The Washington times., 1894-11-26
PYTHIAN KNIGHTS ATTENDED.
Picturesque Scene and Eloquent Sermon
by Rev. Charles l.. Pate at the
North Capitol NJ E Church

Picturesque Scene and Eloquent Sermon
by Rev. Charles L. Pate at the
North Capitol NJ E Church.
With flashing blades and nodding pIumes
of red and white large detachment Of
Pythian knights marched 10 the North Capt.
tol N. E. Church last night and listened to an
able and eloquent sermon by the pastor, Rev.
Charles L. Pate The chancel Of the church
was prettiIy decorated with potted tropical
plants and chrysanthemums, while high
above the pulpit were suspended the large
golden letters f. G. B." representing the
principles OF the great organization, Friend
ship, charity benevolence.
The musical programme was in charge OF
DIR. j. L. Hensley, assisted by Miss A. I1ng-
ling, the cornetist, and Miss Ella Lowder-
milk, who sang beautifully and with splendid
effect the solo, Nearer, My God, to Thee. +"
The Sir knights of the Uniformed Rank
Knights OF Pythias filed into the church at 8
o'clock, and consisted of representatives from
the following divisions: Nelson. No. 2, Co
lumbia, No. 3, Hermione. No. 4, Franklin, No.
5, Caldwell. No. Z, Union, No. 8, and Airing
ton. No. 8. Atthe head OF the column were
Majors Lemuel L. Fugitt and B. w. Beebe,
Capt. John Fl. Mills, n. Bunch, Adjt. J. Is.
Mangum, Grand Vice Chancellor J. w. Har-
dell. and Capts. ". GiIlingham and Gill.
Pastor Pate announced as his text Genesis
withstand Abraham said unto Lot, let there
be no strife, pray thee, between me and thee
and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen;
| for we are brethren" The sermon was pre-
faced by brief address of welcome TO the
| Pythians. He said the history Of the world
| was history OF deeds of horror and scenes of
violence. To correct this state of affairs the
| Pythian Knighthood came into existence.
| There should be brotherhood that will rise
above all strife. We should cherish between
each other the good that is in men. There is
| no more noble work that man can engage in.
| The pastor repeated in an eloquent manner
the pathetic and oft told story Of Damon and
| Pythias.
1.-The day viii never come on this green
earth, said the reverend speaker, ''when men
| will cease TO tell the story of Damon and
! Pythias and their wonderful lcve for each
| other
Their teachings found practice in these
| later days by the organization, on February
| 10, 1854, of the order Of the Knights OF Pyth-
| las, by Justus H Rathbone and few kin
| dred spirits.
The pastor referred TO the desire which has
| sprung up since the war for those of the North
| and their brethren of the South to ''clasp
hands and touch hearts, and how that de-
| sire was being consummated through the
agency of this widespread organization,
which was successfully seeking 10 wipe out
the hatreds and preiudiees ofthe late inter-
necine strife.
Referring to the mystic symbols OF the or
/ der-friendship, charity and benevolenee-Jhe
| minister said the broadcast teachings OF
friendship would stop every lawsuit and
| empty every criminal court docket. What
we need is real friendship. such as the order
| of Knights of Pythias teaches. Charity is
! the sublime art of putting yourself il
another's place. It is the greatest of the
| three graces. Benevolence is another Odor
7 from that sweet flower, charity" 1t is the
| su5limest thing We can contemplate to-day
| and is illustrated by the words: .'Silver and
| gold have none. but such as 1 have I give
| thee"
| Pastor Pate recired some interesting mar
| ratives and concluded with the statement
| that the ''fatherhood of God and the brother
| hood of man" were the two great and under
living principles upon which the Pythian
| order was founded.
| At the conclusion Of the sermon the Sir
| Knights filed past the chancel and shook
| hands with Rev. Mr. Pate, while the cOngre-
| cation sang Onward. Christian sOldiers."