The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-08

orator. and much interest attached to his
address. Tiffin Lodge is one OF the most
prosperous I'm Ohio and has large and
substantial membership. In his address MT.
Tanning said in part:
''Elks take a rational view of life, of its
duties and obligations. and on memorial
occasions like the present, when HVlnS
E,lks recall from the treasures of memory
the noble deeds and generous words OF their
brother Elks who have obeyed the IN
evitable summons, realize that they lett
for the living an Inheritance OF noble ex-
amples and that in following such modeis
of merit we honor and exalt them and our
selves and add luster TO the great order
they loved. and for whose success ana
brighter renown living Elks are pledged.
II do not doubt that the world has gone
wrong since time began in Its contempIa-
ton of death, universally regarded as a
calamity over which there should be cease
less lamentation. From "A philosophlc point
of view such pagan opinions disappear ana
death comes into view as an ambassador
of omniscient wisdom. | do not refer 10
isolated instances of death nor To war,
where the reaper revels in saturnana
of slaughter of millions 10 gratify lust Tor
power and dominion. / speak or death
per Sc of death as a providential provision
above and beyond all attending clrcum-
stances.
'In services such as we are conducting
on this occasion, IL we regarded death as
calamity would thereby arraign Provi-
dence for inficting upon the earth a cease
less storm OF desOlaton more horrlyihs
catastrophes which overwhelmed Sodom or
POmpei
1.-The life work of an Elk. as an Ell, is
s upon ASSOCIATES ks bring
less benedictons Ii Is a life adorned Dy
acts which kindle a flame of sacred love
for our great and benehcent order ana
baptiZes ii with an effulgence OF glory
which only an inspired tongue could re-
cite
Its deeds of charity and love leave a
day with unspeakable satisfaction, and
which, redeeming the memorial services
from gloom, clothes them with SuDdulng
radiance, such as the setting sun in cloud
less sky bathes the horizon.
THE souls OF our departed brothers dld
not descend with their mortal remains into
the grave. Hence, in a large measure, our
memorial services partake of sentiments
of exaltation: our thoughts are not in GEM
eteries or catacombs; nor yet in the dust.
We cherish in our memories their forms
and their faces, the brightness of their
eyes, the sunshine of their smiles and the
melody of their voiceS-expresSions of their
souls when they lived and loved and
wrought with us. Their good works are
around which we love TO linger, as we do
this memorable occasion; and as the
years go by and DEFENDERS return, we
shall come with our tributes or love TO
renew our vows of fealty to the memory OF
departed Elks. to .replenish the fires of de-
Votion burning on the affairs of our hearts.
and keep them afiame as bright as the
living lights of heaven: end here, where
every heart beats responsibility to duty and
obligations, We may rededcate our lives
and the powers of our minds to the good
and great work of extending the victories
Of our order.
Should this be our high resolve, then
memorial services will be something better
than a ceremonial tribute of love to the
dead. IL will vitalize our love for the order
and for humanity. Charity will take on
renewed glory and love. blossoming with
added beauty, will shed abroad an ever
widening and elevating influence.
I'm the onward flow of the flood of years
we. the living to-day. will be numbered
with the departed Elks. Then, surviving
Elks, true to love and to duty, will come
as have come. to this hall to engage in
memorial services In our honor. They will
come with eulogies in their hearts, on their
tongues and lips, breathing the fragrance
OF devotion TO our memory more delicious
than the perfume of flowers blooming be-
meath the magic touch of sunshine and
shower and weave them into garlands OF
cherished remembrances of u.s."