Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-11

Yesterday morning at the First Bap-
fist church the pastor, Rev. Martin w.
Buck delivered the usual annual me-
mortal sermon to the members OF the
four local lodges of the Shield of honor.
Zane No. /, Fort Henry No. 2, Eureka
No. and Wheeling No. Z. There was
large congregation in attendance,
each organization being well repre-
sented by the members and their
friends, and the. services were inter-
spersed with rare and beautiful must
cal selections.
In the course of his remarks, which
were very appropriate to the occasion,
Rev. Mr.. Buck said:
"One of the marvels of this mar
velous century, or the closing part of
it, is the growth of fraternal organi-
cations, showing that they are meet
ing deeply felt need and therefore
have right to exist.
I'm 1899, it was stated, according to
the best information obtainable, fur
nished by the principal officers of the
fraternal societies, that the 81 princi-
pal societies in the United States had
an aggregate membership of 5,454 ,329-
nearly five and one half millions-it is
perhaps safe to estimate that number
in estimating the grand total
Statistics UP to the present time
were not available, but there are at
least between six and seven millions
of the men of our country enrolled as
members of these organizations
From the time of their organization
up to the year named, these lodges
have paid out the magnificent sum OF
$649,082,471 in benefactions, sick and
death benefits.
There were twenty thousand lodges
in the United States at that time, with
lodge rooms, regalias and equipments
that would add millions both to their
income and their expenditures. These
figures are truly startling, command
ing our respect and compelling
thoughtful people to stop and think.
I am not one of those disposed to
oppose or antagonize these organiza-
lions. On the contrary l believe that
after making allowances for all their
shortcomings, and there are many
chargeable to them, they are one OF
the real blessings OF our modern civil
ization.
1t is true that they are organized
primarily for mutual benefits-you help
me and | will aid you-on this princi-
pie the sick are nursed, the destitute
are relieved, the dead are buried and
aid of a substantial character extended
to many in need.
But there are some things that
money can not buy, nor the hands earn.
These organizations furnish social adj
vatages from which many yearn; they
extend sympathy in seasons of distress,
and for which aching hearts yearn, in
if breaking hearts are not healed or
the scalding tears wiped from weaping
eyes, still cheer and comfort is car
ried to many desolate hearts and sor-
rowful homes
Il have known also instances where
these organizations stepped outside the
bounds of their own orders and extend
ed help to those in need who had no
other claim upon them than that which
their restitution and sorrow gave them.
So far as | know and am acquainted
with this work l can say, and say it
heartily, God bless you and prosper
you in your good work. | believe in
large degree it springs from a desire
to do good. But as minister of the
gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ would
warn you against the danger of sup
posing for one moment that this alone
is true or pure religious service. This
is part, but far from the whole
The religion of Jesus Christ sets be-
1Ore us mgher ana nODler conceptions
of love or charity for others than is
usually manifested through these or
CARNATIONS.
That higher conception is to live
for others, making sacrifices if need
be without hope or possibility of re-
ward. benefits or advantages
During the services the minister read
the names of the deceased members,
which are as follows:
Zane, No IL. P. North, VIM.
Wylie, A NJ Teagarden, Thos. Kahn,
James Potts, James H. A. Book, VIM
Frohme, Ed. Fritz, VIM Morgak o. s.
Fhilpott, JOS Whitehouse. Sr, F.
Mehleman, Robert Ward, Reuben Ward
g. P. Venaman, John Custer, Charles
Hess, w. F. Leins.
Fort Henry, No. 2-Henry West,
Louis Fillmore, C. w. Driehorst, VIM.
Kraft, John Metzler. Philip Boor, Rob-
ert Birch. Abraham Fadley, E. W.
Kriter, s. J. Muldoon, Chris Sommers,
p. ]. Altmeyer. P. S. Gould, Edward
Kratz, Albert Nolte, Charles Tape
Louis Carl. VIM. Hess. Carl Meyer,
Oscar Seeley, John Sattier, Thomas D.
Thomas, Joseph Smallstig.
Eureka. No. 81 w Blatchley