VOLUME I. Salutatory. This, the first number of the ROYAL NEIGHBOR, publication of which was authorized by the St. Paul Supreme Camp, is not perfect; nevertheless, no apology is offered either for its con- tents or tvpographical appearance. ‘‘Rome was not built inaday.’’? To ereate the beautiful city of the Caesars required time, thought and labor. Yet Rome grew in power, influence, symmetry and beauty because the best thought and genius of the Roman peo- ple contributed jointly to its creation. Likewise, the Royal NEIGHBOR ex- pects to grow. The brightest minds in every Camp, the Society’s best talent, we confidently anticipate, will con- tribute to its columns, and thus it will become an influential factor for good. Editorially, the RoyAL NEIGHBOR'S poliey will be to discuss topies of the greatest current interest to the frater- nal world; to sup- port every policy which will benefit the fraternities in general and the Royal Neighbors of America in par- ticular; to vigor- ously oppose ev- ery idea or plan or policy which is generally held to be, or proved to be, subversive of the fundamentals of true fraternity, and, therefore, in- imical to the in. terests of our be- loved Society. In addition to the editorial and fraternal news fields, which _ it will endeavor to cover fully, there will appear in the RoyvaL NEIGHBOR from time to time articles of educa- tional and histori- cal value on fra- ternal subjects, short stories of interest, reviews of the best litera- ture of the day and selected mis- cellany, which it is intended shall prove helpful to all earnest and intel- ligent Christian women, members of our Society. The columns of the ROYAL NEIGH- BOR will not be used for the ventila- tion of personal grievances, or to dis- cuss petty quarrels that arise between Neighbors, or in the Camps. Every column will be devoted to the publica- tion of such news and views as wil] prove most valuable to the mass of the membership and the Society. It will be noticed that as time passes the news columns of the ROYAL NEIGHBOR wil] prove of increasing interest. It re- quires time for the editor to perfect the system of news gathering necessary to adopt. A helpful thought in pleasing guise Innobles the mind and delights the eyes. Albeit, the RoyAL NEIGHBOR com- pares favorably with the best publica- tions of its class. Of course, this salutatory would not be complete did we not assure our Neighbors that the ROYAL NEIGHBOR fills ‘‘a long-felt want.’’ of this assertion is only equaled by its verity, and that the Society at large recognized it as a fact is sufficiently evidenced by the adoption of the pro- vision of the law providing for its pub- lication. We recognize as of primary import- ance the fact that, to make this paper the success it should be, the editor and |, the management must have the cordial co-operation and good-will of every Neighbor of the Society. Therefore, we bespeak for the editor, Mrs. Flor- ence Talbot Van Galder, the assist- ance of every Camp in the jurisdiction. Of course, it is understood by all | Neighbors that when they have read the RoyvAL NEIGHBOR they will pass it on to some desirable person who may thus be influenced to join with us. Sincerely trusting that the first issue of this, the first paper ever exclusively owned and controlled by the Royal Neighbors of America, will meet with the hearty approval of all, we remain, Royally yours, MARY Fay HAWES, AGNES E. BLAZER, IRENE E. BENTLEY, SUSIE G. ALLEN, JENNIE C. FRANKS, Board of Supreme Managers. Prize Offers. The management of this Society has considered the propriety of promoting the growth of the Beneficiary Depart- ment, and at its late meeting formu- lated a plap to accomplish that result BELOIT, KANSAS, The triteness | 1900. JANUARY, by inaugurating a Prize Scheme where- by members, Deputy Supreme Oracles and Modern Woodmen of America Camps may profit from exertions put forth in accomplishing this result. The period for the work of obtaining beneficiary members extends from Jan- uary 1, 1900, to April 1, 1900, and prizes therefor will be distributed as follows: First—To Individual members. For securing 2 new beneficiary members, PRA OREN UGS hie oe et oer. kt tivone vat BERS $1 25 For securing 3 new beneficiary members, Sting, sted at... cick. ees sae For securing 4 new beneficiary members, & Pin, USted Ob. inc. oes saa ea baas aoa 2 50 For securing 6 new beneficiary members, an album, listed at......... Dieta ce © ee : For securing 8 new beneficiary members, a Pie UstedOt on esis io cee ee 6 00 For securing 10 new beneficiary members, lamp; NSted GAs coe. oda Senses wt mre 8 00 All of these prizes are excellent in quality, valuable and are desirable. A member claiming a prize will be re- MODERN WOODMEN BUILDING, ROCK ISLAND, ILL., IN WHICH ARE LOCATED THE BENEFICIARY DEPARTMENT, ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA. quired to give in a certificate, for which blanks will be furnished, the names of the applicants secured, name and location of the Camp in which the applicants were adopted, the number and date of the Benefit Certificates issued to the applicants, and this statement must also be signed by the applicants secured and by the Oracle and Recorder of the Camp, or, if the Oracle or Recorder be a claimant, then in lieu of her name, that of some other officer, such certificate to also contain the statement that the applicants have been secured by the individual efforts of the claimant. Second—To Deputy Supreme Ora- OFFICES OF THE cles: Forsecuriny l00 new beneficiary members.350 00 a % Se: “ % 25 00 vy SS a - " 15 00 ery 3 " 10 00 | “ee 10 ” oe ay 5 OU And to the Deputy securing the greatest number of beneficiary mem- bers the additional sum of $25.00. Third—To Modern WoodmenCamps: To one Modern Woodmen Camp of each State securing, without the assist- ance of a Deputy, a sufficient number of beneficiary members for a Deputy to organize into a Camp, and which Camp so organized shows on April 1, 1900, the largest beneficiary member- ship (not less than 25) in proportion to the size of the Modern Woodmen Camp, that secures its organization, there will be paid the sum of $25.00, and there will also be given to the Royal Neighbor Camp so organized, a beautiful certificate for framing. Deputies will receive credit for the charter list only, of camps organized under this offer. Assessment Notice. BENEFICIARY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA. Royal N&IGH- BORS: The by- laws of this So- ciety which were in foree prior to the St. Paul Su- preme Camp,made provision for giv- ing notice of -as- sessments in the manner heretofore adopted, namely, through the local Camp Recorder. The amended and revised by-laws now in force pro. vide that the old method should be adhered to only until the Supreme Officers should es- tablish an official paper, when _ it should be made the source of in formation. This copy of the offici- al publication is the first issued and it will here- after appear monthly and con- tain the assess- ment notices. Look in this pa- per for all notices of that character. The assessment no- tice for January appears on page 13 of this issue. This new method of giving notice of assessments will, we think, meet your To THE approbation, as it is the method that is in force in the Modern Woodmen of America, and is eminently satisfactory to the membership of that society. We do not think the members of this So- ciety will fail to observe any assess- ment notice when it appears in this paper, as it is anticipated that the eon- tents of the publication will be suffici- ently interesting to invite attention to all of its parts. Royally yours, OC. W. HAWKES, J. G. JOHNSON, WE WwW Be, _Beneliciary Committee.