The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-12-04

again vitalzed with presence that
tells OF virtues that cannot pass away,
The anguish Of the widow and the
orphan is hidden from human sense
in the reflection that being dead he
yet liveth" He is not only
d social being, but ne seeks after
something more noble than his i'm.
med ate needs and conyeniences He
lays up against the day of his taking
away He fills his barns and his
lgrders with store for the day wnen
the heavy hand Of disease may lay
for the benefit Of those dependent up
ON him or for the benefit of those to
whom he is attached by the ties of
nature He insares himself against
1.-THE consequences Of accident Man
lives in the now and in the hereafter
Hence societies are organized by rAen
With a view to protecting their So
cial Instincts in those matters not
within the province of the state. The
church, the club, the lodge, the union,
Iare the natural outgrowth of this in
st net Elkdom inquiries not
II a mans politics. his religion nor his
affinities, but only asks whether he
lie a true man. If he be. then to all
coed Elks the doors Of hospitality are
open wide for his reception. The
state does not meet the longing for
assistance. The church does not meet
his demand fer charity Mankind
Is field too academic for his opera.
tion. The field of battle is too infre- !
quent to call for his organized charity. !
Hence Elks are organized as a band
whose principles are practical vital,
current; BeAeyolence, Protection and
lCharty Is brother In distress?
There the unostentioIs charity of Elks
! is found Is a brother, or brothers |
family overtaken with enemies who |
beset on the right and on the left? |
There is an Elk's protection found |
Is a brother maligned, accused be-
trayed: his character assailed and his I
virtue jeopariized? An Elks beneyo
lence is as broad as the need. The
tA2NAtAe VA iiiH NiittlA ny iAAGnNS iiOlI Tue
east 10 the greatest and yet is never
sullied. II may respond to the call
of the weakest or the demand of the
strongest and yet it loses none of its
dignity. In its charity it may Green
into the door of hovel and ir is not
abased; or walk proudly into the gild-
ed doors Cf the palace and it Is not
exalted. II may not boast the extent
Of territorial dominion of masonry, nor
its ancient lineage but through all
time the Benevolent Protective Order
of Elks is destined to shine as light
in dark place"
Then why shall we not on this mem.
orial occasion recall the virtues of our
departed brethren? Being deads they
yet live. They have left to ms a sol
emn admonit'on to yirtuous life
Have they practiced charity? Let us
emulate their example Have they
relieved the distress Of others? Let
their widows and orphans feel that it
Is more blessed TO give than to re.
ceive. Have they visited the sick or
clothed the naked or befriended the
stranger within the gates?" Let us .
remember the poor and the needy and
he verify we have always with us.
But an Elk's charity, benevolence Y
and protection are practical principles a
Of conduct. We have little patience !
and no line for charity that is mere !
y theoretical. Theoretical charity 9
gives a stone when the needy ask for t
bread; theoretical benevolence advises c
10 higher standards of life when the g
weak and the fallen halt at cur door n
for comfort We live in a practical n
age. Our institutions must be prao- I,
ical 10 be OF cerviee. Our theories Il
Of business, Of morals and of religion r
must be practical to be accepted. f
But this sounds well How shall d
We make our charity practical? The d
ty lies about us On every n
land. Charity does not always involve n
he giving Of substance. Many times O.
lift Of money would be spurned when q
.e or she TO whom it was offered Il W
Without work. Do you know cf T
~ sSEHAS NbuHs man of WDindl-an -
Ilk's laughter or sister that is imbued d;
with the dignity of labor, and yet has rC
10 employment? To such an one en- T
.lCyment would come as riches. Can m
-ou assist him CT her to a position N
ghere merit will be appreciated and
There merit will win its own waye IA
{ you do. you have committed an act az
f charity that the giving Of substance Ii-
oes not equal. Real charit and beno- f
olence con. ist in meeting needs with fe
bat which exactly suppl es the need. ct
Or. again, coming little l.,
carer TO the object of this memorial W
ay do yOu knew some brothers lo
'idow and helpless children who are be
trugsling against adversely that is co
ew to them? Strong limbs and sturdy
carts had lifted these burdens from
leir shoulders and tney had not be fo
'me acquainted with business affairs. in