The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-06-06
Pythian Knighthood.

Pythlarl knlghtnood.
A Lecture delivered by w.
M. RAPsHER, Esq, of Le-
highton, at a number of
Pythian Hall Dedicaticns
and other occasions in var
ious parts of the State.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
We have seen thai its origin dates
well back into antiquity, but the mod
ern organization is of recent date. 1t
was reserved for the master. minds of a
few of our brothers, of genius, to organ
ize and reduce TO system the principles
and workings of the Order in the city
of ashington, as late as the month of
April A. d 1864. Since then, like the
majestic oak, it has extendedits branch
es far and wide in every direction.
Its members are to lie found in nearly
very state of the Union, and | am in.
formed, that it is even taking root in
foreign countries, Certain it Is, that
its power and influence for good are
felt ovel the globe. Its mission and
destiny have glorious outlook.
Among its leading precepts are,
friendship, hcnor,. courage, magnan-
unity, bpneNo olel ce and CHARITY.
Friendship is a prize which we all covet,
a natural desire, deeply Implanted in
the human l.eart. Friendship has been
a great theme, no less with ladies fair,
and gallant knights, than with such
sagtS as Aristotle, Srnaca and Cicero of
the oldpn times; and with Bacon, Ad-
Olson and others nearer to our OWL.
But in our time, it seems the sentiment
itself is not soardent as when the speak
ing and writing thereon. were more in
vogue, and can at this time well bear a
strong infusion of the Pythian spirit.
There are no doubt times when il will
ease the heart to reveal its emotions of
joy or grief into a friendly bosom; and
to hold counsel and comparison of
thought, aid to do and ask a thousand
SthingS which seem unseemly for man
himself to do, but which are SO appro.
pirate for the deputation Of friend.
Who can estimate the value of trne
friend in the hour of joy, or in the day
of adversely? The poet finely portray,
ed the sentiment. VIII, n he wrote,
love the friend who laughs with me,
When pleasure decks my brow;
But uearer still that friend must be,
Who weeps with me in sympathy.
Su,h friendship as the poet suggests,
nd
Pythias practically exhibited, is indeed
rarer than it should be- but friendship
like the variou, species of plants in the
vegetable kingdom. attains its growth,
1t would seem, according to fixed laws
and conditions, and good and desirable,
evenif.it' does not develope itself To the
highest plane of feeling and sympathy
To ILLUSTRATED: call your attention to the
fact, that some twenty years ago the
largest flower in the world was discov-
cred in the tropical Island OF Sumatra,
which was justly styled the magnificent
Titan of the vegetable Kingdom. The
full-blown flower measured one yard
ia diameter, or more than nine feet in
circumf erance, with petals as large as a
mans ann. 1t weighed more than
twelve pounds and contained not less
than one quart of nectar. This was a
grand ll0wer, nevertheless, smaller ones
are sweet and eharIliDg.t Thus with
friendship. Friendship may be known
Ny tlr affectionate expression Of the
countenance, the mild '1uSture OF tile
eye. the winning smile and Voice But
the most reliable test is In the hour of
adversely" friend in,need is friend
Indeed" Is a truthful saying. FIiend-
ship has its advantages. 1t is very sell
dom that a person without friends can
reach . high position in society. Friends
support and magnify fortune and tame.
They also afford us much of our private
and social happiness. Aud theys will
assist, and comfort each, other in times
of distress; and when death has produc-
ed Separation the living will decorate
theigEaye and memory of the departed
with the symbols of atfection. p
Z Honorr courage and, magnaninity are
also admirable qualities. Theyare quail
tiles which have always been held in
high esteem by mankind. Look at the
grand old days of chivalry and knight
hood in the history of tie middle ages!
To be the possessor of those qualities
then, with the same knight was esteem
ed the hiLhtest possible attainment and
received the highest alteration We can
learn an important and valuable lesson,
even, from that crude age. The most
prominent object which engages our at.
tertion during that period, is the "Feu-
dal System" iThe rude beginning of
this tate of society may be traced back
to the terminating of the first SEEDS of
order after the spread of barbariSm over
the Roman world. In its best state l.
was system CT Oppressiong which de-
stroyed all feelings of brotherhood and
equality between mau aud man; cOu-
tanning innumeruble sources of anarchy,
aud possessed thsfeOlest bonds of poiiti.
cal union. 1t exerted fatal influence
on the character of society generally,
aud the great mass of the population of
Europe, during the !hlee or four cen
tuIies in which 1t was under the thTal
dom OF this system, was sunk 10 the
most profound. lgporance. LiFrature
and science could receive no favor in the
midst of turbulence, oppression and ra.
pine: judges and kings often could not
4 WI ita their own names: many of the