D. of C. to C. O.—R. W. M., I present

to you Bro. A. B., to be installed Master of this Lodge, whom I believe
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to be of good morals and great skill,
_ true and trusty, and a lover of the
‘ whole fraternity, and who, I feel as- sured, will discharge his duty with zeal and fidelity.
. Installation of Worshipful Master. * % * * lection of Treasurer . Election of Tyler. . Appointment and investiture of Officers. . Election of Committee to frame By-laws. . The W. M. rises for the first time.
Votes of thanks to Consecrating Officers —Offers of Hon. Membership—Gift of Souvenirs, etc.
Propositions for Initiation and Joining Members.
. The W.\M. rises for the second time . The W. M. rises for the third time. . The Lodge is closed ,
Closing Ode.
‘Now the evening shadows closing Warn from toil to peaceful rest, Mystic arts and rites reposing Sacred in each faithful breast.
‘God of light ! whose love unceasing Doth to all Thy works extend, Crown our order with Thy blessing, Build, sustain us to the end.
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‘Humbly now we bow before Thee, Grateful for Thine aid Divine: Everlasting power and glory, Mighty Architect, be Thine.’ So mote it be.
59. Procession out of the Lodge as directed by the Director of Ceremonies.
(G.) LayInGc A FOUNDATION STONE, OR CHIEF CORNER STONE.
Asa rule some high dignitary of the Craft lays the stone. In this copy of the Cere- mony the title of Provincial Grand Master will be used.
A Craft Lodge is opened in a convenient
room, and there the procession is formed; the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, assisted by the local D. C., arranging the ‘Brethren in the proper order. , The Provincial Grand Master having arrived at his station on a platform, a flourish of trumpets is given, or a hymn or an ode issung, or music is played, as may have been arranged.
The Provincial Grand Master delivers an address, either composed to suit the occa- sion, or in general terms, as follows:
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PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS.
Men and Brethren, here assembled to. behold this Ceremony! Be it known unto you, that we be true and lawful Freemasons, the successors of those ancient Brethren of our Craft, who from time immemorial have been engaged throughout the civilized world in ‘the erection of stately and superb edifices,’ to the glory of God, and for the service of mankind! From those ancient Brethren have been handed down from generation to generation certain secrets ‘ by which Freemasons are known to each other, and. distinguished from the rest of the world.’ These secrets are lawful and honourable, and ‘ are in no way incompatible. with our civil, moral, or religious duties’; and as we have received them from our predecessors in the Order, so we hand them down pure and unimpaired to those who are to succeed us.
Our Order has always been distinguished for loyalty to the Throne, for obedience to the laws and institutions of the country in which we reside, for good citizenship, for goodwill to all mankind, and especially for ‘that most excellent gift—Charity! By:
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the exercise of these qualities we have in all ages enjoyed such distinction, that princes and nobles of high degree have been Mem- bers of our Order, ‘have patronized our mysteries, and joined in our assemblies.’ Under such powerful protection, and by . the fidelity and zeal of its Members, Free- masonry has endured through the ages, and has been enabled ‘to survive the wreck of mighty empires, and to resist the destroying hand of time.’
We have met here to-day, in the presence of this great assembly, to lay the [Chiet Corner] Stone of this building, which is about to be erected to the honour and glory of the Most High, and in humble dependence upon His blessing.
As Freemasons, our first and paramount duty in all our undertakings is, to invoke the blessing from T. G. A. O. T. U. upon that which we are about to do; I therefore call upon you to give attention to the Pro- vincial Grand Chaplain, and to unite in prayer to Him from Whom alone cometh every good and every perfect gift.
(The stone will now be raised.)
(Prayer by the Provincial Grand Chaplain.
Chant (Omnes).—So mote it be.
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P. G. M.—I now declare it to be my will and pleasure that the Chief Corner Stone of this building be laid. Bro. Provincial Grand Secretary, yor will read the in- scription on the plate. ‘Which ts done.)
(The stone will be lowered about nine inches: during the process of lowering the Choir will sing the first verse of ‘ Prosper the Art.’)
SOLO. When the Temple’s first stone was slowly descending, A stillness like death the scene reigned around ; There thousands of gazers in silence were bending, Till rested the ponderous mass on the ground, CHORUS.
