The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-08-26

Tuesday Will be AeptaSoph Day and
the 500 members in District No. l6, com
prisiug not only the District OF Column
bia but three outlying conclaves, have
arranged for a celebration behtting the
twenty-eighth anniversary of the fOun-
dalton of the order
Foremost among the plans for their
celebration is the contemplated visit OF
Morris @, Cohen, supreme archOn OF
the order, who has accepted an invita-
tion 10 be present tomorrow night at
the meeting Of archOns and past
archons OF District No. Is. 10 be held
in the third floor hall at Typographical
Temple. 423 q street. At this meeting
reports viii be presented showing 20
swhat extent this Jurisdiction has rallied
to the general call that was sent out
by the supreme secretary some months
ago This call was in the nature OF an
appeal 10 the pride of members of the
order 20 accomplish that which has
probably never been undertaken before
by so large an organization-for each
member or the order 10 bring in a new
member before the twenty-eighth ami
Versary.
One Of FTaternal Insurance Pioneers.
The Heptasopbs. or more properly, as
now designated, the Improved Order Of
Heptasophs was one of the first FIVE
orders that popularized the fraternal
insurance business. The idea OF fra
ternal insurance is said TO have orig
mated with John Jordan Upchurch, an
humble mechanic of Meadvile. Pa. His
ideas quickly found supporters, and IN
1868 eliminated IN the formation of the
Ancient order Of United Workmen. fol-
lowed IN 1873 by the Knights of Honor.
In 1877 the Royal Arcanum was founded,
and the following year the American
Legion Of Honor.
During the same year, that is, 1873,
the Improved Order Of HeptasOphs was
founded in Baltimore by George v
Metzeu While not one Of the largest,
I'm stability il IS said to compare IA
vorably with any Of the other orders
before the public today, and If the
present activity prevails It viii shortly
make rapid strides in its membership
roles. The present membership
throughout the United States is in the
neighborhood Of seven thousand, with
annual disbursements Of about $780,
600 The present surplus. which is
safely Invested in gilt-edged securities.
is about S75O.0O0.
simplicity IN Meth0dS.
The Heptasophs particularly appeal
20 WashingtOntans. il being almost
within our geographical limits. Its
charter was granted under the laws OF
tht state OF Maryland. and the main
offices are maintained in Baltimore.
Two features Of the business methods
OF the order upon which great stress is
laid are the simplicity OF its workings,
with no useless machinery and little
friction. and the direct representation
by subordinate conclaves IN the su-
preme body.
Following closely upon the granting
OF the charter for the Heptasophs. ef-
forts were made 10 organize conclave
IN this city. This move was successful.
Columbia Conclave. No. Il, being insti-
tuted January Is, 1879. BENJAMIN F.
Atherton, who is the present archun Of
this conclave. is one OF the most active
workers OF the order, the nature OF his
work in the office Of the Quartermaster
General OF the army giving him leisure
IN the evening TO turn his attention 10
work for the good OF the order.
Establishment Of Capitol Conclave.
That Capitol Conclave, No. ?. bears
an earlier numerical rating than Co
lumbia Conclave, is due To the fact
that the number assigned IL was for
merly borne by another con-
cIave. whose charter was withdrawn.
Capitol Conclave was chartered July p,
1892. has been an active organization
from the start, and is today one Of the
largest and strongest Of the local cen
claves. W. G. Prockelton is the archon
OF this conclave. He IS now serving
his second term IN this capacity. and
prior TO his election was for a long time
prelate of the cOnclave.
Working through the naval contingent