The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-06
HONOR TO DEPARTED ELKS.
MEMORIAL SERVICES IN THEIR
HONOR AT THE THEATER.

|
an Appropriate Musical and Liter
airy Prog ramme-POetic Recita-
tiOns by Messrs j. F. B. Beckwith
and Isaac Beckett-Mr. w. II. Leak
en- Delivers the General EuIogy.
The Opening Prayer by Rev. L. p.
Nendes.
| At the Savannah theater yesterday were
| scenes not often seen upon the stage The
Savannah Lodge of Elks met to do honor
! to the memory of those of their number
who have departed life during the year.
The chairs of the lodge room were ar
ranged upon the stage and occupied by the
officers of the lodge Exalted Ruler w. ].
Watson presiding. Around him were the
other officers. and in a circle were the
members Of the lodge. A large congrega-
ton had gathered, the orchestra and bal
cony being well filed, and many ladies
being present
Wherever there is a lodge of Elks these
exercises were held yesterday the world
over, and everywhere much interest is
manifested in them. The exercises began
with opening ceremonies as prescribed by
/ the ritual, this being read by the exalted
/ ruler and responded to in part by other
officers. There was but one name when
the secretary was called upon for the roll
! OF the departed members of Savannah
iodge-Robert Francis Burdell.
! The song, Lead, o Spirit" was pref
/ tily rendered by the quartette composed
Of Mrs May Silva, soprano; Mrs. w. w.
/ Itrne aIt
and Mr. w. F. Blois, bass, Miss Florence
| Coldlng acting as accompanies. The ex-
! allied ruler then asked each of the officers
what duties there were for him to per-
] form, and each made his response The
sign of grief was given and then followed
the opening prayer by Rev. T. P Mendes
of Mickva Israel temple, who, in remem-
bering the dead, made a supplicat.on also
! for the living, and for the perpetuation of
the brotherhood and fraternity of the
| Elks. -'t
! Mrs. May Silva sang very sweety
Peace from on High" which was follow
! ed by the recitation of Gray's Elegy writ
ten In Country Churchyard. Mr.. Beck
with's powers of elocution are well known
| and through his talent his renditions are
made most effective. Following a very
enjoyable solo by Mr.. w. F. Blois. Mr.
! Isaac Beckett recited Bryants Thanatop-
! sis with excellent effect. Mrs. W w
! Gross excellent voice gave fine rendition
to Nearer, My God, to Thee" and her
| song touched a chord in the hearts of
! many of her hearers
The general eulogy to the departed mem
| bers of the Elks was delivered by Mr.. w
r. Leaken MIR. Leaken said:
| Exalted Ruler: l asked chat this lodge
| of sorrow be called on, standing and that
the audience stand in respect 10 the de-
| pared Elks.
80, eternal God, whose days are with
out end and whose mercies cannot be num-
| bered We humbly commend the souls of
our deceased brothers into Thy hands
! 20, Exalted Puler of the universe; into
! thy everlasting arms take these souls,
| keep them until the days of parting are
no more and we all meet again. %
! ''The eulogy or eulogium of the departed
! Elks in this world embraces a sombre
| subject When this eulogy is to all the
| brothers in Elkdom, who have gone be-
| fore, from their earthly lodge to our heav-
| emily home. a solemn sentiment tempts us
| to break the sweet silence enjoyed by
those in the lodge of the dead; and we all
! unconsciously. with their spirit hands,
! touch the grand organ of human har-
mony upon the companion keys of COM
mon sorrow, and individual loss!
"uulogium or well saying or praise like
solon's law, forbids men to speak i'll of
the dead.
Plutarch says that piety requires us to
consider the dead as sacred.
Justice calls upon us to spare those that
are not in being and good policy, to pre-
vent the perpetuation of hatred
Here in the home OF many a brother Elk
| upon a common stage, aye, a common
| q a
! by cathedral chimes or altar lights, but
with one universal prayer to the Exalted
Ruler of us all, not even in "the little
church around the corner" We all, Jew
and Gentle catholic and Protestant in
this lodge of sorrow, attest a living men,
orlal of those brother Elks who have
crossed the river.
1T is a beautiful sight, a grand con-
| ception and a triumphant tribute to the
brotherhood,of mankind Yes, even back
| into the endless ages, into lands of dark
ness, from the cradle of civilization, we
can hear. like bells at evening pealing, >"
that common human feeling, the love of
the past the one universal prayer, poeti-
| cally portrayed
80 for the touch of a vanished hand
And the sound of a voice that is stil.'
1.-The Phantom Phalanx of our Pilgrim
brothers pass now in review on their eter-
nal march--poet, priest and people hear
the hymn of heavens host re-echoing the
earthly chants. The history of humanity
is gemmed with these songs of love and
! loss.
"Oh. my brothers and friends! There
will be no dark valley in that immortal
life; there will be no more sorrow; but a
| glorious morrow
" In that sweet bye-and-bye.
When we all shall meet again.
Like PHOSPHORUS in the dark, the light
| of common brotherhood shines best"
The quartette rendered a very touching
| song, Rest, Spirit Rest" which was fol-
| lowed by the closing ceremonies. as pre-
/ scrbed in the Elks ritual The exalted
! rgler asked Of each officer had justice been
! done the departed members of the order
| and the response came in the affirmative.
| The benedicton by Rev. l. p. Mendes