XVI. The procession must return to the Lodge-roon

in the same order in which it marched to the grave.
XVn. A Lodge in procession is to be strictly undei the discipline of the Lodge-room; therefore, no brother can enter the procession or leave it without express permission from the Master, conveyed through the Marshal. 6
MASONIC rUNERAl SEBYICES. 317
SEEYIOE
IN THE
JL O r> QE-R O O M.
The brethren having assembled at the Lodge-room, the Lodge will be opened briefly in the third degree; the purpose of the communication must be stated; and remarks upon the character of the deceased may be made by the Master and brethren, when the service will commence — aU the brethren to stand:
Master. What man is he that Hveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave ?
Sen. War. His days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Jun. War. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Master. Where is now our departed Brother?
Sen. War. He dweUeth in night; he sojourn- eth in darkness.
Jun War. Man walketh in a vain shadow; he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
Master. When he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
318 GENERAL AHIMAN BEZON.
Sen. War. For he brought nothing into the world, and it is certain he can carry nothing out
Jun. War. The Loed gave, and the Lord hath laken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Master. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Sen. War. God is our salvation; our glory, and the rock of our strength; and our refuge is in God.
Jun. War. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Master. Can we offer any precious gift accept- able in the sight of the Lord to redeem our brother ?
Sen. War. W« are poor and needy. "We are without gift or ransom.
Jun. War. Be merciful unto us, Lord, be merciful unto us; for we trust in thee. Our hope and salvation are in thy patience. Where else can we look for mercy?
Master. Let us endeavor to live the life of the righteous, that our last end may be like his.
Sen. War. The Lord is gracious and right- eous; yea, our God is merciful. 8
SEKVICE IN THE LODGE EOOM. 319
Jan. War. God is our God for ever and ever; Lie wDl be our guide, even unto death.
Mader. Shall our brother's name and virtues be lost upon the earth forever?
Response iy the Brethren. We will remember and cherish them in our hearts.
Master. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, "Write, from henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ! Even so, saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labors."
Here the Master will take the sAcnED noLL,* on which have been inscribed the name, age, date of initiation or affiliation, date of death, and any matters that may be interesting to the brethren; and shall read the same aloud, and shaU then say,
Almighty Father! in thy hands we leave, with humble submission, the soul of our depart- ed brother.
Response. Amen! So mote it be!
The grand honorsf should then be given three truces; the brethren to respond each time —
The will of God is accomplished. — Amen So mote it be !
* A sheet of parchmeiii or paper, prepared for the pnrpose. t ^ note, p. 336
320
GENERAL AHIMAN EEZON.
The Master should then deposit the boll in the archives of the Lodge.
The following or some other appropriate Hymn may be Sling:
Atb — Salerma. 0. M.
1st. ,
SE
m^B
^
i:
--m^
=t
:z2!z
1-
and full of woe,
Few are thy 2d.
m
SE3:
2i=iZ
^
P2=
,^^4— ^^F^-
^^
^-
i
^=^
eE=ff:
?:=
■mz
1-^-1-
t:
man, of wo - man born ! Thy doom is writ - ten,
i
:X=:r-
:t
=i:
m
->n — »i-h^ — *- h^
-=='-
^
:?==
:g=
:£:dt
^?
iziz
' Dust thou art, And shalt to dust re - turn.'
tf ^-
:^-
1^
ri:
;=!=
S
10
1^
:^=i±S=
:^
eiiBVICE IN THE LODGE KOOM. 321
Behold the emblem of thy state In flowers that bloom and die;
Or in the shadow's fleeting form. That mocks the gazer's eye.
Determined are the days that fly
Successive o'er thy head; The number'd hour is on the wing,
That lays thee with the dead.
Great God, afflict not, in thy wrath,
The short allotted span That bounds the few and weary days
Of pilgrimage to man.
