Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-19
KNIGHTLY COURTESY.
Rock Islands Pythian Lodge I'm.
tertains its Friends
AHAPPY NIGHT AT ARxoRY HALL.
A Diversified Eatertainment such a.
Mas Never Been ExceiIed I'm Rock
Isiaad---st. Paul Lodges social
Event

IS. gave its frst public entertain ment last
night. Toe lodge room and adjacent din
ing halls OF the A. o. U. W. societies on
the third floor Of the Armory building and
the Rodmsn Rife hall below, together
with the council chamber. which was
used for cloak rooms. had been engaged,
and every detail perfected for an affair
which proved al that IL had been planned
TO be. one of the most enjoyable social
events Of the season in Rock Island. The
committees in charge Of the arrange
ments. etc, had discharged their duties
in a manner that won for them the well
merited compliments Of all attending
The Knights had made the entertainment
complimentary and gratuitous in every
way to their friends and the response to
the invitations issued was extensive and
included the best class Of our citizens,
many Of whom hs5 failed to appreciate
until last night the real objects of the So
ciety in the way of binding friendship
aud warm hearted hospitality.
AL formslities were abandoned, the
guests were pleasantly greeted and vel.
coined by members of the uniform rank
and escorted to seats. The hall was filed
beyond its capacity when the exercises
that characterized the first part of the
programme, but sll we're made comforta-
BILE. Past Chancellor G. L. Eyster In
the full regalis Of the uniform rank, pre-
sided. and after extending cordial well
come 10 the sssemblage and bidding all
enjoy themselves, g musical selection
By BleIer's orchestra was first announced
aud then Gen. W. A. Schmitt, who en-
joys the honor Of having been elected to
the highes, state Office in the order. being
past grand chancellor Of the state of IL
hnois, and at present one OF the two re-
representatives. Of the grand lodge of the
state TO the supreme lodge OF the United
States, was introduced and delivered an
excellent address on the order Of Knights
Of Pythias, its objects and benefits, dur
ing which he said:
But few short weeks $50 there died
IN the prime Of life, q man who has left
monument more enduring than any that
can be erected OF iron or stone. Justus
II. RathboDe, the founder Of the order OF
knights OF Pythiss. mark well my friends,
l say the founder OF the order and vet
how young be died for Que who had
wrought so mucn-he was st the age OF
him who nov addresses you. While EN-.
ployed IS clerk 10 one Of the depart
men;s at Washington, ID. c., be con,
ceived the idea of founding an order
based upon the story OF Damon and
PFthiss. and wrote the ritual. On Feb
rusrv 10. 1854. twenty-sx years ago to-
day. he called together 9 number Of gen.
tlenen who composed . small social club
In Washington. and revealed 10 them his
plans. read to them his ritual. and each
took the solemn and binding obligation"
and announced themselves TO ibe world
as the order Of the Knights of Pythias.
Their object 10 told in the glowing words.
embraced in this. which they adopted ~
their
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
rounded on nAught but the purest apd
sincerest motives. its aim IL TO alleviate the
sunerings Of brother, succor the unfor. |
tunate. zeslousiy watch at the bedside of
the sick, sooih the dying pillow, perform
the last sad rites ~ the grave Of brother, |
Offering consolation 10 the afflicted, and |
caring for the widow and orphan. Hay.
ing those principles in view. they wi en- |
deavor 10 exemphfy them BY practical
tests; and IL, by the grace Of God, IL shall |
successfully carry out this object, they
viii feel that their mission has not been |
in vain"
And confident OF the success OF their |
cause. they subsequently, added 10 this
the following:
Recognizing the universally OF
human brotherhood. It's organization is
designed TO embrace the world within It's
Observation-Disclosures solely and only to
disseminate the greaiI riDci Piles Of friend
ship. charity and beoevOlence; nothing
OF sectsrian or political character Is per.
mitted within its portals. liberation In
religion, obedience 10 Law aud LOYALTY 10
government, are its cardinal principles.
Misfortune. misery and death being writ
ten In fearful Characters on the broad face
of creation, our noble order was insti>
tuted 70 uplift the fallen, 10 champion
humanity. 10 De bis guide and hope, his
refuge. shelter and defense. TO soften
down the ssperities Of LIE: TO suodue |
party spirit and by the swee, and power
ful attractions OF the glori Jus trinity OF |
friendship. charity and bepevolence. TO |
bind in one harmonious brotherhood men |
Of all classes and all opinions"
The brightest jewels which IL gamers
are the tears Of widows and orphans: and
its imperative commands are 10 visit the
homes where lacerAied hearts are bleed
ing. 20 assuags the suferings Of q
brother. bury the dead. care for the
widow and educate the orphan. TO exer>
else charity toward offenders. TO construe
words and deeds in their lest favorable
light granting honesty Of purpose and
good Intentions TO others. to stop
toe circulation Of Islander and re-
Duke the slanderers. TO defend the
most bitter enemy when unjus;ly as
sailed. and 10 protect the principles Of
knighthood unto death"
Its laws are reason and equity; its
cardinal doctrines inspire purity Of
thought and life. and love Of ruth, and
loyalty 10 the government under which
We live; Its intention is peace on earth
and good viii toward men"
10 organizing the Knights OF Pythiss.
the objects were not the presentation of
new principles. but rather the reviving
and bringing before the public principles
that are almost ss old ss the age OF man.
They are OF divine origin. and are coex-
istent with our being. but they being OF
delicate nature We are too apt 10 allow
them IN be choked out BY the rank weed
Of selnshness; this has been the case In
all ages. Selfshness has run not and IT
times Il seems a. though friendshlp. char