D. G. M. — Most Worshipful, I find the stone to be

square. The Craftsmen have performed their duty.
G. M. — Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, what is the jewel of your office ?
S. G. Warden.— The Level, M. Worshipful.
158 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
G. M. — What is its Masonic use?
S. G. W. — Morally, it reminds us of equality, and its use is to lay horizontals.
G. M. — Apply the implement of your office to the foundation stone, and make report.
The Senior Grand Warden applies the Level to the stone, and says:
8. G. TF.— Most Worshipful, I find the stone to be level. The Craftsmen have performed their duty.
G. M. — Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, what is the proper jewel of your office ?
J. G. W.— The Plumb, Most Worshipful.
G. M. — What is its Masonic use?
J. G. W. — Morally, it teaches rectitude of conduct, and we use it to try perpendiculars.
G. M. — Apply the implement of your office to the foundation stone, and make report.
The Junior Grand Warden applies the Plumb to the stone, and says :
J. G. W .— Most Worshipful, I find the stone to be plumb. The Craftsmen have performed their duty.
G. Master, — This corner-stone has been tested by the proper implements of Masonry; I find that the Craftsmen have skillfully and faithfully performed their duty ; and I do declare the stone to be well- formed, true, and trusty, and correctly laid, according to the rules of our ancient Craft. Let the elements of consecration be now presented.
LAYING FOUNDATION STONES. 159
The Deputy Grand Master comes forward with the vessel of corn, and presents it to the Grand Master, who pours it on the stone, and says :
I scatter this corn as an emblem of plenty. May the blessings of heaven be showered upon us, and upon all like undertakings, and inspire the hearts of the people with virtue, wisdom, and gratitude.
Response by the Brethren. — So mote it be.
The Senior Grand Warden then comes forward with the vessel of wine, and presents it to the Gr. Master, who pours it upon the stone, and says :
I pour this wine as an emblem of joy and gladness. May the Great Ruler of the universe bless and pros- per our National, State, and City governments, pre- serve the Union of the States, and may it be a bond of friendship and brotherly love that shall endure through all time.
Response by the Brethren. — So mote it be.
The Junior Grand Warden then comes forward with the vessel of oil, and presents it to theG. M., who pours it upon the stone, and says :
I pour this oil as an emblem of peace. May its blessing abide with us continually, and may the Grand Master of heaven and earth shelter and protect the widow and orphan, shield and defend them from the trials and vicissitudes of the world, and so bestow his mercy upon the bereaved, the afflicted, and the sorrow- ing, that they may know sorrowing and trouble no more !
Response by the Brethren. — So mote it be.
The Grand Master, extending his hands, then makes the fol- lowing Invocation :
May the all-bounteous Author of nature bless the
inhabitants of this place with an abundance of the
160 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of life ; assist in the erection and completion of this building; pro- tect the workmen against every accident ; long preserve the structure from decay ; and grant to us all a supply of the Corn of nourishment, the Wine of refreshment, and the Oil of joy. Amen.
Response by the Brethren. — So mote it be.
The Grand Master then strikes the stone three times with the gavel, and the public grand honors are given :
The Grand Master then delivers to the Grand Architect the implements of Masonry, saying :
Grand Master. — Brother Architect, having thus, as Grand Master of Masons, laid the foundation stone of this structure, I now deliver these implements of your profession into your hands, intrusting you with the superintendence and direction of the work, having full confidence in your skill and capacity to conduct the same.
The G. Master then ascends the platform, and the following Anthem is sung :
" Let there be light I" th' Almighty spoke, — Refulgent streams from chaos broke,
To illume the rising earth ! Well pleased the Great Jehovah stood, The power Supreme pronounced it good,
And gave the planets birth !
Chorus — In choral numbers Masons join,
To bless and praise this Light Divine.
LAYING FOUNDATION STONES. 161
Parent of light, accept our praise ! Who shedd'st on us thy brightest rays,
The light that fills the mind ; By choice selected, lo ! we stand, By friendship joined, a social band!
That love, that aid mankind ! Chorus — In choral numbers, etc.
The widow's tear, the orphan's cry, All wants our ready hands supply,
As far as power is given ; The naked clothe, the prisoner free, These are thy works, sweet Charity,
Revealed to us from heaven.
Chorus — In choral numbers, etc.
A voluntary collection is then made by the Grand Steward among the brethren, lor the needy workmen, and the sum collected is placed upon the stone by the Grand Treasurer ; during which time the following Ode to Masonry is sung :
" Hail, Masonry divine, etc."
[See page 146.]
A benediction is then pronounced by the Grand Chaplain ; after which the procession returns in the same order to the place whence it set out, and the Grand Lodge is closed.
