The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-06-21

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world calls charitable, but in thought
and opinion; for man is small and
narrow indeed who claims and exercis-
es his own opinion, and yet is unwil-
ling to grant to others the honest exer-
else of that right which God has given
to all men. Charity teaches us to de-
spise no human being. 1t may open
the door to pity, but her mantle is too
broad for the exercise of hate. 1t in
spires forgiveness, and gently holds in
check the natural viciousness of man.
1t is "like the dew of Herman and the
dew that descendeth on the mountains
of Zion when the Lord commanded the
blessing life forevermorel'
Benevolence! All, how much this
member of the beautiful trio expresses!
If you know man who cultivates and
exercises Benevolence, you know one
who is beloved by all and one whose
| life is not in vain, for he does good in
| the world This splendid virtue is the
base upon which stands all that is love-
ly and loveable in human character, all
that is really noble in life, and upon
which must rest both Friendship and
Charity.
Combine these three elements in one
character them cluster about a sim
gle name-and you will behold some
thing of that which we strive to estab-
lish in the heart of every Knight of
Pythias. We are bonded together for
the exercise and cultivation of these
graces-for mutual help, mutual enjoy
ment and mutual encouragement in
those things which we know tend to
make the world better. We believe
that if part is made better, the whole
is benefited. If we can enlarge these
qualities of the human heart wherever
found-whether in the highest type of
civilization, or among the Arabs of the
desert, or the savages of Africa, who
should object?
We believe the world is better by
reason of the existence of our order,
and that therefore the world is better
to-day, better by reason of these cere-
monies, higher in morality, purer in
action and approaching nearer the
divine requirement. day by day.
The opposition which once existed
among the clergy against all orders of
this character has almost wholly disap-
peared. / am aware that here and
there is still to be found some impa-
tient, restless, perverse soul who will
not agree to what we claim, and we
J would not try to have him do so, until
his mental and moral elements have
gone through the crushing mill of re.
morse and the crucible of penitence
and then have been nodded anew under
the direction of that High Chancellor
in whose perfect work no perverseness
is ever found. But the clergy of thu
world are improving day by day. Per
sons who hear me here to-day will eas
lily recall the fact-now happily thing
of the past-when even these sacred
exercises would have been denounced
: from the pulpit as irreverent and sin
: full. But now, no matter where yor
: look, you will see and hear more liberia
) sentiments, broader views and more
elevating doctrines. You will find th,
churches growing closer and closer to
gether: you will see everywhere
brighter hopes and higher life.
, A long list of improvements and bet
; terments in human life might b.
ennmerated-brought about in larg'
part, we believe. by the efforts of order
= similar to ours, making happier home
and more cheerful lives.
: We know that in the perpetual jostl
= and jar of vice against virtue, SOM
vices are exchanged for others, Will
i none perhaps wholly disappear; bu
nevertheless we also know that in tn
!. mighty strife virtue advances Will
i vice retreats.
: We have learned, too, that all mer
. selfish comforts-those from which W
would exclude others-in the end bege
: within us sordidness that is harmful
in its nature. We therefore believe il
emptying ourselves as nearly as posi-
BILE of all selfshness, and in scattering
! roses without thorns in the pathway o
all, while we inscribe in legible words
where all may read the delicate warn
ing-"Let him that thinketh he stand
eth, take heed lest he fall"
Q We believe in teaching those pur
i principles of morality which exalt tn
/ heart and mind; and we believe tina
y the desire for a higher type of life ca
g be enlarged by constant teaching. w
therefore endeavor to write them upo
9 the heart and fix them there by reason
Q for we think we know that those dot
II trines or principles not supported b
9 reason have less enduring existenc
than those that are supported by reas
on: and vet we do know the uncertain