The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-10-19
KHAT rs PYTHiANiSM?

Fraiernally dedicated to Mississippi Lodge
No. 50, X. Of F., Scranton, Miss.
Two friends one day did chance to meet
While sauntering slowly down the street:
One on the others breast could see
A badge with letters Of. Z. b."
He asked: "What mean these letters there p
'This is Pythian badge wear,
They're there for Friendship-Charty--
Benevolenee'-oar trinity
"Upon these principles we stand,
A firm, united, knightly band,
Whose goal is-through the good we do
To reach the Beautiful and True,"
ain our lodges throughout the land
We strive to lend a helping hand
To all good knights within our reach
And thus we practice what we preach.
"What's Pythianism, do you ask
To answer that would prove task
That |, alas must fain confess
Would need more skill than possess.
"Yet, 'twere theme that might inspire,
And rouse Euerpe's tuneful Tyre.
Oh that my hands might play its strings
Till all the world with friendship rings!
"Could thus give its paans voice,
My heart with pride would e'er rejoice
To feel that spoken words of mine
Might echo through the womb of time
"Conld but grasp the'sacred fire,
To sound the praises I'd aspire,
OF our great Order and its work,
Which no true knight would ever shirk.
"What is is this work., you ask my friend,
fraternity is but its end.
To prove Pythian brave and true
These are some acts we ought to do.
"To speak the truth uphold the right;
And every form of evil fght
Relieve distress within our fold
Raise up the weak support the old;
"Visit the sick and try to save,
And failing, bear him to his grave;
Leaves he widow, she's our care;
And every orphan has its share.
obedience we are pledged to give
To all laws under which.we live;
We are taught Prudence, Caution, Care,
And Of rash judgements to beware.
"True loyalty we're also taught,
To do our duty as we ought
To country, loved ones and to home,
While lite's within our mortal loan.
"Morally to be brave, we're told,
AS well as physically bold;
All lessons which If used in lite
Would save us worlds of needless strife.
"And we are taught of friendship true,
From which our glorious Order grew;
How Pythas brave did pledge his life
That Damon might go see his wife.
"How fair Caantha urged his fight =.
The tyrant maavelled at the sight
OF Pythias' faith, and marvelled, too,
As horseman tOw'rds the scatfoId drew,
(which Damon reaches ere'too late
And snatches Pythias from his fate
The tyrant even, touched by the deed,
Straightway the faithful friends had freed.
"These noble heroes are our own;
Their friendship is our cornerstone,
Der it our Orders walls arise
In stately structure to the skies.
"Wthin-broad stairs rise to vast heights,
And all may mount their shining flights,
Which lead aloft through azure sky,
And end before Gods Throne on high!
"And as Gods fatherhood we claim
To fraternze the worlds our aim,
And il to Him and selfwe're true
There is no i'll that we can do.
"These things on which I've tried to throy
some light,
We strive to teach to Page, Esquire ant
Knight,
And that the golden key of charity.
Will ope the Palace of Eternity p"
ERNEST l.. DIMIrRY, c. c.,
kenilworth Lodge No. 80, X. of P.
New Orleans, La.