The Master or Chaplain will repeat the following oi some other appropriate Prayer:
Almighty and Heavenlt Father — infinite m wisdom, mercy, and goodness — extend to us the riches of thy everlasting grace. Thou alone art a refuge and help in trouble and affliction. In this bereavement we look to thee for support and consolation. May we believe that death hath no power over a faithful and righteous Boul! May we believe that, though the dust returneth to the dust as it was, the spirit goeth unto thyself. As we mourn the departure of a brother beloved from the circle of our Frater- nity, may we trust that he hath entered into a
higher brotherhood, to engage in nobler duties 14* 11
.'522 GENERAL AHIMiN KEZON
and in heavenly woi-k, to find rest from earthly labor, and refreshment from earthly care. May thy peace abide within us, to keep us from all evil! Make us grateful for present benefits, and crown us with immortal life and honor. — And to thy name shall be all the glory for- ever. — Amen.
Response. So mote it be.
A procession should then be formed, which will pro- ceed to the church or the house of the deceased, in the toUowing order:
Tiler, with di-awn sword; Stewards, with white rods;
Master Masons;
Secretary and Treasurer;
Senior and Junior Wardens;
Past Masters;
The Holy Bible,
On a cushion, covered with black cloth, carried by tho oldoBt
member of the Lodge.
The Master,
Supported by two Deacons, with white rods.
Wheii the head of the procession arrives at the en- trance of the building, it should halt and open to the right and left, forming two poraUel lines, when the Marshal, with the Tiler, will pass through the lines to end, and escort the Master or Grand Officer into the house, the brethren closing in and following, thus re- versing the order of procession — the brethren with heads uncovered. 12
SEEVICE
AT THE
CDDRCH OK THE HOUSE OF THE DECEASED.
After the religious services have been perfoi-med.^thc Master vnll take his station at the head of the coffin, the Senior "Warden on his right, the Junior Warden on his left; the Deacons and Stewards, with white rods crossed, the former at the head and the latter at the foot of the coffin; the brethren forming a circle around all, when the Masonic service will commence by the Chap- lain or Master repeating the following or some other appropriate Prayee, in which all the brethren will join-
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. — Amen.
3fa.iter. Brethren, we are called upon by the imperious mandate of the dread messenger Death, against whose free entrance within the circle of our Fraternity the barred doors and Tiler's weapon offer no impediment, t(j
13
324 GENERAL AHIMAN BEZON.
mourn the loss of one of our companions. The
dead body of our beloved Brother A
B lies in its narrow house before us^
overtaken by that fate which must sooner or later overtake us aU; and which no power or station, no virtue or bravery, no wealth oi honor, no tears of friends or agonies of rela« tives can avert; teaching an impressive lesson, continually repeated, yet soon forgotten, that every one of us must ere long pass through the valley of the shadow of death, and dwell in the house of darkness.
Sen. War. In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek for succor but of thee, Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer.
Jun. War. Lord, let me know my end, and the number of my days; that I may be certified how long I have to live.
Master. Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth aa a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are
14
BEETICE IN CHUllCH OB H0U13E. 325
With thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; turn from him that he may rest, till he shall accomphsh his day. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it wiU sprout again, and that the tender branch there- of wiU not cease. But man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ? As the waters fkil from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man heth down, and riseth not up till the heavens shall be no more.
Sen. War. Our life is but a span long, and the days of our pilgrimage are few and full of evil.
Jun. War. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Master. Man goeth forth to his work and to his labor until the evening of his day. The labor and work of our brother are finished. As it hath pleased Almighty God to take the soul of our departed brother, may he find mercy in the great day when all men shall be judged ac- cording to the deeds done in the body. "We must walk in the light while we have Hght; for the darkness of death may come upon us, at a time when we may not be prepared. Take heed,
326 GENEK^L AHIMAN EEZON.
therefore, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is; ye know not when the Mas- ter Cometh, at .even; at midnight, or in the morning. We should so regulate our lives by the line of rectitude and truth, that in the even- ing of our days we may be found worthy to be called from labor to refreshment, and duly pre- pared for a translation from the terrestrial to the celestial Lodge, to join the Fraternity of the spirits of just men made perfect.
Sen. War. Behold, Lord, we are in distress ! Our hearts are turned within us; there is none to comfort us; our sky is darkened with clouds, and mourning and lamentations are heard among us.
Jun. War. Our life is a vapor that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away. All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.
Master. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
Response ly all the Brethren. So mote it be,
16
SERVICE IN CHURCH OR HOUSE.
