Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-26

the music fingers long with us after it first
resoundS in our ears. He taught tolera-
ton in religion, obedience to law and loyal
ty to government, and in the upbuilding of
the order there was developed a-plan OF
organization closely akin to that of the
freest and best government the world has
ever known. When we contemplate the re-
| markable growth of Pythia nism, how the
order has grown from an humble begin
ming to become one Of the strongest of the
truly great fraternal organizations of the
world, we know that there must be some
thing in its makeup that appeals to the
hearts of men and makes them its ardent
advocates. Six hundred thousand men who
have knelt at the same altar and taken
the same vows of knighthood! What an
army devoted to a noble cause. The order
numbers among its dev6tees the noblest
and the best in the land. But few years
ago it pleased one of the grandest and
purest of the chief magistrates of our coun-
try to proclaim to the world that he took
pride in his membership as a Knight of
Pythias.
1.-The principles of Pythianism beget
patriotism. Anarchy finds no resting place
in such an order this, and l may add,
forbid the day, that the hand of tyranny
will attempt to strange government of the
people, by the people, and for the people,
the knights of Pythias. with kindred fra
of liberty. It's membership will not cOunte-
nance a step backward in the march of
civilization. - !..
Friendship, Charity, Benevolence.
mo man who is taught and who practices
the noble principles of friendship, charity
and benevolence fails to make good citi-
zen. Every one of us sis the better for
every recital in our hearing of the old, old
story of Damon and Rythias. I'VE realize
that there is more Of family, more of coun-
try, more of self for which to live.
I'm words and deeds of friendship and
charity we are never misunderstood. They
make themselves known in a language that
is universal. Even the dumb animal under
stands the word of kindness, the deed of at
lection, and fails not to show it's apprecia-
ton. The reader of our reports will find
details of expenditures for this or that
charitable enterprise. He may not under
stand that true charity is not sounding
brass or the tinkling cymbal; that it vaunt-
eth not itself to the world. What account
does he find of the kind words that have
been spoken, the deeds of sympathy. the
friendly grasp of the hand, the fraternal
admonition, that go hand in hand with the
exemplification of friendship, charity and
benevolence?
Strugglers With Adversely.
How many men have struggled with ad-
versity and gone down to destruction for
want of the kind and encouraging word
which our order teaches us should be given
to the brother in distress? And how many
have, as the recipient of that kind and en-
couraging word gone forward to renewed
effort and ultimate victory. That man, who
depends upon himself alone, can accomplish
but little. Every one of us is the better
for the existence of fraterna1 organizations
If you would condemn a man to what is re-
garded as the worst punishment known to
man after the death penalty, you would
consign him to solitary confinement, where
in there is never a friendly shake of the
hand a cheering word, or anything to di-
vert the thoughts from an accustomed
channel; and the mind soon becomes
blank and the body physical wreck.
Strong as cur order has grown in num-
bers we must remember that it is not the
large membership that exerts the greater
influence in the affairs of men. The empire
of China sways the destinies of more peo-
ple than any other nation. but who will ac-
cord IL a leading place among the world
powers? And there are other nations whose
dc main of territory covers almost a conti-
nent and whose people number many more
millions than others of whom like query
would elicit a like answer. Recall the his
tory of ancient Sparta Who will forget
Thermopylae and its brave three hundred?
Numbers did not make Sparta famous. 1t
vas the sturdy character of its people. /,
This order demands that in each of us
there should be the same sturdy character.
Not only shall we be better men by living
up to the principles or Pythianism, but the
world will be better. and we shall be hap
pier The deed of friendship or the word
Of kindness will ever give pleasure as
we recall them. We shall be conscious of
the fact that our lives are mot void of use
fulness. We shall reanze1 too. that true
worth does not depend upon an ability to
accumulate money: that honesty of purpose
and righteous living shall count far more
than worldly wealth and ionors, and that
a mans man for az thatfand a that
In Behalf of, Association.
Past Grand Chancellor D. Elmer Wiber
was then introduced and responded on be-
half of the Pythian Temple Association.
which has labored earnestly for a long
term of years to bring this great fraternal
enterprise to successful conclusion. He
said: ~ osq
Ali hail this glorious day. Such were
the opening words of the immortal Webster
as he stood before a. concourse of Ameri-
can people at the laying of the corner
stone of the nations CAPITOL and the ring
of this reverential saiutation caused
a profound silence to prevail as If the
listening multitude We're awaiting celes-
of an approaching storm, men, women and
children broke forth into rapturous ap-
plause.
That day meant much to the patriots of
America He was to witness the beginning
of structure that would stand for ages,
an ivory monument to God-loviag, peace
seeking and progressive people In land
that offered home liberty and the pursuit
of happiness to all law-abiding citizens, it
mattered not their creed or froin whence
they came.
.sThe hearts of the multitude swelled
with pride as they viewed this magnificent
structure raising its head slowly but sure
" heavenward, and the people realized
that this infant government was soon to
have home in which to invite its lawmak-
ers to sit