Knights of Pythias

Knights of Pythias

The Knights of Pythias was founded in 1864 in Washington, D.C., as a secret society for government clerks, but admission and goals have both broadened since. The order now functions as a fraternal organization with service aspects, in the United States and Canada. It publishes the Pythian International quarterly. There were 80,000 members in 1994.
The story of Damon and Phintias, as reported by Diodorus Siculus and Cicero, is given below. It is worth noting that "Pythias" is a widespread misreading for Phintias.
In Syracuse in the fourth century b.c. Phintias was condemned to death for opposing the tyrant Dionysius. His friend and fellow member of the Pythagoreans, Damon, offered himself as hostage so that Phintias could go make his farewells.
When the time for the execution of Phintias drew near and he had not returned, Damon offered himself in Phintias' stead. At the last minute, Phintias reappeared and embraced his friend. Dionysus was so impressed that he released both men and begged to be admitted to their friendship.
Justus H. Rathbone was so taken with this story that he organized the Knights of Pythias on February 19, 1864. Initially, he had intended to limit membership to government clerks like himself and his six cofounders, but membership was soon broadened. Even so, in its original form, the Knights of Pythias lasted less than six months, and the Venerable Patriarch Rathbone resigned from the wreckage. Then he rejoined, and with the help of a new ritual that he devised, he managed to attract about 3,000 members by 1868. The lodges were called "Castles," though they are now commonly called 'Subordinate Lodges"; the usual three-tiered structure went on to Grand Lodges (state level) and the Supreme Lodge.
Rathbone then invented a new higher degree, the Supreme Order of the Pythian Knighthood; this would have added a fourth degree to the three described above. The Supreme Lodge not only rejected the new degree in 1869; it also forbade anyone to take the degree under pain of expulsion. The founder was out again, but was allowed to rejoin (after some debate within the organization) in 1874. Hired by the Knights as a lecturer, he was in serious financial trouble by 1884 and was bailed out by a collection that raised some $5,085. He died in late 1889.
With a fine disregard for the remote antiquity of its inspiration, there is a medieval flavor to the general terminology. Lodge buildings are called Castles, and officials include the Chancellor Commander, Vice Chancellor, Prelate, Master of the Work, Keeper of the Records and Seal, Master of Finance, Master of the Exchequer, Master at Arms, Inner Guard, and Outer Guard.
The rituals are unusual in that they have been officially published in full, as distinct from being "pirated." They follow a pattern typical of deism, with three degrees, Page, Esquire, and Knight. The ritual has some rough-house qualities; for example, candidates were led to believe that they would have to jump barefoot onto a spiked board, though the spikes were removed (or rubber spikes were substituted) before the jump. It is unlikely that these aspects of the ritual survive.
For the Page degree, postulants are asked if they believe in a supreme being and are of sound bodily health; they must also answer in the affirmative the question:
Are you willing to take upon yourself a solemn obligation to keep forever secret all that you may hear, see or be instructed in - an obligation that will in no way conflict with your creed or your conscience.
The paraphernalia includes the following:
On two trestles, twelve inches high, covered by a black pall reaching to the floor shall be placed an open coffin which shall contain a skeleton. On the coffin shall be two crossed swords, with the hilts towards the Prelate, and on these the open book of law.
This is the usual sort of symbolism for death and resurrection, and, again in typical Masonic fashion, the candidate is blindfolded for part of the ceremony.
The Esquire degree is similar, except that there is a trick in it. The candidate specifically promises not to commit to writing any of the secret work of the order, nor to permit this to be done by another if it be within his power to prevent. The ritual then requires him to do just that, by filling in the motto in the blank space provided. If the candidate remembers his oath and refuses to fill it in himself, the Keeper of Records volunteers to do it for him. If he still protests, he is congratulated and installed; if he fills in the blank space, proceedings are delayed for a while during a mock trial. When the trial is over, he is inducted as an Esquire.
For the Knight degree, he is equipped with a shield on his left arm and a helm on his head; the visor serves as a blindfold. In another merry jump through space and time, his admission is publicly debated by other lodge members who take the part of "Senators," whose job it is to keep unworthy candidates from becoming Knights. This is where the bit about jumping on spikes comes in.
In addition to all this, pietist "historians" of the order invented all kinds of wonderful symbolism, quite unsupported by Rathbone's mish-mash of ritual; the number of Pythian symbols was variously placed at 10,000 and 20,000. Predictably, Pythagorean philosophy (as interpreted by said pietists) plays no small part in this symbolism.
In 1887, the Knights founded an Endowment Rank to provide insurance coverage, which no doubt helped growth; the insurance department financially separated from the Knights proper in 1931. and the United Mutual Life Insurance Company took over its role in due course, leaving the Knights where it started as a fraternal organization.
By 1900, the Knights of Pythias had more than half a million members, despite the fact that in 1894 the Holy Office forbade membership to Catholics. In 1896, the Catholic Church did, however, make a few concessions:
A Catholic might remain in the organization if he had joined in good faith; and if he would suffer severe temporal loss (i.e. of insurance) if he quit; and if he were in no danger of loss of faith.
The Uniform Rank, open only to Knights, is entitled to wear a pseudo-military marching costume and was founded in 1877-78, while the Endowment Rank (again introduced in 1877) provided insurance benefits. In 1930 the Endowment Rank became a separate organization; it now calls itself the American United Insurance Company, with headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.
At its peak, in 1923, the Knights claimed 908,000 members. It lost tens of thousands a year during the Depression, however, and never really recovered despite the initiation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. By the l960s, it was down to about 200,000, where it apparently remained in the 1970s, and matters have not improved since: 80,000 (1994) is a fraction of the membership the group once enjoyed. Many lodges have closed, as have some of the 22 original Knights of Pythias retirement homes.
From a service/community viewpoint, the Knights sponsors an annual international public speaking contest.

