Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-06

tally of the soul that keeps govern
ments alive and society intact The
hope of immortality springs from the
deepest feelings of the soul, the feel
ing of kinship with eternity. 1t is the
most powerful and beneflcent influence
that operates upon the motives, the
passions, the habits and the aspira-
tons of humanity 1t is the principal
pillar of society, the chief inspiration
of art. 1t relieves the despair of phi
losophy and touches the poets pen
with fire 1t is the light Of human joy,
the foundation of laughter and love.
1t is sweeter than the music with
which the angels salute their God. 1t
makes of death a gateway, not wall;
a jeweled portal giving entrance to
everlasting bliss.
I'm the quiet valley of the Nile
stand the pyramids of Egypt, grand
and gloomy. They were built in the
shadows of the unwritten past-sepul-
cheers for the royal dead.
Perpetuate Honor of Fellows.
THUS, through all the ages ind
amongst all peoples an effort has been
who have risen in greatness above
their fellowmen, by placing to their
memory tablets of bronze and monu-
ments of stone. But there are monu-
ments more beautiful than was ever
carved by sculptor's hand: Tablets
more exquisite than the rarest bronze.
The faults of our brothers we write
upon the sands, their virtues upon the
tablets of love and memory. Ours is
no tardy tribute; while life is new and
the pulse beats strong we erect within
grateful hearts monuments to those we
love.
Break in Circle.
I'VE meet today, but our circle is
broken: There are disconnected links
in our golden chain. Some of our
brothers are absent. They have pass
ed beyond our sight and touch. We
speak to them, but their lips do not re-
turn our greetings. Our departed
brothers played well their part in the
great drama of human affairs. They
carried through life friendships fam
ing torch, and in the humanity of man
learned the virtue of receiving and i'm
parting good, an education in itself
They recognized the value of a friend
ship which spans the gulf Of hate with
bridge of love. They saw the neces-
sity for charity to the faults of others,
and did not close their ears to the call
of true benevolence. They stood in
life beneath the banners of this won
derful fellowship, which is founded in
charity, governed by justice. and led
by the divine instruction, Love thy
neighbour They lived to love and served
mankind and who shall say that this
present sleep came not as their just re-
ward?
Responsibilities UnbrOxen.
"Our hearts and memories are Sc
curely dashed to the yesterday in our
lives. Our responsibilities are forever
and eternally linked with an unknown,
aye, an unpromised future. Our duties
are of and concerning today. Our task,
the common good. Every man carries
in his breast humanity which longs
for fellowship. Without it, life is
hermitage. BY it, existence is sweeten-
ed. Sorrow and trouble are lightened
by dividing the burden. At our affairs
= ,
and every true Elk is a manlier man
because of his vow.
THE order of Elks is distinctively
an American institution; and as the
stars and stripes are first in the hearts
of loyal Americans, so the loyal Elk
with that emblem crowns the glory of
all the virtues. The future welfare of
our country demands faithful adher-
ence to the enduring principles of JUS
tice, the solid rock upon which the
structure of this republic is builded.
Equal rights for all, special privilege
for none; love of freedom and respect
for law, are the tenets and the creed
of our political religion, and our 10y
atty thereto robs the future Of its
doubts.
Man Natures King.
God gave to man reason and set be