Then shouts filled the air and the joy was like madness, The Founder alone, standing meekly apart; Until from his lips burst—flowing with gladness, The wish that for ever might prosper the Art. 275
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
P. G. M.—Bro. Provincial Grand Treasurer, you will deposit the vessel con- taining the coins and other articles in the cavity.
(The Bottle containing the Parchment, with an account of the undertaking, and the names of the principal personages taking part in the Ceremony, various current coins of the Realm, and copies of local papers, will be placed in the cavity. The cavity should now be filled with powdered charcoal. The plate will then be cemented in its place over all.)
(The Stone is again lowered nine inches, during which the Choir will sing the second verse of ‘ Prosper the Art.’)
SOLO. When the Temple had reared its magnificent crest, And the wealth of the world had em- bellished its walls, The nations drew near from the East and the West, Their homage to pay in its beautiful halls
CHORUS, Then they paused at the entrance, with feelings delighted, 276
The Ceremonies (Laying Stone)
Bestowing fond looks ere they turned to ‘depart; And as homeward they journeyed with voices united, They joined in full chorus, with ‘ Prosper the ‘Art?
(The Provincial Grand Master descends rom the platform, the trowel is presented to him, with some appropriate remarks, and the Provincial Grand Master spreads the cement.)
(Solemn music may be played, or the ‘Gloria’ may be sung, while the Stone is lowered into its place.)
P. G. M.—Bro. Junior Warden, what is. the Emblem of your Office ?
J. W.—The Plumb-rule, Right Worship- ful Provincial Grand Master.
P. G. M.—How do you apply the Plumb- rule ?
J. W.—To try and adjust uprights, while fixing them on their proper bases.
P. G. M.—Bro. Junior Warden, you will apply the Plumb-rule to ‘the sides of the Stone. (Ts 1s done.)
J. W.—Right Worshipful Provincial Grand | Master, I find the Stone to be perfect and trustworthy.
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P. G. M.—Bro. Senior Warden, what is the Emblem of your Office ?
S. W.—The Level, Right Worshipful Pro- vincial Grand Master.
P. G. M.—How do you apply the Level ?
S. W.—To lay levels and prove hori- zontals.
P. G. M.—Bro. Senior Warden, you will prove the Stone. (Done.)
S. W.—Right Worshipful Provincial Grand. Master, I find the Stone to be level and well founded.
P. G. M.—Worshipful Master, what is the Emblem of your Office ?
W. M.—The Square, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
P. G. M.—How do you apply the Square ?
W. M.—To try and adjust rectangular corners of buildings, and assist in bringing | rude matter into due form.
P. G. M.—You will apply the Square. (Thus is done.) lest
W. M.—Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, I have applied the Square, and I find the Stone to be well wrought and true.
(The Provincial Grand Master himself
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The Ceremonies (Laying Stone)
applies the Plumb-rule, the Level, and the Square.)
P. G. M.—I find the Stone to be plumb, level, and square, and that the Craftsmen have laboured skilfully.
(The mallet is presented to the Prov. G. M. with some appropriate remarks.)
(The Prov. G. M. gives three knocks on the Stone with the mallet.)
P. G. M.—May T. G. A. O. T. U. look down with favour upon this undertaking, and may He crown the edifice of which we have laid the foundation with abundant success.
(Flourtsh of Trumpets, or Music, or the Choir and the Assembly may sing the following Chant :)
CHAPLAIN.— Except the Lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.
‘Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.
‘It isin vain that ye rise up early, and late ' take rest: for so He giveth His beloved sleep.
‘If the foundations be destroyed: what can the righteous do ? ~ “Her foundations are upon the holy hills:
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the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
‘ That our sons may grow up as the young plants: and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.
‘Happy is the people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord.’
(The Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, or the Architect, presents the plans.)
P. G. S. of W.—Right Worshipful Pro- vincial Grand Master, it is my duty to pre- sent these Plans of the intended building, which have been duly approved.
(The Provincial Grand Master inspects the Plans and returns them to the Architect.)
P. G. M.—I place in your hands the Plans of the intended building, having full confi- dence in your skill as a Craftsman; and I desire that you will proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work, in con- formity with the plans and designs now entrusted to you.