Colored Knights of Pythias
This is a small black order, formed when blacks discovered that they would not be admitted to the Knights proper. It is less significant than the Knights of Pythias of North and South America, etc., below.

Improved Order of Knights of Pythias
This was a German-speaking version of the Knights of Pythias, which seceded from the determinedly English-speaking parent organization in 1895 and disappeared at the time of World War I.

Knights of Pythias of North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa
Although the membership requirement that candidates be white males was not introduced until after 1871, blacks had never been admitted. The K of P of N and S America, etc., is a duplicate of the Knights of Pythias for blacks, and was founded in 1869. Its female auxiliary is the Order of Calanthe, its 'fun-degree' the Dramatic Order Knights of Omar.

Ancient Order of Knights of the Orient
This was a side degree, which was full of mock-serious ritual.

Junior Order of Princes of Syracuse
This is or was the junior or "farm" order for the Knights of Pythias. It has probably vanished altogether, though there may be a few odd local pockets still holding out. It had its own ritual.

Pythian Sisterhood
This was an unusual auxiliary, which admitted women only, though the women had to be relatives of the Knights of Pythias.

Rathbone Sisters of the World
The Pythian Sisters of the World became the Rathbone Sisters of the World in 1894, and was the other female auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias. It permitted members of the masculine parent order to join, in the usual fashion.

Pythian Sunshine Girls
This was the girls' order of the Knights of Pythias. It had its own ritual.

