The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-03
ELKS' LODGE OF SORROW
Impressive Ceremonial Service Held
in the Academy of Music.
IN MEMORY OF THE DEPARTED
Programme Included Addresses by John
NJ. Harris, and c. Ben Johnsoni or
wilkes.Barre, and Vocal and0r'
chestral Selections.

chestral Selections.
The Academy of Music last night was
crowded to its utmost seating and
standing capacity by an assemblage of
men and women. who witnessed the
Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, Scranton lodge, No. 1913, do rever-
ence to the memory of its members
who died during the year The occa-
sion Is termed Lodge of Sorrow" in
Elkdorn. simultaneously throughout
the United States memorial service is
held on the Sunday evening in Decem-
Der.
So much has been said and written OF
the festive and lighter side of the order,
that last evenings impressive cere-
mony was a revelation to the unin-
formed. The programme included re-
sponsive services conducted from the
stage, vocal and instrumental selec-
tons Of sacred nature, and addresses.
A quantity of the handsome ,oak
furniture from the lodge room. palms,
cut carnations and standard lamps
were arranged on the stage, which was
set with drawing room scenery. EX-
alted Ruler F. j. Fitzsimmons con-
Quoted the services from dias, and
about him were gathered the following
local officers: Leading Knight Dr. p.
+. Gunster, Loyal Knight f. W. Mar
tin, Lecturing Knight w. j. Weichel,
Secretary w. s. Gould, Treasurer c. j.
Weichel Esquire J. NJ. Corbett. Chap
lain G.. +. Davis, Inner Guard Thomas
A. Ruddy, Tyler William Murphy. and
others who assisted in the exercises.
Wilkes.Barrc Elks Present.
A party of Wilkes Barreans who came
from their city in special car over the
Jersey Central railroad was composed
of the following, Leo w. Long, es-
teemed leading knight; G. T. Griffin,
lecturlng knight; Charles H. Blumen-
hall, loyol knight; /. X, Blathner, j. NJ.
Boland. Charles Constine, A. Lazarus,
j. H. Montayne, Fred Sangfelder, C.
Ben johnson, district deputy exalted
ruler, eastern district of Pennsylvania;
Lewis Boyer C. f. Stegmeyer, w. f.
Doran, j. w Malloy, D. Watkins, f. P.
Langfeld, II. d. Merrill, of the Wilkes
Barre Record; Solomon Bacharach.
The service was opened by Bauers
orchestra of twenty-five pieces which
played Beethoven's funeral march, and
later the orchestra rendered the over
lures from Norma" and "Traviata."
Following the responsive Introductory
ceremony conducted by Exalted Ruler
Fitzsimmons, the secretary called the
roll of absent members and the sign Of
sorrow was made by the officers. An
opening ode of two verses was sung to
the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" and the
invocation was made by Chaplain
Davis.
l.. J. Siebecker. Howell Davis, George
Dewitt, Fred Hand, VIII W. Watkins
c. p. Colvin and John It. Watkins, COM
prising the Elk's Glee club, sang Sab
bath Day" and later rendered "Remem-
Der Thy Creator" and Sweet BY and
BY" Miss Louise Natal, the New York
soprano, sang selections from "Eli' and
Italian and sang "Suwanee River to
an encore. .i',s rt.,. ...4 -.
The memorial address was delivered
by Attorney John M, Harris. He said:
a The Memorial Address.
We have gathered here tonight to
light up by the sunshine Of brotherly
love the memory of our departed
brothers; to linger in loving remem-
brance on those who have preceded
us to that other and mysterious realm
Yet 1t Is not necessarily a season for
vain regrets and grieving. The factor
of solemnity entering into this occa-
sion Is not of the dark and morbid sort,
but "resembles sorrow only as the mist
resembles rain"
And as the blending of mist and sun
produces the beautiful rainbow In the
heavens, SO may the sunshine Of our
happiness and love tonight. mingled
with the mist of sympathy and sorrow
for these who are with us no more, pro-
duce for each of US beautiful bow Of
hope and promise. an emblem and sym
bol sweet to contemplate while living
that when me.. too shall have crossed
over to join the silent majority, behind
us here will loving friends in other
festivities keep green our memory yet
a little while 'Ashes to ashes, dust to
dust" says inexorable fate, but be 1t
with Elks, metaphorically, at least,
ashes of roses and dust Of lilies.
The memory of those we commem-
crate tonight appeared to us simply
men among men. But, friends, let us not
be too prone to look to far and unusual
fields for celebrities to worship or exalt.
THE world was made when a man was
born" says the philosopher, and the
world of wit and wisdom, virtue and
vice, as well, may be found for the look
ing, in a very small company.
And yet we cannot say Of these, our
brothers. that the record of their
achievements here on earth has been
christahzed into poetry and song, or
made the subject of the genius of the
sculptor. Their lives were spent in the
privacy of peace, not war. The his
tory of civilization Is the history, con-
flict and war Of victorious wrong. With
indomitable will and genius for de-
struction, the Alexanders and Napo-
lions. compelled mankind to subserye
their ambitions. Fame to them was the
glory of conquest.
Heroes in Times of Peace.
But there are heroes and heroines in
times Of peace as in war, and in every
community there are golden threads of
personal heroism, of self-sacrince, of
calm and quiet endurance never told
by orator, never sung by poet. They
are the heroes and heroines of every
day life. Men and women who daily
meet face to face with trials and emer-
gencies which demand the loftiest cour-