The third time passing round the Lodge, the Deputy Grand Master presents the Grand Master with the pitcher of Oil, who sprinkles it upon the Lodge, saying,

"In the name of the whole Fraternity, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to UNIVERSAL BENEVOLENCE."

The grand honours are thrice given.

A solemn Invocation is made to the Throne of Grace, by the Grand Chaplain, and an Anthem sung; after which, the Lodge is covered, and the Grand Master retires to his Chair.

An Oration is then delivered, and the ceremonies conclude with music.

The Grand Lodge is then closed in due and ample form.

SECTION FIFTH.

This section contains the ceremony observed at Funerals, according to ancient custom; together with the Service used on such occasions.

No mason can be interred with the formalities of the order, unless he has been raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason; as no Fellow Craft or Entered Apprentices are entitled to funeral obsequies, nor to attend the masonic procession, on such occasions.

All the brethren, who walk in procession, should observe, as much as possible, an uniformity in their dress. Decent mourning around the left arm, with white stockings, gloves and aprons, are most suitable.

The Funeral Service.

The brethren being assembled at the lodge room, (or some other convenient place,) the presiding officer opens the Lodge in the third degree, with the usual forms; and having stated the purpose of the meeting, the service begins:

Master. "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave ?”

Response." 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."

Response. "Naked he came into the world, and

naked he must return."

Master. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord!"

The Master then taking the roll in his hand, says, "Let us live and die like the righteous, that our last end may be like his !"

The Brethren answer, "God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death !"

The Master then records the name and age of the deceased upon the roll, and says,

Almighty Father! in thy hands we leave with humble submission the soul of our deceased Brother."

The Brethren answer three times, (giving the grand honours each time,)

"The will of God is accomplished! So mote it be. Amen."

The Master then deposits the roll in the archieves, and repeats the following Prayer:

"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 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, through the Redeemer, may dispel the gloom of death; and after our departure hence in peace, and in thy favour, may we 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.

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.

The Holy Writings, on a cushion, covered with black cloth, carried by the oldest (or some suitable) Member of the Lodge;

The Body, with the

insignia placed thereon. Pall Bearers.

When the procession arrives at the church yard, the members of the lodge form a circle round the grave; and the clergymen and officers of the lodge take their station at the head of the grave, and the mourners at the foot. The service is resumed, and the following Exhortation is 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 to consider every sclemnity of this kind as a summons to prepare for our approaching dissolution.

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Notwithstanding the various mementos of mortality, with which we daily meet; notwithstanding 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 em

ployment 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.

"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 all-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