Content
The Spirit of Freemasonry
IT PREACHES THE GOSPEL of brotherly love and affection for all mankind
IT BRINGS UNTO US the lessons of faith, of hope, and of charity
IT REVEALS UNTO US the light wherein we see the divine plan of the Great Artificer of the Universe
IT BREAKS OFF the corners of rough stone, the better to fit them for the builder's use
IT FITS OUR MINDS as living stones for that Spiritual Building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens
IT BRINGS INTO OUR HEARTS the secret of the lost word. The only secret there is in Masonry, the secret that comes to man through his own soul when in meekness and humility he kneels before God
IT TEACHES US ALWAYS the lesson of the ages, that we are born to die, that all things earthly pass away, and our souls alone keep step with the march of eternity
IT REVEALS UNTO US THE TRUTH that man must meet death to find life
IT PROCLAIMS UNTO US forever the message of our Patron, St. John the Evangelist, who tells us; "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord, He that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosever livith and believeth in me, shall never die."
THIS MY BROTHERS IS THE SPIRIT OF FREE MASONRY, and upon this auspicious occasion let us not mourn our departed brother, but rather let us rejoice and give thanks. In every age, from time immemorial, men have knelt before the altars of Freemasonry and have found faith in the immortality of the soul — Faith which gladdens our hearts with the knowledge our departed brother, Brother............. has found eternal membership in the Celestial Lodge above.
This paper which has been prepared for use at Masonic funeral services was donated to the Board of Masonic Education by Wilfred Young.