Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-04-25

In THEIR NEW HONE There was q
pleasant reunion OF the members Of
Mechanics Lodge. Heights OF Pythlas,
10 their new hall on Fairfax street, near
King, last night. For come time past
the work Of renovatiDg the building Tor
the use of the lodge has been 10 prog
ress, and by last night all finishing
touches had been made and the castle
was ready for its occupants. every"
thing 10 connectIonw ith 1t had Deen
tsstefully aUd artistically arranged, and
it was geneally conceded that in neat
mess and comfort the hall compares
favorably with sny 10 the city. After
the lodge had been enscoBced Ia its
new quarters and the members and
visitors bad Thoroughly examined all
the appointments and ps7sed many ia
vorable comments, l.. ID Sullivan, chan
csllor commander called the assem-
blage 10 order. and Pact Deputy Grand
Commar der E. K. Boyer gave sue
cienct aud In ofestiDg history OF Pytf-
isoison in Alexandria which was listen
ed to with close attention. He also
tsndered ahearty welcome to the Visi-
tors from Washington (members Of the
order) and a number Of gentlemen OF
this city who have not been dubbed
Kniehts who were 10 the audience.
he was followed by Rev. George Buck
Ter. OF Mouut Vernon Lodge OF WASH
ipetop: James Griffin. Chancellor Com
mander of RathboDe Lodge OF the same
cty, and John J. Frank, Past Chan
cellor Of the same lodge, all OF whose
remarks were greatly enjoyed: Dur
ing the evening there were recltitlons
bv Rsv. Mr.. Buckler and Talbot Puiizzi,
of Washington. and d. ID. @. Q. Boyer,
of this city. Later refreshments, pre-
pared by Mrs. A. Rammel q Sons, we're
served Il was unanimously resolved
by sIl present that most delightful
event had heen spent, and when the
company departed for their homes they
did go with Iecolleotlons which will
doubtless prove life long.
The beautiful story of Damon and
Pvtbiss has been told and retold for
over two thousand years. In Syracuse
long before tue dawn OF the Christian
era a nsurper known ss Dionysius the
Elder was handliDg the reiDs OF power.
Like Frederick the Great OF modern
times. he imagined he was poet and
in common with all men In power, he
was surrounded by sycophants ana
hypocrites. The tyrsDt submitted his
veraes to them-of course for their ap-
nrobatjop, as none dared act the part
of Voltaire to Frederick on such ocoa-
sions. 10 some way or other Pythlas
incurred the displessure OF Dionyslns
and was condemned to death. Pythias
begged for a stay of proceedings until
he could proceed to bis home, some
distance away, and put his earthly
affairs in order. He promised to pro-
cure a friend to remain ss bis hostage
until his return, with the under
standing that II he failed to do 90
his substitute would suffer his
ounishmept. Pytblss was allowed
70 depart and Damon took MS
place. The former returned 10 time,
and when the tyrant had his Tan
zion called to SUCH an act OF friendship
he released both Damon and Pythias.
Unou this type OF true and noble
friendship the modern and vigorous
order of Knights of Pythias is based
-.
While modern In origin the foundation
atone ia seen way back in the classic
ages. Masonry hes bad several thou
ssad years start on Pythisnism. but
member of the former body (fi'nsg,
orss) was the tutor OF Damon ano
Pytbiss. The knights OF Pythias prop
ably have one of the most impressive
simple and comprehensive rituals o
sDy secret organization. There i
nothing in it which cannot be essilI
oOmprehended. The mind is not taxed
by abstrrse propositions or ve1atiou
work of any sort. The principles sr'
apparent at the outset. This In
measure accounts for its rapid growth
During the 81 years it has fourshed Il
Alexsndris it has made knights o
many OF our best known and usein
citizsns, and the roster OF the tw'
lodges now contain representative mel
from ell walks OF life.