which shall continue when time shall be no more. "Brother Senior and Junior Wardens, "You are too well acquainted with the principles of masonry to warrant any apprehension that you will be found wanting in the discharge of your respective duties. Suffice it to mention, that what you have seen praiseworthy in others you should carefully imitate; and what in them may have appeared defective you should in yourselves amend. You should be examples of good order and regularity; for it is only by a due regard to the laws in your own conduct, that you can expect obedience to them from others. You are assiduously to assist the master in the discharge of his trust; diffusing light and imparting knowledge, to all whom he shall place. under your care. In the absence of the master, you will succeed to higher duties; your acquirements must therefore be such, as that the craft may never suffer for want of proper instruction. From the spirit which you have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubt that your future conduct will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren, and the testimony of a good conscience." "Brethren of.........Lodge, "Such is the nature of our constitution, that as some must of necessity rule and teach, so others must of course learn to submit and obey. Humility in both is an essential duty. The officers who are appointed to govern your lodge are sufficiently conversant with the rules of propriety and the laws of the institution, to avoid exceeding the powers with which they are entrusted; and you are of two generous disposi tions to envy their preferment. I therefore trust that you will have but one aim, to please each other, and unite in the grand design of being happy, and communicating happiness. "Finally, my brethren, as this association has been formed and perfected in so much unanimity and concord, in which we greatly rejoice, so may it long continue. May you long enjoy every satisfaction and delight which disinterested friendship can afford. May kindness and brotherly affection distinguish your conduct as men and as masons. Within your peaceful walls, may your children's children celebrate with joy and gratitude the transactions of this auspicious solemnity. And may the tenets of our profession be transmitted through your lodge, pure and unimpaired, from generation to generation." The grand marshal then proclaims the new lodge in the following manner, viz. "In the name of the most worshipful grand lodge, of the state of........I proclaim this new lodge, by the name of.......Lodge duly constituted." This proclamation is made thrice, and each time followed with a flourish of drums or trumpets. The grand chaplain then makes the concluding prayer, which ends the public ceremonies. The grand procession is then formed in the same order as before, and returns to the hall. The grand master, deputy grand master, and grand wardens, being seated, all but master masons are caused to retire, and the procession continues round the hall, and upon passing the several grand officers pays them due homage, by the usual congratulations and honours, in the different degrees. During the procession, (which passes three times round the lodge) the following song is sung, which concludes the ceremony of installation. HAIL, MASONRY divine! Long may'st thou reign: Great fabrics still arise, Hiram, the architect, How they should build; Chorus, The lodge is then closed with the usual solemnities in the different degrees by the grand master and his officers. This is the usual ceremony observed by regu Jar masons at the constitution of a new lodge, which the grand master may abridge or extend at pleasure; but the material points are on no account to be omitted. The same ceremony and charges attend every succeeding installation of new officers. THE THIRD SECTION. Ceremony observed at Laying the Foundation Stone of Public Structures. This ceremony is conducted by the grand master and his officers, assisted by the members of the grand lodge, and such officers and members of private lodges as can conveniently attend. The chief magistrate, and other civil officers of the place where the building is to be erected, also generally attend on the occasion. At the time appointed, the grand lodge is convened in some suitable place, approved by the grand master. A band of martial music is provided, and the brethren appear in the insignia of the order, and with white gloves and aprons. The lodge is opened by the grand master, and the rules for regulating the procession to and from the place where the ceremony is to be performed are read by the grand secretary. The necessary cautions are then given from the chair, and the lodge is adjourned; after which the procession sets out in the following order: PROCESSION AT LAYING FOUNDATION STONES. Marshal. Two Tylers, with Drawn Swords; Fellow Crafts; Master Masons; Junior Deacons ; Past Wardens; Past Masters; Grand Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; A Brother, with a Golden Vessel containing Corn; Principal Architect, with Square, Level and Plumb; Bible, Square and Compass, carried by a Master of a Lodge, supported by two Stewards; Grand Chaplain; The Five Orders; Past Grand Masters; Two Large Lights, borne by two Masters of Lodges; One Large Light, borne by a master of a Lodge; Master of the Oldest Lodge, bearing the Book of Constitutions, on a Grand Deacons, with Black Rods, on a line seven feet apart; Grand Sword Bearer, with a Drawn Sword; A triumphal arch is usually erected at the place where the ceremony is to be performed. |