Weekly journal-miner., 1920-12-15

retary of the national lodge shows an increase of nearly 12O,OC0 for the past year. It is probable that with the same growth, the national lodge will number 100000 members by July, 1921.
 Patriotism
 Probably the greatest outstanding ideal of the Elks is national patriot ism. The American flag is the Elks' flag. Recently the newly elected grand ruler, William NJ. Ab- bolt of San Francisco, said:
 "The beautiful American flag fly ing from the flagstaff of every Elk home, is at once challenge and a warning to those who in the dark ness of their hearts may contem- plate deeds unfriendly to our coun- try. The Star-S -Spangled Banner sung from every Elks' altar is a mighty cry of defiance to traitors everywhere and wee betide the un- fortunate man or men who ill the face of these warnings dares to lift Ia hand in an attempt to overthrow by force a government of our United States"
 Charity, perhaps, comes next in order of EIkdoms' ideals and aims. Elks' lodges everywhere are not only. ever ready with an open hand and willing heart to relieve the stress of their own brothers but anxious to spread charity to every worthy cause.
 Brotherly Love
 Shining like the evening star be- side this noble virtue is the principle of brothcrly love-which has made the order leader among fraternal orders ill fraternal relation. Fidel ity is required of all its members, both to. the teachers of the order and to each other, while justice, which in a fraterna1 organization in- clines to mercy, completes the guar tet of foundation stones on which rest the four corners of the truly American edifice which has been reared in the past half century.
 The Thespians of the '60's were the founders of the order, but. an organization with such grand prin- ciples could not long confine the membership to that noble profession. | Men in other walks of life soon saw | the grandeur, the beauties, and pos abilities of the order and its mem bership spread to other professions i until today it includes men of all . callings of life.
 There have been conflicting stor ies about the foundation of the or der Of course, one can be. correct and that is herewith presented. Itf has been established beyond ali doubt that the credit for the form ing of the organization was due to Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian.
 Vivian was the son of an English clergyman. He was ballad singer gifted with wonderful voice, of |. cheerful, sunny nature, and one of the most versatile men in the pro fession.
 The Jolly Corks"
 At social gathering of actors and musicians at 188 Elm street, New York city, in the year 1867, l. the suggestion was made that a i permanent organization be perfected | and this idea was carried out early t in the winter. It was called the { Jolly Corks." Vivian was elected the firt presiding officer or I'm perial Cork" The order was re- modelled after BuffaIoes, an English of whilh Vivian was a t member 1
 The new order proved so popular that soon its place of meeting proved too small to accommodate its mem { bcrs properly and other quarters were selected at Y Dclacy street It'll was here that a reorganization was and the name changed toll the Benevolent and Protective Order { of Elks to which has been added: "of the United States of America.
 This organization took place on t Sunday, February 10, 1868. The Sc a lection of name was left to com mittec of five of which Vivian was l member The committee wishing l To select a typically American name decided on the Elk as being an ex C elusive American animal, typifying. a fleet of foot and timorous of do- l ing wrong, avoiding all combat cN ,ept fighting for the female and in { defense of the helpless and weak" r
 Vivian was elected Right Honor | able Primo (now exalted ruler) Of { he first lodge Vivian's vocation C made it necessary for him to be ab- | sent from New York for weeks at a c