Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-04-13
To ChristianitY-An Essay Read Before
Loyalty Lodge No. 1872, Knights Of
Pythias, by MIR. E. c. Unger, Of
Knoxville, Md.

as far as the order is concerned, the
ineligibility, ifany exist, being placed
by the potentate himsel0. In fact
you all know mo political or religi-
GU. discussion is allowed during
session of the lodge under penalty of
fine or suspension"
Pythanism is Christianity stripped
of all sectarian dogmas. 1t is citi-
zenship stripped of all political
creeds. A man to become Knight
must be white male, at least 81
years of age, believer in Supreme
Being, in good health, sound in mind
and body, able to read and write, he
must not be professional gambler,
saloon keeper, bartender or retail
dealer in spirituous liquors, wine, ale,
beer Except bonafide druggist or
hotel-keeper,) must believe in the
maintenance of order and the up
holding Of the constituted authority
of the Government in which he lives,
must be man of good moral charac-
ter, and a bonafide resident of the
State or territory forming a part of
the jurisdiction in which the applica-
ton is made for membership for at
least six months prior to his applica-
ton.
To the whole world this order
says: "Recognizing the necessity
of human brotherhood, its organiza-
ton is designed to embrace the whole
world within its jurisdiction. In.
tended solely and only to dissent
nate the great principles of Friend:
ship, Charity and Benevolence,
nothing of sectarian or political
nature is permitted within its portals.
federation in religion, obedience to
law, and loyalty to government are
its cardinal principles. Misfortune,
misery and death being written IN
fearful characters on the broad face
of creation, our noble order was in
stituted to uplift the fallen to cham
pion humanity, to be his guide and
hope, his refuge, shelter and defense
to soften down the asperities Of life,
to subdue party spirit, and by the
sweet, unassuming and powerful at
fractions of the glorious trinity of
Friendship, Charity and Benevolence,
to bind in one harmonious brother
hood men Of all classes and all opin-
ions. The brightest jewels which it
gamers are the tears of the widows
and orphans and its imperative COM
mands are to visit the homes where
lacerated hearts are bleeding, to as
suage the Guferings of brother,
bury the dead, care for..the widow
and educate the orphan, to exercise
charity towards offenders, to con-
strue words and deedsiin their most
favorable light, granting honesty of
purpose and good intentions to
others, and to protect the principles
of knighthood until death. Its laws
are reason and equity, its cardinal
doctrines inspire purity Of thought
and life, its intention is Peace on
earth and good will to men,"
Certainly the practice and promul-
CATION Of the foregoing principles do
not run counter to the teachings of
the founder of Cnristianity-Jesus
Christ-who gave the command
ment "Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, soul, mind
and strength, and thy neighbor as
myself" Certainly they are not in
consistent to the rule of Him who
spake as never man spake when He
said : GAS you would have others do
unto you do you even so unto them"
The many thousands. of dollars ex-
pended annually in deeds of charity,
in the relief of sick and distressed
brethren is the best disqualification
of the work of this order among men.
The fact that this church organiza-
ton in the United States and else
where, with its many charitable in
situations, has been the recipient of
the bounty of Knights of Pythias, Is
a further exemplification of its prac-
tees as an order.
This order embraces within its
beneicence every religion under the
sun, it tolerates all, it takes in the
whole world, it is as broad as hu-
manity, acknowledges no Supreme
Being but God, the Father and Gre
ator of all Even though the church
potentate interdicts this order, places
it under the ban of his church, the
order of Knights of Pythiss of the
world is more humane, more gener-
Gus. it invites the whole Christian
world within its portals, barring none
but the ungcdly, the immoral and
unsound. The order of Knights OF
Pythias is not dogmatical, 1t con-
forms to the laws of civilized life, to
political government and the laws
and usages of established society, it
holds sacred the home and family, it
condemns no man without full and
impartial hearing. countenances no
one who speaks evil Of brother and
for the frailities of men exercises the
broadest charity. As the tree is
known by its fruit, this tree planted
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