327
Then may be sung the following or some other appro- priate Hymn:
MAOML— 0. M.
Db. L. uaioii.
-r^-^^S^ 1 [S pl_^ n-r-P1
f_j art Tenor.
Here Death bis sa - ored seal hath set, Ou
V4-^
i » , — » —-.'^
-* » S — wf
Si
t)
bright and by - gone hours ; The dead we mourn are
^^=^=^
--m=-ir-
- » • ^-
zs^-iz
zm — m — »r-
-* — » — * — *-
with us yet, And — more than ev er — ours !
gS^=^
:c2i
Ours, by the pledge of love and faith;
By hopes of heaven on high; By trust, triumphant over death,
In immortality!
The dead are like the stars by day, Withdi-awn from mortal eye;
Yet holding uniierceived their way Through the unclouded sky.
17
328 GENEBAL AHTMAN BEZON.
Bj them, through holy hope and love,
We feel, in hours serene. Connected with the Lodge above.
Immortal and unseen.
The Master or Chaplain Avill repeat the following oi some other appropriate Prayee:
Most (tlorious God ! author of all good, and giver of all mercy! pour down thy blessings upon us, and strengthen our solemn engage- ments with the ties of sincere affection! May the present instance of mortaUty remind us of our approaching fate, and draw our attention toward thee, the only refuge in time of need! that when the awful moment shall arrive, that we are about to quit this transitory scene, the enlivening prospect of thy mercy may dispel the gloom of death; and after our departure hence in peace and in thy favor, we may be received into thine everlasting kingdom, to enjoy, in union with the souls of our departed friends, the just reward of a pious and virtuous life.
Response. So mote it be.
If the remains of the deceased are to be removed to a distance where the brethren cannot follow to perform the ceremonies at the grave, the procession will return to the Lodge-room or disperse, as most convenient. 18
SERVICE AT THE GRAVE.
When the solemn rites of the dead are to be per- formed at the grave, the procession should be formed, Bnd proceed to the place of interment iq the following order-
TUer, with drawn sword; Stewards, with white rods; Musicians, If they are Masons, otherwise they follow the TiIbt; J Master Masons;
B Secretary and Treasurer;
^ Senior and Junior Wardens;
S Past Masters;
The Holy Writings,
On a cushion, covered with black cloth, carried by the oldest
member of the Lodge;
The Master,
Supported by two Deacons, with white rods;
Officiating Clergy;
with the insignia ^^^ placed thereon;
Pall-beai-ers; vWg Pall-bearers;
Mourners.
It the deceased was a member of a Royal Arch Chapter and a Commandery of Knights Templar, and members of those bodies should unite in the procession, clothed aa such, the former wUl follow the Past Masters, and the latter will act as an escort or guard of honor to the «ioips6, outside the Pall bearers, marching in the form of
19
330
GEKEKAL AHIMAN EEZON.
a triaugle; the of&cers of the Commandery forming the base of the triangle, -with the Eminent Commander in the center.
"When the processicn has arrived at the place of inter- ment, the members of the Lodge should form a circle around the grave; when the Master, Chaplain, and other OiBeers of the acting Lodge, take their position at the head of the grave, and the mourners at the foot.
After the Clergyman has performed the religious ser- vice of the Church, the Masonic service should begin.
The Chaplain rehearses the following or some other appropriate Pr4.tee:
Almighty and most merciful Father, we adore thee as the God of time and eternity. As it has pleased thee to take from the hght of our abode one dear to our hearts, we beseech thee to bless and sanctify unto us this dispensation of thy providence. Inspire our hearts with wis- dom from on high, that we may glorify thee in all our ways. May we realize that thine all-
seoing eye is upon us and be influenced by th«j 80
SERVICE AT THE GRATE. 331
spirit of truth and love to perfect obcdieuce— that we may enjoy the divine approbation here below. And when our toils on earth shall have ended, may we be raised to the enjoyment of fadeless light and immortal life in that king- dom where faith and hope shall end — and love and joy prevail through eternal ages. And thine, righteous Father, shall be the glcvy forever. — Amen,
Response. — So mote it be. The following exhortation is then given by the Master:
Brethren : The solemn notes that betoken the dissolution of this earthly tabernacle, have again alarmed our outer door, and another spirit has been summoned to the land where our fathers have gone before us. Again we are called to assemble among the habitations of the dead, to behold the "narrow house appointed for all living." Here, around us, in that peace which the world cannot give or take away, sleep the unnumbered dead. The gentle breeze fai.a their verdant covering, they heed it not ; the sunshine and the storm pass over them, and they are not disturbed; stones and lettered monu- ments sjinbolize the affection of surviving
332 GENERAL AHIMAN EEZOX.
friends, yet no sound proceeds from them, save that silent but thrilling admonition, "Seek ye the narrow path and the straight gate that lead unto eternal life."
