{"id":382,"date":"2019-02-25T03:41:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T03:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/?page_id=382"},"modified":"2019-04-08T00:26:31","modified_gmt":"2019-04-08T00:26:31","slug":"history-of-the-knights-of-pythias","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/about\/history-of-the-knights-of-pythias\/","title":{"rendered":"History of the Knights of Pythias"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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History of the Knights of Pythias<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>

The Order of Knights of Pythias is an international, non-sectarian fraternal order, established in 1864 in Washington, DC, by Justus H. Rathbone and was the first fraternal order to be chartered by an Act of Congress.\u00a0 Domains of the Order exist in most states and provinces, and subordinate lodges are located in many cities and towns across the United States and Canada.\u00a0<\/p>

The following was obtained from the Supreme Lodge website (www.pythias.com)<\/p>

The Pythian Story<\/u><\/strong>

The Order bases its lessons and builds it ritual largely on the familiar story of the friendship of Damon and Pythias, who were historical characters living about four hundred or more years before the beginning of the Christian era.\u00a0 They were members of a school, founded by Pythagoras, who was known as the father of Greek philosophy.<\/p>

To become a member of the Pythagorean Brotherhood, certain very rigorous tests were demanded and applied, some of which are very similar to the ritualistic work of our order today.\u00a0 The object of the organization was the moral uplifting and purification of society.\u00a0 Strict morality, absolute truthfulness, honor and integrity were thoroughly inculcated in the minds of its membership.\u00a0 It was a maxim of Pythagoras that the two most excellent things for man were “to speak the truth and to render benefits to each other” The outstanding feature of the society, however, was the marvelous friendship and loyalty which bound the brotherhood together with hoops of steel, which was so remarkably demonstrated in the incident which forms the historic basis of our order. <\/p>

Damon had opposed the pretensions of the king of Syracuse, who had gained the throne by fraud, and as a result he was condemned to death.\u00a0 Pythias became a hostage for Damon, while the latter was permitted his liberty to bid his wife and child goodbye.\u00a0 Each was willing to die to save the other’s life.\u00a0 Their loyalty to each other, the adventures that beset them, and the outcome of this noble friendship, form the basis for one of the most beautiful stories of history as exemplified in our ritual.

The Drama – Damon and Pythias<\/u>
John Banim, Irish poet and dramatist, wrote a play based on this friendship, which was first produced in London in 1821, and has since been staged many hundreds of times.\u00a0 Familiarity with Banim\u2019s play encouraged Justus H. Rathbone to organize a fraternal order on the basis of such friendship.\u00a0 Its first small group of members took the vows of the new order with their hands placed upon a pocket Bible that had been given to Mr. Rathbone by his mother.\u00a0 This Bible is still cherished as a treasured relic of the Order, and many thousands of others have been privileged to become members in what is known as “Rathbone Bible Classes” the original Bible being used to obligate them.\u00a0

Abraham Lincoln and Our Ritual<\/u>
The Order began, during the Civil War, and its founder believed that it might do much to heal the wounds and allay the hatred of civil conflict.\u00a0 President Abraham Lincoln, being advised of the contents of the ritual and its teaching, said:<\/p>

  • “The purposes of your organization are most wonderful.\u00a0 If we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be. \u00a0It breathes the spirit of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. \u00a0It is one of the best agencies conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones. \u00a0I would suggest that these great principles by perpetuated and that you go to the Congress of the United States and ask for a charter, and so organize on a great scale throughout this nation, and disseminate this wonderful work that you have so nobly started.\u00a0 I will do all in my power to assist you in this application and with your work.”<\/li><\/ul>


    The suggestion made by the President was adopted.\u00a0 An application was made to Congress for a charter, and the Order of Knights of Pythias was the first American Order ever chartered by an Act of the Congress of the United States.

    Pythian Goal<\/u>
    In the Order’s ritualistic work, every sentence has a meaning and every paragraph a beautiful and inspiring lesson.\u00a0 The flag of the country has an honored place at every meeting and the Holy Bible is the supreme Book of Law.\u00a0 The Order does not seek to shape any man’s creed, but Pythianism is the practical application of religious and charitable principles to everyday life.\u00a0 We have a heritage of which we are proud and our precepts and teachings lead men to higher ideals of life.\u00a0 We invite like-minded men of good character to join us in making these ideals the dominant factor in modern living.<\/p>

    The Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias and its members are dedicated to the cause of universal peace.\u00a0 Pythians are pledged to the promotion of understanding among men of good will as the surest means of attaining Universal Peace.\u00a0 We believe that men, meeting in a spirit of goodwill, in an honest effort of understanding, can live together on this earth in peace and harmony.\u00a0 We seek those who agree with this belief, and have a belief in a personal Supreme Being, to join our ranks in an effort to reach “Peace Through Understanding”.<\/p>

