The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-12-12

preciated by the unintiated. until We
go back over the thirty-nve years OF re-
marksbie history OF the Order Of Elks
back to hat winter evening in the
year 1857. when Charles A. Vivian
Of today lie the flower"
From the small aud u-npretentious be-
beginning made by Charles 4 Eivtan.
behold the Order CT so9ay-conssrva-
tive as Of old. yet growing with vigor
ard power. One hundred and twenty
Eve thousand men are today following
is oanner OF purple and white. More
than 500 lodges. IN as many cities. are
now ffourtshinE. ovniug more than
three million dollars worth proDerty.
and e~xpending a Ike amount each year
for charitable. and other worthy pur-
poses. And the men that are marching
under the banner % the Elks are \
splendid array Of manhood. represent
ing the learned professions. and all the
arts OF peace and Of war. and including
governors 81 states. CougresSmen SEN
ators and federal judges
4 the Order has grown in numbers
and In power. IL has also hroadsned It's
tou'Nfai.on, and from It's original tenets,
applicable to local conditions have
been evolved these four fundamental
NrinCiples-Charity. Justice. Brotheriy
Love and Fidelity. What attributes.
wha virtues. are nearer the human
heart. or closer TO the great loving soul
OF humanity than theseg The greatest
ot these Is charity. Charity a. prace
ticed BY the Order OF Elk recognizes
not alone the obligation TO grant aid
and relief 10 the needy. but a broader
and ;ruer charity. that recognizes every
man as a brother, and that delights In
scattering flowers in the pathway of
suffering human life.
sss
w believe lin the broad brotherhood
contained IN the inscription on the tomb
OF Horace Mann BE ashamed tn die
until you have won some victory for
HUMANITY"
My friends. the one great secret OF
our Order il this. To dispense charity
without ostentatioa. to keep scored
the names of our brothers who have
received aid or relief AT our hands: and
70 visit and comfort the fatherless and
widows in their afiictlon. When we
fa3 70 do these things, Il is not the
fault of the order. but Of is members.
ssssss. <ss.
1t takes a manly man 10 be a true
Elk-a broad-minded man. who has
within his breast the spirit OF iolera-
ton. And l may say there is a broad
field OF labor for such men as are found
within our ranks. We look INTO the
broad sunshine upon the earth. and we
look upon man. 50 magnificent. with
such power and capacity; yet with IL all
we behold the misery and suffering OF
human life. 1t is his contradictory
and dual condition of affairs In this
world that the Elks are seeking to
overcome.
S.s.s sss
I'm concluding let me say that the
principles OF the Order OF Elks. 20
which We have pledged our devotion
for all time. are not a substitute for re
ligious faith. We believe in the broth
erhood OF man. and the fatherhood of
God; in the religion OF love. and the
gospel OF good works; yet We have con-
tempt for the man that would permit
The tenets OF our great Order To sup
pant the faith that Is in him. and that
was imbeddei in his heart around the
mothers knee.
There are men seeking admission TO
our ranks today. who would make our
principles of charity and b~rotherly love
and fidelity. a subterfuge for broken
vows. cure for a guilty conscience. and
a license for ~dishonorable habits. Let
them remain on the outside. Let IL be
made known far and wide hat 10 Is not
a part of the work OF our Order 10
| make men respectable by enrolling their
names. My brothers. on this Me
moral a when we deck the branch
ing antlers OF the FIX with beautiful
flowers. symbolical Of the purity OF the
lives OF those who ave gone before, let
| our voice be raised in a plea for Il high
| ar culture, a better manhood. and a
truer humanity.
Let US remember that Elkdom has p
remarkable past and a glorious pre- ..
ent. The future is in our hands, ? nd
the hands OF our comrades all over ,hI,
great int Let IL be fun OF ,,ono,
and good works. Let US keep al We IN,
fraternal spirit. under the b3 np.r ~
the free. The pathway OF p orr.ss a
1 before US. and down IL. | b elFeye. viii
march the inspiring hosts 81 Elkdom
carrying nigh above thei { heads. high
as hope's graf annf thToDo ;ng star; thos,
BrOtherly Love. and Fidelity"
The address OF NJ r TomlInson was
gem and was yer s highly appreciated
and compliment
When the address, w-as concluded. tn,
orchestra play ed a grand overture. a n
the male qr.artettc followed with tn
singing OF an anthem. Great God. q
Thee My evening Song"
During the singing OF this anthem.
col!ecti ~ WAS taken for the benefit q
The Associated Charities.
The closing exercises consisted OF tn,
singing OF the anthem. % MrfheT. Dea
Jerusalem and the hrnediction. Tn
audience dispersed while tn oTchcstr
rendered a beautiful section.
The exercises OU ~ occasion wer
greatly appreciated re- .rs5ved. an
were in every way = ~ucerE
Professor All r. Tapp the ac
c~ompanists on tn ceca .DI nd hi
playing on the piaHH Eaa ia -n3uyabl
feature Of the occ2- -'.
The collection -t-H :. SsIy an
WAS urned over yeEf. -&-y F.. Er- J.
Fowler. chairman % ..,c rr.n;ni;tes
The Cowan Bros. tr-Le = free US
Of the opera house th- ur.i:~a:-a an
the singers rendered their services free
Cubn and Snn-~ntInu