The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-11-16
Lotus Logde No. 25 b. Of II. WeIcom-
ING Convention People Today
And Also this Even.
Ing.
WILL BANQUET TONIGHT
Gold Weather Seems to Add Enjoy
ment to the Large Number
Converting Here Today to
Hear Program.

The members OF the Degree Of
Honor Of district No. have taken
charge of the city today and are in
convention here in the local lodge
quarters, and are the guests Of Lotus
lodge No. Is, D. of H., IT Keokuk.
Their guests are being entertained
in a most enjoyable manner by the
Keokuk lodge and the morning and
afternoon have been filled up with
welcoming the visitors from out of
the city and making them at home in
Lotus lodge quarters. A large num-
Der OF visitors arrived on the morning
train and many came in on the af-
ternoon trains from Burlington, Des
Moines, Ottumwa and other places,
which are well represented at to-
days convention.
Following the reception of visitors
by the depot receiving committee and
the entertainment committee. the
morning program was held. A number
OF those who were on the program be-
Ing unable to attend their numbers
were supplied by others and the pro-
gram this morning and afternoon
greatly enjoyed.
The address of welcome by DR..
G. A. jenkins to the visiting mem
bers was pleasing greeting to those
who are the guests of the local 'odge
today. Mrs. Iona M. Shyrock, grand
recorder, responded in a very pleas.
Ing manner to Doctor jenkins ad
dreess.
Address of Welcome.
We, are here because in years past
noble man saw the need of the frater-
nal spirit for mutual protection OF
the family and of his fellow coun-
trymen and that the young might be
better provided for-an organization
was formed for his locality and when
the organization was once formed a
little time only was needed for those
near by to see that there was much
good in the new movement.
This new movement began to
spread and from small number at
first its growth has been to thousands
and from state to state and the bene.
fits are to hundreds of thousands. The
growth was made possible by the fra
ternal spirit that was universal In the
organization. From this organization
we-the Degree-are, the natural out
growth. The first edition of of our
bylaws were adopted by the grand
lodge at its session in 1897, May IL
18th at Keokuk, Iowa.
When the mothers and daughters
saw their husbands and sons united
and banded together to provide sup.
port for wives and children when they
are silent in the grave-these the
mothers of our lodge not only SOW the
good to be derived from the money
benefits but they also saw the fra
ternal side--if any difference the
greater side for it is this fraternal
spirit that makes the money benefits
possible.
We have gathered here for the pur.
pose of spreading this fraternal spirit
to greater numbers and to make the
bonds of union stronger among those
that are now members. 1t is our de
sire that others may take advantage
Of this great opportunity while health
Is good and while. they can reap some
Of the benefits themselves. There is
one thing that Is a great drawback tc
our order and that is the non-attend
ancel Of the smembers-at least great
many Of them Those who do not at
tend get little If any of the fraterna
benefits, they hinder our growth an6
make the burden greater for the faith
full few. The benefits it furnishes saves
much suffering and sorrow, 1t furnishe.
support. food, clothing, and means By
which many children get an education
who without its benefits would be
compelled to work that they might
live, and for want of this education
they are at a disadvantage through
life.
1t is fitting that this body OF dele
gates bestir themselves and devise
ways and means and do all in theil
power that many not only in theil
own districts but throughout this STATE
and country may be added to our mum
bers, not only that fraternity may BIZ
increased but that suffering may BIZ
lessened that went maybe unknown
and that all may be made the better
BY the work of our order Our pres
snt state of usefulness has come
through years of work by the faithful
ones. We have seen this in our owr
lodge and you have doubtless had the
same experience in your home lodges
and after years of very slow growth