The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-12-08

in the inner recesses Of our memory
those dear forms, whose genial voices
we heard in times gone by. Their
virtues live with us in fond regard,
their failings are forgotten. And in
more the hours of comfort and pleas.
ure we enjoyed in their society. They
are gone, but not forgotten, and when
the time has come for us "to shuttle
off this mortal coil" and enter upon
those unknown fields, may we meet at
the still waters of peace, and drink
everlastingly at the fountain of the
Master. of the Universe, for there the
Eternal light of Elkdom shines for all
who have observed its teachings, until
age succeeds age, and time is no more.
Our order is well named the Benev-
client, Protective Order of Elks-for
the greatest principle which should
guide the life and regulate the con-
duct of every Elk is Charity-and in
endeavoring to live up to it's ideals,
we strive to be genuine men. We be-
lieve in a charity of deeds rather than
one of words. A charity seeking no
publicity, but having its reward only
in sense of duty--a duty owing to
our fellow man. A charity which,
springing spontaneously from fullness
of the heart, commands us to give
comfort and succor to those in misery
and distress. A charity that cheers,
that encourages, that forces warm
blood through tie veins with new
spirit of hope that makes the tired
and worn soul once more n man and
ready to face the battles of life with
new spur, given by kindness. A
charity exemplified by the life of the
Gentle Shepherd. Such is the Charity
of Elkdom.
"What is an Elk7 Go ask where clouds
of sorrow
Have hid the sun of happiness away,
Where words of love point to brighter
morrow,
That will dispel the darkness of to-
day;
Go ask the stricken ones in anguish
kneeling,
Beside silent form in mute dispair,
While falls from brother lips, the balm
of healing
For wounded hearts. You II find the
answer there.
"wnat is an Elkf Go to the homes
where faces
Are ever softened with contentment IS
light,
Where mother love, that hottest of
graces,
Keeps the domestic circle ever bright.
Where glad.eyed children laugh in play
full riot,
Their pure hearts free from ever
trace of care,
Or snuggle 'gainst an antlered breast
in quiet
When tired of play. You'll find the
answer there"
Brothers, let this day mark an epoch
in your lives. "To thine own self be
true, and it must follow as the night
the day, thou canst not then be false
to any man." Search they conscience,
and if in thought or deed the obliga-
tion taken at the Altar has been violat-
ed, AWAKE, and let the four great
principles af Elkdom be ever before
thine eyes to guide thy sight. Let thy
life be as an open book, with charity
and brotherly love as thy daily prayers. |
N-1afSt Nhdt nhcH
comes to join the innumerable caravan
which moves to that mysterious realm
where each shall take his chamber in |
the silent halls of death, thou 90 not !
like the quarry-slave at night, scourged |
to his dungeon. But sustained and |
'oothed by an unfaltering trust, APP
proach thy grave like, one that wraps
the drapery of his couch about him,
and lies down to pleasant dreams.
But, Brother Elks and friends, we are
gathered here in memory of those who
rave passed before us. And, from their
ives and virtues we may always learn.
they helped us once when here. Now
awakened to a realization of such bliss
IS we who live can never comprehend,
hey have still more to teach that we
In thinking of them with that love.
hat faith, that honest kindness of
ceiling which we have, forget not those
Who still remain. "To thine own self
'e true Think not of evil toward
cad or living. When harsh and thought.
HSs tongues saV this of daad ~ thas