Grand Lodge AF&AM of Connecticut
Masonic Culture & Public Relations Committee

ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE


WM:	Opens Lodge; conducts business; calls a short recess.

	During recess, drape alter with a black cloth (place jewels above 
cloth), bring in a table of sufficient size, place it east of the Alter 
(and slightly north), place candles in holders in triangular design (or 
designs, depending on number of deceased) with one candle for 
each departed Brother.

WM:	* (Calls Lodge to order.) Brethren, let us proceed with our 
Memorial Service to the honor and memory of our departed 
Brothers.

WM:	Brother Stewards, you will proceed to light the candles.

	Stewards go west of the alter, bow to WM and proceed to light the 
candles.  Organist plays Pleyel's Hymn while candles are being 
lighted and as Stewards return to their respective chairs.

WM:	(Standing; reads slowly)  My Brethren, as we meet here this 
evening, some of our faithful Brothers will not answer the roll call.  
Let us express our respect and esteem for these Brethren who have 
laid down their working tools of life and have been admitted with 
that the Temple of the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme 
Architect of the Universe presides. (WM seats himself)

SW:	(Stands after a short pause)
	We recall their love, where there was hatred;
	Their pardon, where there was guilt;
	Their faith, where there was doubt;
	Their hope, where there was despair;
	Their joy, where there was sadness;
	Their deeds, loyalties, and understanding;
	Their struggles, fears, and dreams,
	Which we shared with them till death did us part.
	(SW seats himself)

JW:	(Stands after a short pause)
	We ask that the Giver of all good things give us vision and strength 
at this Memorial Service for Thy faithful servant.  May we ever 
remain true to their trust; loyal to their precepts; and faithful to the 
heritage they created and bequeathed unto us.  For we have learned 
that in giving, we receive; in pardoning, we are pardoned; and in 
dying, we are reborn to the Eternal Life.
	(JW seats himself)

	The following poem, titled THE BRIDGE BUILDER, is recited by 
a PM or Brother standing at the right of the WM.

	An old Brother on a lone highway
	Came at evening, cold and gray,
	To a river fast and deep and wide
	Which he must cross without chart or guide.
	The old Brother crossed in the twilight dim
	For the sullen stream held no fear for him.
	But he paused when safe on the other side
	And built a bridge to span the tide.

	Old man said a fellow pilgrim near
	You're wasting your time in building here.
	Your journey ends at the close of day
	And you never again will pass this way.
	You've crossed the river deep and wide
	Why build this bridge at eventide?

	The Brother raised his gray old head;
	Friend, in this path I've come he said.
	There followeth after me today
	A youth whose feet must pass this way.
	This river which has been naught to me
	To that fair youth may a pitfall be.
	He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
	Good friend, I build this bridge for him.

WM:	Brother Stewards, you will approach the Alter. (The Stewards, 
without rods, approach the Alter, bow, and take a position near the 
candles.)

WM:	Brother Secretary, you will call the roll of our departed Brothers.

	The Secretary reads the name of a departed Brother.  He reads the 
name, date born, Raised, and death as well as highest Masonic rank 
attained; pauses while Stewards snuff a candle.  Each time a candle 
is snuffed, the Organist plays a single chime.  The Secretary reads 
the next name with the same ceremony as before.  This continues 
until one quarter of the names are read.

WM:	(Stands and reads slowly.  The Organist may softly play Pleyel's 
Hymn as background.  If so, the Master will recite keeping time.)

	On this stone now laid with prayer
	Let Thy church rise, strong and fair;
	Ever Lord, Thy name be known
	Where we lay this cornerstone.

	May Thy Spirit here give rest
	To the heart of sin oppressed;
	And the seeds of truth be sown
	Where we lay this cornerstone.

	Open wide, O God, Thy door
	For the outcast and the poor
	May they know this House their own
	Where we lay this cornerstone.

	WM seats himself.  The Secretary stands and reads the second 
quarter of the names with the Stewards and Organist acting as 
before.

SW:	(Stands and reads slowly.  The Organist may softly play 
Praetorious/Avon as background.  If so, the SW will recite keeping 
time.)

	In midst of dangers, fears, and death,
	Thy goodness we adore:
	We praise Thee for Thy mercies past
	And humbly hope for more.

	Our life, while Thou preservest life,
	A sacrifice shall be;
	And death, when death shall be our lot
	Shall join our souls to Thee.

	SW seats himself.  The Secretary stands and reads the third quarter 
of the names with the Stewards and Organist acting as before.

JW:	(Stands and reads slowly.  The Organist may softly play The 
Eternal Life as background.  If so, the JW will recite keeping time.)

	One sweetly solemn thought
	     Comes tome o'er and o'er;
	Nearer my Home today am I
	     Than e'er I've been before.

	Nearer my Father's House,
	     Where many Mansions be;
	Nearer, today, the Great White Throne,
	     Nearer toe crystal sea.

	JW seats himself.  The Secretary stands and reads the fourth quarter 
of the names with the Stewards and Organist acting as before.  
After the last name, the Stewards return to the west of the alter and 
remain until the solo is completed.

Solo:	The Lord's Prayer (In the absence of a soloist, it may be recited by 
all preset, led by the WM.)

	The Stewards return to their chairs and sit.

WM:	***(Raises Lodge and uncovers) Let us pray.

Chap:	In Thy Holy name, we have assembled to honor our departed 
Brothers.  They were our Brothers, our associates, our friends, who 
labored with us to bring honor to our Fraternity; to practice 
universal Brotherhood; to comfort the afflicted, to assist the 
widows, orphans, and friends.

	They carried heavy burdens before us which we must now carry.  
Grant us, O Lord, the wisdom and strength to continue as they, in 
practicing Charity towards all Mankind as Thou hast taught us in 
Thy Great Book.

	We ask Thy special blessing on the widows and orphans of these 
departed Brothers.  Grant the bereaved, peace of mind, and 
extended love from our Fraternity.  We ask this blessing in the 
name of Thee, The Grand Architect of the Universe.  Amen

	*The WM seats the lodge.  At this point, one of the following can 
be included: one verse of Nearer My God To Thee, or a short (5-10 
minutes maximum) speech from the WM or a guest speaker.  
Another suggestion is to have the Organist play a stanza of Abide 
with Me.

WM:	(Stands) The Lord bless and keep you, the Lord make His face to 
shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his 
countenance upon and give you peace. Amen.

Notes:	It is strongly recommended that no degree work be done on this 
evening so as not to unduly lengthen the communication.

	It is best to READ all parts (except the Recitation on the BRIDGE 
BUILDER.)  Read over the parts several times to become familiar 
with the wording and to determine where emphasis should be 
placed.

	This ceremony may be performed with widows, orphans and friends 
present.  Time required for ceremony: 20-30 minutes.


Permission to upload and distribute freely:
Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge
AF&AM Connecticut
March 15, 1993
The original is item PR-16 published in March 1970.

