Fraternity-Testvériség, 1968 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1968-12-01 / 12. szám
REV. ÁRPÁD GEORGE: The Centennial of Fraternalism In America The history of the hurial and fraternal societies may be traced to the ancient Greek, Roman and Chinese civilizations. In the Middle Ages trade guilds were organized throughout Europe. These guilds in England developed into Friendly Societies. The kings, princes and the lesser members of the nobility belonged to these societies. Rich and poor, freemen and serf sat side by side at the meeting of the local societies. During the Eighteenth Century insurance companies were organized. They were notorious lor the corruption and dishonesty in management. The commercial companies provided coverages such as: Insurance from house breakers Insurance from highwaymen Insurance from death by drinking gin Assurance of female chastity The public demanded an insurance organizational system which would avoid the elements of mismanagement. On October 27, 1868 fourteen men met in Mead- ville, Pennsylvania and under the leadership of John Jordan Upchurch organizd Lodge No. 1, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. This was the first fraternal insurance society in America. A tremendous growth followed in the number of fraternal organizations. During the past hundred years it has grown to a membership of over 10.5 million people in sixty-two thousand lodges across the country. More than $7.5 billion have been paid to the widows and orphans through the past one hundred years. At the Pittsburgh National Fraternal Congress the statistical record of the past ten years was presented: 1/1/58 1/1/68 UP Insurance in Force $11,778,000,000 $19,372,651,000 64'/i% Assets $ 2,793,000,000 $ 4,319,400,000 54.7 % Insurance Written (yr) $ 1,506,000,000 $ 2,792,474,000 85.4 % Number of F.I.C.s 1,536 4,196 173% The figures prove that the fraternal system is still moving ahead in America. The records of our Federation compare favorably with the national figures. At the centennial anniversary of the fraternal insurance system with pride we acknowledge the following historical dates of our Federation: Organized in 1896 Chartered by Congress in 1907 Bethlen Home founded in 1921 Bethlen Freedom Press incorporated in 1966 After 72 years of dedicated work our Federation is still growing financially and is extending its services to the orphans, aged and worthy charitable projects. Az a kérésünk, hogy vedd át a bélyegeket s nyújtsd felénk segítő kezed, hogy támogatásod előbbre vigye a magyar ügyet. Mrs. Andrew Kovács died on July 10, 1968 in her home 451 Daisy St., Mansifield, — Ohio. She was the manager of our Branch No. 303 for 20 years. Blessed be her memory. 12 Áldásos Karácsonyt és boldogabb magyar uj Esztendőt!
