 1 of wasteful extravaganza has held high carnival | But almost overnight We have awak ened. Common sense is coming hack The cure is to be quicker-by a mustart plaster-though most of us would ra thel have had a poultice.
 The laborer is still worthy of his hire put competition will show him the wis dom of producing more than he con sumes.
 This is worldwide movements
 concerns you and me and we canno side-step it.
 Born of spirit of unrest, there ar
 scattered in our country small group of firberands, who, thank God, ren,a ii a minority, yet are stil a disturbin
 factor.
 If the three hundred thousand Knight
 Of the Temple, and the two million q
 their Masonic brethren whom the
 might influence, could become irrespec tive of party, an outstanding and out . spoken force for Law and Order-fo Llberty-for independence of though
 and action of every worker. they woul
 put the heel of public opinion upon tn
 heads of every hydra-headed monste | who under a crimson flag seeks to SD,
 sedition and discomfort among our pec
 pie.
 Then might we realize, in the word Of Past Grand Master Hugh McCurdy
 The world is not asking how ia back into the past We can trace o,I : family free but how far into the f,1tur shall reach the influence of our preser : everyday lives"
 Today, as never before, the worl needs us at our best.
 Courteously yours.
 JOSEPH KYLE ORR,
 Grand Master
 My Dear Fraters:-In transmittin ? to you the response of the Most Elm nent Grand Master, Joseph Kyle Orr. the sentiment prepared by the Commi l tee on Christian Observance. I won simply emphasize the thought ths seems to be so prominent in the mind ( 3 he Grand Master, that the time has al $ rived for every Knight Templar to san firm for all that the Order rnnrnr.rrr