The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-02-24
AT THE CHURCHES SUNDAY

, This is one Of the strongest lodges in
the city and numbers some $50 mem
bers, Of which some forty were present
to hear a sermon appropriate to the
49th anniversary of the order in the
United States.
The rector read for his text from
verso thirty to thirty-eight OF the
tenth chapter OF Luke: the story of a
certain man who joUrneyed from
Jerusalem to Jericho and in the road
was set upon by thieves, beat and rob-
bed. The passing of the priest and the
Levite and then the good Samaritan
who seeing his suffering and condition,
took com passion on him, succOred him.
took him to an inn and had him cared
for. Now which of these three men
was his neighbOr?
The rector preached strong and
impressive sermon. He thanked the
knights Of Pythias for the opportunity
to speak to them. Referred to the
story OF Damon and Pythias and the
wonderful friendship that existed be-
tween them and what the word
brOtherly love stood for and signfied
In the order. He said it was safe to
concede the order appreciated all the
word friendship stood for, the noblest
attribute Of man. in the light Of the
fact that 1t had attracted to itself in
these many years nearly 100000 men,
bers and that they believed in the
words Of their beautiful ritual and in
consequence 1t was right to expect of
them great things in promoting the
welfare Of humanity. Not only the K.
OF p. but scores Of other fraternal and
benevolent orders. mounting into the
millions, were excmplifying the teach
ings Of Christ. If words mean any
thing then we have right to expect
great things Of these orders. Rev.
Harrison said he did believe in secret
orders in their exemplification Of their
rituals. which were founded on the
word Of God. He knew they had done
great good. But how many were act
Ing in the true spirit OF the ritual? Not
what I can confer on others by asso-
citation with the order. but in a purely
selfish spirit what can get out Of It.?
give. They are not true Knights Of
Pythias.
He then referred to the story of
Christ How he did not condemn the
faheu woman. but said. go and sin
no more That his spirit Of helpful
hess and Christian benevolence was for
the world. irrespective of orders and
n. IA hnt<
to serve Christ and love the world than
{ to dispense charity and help by the
insignia Of association. That the true
spirit Of help was that which recog-
nised the, brotherhood of man the
world over and to be responsive to
Christs teachings.
This is not even a synopsis Of Rev
Harrison's fervid address for he spoke
as he always does with a power that is
born OF a deep seated conviction and
conservation and the best and purest
help that man and mankind combine
: Is the love Of Christ in our hearts.
After the sermon. Rev Harrison
mingled with his special guests, giving
1, them a cordial greeting. Some Of the
members OF the X. of P. saunterins
home. thought the good rector had moi
only given them an eye opener, but
pressed back The lid to the orb o.
vision.
Rev. VIM. Shaw. of the Christian
church and so well known to our peO-
pie as a great organizer Of Sunday
schools in this state in years past, bu
: now engaged in missionary work fol-
the orphanaee Of his church. at Bald
win. Ca. and whose labors cove
twelve states. filled the pulpit morn
! Ing and night at the Christian church
At night he told the story Of Ruth ant
SO beautifully ind touchingly did n
present 1t. that it simply melted tn
hearts Of his hearers. The application
OF the story was that men could no
afford to remain outside the church
to mankind and they should seek TIL
church's love and protection. 1t passes
his understanding how people who hal
been members of a congregation, ha'
moved into other communities, takel
their church letters with them. ha'
put them i'm the clock or i'm a trunl
and kept them there for years. with
out q thought of their association wit
their Maker. He also referred to tn
fact that in the great city of Atlanta
while the morning services were wei
attended. at nights the seats were al