The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-05
THE FRATERNAL ORDERS.

THE FRATERNAL ORDERS.
The approaching national convention of
the Modern Woodmen of America and
fort that will be made at Kansas City to
secure the next convention Tor ST. Paul,
naturally direct attention to the import
ant part which fra ternal societies have
American people.
Less than twenty years ago the frater-
nal orders, with The single exception OF
the Masons alone, played 10 part worth
of Americans. The advance In the organ
ization of such bodies and the accessions
to their membership have in the inter-
vel. however. been little less than phe-
nomenal. 1t Is now rare TO find man
engaged in active life in any city in the
United States under fifty years of age
der or other Their influence is great in
pumberless directions. The benevolent
feature possesses great attractions for
many men whose situation does not en-
able them to make provision for the safe
ty of their families In case of death or
disability. The fraternal feature has al
ways been the strongest influence in their
growth. In case of misfortune or trouble
1t is generally understood that the fra
ternal society has played a part which
no other available agency could be APP
pealed to to effect. Americans will not
appeal to public agencies for relief in
distress. Those around them are too in
tent on their own affairs to give much
thought to their neighbours affairs. When
sickness comes friends sympathy is al
ways available: but not always are
friends in a position to tender that sub
stantial relief which is so often needful.
and not always are the objects of it will
directions, that the benehcent influence of
the fraternal order makes itself manifest
most generally to the ordinary man. Re-
lief comes from that quarter without any
abhorrent appearance of charity, public
or private. And when death appears, the
offices of the fraternal society include all
that help to endure the browning mis-
fortune which befalls the family. There
are the fellow members who show hui
man interest In those who survive the
deceased, and extend to them the hand Of
friendly aid. and there is the insurance
fund to respond to the most urgent de-
mands of grievous situation.
1t is not surprising. considering all the
blessings which follow in the wake of
such organizations, that men should gen.
orally seek membership in them. In a
period when the lines Of business life are
| being daily drawn more and more taut,
| ever before In the world of commerce
and industry, it is a most important cir
cumstance that there is such a force as
the benevolent organizations which draw
men more closely together and maintain
among them that mutual concern for
each others happiness which the great
movement of concentration in business
life is driving out of existence.
The old feeling of dread and hostility
which found expression so strongly in
the anti-Masonic party years ago has
passed away, and all men are now clearly
seeing that there is no danger either to
the state or to the Christian religion.
but a substantial conservation of both in
the maintenance Of such organizations.
1t is doubtful whether twenty-five years
from now there will be found an Ameri-
can of any rank or station in life who
is not member of some fraternal organi-
zation.