The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-09-02
JUDGE cowELL's ADDRESS.
"Fraternal Organizations Versus the
 Church" His Subiect


 Church. His Subject. At the last of the series of special Sunday evening services at the Metho-
 dist church, Naugatucz, last Sunday
 evening the speaker was Judge George
 H. Cowell, of Waterbury, who took for his subject "Fraternal Organizations vs the Church." There was a large at
 tendance, and Gavel lodge, Knights of Pythias, attended in a body Judge CoWelps address was very interesting
 and was very novel, inasmuch as it was
 departure from the usual line of ad-
 dress on the subject.
 Judge Cowell commenced his address
 by saying that although the word ''ver- sus'' meant against, that was not the
 meaning he wished to imply when he
 took for his subject "Fraternal Organi- zations Versus the Church." He stated
 that the true position of fraternal or ganizations to-day was not against the church and that was far from the pur- pose of any such organization. He stated that he would not attempt to ar ray fraternal organizations against the church.
 The historian who shall write the story of the nineteenth century" de- clared Judge Cowell, twill truthfully say that during the last third of the century there was a marked develop ment in fraternity. It has flourished as it never has before. Some fraternal or ganizations are very old, while others have grown very rapidly in few years. Nearly all of them have an enduring principle which is lasting for the fun damental principle on which they are founded in the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man.
 "A number of years ago the church was greatly opposed to fraternal or ganizations on the ground that their objects were selfish and their purpose was mutual financial and political im7 provement for its members only. But the knowledge of the years of work that the organizations have accom- plished has brought the church to look at matters in different light. It has recognized the want of comradeship in human society. A man is very lone some in this world, and it Is of great benefit to him to have the mutual aid and support which fraternal organiZa- tions give.''
 Judge Cowell remarked that in some respects the Christian church could learn from fraternal organizations. "The lodge is thoroughly democratic" he declared, and there men meet in absolute equality In the church the men who aid mostly in it's support are the ones who have the most to say about it's control In the lodge the mill lionaire and the poor man are on equal footing. and the men who fill the posi- tions of the organization are the ones who have the most time to give to such duties There is an equal right of man. agement."
 The speaker then suggested that it would be an excellent advancement to conduct the Christian church on some such principle, having equal dues and benefits for all the members. He said It would cost no more for the support )f Gods worship on this plan, and the would be more complete. The lodge knows its exact membership, put as much cannot be said of the Christian church. The lodge has less lriftwood, so to speak than the church. There would be no pew rent and no but simple membership 'ees. It is seldom that the treasury of 1 he lodge is empty, as is the case with | many churches. and there Is no insur- | tnce, church or society, that gives as I much benefit for the money as the fra ernal organization. When the church | ids it is done as an act of charity, but | his is not the case with the lodge. for | lothing is received but what is due to | ach and every member The good that | las been done by these organizations will outlive all criticism. The millions f dollars that have been expended for ,ood purposes by the different organi- ations can be measured but no record | an be kept of the good and kind words nd the untiring aid that has been giv- n willingly to the sick and dying.
 Judge Cowel remarked that if the hurch was conducted on the lines of he fraternal organizatio the work ould be carried on with much less ex- ense than it now incurs. The distri- ution of the churches could be im- roved upon and instead of having two r three churches in a small town one -ould suffice for, said the speaker. there is no fundamental difference in lodern Christianity, and there is no aason why they could not worship to- ether"
 The speaker concluded by saying that though the fraternal organizations 'ould not and in the future work out reat good, still the church would stand bove them looking out for mans spir- ual welfare, while the fraternities oked after his temporal welfare. He 'usted that men would always remain ue to their respective lodges and ad- ocated that every man ally himself ( ith some Christian church .