The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-01

Below Is the eloquent address deltV-
cred by Howell Harris at last Sundays
memorial service OF the Robert Morris
lodge Of IvOrites in the Congregational
church, West Side:
The service which has brought us to-
gether this evening has its origin in one
of the loftiest traits that enr.ches human
nature. trait that places an immeasura-
Bile gulf between man and the rest CT
Gods sentient creation. II surely is an
exalted instinct. which prompts us to
honor the departed dead. to revive the ten
der memories of the past, when the lives
or those who are gone gladened and eh-
nobled. our own. Yet these memorial ser-
Vices have a deeper Significance than this.
They do not merely recall the buried past.
They are not born to regret at the inex-
orable DEGREES of fate. but rather OF grati-
tude, and In recognition of a fellowship
that was. that now is and which shall
endure forever. Without some indefina-
Bile. yet satisfactory. assurance that this
is the order of life, and that hearts once
united by the golden cords of love scan
never again be severed. these exercises
would be little more than meaningless
memories.
1t is this intangible assurance that sus-
tains hope and gives worth and dignity "a
an existence which would otherwise be
but grOm tragedy. Today, while we may
Sieu teuTS iOT tHe JOYS tudt are ueu, we
can also encourage newborn hopes FOR
the joys to come. This we firmly believe
to be the scheme of life, and thus 1t Is
that our love, instead of abating, has been
strengthened and sanctified by separation
,purgeu of its dross, leaving the pure and
immortal qualities alone as our abiding
possession. Right in this experience 1t
seems we have one of the strongest in-
timations of mans Immortality. AS long
as there Is room in our hears for an at
tachment to a personality that has passed
beyond the shores of time, SO long will the
human reason and conscience reject as
untrue any philosophy of life that neglects
to provide in its formulas an objective
reality for this experience Every natural
instinct within MS rebels against the
thought of perpetual separation from our
loved ones. The sentiment that wells
through all our being Is the sentiment ex-
pressed by the poet.
And We shall sit at endless feast
Enjoying each the others good;
What vaster dreams can hit the mood
or love on earth?
IS The hills are shadows and they flow
trom form to form and nothing
10 stands
They melt like mist, the solid lands
Like clouds they shape themselves
But in my spirit will dwell,
And dream my dream and hold 1t
true,
And though my lips may breathe
adieu
cannot think the thing farewell.
Looking around upop our order tonight
We find two faces absent. two forms miss
ing. but the circle of our affections re-
mains unbroken: not Il single segment Is
needed to complete its perfect unity. 1t
is fitting. then. that we consecrate this
hour to our departed brethren az a tes-
timOnial of undying loyalty to their MEM
cries.
Brother Elmer Williams, whom II was
my privilege to know from early child
hood, was the first to be called from our
ranks. When the great summons came,
he was just entering into manhoOd's es-
tate. Surrounded by family that idol
| lied him and an innumerable company
of devoted friends who honored and ad-
mired him. Widening prospects of use
fulness opened before him. His future
was radiant with promises of success, but
| Gods finger touched him and he slept"
We can now recall with profit to ourselves
the many noble qualities of character
which he possessed; that endeared him
not only to this lodge, but to all who as
sociated with him. His generosity was
| boundless, and his Whole nature was as
| full of sunshine as 4 cloudless day in
| summer. One of thu marked features of
| his character was his unfailing courtesy
| to all classes and conditions of men. The
polish and urbanity of his manner bespoke
| the innate culture of his mind. He took
| a wide and comprehensive view of men
| and events. and was charitable In his judg-
ments. The stamp OF true nobility was
| manifest In all his dealings with others.
At school he was distinguished for the
] ease and rapidity with which he acquired
and retained knowledge. Had the full
measure of mans days been allotted to him
| he would have won for himself a position
| in the world that any one might be proud
| to occupy. But with all the preparation
| for a career of usefulness upon earth, the
| infinite wisdom of Him that doeth all
| things well' destined that the fruit should
| be harvested in a world beyond.
f, Our duty now is to emulate his virtues.
cherish his memory and at whatever pain
| or cost to ourselves to breathe the fer
vent prayer "rhy will be DONE"
Within few weeks after the death of
| Brother Williams we were called upon to
| mourn for another member, Professor w.
| George Powell. Although our minds had
| been prepared for the end by long i'll
ness that preceded it. the shock was none
| the less severe. We were conscious of not
| one thatextended TO the world around US.
| He. too, was the devoted son and brother
of an honored family. He, too, possessed
| all the social graces that adorned life. to-
gether with a variety of intellectual gifts
| that is rarely combined in one individual.
| A learned votary of science, a passionate
| lover of.literature. an earnest seeker after
| truth inHevery department Of thought that
| engaged his attention, Professor Powell
was always a great student.
| He began life with an unquenchable
| curiosity and lively Intelligence which
| stimulated him to intense mental efforts.
Constant mental activity was to him a
| condition of existence. Perhaps he over
rated his strength and undermined It..
| But, Notwithstanding all his study. 1T
| did not stale the freshness of his mind
| nor impair its infinite varey. Geology,
| natural history and the problems of
! science were his diversion. Literature was
| his life; at least the greater part of it. He
wrote much, both in prose and poetry.
| and he always wrote exceedingly well
| and with a distinct literary flavor.
1t has been said by some one that he
was fonder of criticism than creation. !
| believe the observation to be true. II
so, he displayed by his partiaiity proper
| appreciation of the needs Of today.
! He had. however. the gifts of creation.
| The poetry he has written, especially his
sonnets, are evidence of 1t. These reveal