Evening journal., 1913-06-14
800 MORE
PYTHIANS SOON
That Number to Take obi
cation Over RathbGne
Bible Next Week
DISTINGUISHED
LODGEMEN COMING

Members of the knights of Py-
thias throughout Delaware are de-
lighted over the successful climax
to be reached next week regarding
the Rathbone Bible class initiation.
Supreme Chancellor ]. CARING. OF
Macon, Ga. Supreme Keeper of Rec
ords and Seal Fred r. Wheaton, of
Minneapolis, Mimi. Supreme Vice
Chancellor Brigham S. Young, of
Aida. Ohio, who Will take part in
the Bible class Initiation will arrive
here tomorrow. They will be taken
through the lower counties of the
state in automobiles by the supreme
representative OF Delaware. Joseph
9. Jolls aud w. W. Knowles and
the grand lodge officers, George H.
Otwell, grand chancellor: James j..
Cohen. grand vice-chancellor;
Charles Hillegas prelate; r. o. Simp-
son, master-at-arms. Charles w,
Nickerson, inner guard; s. Young
ling, outer guard The first class Of
the series VIII be held at Laurel on
mex. Monday evening; the second at
Dover on Tuesday evening, and the
thiru at Wilmington on Wednesday
evening.
The Order Knights OF Pythlas, was
founded In Washington, February 10,
1864. by Justus H Rathbone. who on
that evening obligated himself and
four others and formed the first lodge
of the order. This obligation was ad-
ministered upon a Bible, which had
been given to Mr.. Rathbone by his
mother on his eighth birthday. and
which was cherished by him through
all his life. After his death, this
Bible was presented to the Supreme
Lodge which body, by a formal vote.
made the Supreme Keeper OF Records
I'd seal, the custodian thereof. The
present official, Fred Il. Wheaton, has
had made for this Bible. a case from
wood taken from the school house in
Michigan, in which Mr.. Rathbone
taught at the time he read the drama
.of Damon and Pythias, and decided
that the story was one that should be
perpetuated by the foundation of a
secret society, the principles of which
should be Friendship. Charity and
benevolence. and framed the FIRST
ritual OF our order. During the past
few years, there has been a. desire
on the part Of those knowing Of these
relics and appreciating that they are
sacred as we'll as interesting. to have
classes in the Rank OF Page, obli-
gated on this Bible.
The only way In which this can be
done. is to have the Supreme Keeper
OF Records and Seal present and de.
liver the obligation. AS this Is ex.
pensive, as well in the time of a busy
officer as In the cash outlay FOO trav.
elling expenses, II can be done onl,
when warranted by sufficient mum
Der Of candidates. Many classe.
nave been thus initiated in the pas
two years, and the S. X. r. and S
informs the local lodgemcn that n,
has applications for al least fifty o
these Rathbone Bible classes for the
present year. Usually. in addition "a
the presence OF the S. T. r. and s..
other Supreme Lodge officers are In
attendance. adding to the interest in
the initiation work.
The Laurel and Dover classes will
consist of fifty members each. while
the class in this city will number
tully 200 In making the tour of the
state the supreme officers will be
taken over different routes i'm order
that they may get a proper impress
sion Of the state.
Grand and Supreme officers from
Maryland and New Jersey are ex-
pected to be in attendance here on
Wednesday evening. Following the
class initiation that evening a ban
quet will be served in the Hotel Du
pOnt