Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-19
IF]RAlERNAL LEADER
DECLARES HUMANITY
ISVAST BRO O1THIERHOOD
Writer Shows Great Good Done by Binding Men
together with Ties of Love for Fellow Men.
Points Out Valuable Instances of Help
fulneSS in Time of Suffering
BY JAMES A. FosHAy

lips of the needy plead for help, can
never throw light or hope upon the
night whose darkness may terrify the
world. The world is calling In loud
voice for the good Samaritan who will
stop and bind up the wounds of the
afflicted and minister to the wants of
him who has fallen by the wayside.
In pankind there is a tendency to
make provision Tor the future of them
selves and for those who are dependent
upon them. This desire is only a nat
ural one, and when the wageearner is
enabled to make this provision, great
source of worry is removed and his
chances of success are materially in
creased.
There is something in fraternity, as
represented by the different societies,
which touches the heart and brings into
practice the teachings of those who are
endeavoring to emphasize morality. In
these societies we find men and women
Of the highest intelligence who are dis
tinctively the representatives of their
communities, and who are not doing
the work merely for monetary gain.
We recognize that humanity needs the
protection which these societies give.
We have been taught the truth, Bear
ye one another's burdens"
Aid the Distressed
1t has been demonstrated that such
societies are of value in creating thrift
among the people, in fostering habits
of foresight and self-denial. In making
provision for times of need. Fraternal
protection gives the member the as
surance that in the event of accident.
total disability or death, his family will
be provided for.
Hail, holy, happy brotherhood!
True love and friendship bind in
t1.of ell and GOD
BY thy refining influence won.
1t is pleasing to note the growth of
interest in these protective organiza-
tionS. At recent meeting of fraternal
people President Roosevelt said: Cen
tlemen, IL this government is long to
endure, 1t must be because of a recog-
milton of the fact that the elements
which constitute the fraternal societies
of America are reckoned with, and kept
In mind, In the administration of affairs
OF this government"
A true fraternal insurance society is
formed to give protection and benefits
to its members at the lowest possible
cost consistent with safety and per-
formance.
1t is beyond the estimation of man to
realize the extent of the relief given to
the sick by free medical attendance, the
watching and nursing, and the assist
ance given to members in distress, both
in money and in sympathy, the secur-
ing of employment, the assistance in
carrying the members to prevent sus-
pension, and in many different cases
creating confidence in the hearts of the
people. Provisions have been made
whereby children can be retained in
school, many of whom will grow into
stronger men and women because of
fraternal helpfulness.
Promptly Meet Obligations
In the selection of members of fra
ternal protective society not only the
local examiner and the supreme medi-
cal examiner pass upon the application.
but the lodge members themselves, for
1t occasionally occurs that they have
personal knowledge of defects either in
the character or habits of certain ap-
plicants. which the doctors may have
no means of discovering The lodge
system is especially valuable In that 1t
can make selections, giving attention to
the moral qualities OF the applicants as
well as to the physical and the mate
rial, and thus strengthen the society In
the character of it's risks.
The large army of people carrying
fraternal protection, the protection in
force of more than seven billions of
dollars, and the benefits paid last year
of more than 81, 100000 a week, cause us
the great work of distributing these
sums among those for whom it has
been most helpful.
In fact, fraternal insurance societies,
as a rule, have met their obligations
promptly and readily. This fact has
done much to make them popular. In
many cases the members have taken it
upon themselves to do the work of dep
uties, agents or organizers.
Aid for Afflicted
When the great calamity of earth
quake and fire came to San Francisco,
the grandest and noblest response to
the appeals of the afflicted came from
the members of the different fraternal
organizations, and some of them, nota-
bly, the Fraternal Brotherhood. imme-
diately took steps to pay the dues and
assessments of their associates who
were stricken. This was done before
the requests for help fairly reached the
supreme offices in the different sec
tions. Not only was money forwarded
but the necessaries of life in the form
Of food, clothing and commodities nee
essary for the comfort of the people
we're poured into the laps of the af-
hicted members of the fraternal orders.
Many of 4-ose fraternal orders could
not boast of their millions of assets,
but they could boast of their greater
and better assets-the men and women
who compose their membership and
who have the true spirit of fraternity
thoroughly rooted and grounded within
Them