Knights of Pythias Ritual
Rank of Esquire

Proving

Chancellor Commander: Officers and members, the introduction of any discussion of a personal character, liable to be offensive to the candidate, must be avoided. The sole purpose of the ceremony must be to impress the candidate with the lesson of C..., and the observance of the obligations of the order. The discussion should be clean and dignified, calculated to appeal to the better side of man, and leave in truth, "no unpleasant recollections."
Master at Arms, retire and present the Page for proving.
The Master at Arms will then retire to the ante-room, and conduct the candidate (in ordinary dress) to the inner door.
Master at Arms gives the alarm of the rank upon the shield.
Inner Guard repeats the alarm and attends the wicket: Who strikes upon the shield of this lodge?
Master at Arms: The Master at Arms of this lodge, with a Page who desires to be proved in the rank of Esquire.
Inner Guard closes the wicket: Chancellor Commander, the Master at Arms of this lodge, with a Page who desires to be proved in the rank of Esquire, applies for admission.
Chancellor Commander: Admit them.
Inner Guard opens the door.
Master at Arms enters, with the candidate on his left, escorts him around the lodge-room twice, and halts before the station of the Chancellor Commander. In the meantime, perfect silence should prevail. If possible a march should be played: Chancellor Commander, before you stands a Page who desires to be proved in the rank of Esquire.
Chancellor Commander, standing: With pleasure I welcome you as an applicant for the honors of this rank. Your presence to-night shows your appreciation of the purposes of our order, and is evidence of the fact that your exemplification of friendship by the practice of fraternity has caused the members of this lodge to regard you as worthy of advancement. That you may give a further pledge of your fidelity, the Master at Arms will conduct you to the Prelate of this lodge, who will administer to you the obligation of the rank of Esquire. Takes his seat.
Prelate takes position at the altar, facing the station of the Vice Chancellor.
Master at Arms presents the candidate at the altar, facing the station of the Chancellor Commander: Prelate, by order of the Chancellor Commander, I present you a Page, that you may administer to him the obligation of the rank of Esquire.
Prelate: Advance your left foot, place your left hand on your left breast, close your right hand, raise your right arm as if to strike a downward blow, and repeat after me.
Chancellor Commander gives two raps.
Prelate: I solemnly promise that I will never reveal the password, signs or any other secret or mystery of this rank, except in a lodge of this order, recognized by and under the control of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, or when being examined by the proper officer of a lodge, or to one whom I know to be a member of this rank.
I specially promise that I will not commit to writing any of the secret work of this order, so that it may become known; nor will I permit it to be done by another, if in my power to prevent.
I further promise, so far as may be in my power, to guard the good name of a member of this or of any other rank of this order, and that I will not speak ill of him until I am satisfied by careful investigation, that he has disregarded his obligation, has violated the laws of his country or has been guilty of conduct unbecoming a gentleman.
I further promise that, in my dealings with men, I will endeavor to be careful, cautious and prudent; and for the frailties of others will exercise the same charity I would ask for myself.
To the faithful observance of this obligation I pledge my sacred word of honor. So help me God- and may he keep me steadfast.
Chancellor Commander gives three raps.
Prelate: You are now entitled to full instruction in the secret work of this rank, and, in receiving it, remember that its teachings are not limited to the signs and password. There is a lesson we would impress upon you that may be of use in every transaction of life.
In all that is done here, we do not look to our pleasure, but to your good. The obligation you have taken is a comprehensive one, and imposes duties you should not forget. The friendship of Damon and Pythias should be your friendship for the members of this lodge. It will be your duty to protect their honor and to defend their integrity. Your force of character and prudent counsel should guide them past the dangers that line the pathway of all.
Especially to young men should this order be a defence against every evil, and keep them perfect in their manhood.
You should so learn the lesson of friendship that, in its exercise, you may correct a fault as well as commend a virtue. If you have not so learned this lesson, I ask you to turn again to that Grecian scene, and again, and again, until its sacred memories are your own, and you shall know, as never before, the full, the Pythian, meaning of friendship.
Your future in this lodge is what you make it.
If you love mankind; if you would make the world brighter and better and bring sunshine and gladness to hearts in gloom; if you would aid in dispelling the clouds that at times gather about and darken the lives of all men-we bid you welcome to our midst, and ask you to
"Do noble things-nor dream them all day long- And so make life, death and that vast Forever One grand, sweet song."
Master at Arms, conduct the Page to the Vice Chancellor for instruction.
Returns to his station.
Master at Arms conducts the candidate to the station of the Vice Chancellor.
Vice Chancellor, by direction of the Prelate, I present to you a Page for instruction.
Vice Chancellor, standing: I will now instruct you in the secret work of this rank.
When this lodge is open in the rank of Esquire, and you desire admittance to the ante-room, you will make your presence known at the outer door. The Outer Guard will open the door, obtain your name and report it to the Inner Guard, who will report it to the Vice Chancellor. If you are in good standing, the Outer Guard will be ordered to admit you to the ante-room, where you will invest yourself with the jewel of an Esquire, bearing the letter "C" in a field of yellow, yellow being the emblematic color of this rank.
You will then approach the inner door and give thereon ..., which will be answered from within by ...
The wicket will then be opened, and through it you will give your name. This will be reported to the Vice Chancellor, who will order you admitted if correct. The wicket will again be opened, and through it you will give in a whisper the password of this rank, which is ...
You will then be admitted to the lodge-room, and will advance to the altar, on which will rest the open book of law, with two swords crossed thereon, the points toward you. There you will salute the flag of our country, as in the rank of Page. You will then give to the Chancellor Commander the sign of courtesy, thus: ... The Chancellor Commander will answer it by ..., which indicates permission to be seated.
Should you desire to retire while the lodge is open in this rank, unless leaving the lodge-room to execute an order of the Chancellor Commander, you will advance to the altar and salute the flag of our country. You will then give to the Chancellor Commander the same sign which you gave on entering the lodge room. Should the Chancellor Commander answer it by ..., you may retire-otherwise, you will return to your seat.
The motto of this rank is ...
The use of the gavel is the same as in the rank of Page.
Master at Arms, conduct the Page to the Chancellor Commander, for instruction in the lesson of this rank.
Master at Arms conducts the candidate to the station of the Chancellor Commander: Chancellor Commander, by direction of the Vice Chancellor, I present this Page, for instruction in the lesson of this rank.
Chancellor Commander, standing: In ancient times, an Esquire was but one rank removed from the honors of knighthood. It is the same in this order; and, as you advance to this rank, remember its motto C Study the full meaning of the word, so that, under all circumstances, at all times, you may be prudent, cautious and watchful, exercising care in the business of life, prudence in your social relations, and that watchful tenderness toward your loved ones consistent with the highest, purest type of manhood.
The lesson of this rank is intended to be practical and of practical benefit. If you will take the motto as your life-motto; if you will keep it always before you, it will prove a danger-signal, warning you of the pitfalls that line the path of life.
Our desire is so to impress the lessons of this order that, when you shall have reached the summit, and stand among us a Pythian knight, you will have no unpleasant recollections of your journey; but all that you may have seen and heard will give you a grander view of life, a more extended conception of its duties and responsibilities, and you may fully realize that our order has but one purpose, one result-the elevation, the happiness, the betterment, of mankind.
Exercise friendship; be cautious; be charitable; and, in your daily life, reflect credit and honor upon the ceremonies of to-night.
Master at Arms, conduct the Page to a seat.
Takes his seat.
Master at Arms conducts the candidate to a seat.
The lodge immediately proceeds to the apparent transaction of ordinary business, during which the Secretary approaches the candidate and quietly asks him to accompany him to his station and record his name. The Secretary thereupon escorts the candidate to his station, requests him to be seated and presents to him a form containing blanks for name, age, residence, occupation and motto, which he directs him to fill.
As soon as the candidate has taken his seat, the Master at Arms will quietly take position behind him.
If the candidate declines to fill the blank for the motto, the Secretary should