The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-24

leather apron, the emblem or innocence
and the badge Of Mason. He was told
then That he must keep It spotless and
unstained from the world, to wear 1t with
equal pleasure to himself and honor to the
fraternity, and at last when his work on
earth was over and his summons come
from the Grand Master Architect of the
universe, then this pure white apron would
still be his to be placed with his iifeiess
remains upon the comm and with him to
be buried amidst the clods Of the valley.
An Masons present understood the
solemnity Of this scene and each knew that
he must, at some hour, be thus arrayed-
The apron was then placed upon the CEN
ter OF the casket.
Then the dust to dust, earth to earth
and ashes to ashes ceremony was given.
after which several of the group gave ex-
pressions of their sorrow, their hope in
an Immortality which lessons the acute
ness of the anguish OF the passing hour
and the Masonic ideal of such tributes to
the honored dead which did not harass
heaven and earth with its ostentation Of
grief. but which sought only to calm. to
soothe and to uplift. Forever With the
tette. Then the front ranks of the assem-
bled knights and brothers placed on the
casket the sprigs OF evergreen, a token
that death is really birth; that dying is
passing from a troubled and uncertain
career to an enduring and eternal life
where there Is no sorrow and the WICKED
cease from troubling and the weary are
at rest. Three more strokes on the iron
Passion Cross, and after a moments ST.
lence, during which the assembly bowed
in mute prayer, Sir Preceptor Wallen-
stein slowly left his station and passing
half around the bier stood before the
grief-stricken wife and companion, to
whom the great heart OF the dead knight
had ever gone out in devoted attention, a
a lifelong lover. He was suddenly taken
from life. and while she was not present
and he could say to her no last and ten
der farewell. But Masonry never for
sakes a brother nor ceases to remember
its duty, its privilege, its vows, and when
the member can no longer speak for him.
self the great order then speaks for him.
So amidst the solemn hush the preceptor
delivered to Mrs. Jones the triangle three
sectioned ring, the emblem of a SD de-
gree Mason, honorary inspector general.
In most beautiful language. in behalf OF
the order, he expressed their sincere SYM
pathy and coincidence and reminded her
that the order felt It a duty and a privi-
lege as we'll, thus to speak in profound
est feeling to her in the hour of irrepara-
BILE affiiction. The apron was, his to go
with him, but the ring was hers to stay,
token Of his memory and a. suggestion
of the high esteem, confidence and recog-
milton of ability, worth, service and vir-
tue with which the great body of Ma
sonry felt toward him. ga
Then the Preceptor addressed the sur
rounding knights and reminded them of
the uncertainty Of life. and that 1t was
fitting in this hour of great gloom and
grief to renew their vows to each other,
the world at large and to the Fraternity.
With bowed and uncovered heads the
Knights in unison repeated, I'VE thus do
again VOW"
After silent prayer by the Preceptor
kneeling at the head or the coffin, the
Knights filed from the chamber of the
dead the guard OF honor repaired to their
stations without, the friends and family
left and then the audience were an
nounced that 1t was over. Printed words
cannot depict the eloquence and the sim
plicity and impressive effects of this SER
vice. There was no display of pomp and
studied oratorical effects, only the simple
touching reverence and respect for the
dead and coincidence for the suffering liv-
ing. Clavar was sung by Past Grand Mas
ter William M. Shaver of Topeka. Then
all was stiM. The floral offerings and dec
orations were perhaps the most elaborate
and beautiful ever seen at one time in
Wichita and were arranged in one solid
mass at the foot of the stage. A full list
of the many pieces will be published
later. Last night DR.. W. C. Barth and
r. G. Galusha served as the guard at the
residence. This morning will occur the
church services at the honse, after which
the Grand Commandery will hold brief
services. Many distinguished Masons were
present last evening from over the state
and elsewhere and many kilograms and
letters of regrets were also received The
various grand body representatives. present
will be named later.