The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
Texas Congressman Makes
Notable Address to East
Lake Gathering
BEAUTY OF THE LESSON
THE FRATERNITY TEACHES
Woodmen Have Great Rally With
Many Visitors Present-Banquet
Tonight at HiIlman Will
Conclude Festivities.

The grand rally of the Woodmen of
this district was begun yesterday with
the parade through the principal streets
of the city. The celebration will be con-
Guided with banquet tonight at the
Hotel Hillman in honor of the lodges
distinguished member, Morris Sheppard,
congressman from the First district of
Texas.
The parade started from Capitol Park
at 10 o'clock and traversed the principal
Streets winding up at the corner of Third
avenue and Nineteenth street, where a
special car was taken for East Lake.
On the arrival at East Lake park the
programme of the day was begun with
the address of Congressman Sheppard.
A large representation of the district
lodge members was present at the park,
and the occasion proved most enjoyable.
After the speaking dinner was served on
the picnic grounds on the other side of
the lake. The fraternity members then
returned to the park, where all the con-
cessions were in full swing. From un-
til and from Z to Il o'clock dancing was
enjoyed.
A brilliant and extra large display of
fireworks was given last night. The
feature of the display was the firing of
the four set pieces spelling "Woodmen of
the World.' Every thing had been done
by the park management to make the day
pass off smoothly, and remarks heard
on all sides were of the most compliment
tary nature. Manager Al Campbell stated
last night that one of the largest crowds
ever present at the lake turned out for
the occasion, the throng numbering at
least 10000 people.
Congressman Sheppard's Address.
The feature of the day was the elo-
quent address of Representative Morris
Sheppard, treasurer and national banker
of. the fraternity. An attentive audience
greeted the orator, and after the speaking
congratulations were profuse.
Dr. H. A. Elkourie, wel-known men,
Der of the fraternity, acted as chairman
for the occasion. He introduced Con-
gresham Sheppard in a few well chosen
remarks in which he stated that the
visiting statesman had always been a
chivalrous champion of woman and the
home
The subject of Mr.. Sheppard's address
was "Fraternalism as Exemplified In the
Woodcraft." At the conclusion of the
stirring speech he was applauded vocifer-
ously and all pronounced his effort one of
the best. In the f1owery language and
poetic style, for which he has become
famous, Congressman Sheppard told of
the wonderful work accomplished by the
Woodmen of the World. He spoke In
glowing terms of the fraternity and its
relation to the Preside and the home, de-
claring that no aim was nobler than that
of befrinding and protecting the defense
less. He spoke in part as follows:
1.-The blessed cross of Christ is the SYM
Dol of universal love and of dignity and
of truth. No sentiment could be more
noble or more beautiful than that of love
and universal brotherhood, than that of
good will to a fellow man; no symbol
could be purer than the cross of Christ
and good in life. The monument of
woodcraft, like the symbol of the cross
embodies that noblest of sentiments, the
spirit of fraternity and universal brother
hood in the breast of man. 1t stands
for the protection of the home and the
defenseess fireside. 1t is inspired pri-
marily by love for the home-glory's own
crown of glory. 1t is with this noblest of
purposes in view that the Woodmen
stand before the world, with a symbol
not like the cross, divine, but essentially
and divinely human.
"Our age is suffering with an thrush of
materialism and materialistic ideas SUI
perinduced largely by the phenomenal
development of machinery. Various me-
chanical forces have been adapted to the
many phases of human industry, where
by are made possible unjust and unfair
monopolies. But, as Newton's law de-
clares, where there is an action there is
an equal and opposite reaction, and for
tunately there is a general reaction in
existence against sordid materialism.
1.-THE principal source of this reaction,
it may be fairly stated, is found in this
fraternal system of insurance as typif1ed
by the Woodcraft. True wealth of tho.
soul and protection of the home, these
constitute humanity's proudest goal. An6
it is for these that the monument OF
Woodcraft stands.
my friends, the sublimest melody that
the harps and hearts OF men have ever
known is the heartfelt pleading of q
mothers prayer. 1t lifts and stirs the
soul as when