The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-02-21
Elaborate Program and Banquet /:
Planned by Damon Lodge for
Commemoration.
(Ry James Larauel

Damon Lodge No. 10, Knights OF
Pythias, will fttingly commemorate
the fifty-seventh anniversary of the
order tomorrow night at their Castle
hall on East Intendencia street with
the rendition of well-planned pro
gram followed by a banquet.
II. G.. Champlin, William V. Nc
Donald and Jack Herschkovitz. the
committee, to whom was entrusted
the responsibility of planning and
carrying through this Pythian cele-
bration, have worked hard and faith
fully TO make of 1t the most success
ful ever witnessed in this part Of the
state, and it is the earnest wish Of
the committee that every local and
visiting Pythian in the city be in his
chair at 1880 o'clock promptly on
Tuesday night so that no delay be en-
countered from this source.
The Pythian order, not yet three
score years old. cannot boast of his
tory which antedates the pyramids,
nor can 1t harken back to antiquity
TO attract its adhefents, but in prac-
teal service to mankind it has a rec
ord covering 81 years In which it's pas
sionate love of service has given it
mastery over the minds of men. 1t
has developed an intrinsic fraternity
which has made it's presence in So
ciety a potent factor for the welfare
of the race. Yet the standard of the
order, on which are emblazoned in
large letters the words Friendship.
Charity and Benevolence," is flying
from the flagstaffs OF subordinate
lodges from the Pacific to the Allan
tic coasts and from the Great Lakes to
the Mexic sea of the southland.
No group of men could compute the
extent Of this welfare work done.
Neither can statistics tell the story,
for during these years it has minis
tered to the needs of the sick, carried
the burdens and worries of the anxious
widow, fed and clothed the orphan
and added TO the work day world
the precious bonus of personal care
sympathy and affection. For the
brotherly feeling as a world power is
focused in Pythianism. Greater than
justice is fraternity of the Pythian
type. because II introduces the cause
of all understanding.
The order has not been content to
confine it's welfare wrok to the mem
bership alone. 1t has reached out a
loving hand TO every man of spirit.
character and fine impulses. 1t has
touched life as life was found and
has inspired men to pay devotion to
the shrine of brotherliness. 1t has led
human affections to that plane where
it will reach from the cottage on the
street to the mansion on the hillside.
1t has inspired wealth to wipe the
tears from the cheeks of poverty, en-
couraged luxury to put a wreath on
the brow of care and taught all men
to pave the pathway of life so that
cruel and heartless words will no
longer bruise the hearts of the chill
dren of men.
1t has done its share of creating
sunshine to dry up tears of grief. 1t
has held back the hand of avarice and
greed. 1t has placed the badge of
courage upon the weeping form of
and it has bid the orphan
to no longer fear the days of adversely.
It has taken the pity and love of one
human heart and increased its po-
tency by adding thousands of others
Of like sympathy and love. 1t has
taken the good will of one human be-
ing and multiplied it a thousandfold.
It has combined kind words and good
deeds. joy and happiness and mar
shaded them with a million men who
have learned the Pythian lesson and
has waged war against misery and
and for joy and brother
hood.
1t is with this conception of our or
der and with the knowledge that dur
ing the last two years there has been
a wonderful growth in membership
that the lodges over the country will
meet TO celebrate the birthday of the
that has wrought so Won
ierfully and so well.
Fifty-seven years ago. Feb. 10. 1864,
The first lodge of knights of Pythias
was instituted in the city of Wash
ngton. To the makers and keepers
Of this great American order, the
lodge membership this anniversary
will bring acclaim ever yielded TO true
men OF noble achievement. AS Pyth-
ans, we will rejoice in what the order
has done in the welfare work of the
world, and if the anniversary IS to
meet up with the demands of the day
Il will also be a time when the mem
bership awakes to the responsibility
of the time and plan anew for greater
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