The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-04
 Bj0u Theatre is the Scene of a Most Impressive
 Ceremony GEN. w w BRANDON
 DELIVERED THE EULOGY
FTheatre Was Filled With Members of the Lodge, Their Families and Friends-List of the
 Deceased.

In the presence of an audience that taxed the capacity of the lower floor of the Bijou theatre and with a balcony well filled, Birmingham lodge No. 79, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks paid homage and tribute to the memories of the absent and departed brothers, who have joined the silent majority since the installation of the local lodge nearly eighteen years ago.
 The affair was the annual memorial ex- ercises of the order, which are held throughout the United States in every Elk lodge on the first Sunday in Decem- Der, when the living wearers of the antlers meet in solemn session to honor and revere the memory of those brothers who have departed
 Never in the history of Elkdom has smore impressive ceremony, and one that better illustrated the teachings of the or der, Charity, Justice Brotherly Love and Fidelity, been witnessed in this city. The stage, which was made to appear as lodge room, with the exalted ruler, sec retary and other officers seated as in lodge room, and with the esteemed lead ing knight, esteemed featuring knight and esteemed loyal knight seated in boxes with their insignia of office, presented a scene that will be remembered in it. lself.
 The .11 o'clock" scene, which is a sa- hcred one among Elks, was presented in such a manner that those who are not members of the order could readily under stant the significance of it. Behind the .exaltkd ruler in the center of the stage was large I'll o'clock" jewel in the shape of a clock with the hands pointed to the hour Around the clock were the names of the thirty-five deceased Elks of the Birmingham lodge, and as the ab- sent one's name was called and no an- swer was made, an electric appliance would flash the name. During the roll call intense silence was observed through out the theatre and a deep impression was made on those who witnessed the scene.
 On each side of the clock was an Elk head, with purple and white lights the colors of the order, shining brightly.
 The principles and teachings of the or fer were expressed in addresses by Past
  ,ningham lodge and Past Exalted Ruler NV, W. Brandon of Tuscaloosa lodge, district deputy grand exalted ruler of the state of Alabama. Both addresses were eloquent but that delivered by General Brandon on the subject "Elkdom' was considered one of the frest descriptions Of the principles of the order ever given ir Birmingham. General Brandon painted beautiful pictures of the happy home' which had become sorrowful and sad by death, and then would illustrate how happiness had been brought by the char ity of the order of which he was mem Der. Love of home duty of man to man, and the love for God. were discussed by General Brandon.
 Marched to the Theatre.
 The Elks assembled at their home cor ner of Nineteenth street and Eighth ave- nue, few minutes after o'clock and the members marched in a body to the the atre, where they occupied seats in the center of the house. Behind the members game the officers.
 Esteemed leading knight John F. Ant wine, presided in the absence of Exalted
 
 ture by the orchestra, which was com posed almost entirely of Elks and under the leadership of an Elk, opened the ex- ercises by declaring the lodge opened for the purpose of paying tribute and honor 10 the memories of the absent brothers The lodge sang the lodge hymn:
 
 Great Ruler of the Universe,
 All-seeing and benign.
 Look down upon and bless our work
 And be all glory Thine;
 Oh, hear our prayer for the honored
 dead
 While bearing in our minds
 The memories graven on each heart
 For Auld Lang Syne
 The Rev. Outing Ewing offered prayer. in which he invoked divine blessing upon the gathering and those connected with the exercises, and closed with the Lords prayer.
 "Elfenland" was sung by double quar- tette composed of Mrs o. D. Atkins. Miss Queen Butler, Miss Hattie G. Perkins