Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08
THE ELKS' MEMORIAL.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICE HELD At
THE ACADEMY ON SUNDAY.
THE MUSIC A SPECIAL FEATURE.
A Large Chorus Choir and the Old
Dominion sextette Take Part
Addresses by Messers BumGardncr
and Berkeley.
and Berkeley.

II would be difficult 60 imagine any
thing more impressive than the memorial
service of Richmond Lodge OF Elks held
OF the Academy Of Music Sunday after
noon. vast audience filed the house
IN every part. and the beautiful ritual Of
the Elks. with attractive and appropriate
musical selections. fervent prisons. and
powerful oratory--which. despite the ira
ditions of the place. were carried out with
the utmost decorum-formed a pro-
gramme that did not fail to touch a SYM
pathetic chord in every heart.
THE SERVICE.
The Academy Orchestra played with
much taste a paraphrase OF Ruben
STEMS melody in +, Gounod's 'Nazarath."
and Moses's Occurs ct F1eurs-" A
large chorus-choir. admirably trained by
Professor Herbert Rees. sang Nearer.
My God. To Thee" and "Come, Thou. AL
mighty Cod" with great effect and the
Old Dominion Sextette played with
degree Of finish that reflects Infinite
credit upon them on inspiring melody.
With so much feeling and taste was this
last number executed that it called forth
n burst Of applause as involuntary as
It was fattering, This was the only oc-
cason that the audience burst through
the restraint that had been placed upon
them Mesgs. F. w Cunningham. II.
T. Cardozo. +. NJ Cunningham, and
Charles Hunter sang Giffe's quartette
eco To Thy Rest; Mr. Thurston Cardozo
rendered THE Palms" and Captain Frank
Cunningham was heard in the Gospel
hymn, Some Day Wen Understand"
The opening prayer was made by Rev.
Preston Nash and the closing prayer by
Rev. Dr. George c. Vanderslice by whom
also the benedicton was pronounced.
THE ORDER OF ELKS.
The orators Of the occasion were Mr..
J. Lewis Bumgardner OF stanton.
whose subject was 1.-THE order OF Elks,"
and Mr.. w. W. Berkeley. who delivered
the eulogy on the dead.
"The aim and object Of the order" said
Mr. Bumgardner. sis 10 develop a man.
Not creature. warped by prejudice.
biased by bigotry. and bent by the bur
den of his own selfishness: but a man
a manly man: one beaming with all the
beauties and embracing all the attributes
that make him. truly, the modest work
OF God"
Such a character contended the orator.
Is only formed. such a man is only de-
veloped by his contact with his fellow
men: and his capacity is only limited by
mis- power TO assimilate, and, stamping
with hts Individuality make truly MS
own the best and noblest OF learning.
precept. and example OF those with whom
re lives. and those who left heritage
to mankind when they passed away.
The reason the order OF Eiks was
formed. he continued. was 10 give TO It's
members that close and intimate associa-
ton that nature almost requires. and
its true aim and object is to make that
association such that it will be all-pow-
erful for good. but pOwerless for evil
Briefly Mr.. Bumgardner reviewed the
history OF the order. and then dwelt elo-
cuently upon the watchwords Of Elkdom-
brotherly love, charity, and justice.
OUR DEPARTED BROTHERS.
In eulogizing the deDarted brothers. Mr..
Berkeley prefaced his remarks by an al
luson to the custom. which. he said.
was as ancient as it was commendable.
misery loves company, and distress
finds solace I'm shedding tears on the
bosom of sympathy" he continued Az
lection and tenderness are the balms
that God has provided for the decorating
and bleeding hearts. Nor are these Gus
toms meaningless; for. while engaged in
the obsecuies of a departed brother, from
wings OF angels. lowering wherever sor-
rowing hearts are gathered. there springs
an air that kindles a flame of sacred
love with the living. who weep for the
dead In raging tributes Of respect to
the memory Of the dead we honor our
selves. said Mr. Berkeley. and soothe
the pains that recur in recalling the past.
when vacant seats and silent tongues
arouse us to the stern reality that ia
mliar faces are gone.