Morning journal and courier., 1882-06-09
SOnrnsl arb Courier.
Friday siarning. June 8. 1882.
knights of Pythias.

The Growth and Progress of the Order in
the State.
The thirteenth anniversary of Mithra
Lodge No. s, Knights of Pythias, Bridgeport,
was celebrated Wednesday evening About
600 people were present. There was singing
by quartette and short addresses State
Grand Chancellor r. W. Dawless was then
introduced and spoke upon the condition of
the order under his Jurisdiction He thought
that the large attendance present demonstra-
ted the fact that Mithra Lodge was prosper
Gus, and complimented it on having such
host of friends. He said that the order was
first instituted in this State by the formation
of Rathbone Lodge in New Haven November
II, 1868, with membership of thirty-6ve.
This lodge grew rapidly, throwing
off its first shoot few months
later by the institution of Damon
Lodge in the same place, which he said was
composed of the best men in the city He
then spoke of the rapid growth of the order
afterward Referring to the nature of the
order he said the principles are beautiful,
grand and God-lke. The secret work of the
order consists of three degrees, which are
alike beautiful and impressive, impressing
upon its members things that can never be
forgotten. He then referred to the dark
days through which the order had passed
and the recovery from the struggle It is at
the present time as bright and prosperous
as could be desired. He said that there
were now twenty six subordinate lodges in
the State, and one general lodge. The last
reports show that all are free from debt and
many have large sums of money in their
treasures. They have fitted up and control
al NUN hQ1 10 hon 1-aGa, 70 he
several lodges in the State, speaking of their
membership and financial condition. Wau-
regan Lodge, of Norwich, IS the strongest,
having over So 900 in tn ir treasury. Refer
ring to Mithra, of this city, he said it stood
at all times with outstretched hand and open
| doors to receive and welcome the brethren.
| In 1873 there were no funds held by subordi-
nate lodges but since that time they had been
| able to meet all calls for aid At the present
| time there are $12, 900 in the treasures OF
the subordinate lodges in, this State, and 81 >.
| 600 In the treasury of the grand lodge They
had shown their ability to meet all their obi
| cations, and had begun to climb the ladder
| They had paid out up to January l of the
present year $16, $50 exclusive of the veal
| 1868, the report of which had been mislaid
| He then referred to the endowment rank anc
| said that it was first instituted at Middletown
| about three and half years ago, and was di
vlded into two classes. In the first class
which lnsures for 81 900, there were on Jan
uary l 1927 members. In the second class
which insures for $2,OO0 there were 49s
members. In the first class there had beer
six deaths, necessitating payment of &c.,
600, and in the second twelve deaths, requir
ing payments of $24,Ooo making total o
$780, 900, which. added to the SIG, 800 which
had been expended for other purposes, made
a grand total of $40, 800 disbursed exclusiv
of the year 1868. The speaker concluded b.
thanking the members of Mithra for tn
courtesies extended to him on this and othe
occasions.