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Toasts
The Toast to Absent Brethren
The following words were written in 1925 by a Edwin Richard Pritchard of Keynsham.
The copyright was sold to The Order in 1936 to the Grand Lodge of England of the RAOB.
A partial copy of the original legal document can be found by clicking here.
These are the verses sung in harmony by the Lodge before the Toast is taken:
SPIRIT OF TRUTH, BEFORE WE HOMEWARD WEND, ON THEE WE CALL,
ASSIST US EACH TO SUCCOUR AND DEFEND, GOOD BRETHREN ALL.
FROM CARES AND SORROWS, ABSENT BRETHREN FREE;
WHERE E'RE THEY ROAM, IN AIR ON LAND OR SEA.
LET THY KIND SPIRIT HOVER 'ROUND THEM NOW, AND SO ENTRALL,
THAT THEY WILL KEEP THEIR OBLIGATION VOW, SO SAY WE ALL.
AND WHEN ON US THE IVY LEAVES DESCENT,
GRANT WE MAY JOIN THY LINK, OUR BROTHER'S FRIEND.
This solemn Toast is given at a suitable place during the proceeding of meetings.
The Toast is simple and sincere - "Absent Brethren".
A few moments silence is given in remembrance of dearly departed members, also remembering the Widow and the Orphaned Child - that they may never be in want or need.