Declaration of Principles and Introduction to the Knights of Pythias

This article comes from a 1910 Knights of Pythias manual. It shows how our Order explained its values and duties to members and the public more than 100 years ago. While the language feels old-fashioned today, the principles of Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence remain timeless.

Adopted by the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at the adjourned session held at Cleveland, Ohio, August 16, 1877

Recognizing the universality of human brotherhood, its organization is designed to embrace the world within its jurisdiction — intended solely and only to disseminate the principles of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence; nothing of a sectarian or political character is permitted within its portals. Toleration in religion, obedience to law, and loyalty to government are its cardinal principles. Misfortune, misery, and death being written in fearful characters on the broad face of creation, our noble Order was instituted to uplift the fallen; to champion humanity; to be its guide and hope; its refuge, shelter, and defense; to soften down asperities of life; to subdue party spirit; and by the sweet and powerful attraction of the glorious trinity of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence, to bind in one harmonious brotherhood men of all classes, and all opinions. The brightest jewels which it garners are the tears of widows and orphans, and its imperative commands are to visit the homes where lacerated hearts are bleeding; to assuage the suffering of the brother; bury the dead; care for the widow, and educate the orphan; to exercise charity toward the offenders; to construe words and deeds in their least unfavorable light — granting honesty of purpose and good intentions to others; and to protect the principles of Knighthood unto death. Its laws are reason and equity; its cardinal doctrines inspire purity of thought and light; its intention is "Peace on Earth and Good-Will Toward Men."

OPENING ODE

God bless our Knightly band ; 

Firm may it ever stand,

Through storm and night : 

When the wild tempests rave, 

Ruler of wind and wave, 

Do Thou our Order save,

By Thy great might.

For this our prayers ascend; 

God bless, protect, defend,

God guard our rights ; 

Thou who art ever nigh. 

Viewing with watchful eye, 

To Thee aloud we cry,

God save the Knights.

It is the hope of the Author that all, after reading this little Manual, will be so interested in its subject matter that they will investigate further and more fully into the Aims, Objects and History of the Order of which it treats. Should strangers happen to read the volume, for it is written for them as much as for members, the Author feels they will be so far interested as to be induced to become members themselves.

Before proceeding with the work itself, there are two or three principles of which it will be beneficial to say a few words.

Defense of Secret Societies. There are many who object to secret societies, principally on account of their meetings being held by members only, and therefore are secret meetings. They argue that if these societies are what is claimed for them, why restrict their meetings to membership? Speaking for the Order of the Knights of Pythias, and all kindred orders, we say, they are not in a strict sense secret societies, but rather private societies. It is true, their meetings are held only by members, and their business is conducted without the intrusion of the outside world, just as a business firm will conduct its business in its own private room. No one would think of calling the latter a secret society; the outside world knows nothing of what occurs in that room, but the results of that meeting are known afterwards in the advertisements put forward, or in the prices of goods, etc. It is the same with secret societies. We have no more secret than a firm of merchants; our laws and constitutions are published to the world; the objects of the Order are spread far and wide; its membership is known and proclaimed by the buttons and badges worn by its members and other insignia of the Order; and its places of meetings are well known land marks in all our cities and towns or wherever a lodge is located. The only secrets the Order possesses are — A private sign by which one member may recognize another and the needful ceremony of initiation; and to these all “Good men and true,” whose written application is accepted by ballot, are welcome to participate.

The second objection to Pythianism is in its name. Damon and Pythias were Greeks, living some four hundred years before Christianity was instituted, and are consequently called heathen and idolators. It is thought that a society calling itself after such men, and using them as its prototypes, its teaching must necessarily partake of paganism. In answer to this second objection, we must remind our readers that through all the ages of unenlightenment. there were always some men far in advance of the times in which they lived; men who were clean, pure, and conscientious; earnestly searching for light through the surrounding gloom; and who taught principles as pure and true as those of the Christianitv of todav. Of such men were our two prototypes, Damon and Pythias, and their teacher and master, Pythagoras, the philosopher. On the lives of these men hang the lessons taught in the ritual of our Order.

Again. General Carnahan rightly says, "Secret societies were the first great schools of the Arts and Sciences; and afterwards, the early Christian missionaries found their way into these countries (Europe) through the lodges of these fraternities, and under their care and protection the Gospel was preached and preserved."

Duties of Members. It is the first duty of every member to attend his lodge and help in the business of the Order. So many forget this; the cause, perhaps, or rather the chief cause, is the lack of interest. This lack of interest is, in a large measure, due to the lack of knowledge, first, of the Order — what it is, whence it came, and what it is doing; and second, of the ritual, how it was made, why it was written, and the story of the allusions contained in it. Were this knowledge more fully known and understood, there could not fail to be created a more lively interest in the Order and its works, tending to make its members better Knights, and more faithful in the performance of their duties.

Purposes of the Manual. It is for this purpose that the Manual has been prepared, and the Author sincerely hopes that some, at least, will profit by it; and if even one member has, by its help, become more actively alive to his duties, the Author's labor has not been in vain.

The Manual can be used to great advantage by those who are in need of subjects and materials for an evening's speech or address. Every part of Pythian History and of the Ritual has been touched upon; and a variety of information is contained in its pages, which would furnish material for many and manv an evening's talk.

CLOSING ODE

May our slumbers be all blest, 

When we close our eyes in rest. 

May the Guardian Angel keep 

Vigils 0 'er us while we sleep.

Sleep 'till rosey morning comes, 

With its light to bless our homes. 

May the Angels ever keep 

Vigils o'er us while we sleep.

Good night.