The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-12-10
From Mondays Daily.

for us TO think OF those whose races
we see no more, except I'm memory.
II has a far deeper significance. II is
not a day of mourning. but rather
dav for contemplation; a day for
tender memories and thoughtful re-
Election. II Is day for the contem-
pIation of death and its mystery In
order that we may gather strength
and inspiration for the proper perfor-
nance of lifeS duties.
The one great certainty OF life is
death. No crown OF king or warriors
armor affords protection against MS
shaft. No mothers tears, no sisters
pleadings can melt his stony heart.
Against this law man has ever
struggled and in vain. Eventually II
will be written of every man as IL
was of Methuselah: The years OF his
life were so many and he died.
Members of the Order of Elks as
they contemplate the death of friends
and brothers can say with the Apes
tie. We sorrow not as those who
have no hope Belief in Supreme
Being is a basic tenet of the institu-
ton. brotherhood. the first principle
Of the fraternity. implies common
FatherhOod.
contemplation of Nature. with her
manifold wonders. the earth and the
heavens. the alternate seasons, the
seed time and harvest. the trees ana
flowers. give convincing proof that
there is a God. Above all, man him
self. wonderful in physical construc-
ton. endowed with a mind and pos
sessad of a soul. proclaims that there
is Being infinite in wisdom. the
fountain of life. the source of light
and rover. who reigns supreme.
Death Loses Its Terrors.
believing this. death loses its
terror and we learn to nsider II not
as the end of all things, but as the
terminus of a journey. Believing in
God. We learn to recognize life as a
gift from Him. as an opportunity for
service
No man can be true 10 his belief
in a Supreme Ruler and live
thcughtless. selfish life. II we be
children OF a common parent there is
awOng us a mutual obligation to be
e'pful to each other.
among men. and knowledge OF this
law led TO the formation of the Order
Of Eiks. For the reason which can
be readily seen that such an organ
izatiCn affords means OF meeting our
Obligations TO each other far better
than they could be met were each TO
at for himself.
Il have been member of this
order for a score OF years. know of
it's work | know something OF its
lessons. say without hesitation,
the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks is a living, moving. helpful
force in the world to-day. II is help
full as an agent to relieve distress and
helpful also as teacher Of principles
Of right living and acting.
The relief work done by the order
is we'll known. Not only does II care
for its own when in need, but IL is
prompt to aid every deserving char
ity. The Elk has gained the reputs-
ton OF being a wholesome. helpful,
generous individual
More important than the relief work
of the order, however. is its power
as a teacher of high ideals of life and
it's duties and as an agent in making
those ideals realities.
Human Progress and Ideals.
All human progress has resu'te d
from ideals of right living, born in
the mind of an individual. developed
in other minds by association and in
struction until they become living
principles. elevating all kind 10
the standard of the new ideas
The Order of Elks presents high
ideals Of right living and who can
say its members are not made better
man. better citizens BY having su
ideals placed before them. It pre-
sents to its members the purest pin
ciples which can animate the human
heart. II bids its followers be CRATE
full to their Creator. devoted to their
country and charitable toward their
fellow men.
The influences of these lessons
cannot be left in the orders lodge
rooms with the books and officers
jewels. II passes out with us into
the busy world and bec~mes a potent
factor in ennobllng and elevating all
human life.
The Order OF Elks exerts an in
fiuence which serves II strength n
patriotism. Loyalty to country Is one
of its foremost tenets. Equally With
the Bible, the Stars and Stripes
hold prominent position In every lodge
room. Its lessons make all Elks stu
dents of government and advocates o.
measures which serve to strengthen
tho nation and promote the public
welfare.
Influence Of Elks
Outward from our lodge room:
through our lives as members Their,
flows an influence which is serving I,
increase good fellowship and sociabil
ity and this sad world needs such al
influence.
The Elk is no hermit. He Is
sociable. human being who generate
good fellowship among all with whom
he comes In contact.
The doctrine Of human brother
hood is strengthened and made NOR
generally praeticed by the influence
of the lessons and associations of GU
order. H.
brotherhood prompts to service
II. points to the sick unattended; b
the dead unburied: to the widow Il
want: to the orphan in ignorance: &
the willing man unemployed and says
They are OF one family with you