Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-05
MEMORIAL SERVICES.


Protective Order Elks-Thrlliihs Aus
dresses of Councilman J. +. birren
and Hon. r. T. w. Duke-Exceiient
Musical Programme Well-renaered.
The new hall OF Alexandria Lodge OF
Elks was a place of beauty last night;
The committee having the memorial
services in charge had anticipated
everything which could have in any
manner added interest to the occasion,
and the large audience was more than
pleased with their evenings experience
and the members OF the organization
felt an honest pride in the appreciation
manifested by their numerous guests.
This was the first time the memorial
services had been held in the new home
OF the lodge, and the auditorium had been
beautifully and tastefully decorated for
the occasion. Flags and potted plants
and ferns were in profusion and tho
many electric bulbs brilliantly illuml-
mated everything.
About eight o'clock the orchestra
rendered an overture, after which the
members OF the lodge entered the audi
torium and took their places on the
stogo, which had been tastefully deco
rated. A clock, [" ready to toll eleven.
was conspicuous object, as were six
teen white stars, representing the mem
bers OF the lodge who have joined the
great majority since tho institution OF
the order Of Elks in Alexandria.
After prayer by Rev. W. J. Morton,
rector OF Christ Church, Exalted Ruler
Howard w. Smith made few fitting
remarks, and the opening ceremonies
followed. The chairs of the officers
had been taken from the lodge room
and placed in position in the audi.
forum, and those filling them We'd
with the exalted ruler in the opening
ceremonies.
An impressive feature OF the opening
services was the calling OF the roll OF
the sixteen deceased members by
Secretary Donnelly. AS Dame was
called star blazed forth. This was
continued until the entire sixteen were
shining brilliantly as was also the i'm
provised clock. They continued to
shine forth throughout the ceremonies,
thus signifyng that, while absent IN the
flesh, they we're present in the spirit.
After an invocation by Rev. Edgar
Carpenter. chaplain of the lodge,
Mr.. J. F. Birrell, who was the first
speaker, advanced and made a short
but interesting address on the principles
of the Elks-Charity, Justice, Brother
ly Love and Fidelity. He said they
we're broad and literal and the organl-
zation had no creed under its tutelage.
The institution was one which em-,
braced Jew and Gentle, representatives
Of all persuasions. The order taught
the tatherhood OF God and the brother
hood of man, as we'll as the sacredness
OF the home, the love of country and OF
the Creator, The Elks, be said, had
an altar at which prayer was offered.
An American flag and Bible we're kept
upon it aud every candidate placed his
hands upon the sacred volume IN taking
his obligation to be true to the teach
ings Of the institution. The Elks pro-
claim justice, and the same scales were
used for the king and peasant alike.
Brotherly love, key note of the order,
was being manifested in every place in
the world where a Lodge of Elks exists,
and while Alexandria members Of the
order were honoring their dead similar
services were being held at the same
hour elsewhere. Mr.. Birrell's allusion
to the deceased members OF the order
was appropriate and touching. He
said that while to US their suns had set,
they were shining in greater brilliancy
on another shore. Their faults had
been written in sand, but their virtues
had been engraved upon enduring tab
lets. He closed by turning to the
members of the lodge who we're seated
upon the stage and made practical
suggestions to those who, so far, have
escaped tho scythe of the silent reaper,
and uttered words OF encouragement,
as we'll as kindly rules OF life which
should animate all, and the God OF
hope would be with oil. Mr.. Birrell
made numerous references to history
and general literature, all of which were
we'll applied.
After certain musical features OF
the programme, Hon. r. T. w. Duke
arose and made an exceedingly inter-
esting address. The speaker is not
q stranger in Alexandria, and oil who
have ever heard him are glad OF other
opportunities. He was at his best and
for nearly half an hour he thrilled and
edited his audience. He said the dead
do not need us; they are beyond our
hope. But We have need OF the dead,
ae in the study Of their lives we are as
pign,ies upon the shoulders OF giants.
There is, the speaker said, no such
thing as death, and were there such a
thing as annihilation, the ceremonies
in which the company was engaged
would be cruel mockery. The great
teacher had told the Sadducees OF his
day that God was the God OF the
living. The company had gathered
to acknowledge life, and he had
not one word Of sorrow upon his lips.
He often heard people admonish others
to prepare for death, and he had little
patience with such; even those in the
pulpit gave expressions to such words.
We all had better prepare to live
that is our mission. The speaker said
40 - a - loo "a, L,s5opo md 90 k;ro a