Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-02

benign influence and Inspiration in the
service until now there is scarcely
fraternity which does not sometime
within the year perform this sacred
rite.
ORDER UNSELFIsH
THAT individual, nation or organi-
zation which would attain to true
greatness and enduring power must
be consecrated to the sacred princi-
pie for which the meek and lowly
NaZarine gave his life-that man
should live for man Where In the
history of fraternal orders can be
found truer embodiment of this spir-
it than exists in the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks? Our grand
exalted ruler and his officers were the
first upon that tragic scene at San
Francisco and our stricken brothers
and their families were given immedi
ate relief. Not only were our kindly
ministrations extended to our brothers
but the open palm of Elkdom reached
out to all the homeless and suffering
wherever found.
REWARD Is GREAT.
This peerless act of brotherhood
challenged the respect and admiration
of the country, brought forth an ap.
probation from the president and ex.
allied our order to prominence in the
galaxy of like fraternities. Thus may
we benefit by the practice of altruism.
Thus do we find our way into the
hearts Of q grateful humanity and
such is the reward. Our order is es-
sentially patriotic, placing human life
above material gain and country
above individual or class. Mems in
terests are interviewer as never before
and men will either prey upon each
other IN selfish hatred or be drawn to-
gether in bonds of sympathy AS we
love our homes and country, as we
love cur order, with all its benefits,
its memories and its hopes let us curb
this selfshness and inculcate the SYM
pathetic spirit of altruism for the
great eternal interests of humankind.
NEED FOR CHARITY.
And now, my brothers, at this mo-
ment while we are met in solemn con-
vocation and the gentle spirit of mem
DRY broods around about-all over the
land the wolf of hunger is barking at
the doors of the countless poor and
starving lips of babes are pressed
against the withered breasts of want.
When will the grinding cease? Is death
the only end of strife? Let us hope that
there is a good time coming when
poverty is no more in the land of
plenty-when there is a real democra-
cy this side of the grave-a good time
coming when justice shall rule eternal
when charity and benevolence shall
conquer greed and avarice and all re-
joice in the universal brotherhood of
man.
Somehow Elkdom has always ap-
pealed as mighty agency toward the
contamination Of this end. 1t is the
most democratic institution of it's
kind in the nation; it knows no class
-harbors no clan; it knows no dis
tinction Of birth-pays no homage to
meaningless badge of wealth crowns
no heads for mere honor's sake-rec-
ognizes no aristocracy but that Of
good-fellowship. With gentleness and
mercy, love and kindness, with char
ity, Justice, brotherly love and fidelity
and the strict observance of the gold
en- rule we seek to promote the happi-
ness OF our members as well as the
general welfare of society. The atti-
tude of Elkdom toward womanhood Is
lnftinSf OF =,
votion and high morality outside of
the commandments of the good book.
All in all to be an Elk is a splendid
privilege and a high honor. Our or
der touches humanity from many an
giles, reaches out its strong arm to lift
up the fallen and is ever and always
concerned in the happiness and bet
terment of humankind. Our high aim
is to journey along with honest hearts
and willing hands to help and serve
humanity to the end
TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD
TT is with much more than a sem
blance of devotion to the memories Of
our dead brothers that we come to the
service of this sacred day. To the
dead we offer all we can give a tri-
butte to their memories. We know that
the dumb forms that lie in the tombs
will not heed our offerings, but there
is an inspiration in the act that leads
the spirits into q holy sphere of
thought and love. When winter is
done the survivors of the dead bring
fragrant flowers fresh-plucked from
the lap of spring and with gentle
hands strew them over the graves, a
fit emblem of the beauty of life and
the decay of death. Flowers soon
waste and mingle again with the ele-
ments but the memory of these broth
ers will remain forever. Their faults
are written upon the sands-their viz
tues on tablets of love and memory
We do not assemble today among
their bleak and lonely tombs, but here
with the living we meet to recall lives
once lived, 10 count their virtues and
generous deeds, their devotion to our
cause and their helpfulness and use
fulness to society; q tender memory
which We fervenl cherish above all
other consideration s. We build nonu-
ments to preserve the achievements
Of men; for inspiration to succeeding