The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-04


the steep side of Calvary. And how
true it is, my friends, that from the
unthinking world those who give most
seem to receive least. How true it is
that those who give OF their time, of
their talent and of their lives for the
entertainment and instruction and up
lifting of their felloWmen, often receive
nothing but the ashes of ingratitude.
The teachers Of the world, the prophets
of humanity, those who Jour out their
hearts for all men, often die in dcsola-
ton and friendless and alone. How
true is it that the benefactors of man
kind are often cruciffed. And yet, they
were not without their reward. They
found it in their own great hearts
They found it in the well done" of the
infinite spirit that judges all things
WELL
And So I say, mans first duty is to do
what he can to make life brighter and
better for his fellowmen. Mans high
est ambition should be to serve his fell
lows. Not the service of self, but of
mankind. is the nnblest purpose. No
other act Of man contributes in sucn
superb measure to his own glory.
Eager in pursuing the sunshine. how
long is man learning how to do it right.
Someone has said that centuries OF
breeding are necessary to produce a
gentleman. After all, man is a slow
learning animal With hurried step
he seeks the secret Of true happiness.
To find it has been his dearest dream
through weary centuries. But he can
never find 1t among the thstles of sell
fishness. Yet ready to his hand the Sc
cret lies. It is in the great principle OF
our order, those divinest words that
ever fell from human lips. DO unto
others as you would that they should
do unto you" This Is he noblest les
son Of the centuries This is the lesson
which we should learn to-day, which
we should teach to-day.
1t is net a myth. 1t is not an alb
stlaction. 1t is i great and splendid
truth. 1t is a practical living princi
pie for practical men. 1t bears in one
hand length Of days and in the other
riches and honor. 1t has done more, it
will do more, to add to the sum Of hui
man happiness than all the material
wealth of all the ages.
And this is the philosophy of the
Ell-$. They would pluck the sunshine
from the cloud. From every heart they
would dip the sorrow and fill it to over
flowing with gladness and joy. In this
age of high thinking, OF right feeling,
of practical charity, of manly usefulness
of life, when we are coming TO a COR
rect understanding Of the great prob
lens of the World-the idler, the do
nothing, and as well the active man of
merely selfish and sinister life, ought
not to be looked upon as respectable
members of society. The intelligence
the heart and brain of this generation
demand something different. They de-
mand wider charity. higher pur-
pose, a nohler usefulness. Every man
owes duty to his fellows.
Let the IIlks be leaders in this splen-
did march of progress; in this ssltely
H..
marshes of selfishness and unworthy
life up to the tablelands of philanthro-
pic thought and high endeavor and
deeds of charity. Let this great order
be first in the work Of impreseing upon
the thought and conscience Of all men
the profound meaning and practical
truth of these lessons. Thus shall we
best carry into effect the great princi
pies of our order. Thus shall we do
greatest honor to our dead brothers, in
the noblest service of the living.
And so, on this day, to us the great
est day of all the year, let us renew
our obligation to one another Let US
resolve that this great order, which we
love SO Well-and whose principles are
older than history wide as humanity
unending as the future--shall be one
OF the mightiest agencies of civilization
for the promotion OF all that is good,
all that Is noble and true, among all
the races Of men. Thus shall we best
remember Our Absent Brothers," Thus
shall we with loving hands strew sweet
est flowers upon their graves.
Then shall in the desert rise
Fruits of more than Paradise:
Earth by angel feet be trod.
One great garden Of her God.
Nh are dried the martyrs tears
Through thousand glorious years!
20 earth, SO full of dreary noises,
men, with Wailing in your voices!
delved gold, the walters heap,
y strife, Q curse, that Ger it fall,
600 strikes silence through You all.
And giVeth His beloved Sleep
llFnfl Id d