We are again called upon to consider the un- certainty of human life; the immutable certainty of death, and the vanity of all human pursuits Decrepitude and decay are written upon every living thing. The cradle and the coffin stand in juxtaposition to each other; and it is a mel- ancholy truth, that so soon as we begin to hve, that moment also we begin to die. It is passing strange that, notwithstanding the daily memen- tos of mortality that cross our path; notwith- standing the funeral beU so often toUs in our ears, and the "mournful procession" gg about our streets, that we will not more seriously consider our approaching fate. We go on from design to design, add hope to hope, and lay out plans for the employment of many years, until we are suddenly alarmed at the approach of the Messenger of Death, at a moment when we least expect him, and which we probably con- clude to be the meridian of our existence.
What, then, are all the externals of human
dignity, the power of wealth, the dreams of 82
SERVICE IT THE GRAVE. 333
ambition, the pride of intellect, or the cliarms of beauty, when Nature has paid her just debt? Fix your eyes on the last sad scene, and view iife stript of its ornaments, and exposed in its natural meanness, and you must be persuaded of the utter emptiness of these delusions. In the grave, all fallacies are detected, aU ranks are leveled, all distinctions are done away. Here the scepter of the prince and the staff of the beggar are laid side by side.
While we drop the sympathetic tear over the grave of our deceased brother, let us cast around his foibles, whatever they may have been, the hroad mantle of Masonic charity, nor withhold from his memory the commendation that his virtues claim at our hands. Perfection on earth has never yet been attained; the wisest, as well as the best of men, have gone astray. Suffer, then, the apologies of human nature to plead for him who can no longer plead for himself.
Our present meeting and procedings wiU have been vain and useless, if they fail to excite our serious reflections, and strengthen our resolu- tions of amendment. Be then persuaded, my brethren, by this example, of the uncertainty
of human life — of the unsubstantial nature of
23.
334 GENERAL AUIJIAN KEZON.
all its pursuits, and no longer postpone the all- important concern of preparing for eternity, Let us each embrace the present moment, and while time and opportunity permit, prepare with care for that great change which we all know must come, when the pleasures of the world shall cease to delight, and be as a poison to our lips; and while we may enjoy the happy reflection of a well-spent life in the e sercise of piety and virtue, will yield the only coiafort and consolation. Thus shall our hopes be not frus- trated, nor we hurried unprepared into the pres- ence of that all-wise and powerful Judge, to whom the secrets of all hearts are known. Let us resolve to maintain with sincerity the dig- nified character of our profession. May oui* faith be evinced in a correct moral walk and deportment; may our hope be bright as the glorious mysteries that will be revealed here- after; and our charity boundlesij as the wants of our fellow-creatures. And having faithfully discharged the great duties which we owe to God, to our neighbor, and ourselves; when at last it shall please the Grand Master of the universe to summon us into his eternal pres- ence, may the trestle-board of our whole lives
24
BfiRVICE AT THE GRAVE. 335
pass such inspection that it may be given unto each of us to "eat of the hidden manna," and to receive the "v^hite stone with a new name," that will insure perpetual and unspeakable hap- piness at his right hand.
The Master then (presenting the apron) continues:
The lambskin, or white apron, is the emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. It is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and Garter when worthily worn.
The Master then deposits it in the grava
This emblem I now deposit in the grave of our deceased brother. By it we are reminded of the universal dominion of Death. The arm of Friendship cannot interpose to prevent his coming; the wealth of the world cannot pur- chase our release; nor will the innocence of youth, or the charms of beauty propitiate his purpose. The mattock, the coffin, and the mel- ancholy grave, admonish us of our mortality, and that, sooner or later, these frail bodies must moulder in their parent dust.
