Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-01-09

LOOKS Tor INSPIRATION, these crusadea
were for the redemption Of the world.
The civilized European world had re-
trograded for centuries prior to the
crusades and to the crusades the world
is indebted for the checking of Mos
lemIsm, barbarianism, which at that
time threatened to over run civiliza-
ton. To the spreading OF the tenets
of Ohrstendom and their broadened
intelligence; for the establishment Of
a code of international law, and the
breaking down Of the barriers of nom
intercourse between nations and from
that time Europe and modern civili-
walton made rapid strides. The CRU
sades did all this, and the orders Of
Knighthood made the crusades posi-
BILE, for only through the brotherhoods
of the knightly orders could such a
strong alliance have been made at
that age of the world.
Those were the palmy days of
Knighthood, aud Of heroic Knights
whose virtues poets and romancers
never tired in praising, Soverelgns
have evidenced the high esteem in
which the good name of Knight was
held, by the establishment of various
orders of knighthood, which distinc-
ton is conferred by the sovereign
alone, upon some favorite, as a re-
ward for some favor done or expect
ed, or some meritorious act, but these
distinctions we're too often conferred
unworthily, or were made hereditary,
thus falling upon persons who reflect
ed dlscredit rather than credit upon
the fellow members and Their order.
Burns says, "A king can make a belt
ed knight, q marquise, duke and a.
that but an honest mans aboon his
might" and 80 knighthood, conferred
without great care, lowers the general
estimate placed upon the distinction.
This, then the heroic old knighthood
Of the crusades, knighthood founded
upon true merit, and spurs won in &C.
tive service, is the knighthood We
seek to emulate, and we have selected
the beautiful story Of Damon and
Pythlas, as fit to give us a title, a re-
markable story of devotion which
moved the tyrant DionYsius, that
bloody monarch who to that time
seemed unknown to the finer instincts
of nature, and a monarch who pur-
posaly immured his subjects IN a cave
with wonderful acoustic properties,
THAT has come down in History as the
ear Of Dionysious), and by placing his
spies among them to make statements
which being heard by him in distant
part Of the cave, were made the pre-
tended groundwork for his lnficting
punishment. Upon the principles Of
friendship inculcated by this lesson Of
Damon and Pythias, we have reared
a mighty structure, an organization
with 5000 lodges, and membership
of almost half million noble knights.
Dispensing millions Of dollars an
nually for the relief Of distressed
brethren, watching nightly by the
bedside Of hundreds Of stricken broth
ere, and Siving daily strength and
good cheer to each and all Of its men,
bers, in all works Of life, and in every
cline. A Knighthood, not indiscrim-
inately conferred, not inherited by an
unworthy son, but conferred only
after a careful and guarded investiga-
ton Of the worthiness of him who
seeks it, and if by error conferred
where it should not have been, then
as carefully withdrawn.
It is the aim Of the order that every
Knight of Pythias should be:
"Atrue knight; not yet mature, yet matchless;
Firm In words, speaking In deed, and deedless
In tongue,
Not soon provoked, nor being provoked, seon
Gained;
His heart and his hand both open both frce
For what he has, he gives; what thinks, he shows,
Yet gives not till judgment guides his bounty"
This being the true aim of Pythian-
ism, IS it any wonder that we see
those who by their own acts have for
felted all claims to it's fellowship, cling
to the outward emblems, which to the
world are evidence Of membership.
Let every false knight be robbed Of
his spurs, let every true man be invit-
ed to it's fellowship, and when a true
knight shall finally remove his srmor
at the beck of the Supreme Chancel-
lor, may bis obituary belle that Of the
immortal knight, "Chevalier Bayard,"
A knight without a fear and without
reprosch.
This was followed by an hour oil
social enjoyment in which refresh.
ments, games, and music had part
During the past year the lodge has
made good growth, and will contin.
ne to do so under the present man.
sgement.
w
On Saturday evening the Grand
Army hall was filed to overfowina
with the members of the g. A. r.
and w. r. G, and their friends, call
ed together to witness the public in.
stsllatlon Of the officers for the ensu.
ing year. For the Post w. H. Pratt,
acted as the representative of The
Department Commander, and in hi
usual happy manner, made 9. d
Heath. p. c.. jeff TAYLOR. S. v. w