The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

live In the memories OF men as long as
virtue and honor and love snail inspire
admiration-tnc model friendship OF IA
mon and Pythlas. The story never grows
old and Is always inspiring. IN the days
OF pionysius the despised tyrant OF
syracuse. Damon. "A noble young man was
cast into prison, and doomed TO death
Tor some trivial offence. Desiring TO bld
a last Goodbye to wife and child, he
pleaded for "a respite, which was granted
only when Pythias, his devoted Irlehu'
volunteered to stand hostage Tor ms
prompt return. and In the event OF
pamon's failure 10 deliver himself up,
the hostage must suffer death for hin.
The story is a familiar one. Damon re-
turning Just In time TO save the lie OF
his devoted friend. even then facing ms
tate History records no subhmer trust
nor more heroic sacrifice than that when
Ivthias was willing 10 make. Even the
selfish tyrant Dionysius, was touched
by the trust and devotion of such friend
shin and granted both the hostage and
the condemned man their liberty.
II is small wonder that men wondered at
such self sacrificing friendship and that II
has evoked the unstintcd admiration of
the world.
From this friendship the order takes It's
name. It's fundamental principles are
Friendship, Charity and Benevolence; IT'S
emblem shield. tricolored the blue
yellow and red of which are symbolic
Founded upon such principles. eNemph-
ned as they are ln the order as an organ
ization and IN the lives OF all knights
who regard their obligation. the order OF
knights of Pythias has risen within three
decades. from an insignificant organiza-
ton to one which in numbers. in person
mel and in usefulness has no superior.
ITS own history bears glorious record TO
It's worth.
ORIGIN AND WORK.
I'm Washington city in February 1861
Oh the very verge of the late war the
order OF knights Of Pythias was born.
Justus II Rathbono was its founder, for
II was al his instance that a coterie Of
gentlemen assembled. their object being
10 promote fraternity anew. to stimulate
patriotism and 90 weld together I'm bonds
Of brotherhood the men OF the severed
section Of a land which all loved. with
this beginning and with this original OBJ
1ect the new order nOurished and grew
and its scope widened until to-day when
It's broad philanthropy brightens thou
sands of homes darkened by death mis-
fortune or poverty. Nearly three-quar-
tiers of "a million men are enrolled under
the Pythian tri-c0lor, and the Uniform
Rank of the order numbers more men
than the United states army.
There Is also an Endowment Rank. or
insurance feature Of the order, which has
already paid 10 benehciaries more than
100000. This rank has a membership
OF about 5000 and It is steadily growing
il combines cheapness. stability and entire
reliability. and is administered on sys-
tcmatic business principles Policies are
issued i'm sums OF from 900 to 5000. with
uniform monthly payments.
The subordinate lodges have the same
ritual and unwritten work. II consists
Of INC three ranks typical Of the three
cardinal principles Of the order Friend
ship. Charity and Benevolence. The
ranks are. in the order Of their confer
mont. Page Esquire and knight the
last constituting fun membership in the
subordinate lodge. In coufering these
ranks. n is the aim Of the order to in
culcate exemplify and indeliblv impress
ur.on the mind and the heart the princi-
pies Of the order and the duties which
allegiance 70 them require. The charity
ana the benevolence OF the order are not
limited Co the lodge room nor confined 10
the membership
THREE VACANCIES
The time ~ The Grand Lodge sessions
Is consumed with the business for which
fney assemble the work OF the lodges
curing the preceding yea. appeals from