The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-25

q. Mr.. w. Junior Grand Warden' Wnat
10 the proper jewel of your Office? Mf
Junior Grand Wdrden.-Ths Plumb.
q. M-Wbat is its Masonic usey
j. @. W.-Morally, il teaches rectitude OF con-
duct, and we use it TO try perpendiculars.
G. M-Apply the implement of your office TO
the several edges of the foundation-stone, and
make report.
This was complied with.
j. G.. W-Most Worshipfu: find the stone
is plumb. The craftsmen have performed their
duly.
q. M-This cornerstone has been tested by
the proper implements of Masonry. nnd that
the craftsmen have skiilfully and faithfully per-
formed their duty, and do declare the stone 10
be well formed and true, and trusty, aud cor
reciy laid, according to the rules OF our ancient
craft.
Let the elements of conservation now be pre-
seDted
The Deputy Grand Master came forward with
the vessel of corn and scattering it on the stone,
said:
Iscatter this corn as emblem Of plenty.
May the blessings of bOunteCus Heaven be show
cred upon us aud upon all like patriotic and ben
evolt mt undertakings, and inspire the hearts OF
the people with virtue, wisdom and gratitude.
ReSpOnse--So mote it be.
The Senior Grand Warden Thea came forward
with the vessel of wine, and poured 1t upon the
stone, saying:
Ipour this wine as an emblem Of joy and glad.
ness. May the Great Ruler of the Universe bless
and prosper our national, State and city govern
it be bond Of friendship and brotheriy love that
shall endure through all time.
ReSpOnse-So mote it be.
The Junior Grand Warden then came forward
with vessel of oil, which he poured upon the
stone, saying:
~ pour this oil as an emblem Of peace. May
its blessings abide with continually, and may
the Grand Master of Heaven and Earth shelter
and protect the widow and the orphan, shield and
defend them from trials and yicissitudes OF the
world, and so hestow His mercy upon the be-
reaved and afflicted, and the sorrowng, that they
may know sorrowing and trouble no more"
ResponSe-"S So mote it be-"
The invocation and public grand honors were
then given and the beautiful ode, familiar to
every Mason, and beginning with the verse
Solemn strikes the funeral chime,
Notes Of oar departing time
Through pilg image Of woe
was sung to the accustomed air, Pleyel's Hymn.
After which benedction was pronounced by the
Grand Chaplain, and the procession moving
around the grounds, formed in an oblong square
about the platform erected in another part of the
grounds, for the conservation services. An I'M
pressiye prayer was offered by the Grand Chap
lain; after which the Grand Master said: I" Let the
gates of the South and West be guarded"
The wardens took their respective positions,
and the Grand Master continued:
O. Might Worshipful Grand Senior War
den what is a Lodge?
g.. VA lodge is the symbol of the world.
! O.. M-What are its dimensions?
q. s. VII reaches from the north TO the
south, and from the east to the west.
q. M.-Hath it any limits?
G.S W-None it embraceth the region of
stars above, the empire Of graves below, and the
kingdoms Of eternal silence.
G. M.-You have said that the lodge is a sym
| Dol of the world. As the world then ia, in one
sense, vast lodge, what is the last and highest
duty which Mason is called upon to discharge
therein!
g.. s. W-To watch by the bed of sick aud
ia -
| and relieve his widow. protect his orphan chill
dren and provide suitable resting place for his
mortal remains.
| g, M-Egen so ; and beloved brethren, we are
assembled to-day to perform the last. but not the
least part of this most sacred task We are here to
| cOnseeTate these grounds, by solemn services, to
| a solemn But feeling all our weakness and
| bndDess, and knowing that our unaided efforts
must be unavailing, let US first implore the pres
| ence and aid of Him from whom alone light and
| strength can come.
q. M.-Lord, thou hast been our dwelling
| place in all generations!
| ReSponse.-And Thy mercy endureth forever.
O.. M.-BefOre the mountains were brought
forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the
world. even from everlasting to everlasting, thou
| arr God.
| RespOnse-And Thy mercy endureth forever.
| q. M.-Thou turnest man to destruction, and
ssyest return We children of men.
| ReSpOnse.-Yet Thy mercy endureth forever.
| q. U-For a thousand years in Thy sight are
but as yesterday, when it is past, and as watch
IN the night.
Response But Thy mercy endureth forever.
| q. M-ThOu earliest them away as food
they are as asleep in the morning they are lise
grass that groweth up.
| ReSpOnse.-But Thy mercy endureth forever.
| q. Mn the morning it fourisheth, and
growelh up; in the evening it is cut down, ant
Withereth.
Response. But Thy mercy endureth forever
O.. M-For we are consumed by Thine anger
and nv Thv wrath troubled.
| RespOnSe.-But Thy mercy endureth forever.
| q. M.-Thou hast set our iniqutes before
Thee-our secret sins in the light OF Thy coun
tenance.
Respohse-But Thy mercy endureth forever.
O. M.-For all our days are passed away IL
Thy wrath we spend our years as tale that
told.
Response But Thy mercy endureth forever.
| G.. M.-So teach Us to number our days, tina
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Response-For Thy mercy endureth forever.
| g.. MO, satisfy us early with Thy mercy, tina
We may be glad and rejoice all our days.
ResPonSe.-For Thy mercy endureth.forever.
@. M.-Mske us glad according to the day
wherein Thou hast afflicted US, and the year
wherein we have seen evil.
BespoRse.-For Thy mercy endureth forever.
! G.. M.-Let Thy work appear unto Thy servant
and Thy glory unto their children.
| ReSpOnSe.-For Thy mercy endureth forever.
O.. M.-And let the beauty of the Lord our Coz
be upon Us, and establish thou the work Of on
|
lish thou it, And to the King, eternal immortal
invisible, the one only living and true God, b,
offered WORSHIP and praise.
ReSpOnse.-As it was in the beginning Is now
and ever shall be, world without end. so mote
| be. Amen.
The public Grand Honors were repeated, an ex
| bortstion detailing briefly the significance of tn
occasion, was delivered by Grand Master Swasey
and an ode was sung TO the air "Bonnie Doom"
Past Grand Master J. Q. A. Fellows then CAM
TO the front of the platform, and delivered Al
Grafton replete with interest not only to Mason'
but 10 all men and women within the sound of hi
voice. Atits close the prayer Of conservation wa
offered by the Grand Chaplain, and the ceremOn
les were concluded with the closing ode
Herelet the sacred rites coed
In honor Of departed friends;
With solemn order proceed,
While living faith with sorrow blends.
Sung TO the tune of "0ld Hundred"
Line was again formed, and the processio
proceeding to the cars, embarked for the city
marching from the terminus at the Clay statu
to the Grand Lodge Hall, where it was dissolved
4ba rfo To1r md linz