why did Freemasons become the most successful 19th century secret/fraternal society?

As yabob said, they’re two very different critters over here. Elk roam in herds, mostly in higher altitudes. There are tens of thousands of them in this area (Montana, near Yellowstone Park). Moose are bigger, and generally either solitary or in small family groups.

Here are pictures of male moose and elk.

All the social service organizations are on life support, and the good works they have chosen to perform is suffering. The high-achievers who were the life blood of these groups are now expected to work so much overtime they don’t have the time to devote to the Shriners, Elks, Rotary and others. Read Robert D. Putnam’s Bowling Alone.