BEARER OF THE Corn.—Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, I present to you Corn, the sacred emblem of Plenty.
(The P. G. 3. strews Corn upon the Stone.)
CHAPLAIN.—‘ There shall be a handful of
280 4
The Ceremonies (Laying Stone)
corn in the earth upon the top of the moun- tains: the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.’ (Psalm |xxii. 16.)
BEARER OF THE WINE.—Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, I present to you Wine, the sacred emblem of Truth.
(The P. G. M. pours Wine on the Stone.)
CHapLain.— And for a drink-offering thou shalt offer the third part of a hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.’ (Numbers xxviii. 14.)
BEARER OF THE OIL.—Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, I present to you Oil, the sacred emblem of Charity.
(The P. G. M. pours Oil upon the Stone.)
CHAPLAIN.— And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil.
‘ And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony.’ (Exodus xxx. 25, 26.)
P. G. M. (or Chaplain)—May the All- bounteous Creator of the Universe shower down His choicest blessing upon this (names the building), and grant a full supply of the
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Corn of nourishment, the Wine of refresh- ment, and the Oil of Joy.
Chant (Omnes).—So mote it be.
(The Provincial Grand Master reascends the platform. Some money for the workmen ts placed on the Stone by the Provincial Grand Treasurer. If the building be for a charitable institution, a voluntary subscription 1s made — in aid of its funds during the singing of the Anthem or Te Deum.) |
After which the Chaplain pronounces the
Benediction.
CHAPLAIN.—May the Glorious Majesty of the Lord our God be upon us; prosper Thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.
Chant (Omnes).—So mote it be.
(The following Masonic Version of the National Anthem may be sung :)
God save our gracious King, Long live our noble King,
God save the King. Grant him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us,
“od save the King.
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Hail! mystic light Divine, Long’may thy radiance shine O’er sea and land. Wisdom in thee we find, Beauty and strength combined; May we be ever joined ~ In heart and hand.
Sing, then, ye Sons of Light, In joyous strains unite, God save the King. Long may our King George reign Lord of the azure main. Freemasons ! swell the strain, God save the King. * x ** * (End of the Ceremony.) (Procession, formed as before, returns to the place from which vt started, and the Lodge ts closed.)
(H.) FUNERAL CEREMONY.
(To follow the usual funeral service of the veligious denomination to which the deceased Brother belonged.)
The Worshipful Master reads as follows:
Brethren.—The melancholy event which has caused us to assemble on the present
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occasion cannot have failed to impress itself on the mind of everyone present. The loss of a friend and Brother—especially of one whose loss we now deplore—conveys a powerful appeal to our hearts, reminding us as it does of the uncertainty of life, and of the vanity of earthly hopes and designs.
Amid the pleasures, the cares, and the various avocations of life we are too apt to forget that upon us also the common lot of all mankind must one day fall, and that Death’s dread summons may surprise us even in the meridian of our lives, and in the full spring-tide of enjoyment and success.
The ceremonial observances which we practise during the obsequies of a departed Brother, are intended to remind us of our own‘ inevitable destiny,’ and to warn us that we also should be likewise ready, for we know not the day nor the hour when in the case of each of us ‘ the dust shall return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.’
Then, Brethren, let us lay these things seriously to heart; let us strive in all things to act up to our Masonic profession, to live in accordance with the high moral precepts inculcated in our Ceremonies, and to prac-
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The Ceremonies (Funerals)
tically illustrate in our lives and our actions the ancient tenets and established customs of the Order. Thus, in humble dependence upon the mercy of the Most High, we may hope, when this transitory life, with all its cares and sorrows, shall have passed away, to rejoin this our departed friend and Brother in the Grand Lodge above, where the world’s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever. Chant (Omnes).—So mote it be.
(The following supplications are then offered by the Master :)
\
MASTER.—May we be true and faithful, and may we live in fraternal affection one towards another, at die in peace with all mankind.
RESPONSE (to be sung).—So mote it be.
MASTER.—May we practise that which is wise and good, and always act in accordance with our.Masonic profession.
RESPONSE (to be sung).—So mote it be.
