The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-05
MEMORIAL SERVICES
At the Second Presbyterian Church
Sunday Afternoon,
IN MEMORY OF The DEAD MEMBERS
or the Local brotherhood Protective
Order of EIks-Brother b. b. Dow
ener Pronounces an Eulogy and a
Short Sketch of the Purposes of
tho Order.

Wheeling Lodge No. IS. Brotherhood
Protective Order of Elks, were held yes
terday afternoon at tho Second Presby-
terrain church. Tho members of the
lodge met at their hall and proceededin
a body 10 the church. In addition to
the local Elks, visiting members of the
organization, as we'll as the general pub
lie, were present at the impressive and
beautiful memorial services to the dead
members of the local lodge.
The order OF exercises began with the
singing of the beautiful opening ode,
sung by the EIks and choir.
OPENING oDE.
Great Ruler Of the universe,
All-Scing and benign.
Look down upon and bless our work,
And be all glory Thine
Oh! hear our prayers for the honored dead,
While bearing in Our minds
The memories craven on each heart, I1ll
For aud lang syne. !.
After prayer by Rev. Dr.. ". Il. Cooke
ank n selection by the choir, Brother B.
Is. Dovener pronounced an eloquent
eulogy on "Our 0rder-Benovelent Pro-
tective Order OF Elks." He gave a brief
sketch OF the organization from its in
ception to the present time. The order
was born in New York in 1867, but for
a considerable time did not attract
much attention, Is sixteen years later,
in 1888, there we're only eighteen lodges
in existance. Since then it has grown
rapidly throughout America. there be-
ing at present 3l5 lodges. The Wheel
ing lodge is one OF the early ones, the
twenty-eighth, established. 1t is dis
tinctly a national order, and exists in
no other country, though applications
for charters have been made from many
foreign countries. The order has no
organizers for soliciting membership
and has no state organizations, but is
national and is ruled from one fountain
head.
This lodge is now meeting in accord
ance with the custom established, in an
nual memorial service particularly for
the dead Of tho lodge, and in general
for the dead brethren Of the order.
By the principles OF the order all
members in distress are taken care OF
by the order. The true principle OF
charity is worked on. The order is not
satisfied with extending aid to its MEM
bers in distress III the shape otso much
money a week, but if required gives aid
amounting to much more than a stated
amount. Nothing is given unless it is
needed.
There is very little that is secret
ala.,k Atn Ell-o rnNtgofYn ION axrnnNfin0
the mystic sign and symbol, by which
brother Elks can recognize each other.
The charitable work OF the organization
is secret, no one knowing of the work OF
the order in that direction. If any
member boasts OF having extended aid
TO another the penalty is expulsion.
Throughout The world Of civilization
the cross is significant. Among heather
people it represents nothing but q piece
OF wood or metal. To Christians it is a
peculiar sign reminding US as it does OF
the early dawn OF the Christian era.
1t is u reminder OF e'peace on earth,
good will toward men," 1t recalls
memories Of the babe in the manger, OF
the early life OF the Great Master, OF
the temptation on the mount, OF tho
wonderful miracles performed by tho
Son OF God, and of his death, burial
and resurrection, and by ali we know
there is a redeemer and n plan of saliva
ton by Which We are TO be saved.
The Order OF Elks teaches charity to
all brothers, but its acts OF charity have
not always been confined within its
ranks. Many needy n es outside OF the
order have reason to bless the unknown
friend who relieved them in the hour OF
need and distress.
During the past year death has visit
ed the Wheeling order but once, al
though the lodge has members all over
the United States. Miss Kate Castle
ton died in New York. The lodge was
organized III 1884, and during these
eight years but four deaths have occur
rcd. For this We have reason for CON
graduation, and thanks to the AL
mighty.
After Captain Dovencr's eulogy, and
a selection by the church choir, Rev.
w. II. Cooke pronounced al address
and eulogy.
Tho services closed with prayer by
Rev. j. II. Hopkins and singing OF the
doxology by tho entire congregation.