Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-25
The Funeral of H. w. FrizzelE

Inc funeral OF the late Hugh W. FflzZeIl,
which took place yesterday evening from
the McKendree Church, was largely attend
ed by the Masonic Fraternity, Knights of
Pythias and our citizens generally. The
services at the church was conducted by
Rev. D. G. Kelley, Rev. DR.. Baird and
Rev. DIR. Summers, and at the conclusion
of the sermon biographical sketch Of the
deceased was read by Arson Nelson in
behalf of the Masonic Fraternity. At
the cemetery the usual ceremonies were
conducted by the Masonic fraternity, and
afterward by the Knights Of Pythias. This
was the first public demonstration of the
Knights of Pythias since their organization
short time ago. Not yet having received
their street equipments, they wore the re-
gular Lodge regalia, which is plain and neat.
This order occupied the head of the process
sion, and presented handsome appearance.
The burial services are beautiful and i'm
pressive, and as the same has never been
published here, we give the words Ct the
ritual as observed over the grave Of a de-
ceased brother, as follows:
The solemn occasion of our assembling
together is the dissolution of the bonds
which have united the outward or temporal
body with the spirit. We are born to die.
Dust must return to dust, and the spirit to
God, who gave it. The solemn notes
which now salute our ears proclaim to us
that another spirit has passed from earth to
the abode of our fathers. For this cause
we are assembled among the habitatiOns of
the dead. Here around us they peaceful
ly, quietly rest. The gentle zephyr may
sigh among the trees; the sunshine may
gladden. the earth; the fierce tempest
around them may rage, and the busy world
may pass on, yet they heed it not.
We are here shown the uncertainty of
human life, the certainty of death, the NOR
tally of all earthly things and the vanity Of
human pretensiOns. Decay and death are
written on every living thing. The cradle
and the coffin appear before us at the same
time, and the intervening space seems but
a span. Yet it is strange, notwithstanding
the evidences of mortal frailty which daily
appear to us, that the sound of the tolling
bell will so often fall upon our ears, and we
heed not its admonition.
Here, all thOughtless, we tread upon the
green roof of that dark mansion whose
chambers we must sooner or later occupy;
for we know not how soon the time may
come for you or me to 90 hence, and be
known no more forever.
Brother, we lay thee down to rest. We
loved thee here, and our remembrance of
thee shall be pleasant. Thou mayest here
have had thy faults, and who has not?
But over them we cast the veil Of FIaterni-
ty, Charity and Love; and while we mourn
thy loss, I'VE will strive to emulate thy vir-
tues. And we do ferventIy promise here,
by thine open grave, that though thou art
gone from our sight, we will ever cherish
thy memory green in our hearts, till the
Archangel's trump shall proclaim that time
shall be no more.
Let us strive, then, so to live that when
we are called away from this terrestrial
scene, we may be prepared to give a good
account of ourselves at the bar Of the Great
Judge, before whom we must appear.
Brethren, let not this warning be in vain;
and, as we deposit in the grave this ever
green, let it be the fitting emblem of that
brotherly love which shall live beyond the
tomb.
Evergreen deposited in grave
To his bereaved friends we would say,
Hope in God-trust in God. He alone can
comfort your distress. He will heal your
wound, and bind the broken heart. May
the Lord bless you and sustain you all ever
more. Amen.
The above ceremony concluded with a
prayer from the chaplain.