The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-10
CHARITY, HOPE AND PROTECTION.

The supreme lodge of the Degree
of Honor of the jurisdiction of North
Dakota has been in Session in this
city for two days. The members
came and went and attracted far less
attention than other organizations
which have assembled here Yet it
is doubtful if any of them have
nobler purpose or more illustrious
past.
The organization is the ladies'
branch of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. and the principles upon
which both are founded are practical
ly the same.
The Ancient Order of United Work.
men was founded in 1868 by John Jor-
dan Upchurch at Meadvlle. Pennsyl-
vania, and has since that time ex-
tended into every state and territory
in the union.
The history of the first lodge and the
organization will give fair under
standing OF the principles upon which
the two correlative orders are based.
Upchurch was a mechanic employed
in the machine shops of the railroad
at the time the order was instituted.
He was noted for his charity and
benevolence. Whenever any of his
workmen died it was his habit
to collect from each of the living
comrades small donation which was
turned over to the widow or orphans.
So strong did this habit become that
moment questioned the idea of Civ
ing, but whenever he appeared they
inquired the amount of their assess
ment and paid it as a matter of course.
Then came the idea of extending the
plan and out of this extension came
the present great fraternal order
whose emblem is the shield and
anchor. More than this. Upon the
principles OF this order have been
built the great system Of fraternal in
surance that is now one Of the
recognized institutions of the coun-
try.
1t has been said that Upchurch did
not understand the principles of in
surance and could not have distin-
suished mortality table from that
of multiplication. 1t is pointed out in
this particular that he did not even
think to require medical examination
of the candidates for membership.
This is true, but when the order as
sumed the character of lodge this
was remedied.
The first lodge consisted of fourteen
members and was strictly of local
character, and confined to the work.
men with whom the founder labored
They were united for their mutnnl
protection, hence the name.
The principle which had prompted
Upchurch to make his collections and
turn them over to relieve the distress
of the stricken home where the hand
of death had been laid in an icy grasp,
were that of charity, and he looked
not to the present for his reward but
to the untold future where the giver
of cup of cold water will not be
unrecognized or unforgotten. In this
was the hope that when the silent
reaper should come for the gather
ing of the harvest in his own home the
principles of the brotherhood of man
would constrain those who were yet
to follow to extend to his loved ones
the same consideration he had so Mn-
selfishly given to others. "'Tis hope
inspires the sinking mind, sustains
the fainting heart"
It was upon this foundation that
the order was built. John Upchurch
may not have understood the plan of
insurance. but he founded religion
that has touched the responsive chords
of the heart of humane world.
As the order grew and it became nee
cessary to give its work something of
permanency the idea of protection was
DrODerly added and the society went
forward under the three inspiring
principles of charity. hope and pro-
lection.
Under these it has entered the home
where death has left his impartial
and to those who have
had nothing but black clouds of
despair, It has brought the sunshine