New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-21
YOUNG KNIGHTS OF ARTHUR
AN ORDER or CHIVALRY FOR AMER1-
CAN BOYS.

ITS OBJECTS AND THE METHODS IT rrnsuEs-A
GENERAL. CONFERENCE HELD LAST WEEK.
To The Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The knights OF King Arthur Is an order OF
Christian chivalry for boys, moral kingdom III
the great Republic. It's purpose is to extend help
Ing hand 10 tho home, the school and the church IN
guiding boys through the period OF immatuiity anu
indecision, and the model constitution states 10
ioir the boys themselves in firm alliance. hahd
md heart 10 achieve Christian knghtlness" While
the development and suppementlng OF its methods
are capable o: much variety. the order Is based
upon few carefully thought out principles
One OF these is horo-worshp. Every man Is
some boys hero Is a well-knoTn saying. IL Is
planned to place at the head OF each group, or
castle Of the members a worthy person as safe
and attractive guide. Then the order lscl IS d
continuation extension OF the ideas OF Inc noble
Table Round. The boys themselves take the names
OF the great figures of Arthurs court or o. other
heroic perscnaces as their Own, become Informed
concerning their knighty deeds and are called
solely by those names in castle meetings. Two
men renowned especially for generosity and purity
OF character are placed constantly in view. These
are King Arthur and Galahad Each member in
turn acts as king. presiding officer. and the
Siege Perilous OF Galahad is offered a reward
for surprising excellence in those traits which boy
hood admres. Tho character OF the first true
gentleman who breathed." from whom this
Christian legend takes is noble tone Is not kept
in shadow The cross is the central figure IN the
arms Of the order. its motto is My shall be
bathed in heaven" and the rank OF knighthood Is
conferred only confessed followers OF Jesus
Yet the piety OF tho order IL manly and unob
trusiye. Taking it for granted that true manhood
Is Carstian. the order eXempliles 1t. but does not
talk about II.
Brotherness IS another idea worked out In the
order. 1t is framed on the lines Of a social fra
ternty, much in the spirit of the better OF
college societies The order is secret: that is.
the details OF It's work are usually concealed from
boys not members but are made known 10 parents
and those who have right to know them The
forces OF mystery. ceremony and ritual thus
enlisted in very attractive and instructive man
rer. Tie regular conclave initiates a session OF
King Arthur's Round Table The limitations are
the comforting OF the three ancient degrees of
Page Esquire and Knight, and In all these cere-
monies ordcrliness. attention precision. memory
amusement and definite incu,cation Of worthy viz
tues are kept ever In mind The legends of the old
British epic memories Of tourney and adventure,
and the nOblcSse oblige with its idea OF moral
parent Vet all this is in perfect harmony with
loyalty to republican institutions. since, as the con
legance, it's flag banner IT'S chief our chief'ain
It's glory our knlghty guest t.,
eenious manner. There is a system Of peerage Of
fered by the National order for achievement IN atm
elasticity OF method is encograged While 18th the
as may best 10 me local Merlin or icaGe..
rent eVe3fs or patriotic methods may he inter
woven or alternated with those OF the order 10 the
As the great field OF the order Is IN the towns
and small cities, or in small groups OF Dlys WHO
have little money TO spend economy Is iYonS 11nes
absolutely ncedtui for caste need not cos, over
cumuaton of regalia and properes me a ca' .nS
the central order helps them TO become so. $500,
IL sebo9 tha snndaySchoo class and the various
which boys
o easPsI ndyidua boys may join ne general order
singly and the lonely lad on the TonueI IuuS
many pleasures in being one of the, great brotner
there are no d,ies TO support National oficcrs' .
several ingenious of Of
office the jealousy which wrecks many ooys ciuo'
S avoided and the castle becomes sep AMONG
tho best OF the few adaptable for large socai ga.n
S fps p Ths IN q As sa only
Illustrated weekly IN the world devoted TO n is
np by MAXIM all parents honorary members
plan for buying castle games, TO DO circulateo pi
loaning IN tie homes ana GS }ef5er or mother
is the Merlin which meets around the evening lamp
10 study the hero-esends and 70 perform Spr,
e. un,gne idea. This order is tho first plan that
does not insist on dragging the boys away rom
The order was founded by The Rev. Dr. william an!
Byron Forbnsh. Of Warren Mass N 'n nyder he
NAY he addressed for further Information Inc
Nnshihood is row found in nearly dozen demon
and in England. In connection with It's 'hiTa Sc[
and ~ II called together the first conference ever
summoned OF all the various kinds or hepini VOTE TX
bavs' clbs wore represented and score OF special
sts in the good work spoke Those VINO "lsn 20
~ mr. Forh,lsh the report Of the conference. +.
Noonsockci r. l.. Nov. %. 1891.