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Article METROPOLITAF. ← Page 7 of 8 →
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Metropolitaf.
preaching fate , and draw our attention towards Thee , the only refuge in time of need ; tiat when the awful moment shall arrive when we are about to quit this transitory scene , the enlivening prospect of thy mercy may dispel the gloom of death : and after our departure hence in peace and in thy favour , we may be received into thy everlasting kingdom , to enjoy , in union with the souls of our departed friends , the just reward of a pious and virtuous life . Amen . " The following address was then delivered ;—
" 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 consider every solemnity of this kind as a summons to prepare for our approaching dissolution . "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 we are born to die . ¥ e go on from one design to another , add hope to hope , and lay out plans for the employment of many years , till we are suddenly alarmed by the approach of death when we least expect him , and at an hour which we probably were led to expect might be the most pleasant of our lives .
" What are the externals of majesty , the pride of wealth , or charms of beauty , when nature has paid her last debt . Fix your eyes on the last scene , and view life stripped of its ornaments , and exposed iii its 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 memory of our deceased Brother , let charity incline us to throw a veil over bis foibles , whatever they may have been , and , not withholding 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 . His meritorious
actions it is our duty to imitate , and from his weaknesses we ought to derive instruction . Let the present example excite our most serious thoughts , and strengthen our resolution of amendment . As life is uncertain , and all earthly pursuits are vain , let us no longer postpone the important concern of preparing for eternity , but embrace the happy moment , while time and opportunity of £ er } to provide against the great change , when all the pleasures of this life shall cease to delight , and the reflection of a virtuous life yield the only comfort and consolation . Thus out expectations will not be frustrated , nor ourselves be called away unprepared into the presence of an all-wise and omnipotent Judge , to whom the secrets A ^ 1 1 1 1 rt 1 1 *¦ . « " a
oi . au nearts are Known , and irom wnose dread tribunal no sinner can escape . " Let us , while in this stage of existence , support with propriety the character of our profession , advert to the nature of our solemnities , and pursue with assiduity the sacred tenets of our Order . Then , with becoming reverence , let us supplicate the Divine grace to ensure the favour of that Eternal Being , whose goodness and power know no bounds ; that when the awful moment arrives , be it soon or late , we may be enabled to prosecute our journey without dread or apprehension , to that far distant country whence no traveller returns . By the light of the Divine countenance , we shall pass without trembling through those gloomy mansions
wnere aJL things are forgotten ; and at the great tremendous day of trial and retribution , when arraigned at the bar of Divine Justice , let us hope that judgment will be pronounced in our favour , and that we shall receive our reward in the possession of an immortal inheritance , where joy flows in one continued stream , and no mound can check its course . " The following invocations were then made by the Master , accompanied by the
usual honours : — Master . —" May we be true and faithful , and may we live and die in love . " Answer . — " So mote it be . " Master . — "May we profess what is good , and always act agreeably to our profession . " Answer . — " So mote it be . " Master . —" May the Lord bless us , and prosper us ; and may all our good intentions be crowned with success . Let every soul praise the Lord . Halleluiah . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Metropolitaf.
preaching fate , and draw our attention towards Thee , the only refuge in time of need ; tiat when the awful moment shall arrive when we are about to quit this transitory scene , the enlivening prospect of thy mercy may dispel the gloom of death : and after our departure hence in peace and in thy favour , we may be received into thy everlasting kingdom , to enjoy , in union with the souls of our departed friends , the just reward of a pious and virtuous life . Amen . " The following address was then delivered ;—
" 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 consider every solemnity of this kind as a summons to prepare for our approaching dissolution . "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 we are born to die . ¥ e go on from one design to another , add hope to hope , and lay out plans for the employment of many years , till we are suddenly alarmed by the approach of death when we least expect him , and at an hour which we probably were led to expect might be the most pleasant of our lives .
" What are the externals of majesty , the pride of wealth , or charms of beauty , when nature has paid her last debt . Fix your eyes on the last scene , and view life stripped of its ornaments , and exposed iii its 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 memory of our deceased Brother , let charity incline us to throw a veil over bis foibles , whatever they may have been , and , not withholding 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 . His meritorious
actions it is our duty to imitate , and from his weaknesses we ought to derive instruction . Let the present example excite our most serious thoughts , and strengthen our resolution of amendment . As life is uncertain , and all earthly pursuits are vain , let us no longer postpone the important concern of preparing for eternity , but embrace the happy moment , while time and opportunity of £ er } to provide against the great change , when all the pleasures of this life shall cease to delight , and the reflection of a virtuous life yield the only comfort and consolation . Thus out expectations will not be frustrated , nor ourselves be called away unprepared into the presence of an all-wise and omnipotent Judge , to whom the secrets A ^ 1 1 1 1 rt 1 1 *¦ . « " a
oi . au nearts are Known , and irom wnose dread tribunal no sinner can escape . " Let us , while in this stage of existence , support with propriety the character of our profession , advert to the nature of our solemnities , and pursue with assiduity the sacred tenets of our Order . Then , with becoming reverence , let us supplicate the Divine grace to ensure the favour of that Eternal Being , whose goodness and power know no bounds ; that when the awful moment arrives , be it soon or late , we may be enabled to prosecute our journey without dread or apprehension , to that far distant country whence no traveller returns . By the light of the Divine countenance , we shall pass without trembling through those gloomy mansions
wnere aJL things are forgotten ; and at the great tremendous day of trial and retribution , when arraigned at the bar of Divine Justice , let us hope that judgment will be pronounced in our favour , and that we shall receive our reward in the possession of an immortal inheritance , where joy flows in one continued stream , and no mound can check its course . " The following invocations were then made by the Master , accompanied by the
usual honours : — Master . —" May we be true and faithful , and may we live and die in love . " Answer . — " So mote it be . " Master . — "May we profess what is good , and always act agreeably to our profession . " Answer . — " So mote it be . " Master . —" May the Lord bless us , and prosper us ; and may all our good intentions be crowned with success . Let every soul praise the Lord . Halleluiah . "