The daily sentinel., 1908-12-07

them.
There will be some vacant chairs;
But tho we no more possess them,
Still our hearts their memory bear
With nearly nine hundred people
in attendance the Grand junction
Lodge No. 575. b. p. o. E.. on last
evening. at the auditorium, which
was beautifully decorated for the oc-
casion, convened in the annual Lodge
of Sorrow to recall to memory the
Absent Brothers" and to pay low
ing and sincere tribute to these
brothers who are gone but not for
gotten. II is a most worthy custom
the Elks have in convening on the
first Sunday in each December for
this solemn and impressive service.
There are many reasons for say
ing that the memorial last night was
in many respects the most beautiful.
brilliant and successful ever held by
the local lodge. The great audience,
made up of representative men and
women of Grand Junction, was Keen
ly appreciative of the object of the
service. 1t was a solemn hour an
hour that was hallowed and sacred.
The services were to begin at eight
o'clock but long before that hour the
seats began to fill and by eight
O'Clock the great building was filled
to overflowing. Members of the
order in evening dress acted as ush
ers and lovely souvenir programs
were distributed.
The stage, on which were placed
the seats for the exalted ruler. the
chaplain, other officers of the lodge
and the past exalted rulers and those
who We're to take part in the pro-
gram. was handsomely decorated
with flowers and plants On the
main floor. to the left of the stage,
a great Elk. the animal from which
the order gets its name was station
ed. The official stations placed at
intervals on the main floor were dec
GRATED with flowers. Those who
had charge of the decorations GER
tainly did their work well and cred
tably.
Just few minutes after eight
o'clock two hundred members of the
order marched into the building, di-
vided at the door into two columns
or files. and along each side of the
great building. from the stage en-
trance to the rear wall. the lines of
Elks took their positions. Each Elk
wore a white carnation and nearly
all wore evening dress. II was Ger
tainly "A handsome company of men.
Exalted Ruler Thomas b. Sawyer,
hon. kennith l.. Fahnestocl. the
speaker of the evening. Hon. Guy V.
Sternberg, selected to deliver the gen
eral eulogy, Chaplain w. II. Haines,
Past Exalted Rulers j. Nj. Sampliner.
w. G.. Struthers, j. NJ. SilcoN, John
NJ. Conley. a. r. Sampliner. and 9TH
ers who had part in the exercises
took their seats on the stage.
EpllpWiny tbp rpuHftinn nf patprS'
Forest King march by Prof Boy
er's orchestra. the Impressive open
ing ceremonies of the lodge were
carried out. Throughout the evening
Exalted Ruler Sawyer conducted the
services in a most creditable and
worthy manner.
The most impressive moments of
the evening were those occupied by
the throwing upon the screen sus-
pended over the stage. at the con-
clusion of the opening ceremonies.
of the photographs of the departed
brothers. sixteen in number. Each
picture was given singly as the name
of the absent one was called by Sec
retary Ed NJ Hardy.
Following the presentation of the
pictures. and while the lights were
still low and a photo group was on
the screen. Past Exalted Ruler John
NJ. Conley sang The Absent Broth
ers. an exceedingly sweet and ap-
propriate solo. Mr.. Conley in his
clear pleasing voice. admirably fit
ted to the selection, rendered the
song in n manner that added largely
to the solemnity and beauty of the
occasion.
The opening ode was then rend-
cred by the lodge.
Chaplain w. r, Haines offered an
impressive and beautiful prayer.
Mrs. James NJ. Silcox then gave
the solo, Come Unto Him All Ye
That Labor" from the oratorio of
Handel's Messiah. 1t was beau
tiful rendition of the great selection.
Hon. Guy V. Sternberg. then gave
the general eulogy and during the
deliverance of the general eulogy he
held the closest attention of the