Gilpin observer., 1913-12-11


we who are here, paying our tri-
butte Of respect, have certainly two
grounds for the belief that those
brethren, who have fought their bat
ties bravely here, have received a
just and glorious reward in the great
Beyond
For, first. were they not brothers
who loyalty and unselfishly helped
each other, giving and aiding with
kind and loving hearts, and is it not
said: Come unto Me, all ye that la
bour and are heavy laden, and | will
give you rest?
And, second, have we not the
hope of and belief in immortality
more firmly fixed in the human soul
today, than ever in the worlds his
tory? Man reaches out into the mys-
terious future and claims for himself
and his loved ones in some form or
other, hope of immortality. The
revealed to us and never will be un-
til we each pay the great debt due
to nature. We know not whether our
dear ones and friends are near us in
where their souls exist, but we do
feel with certainty, that somewhere
or somehow, the vital spark of exis-
tence still glows and dies not.
who can observe nature in her
manifold beauties, or the expanse Of
worlds finding their way through the
heavens in sublime majesty, with
out saying to himself that there Is a
Supreme Mind behind and guiding
all? NThe bible too, finds a proper
place in every lodgeroom of Elks in
our land, and who can say that the
beautiful plan of life and morals it
inculcates, so far above our plane of
life that no mortal has ever lived
up to its precepts, is given us by the
unaided mind of man? My friends,
these all point beyond and above us,
where an unknown and all-powerful
being presides, and in whose hands
lies the destiny, both of ourselves
and our brothers, who have gone be-
fore US.
Even the skeptic, standing at his
brothers grave, acknowledges his be-
lief in a future existence, when he
says:
Life is a narrow vale between
the cold and barren peaks of two
eternities. We strive in vain to look
beyond the heights. We cry aloud,
and the only answer is the echo of
our wailing cry. From the voiceless
lips of the unreplying dead, there
comes no word; but in the night of
death hope sees a star, and listening
love can hear the rustic OF wing
| 1T is not the intention of our
founders that this day should be one
er one of serious reflection, of re-
calling the good traits of the depart
ed. their kindnesses and good deeds
while on earth. 1t teaches us to be
|
and to make our own departure re-
gretted by those We leave behind us.
1t teaches US also, that one flower
placed in the sick room of the liv.
ing, is worth thousand on the cof
fin of the dead; one helpful deed is
worth thousand vain regrets fol-
what we might have done to tighten
the cares of a needy brother.
I'VE have as the foundation Of
our structure. Charity, 'Justice, Broth
erly Love and Fidelity. Let these
be not glib words of can't, but let u.
make them of real and living mean
ing in our daily life among men.
Let us have charity without os
tentation; charity of kindness ant
affection to cheer the heart of fel
low being in time of need;
Justice without a stern judgment
and allow for the weakness of /,
brother. knowing not his temptations
"A brotherly love which passeth al
understanding. helping the down
hearted ana distressed,
"And Fidelity to all of these prin
ciples, will enable us to say. whei
the Grand Exalted Ruler OF Heavel
shall demand our presence, and W.
are called at last to cross the darl
waters toward the Great Beyond:
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me.
And may there be no moaning OF th'
bar.
When l put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving SEEM
asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out th
boundless deep,