The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-05-30
Pythian Knighthood.

SA1A~S1 %@A@t o - SAASS6s
A Lecture delivered by w.
M, RAPsHER, Esq, of Lo-
highton, at a number of
Pythian Hall Dedications
and other occasions in var
ious parts of the State.
PROBABLY the first, the most anthem
tic, and the most sublime declaration in
the history of the world of the actual
existence of a secret brotherhood il re-
corded in that venerable record of anti
guilty, the Bible, in the l. Book of Sam
uel, between jonathan and David. =
We read there that David, the magi-
cal musician, soothed and charmed King
| Saul by his sweet and tender music upon
| the harp, that SAIL was refreshed, and
| the evil spirit which troubled him de-
parted from him. Wien King Saul's
domini0ns were thi eatened with danger,
the same David slew tie giant, Goliath,
the champion of his enemies, the Philis
tines, with his sling and pebble. For
these great deeds the people loved and
hohored David ; bat Saul. forgetting his
debt of gratitude, became very wroth
at him and sought to take his life for
The most unjustlliable causes. First
we observe that Jonathan and David
became very intimate friends they
loved each other as they loved their own
souls, which displeased Saul. And
secondly, we find the following, which
explains itself, in the 18th chapter from
the 9th to the 9Th verse inclusive and the
11th verse: ..-.. .s...
6. And it came to pass as they came,
when David was returned from the
slaughter of the Phllistiues, that the
women came out of all the cities of Is
rael, singing and dancing, to meet King
Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with
instruments of music. ..-.
| Z. Ind the women answered one an
other as they played, and said, Saul
hath slain his thousands, and David his
ten thousands. f+
s. And Saul was very wroth, and the
saying displeased him I; and he said,
They have ascriDed unto David ten
the ousands, and to me they have but
ascribed thousands and what can he
have more but the kingdom? BIO
IL. And Saul cast the javelin A.; for he
said, l will smte David even to the wall
with it. And David avoided out of his
presence twice. r..s cL u
Il But all Israel and Judah loved David
and Jonathan and David entered into a
solemn and secret covenant for their
mutual safety aud happiness. To es-
tabllsh my position clearly, that there
was q secret covenant between them,
refer you To the goth chapter, from the
40th to the 22nd verse inclusive, which
will lie sufficient for our present purpose;
although the entire l.. Book of Samuel
is specially interesting in this connec-
2 ton, and worthy OF perusal =.
49,. And when thou hast stayed three
days, then thou shalt 60 down quickly
aud come TO the place where thou didst
hide thyself when the business was in
hand, and thou shalt remain by the stone
Ezel.
90 And / will shoot three arrows on
the side thereof, as though / shot at q
mark. .. VIZ ...,, .. ... ....
2l. And, behold, / will send lad,
saying, Go, find out the arrows If
expressly say unto the lad, Behold ,<the
arrows are Oh this side Of thee, take
them; then Come thou, for there Is peace
thee, and no hunt; as the Lord liyeth.
: 22. But If say thus unto the young
man, Behold, the arrows are beyond
thee; so thy way, for the Lord hatl
sent thee away. .lae.
You will observe here by unmistak
able language, that they had secret signs
, of recognition, which is regarded by
many as one of the very grayest ohjec'
J tlOus against secret societies. And il
the 42nd verse OF the same chapter W,
have the evidence OF a sworn .coyepan
between them, which is still even NOR,
Objectionable to the same classef people
"And Jonathan said to David, Go il
peace, forasmuch as we have sworl
both of US in the name OF the Lord, say
. ing, The Lord be between me and the,
and between my seed and thy seed for
a ever. And lie arose and departed"
The signication of this passage i
clear, unequivOcal and direct; the obi
ga ion solemn and binding, and tn,
cord of friendship strong and lasting
b. Thus we prove that the chiet corner
stone upon which secret societies bull
, are venerable in point of age AM
I majestic in authority, and glorousl.
sublime in precept aud principle.
Since that ancient covenant betwepl
Jonathan and David, for their inutua
. safety and to more effectually perpetual
lofty friendship, numerous secret or
CARNATIONS have sprung up in all part
of the world. And this is precise
g what might have been expected; becaus
it is Inherent in the nature Of man I
= join together in some manner with hi
fellows for his welfare and safety. Thi
innate desire of human nature is, ev Ell
clearly dlScernaOle among the ruiesi
- most GarGarous and unciyilized tribes
H. The value and Importance of organza
le ton to effect any object, or TO promu
4, gate any idea, will surely not be calle
n. in question by any one In this the Mint
RS teenth Century-the great age of science
If progress and advanced ideas. We a
know its utility and indispensable in
portance. What great object can ma
n achieve, or what idea successfully carr
X ont nv himself alone withOnt the a.