The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-04

chairs are empty, yet we as Elks. as men who believe in a Supreme Being, in an all-wise and just Creator of the heavens and earth, regard them in comparison with this season. They have gently gone to slumber, only to be awak- ened in the springtime of their resurrec- tion and in the presence of the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Universe. will be commended for their observances of the cardinal attributes of the pricipals or charity, justice, brotherly love and fidel- ity
 Miss Matte Garland Perkins rendered an alto solo, Gods Acre. with MT. Damn Peterson as accompanist. Miss Per kins' rendition of the song was listened to with marked attention. by the large audience She has a rich voice which was used to good effect.
 Gen. w. w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa, past exalted ruler of the lodge in that city and district deputy grand exalted ruler of the state, delivered one of the most eloouent addresses ever listened to in an Elk session in Birmingham.
 During the course of discussion he said: "Elks always deem it their duty to honor their dead and they are here for that purpose" He said that he believed in the religion that tends to demonstrate the love of all and does not believe in judging too harshly one who has or may have fallen. For in every heart and every soul there is some good.
 General Brandon said that 100000 Elks were in session at the same time paying honor to the departed brothers Con 1 tinuing he said in part
 EuIogy By Brandon.
 "The first great cardinal principal is 1 charity, and the bed rock of the structure do we observe. That kind of charity that goes into the sorrowing home of the widow and orphan, and chasing the tear l of affliction from the worn and haggard cheek of care, by kind words and happy works replace the smile of joy. "Ye unbelievers in the work Of Elkdom go with me when the merry bells of 1 Christmas ring. Go with me l say into the home where poverty is king, and see there sorrow overthrown, and the joy of the other and more prosperous days returning through the charity of band of brothers whose bounden duty it is to l bring joy and happiness to the sorrowful- l This is a virtue, too For our great l Heavenly Father said; He that did 1t unto the least of these did it also unto me- May this fundamental principle be by us never forgot, but may we prove by works that we live for something and make glad the waste places of the earth Oh, human love for those in sorrow Oh. 1 for more of that sweet charity that works I tears into smiles, moans into laughter and sets aglow with childish glee the home 1 of the desolate
 Some say there is no need for charity" the speaker said. and he quoted story, 1 showing the charity justice. brotherly love and fidelity possessed for mankind by men of Elk principles. Continuing he said:
 What a picture Let us turn aside in the merry happy holidays that are soon l to come and catch up suffering humanity l close to our warm throbbing hearts and bring smiles to the brow of gloom Thus can we best honor our beloved dead. and in a happy way wipe away sorrows and tears and bring joy to the homeless ana desolate.
 With this bedrock to our order let us endeavor to bind humanity closer to the throne of the Exalted Ruler of all. There | no blasphemy can presume to work us 1 harm or prejudice a thinking public against good works.
 Second Great Virtue.
 eThe next great principle is justice. Vir- tue which teaches us to despise and avoid envv,A malice and hatred, and cultivate honor and true manhood. It Is our teach ing to recognize the rights of others, to find the good in huamnity, and try and keep humanity good. Let us, my breth- ren cultivate that spirit that will tend to break down the harsh criticisms of the world, and bring the good of our natures 1 to the forefront Let us do our duty to our fellow man, and by doing justice and being just prove the wonderful truth of it's tendency to make all the world | akin. Let justice be done and strive to find the good one in the other.
 There's so much bad in the best of us And so much good in the worst of us, l That it does not behoove the most of us | TO talk about the rest of us.'
 "We must not judge hastily, but re- member
 ".The faults of our brothers we print | upon the sands their virtue upon the l tablets of love and memory.
 | "Brotherly love, the third great prln- | cple stands for the golden rule, stands 1 for the brotherhood of man. We meet and mingle as brothers, and penetrating our ranks is love for each other. Here l is the brotherhood of man shut out from l the influences of the outside world. And 1 it is our duty to prove this great prin- | cpe of brotherly love to lift up the fallen brother, and point him to nobler living, to | stand for each other and promote the l great doctrine of human love which was so beautifully exemplified in the life of the man of Galilee-
 | "Ah! this love of man for man. There's s |
 fcontinued on Sixth Paue,l