Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-31
Pictutesoue Midnight Funeral.


at the obsequies of Knight Kadosh were
celebrated over the remains OF Edward
Fitzki, SD degree, in the cathedral OF the
Scottish Rite Masons in Washington. The
walls of the cathedral were covered with
black cloth, and on trestle in the centre
of the beautiful room was the black COW
cred casket with silver trimmings, con-
tanning the body of the deceased. The re-
mains were dressed in the habit of the Ka-
dosh, the legs crossed, the arms folded on
the breast. Nine candlesticks stood in
three triangles on the east, west, and
south of the casket.
On the upper end of the caSket lid was
chaplet of white roses and below it the in
sigma of the order and the sword of the de-
ceased knight in its scabbard. Upon Ia
BILE near the casket was a skull Wreathed
with evergreen, surrounded by seven large
candlesticks bearing no lights.
At the head of the casket- was great
iron cross painted black. The floor of the
room was also covered with black cam
brio. The gas was dimmed and a deep
gloom pervaded the spacious cathedral.
At sharp u o'clock those invited, to the
number of 400 were seated. There were
many prominent and distinguished MaSons
present. The Scottish Rite choir were in
the choir gallery.
The officers taking part in the ceremo-
mics formed a procession in an adjoining
room. Each wore dark clothing, and
across the left shoulder fell black crepe
sash. Their entrance into the cathedral
was announced by the organist playing the
| dead march from Saul.
| These officials represented with due
| honor, the supreme council of the southern
| jurisdiction of the United States, of which
| the deceased was member.
Grand Master Browne began the service
for the dead, which was antiphonal in char
acter. 1t was an impressive one, and filled
with many scenes.
When the grand master asked if any one
could stand forth and ''accuse of wrong
this knight, now dead, let him stand forth
and so declare"
After silence Senior Warden Roome adj
vanced to the head of the casket and plac-
ing his right hand upon it asked permission
to speak. "Grand Master he said, "thou
would call in vain, for we are all brethren
in the bonds Of knighthood and do rever-
ence our dead
The grand master, after making many
appeals and hearing no response, said in
loud voice, eff there be no accuser, there
can be no Judgment. Doth no man accuse
the dead?" At this the twenty-one knights
knelt and answered "God is his judge and
ours
Then followed short questions and re-
sponses, at the conclusions of which the
organ played soft and plainti4e music,
during which the casket lid was removed,
and thus exposed the body Of the knight.
The service then continued, and at the
proper moment the officers designated for
such duties removed the chaplet from the
head, the cross of gold from the breast, the
cords from the feet, and a bunch of violetS
from the heart.
The officers then in turn felt the head
mouth, hands, and feet, and all reported
that their brother was dead.
After these duties had been performed in
accordance with the ritual, the choir sang
the ''Miserere" Then the De Profundis, in
Latin, was chanted, during which the
knights in succession sprinkled water on
| the casket, and as they did so each said
sMy brother, now thou art dead to this
world, and Invest in the Lord
Following this was sung the ''Libera
Nos in Latin, the voices seeming to sound
further and further off, and finally dying,
as it were, in the distance. Each taper
was extinguished, except that of the grand
master. All knelt with their arms crossed
and prayed silently for few moments.
The grand master broke the silence by
striking the iron cross three times with an
iron hammer, and in a deep voice prayed :
81 bless thee, o dead brother, in the name
of Almighty God, in the name of the Order
of the Holy House of the Temple, and in
the name of the knights and brethren here
assembled. May the light of the face OF
God shine upon thee and bless thee.
Amen.'
This closed the ceremony, which was
most solemn and impressive.