The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-07-07
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Grand Parade..Flag Presentation, Pie
Me and Installation.

The announcement that the Knights
of Pytfias, of this city, would make a
parade in u"'form, on Monday last,
had awakened considerable curiosity
to see them, Pnd a large crowd gather
ed IN the streets to witness the pageant.
The business houses houses along Main
stree had decked themselves in holiday
attire, aud presented very handsome
appearance.
At 3o'cIock the K B1ights clad in their
handsome rpiform, formed iu process
sion in front of Their hal, and led by
.he Northwestern band march to the
Court House, where, agreeably to pre-
vious arrangement, handsome Pyth-
ian flag, which had been made by the
ladies of Findly, was presented to them
by Miss Jennie Sours, in q neat speech.
Miss Sours spoke rs follows:
Chancellor COmmGnder-In behalf
of the mothers, wives and sisters of
the members OF your fraternity, pre-
sent this banner as a token of our
hearty appreciation of the principles
upon which your order is founded:
principles of Friendship, Benevolence
and Charity, that have their origin
and perfection in ourCreator and which
were implanted by Him in the hearts
of our first parents when they were
created in his own image, but after
,rorI anA oI,nnSt wholly oh
liberated by their first transgression.
Gross selfishness then took possession
of the heart of man; the mind of the
human family gradually became so
darkened that it was unable to COM
prehend an act of friendship, benevo-
lence or charity.
About 529 years B. c., Pythagoras. a
Grecian Philosopher, instituted at Gro
ton, town in Southern Italy, the far
famed Pythagorean Society. OF its
mysteries we know nothing: but its
outward workings are best illustrated
by the lesson of brotherly love taught
by two of its members-Damon and
Pythias-the patrons of your order.
Such a noble example could not be
lost, The heart of Dionysius, the
naughty tyrant, was melted by it, and
she begged them to instruct him by
their principles as they had done by
their example, and to admit him to
their friendship"
About 800 years B. G. this society
gradually died out as a religious and
philosophical order-its political infu-
ence having previously passed away.
The nations were fast approaching a
time when light should dawn upon the
world. Jesus Christ came to lay the
cornerstone upon which the great
moral aud religious structure of to day
is built. He spent bis life miuistering
to man aud sealed His faithfulness by
His death.
If the Pagan world failed to compre-
hend the friendship that would have
enabled Pytbias to die for friend, less
did the Christian world comprehend
the love and benevolence that led the
son OF God to die for his enemies. But
nature did; the earth trembled; the
sun hid his face.
Since that time the world has stead
lily grown better. Benevolent soci :
ties have arisen, and, hand in hand
with religion, have gone forward, pro-
noting Peace on earth, good viii
toward men,"
Your own society-the modern Pyth-
agorean-is among the youngest, If not
the youngest. 1t is but little more
than decade of years since it was or
ganized at orr National Capital, at a
time when the whole land resounded
with the clash of arms. OF its early
struggles and triUmphs it is needless to
speak; they are known to you.
Though in its Infancy, your society
gives promise of a strong and active
manhood. Already it has extended
from one boundary of our land to
the other; it has grasped the islands of
the seas, and is reaching out to eucircle
other lands, until the whole world
shall be girded roundby the "strong
bands of Friendship, Benevolence and
Charity"
May the greater Light of this Chris
tian era lead you ON to purer lives and
nobler acts than those which shone
amid Pagan darkness. Keep the shield
of your faith bright, so THAT when
you pass through the Valley, you may
fear no evil; but may stand approved,
and clothed with the garments of
Christ's righteousness, when called
upon to enter into the mysteries OF the
unknown world.
The Bsuner was received by Chan
cellor Jos. L. Linville, and in behalf