New Britain herald., 1916-12-04
ELkS HONOR THEIR
 DECEASED MEMBERS
Annual Memorial Exercises Held
 by New Britain Lodge

Past efforts of New Britain lodge,
 B. F. O. E., for memorial exercises
 were completely overshadowed yes- terday at the RussWin Lyceum, when
 in the presence of about 400 members and a large delegation of friends, the annual services in honor of the de- ceased members were carried out The interior of the building was decorated in a lavish manner, with the national colors and the purple and white of the order predominating. On the stage, arranged with effect, were the clock dial pointing to the mystic hour of eleven and the star of fidelity One of the pleasing features of the service was the handsome vacant chair ar ranged by Esteemed Loyal Knight O. O. Butler and Carl Lorenzen, consist ing of forget-m amaranth and ivy, symbolic of Elkdoms creed. Fol- lowing the calling of the names of the deceased members, the chair was illuminated with colored lights, while in the rear of the stage the Concordia quartet sang "The Vacant Chair"
 Exalted Ruler Wells c. Foster was in charge of the exercises. Seated on the stage were the officers of the lodge and Philip Troup of New Haven who delivered the memorial address. Assembling at the club house, the members marched to the theater and occupied seats in the center aisle.
 The program opened with a process sional march by the Elks orchestra, Professor w. H. Bishop leading. Chap pain Fred G. Spiers offered prayer and this was followed by the members of the lodge joining in singing Near CT My God to Thee" The Concordia quartet sang "Rock of Ages" Tho memorial service by the officers was carried out in a very capable manner. Gathering Home" was rendered by ford sang a solo.
 The address of MT. Troup was one of the finest of it's kind ever heard in this city. MT. Troup dwelt at length on the imm ortality of the soul. Speak, ing of the beautiful service as con- ducted by Elks in memory of their de- parted brothers, the speaker said that it reminded him of Maeterlink's great play, 'The Blue Bird of Paradise," in which the Belgian mystic and ideal ist depicts imm ortality as a loving re- mem brance of the dead. He spoke of the tribute that is paid the dead mem- bers every time the clock strikes the hour of eleven, by Elks throughout the land. Tn part he said:
 Nothing can or ever will prevent 1 the Elk from rem mbrance of his ab- l sent brothers. The world is richer 1 by their having lived, Is indeed poor l CT by their passing. Never having l even met them we know them all, be- l cause they, too, have shared in the of Elkdom. We love each one of them because as Ingersoll said at his brothers grave, He added to the sum of human joy and were everyone for whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to his grave he would sleep tonight beneath a will derness of flowers
 we revere them, because, as Elks. we know that they have stood for God, for country and for mankind"
 At the conclusion of the address the orchestra played a selection followed bv a rendition of "Good Night by the quartet and the closing ode by the membe
 MT. Troup was escorted to the Elks home where he was presented with handsome carving set by Exalted Ru- Ter Foster on behalf of the lodge. The recipient was deeply touched by the presentation and when he regained his composure, he assured the mem- bers that at any time In the future when his services would be desired, thev were New Britain's for the ask ing