Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-08-12
ELKS A1 salt LIKE
Members OF the Order From
Every State in the Union
Are Present.
Eight Thousand Visitors in At
tendance at the Opening
Session Today.
Annual Address OF Grand Exalted
Ruler Pickett-Knights at
San Francisco.

! Salt Lake City. Aug. 1-E.lks from
every state in the union. thousands of
them, gathered in the great tabernacle
of the Norman church this morning to
attend the formal opening of the annual
Ireunion and grand lodge of Eks.
More than 5000 persons, a large pro-
portion of them clad in the white and
ent. Gov. Wells of Utah, delivered the
Iopening address of welcome. The eNer-
cises at the auditorium We're brief tho
impressive. After prayer and a Sc
lection on the grand organ, Grand EN-
alted Ruler Pickett of Waterloo. la,
delivered the annual address. The first
meeting of The grand lodge was held in
Assembly hall this afternoon, when the
actual work of the grand lodge of E.lks
began
Pickett's Speech.
After preaching the gospel of Elk
dom at frequent intervals during the
Year past, ii might seem the subject
would become a trite one. Ii is said
by those who have been privileged
TO gaze upon the works of the great
masters that the longer you beholt.
them the more YOU compare them with
other works of art, the more their
beauties are unfolded to your eyes.
The more | study the birth, history
. IL y
compare it with other great civic or
ganiZations, the more | see in it to
admire, to cherish and love. 1t is not
the creature of accident. 1t is not for
a passing day. 1t has permanent
place among the enduring
forces of progress. The centuries pre-
ceding made it possible. 1t was fore
ordained by the Irresistible logic of
human advancement The time was ripe
for its birth. over its cradle destiny
waved its prophetic wand and myriad
of invisible voices of the future rang
forth in glorious anthem Hail. Hail
Hail There is among all forces of
independence aud close re-
The analysis of progress
reveals broadening in all human
thought. The definition of freedom is
being enlarged in scope and conpre
hension as the years go by. The eman-
clpated seem anxious to atone for the
bigotry of former times. On every
side may be seen the manifestations
of the higher life. broader thought, Il
more humane conception of the rela-
tions of man to man. In perfect har
mony and sympathy with the influences
that have wrought these wonderful
changes and keeping step with the
grand army of progress, stands today
the Benevolent and Protective Order
of t,lks cllldom should commend it
self to the Judgment of all honest
minds. 1t possesses many possibilities
for good 1t is Il many sided order.
while fraternal in character, it diff
fers from all fraternal organizations
Ii has an American order. Born be-
meath the stars and stripes of our own
in every instinct it is Amer
lean. Its paramount principles are
symbolical of our people. Ekdom be-
ieves in charity, teaches charity. prac-
tees charity. Not that charity that
can be estimated in dollars and cents.
Not that charity that seeks reward
thru public applause. but doing good
for it's own sake. Charity without
ostentiation is the great law OF our or
der. But we believe in the higher
charity in speech in conduct, in friend
ship in love, in all the relations of
man to man. True charity uplifts the
fallen, strengthens the Weak, assists !
the unfortunate, forgves the erl'ing,
befriends the friendless and classes
within its loving arms all who need the
warmth and sympathy and love of hui
man hearts. The portals of E,lkdom
are thrown wide to all manly appl-
cants. 1t draws no distinctions. In
The republicanism of our government |
and democracy of our ideas all are
equal Our order is constructive and |
not destructive. The spirit of ICON
)clasm dWellS not within its circle. 1t |
nolests no temple, desecrates no altar |
IF his faith. attacks no creed, criticises |
40 sect. 1t shadows no dawn. darkens |
40 hope. saddens no love. 1t does not I
seek to supplant church or usurp its |
is functions. Its religion is humanity /
It's creed is friendship, its golden rule |
owe of fellow men. which embraces
md includes within itself the best,
loblest truest impulses of the human
leart."