The Washington herald., 1908-06-10

Odd Fellows in the District OF Columbia
last night paid tribute 10 the members
Of the society who have died within the
last year.
More than 400 persons assembled at
odd Fellows Hall, in Seventh street
northwest. ard listened with reverence
TO the address Of W. w MILAN, past
grand master, which embodied an elo-
quent tribute TO the dead. and a fitting
analysis Of the principles prompting the
memorial service.
James H. Crew, chairman. opened the
exercises with a brief speech. introduc-
ing the grand master OF the local organi-
cation. Edwin II. Easterling. who de-
liyered the invocation.
W. E. Clapp read the proclamation,
after which Miss Maud r. Emerson. as
sisted by a male octet, sang. Saviour
Breathe an Evening Blessing"
Mr. MiIIan's Address.
Mr. MILAN was then introduced. He
said. In part:
Throughout the length and breadth OF
the land we witness memorials. public
and private by which the living strive 10
show their admiration for the character
and deeds. the words and the works OF
those who have gone before. But the
noblest monuments We can build 20 their
memories are the affection and esteem
which we cherish fer them IN our own
hearts The most fitting memorials 70
good men dead are the lives OF good men
living, who endeavor 20 walk IN the
paths marked out by the departed ones.
and 70 emulate the virtues which adorned
their lives. We erect monuments Of stone
and tables Of bronze TO perpetuate the
memories OF our soldiers. our statesmen.
and our sages. but It Is In the silent Ian
guage OF wreath and garland and blossom,
laid upon the graves Of our heroes dead
that the heart OF the nation voices its
tenderst emotions and its sweetest sym
pathies.
In the twelve-month that has elapsed
since our last Memorial Day, the ebon
wing Of the angel Of death has swept
over the order OF Odd Fellows IN the
District OF Columbia with heavy stroke.
with the memories Of those who have
fallen.
'Thirty-fve' members Of the various
branches OF our order in the District OF
Columbia have passed 10 the great be-
yond They have entered upon that life
Of which We talk so much and know so
little. but which the eye-of faith tells US
is glorious and bright for those who have
been faithful on earth.
IF we did now IN fact as we do IN
fancy, stand beside the grassy mounds
heaped above their ashes none OF US
would attempt 20 shape into words the
emotions which crowd upon US at this
hour. We would strew their graves with
flowers and bear witness 10 our love for
them with the silent tear. While we
honored them for their work and loved
them for their virtues. IL Is for the Iiv-
ing. rather than the dead that this sery-
ice Is held.
4 sometimes hold Il half a sin.
To put IN words the grief feel
Fer words ike Nature han conceal
And har reveal the soul within.
Though we should bring as an Offering
20 our brethren who are sleeping in the
silent cities OF the dead, the best we have
Of proclamation and prayer and song and
speech. we would still be mocked by the
question asked by a poet long ago:
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dus,
Or hattery soothe the duh, cold ear Of deaths
Their Virtues and Work.
I'VE do not pause 10 note the names OF
all or 20 recount their virtues and their
work. According to the distinctions Of
the world, these members whom we have
10 ~ -
degree, as we'll as Of every intermediate
sphere The artisan at his craft, the
business man at his desk, the clerk over
his books. the lawyer at his briefs. the
clergyman IN his study. the editor OF a
great daily enlightening the minds and
molding the opinions Of 4 constituency
numbered by thousands alike have fallen
None then present can have forgotten
the tender thoughts and eloquent periods
of our loved brother from the ranks Of
the clergy. who stood In this place one
year ago, and so beautifully euiogized our
brethren who had passed away during
the preceding year,
1T is with feelings OF peculiar sadness
that We place the mourning bands about
his name upon this long roll. which the
y Cur mas given US AllG lOCh up n Ile
storehouse OF tenderest memory the
recollection Of what he was and what he
did. But to US, as the members OF the
great brotherhood from whose very
threshold the world with its cares and its
distinctions. its dissensions and it's vices.
is shut out. these men and women IN
whose honor we meet tonight are the
representatives Of the principles We
revere. Odd Fellows, toiling for the up
lift OF mankind under the three-lin6 ban
ner with It's motto friendship, love, and
truth. our tribute Is not TO their position
or their achievements, but 10 the noble
aims and lofty purposes for which they
stood"
A Musical Feature.
Following Mr.. OIillan's address, the Re
bew Orchestra played the "Hero's Sacri-
nce" Miss Lucille Smith. accompanied
by Miss L. NJ Booth and L. z. Taylor.
sang a contralto solo.
A ceremony equally as impressive es
the eulogy, was the roll call OF the dead
members by John /. Brown. AS he read
each name the orchestra played softly in
keeping with the sadness Of the occasion
BenedictiOn offered by d. w. lKeck,
grand chaplain. closed the exercises.