The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-12-18
PYTHIANS INITIATE .12t
CANDIDATES AS HONOR TO
GRAND CHANCELLOR ARBENZ
MORE THAN 1000 MEMBERS WERE
WITNESSES OF EXCEL
LENT WORK.
largest Class Initiated In the state
Under Present Adrinistrstion-
others Are Forming.

Before an audience composed OF
more than 1000 members OF the order
OF Knights OF Pythias. 12f candidates,
esQuires OF the order. were knighted
last night In the Scottish Rite Cathe-
dral on Fourteenth street. One hun
dred and twenty-one esquires who had
been taught in the advance steps 10
Pythianism. marched into the big ca
thedral and prepared themselves for
the final work and trial that was to
make them full-hedged Knights OF
Pythias.
The work was done by an especial
~ well drilled team made up OF men,
bers OF the individual teams of the
various lodges In this district and
nothing was omitted from the work
that would tend to produce an effect.
portraying every portion OF the his
tory. life and noble acts OF the man
Pythias. mythical as II might seem.
who portrayed the most noble quail
ties OF man, and Damon. his friend.
Members who have for many years.
probably. taken but a passive part In
the work OF the order, for one cause
or another, gathered with the regulars
OF the order. those who are ever ac-
tive in the work. as did also the young
and the old members. A spirit OF true
Pythianism prevailed throughout the
entire meeting. and those who have
been members of the order for many
years pronounced the affair the most
successful that they have ever wit
messed In not only the domain OF
West Virginia, but in the entire tri-
State district
Representative Class.
The esquires, composing the class.
on whom the rank of knight was con-
ferred. was one OF the most represen-
tative bodies of men. that IL has been
the pleasure of local lodges, in this
vicinity. to initiate on one evening.
There were attorneys. farmers, labor
ers, business men. and in fact from
all walks of life.
The work done by the team was
probably the best that has ever been
Witnessed here, not even being eclipsed
by the famous lola team, in point OF
ability, IL was stated by many MEM
bers who had seen the two work But
in addition to the knight rank being
conferred by the special team. the
Pluto degree team OF Steuben lodge
No. I. of Steubenville. the oldest lodge
of knights OF Pythias in the state of
Ohio. conferred the degree upon the
candidates, showing TO the members.
the old form Of initiation. in use prior
TO the amplified knight rank.
Pluto Degree Work.
The Pluto degree work was put on
in a masterful way, and was the cause
of many CONGRATULATIONS being show
cred upon the members of the Ohio
side lodge team. The work had never
been witnessed by a large number of
the members in attendance. as II had
been discontinued many years ago.
and because of its dramatic moments
and thrilling periods. IL was presented.
that the younger members might know
what many OF the older members
passed through before attaining the
rank of knighthood-
The excellent work done by men,
bers OF the two teams. combined with
the beautiful costumes and stage
scenery. made a most imposing and
respectful sitting. Words OF praise
came from members OF every lodge in
attendance. Music was furnished by
DR.. Henri p. Linsz, who presided az
the effect. Judge Alan H. Robinson
sang II am Pilgrim" during the in
PERMISSION.
Short Talks.
Following the initiatory work. Wis
iting members of the order delivered
short talks and a light luncheon was
served. Attorney Carl o. Schmidt.
acted as spokesman for the class OF
candidates. and spoke OF the feeling
that gripped him upon his entrance
TO the hall and before the team.
Other members OF the class also de-
livered short talks.
Supreme Chancellor Brigham S.
Young OF Ada, Ohio. spoke for a few
moments, and offered much praise for
the members OF the order in this
vicinity. for the work that they were
responsible for. as a tribute and honor
20 their Grand Chancellor and Fellow
Member John p. Arbenz. His talk
was inspiring and 10 the point. and he
urged upon the members n continu-
ance OF the spirit displayed and hoped
that many additional members might
De enrolled before the expiration or
Grand Chancellor Arbenz' term.
Others who delivered short talks
were; Hon John p. Arbenz, supreme