Gilpin observer., 1909-12-09


progressive existence; hope. for in
the mind Of man, since the beginning
of time, there has dwelt an inherent
conviction OF Immortality.
In all countries and among all
nations, this belief is fundamental
At the summit OF the sacred noun
tain of Nikko, in mausoleum re-
nowned for its architectural magnifi-
cence, reposes all that is mortal OF
Japan's greatest military ruler, and
upon the pedestal of this pagan tomb
may be traced the Japanese emblems
of Immortality.
Abundant proof Of Immortality is
found In every realm Of nature. This
beautiful rose will droop and wither,
its petals and leaves crumble and
fall, to be gathered in the arms of
the wind and borne upon its bosom
into the mysterious gulf of oblivion;
and yet, its stalk but awaits the
resurrection, which is sure to come
with the first kiss of the June sun,
and the gentle affusion Of heavens
life-giving dew.
The great 4Commoner clothes the
thought in most becoming raiment
when he says: "If the Father deigns
to touch with divine power the cold
and pulseless heart of the buried
acorn, and to make it burst forth
from its prison walls, will He leave
neglected in earth the soul or the
man, made in the image Of his Crea-
tori"
| To rise upon some fairer shore
And bright In heavens jeweled crown
They shine forevermore.
The granite rocks disorganize.
And feed the hungry moss they
bear.
The forest leaves drink daily life
From out the viewless air.
There is no death. An angel form
| Walks o'er the earth with silent
| tread;
And then we call them dead.
Where'er he sees a smile too bright
Or heart too pure for taint or vice.
He bears 1t to the land Of light
| To dwell in Paradise.
And ever near us, though unseen,
i The dear, immortal spirits tread.
For all the boundless universe
Is life-there are no dead"
AS an organization, We Elks are
undenominational We believe in the
existence Of a Supreme Being, but re-
to human progress and development.
Adherence to any creed or dogma
which confines thought and action to
a narrow or limited sphere clips the
wings of the bird Of moral and in
tellectual evolution. preventing Its
flight into the higher realms Of learn
ing in quest Of knowledge and truth.
We do not decry, but uphold the
work OF the church; and still. the
constant and attentive gospel OF
brotherhood is strong affirmation
that there is no great vital power in
a religion you can pigeon-hole into
one day Of the week.
A Denver minister recently said:
1.-The church is shamed more than
once by the charity work of the secu
lar lodge. The alert church Of to
morrow will provide some fund such
as the lodge has. to carry in the
pocket when the visitor follows the
death angel" Dogmas. doctrines ant
human creeds confuse US. but the
law Of charity,mthe example OF the
Christ of fraternity. never!
We believe In charity-that CHART!
which finds its highest development
in the mind, and its truest exempt
fication in loving words, kind act.
and humane federation. We teach ,
charity that is spontaneous and Quicl
ly forgotten. We keep no book &C
count OF our good deeds. We holt
that the noblest exercise Of charit!
is charity toward the uncharitable.
Alms-giving is not our highest con
ception Of charity. 1t is cold. unsat
isfying. distant; but he who hands I
cup Of water to the needy, with al
expression Of cheer and words Of con
fort. transforms the water into invig
Grating nectar and the cup into
golden. chalice bejeweled with price
less gems of love and sympathy.
80 many sects. so many creeds.
So many paths that wind and wind
When Just the art Of being kind
Is all this sad world needs"