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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 21 of 26 →
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Provincial.
This latter response , the word being given with deep and solemn emphasis by Mr . AV . D . Moore , the P . G S . was extremely affecting . The grand honours were then given thrice . The Brethren of the Lodge who had been seated at the raised seats by the side of the room , then descended and advanced three steps towards the centre , forming an oblong square , upon which the band , playing the " Dead March in Saul" followed bthe militarymarched
, y , into tbe hall , ancl took up the position assigned to them . While this was going on , the D . P . G . M ., preceded by the banners and Stewards , in due form entered the retiring room , and addressed to the High Sheriff of the county ( Sir J . L . Rogers , Bart . ) and his party , among whom were several ladies , his thanks in the name of the Brethren for the compliment he had paid them , and the honour of his attendance , and regretted that he had not the opportunity of expressing a similar obligation
to the Mayor of Exeter , who was unavoidably absent from important business . The visitors then , headed by the Pligh Sheriff , and the family of his AVorship the Mayor , entered the hall to the number of from 250 to 300 , and were marshalled to their seats by the Stewards . The company being seated , the D . P . G . M . addressed them to the effect , that one of the very first principles of Masonry was obedience to the laws of the land , and a strict observance of its constitution in Church
and State ; that in pursuance of this principle , a portion of the Masonic service , which properly belonged to the sacred ground in which the deceased would be interred , would be performed in that hall , and that such a deviation from the usual custom amongst Masons was acquiesced in , in deference to the expressed wish of the reverend incumbent of the parish wherein the funeral would take place . Having concluded , he advanced with clue ceremonies to the head of the coffin , ancl delivered a
solemn prayer . After the prayer , the band repeated the " Dead March in Saul , " instead of the anthem laid clown in the programme , the choristers not having returned from the cathedral in time to perform that part of the
service . A short interval having elapsed , the D . P . G . M . delivered the funeral oration , in which having descanted at large on the general principles of the Order , he brought tbem home to the deceased Brother , whose obsequies were then being performed , declaring that though Masonry gave due regard to all distinctions of social rank , that it knew no distinction of persons , where duties as men ancl Masons , were faithfully performed , and that though also the Brother to whose the Brethren had
memory assembled to do honour , moved in a comparatively humble sphere , still his conduct through life , both as a man and as a Mason , fully warranted every honour that could be paid to his memory . AVhile then the Brethren dropped the tear of sympathy to the memory of him , who had been called from them , their tenets taught them to look with hope and reverence to that heavenly place , where the world's great Architect rules and rei for ever .
gns The Rev . Doctor , in the course of the oration , of which the above is but a very faint outline , was exceedingly overcome , The hall , with all its company , was perfectly still and silent , and the scene was altogether one well calculated to impress the most thoughtless spectator with reverence and awe . After the address , the choir having resumed their places , a Masonic
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
This latter response , the word being given with deep and solemn emphasis by Mr . AV . D . Moore , the P . G S . was extremely affecting . The grand honours were then given thrice . The Brethren of the Lodge who had been seated at the raised seats by the side of the room , then descended and advanced three steps towards the centre , forming an oblong square , upon which the band , playing the " Dead March in Saul" followed bthe militarymarched
, y , into tbe hall , ancl took up the position assigned to them . While this was going on , the D . P . G . M ., preceded by the banners and Stewards , in due form entered the retiring room , and addressed to the High Sheriff of the county ( Sir J . L . Rogers , Bart . ) and his party , among whom were several ladies , his thanks in the name of the Brethren for the compliment he had paid them , and the honour of his attendance , and regretted that he had not the opportunity of expressing a similar obligation
to the Mayor of Exeter , who was unavoidably absent from important business . The visitors then , headed by the Pligh Sheriff , and the family of his AVorship the Mayor , entered the hall to the number of from 250 to 300 , and were marshalled to their seats by the Stewards . The company being seated , the D . P . G . M . addressed them to the effect , that one of the very first principles of Masonry was obedience to the laws of the land , and a strict observance of its constitution in Church
and State ; that in pursuance of this principle , a portion of the Masonic service , which properly belonged to the sacred ground in which the deceased would be interred , would be performed in that hall , and that such a deviation from the usual custom amongst Masons was acquiesced in , in deference to the expressed wish of the reverend incumbent of the parish wherein the funeral would take place . Having concluded , he advanced with clue ceremonies to the head of the coffin , ancl delivered a
solemn prayer . After the prayer , the band repeated the " Dead March in Saul , " instead of the anthem laid clown in the programme , the choristers not having returned from the cathedral in time to perform that part of the
service . A short interval having elapsed , the D . P . G . M . delivered the funeral oration , in which having descanted at large on the general principles of the Order , he brought tbem home to the deceased Brother , whose obsequies were then being performed , declaring that though Masonry gave due regard to all distinctions of social rank , that it knew no distinction of persons , where duties as men ancl Masons , were faithfully performed , and that though also the Brother to whose the Brethren had
memory assembled to do honour , moved in a comparatively humble sphere , still his conduct through life , both as a man and as a Mason , fully warranted every honour that could be paid to his memory . AVhile then the Brethren dropped the tear of sympathy to the memory of him , who had been called from them , their tenets taught them to look with hope and reverence to that heavenly place , where the world's great Architect rules and rei for ever .
gns The Rev . Doctor , in the course of the oration , of which the above is but a very faint outline , was exceedingly overcome , The hall , with all its company , was perfectly still and silent , and the scene was altogether one well calculated to impress the most thoughtless spectator with reverence and awe . After the address , the choir having resumed their places , a Masonic