Gilpin observer., 1907-12-05
ELKS MEMORIAL


was with US, we remember that his was
a full, busy life; that for many OF the
last years he walked alone. His beloved
wife was called away many years before
he was; and to his little ones he had to
be mother, counsellor, friend and COM
panion, ss well as father. How well
and courageously he discharged these
several duties we all know. ! have
thought since his death, that we, per-
haps, did not do all we might, or could,
for him in these circumstances; if we
did not, let US in future remember our
full duties as Elks and brothers.
His was bright, hopeful and cheer
full nature. We remember his CHEEKY
greetings, his smile, his handclasp, his
helpful words; and how, after exchang-
ing greetings with him in the morning,
the world seemed brighter, our burdens
less, and the tangles of life more easy
to unravel. Alas, these are but mem
cries now.
He was christian man, and followed
the teaching and precepts of the lowly
Nazarene, according to his faith. His
sudden death on the End day of April
last, came like blow; in reality, it was
a triumphant end to busy, useful life;
with the assurance of his fellow-towns-
mems confidence in him, and respect for
him, fresh upon him, he, with a smile
went into the presence of his God.
"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When put out to sea,
But such tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the
boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark,
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When embark;
For, though from out our bourne of time
and place
The flood may bear me far,
hope to see my Pilot face to face
When have crossed the bar. "
These lines of Tennyson it seems to
m were realized by James A. Gilmour.
l believe that he really saw his Pilot,
face to face, when he had crossed the
bar.
''Tke faults of our brothers we write
upon the sand" You all remember the
narrative of the woman caught in fault
bring brought unto the master, and
that. when her accusers had spoken, the
master "stooped and wrote upon the
sand" !" What was written is not re-
corded; it may have been the woman's
fault, it may have been anything else.
How long, think you, did the writing
remain? Not at all longer than it took
the winds of Palestine to smooth the
surface of the sand again; the wind of
the hour wiped out the record, what
ever it was. "The faults of OUR broth
e-s WE write upon the sand" And the
sands have shifted under the winds of
time. and we remember only good of our
dead. But we inscribe ''their virtues
upon the tablets of love and memory"
and there shall they ever remain.
Our brothers have departed. and we
remain to discharge the duties of the
hour. As We have opportunity let US
d, good unto all men, for we travel this
nth but once, and we cannot retrace
or steps nor call back our yesterdays;
but today is ours long enough to grasp
the hand in friendship, to speak words
of kindness and helpfulness. to help the
burden-bearers. to bring rest to the
weary, and comfort to those who mourn.
Doing those things well, we may here
after be numbered among those loyal
Elks whose virtues are forever inscrib-
ed upon the tablets of love and mem
ory."