Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-29

salt Lake lodge No s. was reorganlzcd
! with "a charter list OF iG members Thg
| odd Fellows hall was secured for TEN
porary headquarters, and the lodge al
once entered upon career OF un.
| eoualled growth and prosperity. AS
| The membership bounded upward the
necessity of having a permanent home
became more apparent The first plan
was 20 obtain suitable quarters, ana
| fix them up for the purpose. on the
25th day of October. 1893, a committee
was appointed and made reports TO that
effect From these reports grew the
determination 20 build our own home
and on the 7th day Of March, 1890, the
! committee was authorized TO purchase
| the ground.
Thus developments followed Close
upon each other. and on the 26th day
of May. 1901 the corner stone OF the
new building was laid with great Cere-
mony. Tonight we are within our new
home. our fondest dreams have been
realized As | look over the audience
1 can see smiles Of pleasure and salts
faction upon every face. Tonight we
see the result OF our labor. We have
spared neither pains nor expense 10
make our building an ornament 20 our
city and | can say without fear Of con-
tradiction, we have one OF the finest
In the western country. We have
worked hard TO build up our lodge, and
have met with wonderful success, but
is there any reason why we should not
have succeeded and have the lodge
composed of the very best men OF the
city2 The foundation Of our order Is
stronger than the foundation that this
building rests upon
stand in the presence Of many Of our
people who dwell without our portals.
Through you as well as our members
/ address myself My desire Is TO throw
some light, II possible, on the character
and purposes Of our order. The voice
Of Elkdom is plea for higher cul-
ture a better manhood, and a truer
humanity It's friendship Is for all
truth. The casual observer may as
sumo that Its purpose Is simply the
pleasure OF the passing hour. From our
outward mirth and gaiety and plens-
antries there may be those who con-
clude that the earnest side Of life Is
wanting. but there Is that within
which passeth show"
Ekdom Is constructive, and not de-
strucuye. II molests no temple desc
crates no altar, prOtanes no sanctuary.
II robs no man OF his faith; attacks no
creed darkens no dawn and saddens
no love. Il does not seek TO supplant
the church, or usurp It's functions Be-
fore It's altar kneel the adherents Of
every faith. It's religion is humanity;
lis creed is friendship. Its golden rule,
the love Of fellow man. Which em-
braces and includes within itself the
best the noblest, and the truest i'm
pulses OF the human heart.
What a picture Would that brush
Of genius could place II upon canvas,
that Il might shine forth as cloud by
day, and a pillar OF fire by night to
light all mankind out OF the bondage
Of intolerance. II Is an American or
der. Its principles and teachings
are In harmony with the best
traits and characteristics Of our
our people. It's purposes are the same as
those OF our best citizens. one Of the
prominent characteristics Of our order
is charity. II was here that charity
found its true exemplifcation. Look at
our hospitals, and countless institu-
tions, where all who need the sucoor
and care Of kind and loving hands can
find protection, The spirit is ingrained
In our every system Of government and
society, The very air is filled with the
perfume of good deeds.
Elkdom believes In charity, teaches
charity and practices charity Not the
charity that can be estimated in dollars
and cents. Not the charity that seeks
public applause, but simple charity
Charity without ostentation Is the
great law of our order" But there is
stil a higher charity 20 which all
should aspire Charity in speech, In
conduct, and IN friendship In all re-
latlons Of man 20 man, True charity
upifts the fallen, strengthens the
weak. assists within It's loving arms
all who need kindness and sympathy
and love Of human hearts. Justice Is
another principle Of our order, ana
justice Is one Of the very birth-marks
Of our people
With the growth and development of
our country. with the increasing ques-
lions OF internal administrations, and
the problems that are from time TO
time confronting US, as they have in
the past, and always will, deep sense
OF broad Justice i'm the hearts Of our
people Is Indispensable for the protec-
ton OF our institutions, Almost at tn.
close Of his life, the Great Master, in
speaking TO his disciples, said "One
more commandment | give unto you,
that ye love one another" These words
came to US almost as His farewell mes.
sage.
Since then centuries have come and
gone; nations have risen and fallen;
mighty empires have been established,
nation has been arrayed against ma
ton people against people, and brother
against brother; but In the great
awakening OF the nineteenth century,
when men were aroused to the new
conception Of the relations that should
exist between man and man. the
white Winged Messenger Of Peace
Appeared teaching the doctrine of
brOtherly love.
Would you ask me for the one
great principle, around which all 9TH
ers cling; without which homes would
be ruined. friendship severed, and all
social ties broken ] would answer.
Fidelity Can you conceive Of home,
love, friendship, manhood and woman
hood, honesty Of. conviction or faith.
or any other Of the nobler attributes
and sentiments Of the human heart
NllHVut Hdtlltl IL ElanoS tOrtn as one
Of the prominent characteristics Of
our people. 1t is the browning principle
Of Elkdom
These are paramount principles and
teachings OF our order. The great
foundation stones upon which our su-
pers;ructure rests. They are cementcd
together by many sentiments Of fellow
ship and fraternity. to which It Is not
my purpose TO allude. / have endeav-
ored TO present but a passing view of
the real heart and soul and mind Of
ElkdOm
May the Elks, and their friends who
are here assembled feel within them
selves deeper, richer. and a purer
love FOR our order; a more earnest con-
ceptlon Of It's exalted purposes. It's
higher, and It's broader mission. aud
when the thoughts Of mortality leave
you to contemplate your inevitable des-
tiny, go forth with eyes uplifted.
hearts open. hopes strengthened, and
perpetuate for all time peace and good