ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN BY THE GRAND MASTER.

MY BRETHREN : We are now assembled around the final resting-place of these mortal remains, and about closing the last solemn duties of respect we owe to our departed friend and Brother.

We are born to die. We follow our friends to the brink of the grave, and, standing on the shore of a vast ocean, we gaze with exquisite anxiety till the last dreadful struggle is over, and see them sink in the fathomless abyss. We feel our own feet

slide from the precarious bank on which we stand, and but a few suns more, and we shall be whelmed amid death's awful waves. Another generation will rise to occupy our places and stations in life.

The sun will rise and set, the earth revolve- strangers will tread upon our sepulchres, without knowing that we ever existed. A few surviving relatives may remember us and mourn, but these few will soon follow to the land of silence. No one here will concern himself with our past joys and sorrows, while we shall be conversant with the amazing realities of another world.

Under these feelings and impressions, we are now about to commit the body of our departed friend to the silent grave. And under a full and solemn conviction of the nothingness of all earthly and perishable objects, we here renewedly, as Masons, pledge to each other our fraternal love; and may we so improve this dispensation of Divine Providence, and so live, that when these feeble frames shall slumber beneath the cold clods of the valley, the needy and distressed, the widow and the orphan, may point with regret to our sleeping ashes, and each exclaim, "There lie the men whose compassions soothed my woes; whose maxims tranquillized my perturbed spirits, and whose bounty relieved my pressing necessity.".

INVOCATION BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN AND BRETHREN.

CHAPLAIN. - Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling; hold not thy peace at my tears.

RESPONSE. For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

CHAPLAIN. Oh, spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen.

RESPONSE. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.

CHAPLAIN. Before the mountains were brought forth, or

ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

RESPONSE. - Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest: Return, ye children of men.

CHAPLAIN. - The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if; by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we

fly away.

RESPONSE.

So teach us to number our days, that we may

apply our hearts unto wisdom.

CHAPLAIN. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

-

RESPONSE. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

CHAPLAIN. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds, that he cannot pass.

RESPONSE. Turn from him, that he may rest till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.

CHAPLAIN. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

RESPONSE. But man dieth, and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

CHAPLAIN. As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and dryeth up:

RESPONSE. - So man lieth down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

PRAYER BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN.

HYMN.
I.

Here Death his sacred seal hath set

On bright and bygone hours;
The dead we mourn are with us yet,
And more than ever ours!

II.

Ours, by the pledge of love and faith;
By hopes of heaven on high;
By trust, triumphant over death,
In immortality!

III.

The dead are like the stars by day,
Withdrawn from mortal eye;
Yet holding unperceived their way
Through the unclouded sky.

IV.

By them, through holy hope and love,

We feel, in hours serene,

Connected with the Lodge above,

Immortal and unseen.

CHARGE TO THE BRETHREN BY THE GRAND MASTER.

BRETHREN: We have taken a solemn and impressive survey of human life in all its blended lights and shades, and learned that all on earth is change. But is this the end of man, and the expiring hope of faithful Masons? No; blessed be God! We pause not at our first or second step, but, true to our principles, we look forward for greater light. As the embers of mortal life are feebly glimmering in the socket of existence, our religion removes the dark shroud, draws aside the sable curtains of the tomb, and bids hope and joy to rouse up, sustain and cheer the departing spirit. She points beyond the silent tomb to the breaking light of a resurrection morn, and bids us turn an eye of faith and confidence on the opening scenes of eternity.

She teaches us to advance boldly onward, and ask more light, till, at the Supreme Grand Master's word, we shall be raised to the blissful Lodge above. There light, unmingled with darkness, shall reign, unbroken and perpetual. There, under the sunbeam smiles of immutable Love, and beneath the benignant beam of the All-Seeing Eye, we, as faithful Masons, cherish the fond and immortal hope that we shall meet again— meet to part

no more.

COMMITTAL OF THE BODY TO THE GRAVE.

Unto the grave we now resign the body of our departed Brother. Friend of our hearts, there rest in peace. Raised by the Supreme Grand Master's word, mayest thou share the blessings of immortal life and unfading glory.

DEPOSITING THE SPRIG OF ACACIA.

BENEDICTION BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN.

At five minutes past six o'clock the coffin lid was closed, and all that was mortal of our dear Brother was forever hidden from human sight.

At the close of these solemn and impressive services the Grand Lodge returned to the Masonic Temple, and was closed in Grand Lodge Hall at ten minutes before seven o'clock, P. M., in AMPLE FORM.

A true abstract from the Record.

Attest: Charles H. Titus,

Recording Grand Secretary.