The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-03-13
THE KNIGHTS ofypYrAiAs

.
The knights of Pythias and the
Pythian Sisters are a fine looking
body Of men and women, and we are
proud to entertain them. They are
in every way representative men and
women.
Their opening session at the Tenn
pie theater Wednesday morning was
unique in, its way, in that it started
on the minute and was concluded
without the least hitch in the pro-
ceedings. For this reason, if for no
other it was keeniy relished.
The welcoming session was opened
with a song, which was delightfully."-
rendered. The voices were all good.
Those taking part in it were the fol-
lowing: Mrs. E. Van Hood, Mrs. w.
A. Coin, Miss Rosebud Robinson. Miss
Marguerite Porter and Mrs. II. M.
Hampton.
The invocation by Rev. Bunyan
Stephens was very briefly and sweet
ly simple and most appropriate.
The welcoming address on behalf
of the city by Mr.. Charles W. Hunter,
president of the city council, was a
model production, and was well deliv-
cred. He said that it was customary
in ancient times, on visit of rep
resentative body to one of the cities
to have the fact proclaimed by her
aids, and the visiting delegations were
met by pageantry and pomp, and the
keys of the city were delivered and
received amid the sound of music and
the flying of banners, and in imitation
of this custom Ocala had hung its
banners on the outer walls, and its
mayor had authorized him to deliver
to our visiting body the keys and the
freedom of the city.
Mr.. Hunter said that Plato had said
that a mans love for a woman was
intensive and passionate, but mans
love for man partook of divinity and
was immortal, which found a fitting
illustration in Damon's love for Py-
thias, and which, in the founding of
the order, was used as it's cardinal
doctrine.
Mr.. Hunters welcome was warm,
fluent and cordial.
Mr.. j. d. Rooney welcomed the
Knights and Pythian Sisters on be-
half of the board of trade.
In saying that he excelled himself
is saying a great deal, but that was
the verdict of those who heard him.
Mr.. Rooney spoke from manuscript
as follows:
MIR. RoOney's Address
Mr.. Chairman, Chancellor Com
mander, Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are gathered here today to do
honor and extend welcome to an or
ganization that is dear to the hearts
of so many of us; buiided as it is on
Friendship, that stands forth pre-
eminently the grandest and most
noble portrayal of Christian charac.
ter that history has recorded since
the days of Jonathan and David, or
that of the Immaculate Son for his
disciples.
Do we, as men, today enrolled in
this great band of fraternal brother
hood, app. eciate the cardinal vir-
tues and truths that F. c.. B. repre-
sents? Have we stood at the altar.
and in the eyes@of God and man TAX
en- home these truths? Are they so
iqdelibly stamped on the pages of
memory. engraved on the. tablets of
our hearts that we too should UNDER
go and re-enact that beautiful le-.
gend of Damon and Pythias.
fear that i'm. the mad rush for
position, honors. and wealth. we too
often, forget our brothers, to reach
down the hand that would. uplift. to
put our, influence, time and money
behind weak brother, cautiously
admonish; comfort and cheer along
this tempestuous voyage of life, thus
eXemplifying friendship in its truest
sense. Well has it been said "A
friend in need, is a friend indeed"
| feel it special honor TO repre-
sent our organization, the Marion
County Board of Trade. and to be
delegated the sweet privilege on its
behalf to welcome this organization
to our city, home and hearts. Hav-
ing years ago assumed the obliga-
ton of knighthood. l can better APP
probate Your coming tngethar in