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CEREMONY OF BAPTISM. 565
The stars shall lose their brightness,
And like a parched scroll
The earth shall fade ;
The undying human soul.
Oh then rejoice, fond mothers,
That ye have given birth
To these immortal beings,
These children fair of earth.
(•)
but ne'er shall fade
W. M. Who offer to take upon themselves the offices of god-
fathers and godmothers of these children ? Let those who do so
approach, and be seated near them.
Those previously selected to act as such rise, repair to the platform,
and are seated by the Master of Ceremonies in the rear of the parents.
Then the Masters says :
W. M. Brethren and sisters, by accepting the offices of godfathers
and godmothers of these children, you consent to become
the special instruments through which the Lodge shall watch
over and protect them,—its eyes to see, and its ears to hear, all
dangers and hazards, all trials and temptations that may ap-
proach, and menace to entice them ; its voice to warn them, to
encourage them, to cheer them, and persuade them, and its hands
to repel and ward off from them all harm and all evil influences.
Informed that such shall be your offices and your duty, do you
still consent to assume, and promise to perform them ?
A Godfather. We do.
W. M. It is well. Remember that to their parents and your-
selves will, in great measure, be committed the destiny of these
young immortals, and that you must answer to our heavenly
Father for the fidelity with which you fulfil the duties that you
now voluntarily assume.
Fathers and mothers, we do not presume to instruct you in regard
to your duties to your children. Of those duties, howevei
negligently they may perform them, no father or mother of ordi-
nary intelligence is ignorant. In the Lodge we remind each
other of our duties, not because we do not know what they are
but that we may incite each other to perform them, and to over