, 1902-12-08

but the sound they hear is the note Of
anguish and distress. The great heart
OF the order palpitates with sympa-
thy for the Borrowing. and. like its ma
tive prototype, is fleet OF foot. not like
it, to flee from human approach. but to
hasten to the relief OF needy and de
spairing humanity under all CirCum
stances.
AS a fraternity it believes that the
seriousness of life should be relieved
of as much of its sombrencss as pos
sible. without o~bliterating any of the
sentiments that render life beautiful
fellowship of its members; and fur one
| am grateful that it is so. The time
has long since departed, never to re
turn let us hope. when it is regarded
as a grevious shame and wrong to be
cheerful and joyous.
The ceremonies of today remind us
that there is a time and place for sad
ness. But eve on this sad occasion.
we may rejoice in the sublime conf
dcnCe that the parting from our broth
rem is only for a time. and that the re
union has in store for us pleasures IN
dreamed OF in the most delightful fan
cies of the Imagination.
A benevolent institution makes an
unfortunate mistake if it fails to rec
ogniZc and appreciate the importance
Of developing the social qualities of
mankind. The Elks commit no such
error. The eventful regeneration of the
world under the e~levating influences OF
the doctrine OF universal brotherhood
will be dependent in large measure mp
on the wise cultivation of mans social
nature. The intellect. however bril-
liant. is cold and calculating. \ hermit
or recluse is seldom, if ever, a public
~benefactOr or a philanthrOpist. Be
nevOlence is not the usual attribute OF
the person who sCOrns the society of
his fellows, or lives to himself retired
from human converse. We do o G
pect to find a shining example of char
ity in the life of an individual who vol.
UNFAIRLY. like the snail, withdraws into
his shell, as if fearing the co%ntagion or
possible contamination of companion
ship. The more extensive ones inter
course with the world the broader will
be his sympathy. He h spends his
time in meditation, sequestered from
human contact, is very liable to mag
Nifty the evils of life and underestimate
the good; and he will most likely fail
to discern the moral and spiritual val
lie Of human character. 1t is true that
solitude has its peculiar pleasures and
advantages; and that a portion Of ev-
cry mans life should be devoted to re-
Election n meditation. There are oc-
casions when a solitary hour is a sweet
and precious experience. but it will be
come less and less SO as one habitu-
ally ignores the pleasures of associa-
ton. The social features of individual
character and that of the community
are not to be despised or neglected.
The very idea of b%enevolence and char
ity implies association or c~omradeship;
and to be effective our associations
should be genial and open-hearted.
Nothing. therefore, is more conducive
to the exercise of the virtues that the
order strives to inculcate and practice
than friendly and enthusiastic inter
course. 1t exhilarates the emotions.
and infuses courage and hope into IL
unified lives.
Thus we have societies of all kinds
and for all purposes, uniting in com
mon undertakings those whose daily
necessities lead them along different
avenues of labor and %endcavor; and
with very few, if any exceptions they
are every one acutated and animated
with a desire to ameliorate the Condi
ton of men, and advance the cause OF
human progress. They are rendered
enjoyable, that the work may be more
earnest and harmonious. The men dc
not have a monopoly OF these lines OF
activity to the exclusion of the women
Noble-hearted and large-souled wo
men the civilized world over are band
ed together exerting the utmost o!
their powers, often with sacrifice. and
always with an unsefish devotion. to
ward the making of life'S pathway
more agreeable, and less burdensome
the ills that afflict humanity. We FIND
them beside the sick bed in II hospi
tails; on the field of battle with NJ ar
mics; and among the poverty stricken
people in our great cities; and there is
not a community however small thai
does not have cause to look upon wo