Grand Wardens;

Deputy Grand Master;

The Master of the oldest Lodge, carrying the Book of Constitutions on a velvet cushion ;

Grand Deacons with black Rods, on a line seven feet apart;

Grand Master;

Two Stewards with white Rods;

Grand Sword-Bearer with drawn Sword.

A Triumphal Arch is usually erected at the place where the ceremony is to be performed. The procession passes through the arch; and the brethren repairing to their stands, the Grand Master and his officers take their places on a temporary platform, covered with carpet. The Grand Master commands silence. An Ode on Masonry is sung; after which, the necessary preparations are made for laying the stone, on which is engraved the year of masonry, the name of the Grand Master, &c. &c.

The stone is raised up, by means of an engine erected for that purpose, and the Grand Chaplain or Orator repeats a short prayer.

The Grand Treasurer then, by the Grand Master's command, places under the stone various sorts of coin and medals of the present age. Solemn music is introduced, and the stone is let down into its place.

The principal Architect then presents the working tools to the Grand Master, who applies the plumb, square, and level, to the stone, in their proper positions, and pronounces it to be WELL FORMED, TRUE, and TRUSTY.

The Golden and Silver Vessels are next brought to the table, and delivered; the former to the Deputy Grand Master, and the latter to the Grand Wardens, who successively present them to the Grand Master; and he, according to ancient ceremony, pours the corn, the wine, and the oil, which they contain, on the stone; saying,

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May the all-bounteous Author of Nature bless the inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries, conveniences and comforts of life; assist in the erection and completion of this building; protect the workmen against every accident, and long preserve this structure from decay and grant to us all, a supply of the CORN of nourishment, the WINE of refreshment, and the OIL of joy!

"So mote it be. Amen."

He then strikes the stone thrice with the mallet; and the public grand honours of Masonry are given. The Grand Master then delivers over to the Architect the various implements of architecture, entrusting him with the superintendance and direction of the work; after which, he re-ascends the platform, and an Oration suitable to the occasion is delivered.

A voluntary Collection is made for the needy workmen; and the sum collected is placed upon the stone by the Grand Treasurer.

A suitable Song in honour of masonry concludes the ceremony; after which, the procession returns to the place whence it set out, and the Lodge is closed in lue form.

SECTION FOURTH.

The fourth section contains the ceremony observed at the Dedication of the Free-Masons' Halls.

On the day appointed, the Grand Master and his officers, accompanied by the members of the Grand Lodge, meet in a convenient room near the place where the ceremony is to be performed, and open in due and ample form, in the third degree of masonry.

The Master of the Lodge to which the Hall to be dedicated belongs, being present, addresses the Grand Master, as follows:

MOST WORSHIpful, The brethren of Lodge, being animated with a desire of promoting the honour and interest of the craft, have, at great pains and expense, erected a Masonic Hall, for their convenience and accommodation. They are desirous that the same should be examined by the M. W. GRAND LODGE; and if it should meet their approbation, that it should be solemnly dedicated to masonic purposes, agreeably to ancient form.

The Grand Master then directs the Grand Marshal to form the procession, when they move forward to the Hall to be dedicated. On entering, the music will continue while the procession marches three times round the hall.

The lodge, or flooring, is then placed in the centre; and the Grand Master having taken the chair, under a canopy of state, the Grand Officers, and the Masters and Wardens of the Lodges, repair to the places previously prepared for their reception. The three Lights, and the Gold and Silver Pitchers, with the corn, wine and oil, are placed round the Lodge, at the head of which stands the Altar, with the Holy Bible open, and the Square and Compasses laid thereon, with the Charter, Book of Constitutions, and ByLaws.

An Anthem is sung, and an Exordium on Masonry given; after which, the Architect addresses the Grand Master as follows:

MOST WORSHIPFUL,

Having been entrusted with the superintendence and management of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice; and having,

according to the best of my ability, accomplished the task assigned me; I now return my thanks for the honour of this appointment, and beg leave to surrender up the implements which were committed to my care, when the foundation of this fabric was laid; humbly hoping, that the exertions which have been made on this occacion, will be Growned with your approbation, and that of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.

To which the Grand Master makes the following reply:

BROTHER ARCHITECT,

The skill and fidelity displayed in the execu tion of the trust reposed in you, at the commencement of this undertaking, have secured the entire approbation of the Grand Lodge; and they sincerely pray, that this edifice may continue a lasting monument of the taste, spirit, and liberality of its founders.

An Ode in honour of masonry is sung, accompanied with instrumental music.

The Deputy Grand Master then rises, and says:

MOST WORSHIPFUL,

The hall in which we are now assembled, and the plan upon which it has been constructed, having met with your approbation, it is the desire of the fraternity that it should now be dedicated, according to ancient form and usage.

Whereupon the Grand Master requests all to retire, but such as are Master Masons. A procession is then formed in the following order, viz.

Grand Sword-Bearer;

A Past Master, with a Light;

A Past Master, with Bible, Square, and Compasses, on a velvet cushion;

Two Past Masters, each with a Light;

Grand Secretary and Treasurer, with Emblems; Grand Junior Warden, with Pitcher of Corn; Grand Senior Warden, with Pitcher of Wine; Deputy Grand Master, with Pitcher of Oil; Grand Master;

Two Stewards with Rods.

All the other brethren keep their places, and assist in performing an Ode, which continues during the procession, excepting only at the intervals of dedication. The Lodge being uncovered, the first time passing round it, the Junior Grand Warden presents the pitcher of Corn to the Grand Master, who pours it out upon the Lodge, at the same time pronouncing,

"In the name of the Great JEHOVAH, to whom be all honour and glory, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to MASONRY."

The grand honours are given.

The second time passing round the Lodge, the Grand Senior Warden presents the pitcher of Wine to the Grand Master, who sprinkles it upon the Lodge, at the same time saying,

"In the name of the HOLY SAINT JOHNS, I do solemnly DEDICATE this Hall to VIRTUE."

The grand honours are twice given.