The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-27
A Record Breaker.

Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday
nights the grand climax of fraternalism
was reached in Kentucky. The even
was the elimination of a united effor
of Central Kentucky Knights of Pythia,
Lodges to secure candidates for the
Rathbone Bible Glasses which were held
in Covington, Lexington and Corbin, OF
above dates. The meeting at Lexington
Friday night, eclipsed anything of the
kind ever before witnessed within the
State, and possibly since the foundation
of the Order. Knights of Pythias from
all over Central Kentucky began arriv.
ing in the city early Friday morning,
and continued to pour in on specicl and
regular trains until 8 o'clock at night,
when the meeting was called to order al
Woodlawn Park Auditorium, where two
thousand Knights assembled to witness
the solemn and impressive ceremonies
of the rank of Page conferred on 2S7
candidates. All of the Grand Lodge
officers of Kentucky. with the exception
of one, were present. General Fred E.
Wheaton, Supreme Keeper Records and
Seal, of Minneapolis, Mimi, obligated
the new members and used the famous
RathbOne Bible, which Hon. Justus H.
Rathbone, the founder of the Order, used
in obligating the first members, forty
eight years ago. Mr.. Wheaton is a lead
ing knight and for twenty-seven years,
has been editor of the Pythian Advocate
of Minneapolis, MINI. He was staunch
friend of Hon. Justus H. Rathbone, who
was clerk in the Treasury Department
at Washington City. and they spent
many, many happy hours together. At
the meeting,IMr. Wheaton distributed
as souvenirs among the Pythians,a brief
history Of this famous little book, which
can easily be carried in the pocket. 1t
measures ga inches wide, 5si4 inches
long and II Il inches in thickness. 1t is
preserved in a handsome case, which
also contains a photograph of the found
er. The Bib'e was published in the
year 1885, and was given to Hon. Justus
A. Rathbone on his fifth birthday, by
his mother, and was used by him on
February 10. 1854 when the five original
members of the order of Knights of Ply
thias were obligated.
Today there are nearly a million
members CROPPED under its glorious BAN
ner, and Knights of Pythias are known
all over the world. The life of the
Order is eternal. for the spirit which
it-Friendship. Charity and
Benevolence-can never die. The three
meetings held in Kentucky has added
some six hundred new members to the
Order, and the good to accrue from
these is too great for enumeration and
beyond computation. Following the
secret work, the historical play, Damon
and Pythias, which eDthuses every
loyal Knight, was ably presented by an
al star team. and was greatly enjoyed
BY all. Normal City Lodge No. 1872,
Richmond, made a most creditable
showing at the Lexington meeting. For
he past three weeks the membership |
had been very active, and as a result Of
heir efforts. twenty-four names were
added to their membership list. Four
cen candidates, accompanied by some
twenty-five or more members, attended (
he Lexington meeting, and the candid
les we're obligated by Mr.. Wheaton.
Normal City Lodge has representative
membership and is growing rapidly.
Today il is in the forefront Of fraternal-
SIN. and with its representative body Of
nen displaying SO much vim and viqor
nd fraternai spirit, il is destined 10 20
inward and upward-and here's hopi1
/ will