The Master (holding the evergreen) continues:
25
336 OENEEAL AHIMAN EEZON.
This evergreen, which once marked the tem- porary resting-place of the illustrious dead, ia an emblem of our faith in the immortahty of the soul. By this we are reminded that we have an immortal part within us, that shall sur- vive the gi'ave, and which shall never, never, NEVER, die. By it we are admonished that, though, like our brother, whose remains lie be- fore us, we shall soon be clothed in the habih- ments of Death, and deposited in the silent tomb, yet, through our belief in the mercy of God, we may confidently hope that our souls will bloom in eternal spring. This, too, I de- posit in the grave, with the exclamation, "Alas, my brother ! "
The brethren then move in procession around the place of interment, and seterally drop the sprig of ever- green into the grave; after which, the public grand honors* are given.
* The grand honors practiced among Masons during the buiiol ceremonies, either in public or private, are given in the following manner: Both arins are crossed on the breast, the left uppermost, and the open palms of the hands striking the shoulders; they are then raised above the head, the palms striking each other, and then made to fall sharply on the thighs, with the head bowed. This ia repeated three times. While the honors are being given the third time, the brethren audibly pronounce the following words — when the arms are crossed on the breast: — "We cherish his memorj hero;" when the hands are extended above the head — "We com mend his spirit to God who gave it;" and when the hands are ex tended toward the ground — "And consign his body to the eartlu" 9B
SERVICE AT THE GEAVE. 337
The Master then continues the ceremony:
From time immemorial, it has been tlie cus- tom among the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, at the request of a brother, to accom- pany his remains to the place of interment, and there to deposit them with the usual formalities.
In conformity to this usage, and at the re- quest of our deceased brother, whose memory we revere, and whose loss we now deplore, we have assembled in the character of Masons, to offer up to his memory, before the world, the last tribute of our affection; thereby demonstrat- ing the sincerity of our past esteem for him, and our steady attachment to the principles of the Order.
The Great Creator having been pleased, out of
his infinite mercy, to remove our brother from
the cares and troubles of this transitory existence,
to a state of endless duration, thus severing
another link from the fraternal chain that binds
us together; may we, who survive him, be more
strongly cemented in the ties of union and
friendship ; that, during the short space allotted
us here, we may wisely and usefully employ our
time; and in the reciprocal intercourse of kind
and friendly acts, mutually promote the welfare 15 -27
338 GENERAL ABiMAN SE20N.
and happiness of each other. Unto the grave we have consigned the body of our deceased brother; earth to earth {earth being sprinkled on the coffin), ashes to ashes, (more earth), dust to dust, (more earth); there to remain till the trump shall sound on the resurrection morn. We can cheerfully leave him in the hands of a Being, who has done all things well; who is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.
To those of his immediate relatives and friends, who are most heart-stricken at the loss we have all sustained, we have but little of this world's consolation to offer. "We can only sincerely, deeply, and most affectionately sympathize with them in their afflictive bereavement. But we can say, that He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, looks down with infinite compas- sion upon the widow and fatherless, in the hour of their desolation; and that the Great Architect will fold the arms of his love and protection around those who put their trust in him.
Then let us improve this solemn warning that at last, when the sheeted dead are stirring, when the great white throne is set, we shall receive from the Omniscient Judge, the thrilling invita-
28
8EBVI0H AT THE GRAVE.
33f'
tion, Come, ye blessed, inlierit the kingdom pre- pared for you from the foundation of the world
The follomng, or some other suitable Ode, may be sung:
SCOTLAND. Airangsd from Dr. Culbe, by Br. liB. B. Tatlob.
7 ^^—^^-T^^ ^-^ -ti-^
"S~"P~
m ■ '
Thou art gone to the grave, but
we will
not de -
^^^^ ^~\—^~^ =^
=^l-^-
=^-^r:
/a^■ iQ Is S 1 II 1 IS
-* — "t::
S^-J-s. iSiJ j=J=y-iP:
r^f=
1 ^
I 1 — t
ilrzsi
iizt
- plore thee, Tho' sor-row and dark-nesg en - com-pass the
fe
f^
--^■=er-
=1-
T=l=
:=]:
^
=rF
ti
M p 1
1=P=P
It
rt? ti ^
P
tomb; The Good has pass'd on thro' its
^3
-=\z
■J^l
;«^3t
:^^''
^
r^-l*— *-
■29
>
34 Q
GENERAL AHIMAN KEZON.
