Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-18
TIE KNIGHTS OFPYTHIAS
TWENTY SECOND ANNIVERSARY
OF THE ORDER.

Its Public Observance in savannah To-
Morrow by DuGuesclIn Division
/ History, Growth and Aim of the Or
/ der Whose brightest Jewels are the
Tears Of Widows and Orphans"
Tomorrow is the twenty-second an
niversary OF the founding Of the knights
Of Pythias, and will be observed
by members OF the order throughout the
world. 1T was intended to have general
observance Of the day by the lodges and
divisions in Savannah, but the plan was
changed, and the only public observance
will be by DuGuesclin Division, which
Will parade in the afternoon at O'Clock
and in the evening will give a grand ball
at Armory Hall in which members Of the
various lodges will participate.
The order Of knights Of Pythias
originated in the city OF w ashington,
d. g., Feb. 10, 1884, Ivy the institution
Of Washington Lodge, No. /, The
founder, Justus Henry Rathbone,
now employed in the War Department at
| founding fraternity based upon the
principle OF friendship from reading the
wonderful story OF Damon and Pythias
and their regard for each other. This
first impression came TO him while he
was teaching school at Eagle HarbOr,
! Mich, IN the winter Of 1901. The Grand
Lodge OF the District Of Columbia was or
ganized April $, 1864. few subordinate
lodges were organized IN the District,
and Feb. |, 1865, Alexandra Lodge, No. j,
was organized in Alexandra, Va.
The growth OF the order was not rapid
until 1t was introduced into Pennsylvania,
Excelsior No. l being Instituted in Phila-
delpnla, Feb. %, 1867, and 1t may he seen
how popular the work was, as July | Of
that year the lodge reported 800 members.
This proved to be the Grade in which the
order was fostered, as to-day 1t is its
stronghold, there being now about 500
lodges, with about 40,00 members. The
order next advanced 10 Maryland In No
yember, and to New Jersey Dec. II, 1867.
Early the following year several lodges
were instituted in Delaware, the bone Of
the present supreme master of eXchequer,
samuel j. Wiley. In April Louisiana
was invaded, and in May the system
reached New York, then California, West
Virginia, Nebraska, in the order named.
1t was first Introduced into New England
in Hartford, Conn, and next reached
Massachusetts, in 1859. Its declaration
Of principles is as follows:
"RecOgnizing the universally OF human
brotherhood. the organization of knights
Of Pythias is designed to embrace the
whole world within its Jurisdiction; in
tended solely and only TO disseminate the
great principles Of friendship, charity,
and beneyolence; nothing OF a sectarian
or political character is permitted within
its portals. federation in religion, Obedi-
ence 10 law, and loyalty to government
are Its cardinal principles.
misfortune, misery, and death being
written In fearful characters on the broad
face of creation, our noble order was in
stituted TO champion humanity, to uplIit
the fallen, to be his guide and hope, his
refuge, shelter, and defense; to soften
down the asperities of life, to subdue the
party spirit, and by the sweet and power
full attractions of the glorious trinity of
friendship, charity, and benevolence. TO
bind IN one harmonious brotherhood men
of all classes and opinions.
'The brightest jewelswhich it possesses
are the tears of widows and orphans, and
its imperative commands are to visit
homes where lacerated hearts are bleed
ing, to assuage the sutferlngs of a brother,
bury the dead, care for the widow and
educate the orphan, to exercise charity
towards offenders, to cOnstrue words and
deeds in their least unfavOrable light
granting honesty Of purpose and good in
tentions to others; and TO protect the
principles of knighthood unto death.
sits laws are reason aud equity; its car
diual doctrines inspire truth and thought
Of life, and love of truth. and loyalty TO
the government under which we live. Its
intentions are Peace on earth and good
will toward men,"
At the present time there are 10 lodges,
all in good working condition, in this
state, with membership Of nearly 1900.
There never was a time since the very
first when so much interest has been
shown by the general public as at the
present, the general reputation of
the order being OF so high a charac-
ter that it commands the attention
and respect OF all who know of
its good works. The Grand Lodge and
also the subordinate lodges OF Georgia
are on a solid basis financially. The
order is rapidly increasing in member
ship. and now has upwards Of 100000
members altogether. Four lodges and
divisions have been organized in Georgia
since last November, Calanthe Division
in this city, and lodges at Darien, Way
cross and Albany.
TuRnnan sruE rTTR