Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-05-01

average church. Upon the floor OF
the lodge room master and servant,
prince and peasant, millionaire and
laborer are brought down more near
ly to the level of absolute equality
than in the pews of the church. This
applies, at least to Protestant
churches, and in less measure, il at
all, to Roman Catholic churches:
The statement in our Declaration OF
Independence, that "all men arc
created equal" is one upon which
every fraternal organization must
set its unmistakable seal OF approval.
And it is we'll that it is so. Mum
erous social farces are operating
continually to divide men, separate
them into cliques and sets, and
create barriers Of all sorts which are
not easily surmounted. The in
luence of these fraternal associations
is one of the counter forces, opera,-
ing toward the removal of these bar
riers, by emphasizing the equality
of men.
Then, secondly, it is the mission
OF fraternal societies to give express
sion to the spirit of fraternity in a
practical and helpful way. To the
question, Am I my brothers
keeper" the fraternal society re-
plies with an emphatic YES" and
the reply is not simply so much
sound thrown upon the vacant air.
1t comes in the form of the Good
Samaritan, pouring oil into the
wounds of the bruised and unfortu-
nate victim of circumstances.
Some societies are simply form
of mutual insurance association, the
family of deceased member receiv-
ing definite sum upon his death.
Others extend aid in more volun-
tary fashion. But in all the princi-
pie is the same; it is practical
carrying out Of the apostle Paul's
great injunction, Bear ye one
another's burdens"
The world needs each and every
manifestation of the spirit, the
more the better. We arc still sci,
fish enough as it is We are in nc
immediate danger of growing too
unseltish forour owngood. Wherever
therefore, the spirit of mutual help.
fulness is made manifest, whether
in lodge or church, or outside Of
either, let us thank God for it, and
give due credit to the instrumental
ity through which it operates.
Again, it is the mission of frater
nal societies to inculcate, at least
within the circle of their member
ship, those principles of moralit,
that underlie righteous and vir
tuous conduct. These societies ar,
neither religious nor theological or
CARNATIONS. Their platforms ar,
sufficiently broad to accommodate
men of almost all faiths and creeds
But then embody those fundamen
tai principles Of right and wrong
which are recognized more or les
: clearly in all religions, and stan,
approved before the human con
science everywhere.
+ This is certainly commendable
! AS far as this work is done, it is
good work, deserving the sympath,
and approval Of all good men, what
i ever their personal shade of reli
e gious opinion may be. AS far a
+ this work is done, by SO much u
!, contributes toward the establish
! ment of that kingdom of righteous
ness for the coming Of which al
good men pray.
8 Miss Lorraine Bird sang charm
: ing and appropriate spring song
After another selection by tn
3 Delhi band the afternoon program
8 closed and the Odd Fellows pro
a ceeded to their hall to hold busi
8 ness meeting. At this meeting til
following officers were elected &c
the ensuing year and Waterloo wa
> selected as the next place of NEE
J. ing: President, G. o. Rollins, {
: Waterloo; Vice President, G. {
+ Bradley of Dubuque; Second Vic
/ President; Mrs. Whitmark of Wa
erloo; Secretary, l. G. Van Alstin'
9 of Cedar Bapids; Assistant Secr'
t tary, +. w. Boynton of Waterloo
: Treasurer, W. NJ. Law of Waterloo
: Colonel R N. Buck of Cedar Rapid
was elected director for three year
In the evening the different stat
r had secret degree work in the l.
t o. 4. Hall, Pythian Castle and I'll
5 Armory.