ROYAL ARCANUM, The, a fraternal and beneficial society organized, 23 June 1877 at Boston, Mass., by Dr. Darius Wilson and John Andrew Cummings. The original council in Boston had but nine members. Other coun cils were soon established in the same city and the order spread rapidly throughout the New England States. It increased at a rapid rate• and now there are councils in every State and in almost every city and town in the Union. The business of the order is conducted in Bos ton, where the society owns a substantial build ing, in which the supreme council meets. The society is governed through councils which are dominated by the supreme council or governing body. The membership qualifications are good health and character; and the age limit is be tween 21 and 55. Benefit certificates are issued for $1,500 and $3,000, payable at the death of a member. Should a member desire to increase his insurance over the limit fixed by the society he can do so by making application for the increase in the Loyal Additional Benefit As sociation, formed in 1889, practically within the Royal Arcanum and incorporated in 1890 under the State laws of New Jersey.
The officers of the supreme council or gov erning body of the society consist of supreme regent, supreme vice-regent, supreme orator, sitting past supreme regent, supreme secretary, supreme treasurer, supreme auditor, supreme chaplain, supreme warden, supreme sentry and legal adviser. The grand councils and subordi
nate councils have a similar roster of officers.
From 1898 to 1903, its greatest period of growth, the membership according to official data, attained the following figures; Grand Subordinate Membership councils councils 1898 193,573 22 1,762 1902 249.644 27 2.004 1903 258.746 28 2,045 For the same period the total number Of deaths and the total amount of benefits paid were as follows: Number of Amounts deaths paid 1898 16,479 547,886.199 1902 25,714 73,817,678 1903 27,480 76,190,352 Emergency fund 31 Oct. 1902 1,813,141 Emergency fund 28 Feb. 1903 1.885,786 Rates of assessment being too low to cover all expenses and ensure permanency the society at times has had to readjust its financial policy with the -result that a firm foundation has been established which actuaries and insurance ex perts confirm as safe and sound. According to recent figures the status of membership, deaths and benefits paid, was: • Member- Grand •