MASTER.—May the Great Architect of the Universe bless us, and direct us in all that we undertake and do in His Holy Name.
RESPONSE (to be sung).—So mote it be.
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(The Secretary then advances and throws his roll into the grave, while the Master repeats, im an audible voice :)
MastTER.—Glory be to God on high! on earth peace ! goodwill towards men !
RESPONSE (fo be sung).—So mote it be, now, henceforth, and for evermore!
There is a calm for those who weep, A rest for weary pilgrims found; They softly lie and sweetly sleep, Low in the ground ! low in the ground !
The storm that wracks the winter sky No more disturbs their deep repose Than summer evening’s latest sigh, That shuts the rose! that shuts the rose !
Ah, mourner! long of storms the sport, Condemn’d in wretchedness to roam,
Hope thou shalt reach a sheltering port, A quiet home! a quiet home!
The sun is like a spark of fire, A transient meteor in the sky; The soul, immortal as its sire, Shall never die! shall never die:
(The Master then concludes the ceremony at the grave in the following words :) 286
The Ceremonies (Funerals)
MASTER.—From time immemorial it has eee the custom among the Fraternity of
ree and Accepted Masons, at the request of a Brother on his death-bed, to accompany his corpse to the place of interment; and there to deposit his remains with the usual formalities of the Order. In conformity with this usage, and at the special request of our deceased Brother, whose loss we deeply deplore, we are here assembled as Freemasons, to consign his body to the earth, and, openly before the world, to offer up in his memory the last tribute of our fraternal affection, thereby demon- strating the sincerity of our esteem for our deceased Brother, and our inviolable at- tachment to the principles of the Order.
* [With all proper respect to the estab- lished customs of the country in which we live, with due deference to all,in authority in Church and State, and with unlimited goodwill to all mankind, we here appear as Freemasons, clothed with the insignia of the Order, and publicly express our sub- mission to order and good government, and our wish to promote the general interests
* The paragraph between the brackets{ ] may
be omitted. 287
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
of mankind. Invested with ‘the badge ot innocence, and the bond of friendship,’ we humbly bow to the Universal Parent; we implore His blessing on our zealous en- deavours to promote peace and goodwill; and we earnestly pray for His grace, to enable us to persevere in the #ractice of piety and virtue.]
The Great Creator having been pleased, in His infinite wisdom, to remove our worthy Brother from the cares and troubles of this transitory life, and thereby to weaken the ties by which we are united to the world, may we who survive him, anticipating ows own approaching end, be more strongly cemented in the bonds of union and friend- ship, and, during the short space which is allotted to us in our present existence, may we wisely and usefully employ our time in the interchange of kind and fraternal acts, and may we strive earnestly to promote the welfare and happiness of our fellow-men.
Unto the grave we have consigned the body of our deceased friend and Brother, there to remain until the general resurrec- tion, in the fullest confidence that both body and soul will then arise to partake of the joys which have been prepared for the
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righteous from the beginning of the world. And may Almighty God, of His infinite: goodness, at that last grand tribunal, extend His mercy towards him, and all of us, and crown our hope with everlasting bliss, in the realms of a boundless eternity! This we beg, for the honour of His Name, to. Whom be glory, now and for ever.
Chant (Omnes).—So mote it be.
It is decreed in heaven above,
That we, from those whom best we love, Must sever.
But hard the word would be to tell,
If to our friends we said farewell, For ever.
And thus the meaning we explain— We hope, and be our hope not vain, That, though we part, we meet again. A brief farewell; then meet again
For ever.
(Then the Brethren, led by the Worshipful’ Master, pass round the grave, and each Brother casts a sprig of acacia on the coffin )
(End of Funeral Ceremony.)
—
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
MASONIC MOURNING.
In the event of the death of any high dignitary in the Craft, an order is sent by the Grand Secretary to each Lodge that mourning shall be worn by every Brother for a certain period of time. In the case of a similar loss in a Province or District, the Provincial or District Grand Secretary would send a like order to every Lodge in his Province or District.