X'^ f—r — ^-
F-— f"l
— I —
vr^—
-r—
~:
W—Y-^ — p-
por - tals be -
-\ — ' —
fore thee,
L And
the
oas
r — 1 —
Bia
— 1.
U ,7
_
J
_ (•
/xp ^--^ ■^-
F
^
■ ^
.
\\) y ^
r
1
IJ ' ' ' ■■
1 1
1
1 1 -1
pj. 9 .• ^ »»
r>— 'fl 1 1
J ^
J
■ m d ~ \
I
^-=^-
=3=^
■BiW-
^^
P_iJ_:
blooms green - ly to light - en the gloom, And the
r
==sr:
=J=S=i^
^m
Bfcc
^
:*rff;
-[— t-
r-5^p=
3P=
cas - sia blooms green - ly to light - en the gloom.
^=2=
tPt
'r-^-=^
=P^=:f=
i 1-
m
-j—j-
^ — ^ — 5«— '-' — ^ — >-
TLou art gone to the grave; we no longer behold tliee, Nor tread the rough paths of the world by thy hand;
But the wide arms of Mercy are spread to enfold thee, And we'U meet thee again in the heavenly land.
Thou art gone to the grave; and its mansion forsaMng Perchance thy weak spirit in doubt lingered long;
But the sunshine of heaven beamed bright on thy waking And the sound thou didst hear was the seraphim's song 80
B£BV1CE AT THE GBAYE.
341
Thou art gone to the grave; but 'twere wrong to deplore thee,
When God was thy trust and thy guardian and guide: He gave tJiee, he took thee, and soon will restore thee
In the blest Lodge above where the faithful abide.
Or this:
PLETEL'S HYMN.
^^B
=^
-r^i-^
22=
rc2i
r
Sol- emn etrikcs the fua'- ral chime, Notes of
m
SEl^
irt
S==3-
~ rJ I ^
m
^^
:^
:g:^=
1 — r
?=:
^-
:X=j:
^
:c£
zS"
■ f - J d
our de-part-ing time; As we jour - ney here be
5^
rJ -
~^^
=^
=S==^7^
:c2;
:32:
P
:^=r^
low.
"t:^
i
izi:
Thro' a pil - grim age of woe.
i
^E
! I-
:^
T
-ci:
:^
-rJ-
31
1
342 GENERAL AHIMAN KEZON.
Mortals, now indulge a tear, For Mortality is here I See how wide her trophies wave O'er the slumbers of the grave I
Here another guest we bring; Seraphs of celestial wing, ,To our fun'ral altar come, Waft our fi-iend and brother homo.
There, enlarged, thy soul shall see What was vailed in mystery; Heavenly glories of the place Show his Maker face to face.
LoKD of all ! below — above — Fill our hearts with truth and love; When dissolves our earthly tie. Take us to thy Lodge on high.
The semce may be concluded with the following or some other suitable Pbayek:
Most Glorious God, author of all good and giver of all mercy, pour down thy blessings upon us and strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection. May the present instance of mortality remind us of our own approaching fate, and, by drawing our at- tention toward thee, the only refuge in time of need, may we be induced so to regulate our
conduct here, that when the awful moment 83
SERVICE AT THE GRAVE. 343
shall arrive, at wliich we must quit this transi- tory scene, the enlivening prospect of thy mercy may dispel the gloom of death; and that aftCi our departure hence in peace and thy favor, we may be received into thine everlasting king- dom, and there join in union with our friend, and enjoy that uninterrupted and unceasing felicity which is allotted to the souls of just men made perfect. — Amen.
Response. So mote it be.
Master. The will of God is accomplished.
Response. So mote it be.
Master. From dust wc came, and unto dust we must return.
Response. May wc all be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. — Amen.
