The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-07
ELKS LODGE OF SORROW.
THE ORDERS SOLEMN TRIBUTE TO
ITS DEPARTED MEMBERS.

Impressive Memorial Service by the
savannah LodSe-The Lives OF
Eight Brothers Recalled and Their
Deeds FittingIy Common Grated.
Appropriate Addresses by Messrs.
II. j. O'COnnor and w. II. Leaken.
The RituaIistic Service.
The memory Of the deceased members
of the Savannah Lodge of the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks was paid fit
p ting tribute at the memorial services held
at the theater yesterday afternoon. The
ceremony was simple, but impressive, and
the arrangement of the exercises was per-
. feet.
The stands and desks of the officers
had been brought from the lodge room
and properly arranged upon the stage.
The following officers of the lodge
took part in the ceremony:
Exalted Ruler w. w. Starr. Esteemed
Leading knight w. J. Watson, Esteemed
Loyal Knight I. N. Wells, Acting Esteemed
Lecturing knight c. E. Wakefield, Chap
lain Isaac Beckett, Secretary L. J. Max
well, Treasurer w. b. Puder.
The speakers, P. J. O'Connor, Esq, and
w. r. Leaken, Esq, occupied seats on the
right and left.
The service was opened by the reading
by the exalted ruler of the beautifully
worded announcement of the opening of
the lodge of sorrow from the ritual of
the order The list of the
deceased members of the lodge
was then read by the secretary.
This being the first lodge of sorrow held
by the Savannah lodge since its organiza-
tion, all the members who have died since
that time were included in the tribute.
Their Bames are Walter r. Curtis. Charles
D. Russell, Carl A. Reitze, Alexander C.
Timer, Henry Taylor, James F. Lane,
Milo S. Freeman, George L. Cope.
A hymn was sung by the choir. consist
ing of II. w. Readck, Thomas S. Belts,
G.. w. Beckett and A. F. King.
The prayer was read by the chaplain and
was followed by the reading of the me-
mortal service by the officers.
This was followed by the recitation of
Bryants "Thanatopss'' by Mr.. Beckett
The poem was well ntted to the occasion.
Mr.. Beckett's recitation was a most i'm
pressive one.
as a solo by Mrs. P E. Gurganus.
Mr. O'Connor was introduced by the ex-
allied ruler to explain the aims, objects
and purposes of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective order. Mr.. OiConnor prefaced his
remarks with some well chosen thoughts
on death. The principles Of
the order = charity Justice. BROTH
erly love and fidelity-were each
dwelt upon and the manner in
which they are applied by the members
of the order illustrated. on the topic of
fidelity, Mr.. O'Connor said this includes |
not only fidelity to the order, but fidelity |
to country as well, including thor
ough devotion to the principles of civil |
and religious liberty
Mr.. OConnor's ability as an orator is |
well known, and it is sufficient to say of
his address that it was up TO his usual |
standard.
The quartette sang Good Night"
Mr.. W. r. Leaken had been chosen for
the memorial address, THE Memory of
Our Departed Brothers" The choice was
a wise one. Naturally, as stated by Mr..
Leaken, 1t was not practicable for him
TO pay special tribute to each of the de- |
ceased brothers, which made it necessary
that his address should be of a general
character. Nevertheless his tribute to the |
departed was loving one and filled with
tender sentiment. A number of poeticaI |
quotations, suitable to the theme were in
trodueed by Mr.. Leaken, with good effect.
The illusions to the pleasant associa-
tons Of the living with the deceased broth |
ers was touching, and some of those in the |
audience were visibly affected
Nearer, My God to Thee was sung
with fine effect by Mrs. Gurganus. the
accompaniment being played by Mrs. viii
son.
This concluded the exercises, and the /
exalted ruler announced the close of the |
lodge of sorrow without further ceremony.
Had the impressive character of the
service been more generally understood
the attendance would certainly have been
much larger Many people, doubtless, did
not comprehend that the ritual of the Elks
included solemn, but beautiful, ceremo-
ny, yet such is the case.
The Elks are the only secret
fraternal order in which no in
ducement in the way of ben
efits to members during the life or their
families after death is held out, and vet
is at the same time one of the most char
liable orders in existence Its charity is
not confined to its own membership. but
is extended to all deserving objects.
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-..... CUT HIS FINGER OFF