Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-12
ELKs.

William R. Balcom. secretary of the Norwich lodge. No. 430. B. P. o. F., has received q communication from the of : ice of the Grand Exalted Ruler in New Orleans, relative to the national con- vention which will be held this yea fin Boston. Mass. and which is Is fol- lows:
 Since the United States has declared that a state of war exists with Ger many, 'so many members of our order have written this office and inChired what would be tine effect thereof upon the coming Brand Lodge session in July, that it is the duty of the Grand Exalted Ruler to communicate to the order in general what, after consulta- ton. has been concluded.
 It has now been the unbroken pre- eedent of half a century for the or der to annually assemble, and noth- Ing has done more than this to cement us together and to strengthen the distinctfyely national character of the order or statewide Elk reunions ben ehciaI though they are in some fea- lures. take from rather than add to this result.
 If the Boston meeting was a detri- n1ent at .thss time. to the nation at large. whatever good it might do to the Order of Elks. it should not be held Our country comes before our order
 It is perfectly clear that while this nation is the richest and most power ful in the world. and that the patriot ism of the people is great, this patriot ism is not thoroughly aroused and those riches and power are not fully prepared to certainly prevail in struggle with other strong nations. Hence, it is that our our country's leaders are devoting their energies to arousing dormant patriotism into ac- ton and making it's resources fitted for the tasks that lie before us.
 The Order of Elks Is not a great American order. but 1t a great prac- ticaI order. and we should respond to the line of action suggested by the leaders of the nation. The task how sver, is one of many months and not of few days. But two months will pass before the Boston meeting. and by it much good can be done In this direc- ton.
 Our duty then is clearwe should more than ever meet this year, because we have a higher task to do. The so- cial and fraternal features should be lessened and the practical and patrf- otic features brought to the front.
 Not summer pleasure. but as a real duty. all good Elks should as- semb1e this year and help to consid- CT and wisely determine what the or der in the future should undertake
 Should we devote our energies co encouraging enlistment Should fie aid in the Red Cross and it's noble work Should we bend our efforts to prevent a lack of food supply? What is the problem we are best fitted for to help to solve? I do not know.
 The Grand Lodge should determine 1t. The good Eiks should sit at it's council board.
 The scene for this great epoch in Elkdom i5 set in the splendid city of Boston, at the food of Bunker Hill within sight Of L.exfne etnr and Concord and near the classic shades of liar ward Here lies tho very cradle of American liberties G-Id American let ters- Rich v-itc the traditions of our rz~-rn A-w-f -E n be found for tta great American Or der 10 assemble snE Crirk in the re- newed Inspiration ei~en by the scenes that surround thi shistorir town We will return to our i,cTes EFith stronger devotion 70 oTI- ccr=z and higher re- solves 70 do o;r flf.i crtE ov the na- ton
 May nos the order ask shat it's mem ] 1ership justify i-s successful past and !, guara1te Q mora secure future by stterding every man Wkc can this i most important meeting and determ- i ming the lines of is dnstfny for years ] tO come- !