The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-06

Academy Of Music Sunday afternoon.
Seated upon the stage wore the mem
bors Of the Roanoke Lodge of Elks
who had assembled to pay tribute to the
memory Of their departed brothers.
Upon the front of the stage were three
black draped vacant chairs containing
tho aprons OF the brothers who will
auditorium was solid mass of
humanity. Every seat was filled and
even standing room was at a premium.
Tho Machine Works Band occupied the
first two rows in the orchestra. Their
playing on this occasion surprised even
their most ardent friends.
Col. +. j. Korte, the exalted grand
ruler, opened the lodge in a few we'll.
names of w. Ii. Magruder. George
Wright and Cyrus II. Lair, the deceased
brothers. The beautiful ritual of tho
order was gone through with. after
which Rev. j. Cleveland Hall offered
nest fervent prayer
Allen o. Myers, of Cincinnati, grand
secretary Of the order, was introduced
by Colonel Korte. Mr. Myers delivered
an eloquent address concerning tho aims
and objects of the order.
lie said that recent nun Der of the
Century magazine contained beauti-
full sketch of the animals from which
the order took Tvs name, describing the
heights to which the monarch c. the
glen loved TO climb to overlook the
magnificent landscape, and comment ng
on the traits and habits of the animal,
and the order, like its namesal1e, while
strong was also loving and gentle.
1t was tho beautiful custom of the
order 10 consecrate each year one day
to the dead, not to mourn for them, but
to recall their virtues, to honor their
memories and to rejoice that they had
left the sorrows Of earth for the delights
Of the spirit land, and it was a pleasure
to him TO leave his home and books and
babies, and como to tho wonderful young
city of Roanoke to take part in the
honors paid to tho dead Of the order by
the young ledge, which had attained
such strength, and whose bold, venture
some AID original modes Of doing good
were as surprising as they were p aise-
worthy.
He had heard some one remark,
That's not funeral music which the
band is playing" No. We didn't
want it. There was enough of mourn
ing in the world already. The mission
of the Elks was to relieve sorrow, to
tighten suffering, to scatter Joy and
pleasure, and to practice the kindness
and love which should make earth
paradise.
He made a spirite reply to the objec-
tions to secret societies, and said the
miracle of the union between the North
and South. after bitter civil war, was
wrought by the fraternal organizations
nf hn hu trhn nHn
sectional lines had been wiped out, all
differences forgotten. and that both
sections were now clasping hands in
love was larG ely due to these brotherly
organizations, which. burYing all Of
fences, sectional, religious, political, met
around their affairs to promote love and
friendship and harmony.
The Elks recognized no difference be-
tween Jew and Gentle. Protestant and
Catholic; their creed was charity. JUS
tice and brotterly love; their catechism
waa shor; and their duties might DO
summed up in Don't let anybody go
hungry" and last Christmas every
needy, toddling cnild in Roanoke Was
turkeys wero sent to many an hum BILE
home by the generosity of tho Roanoke
Lodge Of klks God placed us here to
love each other. The religion Of the
Bible was made up of love for fellow
man.
1t was objected that tho Elks were
"convivial." Yes, they believed in
taking pleasure and giving it; in making
themselves and others happy; in aiding
those who need and cheering those who
suffer, and the people Of Roanoke should
feel proud of the noble lodge which rep.
resented the order here. 1t was true
some Of them were not as handsome as
they might be, but their hearts were in
the right place.
In abiding to the services of the day
he said the same ceremonial was at the
same time being observed in 226 cities
in the United States, and on such SOL
emn anniversaries all bitterness melted
out of his heart. and he felt raised
above the world and it's passions and
sorrows, until it seemed as If heaven
sometimes bent down to meet mortals
half way in their tender, holy aspira-
tions for higher sphere.
81 believe in God" said the speaker.
"All Elks do. believe in good. All
Elks do. believe in loving my fellow
man. All Elks do"
The speaker paid a glowing tribute to
Roanoke Lodge 1877 and said that the
people Of Roanoke should be proud of
THIS maRnlncent organization.
Miss Cutchin rendered the "Angers
Serenade" in an exqui;ite manner,
accompanied by Prof Scott on the
piano and Mr.. Wright on the violin.
The Machine Works Band and tho
County Fair quartette rendered pleas
ing selections, as did also selt cted
chorus under tho leadership of Prof.
Scott.
Tho eulogy was delivered by Galen H.
Coon. 1.-The sad duty devolved upon mo
to-day" said the speaker, "in paving