Gilpin observer., 1909-12-09
LODGE OF SORROW
Concluded from LIST page.

1t Is the fulfilling Of the law; the
publication of the heart from self;
exalting the character, giving higher
motive to every action of life, max
ing both man and woman strong, no.
BILE and courageous. Love is our high
est word, and the synonym of God.
The influence Of brotherly love
goes out for the betterment of the
world. 1t invites and encourages mu-
tual trust and confidence. 1t re-
strains mans selfish inclinations, ex-
tends and broadens his social hori-
zon, prepares his mind for the high
er and more serious duties of life,
educating him, step at time, for
his final degree in the great brother
hood of man.
The crest and crowning of all good
Life's final star is brotherhood,
For it will bring again to earth
Her long-lost posey, and mirth.
Will send new light on every face,
A kindly power upon the race,
And till it comes we men are slaves
And travel downward to the dust
of graves.
Come, clear the way then, clear the
way,
Blind creeds and kings have had
their day;
Break the dead branches from the
path
Our hope is in the aftermath;
Our hope is in heroic men,
Startled, to build the world again;
To this event the ages ran.
Make way for brotherhood-make
way for man.
We believe in fidelity, for charity,
justice and brotherly love would be
of little use or lasting value If it
were not for fidelity-fidelity the
binder that holds together in one
sheaf these glorious virtues, close
twisted with the fibres of the heart,
making our loyalty to our brothers a
thing not of a day, but for all time.
Through the dissemination of its
fundamental principles. the Order of
Elks has weighed mighty influence
in the elevation of humanity to high
er standard of citizenship. a keener
sense of moral obligation, a broader
knowledge of patriotic duty. and
while its span of life is still less than
four decades. it takes its place, with
unassuming modesty. as the foremost
Order of the day.
But need we marvel at the high po-
sition it has attained when we know
that its foundation and groundwork is
the Golden Rule. DO unto others as
ye would they should do to you.
The numberless deeds of generos-
ity which | have seen performed By
members of this organization in obed-
ience to the precepts of this ancient
commandment. could be woven into
ternal seal of secrecy silences the
voice.
Nevertheless, each day brings some
practical demonstration that this
brotherhood. to man, is thoroughly
imbued with the grand principles of
this great Order. outclassing all kind
red fraternities in the breadth and
scope of its tenets by embracing in
its laws the teachings of charity. JUS
tice and brotherly love, not alone to
its own members, but toward all man
kind.
Last year the Order expended in re-
lief work three hundred and sixty odd
thousand dollars. Thirty thousand
dollars. or one twelfth of this large
sum. was spent by the lodges of our
own state. Add to this the individu-
al charities of its members, and |
believe two million dollars would be
n conservative estimate of the an
nual contribution by Elks to this high
and holy cause.
When the cry Of affliction from
the hungry and homeless of San Fran
cisco. that peerless city of the sea.
rang through the land. in few hours
Elks had raised hundred and ten
thousand dollars, and the Grand Ex-
alted Ruler of the order was speeding
to this dismantled city, to personally
administer relief and assuage suffer
ing. The practical and impartial dis
bursement of this immense sum re-
suited in untold good, and added a
page to Elk history which will ever
glow with sublime lustre. Early In
the year, when the civilized world
was shocked and Mortified at the
loss of lives and devastation Of prop
erty. incident to the earthquake
shock. in southern Italy. without q