The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-01-12
PYTHIAN INSTALLATION.

officers of Brandon knights Of Py-
thias lodge took place at the castle
hall Monday night. The attendance,
on account of the inclemency of the
weather, was not as large as was ex-
pected, about 1876 people being pres
emit.
The exercises of the evening were
opened by singing "All Hail the Pow
er Of Jesus Name,'' after which a
fervent and able prayer was rendered
by Rev. W. W. Kersh.
The installation ceremonies were
conducted in very impressive man
ner by District Deputy Grand Chan
cellor W. A. Sessions, of jackson. as
sisted by Past Grand Chancellor r.
M. Kelly, of Vioksburg, and Grand
Keeper of Record and Seal H. M.
Quin. The first officer elect escorted
to the rostrum was j. W. Birdsong.
After giving the pledge of honor, he
received from the deputy grand chan
cellor the charge pertaining to the
duties and responsibilities of the ex-
allied Office of chancellor commander
which he was about to assume, and
being invested with the insignia of
his Office, the gavel was surrendered
to him, and being seated to the right
OF the presiding officer, was author
ized to enter upon the duties of the
office to which he had been duly in
stalled.
G. 0. Robinson, the vice -chancel-
lor-elect, was the next one presented !,
and in like-manner was clothed with
the authority of his office.
H. L. McCaskill and W. D. Rag
land were next to give pledges Of
honor for the faithful performance of
the sacred duties devolving upon them
as keeper of record and seal and prel-
ate. respectively.
r. V. Shields, master of exchequer,
W. G. Runge, master of work, and
0. E. Martin, outer guard, were in
stalled in order named.
DR.. Harry Watson, master alarms
elect. &C. Sprague, master of finance
elect. and W. B, Collier, inner guard
elect, were not present and will be in
stalled at the next regular meeting of
the lodge.
AT the conclusion of the installa-
ton ceremonies, the choir sung
Nearer My God to Thee,' after
which DR.. j. T. B. Berry, the mas
ter of ceremonies, introduced W. A.
Sessions, who delivered a very in.
structive and eloquent address on Py-
thianism, its objects and purposes.
A recitation was faultlessly render
ed by Miss Mary White, and was
greatly enjoyed by all.
r. M. Kelly, of Vicksbnrg, was
next introduced and made an able and
interesting address on the lessons of
Friendship, Bevevolence and Charity
as the order teaches and seeks to in
culcate into the minds and lives of it's
members.
Some interesting history of the or
der and the work it is accomplishing
in America was attratively given by
81. M. Quin. The organization has
over 600, 600 members and has paid in
to the hands of widows and orphans
over $21 ,oOO,o0O
The most interesting part of the
program" declared the master of GER
emonies, has been tabled by the la
dies and now awaits your attention
behind the curtains which divide the
audience room from the banquet hall. !"
The banquet had been prepared by
the local chapter of the daughters of
the confederacy, and reflected great
credit upon them. The menu con-
sisted Of oysters, turkey, jelly, cele-
ry, crackers, pickles, olives, jelatine,
whipped cream, cakes, chicken, sal
ads, coffee and cheese straws.
The money realized from the ban
quet will be added to the monument
fund which is being raised by the
daughters.
For an hour after the banquet after
Dinner speeches, teeming with wit
and humor, were greatly enjoyed, the
following named persons responding
Col. VIM. Walker, H. A. Busick, F..
E. Lester. S. L. McLaurin, Hon. VIM.
Buchanan and G.. O. Robinson.
The evening was declared by all
present to be one of the most pleasant
of the season.
We would not be iustifiahla in oloa-