The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-12-12
Tribute Is Paid To
Departed Elks
From Mondays Daily.
"Tte faults of our brothers write
upon the eand,
Their virtues on tablets OF love and
and memory"

constantly in mind, the MankatO
lodge of Eiks yesterday afternoon
paid fitting tribute to the mem
cries of the derarted members. The
ceremonies, beautiful in their SIM
plici,y, were carried out in the
Presbyterian church. The Elks
marched in a body from their club
house block away and occupied
seats in the auditorium. of the sacred
ediice, while a large number of
friends OF the order were present
10 list to the services, which began
at three o'clock. The address was
delivered by Senator Charles D.
Johnson of Brainerd. He spoke in
part as follows:
Recalled the Past.
Exalted Ruler, Brother Elks and
Friends: This occasion may not be
propitious for remark of personal
"Reminiscences. but ! know you will
pardon the depression. Coming here
as do at this time when the
surroundings, trappings and silence In
Gicate thoughts of sorrow, yet it is to
me source of satisfaction to visit
my old home Mankato. ! was born
in your beautiful city and lived
here the first nineteen years OF my
life. 1t was here that | learned to
read, write and spell. And while
regret that ! was not graduate of
your schools, yet around the Old
Union school are clustered the fond.
est recollectionS Of my life. All! But
what a change-today. | greet a
new people from that which would
have assembled here a quarter Of a
century ago. ! recognize but few
familiar faces; but INV true is tie fact
tons you leave the home of your
childhood days, there are times
when your heart yearns for one
more look upon the home from
whence they came. And so today
] am glad to be with you even
though the occasion be one of sad
reflections.
Meet to Refresh Memory.
I'VE meet today to refresh our
memory and to remind us of the
duty we owe to those brothers
who in life stood by our side, work
ing with the same spirit for the
same cause and the same purpose
the elevation and betterment of man
kind Those brothers who have
answered the summons of the Eyalt
cd Ruler On high to report in
another sphere of action-brothers
whose lives you so wildly remember
and whose deeds you so kindly
cherish, we dedicate this day to
their memory.
Our roll has been called and the
absent dead respond not. 1t is not
that they were heroes in bloody
battles; it is not that they achieved
fame in life. No. but we commemor
etc and honor their memory because
they belonged TO the Order of Elks
Consequently, my friends, it is
worthy of more than passing notice
that the humblest member in our
ranks is accorded the same com
memorating honor that is given a
brother, who by his ability, genius
or good luck, reaches a higher place
in life.
All Are Equal.
IN this order we are all equal
entitled to and receiving the same
benefit, the same consideration, anG
when the time comes, the same hom
age. In the history of Elkdom are
chronicled no glorious deeds or bril-
liant achievements, nor were tht
founders of the order men of nation
al reputation; but in the silent prac
tice of charity and brotherly love
they have brought cheer and comfor
to the helpless and needy, JOY ant
relief to the window and fatherless
We give no medals for heroic worl
Or valiant service; to be remem
bered by the Elks after death has
played his part, one has not tc
become famous, lead an army t
victory, FAINT glorious scene upor
canvas, rank high in the field O.
literature, nor in any other way i'm
mortaliZe our names.
But, my friends, it shall not BIZ
my desire to over extol the splendi,
feature Of this order or magnify its
field and work in the world.
simply want you to picture in your
minds, if you can, what the socia
condition of our country would be
today il there were none of the
great fraternal organization in exist
cnce. Would there not be some
thing lacking in our social inter
course in that bond of sympathy be
tween man, in the exercise of char
ity, and in all that which goes tC
help men better to live up to the
teachings o1Ghrist-Help one an
other do unto others as you would
they should do unto you. And so
my friends. it is the mission of the
order of Elks to band together {
= class of men. qualified by character
only, regardless of station in life
or creed or belief, who will unite
for common purpose: that of up
lifting the fallen, soften the sorrow
and smooth the pathway of oul
brother Elks, and by that practice
inspire a lesson in the lives of al
men that will broaden their vision
IN realization of the universally
of helping one another among al