Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-01
From the National Intelligencer,

The MASONIC CEREMONIES which TOOK place
in this City on Saturday, in honor OF the mem
DRY of the late Governor CLINTON, were "a
mongst the most imposing and sol"mn which
we ever Witnessed. The Fraternity OF the
Disric, were Joined by the Grand Chapter OF
Maryland, and the procession which they COM
posed, amounting, perhaps, to four hundred,
was not only the most numerous, but, in It's
general appearance, The most respectable and
impressive, which has ever been exhibited in
this CITY. The varied and rich clothing o!
the different Orders; the intcrmixture Of the
mourning ap2endages; the solemn strains of
two bands Of music; The orderly and becoming
movement OF the long line-combined 10 give
a dignity and solemnily to the scene, highly
creditable and appropriate. The pubiic ser>
vices IF the occasion took place at ST. Johns
Church.
The Procession having entered the Church,
and being seated, full and excellent Choir,
under the direction of Mr.. McDuell, sung the
following Hymn, 10 that nobicst and most inn
Lressive Of all Church anthems, cold Huns
dred,"
The morning flowers display their sweets,
And gay their silken leaves unfold,
rs careless of the noontide heats,
As fearless of the evening cold.
Nipt by the winds untimey blast.
parch'd by the SUMS director ray,
The momentary glories waste,
The short.liv'd beauties die away.
So blooms the human face divine,
When youth its pride OF beauty shows
Fairer than Spring the coors shine,
And swceter than the vrgn-rose.
Or worn BY slowly rolling years,
Or broke By sickness in a day,
The fading glory disappears
| Dwindlss, decays, and dies away.
| Yet these new rising from the tomb,
With lustre brighter far shall shine,
Revive with ever-durins bloom,
Safe from diseases and decline.
| Let sickness blast let death devour,
| If Heav'n must reeompense our pains;
| Perish the grass, and fade the how'r,
| If firm the word of God remains.
| Religious services were then performed by
! the Rev. WILLIAM HAwLEY. Grand Chaplain.
after which, an Ode was sung to "Pleyeiis
| Hymn"
| SAMUEL l.. KNArp, Esq. a member OF the
Fraternity, then rose, and delivered an address
of considerable length, on the life and charac-
ter Of the deceased; as honorable to the talents
Of the orator, as i, was TO the memory OF The
eminent citizen whose merits was his theme
| We listened 10 the whole discourse with UNI
mingled sa,isfac ton, and frequently with those
sensations Of delight which only deep pathos
and true eloquence can call forth.
The Address being concluded, the Throne
of Grace was again addressed; and
The Choir sung The following appropriate
Anthem in a style to produce the most thrill
ing effect on the crowded auditory:
Vital spark of heavenly fame!
Quit, o quit this mortal frame!
| Trembling, hoping, lingering, hyng;
| Oh the pain, the bliss of dying!
| Cease, fond naturei cease thy strife,
And let me anguish into life
IIark, they whisper; angels say,
Sister spirit come away.
What is this absorbs me quite,
Steals my senses shuts my sight,
browns my shirt, draws my breath
Tell me my soul. can this be death
The world recedes il disappears!
| lesv'n opens on my eyes my ears
| With sounds seraphc ring:
Lend, lend your wings: mount! ny
| Ograve! where is thy victory!
o death! where is thy sting!
After Benediction, by the Grand Chaplain,
The procession was again formed, and re,
turned, the several orders to the places oil
their respective meetings.
The different Grand and subordinate Chap
iers having re>entered the Masonic Hall, the
Presiding officer Of the Grand Chapter OF
the District; (under whose order and direc-
ton the ceremonies OF the day were per-
formed for himself and his Chapter; expressed
his acknowledgements for the judicious and
efficient arrangements of the Committee
to his Brethren Of the Grand Lodge, and Bre
ihren and Companions, generally, for their CO.
| ,ns,,,;o, ,,,, a,d-io the Vestry and Choir