The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-10-04
Mayer Foster Gives City Into Keeping Of
knighly Host
PYTHlANS NOW OWN The TOWN
Meeting Of the Grand Lodge Of Montana BRINGS Manv
Distinguished Visitors from Almost
Every Corner.

If any lingering doubt remained in
the breasts of the visiting Pythians
as to the cordiality Of the reception
awaiting them and the heartiness Of
the welcome with which they would
be greeted it must have been removed
as they were met by their brethren
OF Billings, and if then they were still
not satisfied the words spoken by
Mayor Foster and Chancellor Com.
mander Burla, who, in behalf of the
city and Rathbone lodge, respectively,
welcomed them, must have made
them feel that they were indeed
among friends whose greatest plea
sure was in adding to theirs and make
their stay in the city one of joy and
happiness. Both spoke warmly, elo-
quently and sincerely and the lang
uage they used was of the sort that
comes from the heart and conveys
more than the simple meaning OF
words.
Session Is Formally Opened.
AS long ago as last Sunday some
of the knights began to arrive and
constituted the advance guard of the
main body, which poured in last night
and early this morning. Committees
were at the station to meet the visit.
ors and escort them to Masonic hall,
which is headquarters. Here this
morning at 10 o'clock Gwen F. Burla,
chancellor commander of Rathbone
lodge, made a short address of well
come in behalf of his Billings
brothers. 1t was a knightly effort
and evoked loud applause from the
sojourning knights.
At it's conclusion Mayor Foster ten.
dered. the freedom of the city to the
visitors and gave to the grand chan
cellor, Doctor j. Hood Ow-
ings, the key to the city and to the
hearts Of it's people, both of which,
the mayor said, were open to receive
them. Mayor Foster spoke Of the
pride the citizens of Billings felt at
being honored by the presence of so
distinguished body and said they
desired the friendship of the visitors
and invoked their charity for any
shortcomings that might mark the ef-
forts making to entertain them and
cause them to feel that they were at
home, among friends eager and anx-
iOus to increase the pleasurable
memories of a visit he hoped would
prove profitable and be productive OF
greater friendship between hosts and
guests than already existed
Hastily, but eloquently, Mr.. Foster
sketched the growth of the commu-
nifty, which, he said, was composed OF
people who came here and found
desert. They had smote the rock and
water had gushed forth, followed by
miles of productive fields and city
that boasted of the highest degree of
culture and civilization. These were
ali placed at the disposal of the Wis.
tors, to be used by them for their
pleasure and enjoyment. Referring
20 the story upon which the order OF
knights OF Pythias is founded, the
speaker said it taught the most beau
iful and touching lesson of real
greater than which none
,ould be. Pythianism taught that there
vas something better and nobler in
he world than the pursuit of riches
nd inspired it's members to loftier
nd grander things. 1t was an organ
cation that made the world better for
aving its existence and gave to life |
hue and color that nothing else |
ould give. He hoped that it would
ontinue as long as humanity priced |
he virtues and as long as charity, |
enevolence and friendship retained |
heir standing as among the best at
ributes of man. He then presented |
he key to the city. Take It," he
aid, .it is the key to our city and to
ur hearts. Both are open to you and |