Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Part 18

The brethren having a.s.sembled at the lodge room, the Lodge will be opened briefly on 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, all the brethren standing:

Master: What man is he that liveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the land of the grave?

S. W.: His days are as gra.s.s; as a flower of the field so he flourisheth.

J. W.: For the wind pa.s.seth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

M.: Where is now our departed brother?

S. W.: He dwelleth in night; he sojourneth in darkness.

J. W.: Man walketh in a vain shadow; he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

M.: When he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.

S. W.: For he brought nothing into the world, and it is certain he can carry nothing out.

J. W.: The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

M.: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

S. W.: G.o.d is our salvation; our glory and the rock of our strength; and our refuge is in G.o.d.

J. W.: He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

M.: Can we offer any precious gift acceptable in the sight of the Lord to redeem our brother?

S. W.: We are poor and needy. We are without gift or ransom.

J. W.: Be merciful unto us, O 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?

M.: Let us endeavor to live the life of the righteous, that our last end may be like his.

S. W.: The Lord is gracious and righteous; yea, our G.o.d is merciful.

J. W.: G.o.d is our G.o.d forever and ever; He will be our guide, even unto death.

M.: Shall our brother's name and virtues be lost upon the earth forever?

Response: We will remember and cherish them in our hearts.

M.: 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 Sacred Roll (a sheet of parchment or paper prepared for the purpose), 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 shall then say:

Almighty Father! in Thy hands we leave, with humble submission, the soul of our departed brother.

Response; Amen! So mote it be.

The Masonic funeral honors should then be given once; the brethren to respond:

The will of G.o.d is accomplished. Amen. So mote it be!

The Master should then deposit the Roll in the archives of the Lodge.

The following or some appropriate Hymn may be sung:

Ode--Air, Balerma. C. M.

Few are thy days, and full of woe, O man, of woman born!

Thy doom is written, "Dust thou art, And shalt to dust return."

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 G.o.d! afflict not, in Thy wrath, The short alloted span That bounds the few and weary days Of pilgrimage to man.

The Master or Chaplain will repeat the following or some other appropriate Prayer:

Almighty and Heavenly Father! infinite in wisdom, mercy and goodness, extend to us the blessings 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. Strengthen our belief that Death hath no power over a faithful and righteous soul! Though the dust returneth to the dust as it was, the spirit returneth unto Thee. As we mourn the departure of a brother beloved from the circle of our Fraternity, may we trust that he hath entered into a higher brotherhood, to engage in n.o.bler duties and in heavenly work, 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 forever. Amen.

Response: So mote it be.

A procession should then be formed, which will proceed to the church or the house of the deceased, in the following order:

Tiler, with drawn sword.

Masters of Ceremony, with white rods.

M Master Masons.

A Secretary and Treasurer.

R Senior and Junior Wardens.

S Past Masters.

H The Chaplain.

A The Three Great Lights L on a cus.h.i.+on, covered with black cloth, carried . by a member of the Lodge.

The Master, supported by two Deacons, with white rods.

When the head of the procession arrives at the entrance to the building, it should halt and open to the right and left, forming two parallel lines, when the Marshal, with the Tiler, will pa.s.s through the lines and escort the Master or Grand Officer into the house, the brethren closing in and following, thus reversing the order of procession; the brethren with heads uncovered.

Service at Church or House of Deceased.

After the religious services have been performed, the Master will take his station at the head of the coffin, the Senior Warden at his right, the Junior Warden at 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 Chaplain or Master repeating the following or some other appropriate prayer, in which all the brethren will join:

(Scripture can be used here.)

Prayer.