The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-25

which a beneficent Providence vouch-
safes us. These breaks IN Iife's mon
otOnOus grind are epochs in our ex-
istence. They are the milestones by
which, when we are burdened with
the weight of years, we trace our
course. And yet at these times, in the
midst Of all our pleasures, the spirit
Of ElkdOm always predominates, and
at eleven o'clock you will hear, or
have heard, that touching sentiment
"TO Our Absent Brothers." known in
every Elks lodge as THE Eleven
O'clock Toast" 1t has no parallel in
any other fraternal society in the
whole world, and, like the annual
Christmas offering to the poor chill
dren of our cities, it is the spontan-
eOus result Of the teachings of our be-
loved order. 1t exemplifies in perma-
nent practical manner the true
spirit Of Elkdom."
We believe the man who will stand
firm and true in defense of an alb
sent friend, is worthy of the respect
even of an enemy We believe in bro
therhood, not as a substitute for re-
lgious faith, but as a quickening,
powerful influence that binds closer
together men and nations. We believe
in the fatherhod of God and the broth
erhood of man, in the religion of love
and the gospel of good works. That
above all sects, is truth; above all
ic hot oil he
OF men are the sons of God. We sympa-
thize with human frailties and human
sufferings. We deplore the fraternal
trife that today is rocking the ma
tons in the lap Of war as it has not
been rocked in a thousand years.
If there is one thing that Elkdom
teaches more than another, it is the
gospel Of cheerfulness and goodfellow-
ship. Our religion is that of human
lty, not theology, and our creed is the
eXemplificatiOn Of charity in it's
broadcast and widest sense and mean
ing
We believe that a smile is better
than a froWn, sunshine better than
clouds, that laughter is the sweetest
music in the world, and life without it
would be weary waste.
The Benevolent and Protective Or
der OF Elks is an American order,
American in principle, American in
its hopes and aspirations, and it's pa
trlotic teachings are ideal Wherever
a lodge Of Elks exists on it's altar
rests the stars and stripes and the
Holy Bible, and citizenship is a first
requisite to membership
Charity, justice, brotherIy love and
fidelity are it's cardinal virtues-the
excuse for it's existence-if it needed
one. The practice of these principles
devolves upon every man who assumes
our obligation, as we'll as the protec-
ton of a brothers home and family
ties. An Elk develops certain charac-
teristics that distinguish him from his
felloWmen. He meets troubles and
difficulties with a smile, and, by doing
| so, he knows he is in a better condi-
ton to overcome them. Smiles and
| charity for the living, tender memoir
les OF the dead, aid and sympathy for
IN Elk nature and are part of his re-
hgion and 'unwritten creed. Every
person who does a charitable act. who
| adds to the sum total of human happi-
ness, who inOculates others with a
germ OF good cheer is an Elk who has
| not yet taken our obligation.
The Elks believe that the best form
| of prayer and of worship is in making
provision for the poor and needy; in
making life easier for those whose
lives are full of sorrow. That the best
| kind Of deeds are those which contrib
ute to the happiness of the aged who
| Imagine themselves deserted, or which
| adds to the joy of the children of the
poor who are deprived of the pleasures
| in which little ones most delight. The
| best kind of religion is that where
love and kindness to the poor and un-
| fortunate, sympathy and aid to the
miserable and unhappy-help to give
courage and strength to the weak and
| disheartened, comprise the creed
Upon the declaration of faith, cou-
| pied with firm belief in the existence
of Supreme Ruler and the immortal
iy of the soul, the acknowledgment
OF which is first requisite to mem
bership in the order, the genuine Elk
sustained and soothed by an unfalter-
ing trust, will approach his grave like
one who wraps the drapery of his
couch about him, and lies down tc
| pleasant dreams