-
Articles/Ads
Article LODGES OF SORROW. Page 1 of 3 Article LODGES OF SORROW. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodges Of Sorrow.
LODGES OF SORROW .
ALTHOUGH , in America , Lodges of Sorrow are somewhat rare , they aro of very frequent occurrence iu Europe , and especially in Germany . Always , on the demise ^ of a worthy brother , tho " Trailer Loijo " is opened when the virtues of tho departed brother are
commemorated , aud funeral ceremonies of an impressive character are . performed . But with us , whenever the Lodge convenes , as such , to bury a brother , and performs over his remains tbe beautiful service for the dead , it is , in fact , a " Lodge of Sorrow . "
But we helieve it would be profitable to hold special Lodges of this description onco in each year , to call to mind tho .-o who havo deceased during that time , and by a B ' udy of their examples , aud an invocation of their virtues , io seek growth in wisdom and virtue .
Our festivities in honour of the two Saints Johu are , at the same time , Lodges of Sorrow , remembrance and invocation .
The significance , indeed , of all such ceremonies is that the departed good and great are still , although unseen , really and intelligently present in spirit , observing all our thoughts and deeds , and presiding over and carrying forward those benevolent enterprises which tend to improve
the condition of mankind . Death does not , and cannot , effect any of tho relations which God has established between man and man . They remain for ever the same . Religion , from the first , has taken note of this fact , and
asserted the unbroken continuity of life , and the unity of tho race—an idea which Paul teaches when he says : " . For as Ave have many members in one body , so AVC , being many , are one body in Christ , and every ono members one of another . "
Tho church , at tho beginning , seizing on this great truth —which is , indeed , the A-ery foundation of our Mnsonic institution—earnestly proclaimed that individual men were members of a common brotherhood ; that this law of
brotherhood is eternal ; that death docs not and cannot break the continuity of the life of humanity , nor dissolve the ties of consanguinity , affection or fraternity , and that those whom we call the dead are yet objects of interest and love to them .
Acting on this principle , and moved b y this truth , the ancient nations , universally , established festivals in hononr , and for the benefit of the dead ; and a Hebrew writer , four centuries before Christ , says : " It is a holy and pious thought to pray for the departed . "
The Chinese , Japanese , and other Oriental nations , repair annually to tho graves of their deceased friends which they ornament with garlands of flowers and of leaves .
" 0 deem it not a superstitious rite , though old , It having with all higher things connectionj Prayers , tears , redeem a world so harsh and cold ¦ The future hath its hope—the pasfc its deep affection . " So far , indeed , did the church carry this idea , that it
assorted as a positive doctrine , a reciprocity of influences between this visible world of living men and the invisible world of spirits—that , by invoking them , our departed friends would watch over us as guardian geniuses ; and
that we , on the other hand ,, by our sympathy and prayers , might benefit them , and aid them in working their way up from tbe " receptacles of sorrow to heaven ' s everlasting rest . " B
Without , however , endorsing all these ideas , Freemasonry every where recognizes the Immortality of man ; and immortality implies that man will be identically the same through all eternity—death cannot rob him of any of those prerogatives or attributes which are necessary to that
identity . In the future life , man will be essentially the same as in this . He will remember the past , recognize and love those whom he had known and loved here ; and he will also retain the noble attribute of freedom , and the capacity for progress . The future life is a life of activity
and advancement—a life of affection and sympathy , as well as retribution ; and , being separated from this only by tbe veil of flesh , it penetrates and flows into it , and is for over connected with it by mysterious bonds that cannot be broken .
It follows , therefore , that the great , the wise and good of the pasfc time—our brothers and companions departedthe Illuminators of men of all nations and ages—are still
Lodges Of Sorrow.
moving among us , fulfilling each day their various ministries of beneficenco aud love . They overshadow us when we meet in our Lodges of mourning and remem . brauce , and envelope us with their undying sympathy .
Being dead in the flesh , they are alive in tho spirit , the true apostles and benefactor .- , of man , and aro unceasingly present as helpful divinitie ? , in tho examples they havo set , tlio truths they have uttuioJ , and tho lives they havo lived .
"They fell , devoted , but undjing ; The very waves their names seem sighing ; The waters murmor of their name , The woods aro peopled with their lame , The silent pillars , lone and gray ,
Claim kindred to their sucred clay j Their spirits wrap the dusky mountain , Their memory sparkles o ' er each fountain ; The meanest rill , the mightiest river , Rolls , mingling with their fame , for ever . "
By these commemorative ceremonies , therefore , which recall , and , in a manner , reproduce tho events and personages of the past , we aro brought into direct communion with the intelligence and life of the heroes and saints of the old world , aud by this communion thoir life is
transmitted to us , and we aro regenerated by thoir virtues . We shonld , therefore , remember the history of thoir trials and conquests , and keep outspread before ns tho picture of their glory . When in sorrow , perplexity nnd distress of soul , we should ask them to como to our aid . And they
ivill come—they will como iu tho might of their pure examples , tbe omnipotence of their holy lives , and in tho regenerating virtue of their philanthropy and love . Thev do come—angels of mercy—to preserve and defend us ! By their goodness we become good , by their wisdom wo become wise , and by their strength wo become strong .
