The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-12-13

shall stand beside their grave and
Oh! what then II our only though
shall be "it might have been How
heart breaking to realize If had
done my duty rs a brother it might
have been SO different.
Brothers, these are not impOss-
| iblc things to dc; any man who Is
no' a coward, not utterly selfish can
CORY them out. But surely among
the principles and the living forces
OF true Elkdom there should be n,
room for cowardice and selfishness
| sand here before you, my broth
ers. as a minister of Jesus Christ,
unworthy Of such high honor as
may Dc and your servant for
His sake He. the man Jesus, liv-
ed among men such life of purity,
of love. benevolence and protection
a life recognized by all as a life of
sach unutterable beauty and
strength. of such sweetness and
firmness. OF such gentleness and
true manliness that Christian or
I Unitarian, jew or Gentle has. in
His unique life. a miracle to ac-
count for in His superiority to all
the rest of mankind. miracle as
great IS that which is contained in
the doctrine of the incarnation it.
self
Ii is one OF the rules of
His kingdom. Whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you. do ye
even so to them. This is what we
speak of as the Golden Rule; II is
/ the very essence OF practical Chris
tianity in one mans bearing TO an
other, whether il be as an Elk. as
/ business or professional man.
as a capitalist or as a man of leis-
ure, and just in proportion as a
man carries out this principle in his
lie is he a good citizen, a good pa
trio. i good statesman. or bad
one. Where would be the graft?
Were the corruption? If this
Golden Rule were upon the con
science Where would be found
the man vile enough to vote for
nan who is seeking his own in
dividual good rather than the good
Of these he seeks 10 represent? We
must remember that a good and
faithful representative in the halls
OF national or municipal legislation
depends much upon the voter who
is faithful to this Golden Rule,
Whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you. do ye even so
20 them.
My brothers. in conclusion, let
me add. what is well known to you,
hat the principles OF Elkdom are
such that rs We carry out these
principles shall we be true men and
brothers. true citizens and pa
triots. Il those whose memory We
commemorate today could speak 10
us with audible voice they surely
would tell US these same things
viii you permit me TO ask YOU II
since your last memorial day there
be one, even one brother. you have
tricd to lead and strengthen in right
doing? Perhaps you did not rec
osnizc the opportunity, perhaps you
did, but il you did not seize it l.
vas an opportunity missed which
might have been used for laying up
treasure in heaven.
Let me add further. If you de-
sire to know anything you will sure
ly so where you can learn of il. and
if you desire or think it worth
while to know God you will surely
90 where you can learn of Him, at
tend His house. where His people
are, TO worship Him. 1t has been
one Of the slurs about Elks that
hey do not attend the public wor-
ship OF God. but this is no more
the outcome of the principles Of
Elkdom than is If the result Of
rue Christianity. thar some Chris
ians are hypocrites and attend
church for gain. which is the evil
ience OF the lack OF Christianity
Yet. i, these did not realize the ad-
san.ages Of Christianity in Others
.hoy never would be- processing
Christians.
10 thine own self be true. and
f. must follow as the night the dsy.
Thou can'st not then be false TO
any man.