III. In the center of the room is placed the catafalque, which consists of a rectangular platform, about six feet long by four feet wide, on which are two smaller platforms, so that three steps are represented. On the third one should be an elevation of convenient height, on which is placed an urn. The platform should be draped in black, and a canopy of black drapery may be raised over the urn and platform. IV. At each corner of the platform will be placed a candlestick, bearing a lighted taper, and near it, facing the East, will be seated a brother, provided with an extinguisher, to be used at the proper time. V. During the first part of the ceremonies the lights in the room should burn dimly. VI. Arrangements should be made to enable the light to be increased to brilliancy at the appropriate point in the ceremony. VII. On the catafalque will be laid a pair of white gloves, a lambskin apron, and if the deceased brother had been an officer, the appropriate insignia of his office. VIII. Where the Lodge is held in memory of several brethren, shields bearing their names are placed around the catafalque. Opening the Lodge. The several officers being in their places, and the brethren seated, the Worshipful Master will call up the Lodge and say: W. M.: Brother Senior Warden, for what purpose are we assembled? S. W.: To honor the memory of those brethren whom death hath taken from us; to contemplate our own approaching dissolution; and, by the remembrance of immortality, to raise our souls above the considerations of this transitory existence. W. M.: Brother Junior Warden, what sentiments should inspire the souls of Masons on occasions like the present? J. W.: Calm sorrow for the absence of our brethren who have gone before us; earnest solicitude for our own eternal welfare, and a firm faith and reliance upon the wisdom and goodness of the Great Architect of the Universe. W. M.: Brethren, commending these sentiments to your earnest consideration, and invoking your assistance in the solemn ceremonies about to take place, I declare this Lodge of Sorrow opened. The Chaplain, or Worshipful Master, will then offer the following, or some other suitable Prayer: Grand Architect of the Universe, in whose holy sight centuries are but as days; to whose omniscience the past and the future are but as one eternal present; look down upon Thy children, who still wander among the delusions of time--who still tremble with dread of dissolution, and shudder at the mysteries of the future; look down, we beseech Thee, from Thy glorious and eternal day into the dark night of our error and presumption, and suffer a ray of Thy divine light to penetrate into our hearts, that in them may awaken and bloom the certainty of life, reliance upon Thy promises, and assurance of a place at Thy right hand. Amen. Response: So mote it be! The following, or some other appropriate Ode may here be sung: Ode. Tune--Bradford, C. M.