The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-07

duty to state. It stands for the equal
ity of good men. 1t has no politics.
but its membership is an active pro-
test against intolerance and bigotry in
the law and those in public station To
come within its charmed circle it re-
qt1ires no religious test. Its theories
preach the preceDt Love thy neigh
Dor as myself and it's practices pro-
While it knows no creed, all creeds
mtngle in its lodge room in large man.
hood and true brotherhood Its only
test of faith is belief in the existence of
Supreme Reing. which is not tenet of
any religion. but the conviction reached
by the intelligence of man contemplate
ing his presence here.
Its greatest principle is charity-not
bedecked and dedizened. but silent.
transformations charity. Not the sort
that parades with eymbal and trumpet,
but the kind that steals away in
silence and the dark to do a good deed
Not alms-giving alone. but heartfelt
sympathy, charity that is a broad
humanity, the tenderness and toIera-
tion for the frailties of a brother that
We fain would have him extend toward
our own shortcomings. This order
takes man as he is and is tolerant OF
his human weakness. Tt seeks to aid
him by no dogma, but his life is bound
TO be made better by associa ton with
those who follow it's teachings. Where
selGshness and meanness is frowned
upon, where charity for the faults of
others is exemplified by everyday ex-
perlence, man Is bound to catch an
inspiration for broader thinking and
better living. While it's federation is
broad, 1t is not indulgence and invita-
ton for man to crit is in no sense
maudlin-but it does not condemn if
ne is human enough to let his weak
ness overcome him. 1t always has it's
helping hand outstretched; it does not
chlqe, put seeks to restrain by example
ana pleading to his better nature.
Inc staid, sepulchral individual, who
can see nothing but wickedness in joy,
often processes to be shocked at the good
Ieelng ana merriment of the members of
TINS order. To rational beings this is his
misfortune and not our fault It is true
that Elks have capacity for joy. Their
deVotlon to the principles of brotherly
love-, charity and honest friendship is
proof against gloom and is a stimulant
make max, merry as they go about prosecuting
the great work of their order, always
feeling and believing that those who
transform gloom into smile of joy are
doing good for man. They realize that
the best way to feel good is to do good.
Their aims giving and charity done I'M
consciously, is done merrily, is still prac-
teal and placed where it will do the
most good. Within their means it is
measured only by the want about them.
1t reaches beyond the needs of their own
brothers and blesses everyone who is
worthy and in time of dare calamity it
has proven itself a very rock of refuge
from the food of disaster.
In all it tries to teach man to live right
with his fellow man, believing that if he
does this, the brave, feeling, manly soul
will not falter when its final summons
comes.
And now today Elkdom holds close to
its great heart the memory of its dead
This service but formally voices the real
sorrow we experience as we recall those
brothers who cannot answer their names.
With the exception of their immediate
knew them in life. We saw them as they
came to our quarters when they had
| ttnIoWn from their shoulders TINS world s
burdens that narrow and harden the ma
lures of men. We saw them as they sat
as loved comrades in our circle and as
the quip and jest went round we saw
the smile of men at peace with all the
clasps that spoke the hearts that beat for
friends We knew them as they did their
part, faithfully, and we'll to advance the
work of this order and felt the influence
we knew them at their best, and it is
thus we recall them we meet to call
their memory, the influence of their lives,
Of their work we'll done. answers here"
in the hearts of their brothers.
Following is the programme as given:
PROGRAMME
Voluntary .-..... Steinberg's Orchestra
Address. Rev. Bentley, New York
Opening exercises ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
...-. Exalted Ruler W. F. Coulson
use Quartette
.Officers of the Lodge
fOpening Ode. the Lodge
Great Ruler of the Universe, alI-seeing
and benign,
Look down upon and bless our work,
and be all glory thine
And let this be our sign, O Elks, and
let this be our sign,
The Golden Rule our motto true, for
the days of "Auld Lang Syne''
Prayer. Chaplain VIM. Henderson