The record-union., 1896-12-07
ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICES
Held Yesterday by Sacramento Lodge Of
ElkS.
Interesting Exercises-A Tribute to
the Departed by Esteemed
knight G. N. Post.


sembled at the Congregational Church
yesterday afternoon to witness the an
nual memorial services held by sac
ramento Lodge, No. 32S. Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks.
An exceptionally good programme
had been arranged by the committee,
and the singing by a quartet composed
of Mrs. j. A. Moynihan, Mrs. Mary
Ross, Mrs. r. H. Hawley and Mrs B.
+. Howard was worthy Of much praise.
The quartet rendered two selections
LEAD, Kindly Light" and ABIDE
With Me-
The opening and closing ceremonies
Of the lodge were impressive, and the
rendition of the opening ode, to the
tune of '.Auld Lang Syne," brought out
q number of we'll trained voices.
The closing chorus Of twenty-five
male voices, in selections from Than
atopsis," was all that could be desired,
and showed once again that the local
talent of Sacramento will compare IA
vorably to that Of any city on the coast.
The euIogy delivered by Esteemed
Leading knight Charles N. Post, In
memory Of Our Absent Brothers,, was
q gem in itself. Mr.. Post said:
Exalted Ruler, brother Elks, invited
guests: Pursuant to one Of the laws OF
the order, Sacramento Lodge, No. o2o,
of the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks meets here to-day in sacred
session for the purpose Of paying
fitting tribute to the memory Of those
brothers who during the past year have
ended their life work, and found I'M
mortality in death.
"This custom Of publicly honorng
the deceased members of our order Is
one that is not observed by any other
fraternal society, but its propriety and
beauty cannot be questioned
IT deem 1t proper at this time TO say
something with reference to the order
itself, its early history, the material OF
which it is composed and the purposes
for which it exists.
"The Order Of Elks Is a child OF
America, and one of it's noblest on
spring. It could not have been de-
vised by the mind of man under any
other conditions than those that exist
In our free country and under our 1ree
institutions, It has no ranks and IL
ties; 1t Is no reSpecter of persons. All
Elks are equal, differing only as one
may excel another in loving the good
and the beautiful, and in performing
noble deeds in silence and without pa
rade.
Its primary object is to succor those
in sickness and distress, and to help
the weak and unfortunate and cheer the
despondent Following modestly in the
train Of this grand purpose are other
aims that aid in its fulfillment by
teaching men how to live by frequent
intercourse under proper restraint, that
curb selfishness and excess, and which
Eli man how to enjoy the good things
of life without abuse The founders
of the order had no conception Of the
scope and possibilities Of the present
organization. They never dreamed of
it's greatness, but they are entitled to
and deserving Of every credit for SOW
ing the seeds that have produced such
magnificent and gratifying results.
They 'builded wiser than they knew
1.-THE first lodge of Elks was organ
lied on the 21st day OF May, 1868, in
the city Of New York. It was composed
Of only a few gentlemen Of the theatri-
cal profession, drawn together for So
ciai intercourse. It has now developed
into a widespread and powerful order
Of benevolence and charity, with lodges
in nearly four hundred Of the princi-
PAL cities of the Union
'The idea has become prevalent that
none but members OF the theatrical
profession and it's dependencies are ell
gtble to membership in the order. This
IS erroneous. 1t is true that nearly all
of the reputable male portion Of the
profession are members, but on the roll
Of membership Will be found the names
of prominent officials, President elect
Mckinley among the number, mer-
chants, bankers, journalists, legal and
medical men, and the bright lights of
the world In art, literature and music.
THE social connection, the oppor-
tunity to bring the brothers into a
clearer conception Of the true claims
for consideration of its members, is only
one object OF the order Of Elks.
Brotherly love and justice are
not the brightest jewels in the
crown Of worthy member. Charity
shines forth prominently in all their
actions, the beacon light that guides
them from the shoals of reckless lib
erality and quicksands Of proverbial
prodigality.
TT is needless to refer to the we'll
known generous charity of this or
der whenever occasion demands its aid.
Scarcely can the cry Of distress echo
on the air, the wall Of misfortune or
the moan of despair summon assist
ance ere the E.lks tender the best eff
forts to aid and relieve questioning
neither country nor creed, doctrine nor
belief.
This order is a purely charitable or
ganization, seeking to do its charity IN
silence, that the proud spirit that suf-
fers In secret, fearing more the blush
of shame that comes of asking than
the pangs of hunger, may feel that
never will its sore need nor the man
ner of it's alleviation be published to
the world, and that the faults, the
frailties, the necessities and the help
extended will remain as sacred conf
dences never to be divulged. And this
fully explains the reason for the great
est secret Of the organization.
The faults Of our brothers we should
write upon the sands; their virtues