s of friends or agonies of
relatives can avert; teaching an impressive lesson, continually
repeated, yet soon forgotten, that every one of us must ere long pass
through the shadow of death, and dwell in the house of darkness.

S. Warden: In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek
succor but of Thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased. Thou
knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not Thy merciful ears to
our prayer.

J. Warden: Lord, let me know my end, and the number of my days; that I
may be certified how long I have to live.

Master: Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a
shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are determined, the number
of his months is with Thee; Thou hast appointed his bounds that he
cannot pass; turn from him that he may rest, till he shall accomplish
his day. For there is a hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will
sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. But man
dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up,
so man lieth down, and riseth not till the heavens be no more.

S. Warden: Our life is but a span long, and the days of our pilgrimage
are few and full of evil.

J. Warden: So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts
unto wisdom.

Master: Man goeth forth to his work and to his labor until the evening
of his day. The labor and work of our brother are finished. As it hath
pleased Almighty God to take the soul of our departed brother, may he
find mercy in the great day when all men shall be judged according to
the deeds done in the body. We must walk in the light while we have
light; for the darkness of death may come upon us at a time when we may
not be prepared. Take heed, therefore, watch and pray; for ye know not
when the time is; ye know not when the Master cometh--at even, at
midnight, or in the morning. We should so regulate our lives by the line
of rectitude and truth that in the evening of our days we may be found
worthy to be called from labor to refreshment, and duly prepared for a
translation from the terrestrial to the celestial Lodge, to join the
Fraternity of the spirits of just men made perfect.

S. Warden: Behold, O Lord, we are in distress! Our hearts are turned
within us; there is none to comfort us;