Page:Manual of the Lodge.pdf/246

Rh The brethren being assembled at the Lodge-room, or some other convenient place, the Master of the Lodge to which the deceased belonged opens the Lodge in the third degree. A procession is then formed to the house of the deceased, and thence to the grave in the following order, every brother carrying a sprig of evergreen:

Tiler, with a drawn sword;

The Stewards;

Master Masons;

Treasurer and Secretary;

Senior and Junior Wardens;

Past Masters;

The Bible, Square, and Compasses, on a blue velvet cushion, covered with black cloth, carried by the oldest member of the Lodge;

The Master, supported by two Deacons;

The Officiating Clergyman;



The Chief Mourner;

Other Mourners.

Before the procession begins, several of the brethren should proceed to the church-yard, to prevent confusion, and make the necessary preparations. The brethren are not to desert their ranks, nor change places, but keep in their proper order. When the procession arrives at the gate of the church-yard, the Lodge