The daily sentinel., 1909-12-06
JOY and gladness.

We are here assemb bled to tell to
the world for what Elkdom stands.
to make manifest how we. as EIks.
regard one another. to pay a tribute
of affection to the memory of our de
parted brothers and to reflect on the
mutations of time and the realities
OF life
AT this moment thousands Of cur
fraternity have turned with reverent
step from the duties and response
bilities OF life to enter within the hal
lowed precincts OF the temple of our
brotherhood. there to burn upon its
sacred affairs the aromatic incense OF
devoted friendship. TO enshrine in
reverent thought the beauties of de
voted lives. and 70 call from the con
seTyatory of the soul its most fra
grant forget-me-nots with which to
weave an unbroken and imperishable
wreath of remembrance. The habil-
iments of mourning. the earnest eulo-
gies. the saddened faces, must appeal
to the heart OF every onlooker. and
impress the most stoical with the
thought that our sorrow Is from the
heart, that the faults of the dead are
written on the sand and their kindly
qualities are impressed upon the
memories Of their surviving brothers
No wonder that the world as il
views this one phase of our fraterual
life should inquire as to the mission
Of such brotherhood into the social
and political life of a nation. II at
evening, as the shadows lengthen out
along the rough and rugged pathway
of the weary pilgrim as he approaches
the coming darkness of the night, the
messenger of love may take him by
the hand and whisper words of com
fort, encouragement and hope into his
ear as his trembling soul takes its
flight to that undiscovered country
from whose bourne no treveler ever
returns. that would be a mission
worthy the highest appreciation of
heaven: If when his journey is ended
and his eyes are closed on all things
earthly and fleeting and he lies down
to sleep in peace, tender hearts carry
him TO his long home, saddened voices
chant last solemn requiem, and the
gentle Nazarene. bending from the
throne of the Father, smiles his ap-
proval and pronounces his benedic-
ton; then indeed we have given suf-
fiicent reasons for our existence.
But the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks does more than cheer
the departing spirit and lay away its
beloved dead, 1t deals with life and
its problems, 1t recognizes a relation
ship to the state and society, and by
consistent practice of many virtues
II challenges the respect and admira-
tion of the world.
Its creed is simple yet comprehens-
i've and We're | to write it, 1t would be
expressed in these few words:
I'VE believe in God and the i'm
mortality of the soul;
We protect an unanswering loyal
ty to our country;
I'VE assert an unselflsh devotion
to our brother;
we pledge ourselves to the prac-
tice of charity;
1--WE avow a strict adherence to the
principles of truth and Justice"
In closing Judge Palmer said:
If we know how to live, my broth
ers. we shall know how to die. II
will be well with us If we only keep
in mind that a cross Is a crown ge-
gun-that earthly SORROWS can be
! made stepping stones to heavenly
| joys-that it is far better to deck tho
| present with the bright and Joyous
colors of the future, and tinge the i'm
,, agination with the rosy light of hope.
than with useless regrets and futile
speculations. For death, my friends.
is but a higher revelation of life. the
satisfying OF the desire for self-escape
Continued on page five.)