Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-12-24

and National Grange, depends upon
good work done by our subordinates.
If this statement be true, and l thor
oughly believe it to be, it behooves us
as patrons to look well to the great
superstructure upon which the order
rests. Let each be a farmer school
where the mind and heart can be Gull
tured, the vision be broadened and life
made worth living. After hearing the
reports of the progressive Grange
States, am fully convinced that each
Grange should own or control its own
hall and see that it is properly fur
nished, in order that the work may be
done in an impressive manner No
Grange hall is complete in its appoint
ments without a piano or organ; a
good choir will also add much to the
success of the meetings, and lee
turer who plans programs one week in
advance. With this kind of work nc
Grange need have any fear of dor
nancy.
RITUALISTIC WORK.
| fraternally recommend that subor-
dinate Oranges give more attention to
this branch of their work, in order to
convey the beautiful lessons imported
in the four degrees it will be neces-
sary for each subordinate Grange to
provide it's self with all the necessary
working tools and regalias and for
each officer to commit their part TO
memory and be able to deliver it in IN
impressive manner In seeing the
work done at the last session of the
National Grange, am more conyinc-
ed than ever of the Importance of bet
ter ritualistic work in our State. 1t
is the first impressions on a chiId's
mind that are lasting, so it is with the
first impression that a candidate re-
ceives when they enter our order.
How shall we increase our member
ship? AS intellectual and muscular
strength are not achieved by spas
modic effort, but by long and system
attic training, so for permanent in
crease in numbers, strength and infill-
ence we must put forth earnest, sys-
tematic labor First, there must be in
dividual desire and effort for improve
ment; this is the keynote to progress,
for upon the union and cooperation of
individual progress and achievement
depends the order Thus the respon-
sibility for opportunity, effort and ac-
ton rests in greater or less degree
upon every member, whether he be a
leader or a private. In the ranks this
thought SHOULD be indeliab1y impress
ed upon the mind of every patron
To become interested in us and our
labors the outside world must see tan
gible results, our organization must
bear such fruit as shall not only be
attractive but prove of intrinsic value
to the members and the community in
which it is located. We cannot ex-
pect our own members to be interest
ed in dull, sluggish organization,
much more those who practically know
nothing of our purposes and work.
Therefore we must be alive and let
our Grange light shine bright and
clear if we would add to our mem
bers such persons as are desirable for
membership. A live, active Grange,
even if small in numbers, is the first
consideration. Then systematic pro-
mitigation of Grange principals and oh
jects sought and results obtained
should be adopted and carried cut
through personal contact, the press
and in every way possible, to convince
and benefits of such an organization
When convinced that direct personal
benefit will be derived for member
ship, such persons as are really Gesir-
able and eligible for membership will
not be slow in coming in.
Let each Grange appoint special
committee to canvass their Grange
territory and invite those whom we de
sire to become members to join our
ranks. 1t is, at least, but courtesy to
our friends, If we have an organiza-
ton in which we have found pleasure
and profit, to ask them to share its
benefits and pleasures
A meeting night be designated as
Application Night" and the members
strive to see who should have the hon
or of bringing in the greatest number
Of suitable applications.
An occasional open meeting jnvit-
ing your friends to participate in the
exercises, may interest some and pre-
pare the way for membership. But
ever the way chosen, bear in mind
that quality is far more desirable than
numbers, and seek to gather in only
those of pure and noble character,
that your Grange home may be 2
grand center Of noble thoughts and
purposes, powerful factor in all good
work in the community, and which
will train both old and young to the
faithful performance of the duties of
life, and in so doing. learn the true
mission of this transitory existence, in
due time they will receive merit and
reward which shall come to the faith
full laborer
COOPERATION.
Cooperation is a fundamental
Grange principal. We believe in
meeting together, talking together,
buying and selling together, and in
general working together for mutual
protection and advancement. To do
this successfully, we must understand
and have confidence in each other.
Circumstances must determine to
what extent and in what ways we can
best put to practice this principle.