The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-11

ertv ana during the last year have dis
tr.buted 90 the suffering humanity OF
America $4,000 by a system that guaran-
tees tho proper application of every dol
lar For the last twelve months our
Grand Exalted Ruler has been granting
dispenS1tiOns for new lodges TO be form
ed in cities scattered af over our coun-
Try, az the rate OF one In every three ana
"a half days
The broad fratornalism OF our order re-
Cognlzcs but two restrictions upon It's
membership The first requirement Of
every candidate IS "He must believe IN
the existence Of a Supreme Being and
scOnd he must be n white male citiz ~
OF the United States OF America No
Elk is allowed to ask his friends 10 join
the order applications for afiliation
must Doe signed by three members IN
good standing. who vouch for the candi-
dates good character. ana no member IS
allowed 20 tell after the ballot is closed,
whether he voted for OF against the aD'
plicant Many of the forms and Gus
toms that unnecessarily cucumber the
Titua'istic work Of the older Orders have
been purposely omitted from ours. Prev
ity, beauty and impressiveness have been
the ends aimed at and attained. our nit
ual contains all the moral teachings or
true religion. but 1t knows no creed. no
denomination no political faction, no
state or national party. Hebrew and
Christian. Catholic and Protestant DEM
ocrat and Republican. coming from All
sections Of our country gather around
the scored affairs Of our lodge rooms.
bound 70 each other by the tics Of man
hood and brotherhood and sworn 10 tole-
rate each others convictions.
WHAT IT TEACHES.
II teaches us that charity knows no
bounds and that her demands upon us
cannot be satisfied by giving aims TO the
poor. unless at the same time we scrup-
ulOusly avoid the use OF all WORDS ana
expressions calculated 20 wound the feel
ings Of others that Justice VIII bring
speedy retributiOn upon him who INJURIES
"A brother I'm his person. property or lam
ily relations that BrOtherly Love al
mOnshes as 20 sympathize with the I'M
fortunate and 10 DE ever ready TO stretch
forth n helping hand to those In distress.
that Fidelity is a browning virtue. hold
ing I'm it's fond embrace. Charity. Justice
and BrOtherly Love. indicating 10 us tho
necessity OF a rigid adherence to every
rOnd placed upon MS by our Obligations
the most sacred OF which is the oath
taken by every member Of our Order.
when he swears at the altar that he
will never defame and that he Will al
ways protect and defend with his nc
blood. when the occasion demands It, the
virtue and good name OF the Wlie, the
mother. the sister and the daughter Of
on Elk
The only secret Of the order. with the
exception Of course Of Few signs anu
pass words and a few matters pertaining
90 a very mild Initiation 10 Which no
gent 1eman need fear 10 subject himsef. ls
embodied I'm the oath we all take never
20 reveal 90 any one not an Elk the
name Of an unfOrtunte brother who ap-
Diios to the order for assistance IN Inc
hour of his need.
When we contemplate the eterna pfln-
ciples that enter as component parts into
the formation Of our order, ana recot-
nize them 90 DE the same principles upon
which an Christian civilization Is u'-
pendent for fits life and growth we no
longer wonder how III Is that from the
union OF q few hearts I'm an upper cham
Der fin the city Of New York, some thirty
wears ago. there should have sprung TINS
great and powerful brotherhood, suelcn-
ing forth fits strong arms INTO every btate
OF our Union, drawing together the hearts
Of our cOuntrymen and blnfns lheh
firmly around this constellation or VII
tues which when they are breathcd IN
bv the soul and practiccd In our ually
lives transform the animal man INTO u
being endowed with blessed Immortal
We have seen that the Ordsr Of Elks
is distincuvelv an American institution.
l now declare to you that no man can
Doe o. "DeVOut Elk who IS not also an
American patriot.
A. every meeting Of every lodge of our
Order the flag of our country IS spread
upon the altar. and every Elk has sworn
To defend IL against every foe.
INSTANCE or PATRIOTISM.
Within the last few months the World
has witnessed "a beautiful demonstration
of what Elk patriotism means.
When there flashed across the borders
of our States. news that thrilled our ma
TONS heart with horror and indignation
telling our people that the treacherous
despotism of Spain. not satisfied with
numbering and starving her own helpiesS
women and children. had struck toul
blow at American honor and IN the dark
hours of the night. wrecked one OF mel
best ships lying at anchor in friendly
port. and sent two hundred and siXty-siN
Of her brave sailors. without moment 5
notice down to the BLACK bottom OF
Havana Harbor. the Order Of Elks az
once began TO marshal its forces ana
prepare for the inevitable.
Even befOrt the first call FOR volunteer
troops was made by the President, nearly
every lodge in the country had acted on
the prompt suggestion made by our
Grand Exalted Ruler and passed resolu-
lions. saving 20 it's members. go forth
when the summons comes and night for
the honor OF your countrys flag. this
lodge will provide for your family and
those dependent upon YOU during the full
term Of your enlistment
From time To time there have been en-
grated upon the order Of Elks many at