The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-10-08

signs between David and Jonathan and
history records that because Of persecu-
tions the early Christians had signs and
signals for mutual protection, and it is
thus societies are organized today.
| 1890.
We cannot tell how strong the agree
ment existing between Italy, Austria
and France is as against Russia and
France. Why? The welfare and stability
of governments, the peace and prosper
ity of the people demand that matters
of State policy be kept secret. Then we
have social and religious secrets. The
doctor holds the secrets of his patients,
the lawyer those Of his clients, and the
minister those Of his members; and l
claim that societies have right, for mu.
tual protection, TO have their grips,
signs aud passwords, provided always,
that there is nothing in the teaching or
work that is detrimental to the best in
terests Of man or dishonorable to God.
1t is natural for men TO associate to-
gsthor. The beasts roam in herds, the
birds wing their way in focks, and is
m an to be alone? No, God planted in
his breast desires, sympathies and warm
feelings. Hence we find men grouping
together. Why, the church itself is a
member of societies. We have the Bap.
tist, Presbyterian, Methodist and Epis-
copalian, each a separate society; and l
am free to join any Of them, and il do
| am not villihed for 20 doing. Why
not the same freedom all along the line?
The doctors have their societies, the
merchants their board of trade, the
teachers their associations, and even
ministers have their private gatherings
Then why condemn honest, hard work
ing, industrious men who gather to-
gether, not for dissipation or blasPhemy
but for improvement OF mind, enlarge.
ment OF heart and the helpfulness of the
home. Here the widow is thought OF,
here the orphan is planned for aud the
sick are helped in hundred ways. Are
these not acts TO be commended2 What.
ever Of abuse the ignorant, narrow
minded critic may see tit TO hurl against
these great men and woman helping
societies the verdict Of the large hearted
and the truly great will be one OF
commentator and approval
Take, for instance, the Ancient Order
OF United Workmen, the oldest OF the
purely beneficial societies. There has
been disbursed since the organization,
thirty-three years ago, about 100000
600. OF this vast sum there WAS paid
TO the wives or other dependent rela-
tives OF the deceased members, during
the year ending June l, 1901, 5000 900.
Can the actual worth OF all these mil.
lions OF gold ever be fully estimated?
How many families has it saved from
being broken up? How many homes
has it saved from the auction block2
How many aged fathers and mothers
has it fed and rendered more comfortable
ia their declining years2 How many or
phans has it clothed and educated dur
ing the past thirty years. We can we'll
afford 20 be profoundly grateful for
what we have done and are doing.
In the iraiernal societies OF today are
some OF the most devoted laymon Of the
world. Do you mean to say hat these
societies are born Of the devil? Do you
mean TO say that Christian men that be-
long 10 these organizations are grieving
the Spirit and injuring the cause ui God?
Do you mean to say that these s'cioties
deserve the unkind, unchariiahle, I'M
truthful and unchristian things that are
sometimes uttered iron the pulpit
against them2 ] say empha,Ically, no.
l am glad the day Of priest rule is gone.
We stand too near the daRniug century
for the ministry OF any church, Pspal or
Protestant, to dictate to noble, CHART
able and conscientious men WhIe they
may 90 or what they msy do.
Brother Fraters, 90 on and DO your
work and DO it well! Visit lhe slck and
comfort the widow, care for the orphan,
relieve the NEEDY; and, when it is your
sorToNicl duty, reyeTently bury your
dead. The tongue OF hypocrisy and
yituperstion cannot harm you or retard
by a single step your noble work.
tn CIIRF nANDRIIFE