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TO THE GRAND DEACON.

"Brother, I invest you with the badge of your office, as Senior Deacon of this lodge.

"You are sensible that your station is not one of the least important.

"You will be attentive to the Master; careful in introducing visiters, and in accommodating them.

"Be watchful in preparation. And, although you halt at the door of the temple, lead those rightly who require it. "Your regular attendance on the lodge will be your duty and inclination."

TO THE JUNIOR DEACON.

"Brother, I invest you with the badge of your office, as Junior Deacon of this lodge.

"What is delivered to you in the west, faithfully carry to the south.

"To that which is more immediately your care, be particularly attentive.

"Prepare duly. Lead upon the square. And prompt like a workman.

"Your regular and early attendance upon the lodge is highly necessary."

TO THE FIRST STEWARD, OR MASTER OF CEREMONIES.

"Brother, I invest you with the badge of your office, as first steward of this lodge.

"You are to make necessary provision, by the advice of the Master, and see the table furnished at his command. You are to keep an exact account of all expenses for supplies, and give information of what may be in store, or what may be wanting.

"Your regular and early attendance on the lodge will be a sure proof of your attachment to it."

TO THE SECOND STEWARD, OR MASTER OF CEREMONIES.

"Brother, I invest you with the badge of your office, as Second Steward to this lodge.

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Encourage the labourers at their work.

"Be punctual: and let your countenance delight them."

TO THE TYLER.

"Brother, I invest you with the badge of your office, as Tyler to this lodge.

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"A faithful discharge of your duty is necessary for the safety of the craft: and your constant attendance upon lodge cannot be dispensed with, but by the permission of the Master."

The Master of the new lodge then returns thanks to the Grand Master and officers, in the following words :*

Right Worshipful.-Permit me to render to you, and to the Grand Lodge, my thanks, and the thanks of this Lodge, for the honour now conferred on us.

It will be our care and delight to cultivate the sublime art, and assiduously to perform the duty incumbent on us.t The Grand Master, or some specially appointed brother, then delivers an address to the brethren.

The Grand Master then proclaims the lodge by its name and style, and orders the Grand Secretary to register the same in the archives of the Grand Lodge.

* Or in such other appropriate address as he may prepare or select. †The Master need not confine himself to this form of thanks. The principal object is the style and subject, which may be varied at plea

sure.

At the constituting a new lodge, the Grand Master or his Deputy installs the officers; in the subordinate lodges the Master performs that ceremony.

CHAPTER II.

CEREMONY OBSERVED AT LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

THIS Ceremony is conducted by the Grand Master and his officers, assisted by the members of the Grand Lodge, who are usually invited by the civic authorities for the purpose of laying the foundation of some public edifice.

The members of the neighbouring lodges are invited on the occasion; the chief magistrate and other civil officers of the place where the building is to be erected are in attendance; the ceremony is thus conducted:

At the appointed time, the Grand Lodge is convened at some place in the neighbourhood of the intended structure, (approved by the Grand Master.) Music is usually provided, and the brethren appear with the insignia of the order, and with white gloves and aprons. The lodge is opened by the Grand Master, and the rules for forming the procession to and from the place at which the ceremony is to be performed, are read by the Grand Secretary, and committed to the Grand Marshal. The necessary cautions are then given from the chair, and the lodge is adjourned: after which they move in procession to the place for the foundation of the building.

A triumphal arch is usually erected at the place where the ceremony is to be performed; under which the brethren pass, and repair to their stations, and the Grand Master and his officers take their place on a temporary platform, cov

ered with a carpet. An ode, suited to the occasion, is then sung.*

The Grand Master commands silence, and the necessary preparations are made for laying the stone, on which is engraved the year of Masonry, with the name and titles of the Grand Master, &c. &c. The workmen's tools are presented to the Grand Master; who applies the square, plumb, and level to the stone, in their proper positions, and pronounces it to be "well formed, true and trusty." The stone is next raised up, by means of an engine erected for that purpose, and the Grand Chaplain repeats the following prayer:

"May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on this foundation stone, which we have now laid; and by his Providence enable us to finish this and all our works with skill and success.-Glory be to God in the highest !"

Response by the brethren.-As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be-Amen!-so mote it be-Amen!

Solemn music is next introduced; after which the Grand Treasurer, by the Grand Master's command, places under the stone various sorts of coin and medals of the present age and the stone is placed as it is to lie.

The cornucopia and two silver vases are next brought to the table, and delivered; the cornucopia to the Deputy Grand Master, and the two vases to the 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,

"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 completing of this building; protect the workmen against every accident, and long preserve this structure from decay. And

* See Songs.

grant to us all, in needed supply, the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy.-Amen!-so mote it be-Amen."

He then strikes the stone thrice with the mallet: and the honours of Masonry are given.

The Grand Master then delivers over to the master workman the various implements of architecture, intrusting 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 song in honour of Masonry concludes the ceremony; and then the procession returns, and the lodge is closed in form.*

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CHAPTER III.

CEREMONY AT THE OPENING OF A BRIDGE.

THE Grand Lodge, neighbouring lodges, and brethren, move in procession to the new bridge, attended by the magistrates and gentlemen of the vicinity. They form, in order, at the entrance of the bridge. The Grand Master,

with his Wardens, then examines the work and finding it to be "well constructed and fit for public use," he causes proclamation to be made accordingly. The grand honours are then given a short address is made, and an ode sung, adapted to the occasion.

They then march over the bridge, and return with music. The proclamations are again made. After which, there is a discharge of artillery.

The Grand Lodge then returns in procession, and is

closed in form.

* See Songs.

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