Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-09-01
SUNDAY READING.
FUNERAL os!sH OF SAHEs E!sIInBHOUeH
AUGUST lSs 'o1.
REMARKS BY PAST GRAND MASTER SAM.
TTET. MONA MIS-


UEL McMANUS.
For more than half q century past ithaE
been my uniform practice, unless physi-
cally incapacitated, 70 participate in and
mingle with the funeral solemnities OF
my departed brethren the aged and the
young, the rich and the poor, alike.
Never, never, have l approached the
verge Of this crumbling mansion, pre-
pared as it win be alike for all the living
sons and daughters Of men, with the
same feelings and emotions now cluster
ing around this heart. Good reasons
could be given for this, but forbear.
Most of you are aware, that owing TO
the extreme inclemency Of the weather,
the usual and appropriate time for this
ritual was postponed, but we are now
here FOR the solemn purpose Of carrying
out this time -consecrated duty.
The important question is here pre-
sented What is the grand design, aim,
or object Of this Ritusl? Is it to honor,
or benefit the dead, by an idle display Of
the Regalia Of the Order, and repetition
OF what TO some Of you may appear un-
meaning cerimonial? Not so. Believe
il not, my audience. And if, as / hope
YOU will on this occasion, strictly observe
every word and action pertaining TO the
Rites about to be exhibited in your pres
enee, think you will be convinced that
the grand design is, to benefit the living
and not the dead. Yes, the true Mason,
| like the true Christian, in death surren-
| ders his departed Brother to his God, his
Creator, Preserver and final Judge; and
| there we humbly leave him.
! Funeral rites and ceremonies are not
peculiar to this ancient fraternity. On
! the contrary, every nation, tribe, kindred
and tongue, Christian, Pagan, Jew and
gentle, in every age, in every land, have
! their peculiar rites and formulas, scrupu-
| lously prescribed and rigidly enforced.
| These diversified formulas are, necessa-
rily, founded upon, and mingled with, an
| equal diversity Of religious systems and
| opinions.
But am speaking in a christian land,
at least, prOfessedly, or nOminally so
/ and here, in the great christian family;
or, rather, I should say, the great chris
/ tian world, what diversity Of rites and
| ceremonies come to view. Not only the
/ Catholic, but every other Independent
protestant church in ChristendOm, have
their peculiar funeral formulas. No one
objects to all this; at least, l do not. /
think it is all right. This society, how
ever, claims a similar privilege.
The Masonic ritual has come down to
US, not only through a succession of gen.
erations, but substantially the same,
through a succession of ages that are past
and gone: therefore we cling to it. Not
merely for its antiquity, but from thor
ough conviction Of its intrinsic excellence
and utility.
The important question, however, re-
ours: What is, or should be, the grand
design OF aim of funeral ritual OF any
kind? On behalf of this ancient society,
unhesitatingly answer
First To offer up before the world
tribute of regard and affection to the
memory Of a departed brother.
Second: To hold up to view those vir-
tues and noble traits of character which |
nav have adorned and distinguished his
life and actions and for what purpose ? !
As a model and example for the guidance /
and imitation Of all who survive him.
Third, and last: In the spirit alike of /
the true MasQp, and, may / not add, the /
true Christian: to draw the veil Of Char /
itv over those fraiIties and imperfections, |
from which no mortal living man was |
ever vet exempt
These are the three main designs in .
the observance Of Masonic funerals, and .
l humbly think are not only commends-
bic, but highly beneficial TO human So
ciety.
And now glanee-a glance only can
il beat those sterling virtues and noble
traits Of character which adorned the
life and animated the soul of him who
sleeps there-Truth, Integrity, Fidelity,
FortitUde. These are enumerated spe-
because they occupy a prominent
and special place in all our standard
books, and in all our teachings, both
within and without the Masonic
sanctuary, constituting Of themselves a
galaxy or golden chain, which should
command the highest aspirations Of
every mSn and Mason to win and wear.
Truth is a divine attribute, and the
foundation of every virtue; to be good
and true is the first mot the second les
son in Masonry" Further quotation
from such precept, trust, is not called
for by any one wearing q Masonic badge.
Therefore l would only add, my firm
belief in this: that an untruth, uttered
TO deceive, never fell from
the lips of James Kimbrough.
His Unbending integrity in all the
Of business and moral Tels-
tons Of life would be indorsed not only
by every brother here, but by this entire
God, and his country, and his fellow
man, is also freely submitted to the same
ordeal.
But, lastly, of his fortitude, claim the
right TO speak for myself 1t so hap
Dened that / was hOnOred, not only as
guest, but as a member of his sacred
family circle, at a period which, literally,
"a tried mems souls" and where l was
long an eye and an ear witness to those
tests.
While 1 refrain on this occasion from
4 narrative of scenes and events, Ian
yusge and actions, must be permitted
10 say, if yonder mansion which 50 long
the tresd Of the kind, courte-
1us and dignified lord who now rests in
this silent vault; if yOnder mansion had
4 tongue to speak, it could utter words
and reveal actions which the historian
for the honor of his country, would
lain blot from its pages. and erase from
he memory Of man. How did our de-
parted Brother meet these tests Of his
'ortitude? I answer in two words: in
he dignity Of silence!
Those virtues will constitute James
Kim broUgh's best monument. Yes
inscribed on the tablets of
memory, and on the hearts Of all who
knew him. A monument which shall
endure when braZen inscriptions shall
ade and sculptured marble crumble TO
Is native dust.
Sleep, Brother sleep in peace May
he clOds Of the valley press lightly
N that noble bosom! And while the
Mortal tenement is mingling with its
native dust, we rejoice, yes, we rejoice in
thst the immortal spirit is now
n the upper Temple, realizing that peace
nd Joy which this world can neither
i've nor take away.
Yes, worldly treasure may and will be
Matched away; worldly inheritance
nav and will be lost but that inheri- S
ance, thank God once secured, human I
over can never modest, confiscatiOn can I