IN MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED...
A Toast To Our Absent Members
BE STILL AND LISTEN MY FELLOW MEMBERS
CEASE YOUR GAIETY AND MIRTH,
ELEVEN STROKES ARE TOLLING
TO ELKS THROUGHOUT THE EARTH.
THEIR MUSIC
SOFTLY PEALING
THEIR MESSAGE FAR AND NEAR,
LIKE THE THROBBING HEART OF ELKDOM
THEY SPEAK JUSTICE AND GOOD CHEER.
FOR AN ELK IS
NEVER FORGOTTEN
WHEREVER HE MAY ROAM
WHAT'RE HIS LOT IN LIFE MAY BE
ELEVEN BRINGS HIM HOME.
THE SUNSHINE
FINDS HIM BUSY
THE EVENING HOLDS NO TIME,
BUT FOR THE ELEVENTH HOUR IS SACRED
FOR THE SAKE OF AULD LANG SYNE.
AND FOR THOSE WHOSE RACE HAS ENDED
THEIR COURSE RUN TRUE AND WELL
THOSE ELEVEN STROKES ARE CHANTING
SWEET MEMORIES SADDENED KNELL.
SO CEASE YOUR MIRTH AND LAUGHTER
IT IS THE HOUR SO DEAR YET DREAD,
WHEN WE TOAST OUR ABSENT MEMBERS
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.
TO OUR ABSENT MEMBERS!
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Very
early in the year 1868 was the beginning of the
oldest landmark of the Elk's. The "Eleven O'clock
Toast. This observance was started by George F.
McDonald.
Each night when the refreshments were about exhausted, which was generally about eleven o'clock, the social meeting would break up without any special formality. Some of the brethren would use some ordinary form of adieu or friendly remark as they left, to those still remaining who were finishing up the refreshments left (Thereby remembering the "Absent Ones" by eating up their bread and cheese, and drinking up their share of beer.) Later, on May 31, 1868 Brother McDonald checked this abrupt, informal adjournment by the suggestion of a toast, "To Our Absent Brothers," and then and there was ushered into existence The Eleven O'clock Toast, which has become one of the most admirable observances of our fraternity.
"The
faults of our Members we write upon the sand,
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