Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-05-19
3. ?. O. E. ONE OF THE GREATEST
 FRATERNITIES
Principles of Organization Teach Highest Virtues in
 Daily Life.

Because Pine Bluff is seeing anG hearing much of the Elks this week it is well to consider what this great order stands for,
 The Elks believe in brOtheriy lov. and charity. They believe that these two principles tell the story of right livin5.
 The Elks are a brotherhood in tht fullest meaning of the word. Not only are they banded together as brothers. but their cardinal belief is in the "brotherhood of man"
 An Elk likes to think that the p1in- cipal thought in his ritual is tho les sen taught by Christs life: Greater lcyo hath no man ,>ti8n. this that 8 man lay down his life for his friends
 Abou Ben Adhem fwould have been an Elk. Al least it is the idea ci the Elk if told thai his name is not cn inc list Of "thoses who love the Lard." to answer, Then write me as one who loves his fellow ma,n'
 The order teaches it's members many ways of eXemplifyfag this thought One of these is charity. And now abideth faith, hope, chari- ty." It is the Elk who says that the greatest act toward a brother is to show charity--chartiy in two ways, one, that which gives help to the needy, and the other, that which does not remember faults. The Elk eye is ths,- friendly one which does not see faults.
 Right here is should be set down +lo a of ,,.1n ic this: "rhe faults of our brothers we write upon the sands: their virtues upon the tsb1ets of love and memorv.' i The orders. aims to bring that teaching before it's members att' all times. When good can be said' or a persons. an Elk is always there to praise, but if criticism, abuse bead blaine are to be told the Elk iso hot present. The Elk is busy trying ito help, not to harm. t''f ! He believes in liberal purse. He seska to help those who are in need from sickness, poverty or other" mis- fortune The order is auiek tot re- spond to general appeals for help afhd it will be found that there is Yhs bounteous giving as that coming from any other organized charity. The public knows when the Elks' lodge puts it's name down for a eontribH- tion but does not know of the many ether times when helptis extended in quiet secluded directions. The amount of charity work done by the Elks in dividually and as an organization. is far beyond the %conaaption of the average person. TL i he Elk who appreciates and gets Mlose to the noor. Tn this way the Elk come. to know who the needy are and what help will do the most good r is be- cause the Elks understand humanity that they are able tc reach out in all directions to lend a helping hand.
 The Elks' order is. not one for so- ciablity only. That Impression is far from correct. EVeiy6lodse has it's home. where clubdom prevails, but the club life is not the all-impoltant thing. Not that an Elk does not be- lieve in fun, He does, and most em- phatically, but it is square. whq}e- some fun that the order teaches An Elk wants tue whole world to have fun and eniaX life. An Elk believes in optimism. hope and good cheer. |. The Benevolent and Protective Or der, of Elks tries to be a powe- for good, andy to help, better and strengthen the community, lpje-