The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-08-17
manip and love throughout, II

upon occasions :iat TINS IL lS 1IlluS
and propet that W. should talk over
with each other he story OF Elk
and achievements, its purposes and
aims: nn1 that W. should again in
yoke the spirit o. those eternal prin-
ciples upon whic'isiy is founded
The establishment OF the y. p O.
+. was AN epoch ,I the history of fra
ternai organizations. Ii was inevita-
bic that an ASSOCIATION having for its
chief object the practice of lrue be-
nevolence, its motto the GolGen Rule
and founded upon the principles of
| Charity, Justice, Bro,herly Love and
! Fidelity must take high rang among
associations formed for the better
ment OF mankind.
The fraternal spiri, naturally ex-
/ peiling force which has caused the
I formation of so many fraterna So
cieties. II will. think, be generally
Iconceded that they are potent factors
for good.
We are proud of the marvellous
growth and development OF our Or
der within the past few years. In
December 1861, i'm the city of New
York, fifteen men connected with the
| Theatrical profession met and formea
Ian organization known as the "Jol-
! ly Corks.' a few months later lne
name was changed to that of ELL.
For many years thereafter the Nom
Dership was practically confined to
men engaged in some line of theatri,
cHl business. and others of some
what sportive tendencies. The re-
suit was that for the first ;w"ntv
Years the growth was Sow and t'.e.e
We're but comparatively few lodges.
There were however underlying
the organization certain principles
which, coupled with a spirit OF good
fellowship appealed to a larger and
more representative class OF men,
and since then it's growth has 5een
phenomenal, aad this is especially
t"&e during TIE ~ st ten years. r
1901, there were 80 lodges wi;>
/. membership OF about $4,000, whil'
now we have 1888 lodges and 3G0.-
600 members in good stan ling.
The spirit of Elkdom has per-
mea,ed every portion of our national
domain and you will find upon the
Grand Lodge ros,er the names OF
men representing subordinate lodges
in every state, territory and colon
ial possession.
This increase and growth is the
more remarkable when we consider
the fact that the b. p. O. II. is /;
purely fraternal organization with
ont insurance or benefit features o.
any kind. and the further fact thai
ii has taken place in the face of re-
strictions such as are imposed b,
no other fraternity. No lodge cal
be established outside the domain O
THE United States. Today ii can be
truly said that we are one OF The
greatest. if not the largest purel!
fraternal organization in the western
world.
Dual !, 1,l fro fnr pp1 Md hoe
been more misunderstood. censure6
and maligned by those who did MOI
know its objects and purposes etc
Ii is comparatively but a few years
since the average man has known
anything of the real objects and pur,
poses Of our order.
But now, thank God. we are bet.
ter understood and ii is considered {
proud distinction to be associated
with an Elk lodge.
Mr.. Bates spoke OF the principle.
that are embodied in Charity. Justice
Brotherly Love and Fidelity as the
foundation Of the order. and show
ing their application to the member:
of the lodge In conclusion Mr.
Bates said:
1T is too often the case in all fra
ternal orders that we consider thu
lessons taught and the principles in
cuicated as part of a beautiful cere
mony, intended rather for the lodge
room than for every day life. ~
greater mistake could be made, 10
by so doing we not only injure ou
Order but do great injustice to onr
selves. If each Elk has learned tn
: lessons impressed upon him as can
7 didate and carries them into TIL
practical affairs OF life. they will sool
become part OF the very warp an
! woof OF his being and will make hin
2 a better man and better citizen.
: The world judges us not by wh;,
we profess. but by what we do. On
: act of Christian Charity does NOR
: tC raise our Order in the esteem O