The Van Buren press., 1873-01-21
Masonic Lodge Of Sorrow.
Solemn and Mysterious Ceremony al h'U
ing HaH, New York-Xourning for
the Dead Of the Past Year.


One of the most beautiful ceremonies
in Free Masonry was celebrated at Irving
Hall, Thursday evening. 1t was what is
called the Sublime Lodge Of Sorrow,
when the brothers snd their friends meet
together to pay the last tribute Of love
and respect to the members who have
died during the past year. The sur
rouadings in such a ceremony as this are
such as to impress the spectator With its
soicmnity, it mysterious forms, signs,
and decorations have any virtues left in
thsm. The hall inside was draped in
deep mourning. A heavy black cloth,
about Eve feet in width went around the
whole room, depending from the gallery,
and making the spectators below feel al
most rs il they were in sepulchrc.
Above this mourning cloth, and pinned
to the wall, were numerous red flags
bearing symbolic figures and placed at
intervals around the entire hall
Below, cstafalque was erected In the
centre Of large open space. This struc-
ture rose by steps to height of about
six feet, where handsome rosewood
caskct reposed At each corner of the
eatafalque, which was eight feet 10y twelve
feet, was pillar supporting candelabra
The steps all round, which led up to the
casket in which the dead brother was
supposed TO be resting, were overstrewn
with evergreens, and various peculiar
brass instruments used by the Free Ma.
sons were lying on the green beughs.
The altars stood near the head Of the cat
afalquc, and beyond these was platform
Tor the grand Officers The seats for
spectators were placed around the sides
of the room, all facing the central figure.
AT the opening OF the ceremony, several
hundred spectators were present, and
the scene WAS quite impressive. Pro-
grammes, with deep black borders, were
distributed among the spectators The
orchestra, solo singers, and ehoristers,
occupied the front gallery.
AT eight clock the ceremony was be.
gun hy the eatry Of the grand officers in
their shining regalia. The orchestra
played funeral dirge, aAd the grand of
accrs marched up, passing on either side
OF the catatalque and taking their seats
on tho platform, excepting the Master Of
Ceremonies, who took his position at the
head Of the catafalque. Then followed
the masonic ritual for opening this form
of ceremony, and the Grand Master de-
clared Sabine Lodge of Sorrow to be
convened.
The orator Of the evening was John
w. Simons. whe delivered the address.
Some excellent selections of music were
performed. The choir sang Put US
not to rebukc,' accompanied with or
chestra; Brother McClenachan, baritone,
sang go weep not, mourn not, aud
another solo, A" Truth dawns upon the
human soul, " was sung by Brother w.
II Davis, :. The casket was then strewn
with flowers
After this cabalistc sign was given,
and all the lights in the room, except
those in the orchestra, went out as if by
magic, and in an instant the hall was in
almost total darkness The funeral pro-
cession then entered, the orchestra play
ing dead march. The processionists
were all clothed in white and bore torches
After marching round the catafalque for
Gome time, the orchestra continuing to
play, all halted, and at Il given sign
kueeled while the chaplain offered prayer
The ceremonies were then kept up for a
long time, the only light in the room be.
ing that given by the funeral torches and
the few gas-Jet that were burning in the
gallery A, last the cellin was taken up
sad esthrough door at the end Of
the hall resembling the entrance to
tomb
The very beautiful and impressive
ceremony lasted two hours, and was
finally brought to IN end with henedic.
ton ". Y, Void, 27h