arth forever?

Response: We will remember and cherish them in our hearts.

M.: I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me: "Write from henceforth,
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord! Even so, saith the Spirit; for
they rest from their labors."

Here the Master will take the Sacred Roll (a sheet of parchment or paper
prepared for the purpose), on which have been inscribed the name, age,
date of initiation or affiliation, date of death, and any matters that
may be interesting to the brethren, and shall read the same aloud, and
shall then say:

Almighty Father! in Thy hands we leave, with humble submission, the soul
of our departed brother.

Response; Amen! So mote it be.

The Masonic funeral honors should then be given once; the brethren to
respond:

The will of God is accomplished. Amen. So mote it be!

The Master should then deposit the Roll in the archives of the Lodge.

The following or some appropriate Hymn may be sung:

Ode--Air, Balerma. C. M.

Few are thy days, and full of woe,
O man, of woman born!
Thy doom is written, "Dust thou art,
And shalt to dust return."

Behold the emblem of thy state
In flowers that bloom and die;
Or in the shadow's fleeting form,
That mocks the gazer's eye.

Determined are the days that fly
Successive o'er thy head;
The number'd hour is on the wing,
That lays thee with the dead.

Great God! afflict not, in Thy wrath,
The short alloted span
That bounds the few and weary days
Of pilgrimage to man.

The Master or Chaplain will repeat the following or some other
appropriate Prayer:

Almighty and Heavenly Father! infinite in wisdom, mercy and goodness,
extend to us the blessings of Thy everlasting grace. Thou alone art a
refuge and help in trouble and affliction. In this bereavement we look
to Thee for support and consolation. Strengthen our belief that Death
hath no power over a faithful and righteous soul! Though the dust
returneth to the dust as it was, the spirit returneth unto Thee. As we
mourn the departure of a brother beloved from the circle of our
Fraternity, may we trust that he hath entered into a higher brotherhood,
to engage in nobler duties and in heavenly work, to find rest from
earthly labor and refreshment from earthly care. May Thy peace abide
within us, to keep us from all evil! Make us grateful for present
benefits, and crown us with immortal life and honor.