The record-union., 1898-07-27
AN EVENING WITH The ELKS.
HOW THEY DEDICATED THEIR
NEW HALL.
Address by Hon. +. D. Ryan-Pre-
sentations, Music and Other
Features.

Tor the purpose of formally dedlcatlng
their new hall at Ninth and streets,
to the use and purpose of the order.
The beautiful, roomy hall, the
strength and beauty gathered there and
the impressiveness of the dedicatory
ceremonies will long be remembered by
those present.
The decorations of the large hall were
worthy of the Elks, and that they We're
the work of a. master was evidenced by
the fact that none were superfiuous,
and that all went to add to the charm
of the scene.
! Two great heads-of elks, of course
| looked solemnly down on the Elks and
their invited guests from either side Of
the hall, and festoons of ribbon and
smilax converged from all points to
the center of the hall, making an i'm
posing and beautiful appearance.
Potted plants stood in every conceiv-
able niche, and emblems Of the order
occupied permanent positions.
| The hall itself is finished in hard
| woods, and when flooded with electric
light from the numerous globes it stood
out as one of the most beautiful as
sembly rooms in the city.
The Elks' double quartet, composed of
| Messrs. r. T. Cohn, M. ]. Desmond, E.
S. Elkus, H. A. Kidder, Ed. Cohn, w.
E. Lovdal, c. M. Phinney and Horace
Crocker, rendered an excellent pro-
gram during the pauses in the cere-
mony, which was as follows:
| Opening Ode" by all the Elks;
Rock of Ages" quartet; Pilgrim
Chorus" from Il Lombardi' (VerdD;
Hymn of Triumph" (melody composed
| by Signor Abramhoff and sung for the
first tirne) Soldiers Chorus from
Faust; America" by the Elks and
their friends.
On the conclusion of the exercises,
Exalted Ruler Gray requested the
quartet to sing in honor of the ladies
present, "Sweethearts and Wives" and
the singers responded with a vim that
called for round after round of ap-
plause.
| DEDICATORY ADDRESS.
| Hon. Frank D. Ryan was then intro
duced and delivered the dedicatory ad-
dress. His utterances We're applauded
to the echo, and he caught the fancy
of his brethren and carried them away
on the wings of his oratory He spoke
| as follows:
| 1t is now two years and a half since
this lodge of Elks was organized.
Among the people of Sacramento at
that time but little was known of the
true principles and purposes of our or
der. An impression seemed to prevail
that the Elks was an order given en-
| tirely to the amusement of it's mem
bers. While it is true that our order
is brimful Of sociability, and the Elks
are always out for a good time, yet
there is a more serious side to our ex-
| istence. In the ceremonies you have
| just witnessed an idea can be formed
| of the solemnity with which the work
and lessons Of the order are always per-
formed. The sentiments expressed are
| in line with the principles which we
seek to impress upon the minds of all
our members. It's precepts tend to bet
| ter mankind. 1t is an order which has
our confidence and respect, and which
is destined to perform a great mission
in the affairs of life and true American
| citizenship.
| During the short period Of the ex-
istence Of this lodge our membership
has increased from forty to 165 mem
bers. Our wants and needs have so
developed that 1t became necessary to
obtain a hall Of better and more COM
| nodious accommodations, one which
we could call our own. Accordingly
we have had this beautiful hall pre-
pared, and tonight it is dedicated to
the use and purposes Of the Elks. Here
we will make the home of the Elks in
| Sacramento, and within these walls
acts Of charity will be inspired, and
fraternity, sociability and fidelity will
ever prevail.
Full of sentiment, my friends, We're
the organizers of the Order of Elks-
members of a profession made famous
by the genius of a Shakespeare; men
dealing daily with words and thoughts
that stir the heart and inspire the soul
of man were the founders Of the first
lodge Of Elks. They thought out the
principles that would appeal most
strongly to American manhood and
| American citizenship.
"They called themselves the Elks-
the name of that animal native to the
soil; gentle and timid, yet strong and
fleet of foot, and quick and keen of
perception; typical of gentle charity;
strong in their attachment and devo-
tion to principle, and quick and keen
to do justice to their fellowman.
Upon the altar Of this order as
| foundation stones were set four
cardinal principles represented in the
evening: Charity, justice, brotherly
love and fidelity. In charity the Elks
give help and assistance without tumult
or ostentation. We seek the object and
dispense in silence. Gently to hear and
kindly to judge is our prevailing senti-
ment With us life, my friends, is not
a mere conflict and trial of strength on
this earthly sphere, but it has broad
| er field of existence. 1t is vast field
of industry where the achievements Of
all mingle for the common good Mans
| efforts are brief here below, and then
we are led on to eternity. While here
it is in our power to do good for the
| advancement of the human race. Each
place in the aggregation Of sublime
charities which make man immortal.
| "In the principle of justice we have
that ray of divine light which enables
us to perceive the merits of others and
our own shortcomings In its pure flame
| envy malice and hatred are destroyed,
and in their stead honor, candor and
manhood arise phoenix-like from the
1 ashes.
In brotherly love we find that elec-
| trio current which unites the hearts
| of men. 1t vibrates at the touch Of
suffering and makes the misfortune Of
| one the sorrow of all.
Fidelity, in the words of our Ex-
alted Ruler is the bridge which spans
the chasm between time and eternity.
It's pathway leads direct to the pan
theon of the virtues. Those who trav-
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