VA GHB . EDITORIAL OFFICE, VOLUME IV. ) ROCK ISLAND ILL JANUARY, 1908. PUBLICATION OFFICE, LINCOLN, NEB. NUMBER 1. Happy New Year Greeting We are entering upon another year! Another leaf in the history of our so- ciety has been turned. May the year 1903 be the most prosperous one the society has ever known. May each one of the one hundred and forty thousand members endeavor to do their share to make the record better than that of any previous year. In entering this new year, let our watchword be “On- ward”; and, with the New Year greet- ings still ringing in our ears, may we all take up the refrain, in greetings to new members. The year just closed has been a prosperous one. Many new members have been added; and over nine thous- and persons have secured protection in our fraternity; and fully twenty thousand persons have become mem- bers. There are many pleasant memories of the old year in our hearts. There may be some sad memories; but let us remember the pleasant ones and for- get the sad. Let us write upon the new leaf that we have just turned, this maxim: “One hundred and seventy- five thousand members before 1904”; and, I believe, if the members and our workers will take this maxim as their guide, it can be accomplished. Let us look at the great good that owe are doing for humanity. Let us ~~ yemember “how” many families have been assisted over the hard places in life by the strong-hand of fraternal love! It is a small act in itself to in- vite a friend to become a member; but the good deed that has been done radi- ates to the farther shore, and brings happiness to many a sorrowing home. And, in closing, I wish for the entire membership, a happy New Year! Mrs. E. D. Wart, Supreme Oracle, R. N. of A. Me Me we New Year Thoughts We are now at the threshold of a _ hew year. During the week just passed we have enjoyed the Merry Christmas greetings and given our tokens of love in remembrance of One who made the greatest of all gifts to mankind. For ~& season we have been like happy chil- dren, at least in heart if not in action, In some homes there has been a lack of the Merry Christmas greeting be- cause the loved one has during the year been called from those homes. Where loved ones were protected there has not been the added sorrow of poverty, but the joy of the loved presence is gone. But the New Year is at hand with hope bidding us look to the fu- ture and its joys instead of to the past and its sorrows. We who have neg- lected to provide protection for loved ones should not longer delay; those who have secured admission to some good beneficiary society should not for- get to keep that membership always secure; those of us who have friends still lacking protection for loved ones should be just a little more insistent than ever before until they are con- vinced of the duty they owe those de- pendent upon them. In our homes let us resolve to be just a little more pa- tient, just a little more loving, just a little more Christlike. In our camp let us be more generous; more forbearing; more forgiving. In our daily lives let us be manly men and womenly women, showing by our conduct that we are worthy the membership we hold in a great fraternity. If we resolve to do these things, then will we start the New Year right and it will give great- est promise of a rich fruitage. we Me Grand Bazaar Dubuque, Ia.—White Rose Camp 1095 gave a grand bazaar on November 6, 7 and 8, and it was a success. The ladies of the camp donated fancy work and aprons, great big ones, like mother used to make, and they went like hot cakes in winter time. We had three booths; our fancy booth, flower and fruit booths. The flower booth was in the center. The booths were draped in the order’s colors, purple and white, and looked beautiful. In the evening we had dancing and there is where we made our money. We cleared $240 and ‘our expenses were very high so you see what White Roses can do when they try. This bazaar was given for the purpose of swelling our robe fund, and by next meeting we expect to have our robes and banners as we have them ordered. We had about $200 in our robe fund before so you see we will have pretty fine robes. We enjoy THE Royal NEIGHBOR very much. I read every word in it, even the advertise- ments. Mrs. M. Srumons, Vice Oracle. A Delightful Reception Harrisburg, Pa.—Mrs. Anna Mce- Daniels, vice oracle of Camp 2293, Har- risburg, Pa., entertained delightfully by giving a reception at her residence on November 7, in honor of the Royal Neighbors of America, and the Modern Woodmen of America. This was to introduce the ladies’ auxiliary to the Modern Woodmen of Pennsylvania and to impress upon their minds that the society of Royal Neighbors of America was entirely dependent on the Modern Woodmen for its membership, as no one-but the relatives either by blood or marriage could become members. Over sixty guests were present. An im- promptu musical program was ~ren- dered during the evening and a large number of stereopticon pictures were shown. Crokinole played an important part in the pleasantries. Almost fifty of those present participated in a game called “Hammering.” Each player was given three nails and a small axe, a symbol of the order of Modern Wood- men, and the contestant driving the nails into a board in the shortest pos- sible time was awarded a prize consist- ing of a small bronzed axe. Mr. Jacob Zieders was the successful “hammer- er.” The entire house was beautifully decorated. One room was converted into a smoking apartment for the gentlemen and the principles and em- blems of the Modern Woodmen were ‘carried out. in the decorations. These included the “campfire and kettle,” axes, ete. The dining room was draped in purple and white, the colors of -the society; potted plants, chrysanthe- mums and other flowers added to the effect. Among those present were several officers of the society and of the Modern Woodmen. Many guests were from this city and there were many from Chambersburg, Shippens- burg,Williamsport, Carlisle, Bainbridge and Steelton. Mrs. C. H. Rion. A California Queen Los Angeles, Cal.