MASONIC DIRGE. COMPOSED AT THE REQUEST OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS. [Set to music by the R. W. Brother HOLDEN, and sung on the 11th Feb. 5800, the day set apart by the Grand Lodge, to pay their funeral honours to their Brother GEORGE WASHINGTON.] WHILE every Orator and Bard displays The Hero's glory and the Patriot's fame; And all, the Guardian of their Country praise, Revere his greatness and his worth proclaim WE mourn the Man made our's by tenderest ties, Their honour'd Chieftain, our lov'd Brother dies! Come then, the mystic rites no more delay; Deep silence reigns, the tapers dimly burn : Wisdom and Fortitude the requiem pay, And Beauty strews fresh garlands round the urn. A Mason, brothers; a Grand Master dies! The cassia sprig designates where he lies. As Love Fraternal leads our footsteps there, Again to weep, again to bid adieu, Faith views the soul, releas'd from mortal care, Through spheres empyreal its blest course pursue, 'Till it the Lodge of Perfect Light attain; There may we meet our WASHINGTON again. A HYMN. Sung at the Consecration of Union Lodge, in Dorcheste June 24, 1797. I. GREAT source of light and love, Their every grace improve; 'Till discord through the nations cease AND ALL THE WORLD BE LOVE! TRANSLATION OF THE NOTES. PAGE 16. THIS is genuine and indissoluble FRATERNITY, growing out of the virtue and perfection of minds! whose once formed league, neither the diversity of desires nor contrariety of wills can disannul: whose principles lead to venerate the worthy and rebuke the dissolute member; to be obliging to the brother when present, and not to speak ill of him when absent; to congratulate him in health, and not to desert him when infirm; to rejoice with him if rich, and to assist him if poor. PAGE 19. For a brother not to desert his brother, is also a rare honour to that near relationship. A true companion loves at all times: he is a brother born for adversity. PAGE 21. As when the Sun breaks forth with splendours gay, In misfortunes the friend deserts his friend. PAGE 26. Dear Brother of the choice! A band more sacred PAGE 33. Companions, cherished with fraternal love! PAGE 36. Now came the Orator, and audience ask'd; PAGE 60. Among other good things which render men amiable to their neighbours and pleasing to GOD, we believe that to be most acceptable, which insures charity in the heart, and operates as a bond of union to different minds. This good is PEACE, by which hatred is dispelled, rancour allayed, envy driven away, and anger repressed; which pacifies the mind, conciliates the heart, assuages the breast, and renders concordant the affections. This is what we seek to plant, to propogate, and to nourish among the sons of the church: this is what we wish to bring to fruit among kings, princes, and great men.* PAGE 62. These men, skilled in divine and human knowledge, do not disclose to the vulgar the hidden significations contained under the natural appearances, but veil them under figures. and emblems. Yet they are ready to reveal them, in a proper place, and with due ceremonies, to those who are desirous and worthy of being initiated. So far I may be permitted to say with respect; preserving a reverential silence as to what farther relates to these mystic rites. [This note is extracted from a work of HELIODORUS, Bishop of Tricca, who flourished in the 1vth century.] Most of the other Latin notes are explained in the passages to which they are annexed. * I have taken the liberty to translate two or three sentences more of this fine paragraph than what I had transcribed for a note. |