    \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    History of the Knights of Pythias The Order of Knights of Pythias is an international, non-sectarian fraternal order, established in 1864 in Washington, DC, by Justus H. Rathbone and was the first fraternal order to be chartered by an Act of Congress.\u00a0 Domains of the Order exist in most states and provinces, and subordinate lodges are located in many cities and towns across the United States and Canada.\u00a0 The following was obtained from the Supreme Lodge website (www.pythias.com) The Pythian Story The Order bases its lessons and builds it ritual largely on the familiar story of the friendship of Damon and Pythias, who were historical characters living about four hundred or more years before the beginning of the Christian era.\u00a0 They were members of a school, founded by Pythagoras, who was known as the father of Greek philosophy. To become a member of the Pythagorean Brotherhood, certain very rigorous tests were demanded and applied, some of which are very similar to the ritualistic work of our order today.\u00a0 The object of the organization was the moral uplifting and purification of society.\u00a0 Strict morality, absolute truthfulness, honor and integrity were thoroughly inculcated in the minds of its membership.\u00a0 It was a maxim of Pythagoras that the two most excellent things for man were “to speak the truth and to render benefits to each other” The outstanding feature of the society, however, was the marvelous friendship and loyalty which bound the brotherhood together with hoops of steel, which was so remarkably demonstrated in the incident which forms the historic basis of our order. Damon had opposed the pretensions of the king of Syracuse, who had gained the throne by fraud, and as a result he was condemned to death.\u00a0 Pythias became a hostage for Damon, while the latter was permitted his liberty to bid his wife and child goodbye.\u00a0 Each was willing to die to save the other’s life.\u00a0 Their loyalty to each other, the adventures that beset them, and the outcome of this noble friendship, form the basis for one of the most beautiful stories of history as exemplified in our ritual. The Drama – Damon and PythiasJohn Banim, Irish poet and dramatist, wrote a play based on this friendship, which was first produced in London in 1821, and has since been staged many hundreds of times.\u00a0 Familiarity with Banim\u2019s play encouraged Justus H. Rathbone to organize a fraternal order on the basis of such friendship.\u00a0 Its first small group of members took the vows of the new order with their hands placed upon a pocket Bible that had been given to Mr. Rathbone by his mother.\u00a0 This Bible is still cherished as a treasured relic of the Order, and many thousands of others have been privileged to become members in what is known as “Rathbone Bible Classes” the original Bible being used to obligate them.\u00a0 Abraham Lincoln and Our RitualThe Order began, during the Civil War, and its founder believed that it might do much to heal the wounds and allay the hatred of civil conflict.\u00a0 President Abraham Lincoln, being advised of the contents of the ritual and its teaching, said: “The purposes of your organization are most wonderful.\u00a0 If we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be. \u00a0It breathes the spirit of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. \u00a0It is one of the best agencies conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones. \u00a0I would suggest that these great principles by perpetuated and that you go to the Congress of the United States and ask for a charter, and so organize on a great scale throughout this nation, and disseminate this wonderful work that you have so nobly started.\u00a0 I will do all in my power to assist you in this application and with your work.” The suggestion made by the President was adopted.\u00a0 An application was made to Congress for a charter, and the Order of Knights of Pythias was the first American Order ever chartered by an Act of the Congress of the United States. Pythian GoalIn the Order’s ritualistic work, every sentence has a meaning and every paragraph a beautiful and inspiring lesson.\u00a0 The flag of the country has an honored place at every meeting and the Holy Bible is the supreme Book of Law.\u00a0 The Order does not seek to shape any man’s creed, but Pythianism is the practical application of religious and charitable principles to everyday life.\u00a0 We have a heritage of which we are proud and our precepts and teachings lead men to higher ideals of life.\u00a0 We invite like-minded men of good character to join us in making these ideals the dominant factor in modern living. The Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias and its members are dedicated to the cause of universal peace.\u00a0 Pythians are pledged to the promotion of understanding among men of good will as the surest means of attaining Universal Peace.\u00a0 We believe that men, meeting in a spirit of goodwill, in an honest effort of understanding, can live together on this earth in peace and harmony.\u00a0 We seek those who agree with this belief, and have a belief in a personal Supreme Being, to join our ranks in an effort to reach “Peace Through Understanding”. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":26,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"full-width","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"0","ocean_second_sidebar":"0","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"0","ocean_custom_header_template":"0","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"on","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"0","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-382","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=382"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":522,"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/382\/revisions\/522"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kp129.org\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}