Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-12-08
ELKS MEMORIAL DAY
Beautiful and Comforting
Custom Observed in
This City.
Impressive Ritualistic Services, Beau
tiful PrOgram-Eloquent Address
by Mr.. Tasker Polk, of
WarrentOn.
WarrentOn.

Sunday marked another import
ant day in the history of the Lodge of
Elks Of Goldsboro.
It is the beautiful custom of the or
der to hold solemn service once a
year in memory of it's departed dead,
when the large membership of the
lodge with slow and measured trea1
marched into the Opera House, then
on the rostrum, and at the sound of
the gaYel in the hand of Exalted Ruler
Mr. George G. Royal, the members of
the lodge were seated, preparatory to
the ceremonies which were about to
begin.
A most attractive musical program
had been provided, and the best musi-
cal talent of the city gladly palt;ci-
pated in the ceremonies.
Miss Pearl Brinson sang a solo, Mrs
Williams Spicer playing the accom-
pariment on the piano.
After the solo, and music by the en-
tire choir, Exalted Ruler Mr.. George
c. Royal, with splendid presence. dig
njfied bearing and In most appropr1at,
language announced the order of the
exercises, and together with the Off
GERS of the lodge performed the beau
tifu1 memorial services of the Order OF
Elks.
After these ritualistic ceremonies, in
most pleasing and attractive man.
Eer Mr. J. L. Barham, of this city, in
troduced the orator of the occasion,
Hon. Tasker Polk.
In the history of Goldsboro there
have been many great and beautiful
speeches made by distinguished men,
but we do not believe there has ever
been made in this city more beauti-
full, more eloquent speech than was
delivered Sunday afternoon at the OPP
era House by Hon. Tasker Polk, on
the occasion of the annual meeting of
the Lodge of Sorrow held by the Lodge
of Elks Of this city.
1t was splendid audience that
looked into the face of the orator as
he stood before them, and announced
as his subject, Am I my brothers
keeper?"
From the first utterance to the last
word Mr.. Polk held the great audit
ence spell-bound.
Logic, pathos, and eloquence were
the qualities that went to make UP
this great grafton, which showed to
men and women their duty as they
never before had seen it, edited them
and caused them to go away from the
auditorium resolved that in their fu-
ture lives they would never lose sight
of the fact that "I am my brothers
keeper"
This great oration is indeed a c1as-
sic, which should be handed down te
posterity.
Mr.. Polk, a prominent lawyer Of
Warrenton, North Carolina, comes OF
most distinguished ancestry, being {
s nephew of Ex-President of the United
States James K. Polk; furthermore
two of his great uncles were signers
of the Mecklenburg Declaration of In
dependence.
The people of Goldsboro are indebt
ed to the Lodgs of Elks of this cit,
for their success in securing Mr.. Poll
hs the orator on the above occasion
and our entire people are deepl.
| grateful to Mr.. Polk for his magnifi
cent Grafton.
After the Grafton violin solo wa
Rendered by Miss Privett; then a sol
Iby Mrs. Rachel Borden Smith, follow
led by song of the entire choir.
The music was indeed feature o
1.-THE occasion.
The exercises were closed with
Ebenediction by Rev. J. Gilmer Euskie
Erector of ST. Stephens Episcopa
) lChurch.