—In the contest for votes for Queen of the Modern Wood- men of America carnival and street fair just held in our city, Miss Alice Viall was elected and chosen queen of the carnival, and in truth she carried off the honors of her position quite royally and endeared herself to the hearts of her subjects by her beauty and self-possession. In token of the interest and good will felt by her sub- jects, the Golden State Camp, M. W. of A., gave a rousing and generous reception to our queen of the carnival Wednesday evening +in their camp- room, where all were given a delight- ful treat in a musical, literary, and whistling entertainment. The inner man was not forgotten, as a bountiful repast was served to all. The Golden State Camp, M. W. of A., added another feather in their cap by their generous and hospitable treatment of the team of Pacific Camp and all other visitors. One feature of the entertainment, which proved a complete surprise to the queen of the evening, was the pre- sentation of a beautiful gold watch from the members of Sunny South Camp, Royal Neighbors, of which “Queen Alice” is a member. The pre- sentation speech was made by the oracle, Mrs. Dunn, in a touching and feeling little speech, which was re- sponded. to..by..“‘Queen. Alice” in a few words, as she was too much overcome. In the back of the watch was engraved “Queen Alice.” The evening closed with dancing and social intercourse. A number of applications were secured for Sunny South Camp from our Neigh- bor Woodmen, among them being ‘the name of the venerable consul of Golden State Camp, M. W. of A. Royally and loyally, Mrs. J. W. Morris, Receiver. we Some Discouragements to Overceme Perhaps the readers of THE ROYAL NEIGHBOR will be pleased to hear from Suecess Camp 655, of Meadville, Mo., which was organized April 27, 1897, by Mrs. D. I. Thornton, deputy supreme oracle, with thirty-eight charter mem- bers, twenty of whom were beneficiary. Thirty-three have been initiated since that time and three applications have been rejected at. Supreme Camp; one Neighbor has withdrawn, one has been expelled, and thirty have dropped out. We have had four deaths, all benefici- ary members. We have. one social member who is faithful. Seventeen so- cial members dropped out, which does not speak very well for our Woodmen brothers. We meet the first and third Friday evenings of each month. Our general attendance is not very good. We scarcely ever go through the floor work, on account of the small number present. We have socials occasionally and have very pleasant times. Our last meeting was election of officers, but few changes were made. Just let me say a few words to those who do not attend our meetings. Do you realize that you are not fulfilling your obliga- tion if you do not attend? Where would our camp be if all were so neg- lectful? Does it never occur to you that you are throwing all the respon- sibility of keeping the camp together on a few who are faithful, yet who perhaps are not as capable of going ahead as you are? Neighbors, be loyal to your camp and the society. Work for the best interests of your camp. Assist your officers in every way pos- sible; swell the attendance at the meetings by being present yourself, and if everything does not go to suit you, remember there are others who have rights as well as yourself. The Modern Woodmen have kindly paid our hall rent, for which we are very grate- ful. We are glad to get our paper and read of the success other camps meet with, and hope our turn will come next. We are going to try to make our camp a greater success. We now have a membership of thirty-nine. Our camp is not thriving as some of our sister camps, but we hope to do better in the . future. Our Woodman brothers are going to have a banquet December 18. Each member can take a friend and we hope in this-way we will be able to add some new members to our camp. We have been talking of changing our meetings and meet in the afternoon, as our country members say they could come better than in the evening if changed. We hope for an increased in- terest. . A MEMBER. we we ew How They Succeed ‘Gains, Mich.—We all enjoy Tur Roy- AL NEIGHBOR and think it is a great help to our society. Camp 80 meets every second and last Wednesday in the month at Woodmen hall. Our brother Woodmen are very good to us and do not charge us anything for rent, wood, or oil. September 10 is our anniversary and we always celebrate by having a chicken pie social, from which we always receive a good big sum of money. We also piece quilts and sell tickets on them and the one having the lucky number receives the quilt. We have lately purchased tables and dishes and a cook stove. We also bought an organ, the Woodmen paying for half of it. We have a number of very good musicians in our camp so We enjoy our organ very much. Mrs. EMMA DE Wirt, Vice Oracle. ee Would Like More Life Pepin, Wis.—Lakeside Camp 3184 was organized by Ada M. Lawson in Sep- tember, with twenty charter members, and has since taken in three social members and had one withdrawal. No- vember 21 we gave a supper and dance and cleared about $25, with which we hope to get robes and a floor-cloth. Thanksgiving night we surprised the Woodmen, it being Woodmen night, with refreshments of coffee, rolls, and cake. Perhaps I am rather a new mem- ber to say much, although I feel as in- terested as though I had been a mem- ber for years, but since reading Neigh- bor Lowater’s letter I can’t help but echo, “Them’s my sentiments, too.” From the first I have been disappointed in the ritual. It is very beautiful, if well rendered, but when read, has so little life, and in being repeated it be- comes somewhat monotonous, and es- pecially when new officers and char- acters are in office and the lectures are all read. I have no suggestions to offer, for there are others better quali- fied for that, but I should love to have something that has more life, and, though old, would be ever new and full ‘of interest to all so that every one would enjoy being present. I shall eagerly look forward to the result of the meeting of the committee on laws and rituals. A MEMBER, OR. Pa ale. Pete Nee Ell ie ae ge ha te Se RD eed al Ge he