The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1901-05-18

250,000 at the dawn OF the nineteenth
century, but it was dream which they
regarded as pleasant illusion rather
than probable accomplishment. Yet,
before the founder OF this order had
his eyes closed in death, the order OF
the Knights of Pythias had grown
100000 strong. 1t was represented by
active working lodges in every state
and territory in the Union, and today
it boasts of membership of more than
50O,O 900. 1t is represented by it's lodges
in every city, and in every considerable
bwn, in this country. The banker, the
merchant, the professional man and
the mechanic will be found subscribing
to its tenets and aiding in its work with
his labor and his means. 1t is pNp-
sectarian and it is non-politicVl. Yon
abandon no beliefs and surrender no
convictions in seeking admission to its
ranks. Wealth, merely Of itself, has
no key to it's portals. 1t strives to
make character the passport to its
favors.
II were asked to give the reason for
the growth and strength OF the order,
my answer would be that it carries into
active practice the professions it incul-
Gates. The full extent of the charity
is best known to those within the or
der. 1t has refused to confne itself to
mere alms-giving. 1t has charity
the sweep of whose arm extends from
tender infancy to the weakness Of old
age. In its bensvolence it has not
waited to carve epitaphs on cold and
unresponsive marble, but has lifted
from the shoulders of the living the
blighting pail of want and distress. 1t
believes in friendship. 1t believes
that cheerfulness is sunshine to the
heart, and that good fellowship light
ems many burdens. The order should
be regarded as one of the handmaids of
religion, for it too teaches the father
hood of God and the brotherhood of
man. 1t claims no patent upon its
work it seeks no monopoly in fur
therance of it's benificent purposes 1t
is proud of it's own achievements and
rejoices in the success Of every other
fraternal organization and agency
which works for the betterment of
mankind. The order is too strong to
be jealus, and it pursues its course with
serene confidence in its own future.
Grand Chancellor, Stonewall Jackson
Lodge, of :reenville, has a member
ship of more than 200. The members
are proud of their lodge; they are zeal,
Gus in their work. They take deep
pride in having the Grand Lodge as
their guest. They are full Of admira-
BILE enthusiasm. They hope that this
meeting of the grand lodge will awaken
new enthusiasm among the members
here and throughout the state. They
hope that your official labors will be
marked by harmony and that the meet
ing at Greenville will be one around
which many pleasant memories will
cluster. Stonewall Jackson Lodge
welcomes you to GreenvilIe. The city
belongs to you. While you are our
guests, business has been for
gotten, and we are yours. May this
meeting be to you, and to us, always a
pleasant recollection.
At the close Of Mr.. Roses speech
vocal duet by the Misses Schlessinger
was sung, which was highly enjoyed
by ALL. Hon. Geo. c. Myers, of Holly
Springs, in the place of Morris Blum
enthal. grand chancellor, who was suf-
fering from throat trouble, responded
in short but eloquent speech, in be-
half Of the Grand Lodge, to the ad-
dresses of welcome.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Myers ad-
dress Chairman Wolf came forward
and requested Miss Celia Quinn to
come upon the stage, and after coming
and being seated Hon. E. S. Gambler,
congressman from the First, Private
John Aliens district, in short, catchy
and appropriate; speech, presented her
with the beautiful manicure: set gwen
her by the local, lodge as being the
most popular young lady in the county.
After another selection BY the band
the public exercises of the morning
ended, but they were followed way into
the afternoon by the hearty praises of
all for the successful manner in which
they were carried out.
Tuesday night the grand ball and
banquet took place at the city park. A
large pavilion and stand had been
erected for the dancers and band. The
hour set was 9 p. M, but long before it
had arrived the dance pavilion was
crowded with beautiful women and
brave Knights waiting to trip the light
fantastic toe, or to look on and enjoy
watching the others. The First Rregi-
ment Band furnished the music and
shortly after the hour set, its sweet
strains broke forth upon the chatter
and laughter of the happy crowd and
soon the floor was in perfect whirl OF
merry dancers. This was kept up till
morning. The banquet, which took
place about II p. m. was enjoyed by at
least 500 people, and while IL was no
grand affair it was highly enjoyed by
all, aud the committee, together with
Messrs. Truthman and SchIessinger,
deserve much praise for the manner in