Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-10-23
GRANp LopaE. KN1anrs oil PYrn.

4 sion of over 100 delegates, carriages
containing prominent leaders IN the
history OF the organization, etc, headed
10y the City Band paraded the town,
and returned to the Central Opera
House about O'Clock. There the pa
rade disbanded to meet at 7 O'Clock. The
Opera house was comfortably filled,
when the City Band lead the
knights into it. The stage was nicely
arranged and above its centre were the
expressive words: Welcome, knights
of Pythias y After an excellent rem
dition by the City Band, and an earnest
invocation by Rev. ]. Il. Andrew,
Prof VIM. Gerhardt, on behalf of Wash
ington Lodge. No. /, X. Of r., and the
Mayor and citizens of Martinsbnrg,
heartily and very pleasantly, welcomed
the Grand Lodge. The Professor was
in his manifest mood. and spoke with
feeling and fuency. Then, the portly
figure of our friend, j. Rufus Smith, of
Morgan county, G.. c., came forward.
La a few excellent and suitable re-
marks, overlooking with happiness,
Mr.. Smith accepted the welcome and
hospitality so lavishly extended, and re-
tired to his seat amid a wild din OF APP
plause. The City Band again played
nice selection, after which, Prof. Ger
ardtintroduced to the audience Hon.
J. S. Rathbone, p. s. c., and founderof
the organization. Mr.. Rathbone then
commenced one of the most interesting
and polished addresses that it ever fell
to our lot to hear He reviewed the
organization of the order, its inception,
growth and work The beautiful story
of Damon and Pythias appeared more
beautiful after his exposition and feet
ing description OF its true fsiendship
and lesson of love and trust For over
an hour, the orator delighted his au-
dience. His language was beautiful,
his descriptions pretty, and his com
mand of gesture, iiae. There was no
abrupt pauses, no unnecessary mirth,
no assumed gravity. The speaker was
master of his subject. How strange it
seemed, to sit listening to a man who
organized and formulated the plan that
has bound the friendship of 500,0 600 souls
with strands, lasting and holy /; that
has made homes happy, men brotherly
in affections, the world more generous
and assisting. Mr.. r. is practical
sample of the spirit which he aimed to
ingraft into the lodge ritual, as its lead
ing, absorbing virtue. Unassuming,
kind and gentle, he was the observed OF
| all eyes .--
After the address, the lodges and q
| large number of persons proceeded to
| Feller's Hall, where the fair young Ia
dies who had the banquet in hand had
four long tables spread, and weighed
down, with choicest eatibles and deli
cacies. Over 800 persons sat down to
the banquet. Such a gathering ] Sir
knight smiled at Sir Knight; wit and
happiness ran riot, and everybody en-
joyed themselves. The 'feast Of wis
dom and the flow of soul, = lasted until
"a late hour, and even then the visitors
seemed loath to leave their pleasant sur
roundings. The banquet was d grand
event, and the pleasant. pretty young
mattresses, added to- the material en-.
joynent of the hour. Many ofthe vlsi-
tors remained over in the city during
Wednesday, and they all agreed that
the attention and hospitality of our
people is not easily surpassed and out
done. They went away carrying with
them many pleasant thoughts of their
kind treatment.
vhA A FEW NOTES.
viii Carney and Louis Longkammer
were very efficient in seating so salts
factorily such a large audience.
Prof. Gerhardt, venerable and ener-
getic, was the spirit of the gathering
Wherever friend Rufus Smith went,
friends greeted him with warm hand
shakes.
Jake Whitson looked every inch Sill
Knight. So did Lew Gerling.
The City Band astonished some O.
the rural delegates. Itell you, the way
it did play was caution to other bands
and very gratifying to the average Mar
tinsburger.
I
Washington Lodge deserves praise
for the splendid manner in which TIT
program was carried out. Nary a flaw
in it.
Our people and all those who offeret
assistance, felt doubly repaid by thu