Gilpin observer., 1917-12-06
ELks' MEMORIAL SERVICES
HELD LAST SUNDAY

CUSTOM, central City lodge OF the or
der Of Elks, assembled at their hall
last Sunday afternoon and paid trib-
ute to their brothers who have gone
to the land beyond. Their memoir
les were recalled In appropriate ex-
ereises, with beautiful music and in
spring orations.
Rev. Father Deatcher spoke most
eIoq1entIy Of the laudabie work Of
the great and good order Of Elks,
saying In part az foilowsi
About three hundred years ago,
one Of the greatest genluses Of hiS
day wrote the doctrine Of his time
In these words: "Men's evil manners
live In brass, their virtues we write
In water" Man was cropping toward
the light but the march was long and
weary and the highways were filled
with the blood Of the weaker and the
less fortunate.
About one hundred years ago,
scotiand's bard bemoaned, "Man's
inhumanity to man makes countless
thousands mourn" The brotherhood
OF man was dream. It was the
survival not Of the fittest in char
acter but rather the survival Of the
strongest In physique. Less than
fifty years ago the dream Of the
brotherhoG Of man was fulfilled and
then there came into the world not
new thought but the realization
Of an old one, thought that was
worthy Of the gentle soul Of woman
and the generous heart Of man, and
It was an Elk who proclaimed, "He
who stoops over a fallen brother
stands erect" The gospel Of love
had triumphed. The domination Of
mere brute force was given it's final
death blow. Henceforth the spirit
Of the gentle Nazarene was to AMI
mate and rule the earth. Instead
the Benevolent and Protective Order
Of EIks gave the world this brighter
and nobler motto: "The faults Of
our brothers we write upon the
sand; their virtues upon the tablets
Of love and memory"
Why has this order with such a
humble origin Of fifteen members
grown to such magnificent proper
tions? We shall try to show you
In our humble way. First Of all it's
principles are distinctly American. II
10 not because It has taught doc
trine but because II has practiced
great and everlasting truths. Not
because It has advocated the build
ing Of hospitals but because It has
built them. Not because II has
spoken words Of sympathy, but be-
cause It has relieved distress. Il
has not reserved beautiful boquets
fQr the funeral, but Il has scattered
T'owers Of kindness among the liv-
Ing. Altho the order 10 established
wherever our beloved flag waves, II
can never be used to exert a COM
bined Influence In matters Of politics
and religion. II 10 generous to a
fault in dealing with the fraiIties Of
mankind. Its mission 10 peace and
good will on earth. II enforces the
duty that man owes to his creator, to
his neishbor and to himself. The on
Iy secret that the order guards zeal
ousIy Is charity without ostentation.
The order teaches the love Of home,
wife and family. Every Elk 10 pIeds.
ed to protect with his life II neces-
sary the honor Of woman. The sweet
est words In our language are moth
er, wife, sister and daughter. ! do
not claim that the Elk 10 the per-
feet man but what ! do claim is,
there 10 no man, whatever his char.
acter, who 10 not better for being an
Elk.
One Of the beautiful customs Of
this order 10 the eleven O'Clock
toast. The clock that tolls out the
order Of our little lives, strikes the
hour Of eleven. The brothers assem-
bled stop amidst song, mirth and
laughter to drink to the toast-our
absent brothers. At the hour Of eI.
even every Elk In Elkdom 10 united
and our absent brothers live In honor.
Another most beautiful custom 10
this annual memorial service. We
are assembled here today to pay
tribute to their past memories. You
have heard their names called but
there was no response They are
separated from us for a time. We
weave a garland Of rosemary around
their vacant places. Altho their bod
les have returned from whence they
came, we know az our faith teaches
" that their souls shall live on for
ever. Altho this service 10 one Of
sorrow Il need not be one Of tears.
Let us pray the Oliver Of Life to be
mercifuI In His Judgments Of our De-
parted Brothers and thank Him that