162 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Which may be altered to suit the occasion.
Tyler, with a drawn sword ;
Two Stewards with white rods ;
Master Masons ;
Stewards ;
Junior and Senior Deacons ;
Secretaries and Treasurers ;
Past Wardens ; Junior and Senior Wardens ;
Past Masters ;
Members of higher degrees ;
Masters of Lodges.
The New Lodge.
Arranged as preceding form.
The Holy Writings, carried by the oldest or some suitable
member not in office;
The W. Master;
Music.
The Grand Lodge.
Grand Tyler with a drawn sword ;
Grand Stewards with white rods ;
Past Master with a Golden Vessels containing corn ;
Principal Architect with Square, Level, and Plumb;
Two Past Masters with Silver Vessel containing
wine and oil;
Grand Secretary and Treasurer ;
The Five Orders;
One large light borne by a Past Master;
The Bible, Square, and Compasses borne by a Master
of a Lodge, supported by two Stewards ;
Chief Magistrate and Civil Officers of the place;
Grand Chaplain and Orator ;
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, seven feet apart;
Grand Master;
Two Stewards with white rods.
[When Knights Templar appear in the procession, they should act as Guards of Honor to the G. Lodge.]
PUBLIC GRAND HONORS. 163
PUBLIC GRAND HONORS.
The Public Grand Honors are given on all public occasions in the presence of the profane as well as the initiated. They are used at the laying of foundation stones of public buildings, or in other services in which the ministrations of the Fraternity are required, and especially in funerals. They are given in the fol- lowing manner : Both arms are crossed on the breast, the left uppermost, and the open palms of the hands sharply striking the shoulders ; they are then raised above the head, the palms striking each other, and then made to fall smartly upon the thighs. This is repeated three times, and, as there are three blows given each time — namely, on the breast, on the palms of the hands, and on the thighs — making nine con- cussions in all, the Grand Honors are technically said to be given " by three times three." On the occasion of funerals each one of these honors is accompanied by the words " The will of God is accomplished; so mote it be" audibly pronounced by the brethren.
11
164 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
Section Fifth,
ORDER OF FUNERAL PROCESSION.
The following Order of Procession will be proper to be observed when a single Lodge conducts the cere- monies :
Tyler,
with drawn sword ;
Stewards,
with white rods ;
Musicians
(if they are Masons, otherwise in advance of the Tyler);
Master Masons ;
g Senior and Junior Deacons ;
§* Secretary and Treasurer ;
V Senior and Junior Wardens ;
P
~ Past Masters of the Lodge ;
The Holy Writings
on a Cushion, carried by the eldest member of the Lodge
present ;
The Master ;
Clergy ;
The Body, with the MB insignia placed thereon.
Pall bearers ^^V Pali Bearers.
FUNERAL SERVICE. 165
FUNERAL SERVICE.
The brethren being assembled at the Lodge room, or some other convenient place, the presiding officer will open the Lodge in the Third Degree. After having stated the object of the meeting, the service will commence— all the brethren standing :
Master. — Man that is born of woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower ; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life we are in death. Of whom, then, may we seek for succor, but of Thee, 0 Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?
My brethren, where is the man that liveth, that^shall not see death ?
Response by the brethren. — Man walketh in a vain shadow ; he heapeth up riches, and can not tell who shall gather them.
Master. — Can we offer any precious thing to redeem our brother ?
Response. — We have not a ransom. The place that once knew him shall know him no more forever.
Master. — Shall his name then be lost upon the earth ?
Response, — We will treasure it in our memories, we will record it in our hearts.
Master. — How then will it be known ?
Response. — It shall live in the exercise of its virtues.
166 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
Master. — When our brother died, did he carry noth- ing away with him?
Response. — He fulfilled his destiny. Naked he came into the world, and naked he has departed out of it.
Master. — Hear, then, the conclusion of the whole matter : It is The Lord only that can give, and it is The Lord that has taken away.
Response. — Blessed be the name of The Lord.
Master. — Let us endeavor to live the life of the righteous, that our last end may be like his.
Response. — God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide and support even through the dark valley of the shadow of death.
Master. — I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me : " Write, from henceforth, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord ! Even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors."
The Master here takes the Roll, on which is inscribed the name and nge of the deceased, and says:
Almighty Father! in thy hands we leave, with humble submission, the soul of our departed Brother.
The brethren will respond three times giving the Grand Honors each time.
The will of God is accomplished. So mote it be.
