Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/670

 656 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

230 since 1895. ^ n other words, 86 per cent, of the fraternal societies are only twenty years old, nearly one-fourth are between ages of five and ten, and over 40 per cent, are either infants or children below five. The aggregate membership has risen from 3,707,947 in 1893 to 5,339,075 in 1900. The increase during the last five years has been 25 per cent., and during the past ten years it has doubled. The membership in two orders approximates one million each, and in two others it is about half a million each. There are a dozen societies with a hundred thousand or more members, ten which average over fifty thou- sand, and a second dozen with an average of about twenty-five thousand.

This large membership raises the question of the effect of fraternal societies upon modern life.

The "jiner" is a familiar character. Like some of the "poor" who puzzle charity workers, they distribute their frater- nal affiliations in such a way as to secure the largest revenue. " Fraternity for revenue only" is their motto. They join one society to gain a clientele ; a second to secure customers ; a third to win influence. If they do not join more, it is "because there is nothing in it." We need scarcely spend time with this abnormal type. It does not represent the "brother."

It has been asserted, however, that membership in a lodge fre- quently involves expenditures which should have taken another direction. Regalia and the like cost money, and the husband may spend five or ten dollars for a uniform while his wife must be satisfied with a cheap calico dress. Picnics and excursions and celebrations under the auspices of the lodge cost money, and money which, it is asserted, should in many instances be paid for better food and clothing and higher types of amusement and recreation. Whatever may be the ultimate truth in the matter, fraternal societies have here a problem which is worthy of their serious consideration. When membership in the lodge brings sorrow and pain into the family circle, the spirit of fraternity is violated at the very outset.

This applies chiefly, if not exclusively, to men. But women have also founded fraternal beneficiary societies. There are less