Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-02-08
THE KNIGHTS OF PYTH|AS.
One Of the Leading Orders In the
State OF Iowa.
synopsis of Pythian sermon Delivered to
'.Lone star Lodge" Colon, Iowa, Jan.
20. by $. Il. Jones, T.. q. c., of A. NJ.
Church, Oska1oosa, Iowa.

Churcn, OskalOOSa, Iowa.
Text. Matthew 7-16. '.Ye shall know
them by their fruits
The order of the ..Knights o
Pythias,' occupies prominent place
in the long list of benevolent organiza
tions throughout the world On thi:
occasion it is not my purpose to speak
against any other benevolent society
because the object of all is to do good
But it seems it can be said without
fear of successful contradiction, that
as an organization for the promotion OF
that first great truth the brotherhood
of Man." and the relieving of the dis
tressed, the '.Knights of Pythias'' is
the equal of any benevolent society. A
few persons, however, denounce secret
societies: on the ground that institu.
tions for good ought not to wear a
secret garb. On the very same ground
they ought to denounce the Holy Book;
for in it are locked up secrets which no
man has ever seen, or ever will be able
to wrest from it. However much we
may desire to know them, we are forced
to be content with the simple state
ment that SIN that day all things will
be made known Secret societies are
to be judged by their achievements and
influence for good, which will be ac-
cording to the principles upon which
they are founded Therefore before
denouncing all or any particular one,
first know something of the principles
,,a1, t., L. g,
light the Mitchell branch of the
Europe, Asia and Africa" ask the
world to judge whether they are true
or false, to that great first truth.
Brotherhood of Man" Because s.Ye
shall know them by their fruits"
Friendship
is the first principle taught; it
includes all that is noble in
human nature; it is but another name
for love between persons unconnected
by ties of blood. Friendship, true
friendship, like love is divine. To be
trne friend, one must be actuated by
Christ-like principles There is kind
of an accommodating relat ton existing
between men, but it cannot be termed
friendship; because it is founded upon
or prompted by a desire for gain True
friendship is founded upon love; love
pure as the rays of the noon-day sun.
high as the peaks of the loftiest noun
tains, deep as the deepest seas and as
wide as the universe. We find such a
friendship exemplified first, in the spot
less character of Jesus Christ, who
went bravely up to the summit of Cal
vary, and gave his life as a ransom for
the sins Of the world. Second, in the
unselfsh character of Pythian who
bravely offered his life as . guarantee
for the return of his friend Damon.
Such is the nature of friendship when
love is the true incentive. Jesus tells
US that, '.Greater love hath no man
than this, that man lay down his life
for his friends Herein we discover
the first grand principle of our noble
order.
Benevolence
is another principle of Pvthianisn
We ore SO constituted in life
that dependence upon the benevo-
lence of others cannot be avoided.
Some time the hand of sickness seizes
US, in which case we become help
less. Old age sueals upon us, by
reason of which we lose the
powers of self support. Death is
abroad in the land, by reason of which
the world abounds with widows and
orphans, deprived of support and pro-
lection. In sdch instances the noble
Pythian order reveals its true purpose.
Because each brave knight feels the
sentiment expressed in the following
lines:
''Help US to help each other, Lord,
Each others cross to bear;
Let each his friendly aid afford
And feel his brothers care. y
The fundamental principle of the
order is
The Apostle Paul says: above all
things put on charity" Charity is the
only incentive to the exercise of true
friendship and benevolence. 1t is not
so much what others do for us that
renders us happy, as the spirit in which
the thing is done.
Friendship or benevolence without
charity is like faith without works,
dead, worthless just as true faith
toward God is founded upon works,
just so is true friendship and true
benevolence founded upon charity.
which is love.
The Apostle Paul makes this very
clear to us when he says: Though
bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and give my body to be burned and
have not charity, it profteth me
nothing" In describing the nature of
charity which IS love he says: IT
never faileth'' Prophecies shall fail,
tongues shall cease, knowledge shall
vanish away; but the charity, the love,
you brave knights exercise one toward
another win never fail. for when
earthly castle halls have passed away,
you tried and true knights will meet
with the G. G.. of the universe in that
Heavenly Castle Hall, where all is
friendship, benevolence and charity.
Charity, as true knights understa nd
it, knows no color, but recognizes the
chief element in a noble character,
bravery; be it under white or black
skin.
The principles of friendship, benev-
olence and charity are as old as the
granite-ribbed mountains which en-
circle old earth; they are as old as man
himself From the time God breathed
into man the breath of life, friendship,
benevolence and charity have existed in
a greater or less degree: because they
are parts of his Godlike nature and
cannot be crushed out.
These are few of the principles of
Pythianism. These are few of the
principles by which every true knight
asks the world to judge of the merits of
the order. These are the principles by
which every true knight is known, be
he white or black, prince or peasant:
let him dwell in distant lands or on