Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-03-01
AM1MY BROTHERS KnEpBRq
Essay of Past Chancellor d. M.
Marrs at K. 2. Anniversary.

So long as man exists and is
governed by his passions, and self
isb0ess runs riot in the world, men
will continue to ask themselves
this question and will try to per-
suade themselves that they are not
their brothers. keepers. The
world is struggling under the great
weight of human seltishness. All
men love themselves better than
they love their neighbors, notwith-
standing the divine injunction to
"loye thy Deighbor as thyself."
Avarice, envy, and jealousy hold
Tar too great sway over the hu-
man mind. Inordinate ambition
is making wild beasts of men. The
love OF moneyis driving men mad
and a great financial war is being
waged, every man against every
other man.
To check this maelstrom of hu-
man misery and build up and cul
tivate a grander, broader view of
life, and to teach men how to be
their brothers keepers, is a part of
[ the business of the order of Knights
of Pythias. The organization OF
this order is recognition of the
principle that men are their broth.
ers' keepers, and the half million
young men in the United States,
members of the order OF Knights
OF Pythias, with rapidly increasing
numbers, give hope and inspira-
ton that men are We. 10 be more
and more their brothers keepers.
There is inspiration in numbers,
and il is encouraging tor man to
know that he is not fighting the
battles of life alone; that the
struggle to provide for his wife and
children and loved ones is not one
in which all the world fights
against MIN, but that he is one of
great army, all of the men,
bers of which march shoulder
shoulder and can be relied on
To mutually help and protect
each other IN the conflicts of life.
Aud not only this, but to help and
defend the helpless ones that may
be lett behind when brother has
laid down his armor and passed
over the river.
We have great faith in men
banding themselves together for
mutual good 10 themselves and
their fellowmen. We have great
faith in an organization that has
tendency to break down selfish
hess and make men leel a personal
in terest in each other.
Might makes right in the pres
ent time just as really as in bygone
days, though probably in more
refined sense. II man wants
anything belonging to his neighbor
he proceeds at once 10y some means
to possess himself OF it, provided
his neighbOr is not in a position to
defend himself and protect his
properly. The laws of tho land
are not unfrequently twisted 80 as
to meet the requirements of the
case and legalIze the robbery. The
highest court IN neighboring state
recently proclaimed a decision in
favor of the enforcement of usur-
ious contracts and all the shylocks
in the country clapped their hands
in ecstacy, because a court of JUS
tlce had legaliZed their methods of
pluudering their fellowmen.
Men are constantly persuading
themselves that they are not their
brothers keepers; that their duty
ends with taking care of them.
selves and immediate friends, even
at the expense of every other per
son and interest. No obligation is
sufficient to induce nor compel
them to pursue the plain path OF
duty and To follow the teaching Of
one greater than all of Us, Who
said "Do unto others as you would
have others do unto you"
Men seem 10 know only sell, and
are influenced by and act solely
from selfish motives. Show them
that it is to their interest and they
are with you, but not otherwise.
That men realize this truth is eyi.
dent in the fact that they are con-
stantly forming combinations for
mutual interest and protection and
defense. But even these tail TO
great extent in the accomplishment
Of their purpose and aims, because
Of the great selfishness Of individ.
ual members. II is so in all secret
orders and it is 50 in the order OF
Knights OF Pythias. There are
members perhaps in all lodges
who don't realize that they owe
their lodge any higher duty than
10 keep their dues paid up and to
attend lodge meetings when there
is work" Their business is so
pressing that they connoi find time
70 attend the lodge, aud when ASK.
ed TO fill an office or perform a ser
vice they pop up and say, II can't
be here regularly; my business or
my family keep me away; please
excuse me-" Every lodge hao such
experiences as these.
A few members are doing the
work IN thousands OF lodges and
are keeping the order in good
standing and are making il pos
sible for every Knight Of pvthias