The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-04
PYTH|ANS HOLDING
 ANNUAL MEETING
Grand Lodge ConvenS in Thirty
 Second Regular Session
GRAND OFFICERS ELECTED
H. M. Beck of Birmingham Gets In Llne-Was Elected Grand Outer Guard Without Opposition.
 The Proceedings.

The thirty-second annual meeting of the grand lodge of Alabama, Knights of Pythias, began here yesterday. The ses- sions are held in Magnolia hall on Third avenue.
 The following officers were elected yes- terday afternoon
 Grand Chaneellor-F. P Nichols of Roanoke.
 Grand Vice Chancellor-Thomas F. Knight of Greensboro. Grand Prelate-B. c. Jones of Bessemer Grand Keeper of Records and Seal-G. G. Miles of Montgomery. Grand Master of Excheque-J. M. Don nelly of Dothan.
 Grand Master at Arms-J. D. Bloch of Mobile.
 Grand Inner Guard-T. D. Sanford of Opelika.
 Grand Outer Guard-H. M. Beck of Blr- mingham.
 Mr. Beck was put in line without con- test, which is regarded as high com pliment to this popular Pythian. Election to the outer guardship is usually the re- suit of lively grand lodge politics.
 The grand lodge will reconvene at 10 o'clock this morning when the reports from standing committees will be heard.
 Morning Session. The Pythians were called to order at 10 a. m. by Hume F. Jones, who gave an outline of the arrangements which had been made for the meeting. He intro- duced H. M. Beck of Jefferson Valley lodge who bade the grand lodge members a hearty welcome. He told the members that the city was open to them, and that everybody should feel free to do just as they desired.
 Grand Chancellor Garber made a happy reply. He spoke of the high type of hos ritality always accorded by the Pythans of Birmingham. He said the present ses- sion would be most important one. The fraternity has kept pace with the develop ment of the country. He spoke of humani- tarianism and said that even though this be an age of greed and commercialism the order of Knights of Pythians was go- ing on a path of righteousness and hu- manity.
 The grand chancellor then opercd the grand lodge, and between 100 and 150 members who had not received the grand lodge degree had to retire TOT a while.
 The rank was conferred a little later.
 The report of the grand chancellor was presented to the grand lodge as follows;
 Grand Chancellor's Report.
 ITO the Officers and Members of the
 Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Grand
 Domain of Alabama:
 Brother Knights-Few pleasures in life equal the satisfaction derived from the consciousness of faithful and honest upon the acceptance of a high and sacred trust. It is with this feeling that l be- gin a report to you of my official acts during my administration as directed by article xii, section ', of the grand con stitution. The enjoyment of this pleasure would be complete and without rebate or modification, if a retrospect of my ad- ministration did not present here and there possible mistakes or errors, the result of imperfect judgment, despite the influence of a heart whose every emo- ton thrills with devotion and loyalty to our noble order If there be any such instances of mistake or error, I bespeak your generous and fraternal considera- ton.
 With a record of a net gain 67S a present membership of S625, a roster of IT subordinate lodges in good standing and only two delinquent lodges 1t is ty1, Iii. a more detailed recital of the years work.
 Whatever success, however, achieved during my administration, is due to the combined efforts of my entire staff of officers and an enthusiastic brotherhood throughout the domain In the language of a southern hero: There is honor enough in it for us all.'
 The Records.
 The report of Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, G. G. Miles, showed that the order in Alabama has made a substantial growth during the past year. The total membership on December 31, the end of the calendar year, was 506, as against 1913 for the previous year. showing a net gain of 52S. Since the first of January reports have been received showing a member ship of 1l9 additional, giving Alabama a total membership at this time of S656. During the past year eight new lodges were organized and the ninth one was instituted last week by Grand Inner Guard Jacob Bloch of Mobile There were nine new lodges for the year. There was only one delinquent lodge, while two