Notice.

Communications intended for publication in the Ladies Department of the Magazine should in all cases be addressed to the Editress, Mrs. Agnes G. Strong, 527 Greene street, Boone, Iowa.

Matters for the Grand President should be addressed to Mrs. Georgie M. Sargent, 1014 Euclid street, Washington, D. C., and that for the Grand Secretary and Treasurer to Mrs. Mary E. DuBois, 711 Story street, Boone, Iowa.

Only a Fireman.

He is nothing but a fireman,
With a black and hardened hand.
Why some would run to shun him
I cannot understand.

What if he's black and weary,

He is a mother's pride and joy, And her prayers go up unceasing For the safety of her boy.

For the finest clothes may cover
A heart that's black with sin.
I'll choose the grimy fireman
And find a soul within.

They are ever kind and cheerful,
Yet, through danger duty lies,
And we have very many heroes
In that home beyond the skies.

This world is growing better,

Lord speed the work we pray When our black and weary fireman, Will be better off some day.

I don't mean when promoted
To the rank of engineer,
But with honor, love and duty

I would have their names appear. And when their run of life is over

And we lay them down to rest, They will enter into heaven

No matter how they're dressed. And should death overtake them While speeding o'er the track, There'll never be a question asked If they are white or black.

G. M. SARGENT.

Message from Our Grand VicePresident.

After a long silence and also deep sorrow I once more write you. I feel I cannot in any other way let the sisters know how very much I appreciated all the sympathizing letters, all their kind and loving words of comfort that came to me in my sadness. It makes me feel although my mainstay was gone, I still had close friends to help and strengthen

me.

We so often hear the expression "there is no need of women's organizations," but the comfort and help that comes to those in sorrow from our associates in Society work show in no other way the help we are to one another and the need and help of such organizations. When the world is bright we do not feel the need. But, who can tell or know the help a few words of love and sympathy sent out in the time of sorrow will do. Words cannot express what they were to me in sorrow. I have tried to answer all letters, but I have been ill and so worried that all have not received attention; but they will.

In reading over a letter received by me from our worthy Grand President she states "we are working for the ten thousand membership for 1913." Let each lodge try to help reach that mark. The brothers have a membership of eighty thousand; why cannot we have ten thousand, only one-eighth of the Brotherhood's membership? We should have at least two members from each family when there is so many to choose fromwives, mothers, daughters and sisters. Come, brothers, we want you to do some missionary work for us among your families. Our insurance is the best that can be, and the cheapest also, with safety. Our Order as a social society is a success-for what appeals to human nature more than our fellow workmen and women, those that are earning their livelihood in the same way.

And how many wives have found the rest and change just necessary in our meetings, both business and social, where all are the same whose lives are centered in those men of whom the great Brotherhood is composed and where love, harmony and charity are its principles. We cannot help but think if the "boys" would use a little more persuasion at home for our Society we could double our membership easily. We are gaining, but it is so slow. I am sure the visiting done by our Grand President will be a strong incentive for each one to do her best. I also feel sure Sister Sargent is more than pleased with her work in the field.

My trouble came to me so soon after meeting with St. Thomas Lodge 37, that I did not give them the prominence necessary. The "boys" of Lodge 5 awoke to the sense of their duty and the willing workers of "Charity's Helpmate" got

busy with the usual results-new members and every prospect of a growing lodge. It was after much delay and some hard work we at last got a Society at Sarnia. If bright women and right officers stand for anything I bespeak a strong and progessive Society at this place. They have the brothers at their back and we always know it is a success then. It was my good fortune to visit officially No. 11 at Detroit. A "revival" had also taken place there; new members had been admitted to their number and all the sisters were very enthusiastic over the prospects of still more to come. Their work is all that can be wished, we are proud of them. I am but a short distance from those lodges. purpose to visit them again in the near future and see if I prophesy correctly. I was more than sorry that I could not give more of my time to each of those lodges last fall, but will try and make up for it at some other time.

I

While the time is far distant for our convention, we must not leave everything to the last, but be looking over our work and carefully planning and marking out the work which will best help our Order, forgetting all else, leaving out that first personal pronoun I, and like the great sisterhood use us instead. We all know and feel how hard it is to give up our cherished plan, which we have thought and studied out and felt sure of its usefulness, only to see it replaced by some other that has not received the thought it should. We must also realize that rigid economy is not always best. We must reap as we sow and we must sow good seed. Poor work will only cause loss; so, therefore, send your best to represent you at the convention, with well-thought-out plans changes you may wish. For in knowledge there is strength. A delegate who can give a good cause for wishing the change made, has her battle half fought. Do not send a delegate just because her husband is going, or because she will go the cheapest. Remember the convention is no pleasure trip but a meeting to consider the best plans for our fu ture to repeal our laws if necessary, to consider well any change that may be brought before the convention. We have had delegates sent that have not been in the order two months. Good work can not be done by one that has so little knowledge of the work and while we

covering any

know they would do the best they could, well-informed delegates are most necessary at all times.

All the readers of our Magazine will be pleased to hear that Mrs. Ball, our worthy Past Grand President, is very much better and now on a fair way to recovery. For many months, in fact since last convention, she has been ill, but the doctor thinks now she will soon be her own bright self once more. I am sure I only echo the voice of all members when I say we wish her a speedy recovery.

