Princes and peasants came there to be judged, escorted only by their virtues and their vices. A public accuser recounted the history of their lives, and threw the penetrating light of truth on all their actions. If it were adjudged that the dead man had led an evil life, his memory was condemned in the presence of the nation, and his body was denied the honors of sepulture. But Masonry has no such tribunal to sit in judgment upon her dead; with her, the good that her sons have done lives after them; and the evil is interred with their bones. She does require, however, that whatever is said concerning them shall be the truth; and should it ever happen that of a Mason, who dies, nothing good can be truthfully said, she will mournfully and pityingly bury him out of her sight in silence.
Worshipful Master: Brethren, let us profit by the admonitions of this solemn occasion, lay to heart the truths to which we have listened, and resolve so to walk that when we lay us down to the last sleep it may be the privilege of the brethren to strew white flowers upon our graves and keep our memories as a pleasant remembrance.
Brother Senior Warden: Announce to the brethren that our labors are now concluded, and that it is my pleasure that this Lodge of Sorrow be closed.
Senior Warden: Brother Junior Warden, the labors of this Lodge of Sorrow being ended, it is the pleasure of the Worshipful Master that it be now closed. Make due announcement to the brethren, and invite them to a.s.sist.
Junior Warden [calling up the Lodge]. Brethren, the labors of this Lodge of Sorrow being ended, it is the pleasure of the Worshipful Master that it be now closed.
W. M.: Let us unite with our Chaplain in an invocation to the Throne of Grace.
W. M.: This Lodge of Sorrow is now closed.