Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-19

Isl W#l has gone on steadily ad-
Iii vancing until the member
ship of the societies today Is
more than six millions car
rylnE a protection of more than seven
billion dollars. Since the organization
these societies have disbursed more
than S1.05O. .O0O0 900 and are now dis
bursting annually about $75,OOo,ooo.
They have already paid out nearly
one-third as much as our government
has paid in pensions since the pension
system came into existence.
At no period In our nations history
has the brotherhood of humanity been
SO prominently before the world as IL
is today, protecting as 1t does the nome
and the f1reside from want ana sileu-
ding an influence that is upbuilding in
its character and patriotic IN its ma
People are seseing a deeper signif-
canoe In the real meaning OF the WORD
"Fraternity" and beginning to realize
that all humanity is but one vast
brotherhood more or less dependent
upon one another, and that anything
detrimental to a single person affects
all to a greater or less degree NO
longer do we feel that we have right
to stand aloof and say, as was sala
of old II am holier than thou no
longer do we ask with the guilty cam
IAN l my brothers keeper?' I'm
bounded love and charity for all man.
kind Is the Watchword of the day. ana
no one can say II believe In the BROTH
erhood of any organization. VINO does
not say: II believe in the brotherhood
of man."
Great Moral Educator
We are convinced that the genuine
fraternal spirit universally exercised Is
the remedy for the present lack Oh
harmony between capitalist ana EN-
ploye, that 1t is the solution or all
social problems, that 1t will conduce
TO a nobler and grander philosophy or
government than most of us nave ever
dreamed.
Man is a dependent being, who relies
for his success and happiness upon MS
own efforts, combined with those OF
his fellows; and when all men labor
, together in the spirit of true fraternity
the right of every man to the fruits
of his labors will be granted.
Organized fraternities have grown to
be vital to the hearts and homes in
the different states of our own country
as well as in those of other countries.
There is nothing that could take their
places IL taken from us the warmth
would be taken from the hearthstone
and many of the most wholesome vir-
tues taken from the heart.
The true fraternal spirit assists IN
lifting men into a higher moral atmos-
phere and instructs them in lessons OF
honor and generous character. 1t keeps
them from the saloon and gambling
table No one can regularly attend
the meetings of these fraternal organi--
cations, wherein the true spirit of
morality Is taught, and hear the noble
lessons rehearsed without becoming
better man or woman, better parent
and better citizen.
Arouses Feeling Of Kinshlp
a.. OId oo
humanity, but the duty of caring for
the welfare of one another received its
first impetus when the Man of Naza-
reth emphasized ii in such a remark
able degree And in the centuries that
have followed the truths of Chrlst's
teachings have so permeated the minds
and hearts of men that true fraternity
has become manifested III the relations
of individuals, of organizations, and of
,ations. The large number of charita-
BILE institutions throughout the civilized
world is an index of its great growth.
One of our leading magazines recently
contained the thought that the success
of the church is not to be measured by
the numbers that are added to 1t, nor
by the amount of money contributed,
but by the extent to which 1t is able
to instill in the minds of it's hearers
the true spirit of brotherly love.
From the beginning the word frater-
nity has been applied to a society, or an
association of people working together
for their common interest, business or
pleasure. We find this thought evil
denced in such societies as the Frater-
nal brotherhood of this city and in
others of earlier origin. We find it ap
piled to members of the same profess
sion, as law and medicine, also to as
sociations of students in colleges and
preparatory schools. In the fraterni-
ties we are made to know and to feel
the link of kinship.
Extends Helping Hand
Organization comes with order. This
is true with mankind as well as in ma
ture, and the more perfect the organi-
zation the greater the harmony. There
may be discordant elements in a So
ciety but If 1t be perfect in it's or
ganization and management, harmony
exists. People of different religious and
political opinions meet together, but
peace abounds in the lodge rooms and
there is a reciprocity and fellowship
which have the true spirit of
fraternity.
We all agree that there is a rule of
the universe as to the foundation stone
of every perfect principle. Upon this
rests right, liberty upon that, and above
all is the capstone of unity. I'm union
there is strength" This caused the
Puritan of Massachusetts,, the Quaker
of Pennsylvania and the aristocrat of
the south, each to lay aside his preju-
dices and join together in forming the
co-ltinental congress and in laying the
foundation for the greatest government
Ine world has ever known. 1t is in this
thought today that there is intellectual
and moral strength.
In these fraternities the hand of char
ity is ever distributing. 1t is soothing
the aching heart and wiptng the tears
from the cheeks of widow and orphan.
1t is clothing and feeding the dependent
ones. How many peor'e would die
alone and be lowered into the potter's
field were it not for the kind minis
trations of true fraternity!