I know sorrow and sadness has entered the homes of many of our sisters during the last year and among the Grand Officers we have indeed felt its hand. But one thing we can rest assured, our Heavenly Father never makes any mistakes, and in the great hereafter we will all understand.

"I do believe that God will give a sweet surprise

To tear-stained, saddened eyes,
And that His heaven will be

Most glad, most filled with joy for you and me,

As we have suffered most.

God never made spirit for spirit, answering shade for shade,

And placed them side by side

So wrought in one, though separate, mystified

And meant to break

we shall wake

I am quite sure we will be very glad That for a little while we were so sad.

While I have been a reader instead of a contributor to our pages of the Magazine, I like many others have realized that Sister Strong is doing her best to make our Department all we wish it to be. Why not discuss some of the wished for changes in the Ladies Department, and by so doing have a wide opinion of the same. Sisters, let us hear from you. Once more thanking all the sisters for their kind thoughtfulness for me in my sadness, I will close.

Yours in Friendship and Charity,
MAUDE E. MOORE,
Grand Vice-President.

New Lodges Organized.

Ohio Valley Lodge 327, Middleport, Ohio, was organized May 6, 1912, with

Other.

Lodges Entertain Each

The week beginning Monday April 29, 1912, was a busy one for the L. S. lodges in Chicago and one that will long be remembered with pleasure.

Tuesday evening the brothers of Lodge 564, B. of L. F. and E., assisted by L. S. Virginia Lodge 146, gave a complimentary reception and ball in White City ball room. The grand march with over 500 couples in line was led by Bro. James Whelan, Secretary of 564, and Sister Josephine Watts, of Peoria, Past President of Hazel Lodge 3.

Wednesday evening Auburn Lodge 93 entertained Sister Watts. No. 93 is being much benefited by the prosperity and growth of the brothers Lodge 331 and the brothers are as proud of their auxiliary's advancement as they are of their own. We wish them both success.

Friday evening the sisters of 201, Pride of 188 B. of L. F. and E., entertained in open meeting. The writer wishes that

every sister in the order might have seen the pretty floral march that introduced the members to the visiting Peoria sister, Josephine Watts, and left her with her arms laden with beautiful carnations. The members of Fern Leaf Lodge 249 assisted the sisters of 201 in every way and most graciously they did their part with the members of Virginia Lodge "looking on."

During the evening the sisters of Virginia Lodge repeated the clever little play written and staged for one of their most enjoyable joint meetings at which time the daily papers made favorable comments regarding its merits.

Saturday night Auburn and Virginia lodges held a special meeting to initiate candidates and the work was done beautifully. During the social hours that followed, Sister Watts was presented with a beautiful hand-painted plate -a gift from the sisters of Auburn Lodge.

Sister Loretta O'Neil, who was for many years Secretary of 146, and who now lives in Toronto, Canada, attended the meetings, greeting the sisters, who were all glad to have her with them again.

A number of sisters from Lodge 294 of Blue Island were present and we trust the visit was beneficial to them.

We sincerely hope it will not be long until we have a State meeting in Chi

sisters of Middleport, Ohio, for the kindness and hospitality shown me while in their city. ELIZABETH SMITH,

Columbus, Ohio.

Frank P. Sargent Monument Fund.

As many lodges have not responded toward the Frank P. Sargent Monument fund. I hereby notify them that we have decided to hold the fund open until December 31, 1912.

Sisters that have neglected to give their 10 cents towards this fund I know will take advantage of the continuation of time. We are desirous of erecting a monument that will be an honor to our Past Grand Counselor and a credit to the Ladies Society. Kindly send all donations to Clara L. Hall, Chairman Committee, 114 Fourth street, N. W., Washington, D. C.

Addresses Wanted.

Under this heading each month in our Magazine appear letters from our friends desiring information of loved ones who have slipped away from the home circle to wander about all unconscious perhaps of the anxiety felt by the dear ones left behind. Sometimes it is a sister trying to learn the whereabouts of a beloved brother; but, more often it is a mother whose loving heart yearns for tidings from her son.

Our trusted publication is a good medium through which to reach the wanderer, as it is so widely read in homes, roundhouses, bunk-rooms, yard and gen

It is with great pleasure I introduce to the Ladies Society the fifteen charter members of Ohio Valley Lodge 327 of Middleport, Ohio, organized May 6, 1912. Too much praise can not be given the ladies for the interest they manifest in their new work. Great credit is also due the brothers of Richard Wyatt Lodge 544, who so beautifully contributed to the treasury of the new lodge and entertained the ladies with a fine banquet. The new lodge starts out under most promising prospects and has selected very bright, capable officers.

This opportunity affords me the privilege of again thanking the brothers and

turn which way he may he is likely to find the green and blue illustrated covers of the B. of L. F. and E. Magazine.

Boy! Wanderer! Stroller that you are! Whether from circumstances or choice should this article reach your eyes -Stop! Look! Listen!

Far back in those lost, sweet years of childhood your mother had faith in you, and her gentle faith still endures. If you have tried to rob her of it. cease. If at present you are out of work and cannot get home, you can at least write to her-be a man and keep your self-respect.

This world has real need for the manly man, and somewhere employment awaits you, if not one kind then try another. "Half a loaf is better, much better, than