Thus tlie service ends, and the in-ocession will return in foi-m to the place whence it set out, where the neces- sary business of Masonry should be renewed. The insignia and ornaments of the deceased, if an officer of a Lodge, are to be retm-ned to the Master, with the usual ceremonies, and the Lodge will be closed ki form.
93
EEGUUTIONS FOR PROCESSIONS.
When the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, oi eilher of the Grand Wardens, joins the procession of a privrate Lodge, proper respect is to be paid to the rank of that officer. His position will be immediately before the Master and Wardens of the Lodge, and two Deacons will be appointed to attend him.
When the Grand or Deputy Grand Master is present, the Book of Constitutions will be borne before him. The honor of carrj-ing this book belongs of right to the Master of the oldest Lodge in the jurisdiction, when- ever he is present. The Book of Constitutions must never be borne in a procession unless the Grand or Deputy Grand Master be present.
In entering public buildings, the Bible, Square, and Compasses, and the Book of Constitutions, are to be placed in front of the Grand Master, and the Grand Marshal and Grand Deacons must keep near him.
When a procession faces inward, the Deacons and Stewards will cross their rods, so as to form an arch for the brethren to pass beneath.
Marshals are to walk or ride on the left flank of a procession. The appropriate costume of a Marshal is a cocked hat, sword and scarf, with a baton in his hand. The color of the scarf -must be blue in the procession of a Subordinate Lodge, and purple in that of the Grand Lodge.
All processions will return in the same order in which they set out
The post of honor in a Masonic procession is always in the rear. 34
RITUAL
LODGE OF SOEROW,
BY JOHN W. SIMONS,
PAST QBASII) HASTBB OF NEW fOIK.
15*
PREFACE.
In the performance of the ceremonies of a Lodge ol SoiTow, it should be understood that the ritual, although necessarily of a funereal character, differs essentially from the olfice for the burial of the dead.
In the latter case, we are in the actual presence of the deceased, and engaged in the last rites of affection and respect for one who has been our companion in life, and whose mortal remains we are about to consign to the last resting-place, amid the tears of sm-viving fi-iends, and under the peculiar influences which attach to the rites of sepulture and the final earthly farewell to one who, but a few hours previous, could respond to our questions, and exchange with us the signs of the Living. We are then called to consider the " mattock, the spade, the coffin, and the melancholy gi-ave," in aU their gloomy reality, and to reflect that the hour must soon oe tolled "when we, too, shall be clothed in the habiliments ol death, and deposited in the voiceless tomb."
The Lodge of Sorrow, on the contrary, is intended to celebrate the memory of oui" dej^arted brethren; and while we thus recall to our rocoUection their virtues, and temper anew our resolutions so to live, that, when we shall have passed the silent portals, our memories may be cherished with grateful remembrance, we learn to look upon death from a more elevated point of view; to see in it the wise and necessai-y transition fi-om the trials and imperfections of this world, to the perfect life for which our transient journey here has been the school and the preparation. We thus leam " that the soul is
S48 GENEEAIi AHIMAN BEZON.
the whole of man; that for it to be born, is really to ilie, that earth is but its place of exUe, and heaven its native land."
In the preparation of the following ritual, it has been sought to typify the inevitable necessity of death; the gloom and sorrow that attend the " last of earth," and surround " the narrow house appointed for aU living," and the consoling fact of the immortality of the soul and the resun-ection to a new and true hfe, where sor- row and tears have no place.
Guided by these views in the accomplishment of our task, and aided by the use of rituals from Grermany, France, and England, it is believed that the work now submitted vrill supply a want long felt by the brethren in the United States, and enable them to conduct the solemn exercises of such occasions with dignity and propriety.
Vocal and instrumental music are indispensable to the proper effect of the ceremony.
Brethren should wear dark clothing, and no insignia but the white lambskin apron and white gloves.
Finally, we desire to add, that there is no good reason for any attempt at secrecy in the ceremonies of Sorrow Lodges; but that, on the other hand, they ma;y be held in churches or public haUs, or in the presence ot friends at the lodge-room, with benefit to all concerned. This, however, wUl necessarily be subject to the wwhes qS tho brethren themselves.
D — s4 \
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LODGE OF SORROW.
PEEPAEATION OF THE TTALL.