By The Port Huron Elks Lodge 343
The Port Huron Elks Lodge 343 Lodge Officers and Past Exalted Rulers honored our deceased members with our annual Elks Memorial Service on Sunday, December 2nd. A service which is an extension of the established customs of our Fraternal Order, in keeping with one of our most solemn of Pledges. That living or dead, Elks are never forgotten, never forsaken.
Let us be reminded that our departed members carried with them some great tools of life, not because they are the Principles and Symbols of our Fraternity, but because they are the Principles and Symbols of our culture and a part of our heritage.
* The Holy Bible is an Emblem of true Faith and Justice.
* The Flag of our Country is a Symbol of Patriotism.
* The Star of Fidelity is a Symbol of Dedication and Obligation to lofty Principles.
* And always working under the Antlers of Protection afforded by their Fellow Elks.
Not only did they live by these tools of life, they also worked on behalf of them. In death, they have discovered all of the Truths of the Principles of what they stood for in life.
* Charity spurs us all to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
* Justice of our Duty to our fellow man.
* Brotherly Love that makes ever Member their Brother’s keeper.
* Fidelity which gives us faith not in ourselves but a deeper, more reverent faith which truly passes all human understanding.
Let us rededicate ourselves, at least in a small way, to live our lives so that we can earn one more tomorrow by the work we do today. The Sun of the lives of these Members has sunk heedlessly in the west and they have rested from their labors, but their memories live on. And we can assure them, that as Elks, that they may rest in peace, for they have not been forgotten or forsaken. Let us to rededicate ourselves to live by the principles which these fallen members tried to live by, as expressed by John Hall in his poem entitled “At Days End”. It conveys a philosophy of life that we all can aspire to live by.
“Is anybody happier because you passed their way? Does anyone remember that you spoke to them today? The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through. Is there anyone to utter now, a kindly word to you? Can you say tonight in parting with the day that is slipping fast, that you helped a single Brother of the many that you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said? Does the man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead? Are those who sought your friendship glad you came or went? Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent? As you close your eyes to slumber, do you think that our God will say, “You have earned one more tomorrow, by the work you did today.”
