Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-10-01
PATRIOTIC SERVICE
GIVEN BY RED MEN
Rev. Thompson LaudS Order
at Annual Memorial
Meeting
FIRST COUNCILFOUNDED
FIT. MIFFLIN, DELAWARE

The annual memorial service OF the
Improved Order Of Red Men was held
in st. Paurs Methodist Church last
evening. The Pastor. the Rev. A. II.
Thompson, delivered the address which
consisted Of a brief account Of the his
tory and work OF the Order. with a
tribute to IL for preserving the MEM
cries Of the past and for its practical
benevolence in relieving the needs Of
the present. lie said in part:
1.-THE Improved Order Of Red men.
consisting Of $4,000 members. Of which
Delaware has about 6,2OO, makes no
claim to remote antiquity. It's germs
are found in the patriotic societies
which sprang up before the Revolution
ary War Of which Saint Trinity and
the Sons Of Liberty, conspicuous in
the Boston Tea Party, were the most
notable.
"The historical period dates from
1913, when the first Council was found
ed at Fort Miflin, Delaware River near
Philadelphia. The Order was estab-
lished I'm Baltimore in 1893, where the
first Great Council was held, May 90
1885.
'The Order is unique in that the
ritual is entirely American The nomen-
clature Is that Of the Indian. One is
a member Of Tribe and not a Lodge
He attends Council and not meeting
time is marked by suns, seven suns
moons and great suns, not by days
weeks, months and years; he assists In
kindling and quenching Council fire in
stead Of opening and closing meeting
he uses fathoms, feet and inches in
stead Of dollars, dimes and cents. Wan
pun, sachem, Manitou, calumet, toma-
hawk are terms often used The Bible
Is regularly read at every meeting OF
the Council that members may hear
the voice of the Great Spirit.
"Three degrees are given: Adoption
Warriors and Chiefs. The first OF these
is a survival Of a custom Of the Iro-
quois who allowed a captive to select
between torture or adoption. II adOp-
ton was selected, the initiation con-
sisted Of running the gauntlet which
II done successfully entitled the sue
Cessful candidate TO all the rights anC
privileges Of the Tribe.
The Chieftains' League Uniformed
Rank and the Degree Of Pocahontas
were both authorized at Elmira In
1885. The latter Is the women's auxlli-
airy and is founded on the beautiful
story Of Pocahontas and Captain Smith
Pocahontas, II will be remembered
married John Rolfe and was the ances-
tress Of John Randolph and many les:
distinguished Nirginians.
1T Is with peculiar pleasure that st
paul's welcomes the Order tonight, be
cause Joseph Pyle, admitted to The
Great Council in 1852, elected Great In
cohonee in 1861. and from 1874 to thu
day Of his death, Great Keeper Of th'
NVampum, was for 26 years, Presiden
Of the Board Of Trustees, and for 81
years, Superintendent Of st. Paurs sun
day school.
"The Improved Order Of Red Men 81
worthy Of consideration, because
tenders a real service TO the Nation. il
the first place, IL perpetuates the mem
DRY Of our romantic past. We have
past which we should never let die. i
is a past full Of romance. Once, the un
tutored savage roamed virgin forests
on the spot where we now stand. TIT
smoke Of his Council fires ascende,
from Gulf TO River and from sea q
sea. Then, the white man came. Thu
Indians reign was disputed. There wa
war. The. sleeping settler was arousel
by the blood curdllng war whoop
France and England Joined in battle
England won. England and the Colonle
Joined I'm battle-the Colonies won, ant
there was the beginning Of our Nationa
life. Il was a time that tried men,
souls, and the mere recital Of 1t stir
the blood and makes us better Amer
leans. Now, the order Of Red Men con
stantly keep this period before tn
eyes OF its members, and by their name
before the nation and thus render
real patriotic service.
IN the second place, the Orde
idealizcs the noble qualities Of the Re
Man. The Indian is TO be estimated b
what he was before being cor
rupted by contact with the white mar
The coalition formed by Pontiac, tn
League Of the lroquols or Lon
House, give some idea Of the consum
mate craftsmanship Of which he wa
capable. In dignity, courage, enduranc
and fidelity TO trust, he was equal
any Of whom we have record. Tacitur
by nature, he at times rose to tn