The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-12-06
FRANK E. HOWE. Editor and Publ
JUDGE rlERNEYs ADDRESS

lodge, B. P. o. E., was primarily
eulogy for the deceased members OF
that organization there was so much
in it that could appeal to persons In
every walk of life that 1t is repro
duced today in the Banner. Those
who read it, but who were not pres
ent at the exercises, will be i'm
pressed with its merit as a produc-
ton but thew win miss the grace and
ease of Judge Tierney's delivery:
Brothers. Ladies' and Gentlemen
Once more the season has come that
betokens waste and decay, the leaves
have withered and fallen, the grass
es and flowers have faded, and the
ivy and vine nestle their cinging ten
drills more closely to the supporting
wall. And as we pass among these
ruins of nature, a feeling of insecur
/ ty and sadness comes over us a
these faithful reminders of the trutl
that all must die.
What more appropriate season thei
than this to honor the memory o
the dead? What more fitting time t
speak words of eulogy over them?
And so our great order has inst
tuted this grand and beautiful Gus
tom of annually memorializing IL
dead, in which exercises, today. owe
1900 lodges are engaged, with mem
bership OF over three hundred an'
thirty thousand Elks, spread through
out this broad land and still on on
into the great oceans and whereve
the flag Of freedom reigns supreme
For alas, how soon are the deal
forgotton how feeting are the OF
binary memories of menl
And when, we ourselves, are gon
the remembrance of us will not lon
remain. A few Of the near and dea
will bear our likenesses in their hos
oms, till they, too, have arrived a
the end of their journey, and entere
the dark dwelling of unconsciousness
In the thoughts of others we shal
live only until the last bell, whic
informs them of our departure, ha
ceased to vibrate in their ears. 1
stone, perhaps, may tell some wal
lderer where we lie, when We came
and when we went away, but eve
that will soon refuse to bear us r.
cord. Times effacing fingers wi
be busy on its surface, and will
length, wear it smooth. The stone
self will sink, or crumble. and tn
wanderer of another age will pas
without n single call upon his syn
pathy, over our unheeded graves.
1t is to counterfeit the sinkings {
the heart upon observations lii
these; 1t is to build up some conf
ence in human kind; 1t is to plaC
some substance among all these sha
ows, that our memorial exercises al
had.
A society that thus commemorate
the lives of its members; a brothe
hood that makes for the virtues TIL
stand for the promotion of public al
individual happiness, the chart of pl
vate conduct, is certainly a most c
fective instrument Of civilization.
When men die it Is well that the
faults be forgotten, while the GOO
they do should live on forever.
The grandeur of the future must
based upon the greatness of the pa:
and the glory Of the past is enshrin'
only In the memory of the good al
great, and the good and the great a
one.
That nation only is mighty III
holds as her dearest possession
treasury of noble names, for nam
are richer than deeds and deeds a
richer than gold.
We are but atoms of the great 4
ton in which We live, but It is out
atoms that every great whole
made, and what is true OF who
Is true of its component parts.
II we keep these thoughts In mir
I my brothers. the principles OF o
4 noble order have for us a broader,
deeper meaning. They teach us
know ourselves AS charity soly
the problem of hate by law of To-
so we by doing and by giving lea
to feel the rapture of receiving.
AS Justice lightens our minds
perceive the value or good in othe
so also In it's reflection we see
imagery OF our own faults and Fl
ings.
AS fidelity imparts human end
ance to human institutions, q
makes the prosecution of plan q
the pursuance of policy possible,
II teaches us that II faithful TO
Ideals we can reconstruct society q
found new civilization. where Ri
shall be universal law.
And brotherly love warns
hearts with feelings OF mutual an
ton. so in the friendships of our
der we feel a safer, happier and |
ter contentment, and the who'e OF
operates as q protector and guard
of our moral being.
The road of life starts about
same with all OF Gods children.
innocent babe. a sweet new bloss
Of humanity, fresh fallen from CO
home to bloom on earth, sees NJ
ing but beauty at the beginning
llfe's journey. The road is sire
with flowers and chlldhood's ha
days rarely feel the sting Of
thorn, the clouds of sorrow ne
lower and the storms OF life are
visible to the eyes OF children; q
the sunshine OF happiness lights
way OF childhood II is farther d,
the road where the Disappointing
come, and the neeting hours
marked by the real trials and tr
lations that all must endure In q
travels on LIES highway.
The weak fall by the wayside,
strong press on An start on
right road in life, but after cl