# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1904_S29
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1904. 29

ism always animate you, and may your manner of life never contradict the new character that you have assumed.'"

After the one admitted has passed the degree of Friendship, the Noble Grand says, at the induction into the degree of Brotherly Love, among much else, in which the Good Samaritan and Moses are also especially praised, the following: "In the degree of Friendship you have taken on duties that have changed your relations to many people. . . . Friendship leads to brotherly love, which drives the strong to help the weak; the young to honor age; the rich to help the poor; the educated to instruct the uneducated; the healthy to care for the sick — and drives everyone to imitate the goodness of the Father. . . . O . . . Membership in a lodge is nothing; the obligation to friendship is nothing; the profession of our principles is less than nothing, unless we have brotherly love, which is the bond of our association. . . . And now I declare you, by virtue of the authority of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a brother of the degree of the Royal Blue or of brotherly love."

On admission to the principal degree, the degree of Truth preceding the Royal [degree], it says: "Brother, you now enter the last preliminary degree, which crowns the work done on you so far, and we dedicate this degree to the principles of Truth, which is placed in logical sequence in this part of our work, for it follows immediately upon love and is intimately joined with it. It is the immediate consequence of genuine, steadfast love. If you stand true to your duties, everything you say and do will be truth and will adorn your character in a marked way. If love is the fundamental element of all morality, truth is the chief virtue. It is the treasure that the upright spirit always seeks; it is the goal of all our searching. It must decide upon what is good and genuine; it condemns the perverse and the sins and lies of the world. . . . A man of truth is the best and strongest; his soul is like clear spring water that reflects the light of heaven and is full of true life. . . . He gladdens and purifies his surroundings," etc.

The Knights of Pythias declare, with a stroke of the sword, the one kneeling before the Grand Chancellor a knight of the Order as follows. The Grand Chancellor says in the last degree: "By virtue of my office as supreme commander of the lodge and in the name of the Order as a whole, I create you a knight. Be friendly, prudent, brave. Whoever wins the spurs shall wear them. Arise, Knight of Pythias" (the name follows), "and receive the insignia of knighthood. The jewel with which I now adorn you is the emblem of the highest rank this lodge can give. We are firmly convinced that you will show yourself worthy of it. As a Knight of Pythias speak the truth, stand up for the right, protect the weak, help the needy, always be mindful that you, in that you in your