their presiding officers are not entitled to the rank of past masters; their officers are not priv, ileged with a vote or voice in the grand lodge; they cannot change their officers without the special approbation and appointment of the grand lodge; and in case of the cessation of such lodges, their funds, jewels, and other property, accumulated by initiations into the several degrees, become the property of the grand lodge, and must be delivered over to the grand treas urer. When lodges, that are at first instituted by dispensation, have passed a proper term of probation, they make application to the grand lodge for a charter of constitution. If this be obtained, they are then confirmed in the possession of their property, and possess all the rights and privileges of regularly constituted lodges, as long as they conform to the constitutions of masonry. After a charter is granted by the grand lodge, the grand master appoints a day and hour for constituting and conseerating the new lodge, and for installing its master, wardens, and other officers. If the grand master, in person, attends the ceremony, the lodge is said to be constituted in ample form; if the deputy grand master only, it is said to be constituted in due form; but if the power of performing the ceremony is vested in a subordinate lodge, it is said to be constituted in form. When charters of constitution are granted for places where the distance is so great as to render it inconvenient for the grand officers to attend, the grand master, or his deputy, issues a written instrument under his hand and private seal, to some worthy present or past master, with full power to conjugate, constitute and install the petitioners. Ceremony of Constitution and Consecration. On the day and hour appointed, the grand master and his officers meet in a convenient room near to that in which the lodge to be constituted is assembled, and open the grand lodge in the three degrees of masonry. The officers of the new lodge are to be examined by the deputy grand master, after which they return to their lodge. The new lodge then sends a messenger to the grand master with the following message, viz. "MOST WORshipful, au. "The officers and brethren of ............. lodge, who are now assembled at......., have instructed me to inform you, that the most worshipful grand lodge [or grand master] was pleased to grant them a letter of dispensation, bearing date the.... ... day of .........., in the year ... thorising them to form and open a lodge of free and accepted masons, in the town of ........; that since that period they have regularly assembled, and conducted the business of masonry according to the best of their abilities; that their proceedings having received the approbation of the M. W. grand lodge, they have obtained a charter of constitution, and are desirous that their lodge should be consecrated, and their officers installed, agreeably to the ancient usages and customs of the craft; for which purpose they are now met, and await the pleasure of the most worshipful grand master." He then returns to his lodge, who prepare for the reception of the grand lodge. When notice is given that they are prepared, the grand lodge walk in procession to their hall. When the grand master enters, the grand honours are given by the new lodge; the officers of which resign their seats to the grand officers, and take their several stations on the left. The necessary cautions are then given, and all, excepting masters and past masters of lodges, are requested to retire until the master of the new lodge is placed in the chair of Solomon. He is then bound to the faithful performance of his trust, and invested with the characteristics of the chair.. Upon due notice, the grand marshal reconducts the brethren into the hall, and all take their places, except the members of the new lodge, who form a procession on one side of the hall, to salute their master. As they advance, the grand master addresses them, "Brethren, behold your master!" As they pass, they make the proper salutation; and when they have all passed, he joins them, and takes his appropriate. station. 8 A grand procession is then formed in the fol lowing order, viz. The New Lodge. Master Masons; Secretary and Treasurer; Two Brethren, carrying the Lodge ;* The Holy Writings, carried by the Oldest Member not in office; The Grand Lodge. Grand Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; A Brother, carrying a Golden Vessel of Corn;t Grand Treasurer; A burning Taper, borne by a Past Master; Square and Compass, supported by two Stewards, with Rods; * Flooring. + Wheat. Two Burning Tapers, borne by two Past Masters; The Tuscan and Composite Orders; Junior and Senior Grand Wardens; The Master of the Oldest Lodge, carrying the Book of Constitutions; The M. W. GRAND MASTER; The Grand Deacons, on a line seven feet apart, on the right and left of the Grand Master, with Black Rods; Grand Sword Bearer, with a Drawn Sword; The whole procession moves on to the church or house where the services are to be performed. When the front of the procession arrives at the door, they halt, open to the right and left, and face inward, while the grand master, and others in succession, pass through, and enter the house. A platform is erected in front of the pulpit, and provided with seats for the accommodation of the grand officers. The bible, square and compass, and book of constitutions, are placed upon a table, in front of the grand master; the lodge is placed in the centre, upon the platform, covered with white satin or linen, and encompassed by the three tapers, and the vessels of corn, wine and oil. A piece of music is performed, and the public services commence with prayer. An oration, or sermon, upon the design and principles of the institution, is then delivered by the grand chaplain, or some one appointed for that purpose, which is succeeded by a piece of musie. The grand marshal then directs the officers and members of the new lodge to form in front |