Funeral Lodges In Scotland Half-A-Century Ago.

FUNERAL LODGES IN SCOTLAND HALF-A-CENTURY AGO .

ByD . MURRAY LYON , P . M . & P . Z . The ceremony of funeral lodges at Scotland half a century ago differed in some respects from that which is now observed by the Craft . The lodge having been

opened in the third degree , deputations from sister lodges were received , the brethren ( the lodge being still on labour ) wore served with bread and wine , and the prosiding officer proposed certain toasts , which

were followed by appropriate music by a band of instrumentalists , who also played accompaniments to the anthems that were sung . At an early part of the proceedings the master , sometimes the chaplain ,

pronounced the funeral oration , in which lie cuoligised the subject of it , reminded the brethren of their Masonic , social , and reli gious duties , and urged the necessity for a preparedness for death . On the termination of the more solemn services of the

communication , the brethren were called to refreshment , and the lodge being reduced to the first degree , to afford the master an opportunity of paying his respects to the visitors , harmony common to ordinary occasions was engaged in . An excerpt from

the minute of a communication in honour of a Past Master of the Lodge of Edinburgh may possess some interest to the present generation of Craftsmen : —

" Edinburgh , St . Mary ' s Chapel Lodge , May 27 , 1813 . . . The following are a few of the toasts which were proposed from the Chair , and drank with that solemnit y duo to the occasion : — ' The Holy Lodge of

St . John . ' ( Honours by three . ) ' Li ght to those who sit in darkness . ' ( Honours by three . ) ' The King and the Craft . ' ( Honours by three times three—band playing ' God Save the King . ' ) ' May the

Brother that feels for the distresses of others never shed tears for his own . ' ( Tunc , ' I'm wearin' awa' Jean . ' ) The K . W . M .

then proposed , after a short eulogium on the merits of the late Past Master , ' The Memory of the deceased as a man , as a christian , and as a Mason . " ( Dead March , by the band . ) Toast : ' May the virtues of

our deceased brother live in the recollection of and be exemplified in the practice of his Mends and the Craft , but may his infirmities , bo buried with him . ' [ The Chaplain hero pronounced an oration ,

eulogistic of the deceased . ] Toasts : 'Our worthy Chaplain , and may his flock always receive bis pious instructions with the same satisfaction as Ave have done . ' ' While wo live in the prospect of approaching death , may wo never treat with indifference the duties of life . ' 'At what time soever our

dissolution arrives , may we meet death disarmed of its sting , and the grave divested of its terrors . ' 'When we stand on the brink of eternity and behold her immeasurable prospect opening up before us , may we be able to look back with pleasure upon

a well spent life . ' Anthem : — "' When the last trumpet ' s awful voice This rending earth will shake , And opening graves shall yield their charge And dust to life awake ; Those bodies that corrupted fell Shall incomipted rise , And mortal forms shall spring to life , Immortal in the skies . '

" Toasts : ' When the last trumpet ' s awful voice shall rend Nature , may all present meet parents , children , and friends in the mansions of peace . ' ' May we be often employed in numbering our days , and cmploying our minds ; to the acquisition of

wisdom . ' Anthem : " ' 0 happy is the man who hears instruction ' s warning voice , And who celestial wisdom makes his early only choice , l ? or she hath treasures greater far than east

or west unfold , And her rewards more precious are than all their stores of gold . " " Toasts : ' May virtue over direct our actions with respect to ourselves , justice to those with whom we deal , mercy , love , and charity to all mankind . ' ' May the con