The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-12-02

human nature that man will undertake
to destroy the companion Of his youth,
mis- friend and neighbor to catch the
temporary hozannas Of the unthinking
multitude who applaud you today and
condemn you tomorrow. Ingratitude is
Of all things the most difficult to bear
with equanimity.
The order of Elks realizes the weak
nesses OF men in all their ugly and for
bidding aspect. Its conception Of the
duty we owe to each other is beautifully
illustrated in the work OF the ritual, a
portion OF which we have heard ex-
emplifcd by the officers Of the lodge
Pericles, the famous Athenian orator,
in delivering his mastery eulogy in
commentator Of the valor and patriot
ism Of those who bad fallen in ldeienso
of Athens when that removed city was
in the height Of her pride, glory and
magnifiConce, declared that "The whole
earth is the monument Of illustrious
men," 30 here today l can truthfully
say that every lodge Of Elks is the mon
ument OF our departed brothers. They
need no Pyramids, Pantheon, Westmins.
ter Abbey nor Hall Of Fame to be reared
as mountains TO their memory, for their
former presence is inscribed in tho
hearts OF all members Of the order, and
will continue to be az long as there is an
organization of Elks in existence. You
have heard the names called of those
who were members Of Portland Lodge
No l42 b. p. o L. There was no re-
sponse except the toll Of the gong which
signiiied that they are with US no
more, and can not participate in our
exercises. Brother Charles Vivian, one
OF the principal founders Of our order,
who headed the list of names of de-
ceased brothers, is not here. All that is
mortal of him lies buried in the beau
tiful Elk's Rest OF Boston Lodge in Mt.
Hope cemetery.
Annually ws meet to bear witness to
the fact that they are not forgot
ten who have crossed the valley of the
shadow of death, made their waythroueli
the tangled forests Of the unknown and
solved heproblems of this life. As we
gather at the graves Of our dead our
hearts refuse to relipquish the love
which their lives instilled in us. How
we are panied and grieved to part with
our loved ones who have passed from
our sight never more TO return. How
We all fear death. II we were but true
philosophers we would have no fear
How much consolation is there in the
thought OF death as expressed in Than
atopsis
Yet not to thine eternal resting
place
Shalt thou retire alone,-nor couldst
thou wish
Couch more magnificent. Thou shall
lie down
With patriarchs Of the iufant world
with kings,
The powerful OF the earth-the wise, the
good,
FAR lorms' and hoary seers OF ages
All in one mighty sepuloher.
All that tread
The globe are but handful to the tribes
Ihat slumber in its bosom"
How sad it is 10 contemplate now our
friends and brothers drift out with the
tide to unseen shores. The youngest who
are present will in few years lay down
the burdens OF the day aud take their
places with those whose memory we are
oommemoratinR. Those of us who are
in the meridian Of life will e'er long
approach its afternoon, and In a brief
time descend into the shadows Of eve
ming In few years the tolls, struggles
aud vicissitudes We encounter will have
an end. Exaoting business engagements
prevent us from devoting as much time
to the agreeable oompanionship of our
friends and brothers aa we should. We
grow Old before we realize that life is
last passing away, We are ushered into
the unmeasured realms OF eternity
before We truly grasp the grave response.
bilities resting upon as. We should not
be visionary in the connection Of our
duties, Every task we are called upon
to do should be met with courage and a
firm determination TO never finch in it's
performance.
A few men accomplish great and
brilliant undertakings and their names
are handed down for the admiration of
succeeding generations, but the man
who plOds along every day In the weari-
some work Of his life and performs the
duties deyolving upon him, faithfully
and honestly, is entitled 10 the plaudts
OF his fellows.
We can not supply the aching void
which has been suffered by the families