Part 21 (2/2)
Grant us the power of quick'ning grace, To fit our souls to fly; Then, when we drop this dying flesh, We'll rise above the sky.
At the conclusion of the singing, the Master, displaying the ap.r.o.n, continues:
The Lambskin, or white leathern ap.r.o.n, is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason; more honorable than the crown of royalty, or the emblazoned insignia of princely orders, when worthily worn.
The Master drops the ap.r.o.n into the grave.
Our brother was worthy of its distinction, and it shall bear witness to his virtues, and our confidence in the sincerity of his profession.
W. M.: (Taking off his white glove and holding it up.) This Glove is a symbol of fidelity and is emblematic of that Masonic friends.h.i.+p which bound us to him whose tenement of clay now lies before us. It reminds us that while these mortal eyes shall see him not again, yet, by the practice of the tenets of our n.o.ble order and a firm faith and steadfast trust in the Supreme Architect, we hope to clasp once more his vanished hand in friends.h.i.+p and in love. (Deposits glove.) Those whom virtue unites, death can never separate.
The Master, displaying an evergreen sprig, continues:
The Evergreen is emblematic of our Faith in Immortality.
This green sprig is the symbol of that vital spark of our being which continues to glow more divinely when the breath leaves the body, and can never, never, never die.
The Master drops the evergreen in the grave, and the Brothers each make a similar deposit, with as little confusion as possible.
If the place is convenient, they march around the grave in a line. When all are again settled in their places, the public Grand Honors are given by three times three.
The will of G.o.d is accomplished; so mote it be. Amen.
The Master then continues:
Change is the universal law of mortality, and the theme of every page of its history. Here we view the most striking ill.u.s.tration of change that can be presented to mortal eyes, minds and hearts. Ties of fraternity, friends.h.i.+p, love, all broken, and earthly pursuits, hopes and affections laid waste by death. Let us profit by this example of the uncertainty of the world, and resolve to live honest, pure and wors.h.i.+pful lives in daily preparation for the summons that will, sooner or later, surely come. It came to our brother, whose remains we have here laid away to rest eternal, and reminds us that we, too, are mortal--subject to the universal law. Our brother is dead, and cannot speak for himself. Let us defend his good name. Frailties he may have had, as what mortal man has not? To err is human, charity is Divine, and judgment is with the Almighty and All-Merciful. In this resting place of the body, virtues only are remembered, and sweet memories bloom.
All must pa.s.s through the Shadow of Death, and each one must make the dark journey without the companions.h.i.+p of earthly friend. Let us all hasten to secure the pa.s.sport of an upright life, to the glories of a better land. Unto the grave we have resigned the body of our brother.
The Master scatters a handful of earth in the grave.
Earth to earth; dust to dust (the S. W. scatters dirt in the grave); ashes to ashes (the J. W. scatters dirt in the grave); there to remain until the dawn of that resplendent day, when again, the morning stars shall sing together, and all the sons of G.o.d shall shout for joy.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Chaplain: Almighty and eternal G.o.d, in whom we live and move, and have our being--and before whom all men must appear, in the judgment day to give an account of their deeds in life, we, who are daily exposed to the flying shafts of death, and now surround the grave of our fallen brother, most earnestly beseech Thee to impress deeply on our minds the solemnities of this day, as well as the lamentable occurrence that has occasioned them. Here may we be forcibly reminded that in the midst of life we are in death, and that whatever elevation of character we may have obtained, however upright and square the course we have pursued, yet shortly we must all submit as victims of its destroying power, and endure the humbling level of the tomb, until the last loud trump shall sound the summons of our resurrection from mortality and corruption.
May we have Thy divine a.s.sistance, O merciful G.o.d, to redeem our mis-spent time; and in the discharge of our important duties Thou has a.s.signed us, in the erection of our moral edifice, may we have wisdom from on high to direct us, strength commensurate with our task to support us, and the beauty of holiness to adorn and render all our performances acceptable in Thy sight. And when our work is done, and our bodies mingle with the mother earth, may our souls, disengaged from their c.u.mbrous dust, flourish and bloom in eternal day; and enjoy that rest which Thou hast prepared for all good and faithful servants, in that spiritual house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, through the great Redeemer. Amen.
So mote it be. Amen.
Fill grave.
W. M.: Soft and safe, my brother, be this thy earthly bed. Bright and glorious be thy rising from it. In the glorious morning of the resurrection may thy body spring again into newness of life, to live forever in the home of the blest. Until then, dear brother, farewell.
Benediction.
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