Thus tho good and honoured of other times—the illustrious examples of Masonic virtue—have left a thousand brilliant traces on the earth—a thousand memories in the mystic circle where we were wont to meet
them , which are to ns a perpetual ministry of Love , and Life , and Light . They are so many Pharoses , which a kind Providence has kindled on the Sea of Time , to show the rocks and quicksands we are to avoid , and to direct us to the perfect Lodge of security and peace .
Another salutary effect that would follow the frequent opening of Sorrow Lodges , would bo the more rational views and feelings which we should entertain in regard to
that supreme hour which , sooner or later , will introduce us to the sublime mysteries of eternity . By familiarity and rational meditation all unreasonable fears and mi givings would be removed .
As a general thing , there is no subject less welcome to our thoughts , and which we contemplate with less pleasure , than that of Death ; ever do we turn away from it as from a terrible spectre—ever do we strive to fix our minds ou a more pleasing theme . Bufc , strive as we may to avoid it ,
the thought will intrude upon us , and every day the " King of Terrors " himself stands before us , and bears away to bis mysterious realm some friend or companion , thus crushing our hearts with grief , as well as filling them with unspeakable dread .
Although every day we are called to hear the funeral knell , and witness the sad cortege of sorrow winding aloneour streets , we never seem to succeed in conquering the terror which the thought of death inspires . Let it enter the gay and gilded saloons of the great—the halls where
beauty and fashion assemble , surrounded by all the charms and fascinations that belong to the golden and factitious life which they live—and the stoutest arm is paralyzed , and
the manliest heart is struck with dismay , a * d the proud glancing eye quails , and the rose fades from the cheek of beauty as the rainbow vanishes from the summer sk y , and the throne of joy is unsurped by the spectre of fear .
The spirit and teachings of Freemasonry lead us to see the unreasonableness of these fears . True , the Masonic ritual speaks of the " spade , " the " grave , "the "death ' shead , " and " marrow-bones . " those last sad remnants of mortality ; but it does so only that it may turn our eyes .
beaming with triumphant joy , to fche immortal "Acacia , " the glorious emblem of " . Eternal Life . " It does not aim to throw gloom and terror around our last hour , nor to
marshal an army of hideous spectres around the beds of the dying or the graves of the honoured dead . On the contrary , it would remove every gloomy token and every fearful apprehension . It would take away from the grave ' s
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodges Of Sorrow.
LODGES OF SORROW .
ALTHOUGH , in America , Lodges of Sorrow are somewhat rare , they aro of very frequent occurrence iu Europe , and especially in Germany . Always , on the demise ^ of a worthy brother , tho " Trailer Loijo " is opened when the virtues of tho departed brother are
commemorated , aud funeral ceremonies of an impressive character are . performed . But with us , whenever the Lodge convenes , as such , to bury a brother , and performs over his remains tbe beautiful service for the dead , it is , in fact , a " Lodge of Sorrow . "
But we helieve it would be profitable to hold special Lodges of this description onco in each year , to call to mind tho .-o who havo deceased during that time , and by a B ' udy of their examples , aud an invocation of their virtues , io seek growth in wisdom and virtue .
Our festivities in honour of the two Saints Johu are , at the same time , Lodges of Sorrow , remembrance and invocation .
The significance , indeed , of all such ceremonies is that the departed good and great are still , although unseen , really and intelligently present in spirit , observing all our thoughts and deeds , and presiding over and carrying forward those benevolent enterprises which tend to improve
the condition of mankind . Death does not , and cannot , effect any of tho relations which God has established between man and man . They remain for ever the same . Religion , from the first , has taken note of this fact , and
asserted the unbroken continuity of life , and the unity of tho race—an idea which Paul teaches when he says : " . For as Ave have many members in one body , so AVC , being many , are one body in Christ , and every ono members one of another . "
Tho church , at tho beginning , seizing on this great truth —which is , indeed , the A-ery foundation of our Mnsonic institution—earnestly proclaimed that individual men were members of a common brotherhood ; that this law of
brotherhood is eternal ; that death docs not and cannot break the continuity of the life of humanity , nor dissolve the ties of consanguinity , affection or fraternity , and that those whom we call the dead are yet objects of interest and love to them .
Acting on this principle , and moved b y this truth , the ancient nations , universally , established festivals in hononr , and for the benefit of the dead ; and a Hebrew writer , four centuries before Christ , says : " It is a holy and pious thought to pray for the departed . "
The Chinese , Japanese , and other Oriental nations , repair annually to tho graves of their deceased friends which they ornament with garlands of flowers and of leaves .
