Ritual of the Order of the Eastern StarOrder of the Eastern Star. General Grand Chapter
Religion
Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star
Order of the Eastern Star. General Grand Chapter
Freemasonry -- Rituals; Order of the Eastern Star -- Rituals
These beautiful flowers are the highest expression of Nature's
loveliness. We never tire of looking at their perfect and delicately
variegated tints. From time immemorial they have been endowed with
expressive language. They speak to us, "To whisper hope whene'er our
faith grows dim." But these floral emblems, with all their exquisite
loveliness, are but dim reflections of the glories that may be unfolded
to our spiritual vision. In token of our hope that such an unfolding of
spiritual life may come to us all, I scatter these flowers within the
grave of our departed sister. May we cherish her memory and emulate her
virtues.
Deposits her tribute, and then, addressing the Worthy Patron, says:
Worthy Patron, within the grave, hallowed by the tenderest ties of human
affection, we scatter these floral emblems of Nature's loveliness, and
spiritual life. May we not trust all else to the Father's loving care?
_W. P._ The Infinite Father's ever watchful care is nowhere more
impressively taught, than by His voice speaking to us through the floral
kingdom. Over the whole earth where life exists, flowers bloom in
endless variety and profusion, there is no place so obscure but that
they blossom there and give to the world their beauty and fragrance.
Some open with the rising sun, and close with his setting rays. Others
open to the full moon and starry firmament, and shrink before the
piercing gaze of the king of day.
So the Father's love goes forth by day and night, to the weakest, most
humble, and obscure of His children.
We are told to consider the lilies of the field, and learn the paternal
love of Him, beyond whose watchful care none can stray. Not a sparrow
falls without His notice. "Ye are of more value than many sparrows."
In token of our trust in the all-embracing love of the Infinite Father,
I deposit these emblems of His watchful care in the grave of our
departed sister.
Drops the flowers, and continues as follows:
Sisters and brothers, within the city of the dead, we consign to the
bosom of mother earth all that was mortal of our departed sister. The
body we leave in the grave is but the casket which held the precious
jewel of life. We bear it tenderly to its resting-place, because it is
the form by which we knew her in our Chapter. Peacefully let it rest in
the hallowed ground where we place it. Upon her grave flowerets will
bloom amid all the countless activities of Nature's life.
"The murmuring brook, the bird on airy wing,
And whispering pines, will here her requiem sing."
Over her the fleeting shadows will pass. The rising sun will scatter
over the chambers of the dead his gladsome rays, and tint the western
sky with the glories of departing day. In the hush of night the feeble
rays of countless stars, traveling centuries on their journey here, will
finally rest upon her grave.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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