The Portland daily press., 1897-12-06
PYTHlAN SUNDAY.
The Day Appropriately Observed by
lodges in Portland.

the different lodges Of the city and
vicinity, who first assembled in the after
noon at Pythian hall and thence pro-
ceeded in body to City hall where divine
service was held.
The appearance of the Knights, over
four hundred in number, was the subject
of most favorable comment as they
marched in double file to the hall where
they found awaiting them q large and
highly representative gathering of people
which fairly tested the capacity of the
auditorium and made a grand total OF
something like two thousand.
On the platform were seated Mayor
Randall, the chancellor commanders OF
the various city lodges and those Of South
Portland, Deering and Westbrook.
Services began by the singing of a
quartette composed of DR.. II. M. Nicker-
son, Charles W. Briggs, A. d. Pierce and
John L. Shaw. Their selections were
most happily made and impressively
rendered.
Rev. DR.. Blanchard then read the story
of the good Samaritan from the scriptures
and prayer was offered by Rev. MIR.
Phelan. and
Grand Chancellor E. G.. Reynolds next
briefly addressed the audience and called
attention to the fact that for the second
time in the history of Pythianism they
had gathered together to observe Pythian
Sunday and extended q welcome to all
not exactly to celebration nor yet to
sound the peans of victory which was
already won. He did net for moment
contend that.the order of Pythians had a
monopoly of those principles which
tended to the betterment of the world,
but that it was o good order-good as we
speak OF an engine which runs in the
plentitude of its powers through the
darkest Of tho forest. Closing with
glowing tribute to Pythianism, in very
complimentary language he introduced
Rev. Lewis Malvern, who preached the
sermon of the day.
Mr.. Malvern took shis text from John
18th chapter; verses 10, IA. Greater love
hath no man than this that oman lay
down his life for his friends, ye are my
friends If We do whatsoever 1 command
you
Any organization, said the speaker.
which has for it's end and aim. the better
ment of humanity and whose principles
are founded on the Bible must have
divine right to exist and must be ap-
proved of God, and be at least in some
degree power to hasten the kingdom of
God on this earth.
The knights of Pythias accept the Bib
as their book of laws, hence we have
right to ask what are the teachings of
the same and whether they obey them
and show in their lives spirit of the
same. The grand doctrine Of this book is
God loves man and where else do we learn
this. Nature y teaches that God loves
his creatures but the volume of nature
was written before man appeared on the
| scene, hence says nothing of Gods
affection towards them.
Mr.. Malvern gave graphic description
of the origin of the order of Pythians in
Washington, D. c.. in 1864 and empha-
sizsd the fact that an organization COM
menced at such time and on such
principles proves the generous instinct of
human nature towards self sacrificing
love.
Referring to total depravity the speaker
asked the question, how many present
had ever heard a sermon on that subject
when they were taught that there was no
good in man at all, that he was a great
deaI yvorSa than wa consider catc and d0os
today, and unless you believed exactly
as the preacher said there was no hope
for man. Although the speaker was bound
to admit natural depravity or the tenden-
cy of men to sin yet the origin of such
orders which we are here today to speak
of testifes to the goodness of human
nature to its faith, hope and love.
Mr.. Malvern described the difference
between righteous man and a good
man. Who is righteous man? he asked.
One who conforms vigorously to the out
ward forms of morality, he pays all that
is legally demanded of him. he may pos
siply grumble about his taxes, but he
pays; he will be paid to the utmost
fraction what is his due, making you
change twenty dollar bill to pay him
the last cent. The wholesalers will trust
him because they are sure Of their pay,
but he demands all the discount possible
for cash. The cold mercantile world calls
him keen, shreWd and withal very re-
spectacle man. OF charity he hardly
knows the name. for he reasons like this:
If the poor had been as proyident as him
self they would not be asking for help
yes, he has his uses in the community,
for he has money to lend when some
people need it. He will never increase our
taxes by asking for aid from the city and
such men are presumably needed to keep
the tnaciai world in good condition. They
have no generous impulses; no heart, and
have not in them what can awaken love
in others.
Pythianism teaches to be just and
generous, hence the good man has power
to excite love in the hearts of his
brethren.
~ H.