The Anaconda standard., 1897-12-06

u Ontnutu from rage StNel.b
Let us thank them for the opportunity
of getting for a time beyond the reach
of the bitter demon of hurry and un-
rest, to reflect upon the higher things
of life, its true meaning its present and
its future.
"Pericles said in his great oraticn
over those Athenians who fell in the
Samian war. They are immortal like
the gods. For the gods themselves are
not visible to us; but from the honors
they receive and the happiness they en-
joy. we conclude they are immortal.
And SO should those brave men be VINO
die for their country In a true sense
1t may be said that our brothers who
have gone from among us are immor-
tai. For somewhere in the great uni
verse of God we believe that they still
live We cannot believe that the spirit
of man which thinks and feels and
hopes and loves, can he annihlated
wnen we know that the poorest grain
of sand beneath our feet is immortal.
Every atom of matter lives forever.
Who then shall say that the spiritual
life of man ends at the grave and is
no more? Rather let hope roll the stone
from the sepulcher, Let love see as
cending, as from Calvary. the form of
our departed brothers. Through our
tears let us see the bow of promise
arching the gate of the Eternal City.
And, as we listen, we may hear coming
from beyond the shining battlements
the song that never was on sea or
land No. my friends, 50 long as love
shall kiss the lips of DEATH so long as
grief with bended knee and bitter tears
shall bow beside the grave. SO long will
hope spring eternal in the sorrowing
heart and point the way to immortal
ity.
There is a beautiful legend of the
City of Is. buried. yet living beneath
the waves Of the sea. And il is said
that when the day is calm. from the
depths of the ocean may be heard
sweet bells intoning the hymn of the
day and calling the worshipers to the
altar and the shrine. So While time
may bury our fecollections of those
who have gone from among us yet we
may hear coming through the years the
memories of their lives and of their
brotherly love, their loyalty and fidel-
ity.
De la Tour d'Auvergne was a COM
mon soldier in the old guard of Napo-
leon On every battle field he rendered
distinguished service To his emperor
and bore the lilies of France farther
than any other man into the ranks of
the enemy. In token of his bravery
sword was rendered him bearing the in
scription, To the first grenadier of
France. He declined it with the reply.
Among us soldiers there is neither first
nor last Again and again he declined
promotion, yet ever added to his splen-
did renown. At last he fell at the front
of the guard lighting the battles of his
country. And then an imperial decree
was issued, continuing his name on the
roll Of the old guard. And every day.
when the name of D'Auvergne was
called. the oldest sergeant answered.
Died on the field of honor And So it
is on our annual memorial day-when
the roll is called of our absent broth
ers.' the reply comes back from the
heart of every Elk, Died on the field
Of honor.
And thus 1t is my friends. that we
say to-day: To our absent brothers,
We bid them peace. eternal peace.
They have gone to that still country
where the hail-storms and fire showers
do not reach. and the heaviest laden
wayfarer at length lays down his load
- In the vast cathedral leave them,
God accept them, Christ receive them,"
The audience Was then given a splen-
did treat in "A selected solo by Mrs.
George Haldorn. The selection was the
exquisite Italian love song. Marie"
and Butte has seldom been favored with
a more perfect and sweet rendition.
either by amateur or professional. \
male uctette rendered very impressiVely
"Go To Thy Rest in Peace and them
With doxology and henediction. the sa-
cred session of the 2lks came To a
close.