The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
MANY CANDIDATES
 RECEIVE DEGREES
The Knights of Columbus Ini-
 tiate a Large Class
FATHER HEALYS SERMON
Distinguished Priest Regards the lnsti- tuition of the Order as ProvldNvsial. Exercises of the Day Con-
 clude With Banquet.

The Knights of Columbuse were about 225 strong in Birmingham up to yester- day, but now they are sixty-five stronger. December was a date to attract candi- dates from every point in this district and for months past petitions had been accommodating in the hands of the local officers Out of town candidates and vis- l iting Knights began to arrive Saturday night and early trains Sunday brought large parties.
 It was veritab1e Knights of Columbus day in Birmingham for no such gathering of the order had been seen here since January 12 1902, when Birmingham Coun- cil No. 635 was organized.
 Members of the order and the candi- dates assembled at Knights of Columbus hall, corner of Twentieth street and Fourth avenue. at 9 o'clock, and at quarter of 10 formed in line and marched to St. Paul's church. where they attended high mass. It was large body of repre- sentative men and the column made an impression as it moved along the street.
 At the Church.
  interest not only to the knights but to all Catholics. The mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Kerrigan. and the pulpit was filled by the Rev. Father Healy, c. S. P. The altar choir of 34 boys was in fine form and the mixed choir in the gallery was seldom heard to better advantage. Memolfs rich and churchly mass No. was sung under the direction of the com poser Mrs. Putnam was the solo sopra- no and in the "Incaratus Est" and the "Agnus Dei' as well as the Ave Maria in the offertory she acquitted herself with great distinction.
 Father Healy delivered an address that was said to have been one of the ablest efforts ever heard at St. Paups. He has a deep, resonant voice and commanding presence, and it Is safe to say that no one in the vast congregation failed to follow his discourse from beginning to end. This popular priest said that it had been his privilege to be initiated into the order of the Knights of Columbus here in Birmingham about a year ago That he had seen the practical benefits of the order since then and that he was now convinced the founding of the Knights of Columbus was providential. | The speaker reviewed historic knight hood. While 1t had it's flower in the mid | de ages, Christian knighthood, he point ed out, had its foundation among the apostles. They were true Christian | knights.
 Father Healy said that there was no longer place for the military knighthood | that accomnlfshad much for tba Chris+ta,, religion in the time of the crusaders, but there was need of just such an organza- | tion of the Knights of Columbus This was an age of materialism and the church needed body of Iaymen, organized for active work in the cause of truth He | said that whenever the need of religion called for knighthood then the knights came "The need is here" he said, "and the knight Is here"
 | After showing what effective work the Knights of Columbus was doing, he ex- horted them to have always high ideals and to live up to the teachings of the order Any member who was guilty of | intemperance or mpurty or who led a dishonorable life should, the speaker said, be unranked.
 The services were concluded with the singing of the Te Deum. in which the entire congregation joined
 The Initiation. From the church the Knights and the candidates returned to the hall. The council was then opened in form and bus mess in connection with the initiation was 1 proceeded with The degree work was in progress the greater part of the afternoon and it was about o'clock when the third degree was completed.
 | The ceremonies wer under the general direction of Territorial Deputy Joseph A. Blount. Grand Knight John W. O'Nelll presided over the first degree, and in the ceremonies he was assisted by Allen J. Krebs, N. F. Thompson, P. H. Linnehan and others.
 | The Mobile council took a prominent part in the third degree.
 Among the prominent visitors present were F. D. Kuhn and T. M Brew of Nashville, Father oBrien of Montgom- cry, Father Doyle of Anniston and Fath- CT McDermott of Texas.
 The Banquet.
 The exercises of the evening came to an end with a delightful banquet served | in the hall Courses were laid for 300 and there were few vacant seats Ladies graced the occasion and were hearty in applauding the oratory
 Sterling A. Wood was felictous as toastmaster and Father Healy, Father O'Reilly, John w. O'Neil and a number of others made happy speeches.
 The banquet was served by the Hotel Eillman. It was in nine courses but ac- cording to the rule of the order of Knights of Columbus, no wine was served. Nothing stronger than coffee is ever seen on table spread under the auspices of these knights,