The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-12-06

Once more the members Of Billings
lodge, B. p. O. Elks, have paid their
tribute of respect and love to the
memory OF their departed brothers
ana complied with the law of their or
der which requires this yearly evil
dence OF sorrow for the absent ones.
the audience that assembled in the
opera house was a large one and the
so.eu4nity and beauty OF the ceremo-
MES appealed to all, while the elo-
quence of the speakers filled them
with thoughts of noble and inspiring
kind.
The stage had been beautifully set
and was occupied by the officers and
orators. The musical part OF the pro-
gremm was Of a high order and had
the occasion been any other apprecia-
ton OF it would have manifested it.
self in generous applause. One num-
Der that in particularly touched the
audience was 1.-The Vacant Chair.
Probably never before was rnat ex-
ouisite song sung with more feeling
or expression and never did voices
blend more narmoniously.
Well Represented.
Almost to the number OF hundred
the members assembled at the lodge
room and there formed in column
and marched to the opera house, head
ed by the Billings band Seats haI
been reserved for them in front. After
they had seated themselves Miss Fay
and Master Dick Logan rendered a
cornet duet, 81 Would That My Love-
after which Exalted Ruler Mains
opened the ceremonies and briefly
stated the object of the annual gather
| ing of Elks ali over the land. He real
letter of regret from Chaplain Stuil
| in which that gentleman deplored his
inability to be present and participate
| in the services.
A quartette composed of Mrs. d.
Price, Miss Harriet Brayton, Ira L..
Whitney and j. A. Gilluly sang Sun
OF My Soul" The lodge was then
opened in regular form. The opening
ode was sung and the Reverend Ar
thur Miles, who otficiated as chaplain,
invoked divine blessing. Miss Sophia
Bennighoff followed with "Oh Dry
Thy Tears a touching song espec-
tally we'll suited to her sweet soprano
voice.
The Honorable Fred H. Foster now
pronounced the eulogy in which he
dwelt on the virtues and good quail
ties of the dead that had endeared
them to their brothers. Unfortunately
the gentleman spoke in voice so low
that only few removed from the
L front rows o. seats were able to hear
him. "The Good Shepherd was sung
by the Honorable George M. Hays
and at it's conclusion Cass Prud-
homme, secretary of the lodge, recited
Bryant's "Thanatopsis," which forms
a part of the ritual of the order. mot
Lost, But Gone Before" was the next
musical number. This was rendered
by Miss Martha Iompkins, who was
never in better voice or sang more ac-
ceptably.
The Honorable E. D. Weed, mem
ber of Helena lodge, now delivered
the memorial address. When he had
finished the quartette sang "The Va.
cant Chair" after which the lodge
closed in ritualistlc form and the au'
dience joined in singing the Doxology
| and was then dismissed with bene'
diction by the chaplain.
Mr.. Weeds Address.
Following is the memorial address
in full:
"A little more than a third of a cen
tury measures the life of the Order Of
Elks. In that brief time it has be
come one of the great fraternal socie
ties of America. Wherever American
institutions have been established
there the order has gone to plant be