The regulation form of mourning dictated ‘on these occasions is as follows: For Officers present and past of Grand Lodge, or of Pro- vincial or District Grand Lodges, and for Officers of private Lodges, a black crape Rosette near the point of the collar above the jewel; and for all Master Masons, Officers included, a similar crape Rosette to cover the three blue Rosettes, one just above the point of the flap of the Apron, and one on each of the lower corners.
For Fellow-Crafts and Entered Appren- tices, two black crape Rosettes, to cover the blue Rosettes on each corner of the bottom of the Apron. -
Black or white ties, and white, or, brefer- ably, grey gloves, with black stitchings,
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should be worn. In either case uniformity is much to be desired; on this point an ex- pression of the wish of the Worshipful
Master may be added to each circular.
If it be thought necessary or desirable that the Lodge-room should be put into mourning, the following plan or any portion thereof may be adopted:
Each of the three pedestals may have a black cloth cover to fit the top, with a fall round the front and the two sides eight inches deep, with a black bullion fringe of five inches round the lower edge.
The Master’s and the two Wardens’ chairs may have a cap of black cloth fitted to the shape of the top of the back of each chair, about twelve inches deep, fringed on the lower edge the same as the covers on the pedestals. The three candlesticks and the columns should each have a trimming of crape; so also should the Deacons’ wands.
’ If the Banner of the Lodge be displayed, it should have a large black crape Rosette on or near the top of the staff, and one of the same size (or nearly) on each of the four corners. If there be cords and tassels, they may be trimmed with crape.
If the occasion justify any further demon-
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
stration of mourning, advantage may be taken of any salient portion of the room and the furniture, such as the tops of windows and doors, and the Secretary’s table, the organ or harmonium, upon which crape or cloth may be placed. Much may depend upon the occasion of the mourning, whether it be for a high dignitary in the Craft (as. previously mentioned), or for one of the then Principal Officers, or a Past Master of the Lodge.
In the case of the death of an ordinary member, it is unusual for the Lodge room to be put into mourning; the Brethren wear their crape Rosettes at the next meeting; and a letter of condolence to the family of the deceased, signed by the Master and the Wardens, is generally considered to be proper and sufficient. This mark of respect should not by any means be omitted.
(I.) THE CEREMONY OF OPENING A PRo- VINCIAL OR DISTRICT GRAND LODGE.
The Craft Lodge having been opened in the three Degrees, the Provincial or District Grand Master and the Provincial Grand. Officers, present and past, make their formal entry (see p. 73).
292
The Ceremonies, (Prov. G. L.)
(We will use the initials of a Provincial Grand Master with the prefix of R. W. for Right Worshipful. A District Grand Master 1s also Right Worshipful. If a Deputy Pro- vincial or Deputy District Grand Master should preside, he would be addressed as Very Worsh pful, etc.)
R. W. P. G. M. (= followed by Provincial Grand Wardens).—Brethren, assist me to open this Provincial Grand Lodge.
(All rise.)
R. W. P. G. M.—Bro. Provincial Grand Pursuivant, where is your situation in Pro- 'vincial Grand Lodge ?
P. G. P.—Within the Inner Porch of Provincial Grand Lodge, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
R. W. P. G. M.—What is your duty ?
P. G. P.—To give a proper report of all approaching Brethren, and to see that they are properly clothed and ranged under their respective banners.
R. W. P. G. M.—De you find them so placed ?
P. G. P.—To the best of my knowledge, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
R. W. P. G. M.—Where is the situation of the Provincial Junior Grand Warden ?
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P. G. P.—In the South, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
R. W. P. G. M.—Bro. Provincial Junior Grand Warden, whom do you represent ?
P. J. Go. W.—.s.:, the: Prince of the People on Mount Tabor.
R. W. P. G. M.—Bro. Provincial Junior Grand Warden, where is the situation of the Provincial Senior Grand Warden ?
P. J. G. W.—In the West, Right Wor- shipful Provincial Grand Master.
R. W. P. G. M.—Bro. Provincial Senior Grand Warden, whom do you represent ?
Pp. S. G. W.—...., the Assistant High Priest on Mount Sinai.
R. W. P. G. M.—Bro. Provincial Senior Grand Warden, where is the situation of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ?
P. S. G. W.—At the right of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master.
R. W. P. G. M.—Bro. Deputy Provincial Grand Master, whom do you represent ?