The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-07-07
OF the order he reformed thapds as fol-

of the order he reformed thards as fol-
lows:
PISS Sou1s and Lgiies 1ftie C.Eait:ee
with pleasure | accept this beautiful
flag with which you have - kindly pre-
sented us.
On behalf Of the Findlay Lodge
knights Of Py;iias, permit me most SIN
cerely and respectfully 10 return YOU the
thanks of the brethren, fOr this elegant
token OF your kindness and regard.
Coming as it does from thOse we -
highly regard, Il Is the more valued and
esteemed.
Coming from the kind hands and ten
der hearts Of the wives. sisters and
friends Of our brother Knights how can
| express in appropriate language the
thanks of the Brotherhood, or my own
feelings, in return for your elegant gift
and kind and cheering words
When We reflect that but little more
than one year ago the Pythian banner
was first unfurled in Findlay. ave. not
quite fourteen months have rolled away.
since small band organized and were
instituted as Findlay Lodge No. 50.
Knights of Pythias, of Ohio, since which
time we have prospered and our labors
have been crowned with success that
surprised even the most sanguine of our
number. And now upon this, our first
p1bllc demonstration, 10 receive the
s.hpathy, respect and aid Of such kind
friends as l see around me to-day, GER
talnly must and does cause the heart of
every Knight to thrill with joy.
AS have before remarked. our Order
Is comparatively young in Findlav, and
the question may be asked to-day. as it
frequently has before, What are the
Knights of Pythias, and the object of
their organiZatiOn?' WithOutgoing into
detailed history of the origin, rise and
progress of the Order, as that has already
been so kindly and ably referred to bv
Miss Sours, permit me to answer briefly:
It's tenents, or principles, to which il is
dedicated, are Friendship, Charity and
BenevOlence, founded upon the beautiful
and touching story of Damon and Pv-
thias, with friendship for its corner
stone. Having for one of its principal
objects the driving out of the heart of
man all hate and seliishness and building
up in its stead the holy principles of
charity and benevolence. 1t teaches us
to reverence the great Creator of all; to
live honest, temperate and virtuous; 10
alleviatd the wants of n brother in dis
treSs; to watch by his bedside when he
is sick, and if possible, by nursing and
care, restore him to health, but if the
chill hand of death should fall upon his
brow, follow him to the grave and per-
form the last sad rites over his mortal
remains; to aid and assist the widow and
orphans in the hour of their distress, and
see that all their wants are cared for.
These, dear frienls, are some of the
teachings of the Order, that you have so
highly honored this day.
Brother Knights, let the kindness and
honor this day bestowed upon Us, and
through us the Knights of Pythias ofthe
world, ever remain fresh in the memory
of us all, and when we gaze upon that
beautiful flag may we ever remember,
not only this elegant gift itself, but the
kind words of cheer given Us, and the
bomteous repast prepared by the kind
hands of loved friends, which now awaits
us upon our picnic grounds; and may |
that memory ever assist Us to do our
duty and urge us on and on, until hate
and selfishness shall be driven from the
earth, and charity and benevolence reign |
throughout all the land.
Ladies, once again | thank you all.
The banner is composed of three |
stripes of blue, yellow and red, with a |
strange device" on the center section,
and is an elegant piece Of work.
After the presentation the Knights pa
raded the principal streets, executing |
many difficult and f,nciful mauoeuvers |
peculiar to their drill. The picnic at
the pleasant grounds connected with the
9th District School House, was all that
could have been desired. The sumptu-
Gus repast was headtily partaken of and
bountifully praised. After the picnic
came the return march, and the public
installation of officers ut Castle Hall |
Everything from first to last pasSeI off |