HE VOLUME III. EDITORIAL OFFICE, ROCK ISLAND, ILL. JANUARY, 1902. PUBLICATION OFFICE, LINCOLN, NEB. BOR. en NUMBER 1. FRATERNAL CHRISTMAS TREE we Me LEOTA BAKER MAXWELL ‘5 RISKS LER RA RRA RAR RA RAMAN DA NRO “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house” was an atmosphere of hope and joyful antici- pation; the night when imaginations are developed and run riot without rein or halter; the night filled. with ardent desires awaiting fulfillment. This was the one particular Christ- mas Eve to stand out alone in the memory of all the fraternalists and their families in Hopeville. No one had ever heard of a Fraternal | Christmas Tree, and for two weeks it had been the talk of the town. Small hoys had read it upon the billboards, older people from far and near had diseussed it.. The novelty of the affair promised to be Every lodge of every fraternal order in that vicinity was to be represented, and the families, great and small, of these fra- ternalists would congregate to-night in the town hall. And all ranks would. be _ leveled, for bankers, lawyers, physicians, busi- ness men, day laborers upon the street, women of position and education, clerks, dressmakers and washerwomen would sit side by side, one as deeply interested as the other. interesting. “Let all men rejoice.” At least all the fraternalists were going to do so; sing songs of thankfulness and do all in their power to make others happy. Every member had asked some un- fortunate family to be represented, and to be at the gathering at ten o’clock to receive a basket groaning with the necessities aswell as the luxuries of life. Just as many families out of work or burdened with sickness would be represented as there were members in good standing able to pro- vide baskets. A note had accompanied the invita- tion to have the name of the unem- ployed, together with kind of work de- sired, presented to and read by Kris Kringle, that efforts might be made in this direction to assist. An offer was also made to pay the membership fee of every one of these men and women tonight invited, who could prove physically qualified, and allow them to join whichever order (taking part in this celebration) that ‘they preferred. What a Christmas present! A basket of good things and this fraternal cer- tificate benefit. Christ had been born and come upon the earth to bless all. They would bless others; they would be Christ-like and alleviate pain, and offer, in place of aching hearts, bright and happy ones for the morrow. They would bring song and laughter where otherwise tears would flow. The crowd in the hall had congre- gated and the tree, the blaze of light, the decorations, made all feel that they had caught a glimpse of the Children’s Fairy Land. Upon the steps outside only two small boys had as yet appeared, for {POOLS SOOO OOS ODO S OOOO OOOO OOOO | | ‘> CH 2 % the hour was early. As I entered the building IT heard one boy say to the other: “Hello, Billy! You. here? ter a basket I suppose? My, but ain’t Vm thankful my stars ’m Come af- we lucky? Just then the people began to come and I passed in with the.others. Santa Claus appeared in furs and long white beard, as though the guests had all been children, and made everyone happy. And then, when the last pres- ent had been handed out, he said: “On this tree I find some important docu- ments. ‘They seem to be insurance cer- tificates, and I will read the names of the ones insured and the beneficiaries, To some of these papers is attached a confession in their lives they have been prejudiced against fra- ternal and have not believed in insurance; that they have come to that so far orders PEACE BE UNTO THIS HOUSE—By W. C. T. Dosson in on this. I hope the basket will be so full I ean hardly carry it.” -“Dick, I never was so hungry. I wish { could even smell of the things they have for me. Oh, dear! I wonder what will be in the baskets. I can hardly wait. Don’t I wish my father be- longed to this and don’t I wish every boy’s father did!” “Billy, what does a Fraternal Christ- mas Tree mean? I don’t understand, but I know it is a good thing anyway. We're not in the main show, but I’m mighty glad we got into the side show, for that means a big basket, and when a boy has lived on rice for a week he is pretty anxious to get his hands on the basket that he knows is going to be his.” see the error of their ways and wish to rectify the mistake and to atone for their past neglect by amply pro- viding for their loved ones. There are five fraternal beneficiary orders rep- resented by the certificates attached to this tree. The names are:—”’ And as the names were read, words of sur- thankfulness were heard from those heretofore and otherwise unprotected. Oh, what a Christmas Eve! After every heart had been made happy, a sumptuous supper was served, and all went merry. Then the people upon the steps were admitted and received their Christmas remembrances. The president of the evening spoke briefly to them upon the necessities, the prise and beauties and benefits of. fraternal in- surance and invited them to join in their Christmas song: Holy Jesus, sinners we, From our sins to be set free, Come believing unto Thee, Jesus Christ, the Crucified. Graciously, Almighty One, Finish what Thou hast begun, So we hear Thy sweet ‘‘Well done,’ Jesus Christ, the Crucified. A minister of the gospel arose in the hushed stillness and said: “Well done, thou good and faithful servants; may God’s blessings fall upon you all! ” Amen we EO Entertain Visitors Hanover, Kan.—Rachel Horton Camp 67 was organized in 1894 with a mem- bership of twenty. Now they have 105 members, fifty-one beneficiary and fifty-four social. Since January 1, 1901, we have initiated twenty-four new members and taken one in by card. October 2, 1901, we received a_ visit from many members of Camp 711, of Washington, Kan. After the meeting a supper was spread in honor of our visiting Neighbors and all had a grand time. We have also had visitors from other camps. Mrs. AMELIA KILE, Recorder. we eB Happily Entertained Saratoga, Ind.—As there has never been a report in the Royal Neighbor paper from this place, I will endeavor to let you know of a few of our good times. Victoria Camp 2381 was. or- ganized in January, 1901, with twenty- four charter members. We have never had a boom, but are gradually in- creasing. We now have thirty mem- bers, with four applications for our next meeting night. We gave one strawberry and ice cream festival in the summer, which brought us a neat little sum. Then we had the pleasure of entertaining eleven of Hartford City Royal Neighbors. After our work for the evening was over the tables were spread and every one made wel- come to eat, drink and be merry, to which all responded. Train time soon rolled around and we bid each other good-bye and went home feeling it was good to be a Royal Neighbor. Then we gave a box supper this fall, with musie and a program. Afterward the ladies gave a drill, which I think was appreciated by all present. The Wood- men camp here have just completed a nice new hall, which was dedicated Thanksgiving day, after which the Royal Neighbors and Woodmen fur- nished a hot supper, also served oys- ters, to the visiting Woodmen and the public. There were about ten to ini- tiate and the Woodmen went to their lodge room, and the ladies remained in the banquet hall and served a mid- night lunch for them. There was a tired set of Woodmen the next day, though all felt amply repaid for their work and trouble. After the midnight lunch, the Woodmen were kind enough to give a fine drill, which paid us for remaining so late. The Royal Neigh- bors get free use of their hall, so they are helping to furnish it, paying on the carpet, which cost about $100, and also for part of the light bill, and are willing to help all they can for the good of both orders. MavupE M. Broussg, Vice Oracle.