Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-03-29
KNIGHTS OF PYTH|AS
AND CALANTHEANS
GIVE THANKS
DIR. STOKES GREAT SERMON.
Crowds Throng tho Second Baptist
Churcl-k Elmo Program.

Tho anniversary exercises of the
Knights Of Pythias. N. A, s. A. e.,
A., A. & A. were hold ut tho Second
Baptist Church, Rev. q. d. Lewis, d.
D., pastor. The Uniform Rank led
by Brigadier General John Mitchell,
Jr. and Col. r. G. Mitchell. Col w.
Henry Jones, Col. w. Fl. Willis, Major
Albert A.. Tennant preceded the long
line OF members of the subordinate
lodges. Eureka Co., No. 1 was COM
manded by Capt. George l.. Branch
and the Pythian Cadets by Capt.
Carlton Johnson.
Tho ladies assembled In tho lecture
room of the church and after the
knights had passed into the main
auditorium they followed. The
Pythian Ode. "God Bless Our Knight
ly Band, was sung. Prayer was Of
fered by Chaplain l.. j. Morris, after
which Sir w. =. Brown led in singing
popular hymn. Later the Scrip
lures wore read and a most appealing
and fervent prayer was offered by the
popular pastor of the Sharon Baptist
Church Row. A. 8. Thomas.
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell,
Jr., who was presiding introduced
In a most appropriate manner. Rev.
William II. Stokes, Phi. D., r. D.,
pastor OF the Ebenezer Baptist Church
lie dealt with Jonathan and David
and for nearly an hour he MAJ
most eloquent appeal for old time
friendship. He said It was q stranse
thing now to hear OF man loving
another man. He had come to the
conclusion that no man could love
God and destroy his fellowman. He
referred In touching language to the
prayer Of Rev. DR.. Thomas.
He dS&ared that no one was wor
thy OF the namo of man who would
not protect tho woman who bears
his name, IL need be with his life.
lilo referred to tho fact that n Ger
tain prominent man. when his wife
was elected made tho remark that
he had told her not to do 1t, Flo
denounced this position taken by this
prominent man.
lie dealt In detail with tho mys-
tories OF secret orders and awakened
interest and called forth smiles OF
approval from the church packed to
us greatest capacity. Rev. DR.. Lewis
was an Interested spectator and lis
tened with rapt attention.
Tho sermon OF Rev. DR.. Stokes
was regarded as Icing the ablest ever
delivered by him upon similar oc-
! caston. The Jubilee Songsters OF
David sang q selection to thu infinite
| amusement and satisfaction Of all
present. Applause could not be sup
| pressed for the time being.
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell,
lr. delivered an extended address.
lie explained In detail the purposes
OF the Order Of the knights of Pyth
las and tho Courts of Calanthe He
told of the action at law nov pending
In tho Court Of Appeals in the Dis
tr1ct OF Columbia, advocated subscrip
tlons to the Thomas NJ. Crump Me-
mortal, explained the work OF the
coliaborators In the compiling Of
historical data relative to the achieve
ments OF the colored troops IL. France
ana then dealt with tho Peace Con-
ference
The total number Of benefited
Lodges and Courts is 302, with q
combined membership Of 11,34O. The
total amount paid in death claims
during the past year was $27,645.OO.
A collection Of 5000 was lifted
for the church and choir and the
other after collections raised tho
amount to over $4,000. A vote of
thanks was extended to the Second
baptist Church, Rev. DR.. William II.
Stokes, the Choir, the Jubilee Song
sters Of David, the Committee of
Arrangements and all others.
Benediction was announced by Rev.
DR.. Stokes. Rev. DR.. u. d. Lewis
( spoke before the conclusion Of the
exercises. He is recovering all, of
his old time vigor.