The broad ax., 1914-05-09
THE ANNUAL SERMON OF THE
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF THE
JURISDICTION OF ILLINOIS.
At Quinn Chapel Church, gath st. and
Wabash Ave.
BY L. W. Washington.

- Last Sunday, May 3rd, 1914, was a
day of events among the Pythians of
this city. A day Of pastime for some;
a gala day for others. 1t was likewise
to the members of the courts Of Calan-
the; it was a day of reflection, a day
of pleasure, day of mirth and sorrow,
day of note historically; Pythian day.
Seriously considered, The Lords Day;
The Sabbath; a day of rest. A day set
apart by the K. P.'s and Courts of
Calanthe, known as thanksgiving day.
According to the annual proelama-
tion of the Grand Chancellor over the
Jurisdiction of the State of Illinois, DR..
Allen A. Westly, the following commit
tee is due much credit: Frank l. Chit
tenden, chairman of the committee,
Miss Josephine Polk, Mrs. Martha Gran
shaw, Mrs. A. NJ. Hubbard, Clark P.
Crawford, William Sutton and Fred ID.
Price, for the splendid rendition of so
excellent a program, of no ordinary
merit. The writer soon discovered,
with a number of other persons, that
Quinn Chapel Church, the largest and
finest edifee of worship owned by our
people in this city, was minus in its
seating capacity by one half for the
accommodation of the members and
friends of the Order. So there was as
many people standing on the outside
of the church as there was inside. We
are told that next year this will not
be so, for the beautiful Armory of the
sth, Illinois National Guards of U. s.
A. will have been built, and will be
the most BETTING place, the most ac-
commodative for such large gatherings;
an Ideal Place.
The music for this program was I'M
der the personal direction of Mr.. Ed. +.
Norris. Piano accompanies were Miss
Gertie F. Jackson and Mrs. Shaffer.
And well may we pause for the day and
lift our hats to the spirit of Unity,
demonstrated here in reality, showing
the true elements of Friendship, Benev-
olenee and Truth as taught and ex-
pressed openly by the Sons and Daugh-
tiers of Damon and Pythias. 1t was a
picturesque sight and all-inspiring scene
for any observer to behold. A won
derful drama of brotherly love and sis
terly devotion; a lifting up of the Soul
from the depths, standing it erect upon
its feet: triumphing over the deliver
anee of an oppressed but hopeful peo
pie, to the Glory of God, the Divinity,
celebrating the Pythian Period XXXY.
We stood at first in the center of the
gallery and saw elevated above all the
rest, sitting in that half-moon pit Of
that sacred dome, in white, the Choir,
quite angelic in its appearance. Lower
down upon the rostrum, decorated with
flannel trousers, navy blue coats, orna-
mented with beautiful braided cords,
glittering insignias of gold, looking
with regal splendor Of a true plume
knight, was seated Major Gen. R. R.
jackson, commander of an army of uni
formed stalwart ablebodied men, who
are not afraid to die; $4,000 strong
trained men, the equal Of any soldier:
the Negro Knights Of Pythias Back
Of him was his staff, Gen. George Ter.
rel, Gen. Stuart D. Fowler, Gen. Clint
Hill, Gen. J. Harris, Gen. Homes and
Gen. Bibbs. In the foreground, to the
left Of the pulpit were seated Grand
Chancellor DR.. A. A. Wesley, Supreme
Financial Secretary of the temple DIV.
department; Edward D. Green, Grand
Attorney; r. A. j. Shaw, Grand Treas
urer; W. Womaek, and Grand Secretary
William F. Elliott. To the right were
seated Grand Representatives Of the
Courts Of Calanthe: Mrs. Annie W.
Fits, Mrs. A. NJ. Hubbard and Mrs.
Samuel N. Amos. Upon each side Of
this beautiful circle there were resting
the pretty banners Of the various subor-
dinate lodges. And six large vases Of
beautiful flowers stood upon a table
in the center, the contributions Of the
Courts Of Calanthe, to be presented by
Miss Josephine Polk to the recipients
worthy Of the days effort. And then
last, but not least, covering the whole
audience room, and a part Of the gal
lery, were seated members Of the snbor-
dinhte lodges in their simplicity, wear