Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-07
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAs.

The Knights of Pythias of Norwich and vicinity are looking forward with a great deal of interest to the golden jubilee celebration, the 50th anniver- sary of the order. Elaborate prepara-
 tions are being made to celebrate this event next Friday night, Feb 13, in Pythlan hall. In every grand domain lodges are preparing to commemorate this important event. Many state meet ings will be held and the fires of fra
 ternal enthusiasm will be aglow in
 hundreds of Pythian castles through
 out the supreme domain; but the big
 event will occur on Feb. 19 in Wash
 ington, D. C.. the birthplace of the
 order.
 The Knights of Pythias is one of the
 great organizations of fraternalism,
 and is the third largest in it's member
 ship of the societies of it's kind in the
 western hemisphere. The achievements
 of this organization for the 50 years
 of it's history are such as entitle it to
 receive expressions of warmest ap-
 proval from all who are interested in
 the growth and development of the social life of the people and in the factors that contribute so largely to the power of our national life.
 Pounded in the city of Washington by Justus H. Rathbone on Feb. 19, 1864, the order has had a steady growth, 715,000 men being enrolled Up- on the roster of almost 5000 subordi- nate lodges in the United States and Canada, with a few scattering lodges elsewhere. The order is in a fair way to reach the million mark in a short time, for it is assuming new vigor under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Thomas J. Carling, affect szn 3tely known as Uncle Tom" throughout the supreme domain. The oldest living continuous member of the order is Major Edward Dunn of Washington,
 b IE a T0RTI1h4r nf Era T1I- kiln 1Oac n ?, since April, 1884.
 The order was born at a time when our country was torn by diSSension and rent by the awful curse of civil war, when north and south faced each other in battle array, when brother met brother face to face on the battlefield, and when sons and father ofttimes found themselves contending with each other in the bloody fray. Gloom and sadness settled like a black pail upon the land. and the hearts of strong men as well as of gentle women yearned for some event that would stay the fearful conflict and end the awful sac f1tce of life. In the midst of this tense condition the order Knights of Pythlas came into being, appearing like star in the midst of the swiring clouds of storm with it's message of
 Peace on earth, good will to men," and it has rendered untold service in reunIting the warning sections of our land and in bringing together within the charmed circle of fraternity those who once clashed in deadly conflict on the crimson field of carnage. If our order had done no more than to aid in Welding the north and south together into a common brotherhood, it would not have lived in vain; but it has many other noble achievements to it's credit.
 The order of Knights of Pythias. founded in friendship. charity and be- neVOlCnce, which it prOcIaims as its cardinal principles, strives to gather into one mighty fraternity worthy men who appreciate the true meaning of friendship; who are cautious in word and act, who love truth who are brave in defending right; whose honor IS untarnished; whose sense of justice will prevent, to the best of their abili- ty, personal act or word injurious to the worthy: whose loyalty to princi- pie, to family. to friends, to their coun- try and to the constituted authority under which they enjoy citizenship is undoubted and who at all times are prepared to do unto others as they would that others should do unto them