Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-14
KNIGHTS OF FPYTHIAS' GOLDEN JUBILEE
Feth Anniversary of Founding of the Order Celebrated by Norwich Lodges-Grand Officers and Delegations From Surrounding Towns Present.

The golden jubilee celebration of the Knights of Pythias conducted jointly by Wauregan lodge, No. s, and Gard ner lodge, No. 46. in Pythian hall Fri day evening, brought together an as- Semblage of over 200 members and friends of the organization. In the notable gathering were Knights of Pythias from New London, Williman- tic, Jewett City, Mystic and Colches- ter. This celebration of the Pythian organization was probably the most important Pythian gathering of it's kind ever held in eastern Connecti- cut
 William Blackburn, chairman of the committee of arrangements, called the assemblage to order shortly before o'clock, after which Judge Nelson J. Ayling took the chair. The first num- Der on the programme was selection by Ethiers orchestra The chairman announced that owing to the length of the programme and inaSmuch as a number of those attending had to leave at 11.45 o'clock on the special cars. the time allowed the majority of speakers was limited to five minutes, so that all would be able to enjoy the social hour which followed the pro- gramme.
 Mayor Murphy Extends Welcome.
 Chairman Ayling then introduced Mayor Timothy c. Murphy a the first speaker. Mayor Murphy in his ad- dress extended a hearty welcome to the invited guests. He said it isn't often that a mayor is called upon to speak a a golden jubilee of this kind. He complimented the organization on the remarkable and worthy work it is doing and in concluding said he hoped the Pythian body would have as pros porous a future as it's past had been.
 A selection on an Edison phono- nh nnaFataH a a of the Porteous & Mitchell company was then heard.
 Addresse by Rev. Mir. Cobb.
 Rev. Joseph F. Cobb, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd, was in- troduced as the next speaker by Chair man Ayhng. In his address Rev. MT. Cobb spoke in part as follows:
 In Washington, D. C., Feb. 19. 1864 there was born a new order to be known as the Knights of Pythias It was brought forward by Justus Henry Rathbone, who was inspired to do this by reading the drama called Damon and Pythias," written by John Banim in 1921. The story today is very fa- miliar to all who know anything of the order of Knights of Pythias To give clear understanding of the in spiration of an order which now cele- brates it's 50th anniversary with over 715,O00 members, Rev. MT. Cobb re- NlCN Cd tilS SIOI OL IdIIIOIl anu I1l- as, which story moved the heart of Justus Henry Rathbone, who had con- templated an organization based on brotherly love. and 50 he concluded to make this story the foundation of the ritual of his organization
 When the ritual was read to four friends who joined with him it was decided to call the order the Knights of Pythias. It was instituted with 13 members. Two of the original mem
 
 (. From this humble beginning the order has grown until today it ranks third in size among the fraternal or ganizations of this country. If our order had done no more than to aid in welding the north and south to- gether into a common brotherhood it would not have lived in vain; but it has many noble achievements to it's credit.
 Not Limited to United States.
 The membership in the order is not limited to the United States. for al- though born under the Stars and Stripes. it now has lodges in Porto Rico. Mexico, China and the canal zone, and viii soon be established in England, Australia and New Zealand.
 May We here tell what Pythianism is ? In the language of the present supreme chancellor commander, it teaches the theory and practice of all that is good in relation to God and man. to the state and to the individual and the great object for which it ex- fsts is to find the common ground upon which all good men. regardless of creed or country. can stand. It has as it's cardinal principles friendship. charity and benevoience. It respects order and government and it recog- n1zes the dignity of human nature and mans rights to as much freedom as 1t is fitted for. And it knows noth- ing that should place one man below another except ignorance. deeasemept and crime: and it believes in the ne-