The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-12-08
AN ENJOYABLE BANQUET.
Westminster Council, R. A., Entertains the
Grand Officers, Eureka Council of
Baltimore, and Other Guests.


The ROYAL Arcanum had the right of way
in this city last Tuesday night. Ii was regular
meeting night for Westminster Council, and
the members had prepared an elegant supper
and invited the Grand Officers, Eureka
Council of Baltimore, and hundred or more
citizens of Westminster. Ii was the time for
election of officers for the ensuing term also,
and a new member was to be initiated.
The Council met at $50 o'clock, and the
attendance was much greater than usual.
The following officers were elected-Regent,
Charles L. Fink; Vice-Regent, Denton 5.
Gehr; Orator. Joseph ID. Brooks; Secretary.
Charles E. Goodwin; Collector, Henry |.
Wilson; Treasurer, Charles L. Herring; Chap
lain, Frank Il. Cassell; Guide, John NJ.
Roberts: Warden. Joseph Zepp; Sentinel,
William D. Reese; Trustees, L. o. Grimes,
DIR. j. Howell BilIingslea, A. II. Zollckofer.
The Council finished its business session by
o'clock, and a committee of reception was
sent to receive the visiting brethren from
Baltimore. who were expected by the S.l2
train. When the train arrived the members
of Eureka Council, with. colored lanterns.
filed out. and accompanied by several grand
officers and the committee of reception.
marched to the council room in the Wantz
Building. A number of invited guests occu-
pied seats in the room, and the visiting
brethren. about forty in number, took those
reserved for them. After prayer by Rev. A.
ID. Melvin and an ode by the members of the
Arcanum, Regent j. Milton Reifsnider, of
Westminster Council, welcomed the guests in
brief and appropriate speech. Prof. +. A.
Soper. Grand Regent, of Baltimore, responded
for the visiting brethren. and made an IN
teresting address on the object and aims Of
the Royal Arcanum. He spoke of its small
beginning, seventeen years ago, when the
organization was established in Boston with
nine members, and then otated that the present
membership was more than l5S.OOO. scattered
in thirty-iive states and in several territories,
and that it had paid ont more than S2S,0O0,-
600 in death claims. The organization, he
said afforded insurance at actual cost to its
members. and was the poor mans insurance
company 1t afforded relief to widows and
orphans and kept them from being charges
upon the community. There were no high
salaried officers. nor paid agents. Each
member is an agent, and the organization was
rapidly spreading and growing. The organi-
zation does more than afford protection by
insurance. II encourages virtue, extends
mercy and practices charity. In extolling the
benefits of the Royal Arcanum Prof. Soper
was quite eloquent, and was accorded warm
applause when he closed.
Supreme Orator, Edison NJ Schryver Police
Commissioner of Baltimore, the next
speaker. His address was full of humor, but
gave some idea of the practical work of the
Supreme Council, and Of the high talent in
control.
The addresses were interspersed with an
organ voluntary by Prof Harry Sanders, of
Baltimore; violin solos by Master Pearre
Wantz, of Westminster, and humorous songs
by Prof. Sanders.
In the adjoining hall, (AIasonic), the West
minister Orchestra struck up inspiring music,
and there awaited n supper fit for kings. The
tables were beautifully decorated with chry-
santhemums, geraniums and carnations, and
were laden with the substantials and delicacieS
of the season. Regent Reifsnider alluded to
the very entertaining musical and literary
treat, and said next on the program was
something for the elmer man. The march
to the dining hall was taken up, and in few
minutes nearly two hundred persons were
seated at the tables.
When the good things provided had been
discussed, Past Regent B. f. Grouse, as toast
master, raped for order, and proposed the
toast, Our Guests This was responded to by
Past Grand Regent Charles j. Taylor. Grand
Secretary Wilbur f. Smith responded to the
toast, Grand Council; c. C. F. Eichler 10
Eureka Council, Mr.. Charles E. Fink TO
Westminster Council, and Mayor Joseph ID.
Brooks to Westminster. Other speeches were
made by Messrs. Henry Boskey and George
r.
reigned.
The banquet hall was deserted about mid
night, and shortly after the guests from Batl-
more departed for home in special train.
The entertainment provided by Westminster
Council was generous and abundant, and the
literary and musical program was entertain
ing, and was highly appreciated by all the
guests. One of the guests from Baltimore,
native of Westminster, said he felt proud of
Il Co. fba nnr.lialitN of tho Usapp1up
and the true hospitality shown.
The best of human institutions, in republic
like ours, are insurance societies, like the
ROYAL Arcanum, and building and loan associ-
atoms. They are the only ones that provide
homes for the masses and afford protection
for their widows and orphans.
Life insurance companies, ON the general
PLAN have their mission. The Royal Arcanum
is not in opposition to them, but occupies u
field of its own and provides insurance at
about cost. Every man with a family should
provide for their support and comfort by in
surfing his life. and there is no insurance so
Cheap or better than that afforded by the
Royal Arcanum.
Building and loan associations are the only
agents that afford opportunities TO the poor and
those of moderate means to provide homes for
themselves. The security Of government rests
upon those that own their homes. The pauper
and the millionaire care very little Tor tax
rates and public debts. The man of moderate
means that owns a home takes an interest in
society and good government. He = interested
in tax rates, and in the character of men that
administer affairs, and the building and loan
associations afford the only means to own
| their homes to the poor and those OF limited
and moderate incomes. They afford more
they present better opportunity for saving