"Then let us so improve this solemn warning that at last, when the 'sheeted dead' are stirring, when the 'great white throne' is set, we shall receive from the Omniscient Judge, the thrilling invitation, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."" The service is here concluded with the following, or some suitable prayer: "ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, we adore thee as the God of time and of eternity. As it has pleased thee to take from the light of our abode one dear to our hearts, we beseech thee to bless and sanctify to us this dispensation of thy Providence. Inspire our hearts with wisdom from on high, that we may glorify thee in all our ways. May we realize that thine All-seeing Eye is upon us, and be influenced by the spirit of truth and love to perfect obedience,—that we may enjoy the divine approbation here below. And when our toils on earth shall have ceased, may we be raised to the enjoyment of fadeless light and immortal life in that kingdom, where faith and hope shall end-and love and joy prevail through eternal ages. “And thine, O righteous Father, shall be the glory forever." Amen. Thus the service ends, and the procession returns in form to the place whence it set out, where the necessary duties are complied with, and the business of Masonry is renewed. The insignia and ornaments of the deceased, if an officer of a Lodge, are returned to the Master, with the usual ceremonies. NOTE. If a past or present Grand Master, or Deputy Grand Master, or a Grand Warden, should join the procession of a private Lodge, a proper attention is to be paid to them. They take place after the Master of the Lodge. Two deacons, with black rods, are appointed by the Master to attend a Grand Warden; and when the Grand Master, or Deputy Grand Master is present, the book of Constitutions is borne before him, a Sword Bearer follows him, and the Deacons, with black rods, are placed on his right and left, at an angular distance of seven feet. Most Excellent Master. NONE but the meritorious and praiseworthy; none but those, who, through diligence and industry, have progressed far towards perfection; none but those who have been seated in the ORIENTAL CHAIR, by the unanimous suffrages of their brethren, can be admitted to this degree of Masonry. In its original establishment, when the temple of Jerusalem was finished, and the fraternity celebrated the capstone with great joy, it is demonstrable that none but those who had proved themselves to be complete masters of their profession, were admitted to this honor; and indeed, the duties incumbent on every Mason, who is accepted and acknowledged as a Most Excellent Master, are such as render it indispensable that he should have a perfect knowledge of all the preceding degrees. One of the following passages of scripture is rehearsed at opening, accompanied by solemn ceremonies: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory. Selah."-PSALM Xxiv. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and For my brethren and prosperity within thy palaces. companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”—PSALM Cxxii. The following passages of scripture are also introduced, accompanied with solemn ceremonies: "Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. "And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of |