The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-06

opera House yesterday afternoon, in
memory of the deceased members of
Wheeling Lodge, No. 2S, Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, attracted a
splendid audience, and the services were
beautiful and impressive, The addresses
of Mr.. John Calvin, of Cincinnati Lodge,
No. 5, and Rev, c, f. Clark, OF Thorn
son NJ, e, church, We're excellent efforts,
and evoked flattering comment, The
other features of the programme were
also of a high order of merit,
The character of the exercises was
appropriately set forth on the stage.
The names OF the departed brothers
We're inscribed at the base OF tall
White SHAFT, which was garlanded with
IVY. Around the base of the SHAFT were
heaped fiowers, and palms placed judi
ciously around The stage heightened the
effect The deceased members are:
Samuel a Miller II. j. Mansfield, Jo-
seph Melrose, Ralph Wilmarth. Samuel
Leizkus, W NJ Davis, Robert b. Smp-
son, Albert II. Adler, a. u. Garden, Y.
Geraghty, A G, Sprague, Iohn ID,
brown j. r. kline, Kate Castetun, an
honorary member.
The members of Wheeling lodge oceu-
pied seats % the front OF the theatre,
and ON the stage besides the speakers
were Exalted RIDER Joseph Ward and
Secretary John Richardson. The Opera
House orchestra played an overture as
prelude 10 the memorial services The
audience Joined In singing the opening
ode AND Rev. A. O. Robb made the
prayer,
Mr. Will b. Days solo, 1.-THE Light of
the World was sung With pretty effect.
After another selection by the Opera
House orchestra, Mrs. Flora Williams
sang II Know that NV Redeemer Liv-
eth in Der usual fi:lsned manner
The eNogy-"OIr I3ternally Absent
Brothers"-w.s then delivered by Mr..
Calvin, WHO said
Exalted Ruler, Brother Elks, Ladies
and gentlemen
"When 10 Tho flowers 50 beautiful
The Father gave n name,
Back came little blue-eyed one
(All timldly II came
Aud Standing at its Fathers feet,
And gazing In His face,
Y said In low and trembling tones,
Dear God. the name Thou gavcst me,
Alas, have forgot
Kindly the Father looked him down
And said, 'Forget-me-not.
This timId but beautiful little flower,
nNHlbbllS VI ivy dllu ltIitIUVSs, ~ VIE
floral emblem Of our order, and once a
year, on the first Sunday In Deem
Der, In accordance with our law, we
meet In sacred session 10 place the
sweet fOrgct-me~not. togethe with the
anaranth of Immortality and the cling
Ing Ivy Of devoted friendship upon the
memorial tablets WHEREOF are enrolled
the names OF our eternaLy absent
brothers.
Il Is not intended that sorrow and
tears SHOULD be the prevailing iullu-
eilces In these sacred sessions. We be-
lleve that sorrow should bC hut n ileet-
ing shadow crossing the sunshine ot our
lives; thai the heart should be 50 full
Of the giaduGsG and sweetness Of life as
to leave little abiding place there for
grief Sorrow comes to us unsought.
unbiddeH, and unweluomed, 1t should
he like an unwelcome guest, accorded
no place at our hearthstOra.
The purpose, therefore, Of these me-
mortal services la not So much to grievo
about our departed brothers. or to weep
tears of bitterness or pity that they
have been taken from us, hut 1t ISL
rather TO kindly touch the heart strings
of tenderness by gently referring to
those VINO were our assOCiates and to
bring the memories OF them back to us
perpetuated only by love; to recall the
hours of pleasure we passed together
when they lived, loved, laughed, and
liked life so we'll, to commemorate the.r
virtues-faults they had none: to recall
their noble traits, their hindly DISPOSE
lions their abiding love Of home and
kindred; to draw lessons Of good from
their lives to aid us In living ours; and
TO be reminded by their absence that
some day the call VIII come for each of
us In our turn, and to prepare ourselves
for that and for the reunion with these,
our loved ones. In that place where no
memorial services are ever held, and
where absences are unknown, and
where all Is peace. and light, aud hap
pness
And with what tender feelings We re-
call those little deeds and words Of
Kindness that perhaps In life were
passed by unnotlced; ana though these
memories are accompanied by n sad
ness, 1t Is sadness that we would not
exchange for any scenes Of revc1ry or
gaiety II purchased at the price Of for
getiulness. Sad memories are some
times the sweetest after all. And
should these memories call UP bitter
recollections Of duties unperformed on
our part, or OF offenses committed,
though II be too late TO make repara
ton to the dead, let IL act as warning
and guard over our conduct toward
the living. For. surely as We think OF
those absent. dear ones. there viii arise |
before us hundred little occasions on
which we fancy we might have been
more considelatc. more thoughtful,
more patient more sympathetic, moro
brOtherlY. or perhaps even more Chart- |
able; and we sincerely wish we had
been It all teaches us a lesson that We |
need TO he careful how we deal with |
those about us, when every death car |
iles TO some circle OF survivors thoughts
OF 80 much omitted, and so little done, |
OF SO many things forgotten, and SO
many more which might have been re- |
paired, There Is no remoTsc so deep as
that which is unavailrg. II we would |
be spared It's fortunes. lot uB remember
This In time.
III thou dost bid thy friend farewell.
Though hut for one night that farewell be, |
Press thou hts pain without tNino;
How Canst thou tell how far from thee |
Fate or caprice may lead his feet?
Men have been known 70 lightly turn
Tho corner Of street
And days have grown to months and
months
10 weary years Gro they have
looked In loving eyes again,
Parting at host Is undcrlnld with tears
With tears and pain.
Therefore lest sudden death should come
between,
Or tino or distance,
Clasp With pressure true the hand
or him that gocth forih-ursocn fnto
Eocth too,
Yea, ilnd thou always time 10 fay
Some cnrncat words between the ldlc tak. |
Lest with thoN honCcf0rih day by day
Regret should walk"
But now let M turn for moment 10
those dear nbscn, oucB whose memories
Mp OtilOrlZp tns1uN ThpV Nutp Ipud |