Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-01-25
A. O. wv. SERVICES,
Rev. +. A. Sumner Delivers the An
nudl Address. :. - >.

RI In accordance with custom, the
members of the Little. Falls
lodge: Ancient Order of United
Workmen, marched in q body to the
Congregational church last Sunday
evening. and listened to the annual
memorial ser m on delivered by Rev.
+. A. Sumner. :*~. :
After greeting the representatives
OF the order, Mr.. Sumner said in
part: -
Among the wonders Of the progressive
nineteenth century (which has Just
closed. was noticed the organized de-
velopment OF what is called the frater-
nal spirit which has been manifested in
large degree 10 and through the frater-
nal beneficiary organizations. While
the spirit Of fraternity has been in the
world for a long time aud has often
been illustrated by the history OF David
and Jonathan, by a Joseph in Egypt, a
Ben Elur in Palestine, Maccab= us on
the road to Jerusalem, Damon and
Pythias on many a historic page and
in many fraternal gathering, yet as an
organized power along the line OF ma
terial benefit. it has received its great
est impetus durlng the last hall century.
You may rejoice that alter 80 years OF
useful life this order stands with an en-
rollment of over 10000 members.
During this period it has distributed
over 500, 100000 to the widows and
orphans OF deceased members. with the
last annual disbursement OF nearly $1O,-
100000.
1t is fitting that you enter the house OF
God, as you call in memory the foundt r
OF your order, whose far-reaching vision
and rugged hope has brought in it's
fulfillmenJ blessing and comfort to tens
OF thousands who otherwise would
have been left homeless aud in many
cases friendless, but who have found
the unbroken chain ef friend ship their
support and comfort.
shall take for my text tonight the
9th verse OF the .41st chapter OF the
prophecy of Isaiah: ''They helped
everyone his neighbor and every yone said
to his brother, Be OF good courage"
1t seems to me as I study the life OF
Father Upchurch that be had possessed
himself Of that spirit of helpfulness ard
encouragement which is made evident
in1the text - Fheys bel ped ever. ea,e.-ltis
.neighbor'and every said to his broth
cr:'be of good cheer" 1t was this l5ur-
pose OF announcement for the poor and
those OF limited means that John Up
church labored and toiled that everyone
might help bis neighbor and Say to his
brother to be OF good cheer. de realized
that while some tasks can be pe,f.rmed
slngly without the help which comes
from the encouraging Voice and
helping hand, yet that by united effort
individual ability will count for more
when Joined together for the purposes of
encouragement and helpfulness The
millions that have been distributed by
the Workman lodge has been done by
the simple quiet contributions OF it's
members month by mouth, and while
the members have ha protection them
selves, they have been continually CIV
ng protection and comfort to the
widowed and the orphan, from Que end
OF this broad land to the otner.
When we pay our assessments each
month it is not simple business pro-
position. It is an act of philanthropby.
We enter the home made desolate bv
grief and do our part toward softening
it. And when death shall lay us low we
shall expect the brothers of the lodge
to come to our loved ones in turn.
bringing them their substantial tokens
OF help and sympathy: proving that
Charity, Hope and Protection" are no
empty words.
Mr.. Sumner then took the ground,
that, while the element OF secrecy had
it's influence and While the fact of cheap
and safe insurance was a potent cause of
the success OF the movement. yet the
great tower OF strength in the fraternal
orders is the idea expressed in the very
word, that of brotherhood. and in max
ing this a prominent idea, John Up
church builded better than he knew
Beyond this brotherly protection,
which lends hope to the dying and brings
comfort to the bereaved. we as Work
men express faith in God and confess
the right of love and duty to control
as in our actions. T 80,
- There are few duties to the living in
connection with truly brotherly, help
full life which it is we'll for "a to consider
No sum OF money that we may leave
for the future will atone for neglect Of
family or prodigal habits or for lack OF
sympathy or appreciation OF what
, mother, father, wife Or child may have
done for us. Sam Walter Foss has
written a poem which seems tome illus