Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1892-05-20

rhus we have freedom and friendship, ours
by historical right; 20 because we are the
opponents OF The virtues of great departing
race; ours because we are the liueai descen
dants Of American patriots.
We haye also charity" There are peo
pie who criticise frateTnal societies for being
mainly mutual admiration institutions to
which money is paid for the purpose ola show
aud selfish personal qualifications. To these
is cited the fact that while the average annual
dues are six fathoms of wampum per mem
Der in the improved order Of Red Men The
average annual expenditures for charitable
purposes have been ) fathoms and rs inches
for each For the other 81 per cent mem
Der receives the benefit Of social and broth
eriv intercourse with his fellow man, which
broadens his character and enlarges his
heart. educstes his faculties, gives him
amusement aud recreation, and altogether
helps him to be a sober, upright, intelligent
citizen-a better husband, father, son, or
brother. When we recognize the fact that
the overwhelming majority Of Eien save
I,aothing for rainy day and if laid upon the
bed of sickness have not that which meets
bid of the medicine man then will be sees
the beui6cence Of the institution which pays
a stipulated sum Of wampum every 7 suns
to the Otherwise helpless brother, and which
visits him every sun to cheer and stimulate
him. The Improved Order of Red Men has
moreover holier title to the word "Char-
ity" in its motto, because the tribes distrib-
ute financial benefits to brothers in distress.
Whatever member thus receives is simply
the delivery of goods bought and pait d.
There is the 'CharitY" which is loYe; that
which is expressed to brother by the smiles
of those who meet him around the brightly
burning council FIRE; that fraternal greeting
in which lie feels a responsive heart thrill in
unison with the warm clasp of brothers.
hand; that sympathy which is pleased at his
success; which is grieved at his sorrows and
disappointment Such is the Charity" we
seek to examplify, in which the spirit of
brotheriy love and brotherly helpfuluess 60
h md in hand; which cultivates that spirit Of
forbearauce and good fellowship, which
tends to harmony and in which we forget or
binary difference of opinion in the remem-
brance that though we are a thousand we
are one in object and one in aim. We have
indeed Freedom, friendship and charity
these three-but the greatest of these is
Charity. I have shown that the Improved
Order Of Red Men is a social, fraternal and
benevolent association. u is secret in the
sense that the privacy Of a family circle isl
the property of its own members, and is
therefore to be held sacred and invoilate. AS
a man enters the wigwam so he departs a
free man. Friendship fraternity and hospi-
tality are exemplifed as cardinal virtues;
and no where are our hearts brought closer
together than around the council fires of the
Red Men. In sickness or in distress bro
ther is visited, comforted and assisted, and
when the arrow Of death has removed him
from his trail on earth, he is buried by his
brothers who continue watchful protective
care for his widow and orphans
Our order is a brotherhood ofindividuals
whose personal characteristics are not sacri-
feed, but whose common interests are main
tanned and strengthened as the members
harmonic around our council fires. We are
proud of it for its past, we love it for what it
is to US, and We hope much for its future,
As the American citizens feel the patriotic
blood Jingle in his veins while reading the
early pages of his country's history. So our
hearts throb as we remember the societies Of
Tumina aud Red Men we're part of that
history, and every true Red Man feels an
added dignity and sense Of responsibility be-
cause it is so. There is, aud always will be.
much of sorrow, disappointment and death in
this world, and inasmuch as the Improved
Order of Red Men eases the burden of pain
and brightens the pathway Of life, it is
blessing aud of value to man. We are en-
titled to it as we are to the sunshine from the
Great Spirit.
May our tribes multiply and increase until
the whole world shall feel the spell of our
brotherhood, aud may the seeds of fraternity |
we SOW, be ever watered by the divine show
ers of harmony to bring forth the flower of
hope and the fruit of happiness.
After more instrumental aud vocal |
music,a fine spread of cake, ice cream,
fruits and lemonade was served, and which |
was greatly enjoyed.
The exercises closed with music and
prayer by the Prophet. Altogether this
was the most enjoyable gathering of SAX
imas Tribe that has ever been held in its
Wigwam.