The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1922-12-05
Annual Memorial Service Is
Held Sunday Afternoon In
Vine Theatre
STRONG ADDRESS IS
GIVEN BY H. o. BENTLEY
Large Number Of Members
And The Public Attend
Service OF Love and
Memory

Conforming to the long established
practice and cusotm of the Elks, the
members Of Mt. Vernon lodge, No.
140, b. P. 0. E., on Sunday afternoon
held their annual memorial service.
Similar services were being held at
the same hour wherever there is an
Elks lodge.
This service perpetuates and hon.
ors the memory of those absent
brothers" who once met mingled and
associated with them in the frater-
nifty and good fellowship of Mt. Yer.
non lodge, but who have passed on,
crossing the mysterious river and
now are enjoying their rest beneath
the trees upon the other side. or
these 1t is written, "The faults of our
brothers we write upon the sands.
Their virtues upon the tablets of love
and memory"
Tho memorial service was held at
o'clock in the Vine theatre. AS al
ways has been the custom Of the Elks,
the public were invited to attend. The
house was filled almost to the limit of
its seating capacity by the members
OF Mt. Vernon lodge and those others
who accepted the invitation to attend.
Four Die During Year
The dead Of Mt. Vernon lodge now
number 50, of whom four passed away
ard entered upon the enjoyment of
their reward during the current year.
These are l.. A. Wills, Jan. 81; j. A.
Kelley. April Z; E. c. Levering, May
29;i J. A. Durbin, Aug. %.
4 Two musical numbers, a prelude
and u march, given by the Elks or
chestra, announced the opening of the
service. I'uring the rendition of the
march, the members of Mt. Vernon
lodge marched into the theatre, tax.
ing the seats reserved for them, the
officers and the speaker taking their
stations upon the stage, which was
beautifully decorated with towers, the
American flag upon the altar and at
the station Of the exalted ruler.
Opening Ceremonies
The opening ceremonies were con.
Quoted by Exalted Ruler Ralph Jen-
kins, assisted by the other officers OF
the lodge. The invocation was given
by Rev. Donald Wonders, rector of ST.
Paups Episcopal church.
clark, Hark. My Soul" was sung
with excellent and impressive effect
by double quartet, Messrs. George
Wythe. Fred Lawler, James Lamson,
Fred Babbs, George Spearman. Clar-
ence Cripen, Godfrey Errett and Nor.
man Turner. The accompaniment was
played by Mrs. Errett
A violin number, Caprice Venoise"
(KreislGr) was given by Harold AIR
endt.
Mrs. Elsie Stillwagon rendered with
a splendid Interpretation "My Re-
deemer and My Lord
Memorial Address
The memorial address was given
by Harry o. Bentley, member of
Lima lodge. No. 54 Addressing his
audience almost in a conversational
manner and in way that brought
him and them very close together in
understanding and appreciation. the
speaker delivered an exceedingly able
and thoughtful address, one marked
by sensible and timely suggestion and
admonition to the living, while not
falling to show complete and proper
respect and reverence for those whose
memory the members of the order
l,urposed showing honor.
In presenting his thought, the
speaker sought first to make clearly
definite the purpose that had brought
them together. By illustration, he
invited notice to how life, death and
resurrection are inseparably associat.
ed and connected. Man is born but
to die" the speaker suggested. He
said he was thrilled by the thought
that at this hour wherever is to be
found lodge of the Elks, a similar
service was being held. the member
ship of this great order bowling the
head and bending the knee in rever-
ence before the grand exalted Ruler
OF the universe,
mo worthy act ever is done the
? speaker continued, without at least
two benefits, the one for whom 1t Is
done and another certain benefit to
him who does it. In thus honoring
the dead we honor ourselves also.
Nothing Mysterious