ABSENT BRETHREN TOAST 
The Absent Brethren toast was composed by Brother Edwin Richard Pritchard prior to 1936 which was registerd at Stationers Hall on the 24th of November 1925.
"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'er they roam, in Air, on Land or Sea:
Let Thy kind spirit hover round them now, and so enthral:
That they will keep their Obligation Vow, So say we all:
And when on us the Ivy leaves descend, Grant we may join Thy Link, our Brothers Friend"
The Grand Lodge office has a letter from the Grand Secretary Bro. J. W. Cooper dated 12th November 1969 to a Mr Pritchard the son of Brother Edwin asking about the copyright of the Absent Brethren Toast and who was the legall owner of the words. (click on the blue link to read the letter Letter Dated 12th November 1969)
Bro Edwin Pritchard signed over the copyright to the RAOB GLE on the 1st February 1936 (click on the blue link to see the Trust Deed) costing the total sum of ten pound and ten shillings.
If any Brother has any further information on this subject please can you email the Grand Lodge Office and mark your email for the attention of the Grand Secrtary Absent Brethren Toast.