The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-04-26


alton and the terrible thought dawned
upon them that 1t was only their own
life and health that stood guard at
their firesides to keep away from their
loved ones the gaunt wolf of hunger
and want. They saw the desolation
and distress which with their death
would fall like a grim legacy to their
faithful wives and darling children.
When this awful vision had burned it.
self into their imagination they i'm.
mediately set about securing protec-
ton for those they loved. Then it
was they became acquainted with the
objects and blessings of Woodcraft.
They made application for member
ship, were examined, and in due time
became sovereigns in the order of
Woodmen of the World They pur-
chased of this great fraternal and f.
nancial institution its drafts made pay
able at their deaths to the wives
whom at the marriage altar they had
promised to love, honor and protect.
think the lives of those men were
brighter and happier thereafter be-
cause of the consciousness that they
had thrown around their households
the protecting arms of such a great
and benevolent organization.
A Serious Thought.
my friends, here is a subject for
serious thought. If l were preacher
and were competent to do so, should
preach great sermon from the text:
If any provide not for those Of his
own house. he hath denied the faith
and is worse than an infidel'
THE late DR.. 'Talmage once preach
ed from his pulpit great sermon on
the crime Of not insuring.' One
thought expressed by him stuck in my
mind. He said it is a mean and selfish
thing for man to go to heaven while
his wife and children go to the poor
house.
These departed brothers cast their
lots with the w. o. w. and reposed in
them that most sacred trust of caring
for wives and children after they were
dead and gone. That, my friends, is
the strength and glory of Woodcraft.
And I call you to witness that it is
carrying out its promise to these dead
men. It never failed them while liv- |
ing, and in death it gave them honor !
able burial, has placed permanent
tokens of esteem upon their graves,
and has cast it's sheltering arms about
the defenseless living That has been
its sacred business during every day
of the twenty-four years of it's remark
able history. And it only exacts from
its members a sufficient amount to
carry on this noble mission of love
and humanity and to induce the
prompt payment of its ordinations. By
reason of its strict economy and rigid |
honesty of management it is able to |
make financial statement which is
a marvellous revelation of what in
telligent fraternal cooperation can &C |
complish. There are over 100000 |
members of w. o. w. in the United |
States today. Within its brief history
1t has paid s64,O0O,O0O in death claims:
has erected 10000 monuments over
the graves of deceased Woodmen: has
over one billion dollars insurance in
force. and has a reserve or emergency
'und of $25,OO0,00O, which is a feature
Of great value, as it is a guaranty
against extra assessments.
Mississippi's Woodmen.
Our own state of Mississippi shines
rs a bright and particular star in
having $4,000 members.
Ind being second to one only in all the
Union. While we have contributed
argely to the funds of this order, 1t
las literally invested millions of dol
ars in our own securities. Those who
re not acquainted with the facts
would be surprised to know of the
i,yp