cxsz prraib Official Organ Of the Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897. BENEVOLENCE
VOLUME 57 — NO. 4
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to SUPREME LODGE SPJST, POB 100, TEMPLE, TEX 76501
JANUARY 22, 1969
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK The Year of 1968 Has Vanished Into Eternity. It has been a troublesome year in many ways. The world political situation has been unsettled. The war effort in Vietnam has grown to be larger than the Korean War. Its effects on our country, its business, and its people have been very heavy. In addition, there have been civil unrest, riots, and heavy crime rates. What is the outlook for the future? It is hard to predict whether the world or domestic situation will get better or worse. Let us hope that it gets much better, for we feel that it will. All of us know that the chief dependence for the SPJST's advancement is upon the members themselves and their lodges. It is their personal interest and activities which give life blood to our strength. It has always been so. It is so even now ... at a time when many changes have come about in our methods and in the customs and out-look of Americans upon life. True, we have life insurance plans which are more complicated than they used to be; but they must be in order to meet modern times and conditions. We must remember to have better representatives selling our product, however, it is really upon individual members and their action that we must rely upon for real progress. All
BLOSSOMING PRAGUE By Jaroslav Seifert The clouds flow by. An instant view This radiant realm of bliss With cherubs' wings the sky is blue, As little angels kiss. Bloom after bloom co-mingling clings In veil, airy shawl, A bird sings, the whole city sings; The bell's voice over all. Sounds as the harp at festive time, When o'er the flower-twined strings The minstrel for his hire of wine His artless fingers flings. Stay, stay, moment of loveliness That from my pen may stream These notes of love and thankfulness What song may grace this theme?! Interpreted in English Verse By H. Hamilton McGoverne members and lodge officers should study the present methods; to be as them helpful as they can to . work effectively, and to bring closer to more people the benefits of our fraternal system. We have done well in the past. We can do even better in the future. Welcome Home Mr. President. This month of January, 1969, gives your edi-
for a privilege that I am certain has not been that of any other editor in the history of our SPJST, i.e. to wish (and I am sure I speak for our entire membership) two presidents and both Texans a healthy, happy and contented retirement. They are Brother Edward L. Marek of our SPJST, and President Lyndon Baines Johnson, the President of the United States, and the first Texan to gain the stature of that high office. He will he stepping aside along with Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey at about the time this goes to press. May good luck be in store for both of them in their future. We feel that it will. Neither President Johnson nor President Marek were seeking re-election in 1968, and, chose the path toward less burdensome lives, and we cannot blame them. From an article sent me by Sister Hendrick, we find that one reporter states the two sides of President Johnson. He is a highly complicated amazingly out-going and, yet unfathomable :man, however, the other side of him reveals a very friendly person who always remembers the other person. He has been criticized and praised and so it is and always will be especially in public and political life. (Your editor was baptized with that and he has not