Telegram-herald., 1888-02-26
"CERVUS ALCES"
ia hoe slGso Wecss8 OF TrE ELks.
a.. -. r .aassfis slss sEaaGs ter Beat
fsepls A@Esk r. The Fsasaaag sf
Ia oH4sr-dss Lssazs IA tnis CITY
As~ nssas-A tozstax h<MsnL

ADcuE t~snsy-t~0 ysars ago . na1zbsf q
aciors E4st IN . room uadsr Elarssaon
Hal, ca IhTtssnth s.. sst o. FoaFth-
sss. N ss~ York citg sad discussed tie
blliiy Of oxzanlklag al association
which Eoald Afford them frequent 0p-
yortuRillss f0f social converse. and secure
70 sach ths ~stehfal care snd protection Of
al.
To eo1nns themselves. ia the selection Of
nembers. 70 thar osn profasslens they saw
a. glance. because OF their unsettled aud
migratory character. s4s suggestive Of fall
ufs. Hence tney detsrmfned % sdOpt cer-
tain cardinal principles zs tee basis OF their
organization. knd extend an Invitation 10 AL
snlte male citizens Of good character, Who
could end0rse them. 10 east their lots with
them. H0s successful la this respect were
the principles. methods and objects OF the
gentlemen alluded 10. may 0s lafeFred from
the grand Fesalts SHOWN Oy the spread Of
the Order throughout the United States
They take for the name Of their oFgsniza-
ton tns true American elk tcsraas aiess, in
the LATIN. ss animal which exceeds al
ItnsF deer in sizs aud sErength and unttss
% great speed remarkable posers OF endnr-
ancr. Adopting as their cardinal principles
charity, justice. brotherly love and fidelity.
aud xs thar nsne Benevolent Protective
Order OF Elks they launched their title
bark sgon the stormy sea OF life. hoping
in their own expressive Iangaage1 that the
ali seeing and eternal ruler OF the universe
might enable them 20 keep their trust. The
manifestations Of the workings of these
sIlent forces were soon heralded By the
public press: and the little band constitut-
log New York Lodge. No. 1, Benevolent and
Protective Order Of Elks. grew in numbers
and influence until Il has become
|. mighty power throughout Amsrica. The
meeting OF the Grand Lodge in New
York in Deeember last brought together
some OF the toremost minds in the learned
professions ia the United States.
One stiking evidence OF the effect OF the
| principles OF this order upon its faithful
membership is seen in their moliiiy ing and
| snnobling influence upon the rougher and
ruder members OF society who seek admis-
sion 10 its fold. No man. however sensual
or selfish. however rough or rude. can cul-
/ tiyate the principles OF brotherly love and
| hdelty. Of charity aud justice. for any
| )=nyth OF time. without having fis affections
. refined. his mental yison enlarged, his con-
science quickened and his conduct i'm
proved. IL is not strange. therefore, that in
nearly all the principal cities Of the North
and West. even ss far as San Francisco.
| have fouTishing lodges OF Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks been organized.
Grand Rapids Lodge No. 40. stands pre-
| eminent among the sister lodges OF the
| West. IL now has q membership appro1i-
mated 200 members and numbers under the
protective influence OF its wids-spreadinS
antlers some Of the very best aud mosl
prominent citizens OF Western Michigan
Next week the Grand Rapids Lodge wall
4 Id al trr fras. "A
lodge rooms in the Kennedy block. at the
corner of Waterloo and Louis sts.. opposite
the Eagle Hotel. The Lodge here Is in
tiourishlng condition-in fact IL is the
banner Lodge OF Michigan, having within
its fold the Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler o.
Michigan.
One of the peculiar characteristics of tbs
Eiks is the charity it dispenses to the liv
ing. A large number OF secret societies in
sist that a man shall die before ne can get
any benefits from his brothsrs, but the b
z. o. r. never fails TO respond-and sub
stantially. too, to a brother in affliction anC
distress. And one Of the cardinal principle:
| of the order Is that all such charities shsl
be kept secret.
IL Is matter OF record that the Order dis
penses yearly more charity than sny simi
lar organization In the United States. Even
its social sessions" which thousands o.
"outsiders have enjoyed. are mean. o.
dispensing well-deserved charity. There i.
not an ac' r or an actress in the United
| States who will refuse TO play for 3 benef
for the Elks when asked.
Ths benefit which Is 20 be given for th,
benevolent and charitable fund of Crane
Rapids Lodge will take place at Pswers
Opera House. on the eysning Of March 2lst
and there Is little doubt but t1at the theatr
will be filled As IL never was before. Tn
entertainment itself and the attraction
that will draw the people there. will D.
duly announced in the daily press OF tn
city.