The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-19

The first public meeting of the Order Of
Chevaliers Of Pythias was held at Williams
Hall last evening. There was an entertain
ment, in which Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Flayan,
Master George Anderson, Mrs. Pine, Harry
A. Lamb, Miss Totten, Maud White, Alice
w. Lamb, Miss Hill. Master O'Brion and
Mrs. Blaisdell took part. An address was
then delivered by General A. H. Simonton.
Supreme Deputy of the Order.
GEN. sISIoNToN's ADDRESS.
After giving history of how he learned
practical fraternity" which so few under
stand, his connection with the Odd Fellows
and Improved Order Of Red ,sid Men. he said:
hall Lodge, Knights ofPythias, but was
disappointed in the ritual and work Of that
order and took withdrawal card from the
lodge and order in June, 1888.
L1 MAY 1888 beeN@e sg s0WsYaeat iafoEpfd g
las. studied their objects and principles,
their forms Of government, their fraternal
practices and the character of the men who
composed the order. said to myself: Here
Is fraternal brotherhood, such one as i
have been seeking, one with a prominent
temperance plank In its platform, l will be a
Pythian Chevalier.
He stated that many had the erroneous
idea that this order Is in some manner con-
Il y
no connection with the Knights of Pythias
and is not engaged in the same field of work.
This is an Independent order, having its own
laws, ritual, form of government and special
field OF labor for the benefit of young men, to
make them better men and citizens.
Speaking Of the Order Chevaliers of Pyth-
las, he said:
l find the incorpOratOrs of the Chevaliers
of Pythias (Dr. Wilson et all to be men of
thought and ability and thoroughly unim-
peachable. find in the order such men as
Rev. DIR. Cutter, Rev. DIR. Cunning, Judge
John Haskell Butler and many others, rep
resentatlye men of whom any order might
justly feel proud
If a religious war should rend this country
every Chevalier of Pythias who take up
arms; IS under obligation to do so in defense
of the Christian religion.
The Chevaliers Of Pythias take broad
grounds on the temperance question, so
much so that any Chevalier who, while
wearing any part OF the uniform OF badge Of
the order enters place where liquors are
sold is liable to expulsion.
1t practices practical fraternity. The law
of the order for guidance of members is
readily obtainable by every chevalier and
every grievance or application for interpre-
tati0n OF the law receives prompt attention.
The Bible Is its basis, and no other book Is
recognized as its Book of Law" Its floor
work is military and of the finest character.
The sole idea Is to establish the order on a
proper basis, claiming attention to the order
only on the ground of higher motives, broad
er and more practical fraternal brotherhood,
better and more interesting ritualistic work,
and at much less expense than other orders,
at the same time offering the same line of
benefits as others. to all who join this chiv-
alric brotherhood. This order is new, based
upon higher plan of fraternity, temperance
and defense of Christianity, and needs earn
est advocates andworkers to advance it. While
yyQ Od nc n tnh tun IS
fraternal organization, we do net claim that
it is faith or church organization, but a
human society founded on Divine principles
as old as creation.
Men OF all classes acknowledge the truth
OF the principles OF the brotherhood of man.
kind, united by a common bond Of sympathy.
The man who takes an old truth and puts up
on 1t new application for the benefit Of
the race, has done that which cannot be es-
timated in dollars and cents. The worth of
man or an order to the world, is not what
he or 1t has, but what it does to help men
bear the burdens of life and bring cheer and
gladness to the hearts Of his fellows or its
members The order Chevaliero OF Pythiae
does this and is worthy the honor and re-
spect of all sister organizations, and shall
deeply regret any unfraternal action on the
part of any orders against our working out
our own Interpretation Of these principles
If I am asked why am Pythian Cheva-
lier. should answer, because:
1st-The order of Chevaliers of Pythias is
based upon niger motives. Secret societies
have multiplied so rapidly and the field is so
completely covered that ! think any new
organization should present some special
work to entitle il to the confidence and pat
ronage Of the public.
OF such fraternal organizations as the Ma
sonic order, Independent Order of Odd
the Knights of Pythias, not one of them Is
based upon the promotion Of the principles
of temperance among its members, or throw
their protecting fraternal influences around
the young men during the most critical peri
cd of their lives, viz, from their sixteenth tC
their twenty-frst birthdays.
During these years the young men are sub
jected to the most serious temptations oi
their lives, and they are less under restrain
Ing influences. They are excluded from
the fraternal orders because they arr
under age, but they must find company anC
companionship, something to occupy thei
minds.
1t may be that the young man, maxim,
chance acqualntances, sometimes finds thl
best companions and influences, but tn
probabilities are that they will be undesira
bic, If not dangerous in character.
He finds matters proposed for amusement
which he hesitates to take part in, but i
finally persuaded to participate, though wit
doubts as to its propriety.
Another time he Is more easily induced [
do the same thing, and so on, step by ster
until he has. lost his hesitation and join
those companions with relish.
1t may be gambling, it may be intoxicatin
liquor which is the temptation offered. Rec
ognizing this danger to our young men, an,
having desire to surround them with fra
ternal ana temperance influences, and aid Il
elevatlng the standard OF manhood and citi
zenship, the Chevaliers of Pythias receiv
these young men as members, instruct then
IN the ritual and drill of the order, caus
them to act manly and feel manly, whicl
acts and feelings will 90 with them and De
This drill teaches the young men self con
| troll and self-reliance, and is an importan
branch eff education in itself.
2d-The order of Chevaliers Of Pythlas
recognizes the rights of individual members
should be wronged, no brother need remain