Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-16


relief of the suffering Odd Fellows In
Galveston, Texas. The treasurer was
authorized to draw a check for the
amount and forward the same to the
Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge
OF Texas to be appropriated as direct
ed. Norfolk Lodge Is the first to move
in this matter. and 1t is said that the
worthy example set by 1t will be fol-.
lowed by the other lodges in this city.
49,
Ground Is being broken on the cor
ner OF Washington and Brewer streets
for the erection Of large three-story
building for Mr.. ]. l.. Bunting. one Of
The ground floor will be used Us stores.
the second for csfces, and the third
floor for lodge-rooms. There. will be
two OF the latter. The plans for the
building and lodge rooms were drawn
some months ago by Mr.. Joel H.
White. The lodge-rooms Will be fitted
up In the latest style and furnished
with all modern appliances. 1t is pro-
posed to have the building completed
by the latter part of December. Mr..
Bunting has already secured n num-
Der of orders, who>will occupy their
halls on January LIST, 1901.
At regular meeting of Friendship
Conclave No. 2, Heptasophs, or S. w.
NJ. Friday night. it had~under consid-
GRAFTON the feasibility OF creating a
special fund for the relief of the faml-
lies OF worthy members who may be
out of employment. The subject was
favorably discussed, and the concen-
sus of opinion was that such move
ment will rebound in good to the con-
clave If a plan is set on foot for the
establishment of such fund and the
new feature Is adopted 1t will be sep
arate and distinct from the regular
weekly benefits and the funeral endow-
ment fund, which has always been
practical feature of the order.
A New York exchange says:
1T has become known to Catholics
here that an effort has been made to
discredit the knights of Columbus be-
fore the church authorities at Rome.
The Knights OF Columbus is one of the
most influential organizations in the
Catholic Church in America. 1t Is the
only secret society In the church. That
and the fact that in It's degree work
the organization makes use of an ella
borate ritual seem to be the chief
causes of complaint against it..
1T is also objected against the So
ciety that 1t forces the young priests
who join it to subject themselves to
the common discipline, renouncing all
distinctions. obeying lay chieftains-in
q word. leaving their sacredotal char
acter at the door, The authorities at
informed that the society is a new dan
ger which menaces the church, and 1t
is said they have it's dissolution under
advisement.
1.-THE first intimation the members
hereabouts had of these charges was
furnished by n Catholic paper publish
ed in Hartford which referred to them
In its latest issue. This paper. the
Catholic Transcript. declares that as
the knights of Columbus had its origin
in Connecticut, it has special interest
In the organization.
"'There is it says, very little of
truth in the charges brought against
this great and as yet splendid Catholic
society. 1t can be stated without any
fear of contradiction that the clergy
men who join it's ranks are never
forced to do so at the cost of prieStly
dignity, On the contrary, they are al
ways and everywhere treated with the
respect due to their calling. They are
welcomed as priests and ever enjoy the
immunity due to their sacred charac-
ter. But those who are interested in
aspersing the order have no interest
in abiding by the terms of the truth.
The aim is to dscredit the knights in
the very spot where they can least
afford to be traduced. When false data
are sent to Rome they are bound to
create a bad impression. especially
when no contradiction follows.
history of those societies which wers
once most obedient and most helpful
to the church Is not an encouraging
one. 1t is known to those who preside
over the destinies of the Catholic reli-
gion that history will not be allowed
to repeat itself. Remembering the
past, 1t Is not without apprehension
that the ecclesiastics of Rome Will
learn that there Is growing up in Amer
lea vast organization which seems
destined to number in its ranks the
flower OF the Catholic youth >of every
State and town in this land, and that
this great society, even in the first
days of Its strength. is discovering
proclivities which have already been
fruitful of disaster and loss of faith.
The effect of such charges, no matter
how unfounded, will be bad. If no re-
buttal Is entered the effect may we'll
prove disastrous.
THE Catholic Transcript advises the
knights of Columbus to secure Car
dinal protection at Rome: that is q
member Of the College of Cardinals.
who. being on the spot, will be ready
to answer any charge made against
the society to the Roman authorities.
1t Is said that attacks come from per-
sons who are opposed to the American
spirit Of the church in this country"
$50
From all parts of the several States
wherein the Royal Arcanum has
Grand and subordinate Councils, come
each month official reports of substan
tial increase of membership, more than
equal to general expectation during the
summer time. Virginia is quite prom
inent among those showing the largest
percentage of gain. Pocahontas Coun-
ell. No. 49S, of Norfolk, Is the strongest
save one in the State. and is rapidly
advancing to the head OF the column.
From her four hundred and thirty
members, volunteer corps of about
90 has recently been organized for ac-
tive work, each member of which has