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Response." So mote it be, now, from henceforth, and forever more."

The Master is then to conclude the ceremony at the grave in the following words:

"From time immemorial it has been an established custom among the fraternity of free and accepted Masons, when requested by a brother on his death bed, to accompany his corpse to the place of interment; and there to deposit his remains with the usual formalities.

"In conformity to this laudable usage, and at the special request of our deceased brother, whose memory we revere, and whose loss we deplore, we are here assembled in the character of Masons, to resign his body to the earth from whence it came, and to offer up the last tribute of our affection to his memory; thereby demonstrating to the world the sincerity of our past esteem, and our steady attachment to the principles of our honourable order.

"With proper respect to the established customs of the country in which we reside, with due deference to our superiors in church and state, and with unlimited good will to all mankind, we appear in the character of our profession. Invested with the badges of Masonry, we publicly declare our obedience and submission to the laws and government of the country in which we live, and an ardent wish to promote the general good of society; we humbly implore the blessing of heaven on all our zealous endeavours for this laudable purpose, and pray for our steady perseverance in the principles of piety and virtue.

"As it has pleased God, in the removal of our brother, to weaken the chain by which we are linked one to another, it becomes us, who survive him, to be more strongly cemented in the ties of union and friendship; and in some measure to make up his loss by a warmer zeal and fidelity in all the charities and duties of life.

"Unto the grave we resign the body of our friend and brother! [The body is entombed, and the dropped, &c.] "Friend of our hearts, there rest in peace. Raised by

the Grand Master's word, mayest thou hereafter share the honours of perfection, the joys and bliss immortal! "Amen!-So mote it be !-Amen!

"Farewell!-We will meet again !"

Thus the service ends, when the usual honours are given, and the procession returns to the place from whence it came. The brethren being arrived at the lodge, the necessary duties are complied with, and the business of Masonry is renewed. The regalia, and the ornaments of the deceased, if an officer of a lodge, are returned to the Master in due form, with the usual ceremonies; after which the charges for regulating the conduct of the fraternity are rehearsed, and the lodge is closed in the third degree with a blessing.

CHAPTER VI.

PROCESSIONS-No. I.

Order of Procession, for One Lodge, on common

occasions.

Tyler, with a drawn sword,

Stewards, with white rods,

Music, (when the musicians are brethren; otherwise they form on the right and left of the procession, or precede the Tyler).

Marshal..

Entered Apprentices,
Fellow Crafts,

Master Masons,

Deacons,

Secretary and Treasurer,

Senior and Junior Wardens,

The holy writings, square and compass, carried by the oldest member of the lodge not in office, accompanied with the Chaplain,

Past Masters,

Master.

GRAND PROCESSIONS-No. II.

Order of Procession, when the Ceremony of Consecrating and Constituting a Lodge, is performed in public, &c.

Two Tylers, with drawn swords,
Music, (when there are two bands,)

Tyler of the oldest lodge, with a drawn sword,
Two Stewards of the oldest lodge, with white rods,
Entered Apprentices,

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(To form as in No. I., omitting Past Masters and Chaplain.)

Music,

Grand Tyler, with a drawn sword,

Grand Stewards, with white rods,

When Masonic Halls are to be dedicated, &c. the corn, wine and oil, are to be carried as in No. III.

Grand Secretary and Treasurer,

Master of a lodge bearing the sacred writing, square and compass, on a crimson velvet cushion; supported by the Stewards of the second oldest lodge, with white rods, first Steward on his right, the second on his left, Grand Chaplain,

Grand Marshal.

Past Grand Wardens,

Past Deputy Grand Masters,

Past Grand Masters,

Grand Wardens,

Deputy Grand Masters,

Master of the oldest lodge, bearing the book of constitu

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Grand Sword Bearer, with a drawn sword,

Two Stewards, with white rods,

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Gentlemen invited to join the procession, follow, two and two.

No. III.

Order of Procession at laying the Foundation Stones of Public Buildings, &c.

Two Tylers, (as in No. 2.)
Music, (as in do.)

Tyler of the oldest Lodge, (do.)

Two Stewards of the oldest Lodge, (do.)

Marshal.

Marshal.

Entered Apprentices,
Fellow Crafts,

Master Masons,

Tylers,
Stewards,

Junior Deacons,

Senior Deacons,

Secretaries,
Treasurers,

Past Wardens,
Junior Wardens,

Senior Wardens,

Past Masters,
Masters,

Music,

Grand Tyler, (as in No. 2,)
Grand Stewards, (do.)

A brother carrying a golden vessel containing corn, Two brethren carrying silver urns, one containing wine,

the other oil, Principal Architect,

Grand Secretary and Treasurer,

Bible, square and compass, carried by a Master of a lodge, supported by two Stewards, as in No. 2, when not supported by Stewards, the Grand Chaplain walks with the Master of the lodge, who supports the Bible, &c. Past Grand Wardens,

Grand Marshal.

Past Deputy Grand Masters,

Past Grand Masters,

Chief Magistrate of the place,

Two large lights, borne by two Masters of Lodges,
Grand Wardens,

One great light, borne by a Master of a Lodge,
Deputy Grand Masters,

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