PYTHIAS, KNIGHTS OF. A fraternal and beneficial order founded in Washington, D. C., in 1864, by Justus H. Rathbone and five associ ates. Its objects are the practice of friendship, benevolence, and charity toward the members. It is asserted that the ritual, which is mainly Rathbone's work, is purely American. Its most binding obligation is complete and absolute secrecy. The first lodge instituted was Washing ton Lodge. A Grand Lodge for the District of Co lumbia was created on April 12th, and the work of creating subordinate lodges began with the institution of Franklin Lodge No. 2. In 186S a new constitution was adopted at Washington under which was organized, as the central gov erning body, the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias of the World. The growth of the order was not rapid in the earlier years of its exist ence. In 1866 it had a membership of only about 3S0. in 1867 there were only 674 on the roll, but when the twentieth year was reached the mem bership had increased to more than 100,000, while in 1893 the membership was over 450,000, and at the end of 102. 5S7,500.
The endowment or insurance branch was estab lished in 1877. This branch is under the man agement of a president and board of officers, but is subject to the control of the Supreme Lodge.
The members of this branch enjoy no mater privileges than other members outside of the insurance which they pay for. It had at the close of 1002 a total membership of nearly 60,000, representing an insurance of nearly 500,000, and bad disbursed up to that date $18, 105,000. The Uniform Rank is another division of the order. It is under the control of the Supreme Lodge also, but is directed by an officer whose title is major-general. The members of this grade are on the same plane with the other members, but only those members who have re ceived the rank of Knight are eligible for mem bership. At the close of 1902 there were about 000 companies in the Uniformed Rank With a membership of nearly 45,000. Pythian Knight hood confers three ranks or degrees, viz.: The initiatory rank of 'page:' the armorial rank of 'esquire ;' and the chivalric rank of 'knight.' The motto of the order is: "Be generous, brave, and true." The Order of Rathbone Sisters, organized in 1888, is made up of the mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of Knights of Pythias, and such Knights as may desire to be associated with the organization. The membership in 1902 was about 50,000 sisters and 25,000 Knights.