us a bright example. For though he was the
Eternal Son of God, he humbled himself to be born
of a woman, to endure the pains and afflictions
incident to human nature, and finally to suffer a
cruel and ignominious death upon the cross; it is
also a trial of that faith which will conduct you
safely over the dark gulf of everlasting death,
and land your enfranchised spirit in the peaceful
abodes of the blessed. Pilgrim, keep ever in your
memory this awful truth; you know not how soon you
may be called upon to render an account to that
Supreme Judge, from whom not even the most minute
action of your life is hidden; for although you now
stand erect in all the strength of manhood and pride
of beauty, in a few short moments you may become
a pale and lifeless corpse. This moment, even
while I yet speak, the angel of death may receive
the fatal mandate to strike you from the role of existence;
and the friends who now surround you may be called
upon to perform the last sad duty of laying you
in the earth, a banquet for worms, and this fair
body become as the relic you now hold in your hand.
Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full
of sorrow; he cometh up and is cut down like a flower;
he fleeth as a shadow and continueth not; in the
midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek
for succor but of Thee, O Lord, who for our sins
are justly displeased. Yet, O God most holy, thou
God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour,
deliver us from the pains of eternal death.
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write
from henceforth, blessed are the dead that die in the
Lord; even so, saith the spirit, for they rest from
their labors; be ye also ready, and rest assured
that a firm faith in the truths here revealed will
afford you consolation in the gloomy hour of dissolution,
and insure you ineffable and eternal happiness in the
world to come. Amen and amen.”
Q. Where did your tour of penance end? A. It
has not yet ended; neither can it end until this mortal
shall put on immortality; for all men err, and all
error need repentance.
Q. Were you then permitted to participate in the fifth
libation? A. I was.
Q. Where? A. Within the asylum.
Q. How gained you admittance there? A. After
having passed my year of penance, I returned to the
door of the asylum, where, on giving the alarm, the
Warden appeared and demanded, “Who comes there?”
Q. Your answer? A. Pilgrim penitent, traveling
from afar, who begs your permission here to rest,
and at the shrine of our departed Lord to offer up
his prayers and meditations.
Q. What was then demanded of you? A. What surety
can he offer that he is no impostor?
Q. Your answer? A. The commendation of two true
and courteous Knights, the Junior and Senior Wardens.
Q. What was then demanded of you? A. By what
further right or benefit I expected to gain admittance.
Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word.