The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-03
Annual Exercises Of Tho Lodge Of Sorrow
Held at JOhnson's Hall.
HON. CHARLES /. BLAND, THE ORATOR.
Re Delivers IA Mastery Grafton 10 n
5ls Large Andicnce-The objects ana
Purposes OF the order Ably Pre-.
scented The Lodge In a Flourish.
.ng Condition.

q held iii Johnson's Opera House yester-
& day afternoon In the presence OF a very
y large audience, and were OF the usual
impressive and Interesting character.
ing programme:
Overture--Pique "paml" -.- Suppe
Soldiers Home Orchestra.
Welcome Address. Bro. c. II. Lee. Il. r.
Prayer ........... Rev, w. d. Brown
,Nearer My God to Thee" 49,.
............... Crescent Quurtette
Gorton's Mlnstrels.
Anthem observation-disclosures. Cholr
Opening Lodge OF Sorrow. ......
........s...... officers Of Lodge
Opening Ode ......... BY the Lodge
Observation-Disclosures and Flowers
Soldiers Home Orchestra.
Soprano Solo ............... Miss Smith
oration-"Cardinal Virtues of Our
.ff- 'iDIucI
Hon. Charles T. Bland, of Portsmouth,
81 Soldiers Home Orchestra.
Saratone Solo ----- Mr. j.. II. Mnrt,n
Instrumental.i. Nactmz-song. .
Am.Nfur-Song.
Soldiers home Orchestra.
Closing Exercises -. Officers OF Lodge
CLOSING Ode .,........... BY the Lodge
Benediction.
Accompanist ............ Miss Biggcrs
the Hon. Charles r. Bland, of Ports
mouth, was fine effort, and was re-
ceived with marked favor. MIR. Bland
spoke eloquently and forcibly, and never
before has n Newport News audience
been more highly entertained than by
that gentleman. The Elks of this town
are n noble set of men and 1t Is Il pleas
ure to say that their lodge Is In n
most prosperous condition. AT the re-
quest OF number of the Elks The Fir-
Einian appends the remarks Of Mr.
Bland, which were as follows:
Exalted Ruler, Brothers. Ladies' and
Gentlemen:
Like grim solitary sentinel guard
Ing the mountain of selfishness and soli-
tude which overshadows the maddening
jostling throng OF Gods beings rushing
through the busy marts and other ave
nues of life. with no thought save Of
themselves. stands Il wnnderer footsore
) and weary, In deep meditation. And as
he reflects upon the past, neeting vi
sions of days long gone pass swiftly
by In sweet review AS he
ponders sense of his loneliness steals
over him, hnd lifting his voice, he
cries out in agonizing tones,
Abba, Abba, My Lord and my
GOD. forsake thou not me- He yearns
with all the fervor of the nature OF man
to grasp fondly the warm hand
OF brotherly love- to feel the
heart-beats of pure affection and
sympathy, to gaze long and lovingly
In the eyes sparkling with faithfulness
and fidelity, and to feel the warmth
and protection of q strong arm about
him, which gives assurance of safety,
and which stands ready to guard him
through the many dangers and temp
tatlonS that encompass this life.
Such, my hearers, must have been
the condition of mind of that grand man
Charles Vivian, who conceived and put
RNnRIfinn no nj 90 hn
organization from which has
orlsen the grand Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, which NUM-
bers among Its members the flowers OF
manhood; whose every day life reflects
IN DAZZLING radiance the great
cardinal principles of the order-Cha-
rity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and FL
deity.
Let me picture for a moment a
scene. Go with me to the bedside Of a
man emaciated with disease, and upon
whose wan features the quaint wolf De-
SPAR has stamped in Enthusiastically
language the words Suffering and
Want. Hear him. as he prays the EN-
allied ruler of the universe for some
kind spirit to minister TO his earthly
needs, which are few and of short
duration. Listen as the low, muttered
name OF some long departed friend Is
called. See the pinched face light uE
as the recollection of days sweet to be
leiiSHipeFeu are recalled Tor q Drier Heet
Ing moment, then to relax and another
prayer breathed to Him who doeth al
things WE'LL" that His Will be done
Hank, step sounds upon the
stairway. Yes, 1t comes in closer prox.
unity to the door of that room
where pain and dispair have been IN
seperable companions. The door gently
opens. and kind face, radiant
with love. smiles upon that fee
BILE form, from which the last spark OF
life IL rapidly dying. The pale, expires
sionless face turns to see who the
intruder may be, and as it rests for s
moment upon countenance from which
beams only sympathy, and love, a ray
of thankfulness and joy lights VI
the dim eyes and IT thank God for your
coming" Is whispered in the lowest
accents.
Friends, Will draw the veil upon thi.
sad scene. for the Angel of DEATH
came and did that which It was com
manded to do, and from over that
lone grave sprung into existence one
of the grandest institutions known tc
mankind.
And that little church around the
corner.
May Gods richest blessing ever rest
upon those who minister to the Spirit
ual welfare of It's congregation; for from
that dear sacred spot came the encour.
aging words of holy writ that "he who
sircth to the poor lendeth to the Lord
and what the Saviour of Mankind hath
set the seal OF approval upon is worthy
OF emulation among men
From that great hearted man, who
sought out misery and want and whose
Joy In alleYiating the sufferings of his