Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-05

name has been mentioned with Venera-
ton; (Christ was nailed to the cross,
yet to-day his memory is the dearest
heritage Of the civilized world) Co
lumbus was loaded with chains but
every cline Lincoln in ape was called
a human blood hound, but now his pic
ture adorns every public building in
America and his achievements are the
glory Of our age. Within the memory
OF all here. Mckinley was called a
panderer to wealth. plant tool of
the trusts, yet only a little while ago
by popular subscription was raised
quarter Of a billion dollars To mark his
final resting place.
"All history tells the same story.
Let a man by his own ability or the
favor of the people be elevated to
some position of honor OF trust and
/ what happens? His enemies among
the people and the press. TO weaken
| his influence. or from envy. insinuate
the vilest charges against his charac-
ter and accuse him of all manner of
weaknesses and villauies But when
he dies what then? Fulogios are pro-
nounced, praise and reclamation are
his portion and there is heard no dis
senting voice. Yet could he have had
his choice which do you think he
would have preferred; the kindly word
Of appre citation while living. the praise
he merited for duties nobly done. or
some mute marble tribute Of belated
gratitude when he is gone"
4 This has been the treatment accord
l al . L., .
the treatment Of those who come here
after but It is wrong, ignorantly. cruelty
wrong. Who cares what people say about
them after they are dead if one chooses
he can leave few dollars and have
I chisollcd on his tombstone anything he
wants. but what We all would like is
to nave people say something decent
about us now while we're here and car
get the benefit Of it. 1t will matter little
To you and to me what is said of u.
j" years from now: but il matters
great deal what is said to-day. So thi.
is the instruction of Iclkdom TO its mem
hers. II you know good things of people
say them now. don't reserve them To-
the funeral. and IL you have been in tbs
| hapit OF handling the hammer throw
it away and forget that you We're evel
| skilful H. its use
An Elk never dies. our morta
brother once Is our immortal brothc!
now: his memory lives in our hearts
his spirit lives eternally in the home
of his Creator. such is our dearest
fon lest belief; such is the message o.
hope and love and consolation whici
Elkdom gives tonight to every sor
rowing. anguished friend or rclativ,
of our departed brothers. We know
that they have only preceded us b.
a little space OF time: We know tina
we shall one day meet them again an
remain WITH them forever. This SEES
. sion of sorrow fultills two-foll pur
pose. BY it we do our duty towar
the dead. through it strengthe
our resolve to do our duty toward tn
living.
ITO be consiierate OF one anothe,
, to be charitable toward one anothc
is the chief reason for the eXistenc
, of our order. To help one another
the essence of the Elks religion.
: Brothers and friends: this is the pray,
of Elkdom; Let us endeavor to so lv
that when it comes our time to appe;
before the Grand Exalted Ruler of II
Universe We may he able to stand 70
q ward. unfalterlng, unafraid and in posse
sion of the proper password; let
q cndeavor to so live that me may be four
y worthy to take a place In that grande,
r lodge OF all where truth forever shine
g where love forever burns. in that bright,
and happier land beyond the cloud
beyond the stars