, 1902-12-08
ELKS


that like the blood thai c~irculates
through the body keeping it healthy
and vigorous, the influences Of the les.
sons of the institution whose ritual
we observe may permeate the Do:ly OF
the order stimulating to higher re,
solves, warming the affections, and
rendering radiant the entire member
ship with eXemplifications of charity
and b%rotherly love, fidelity to duty, to
brethren and to God.
Neneration for the dead has been
characteristic of the human ace or
o: enlightened people from earliest
]eievating influences of mankind. We
discover its expression in monuments.
as well as funeral orations; but they
are only the outward show OF a sen
timent imbedded in the reCesses of the
soul. As far back as history is record.
e. in any form. the custom has prevail.
character over those from whom the
immortal spark of life has taken its
flight. 4 change. however. mysterious
as well as important, has occurred in
the manner of preservingtheir memory.
| A~nCiently those nearest the departed
ores spoke at their funerals, fathers
the bravery and chivalric deeds OF
sons: the praises and virtues of wives
and daughters being publicly extolled
by those who honored and loved them
most. 1t was regarded as a solemn
Guty to ~acquaint the public with the
character and ~praiseworthy conduct
of modern civilization the fOndest lips
are closed; those most familiar by ia
mily associations with the departed
one feel it incumbent upon them to
hold within their own breasts free
from public recital on their part his
acts of kindness. ~benevolence of heart,
and friendliness OF character, while to
others. whose impulses are less likely
to be controlled by grief, is delegated
the privilege of sounding the praises,
and bringing before the public gaze the
crowning acts of him whose book OF
life on this earth has been sealed for
ever.
Death is said to be natures supreme
adherence. 1t is a difficult thing for
men of all shades OF color and Of
thought to contemplate the tomb with
out a shudder and a dread. The inevi-
table earthly consequence of life has
grown into the one awful source of sor-
row for all human generations; and at
the same time let us say it reverently
and thankfully, has contributed i'm
m~easurably to the development OF hui
| man sympathy. In the language of
another:
There is no appeal for relief from
the great law which dooms us to the
dust. We flourish and fade as the
leaves of the forest; and the leaves
that bloom and wither in a day nave no
Trailer hold upon life than the might
lest monarch that vel shook the earth
with his footsteps. Generations of men
will appear and disappear as the grass,
and the multitude hat throngs the
world today will disappear as the foot
steps on the shore. Mel seldom think
of the great event of death until the
shadows fall across their own path
way, hiding from their yes the faces
of loved ones whose loving smile was
is the antagonist of life, and the cold
thought of the tomb is the skeleton OF
all feasts. We do not want to go
through the dark valley. although its
dark passage may lead to paradise.
We do not want to lie down in the
damp grave, even with princes as bed
fellows"
1t has been so natural for us to as
sociate our personal grief over the
loss of loved ones with the idea of
death itself, that we have as a race
been brought to regard it as a monster
the arch enemy of mankind-and we
have bestowed upon it m sufficient
1t may help us somewhat to overcome
this feeling of despair if we can get
hold of the conception of death OF
those who lived in times of remote an,
tiquity. AS we view their interpreta.
ton of the greatest mystery of all ages,
we are apt to be lost in wonder that
and without modern faith could arrive
at SO happy a solution of the end of
mortal existence. 1t is related that in
the Temple of Juno. at Ellis. Sleep and
his twin brother Death were represent
ed as children reposing in the arms of
Night. On various funeral monuments
sculptured as a beautiful youth. lean.
ing on an inverted torch, in the atti-
tude of repose. his wings folded and
his feet crossed. In such peaceful and
attractive forms did the imagination of
ancient poets and sculptors represent
death. In referring to this conception
whose souls the religion of nature was
like the light of stars. beautiful, but
faint and cold. Strange that in later
days this Angel Of God, which leads us