"The situation to which you are now promot ed, will draw upon you not only the scrutinizing eyes of the world at large but those also of your brethren, on whom this degree of masonry has not been conferred: all will be justified in expecting your conduct and behaviour to be such as may with safety be imitated.

"In the honourable character of mark master mason, it is more particularly your duty to endeavour to let your conduct in the lodge and among your brethren be such as may stand the test of the Grand Overseer's square, that you may not, like the unfinished and imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be rejected and thrown aside, as unfit for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

"While such is your conduct, should misfortunes assail you, should friends forsake you, should envy traduce your good name, and malice persecute you; yet may you have confidence, that among mark master masons you will find friends who will administer relief to your distresses, and comfort your afflictions; ever bear. ing in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune, and as an encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the stone which the builders rejected (possessing merits to them unknown) became the chief stone of the corner."

Previous to closing the lodge, the following parable is recited.

MATTHEW xx. 1—16.

"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early

And

in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more, and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burthen and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am

་་

good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

The ceremony of closing a lodge in this degree, when properly conducted, is peculiarly interesting. It assists in strengthening the social af fections; it teaches us the duty we owe to our brethren in particular, and the whole family of mankind in general; by ascribing praise to the meritorious, and dispensing rewards to the diligent and industrious.

SONG, during the Closing Ceremony.

BY BROTHER T. S. WEBB.

MARK MASTERS, all appear
Before the Chief O'erseer;
In concert move;
Let him your work inspect,
For the Chief Architect,
If there is no defect,

He will approve.

Those who have pass'd the Square,
For your rewards prepare,

Join heart and hand;

Each with his mark in view,

March with the just and true;

Wages to you are due,

At your command.

Hiram, the widow's son,
Sent unto Solomon

Our great key stone,
On which appears the name
That raises high the fame
Of all to whom the same
Is truly known.

Now to the westward move,
Where, full of strength and love,
Hiram doth stand;

But if imposters are

Mix'd with the worthy there,

Caution them to beware

Of the right hand.

Now to the praise of those
Who triumphed o'er the foes
Of masons' arts;

To the praiseworthy three,
Who founded this degree;
May all their virtues be
Deep in our hearts.

CHAPTER XII.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE DEGREE OF PRESENT OR PAST MASTER.

THIS degree should be carefully studied, and well understood, by every master of a lodge. It treats of the government of our society; the disposition of our rulers; and illustrates their requisite qualifications. It includes the ceremoby of opening and closing lodges in the several preceding degrees; and also the forms of installation and consecration, in the grand lodge, as well as private lodges. It comprehends the ceremonies at laying the foudation stones of public buildings, and also at dedications and at funerals, by a variety of particulars explanatory of those ceremonies.

REMARKS ON THE FIFTH LECTURE.

THE FIRST SECTION.

Of the manner of Constituting a Lodge of Master

Masons.

Any number of master masons, not under seven, desirous of forming a new lodge, must

apply, by petition, to the grand lodge of the state in which they reside, setting forth,

in the town of

....

........

"That they are free and accepted master masons; that they are at present, or have been, members of regular lodges; that, having the prosperity of the fraternity at heart, they are willing to exert their best endeavours to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of masonry; that, for the conveniency of their respective dwellings, and for other good reasons, they are desirous of forming a new lodge to be named ...... ........; that, in consequence of this desire, they pray for letters of dispensation, or a warrant of constitution, to empower them to assemble, as a legal lodge, to discharge the duties of masonry, in a regular and constitu tional manner, according to the original forms of the order, and the regulations of the grand lodge. That they have nominated and do recommend A B to be the first master; C D to be the first senior warden, and EF to be the first junior warden, of the said lodge; that, if the prayer of the petition should be granted, they promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional laws and regulations of the grand lodge."

This petition, being signed by at least seven regular masons, and recommended by a lodge or lodges adjacent to the place where the new lodge is to be holden, is delivered to the grand secretary, who lays it before the grand lodge.

If the petition meets the approbation of the grand lodge, they generally order a dispensation to be issued, which is signed by the grand or deputy grand master, and authorizes the petitioners to assemble as a legal lodge, for a certain specified term of time.

In some jurisdictions, the grand and deputy grand masters, respectively, are invested with authority to grant dispensations, at pleasure, during the recess of the grand lodge; in others, they are never issued without the special direction of the grand lodge.

Lodges working under dispensations are considered merely as agents of the grand lodge;