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refuge in time of need! that when the awful moment shall arrive, that we are about fo 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 favour, 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. Amen."

A procession is then formed, which moves to the house of the deceased, and from thence to the place of interment. The different lodges rank according to seniority, excepting that the lodge, of which the deceased was a member, walks nearest the corpse. Each lodge forms one division, and the following order is observed :

Order of Procession at a Funeral.

Tyler, with a Drawn Sword, Stewards, with White Rods, Musicians, (if they are masons, otherwise they

follow the tyler,)

Master Masons,

Senior and Junior Deacons,

Secretary and Treasurer,
Senior and Junior Wardens,

Past Masters,

The Holy Writings, on a Cushion covered with Black Cloth, carried by the Oldest Member of the Lodge,

The Master,

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The brethren are not to desert their ranks, or change places, but keep in their different departments. When the procession arrives at the churchyard, the members of the lodge form a circle round the grave, and the clergyman and officers of the acting lodge taking their station at the head of the grave, and the mourners at the foot, the service is resumed, and the following, exhortation given.

"Here we view a striking instance of the uncertainty of life, and the vanity of all human pursuits. The last offices paid to the dead are only useful as lectures to the living; from them we are to derive instruction, and consider every solemnity of this kind as a summons to prepare for our approaching dissolution.

"Notwithstanding the various mementos of mortality with which we daily meet, notwith. standing death has established his empire over all the works of nature, yet, through some unaccountable infatuation, we forget that we are born to die. We go on from one design to another, add hope to hope, and lay out plans for the employment of many years, till we are suddenly alarmed with the approach of death, when we least expect him, and at an hour which we probably conclude to be the meridian of our existence.

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"What are all the externals of majesty, the pride of wealth, or charms of beauty, when nature has paid her just debt? Fix your eyes on the last scene, and view life stript of her ornaments, and exposed in her natural meanness; you will then be convinced of the futility of those empty delusions. In the grave, all fallacies are detected, all ranks are levelled, and all distinctions are done away.

"While we drop the sympathetic tear over the grave of our deceased friend, let charity incline us to throw a veil over his foibles, whatever they may have been, and not withhold from his memory the praise that his virtues may have claimed. Suffer the apologies of human nature to plead in his behalf. Perfection on earth has never been

attained; the wisest, as well as the best of men, have erred.

"Let the present example excite our most serious thoughts, and strengthen our resolutions of amendment. As life is uncertain, and all earthly pursuits are vain, let us no longer postpone the important concern of preparing for eternity; but embrace the happy moment, while time and opportunity offer, to provide against the great change, when all the pleasures of this world shall cease to delight, and the reflections of a virtuous life yield the only comfort and consolation. Thus our expectations will not be frustrated, nor we hurried unprepared into the presence of an all-wise and powerful Judge, to whom the secrets of all hearts are known.

"Let us, while in this state of existence, support with propriety the character of our profession, advert to the nature of our solemn ties, and pursue with assiduity the sacred tenets of our order Then, with becoming reverence, let us supplicate the divine grace, to ensure the favour of that eternal Being, whose goodness and power know no bound; that when the awful moment arrives, be it soon or late, we may be enabled to prosecute our journey, without dread or apprehension, to that far distant country whence no traveller re

turns."

The following invocations are then made by the

master:

Master. "May we be true and faithful; and may we live and die in love!"

Answer. So mote it be."

Master. "May we profess what is good, and always act agreeably to our profession !”

Answer." So mote it be."

Master. "May the Lord bless us, and prosper us; and may all our good intentions be crowned with success !"

Answer." So mote it be."

Master."Glory be to God on high! on earth peace! good will towards men !"

Answer." So mote it be, now, from henceforth, and for evermore."

The brethren then move in procession round the place of interment, and severally drop a sprig of evergreen into the grave, accompanied with the usual honours.

The master then concludes the ceremony at the grave, in the following words:

"From time immemorial it has been a custom among the fraternity of free and accepted masons, at the request of a brother, to accompany his corpse to the place of interment, and there to deposit his remains with the usual formalities.

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