" 0 deem it not a superstitious rite , though old , It having with all higher things connectionj Prayers , tears , redeem a world so harsh and cold ¦ The future hath its hope—the pasfc its deep affection . " So far , indeed , did the church carry this idea , that it
assorted as a positive doctrine , a reciprocity of influences between this visible world of living men and the invisible world of spirits—that , by invoking them , our departed friends would watch over us as guardian geniuses ; and
that we , on the other hand ,, by our sympathy and prayers , might benefit them , and aid them in working their way up from tbe " receptacles of sorrow to heaven ' s everlasting rest . " B
Without , however , endorsing all these ideas , Freemasonry every where recognizes the Immortality of man ; and immortality implies that man will be identically the same through all eternity—death cannot rob him of any of those prerogatives or attributes which are necessary to that
identity . In the future life , man will be essentially the same as in this . He will remember the past , recognize and love those whom he had known and loved here ; and he will also retain the noble attribute of freedom , and the capacity for progress . The future life is a life of activity
and advancement—a life of affection and sympathy , as well as retribution ; and , being separated from this only by tbe veil of flesh , it penetrates and flows into it , and is for over connected with it by mysterious bonds that cannot be broken .
It follows , therefore , that the great , the wise and good of the pasfc time—our brothers and companions departedthe Illuminators of men of all nations and ages—are still
Lodges Of Sorrow.
moving among us , fulfilling each day their various ministries of beneficenco aud love . They overshadow us when we meet in our Lodges of mourning and remem . brauce , and envelope us with their undying sympathy .
Being dead in the flesh , they are alive in tho spirit , the true apostles and benefactor .- , of man , and aro unceasingly present as helpful divinitie ? , in tho examples they havo set , tlio truths they have uttuioJ , and tho lives they havo lived .
"They fell , devoted , but undjing ; The very waves their names seem sighing ; The waters murmor of their name , The woods aro peopled with their lame , The silent pillars , lone and gray ,
Claim kindred to their sucred clay j Their spirits wrap the dusky mountain , Their memory sparkles o ' er each fountain ; The meanest rill , the mightiest river , Rolls , mingling with their fame , for ever . "
By these commemorative ceremonies , therefore , which recall , and , in a manner , reproduce tho events and personages of the past , we aro brought into direct communion with the intelligence and life of the heroes and saints of the old world , aud by this communion thoir life is
transmitted to us , and we aro regenerated by thoir virtues . We shonld , therefore , remember the history of thoir trials and conquests , and keep outspread before ns tho picture of their glory . When in sorrow , perplexity nnd distress of soul , we should ask them to como to our aid . And they
ivill come—they will como iu tho might of their pure examples , tbe omnipotence of their holy lives , and in tho regenerating virtue of their philanthropy and love . Thev do come—angels of mercy—to preserve and defend us ! By their goodness we become good , by their wisdom wo become wise , and by their strength wo become strong .
Thus tho good and honoured of other times—the illustrious examples of Masonic virtue—have left a thousand brilliant traces on the earth—a thousand memories in the mystic circle where we were wont to meet
them , which are to ns a perpetual ministry of Love , and Life , and Light . They are so many Pharoses , which a kind Providence has kindled on the Sea of Time , to show the rocks and quicksands we are to avoid , and to direct us to the perfect Lodge of security and peace .
Another salutary effect that would follow the frequent opening of Sorrow Lodges , would bo the more rational views and feelings which we should entertain in regard to
that supreme hour which , sooner or later , will introduce us to the sublime mysteries of eternity . By familiarity and rational meditation all unreasonable fears and mi givings would be removed .
As a general thing , there is no subject less welcome to our thoughts , and which we contemplate with less pleasure , than that of Death ; ever do we turn away from it as from a terrible spectre—ever do we strive to fix our minds ou a more pleasing theme . Bufc , strive as we may to avoid it ,
the thought will intrude upon us , and every day the " King of Terrors " himself stands before us , and bears away to bis mysterious realm some friend or companion , thus crushing our hearts with grief , as well as filling them with unspeakable dread .
Although every day we are called to hear the funeral knell , and witness the sad cortege of sorrow winding aloneour streets , we never seem to succeed in conquering the terror which the thought of death inspires . Let it enter the gay and gilded saloons of the great—the halls where
beauty and fashion assemble , surrounded by all the charms and fascinations that belong to the golden and factitious life which they live—and the stoutest arm is paralyzed , and
the manliest heart is struck with dismay , a * d the proud glancing eye quails , and the rose fades from the cheek of beauty as the rainbow vanishes from the summer sk y , and the throne of joy is unsurped by the spectre of fear .
The spirit and teachings of Freemasonry lead us to see the unreasonableness of these fears . True , the Masonic ritual speaks of the " spade , " the " grave , "the "death ' shead , " and " marrow-bones . " those last sad remnants of mortality ; but it does so only that it may turn our eyes .
beaming with triumphant joy , to fche immortal "Acacia , " the glorious emblem of " . Eternal Life . " It does not aim to throw gloom and terror around our last hour , nor to
marshal an army of hideous spectres around the beds of the dying or the graves of the honoured dead . On the contrary , it would remove every gloomy token and every fearful apprehension . It would take away from the grave ' s