Master. So man lieth down and riseth not: till the heavens be no more they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Response. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Master. Let us die the death of the righteous, and let our last end be like his.
Response. God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death!
Master. Almighty Father! into thy hands we commit the soul of our beloved brother.
The brethren answer three times, giving the grand honors each time:
The will of God is accomplished! So mote it be. Amen.
The Master then deposits the roll in the archives, and repeats the following
PRAYER.
Most glorious God! the Author of all good, and the giver of all mercy! pour down thy blessings upon us, and strengthen our most solemn engagements with the tie of sincere affection! May the present instance of mortality remind us of our approaching fate. May it draw our attention toward thee, the only refuge in time of need, that when the awful moment shall arrive in which we are about to leave this transitory scene, the enlivening prospect of thy mercy may dispel the gloom and fear of death; that after our departure hence in peace, and in thy favor, we may be received into thine everlasting kingdom, and there enjoy, in union with the souls of our departed friends, the just reward of a pious and virtuous life. So mote it be. Amen.
