The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-07
Indianapolis Lodge Gathers, as Is
Custom, To Refresh Memories of
Those Who Have Gone.
PAST EXALTED RULER SPEAKER
'TO OUR DEPARTED BROTHERS" is
THE TOAST FROM EVERY LIP.
j. q. Lammis, of LIE Mars, Ia, De1iv-
ers Principal Address-Lodge Of
Acers Conduct Services.

The annual memorial exercises Of the In
dianapolis lodge of Elks took place at Eng
lish's Opera House yesterday afternoon, and
the services were attended by a large audi
ence. The memorial address was by ]. u.
Sammis, past exalted ruler of the order,
of LIE Mars, Ia.
The presiding officer OF the ceremonies
was j. Z. Bell, of this city. The large
choir of Christ Church, under the direction
Of Mr.. Joseph Joiner, contributed mate
rally to the musical features. The stage
was decorated with potted plants and the
pulpit was entwined with the national COL
ors.
The services opened with the chimes Of
Nearer. My God, to Thee" played by u.
@. Leedy. The choir of fifty-five voices
then sang the professional hymn, Onward,
Christian Soldiers" Mr.. Bell was assisted
in the opening ceremonies by officers of the
lodge, who sat on the stage. After the
anthem, praise the Lord the audience
and lodge sang the memorial ode, as fol-
lows:
Great Ruler of the universe
All-seeing and benign,
Look down upon and bless our work
And be all glory Thine
Oh. hear our prayers for the honored dead.
While bearing in our minds
The memories craven heart
For Aud Lang Syne."
One Of the special musical features was
a soprano solo, MY Redeemer and my
Lord" sweetly sung by Miss Bessie Scott,
Of Oshkosh. Wis. Another special feature
was an anthem. when the Day is Over"
by Master Joseph Wilde, soloist, the choir
and quartet composed of Mrs. w. H. How
ard. Mr.. o. d. Walker, Miss Eva Jeffries
and Mr.. Charles ID. Green. The boy solo,
lists sweet and clear soprano was a reve-
lation to the audience and the number was
all too short
OUR DEPARTED BROTHERS"
Col. Russell B. Harrison. chairman of the
memorial committee, read a list Of the
members OF the order who have died since
the last memorial service, as follows: Her.
man Fromeyer. Jan. a. 1908; George A.
Woodford, Feb. 1; Frank B. Burke, April
s; John E. Foley. April %: w. E. Klein
smith, May %; Richard w. Berent, June
10; Valentine Fahrback, Aug 3; Harry b.
Hill, Aug. IL; Henry Cavett. Nov. a.
The address OF Mr.. Sammis was filled
with eloquence and was calculated to
bring peace to troubled hearts. 1t was lis
tened to with interest. In the course of his
talk the orator said
IF / should say that the Order of Elks
was founded on principles more just or
more charitable, or more Christian-like
than those underlying some other organi-
zations of established strength and reputa-
ton 1 might be charged with going too
far along the line of self-glorification, but
in simply saying that no order surpasses
It In these regards l am certainly within
the bounds of truth. 1t teaches all of
charity and all of justice and all of broth
erly love and all of fidelity that is taught
by any society or any sect, and its every
lesson and every symbol appeals to mans
usefulness and right living.
I'VE are so prone to be narrow when we
point that Often thnE the eg WopId sSa a5d
be better and the cause of true Christianity
wonderfully advanced If creed distinctions
might be swept away and sectarianism
abolished, and all who believe in the pure
religion of upright living and doing good
would unite under the vast dome of God s
canopy and as brothers works together for
the upbuilding of simple, sensible, Chris
tan righteousness.
1T am not of those who believe that one
form of religion is better than another. or
that the church on this side of the street
points surer way to heaven than that on
the other side. 1t is what we do, not the
manner or form of doing It; the way we
will count in our behalf on the last great
day. We shall be known by our fruits.
and 1t matters not to what church we be-
long, OF Dy WHAT IOTInS we worship, or by
what route we may choose to GO We ali
seek the same goal. and may God speed
the day when there will be such a catholic
ity of thought throughout the world that
all who yearn for a higher and better life
may stand shoulder to shoulder, presenting
front unbroken by the lines of senseless
and useless creed. When that time comes
right will be enthroned and wrong over
whelmed as certain as the morning sun will
scatter into nothingness the damp vapors
of the night.
NEED FOR MEN.
1.-THE crying need of our times is for good,
intelligent. patriotic men and women, and
any organization that assists in the MAX
ing and training of these is entitled to a
high place among the institutions of our
land. We are standing to-day in the door
way of a new century, facing conditions
that are almost as novel as if a vast con-
vulsion had hurled us through space and
we suddenly found ourselves sitting beside
one of the canals of Mars. They are con-
ditions to which the tenets of our fathers
do not apply. but we must meet them
courageously and solve them honestly
Many citizens OF Europe and America
have in recent years justly complained OF
their condition. The rural populations are
rushing TO the cities and Infinitely increas-
ing the difficulties OF municipal government
to create conditions which they believe
will be best for themselves, but which toe
often prove disastrous to others. The ten
dency of the times is to trusts and combina-
tions of capital the ultimate effect of which
must, of necessity. be determined in the
light of future study and experience.
And so, my friends. believe / am justi-
fled In saying that this country of ours Is
undergoing a most crucical test, and that
the events Of the next few years will deter.
mine its strength and its permanancy or its
weakness and decay. Jealous nations from
without, and unpatriotic citizens from
within. are each In their separate ways at
tempting to undermine and overthrow our
institutions and our fundamental laws and
the imperative need of the times is the
awakening of strong spirit of intelligent
and virile patriotism in the hearts of the
people of our land. We can do no better OF
our fellow-men spirit of patriotic loyalty
and veneration of our country's history vii
become a component part of the character
| of every citizen. Ii is a fixed conviction
| with me that all citizens. and especially the
| young, should be taught that one of the
| cardinal virtues of this life is loyalty and
| fealty TO the general government, for in my
| judgment our future national security de-
ponds in no small degree upon the amount
| of patriotism with which the hearts OF the
| soon-to-be-rulers of this country are i'm
| bued.
FOSTERS PATRIOTISM.
Patriotism as fostered and encouraged
| by the Benevolent and Protective Order Of
| Elks must and will prove the salvation Of
free America and 1 have faith to believe