The Master here deposits the Roll, and repeats the follow- ing, or some suitable, prayer :
Most glorious and merciful Lord God, Author of all good, and Giver of every perfect gift, pour down, we implore thee, thy blessing upon us ; and under the deep solemnities of this occasion, bind us yet closer
FUNERAL SERVICE. 167
together in the ties of brotherly love and affection. May the present instance of mortality sensibly remind us of our approaching fate ; and may it have an influ- ence to wean our affections from the things of this transitory world, and to fix them more devotedly upon Thee, the only sure refuge in time of need ! And at last, Great Parent of the Universe, when our journey shall be near to its end, when the silver cord shall be loosed and the golden bowl be broken, 0, in that mo- ment of mortal extremity, may the " Lamp of thy Love" dispel the gloom of the dark valley; and may we be enabled to " work an entrance " into the Celes- tial Lodge above, and in thy glorious presence, amidst its ineffable mysteries, enjoy a union with the souls of our departed friends, perfect as are the joys of heaven and durable as eternity ! Grant this, 0, our Heav- enly Father, for the sake of Him who gave himself for us, and drank the bitter cup of death that man might live ; and who hath taught us when we pray to say :
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
[The above ceremonies may be performed either at the Lodge, the house of the deceased, or in the church edifice, if the corpse is taken there, and religious services be performed. If at the house of the deceased, the Master will take his station at the head of the coffin, which will be uncovered, the Wardens at the
168 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
foot, and the Brethren around it, and commence as above de- scribed. At the conclusion, the coffin will be closed. If in the church, immediately after the benediction, the Master, War- dens, and Brethren will place themselves as above directed, when the ceremonies will commence.]
A procession will then be again formed, and march to the place of interment, in the order prescribed. The members of the Lodge will form a circle round the grave. The clergy and officers will take their station at the head, and the mourners at the foot, when the service will be resumed by the Master as follows :
My Brethren, — We are again called upon, by a most solemn admonition, to regard the uncertainty of human life, the immutable certainty of death, and the vanity of all earthly pursuits. Decrepitude and decay are written on every living thing. The cradle and the coffin stand side by side; and it is a melancholy truth that, as soon as we begin to live, that moment also we begin to die. Weakness and imperfection are the in- cidents of our condition ; the damp, dark grave is our destiny and our doom. It is passing strange that, not- withstanding the daily mementos of mortality that cross our path — notwithstanding the funeral bell so often tolls in our ears, and the " mournful processions " go about our streets — that we will not consider our latter end, and lay it more seriously to heart that we must ourselves go down in the silent chambers of the tomb. What an eloquent commentary is here exhib- ited upon the instability of every human pursuit; and how touchingly, with what deep pathos, does it echo the sad sentiment of the great preacher, who — having tested all the pleasures and fascinations of this world ; having drank deep from the golden cup of its ambi-
FUNERAL SERVICE. 169
tion, its honors, and its wealth, of its intellectual en- joyments, and its sensual gratifications — wrote from remorseful experience, and for our perpetual warning, the immortal text : '• Vanity of vanities; all is vanity T My Brethren, does not that warning voice come to us with most peculiar emphasis in this " valley of death?" And shall it not exercise over our future actions the deep and pervading influence its high Masonic source is entitled to command ?
The last offices that we pay to the dead are useless forms, except as they constitute lessons to the living. The cold, marble form, enclosed in the u narrow house" before you, is alike insensible to our sorrows and our ceremonies. It matters not now to him whether two or three gather around his grave to perform his funeral ritual, or that hundreds have assembled; with the banners and insignia of our Order, to deposit him in his final resting-place. It is of little moment how, or in what manner, his obsequies are performed — whether the wild v/inds chant his requiem, or it be accompanied with the minstrelsy of many voices. He has gone to accomplish the destiny of all our race ; his body will return into the ground from which it was taken ; and in the solemn solitude of the grave his dust will mingle with its kindred dust.
But, my Brethren, could that inanimate form once more heave with vitality ; could the rigid tongue be loosed, so that it might again articulate — 0, with a knowledge of all the fearful secrets of his mysterious journey ! — with what startling emphasis would he not plead with us to "prepare to meet our God !" It is
170 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
infatuation — it is sorcery most fatal and delusive — that has enchanted our faculties and drugged our better judgment, else such a voice would come up to us from every new-made grave !
. But it is the fashion of the world, whenever this solemn subject is thrust upon it, to postpone the con- sideration for a " more convenient season." Pleasure, ambition, amusement, and business engross our every sense. We go on from one design to another; add hope to hope ; one plan of business is consummated, another plan is commenced ; and thus there is laid out employment for many coming years; and it may be that, when most busy, at a season of all others the most unpropitious — because the most unlooked-for — the pale messenger obtrudes upon us his dreadful sum- mons, and we are hurried off to our eternal audit with all our imperfections on our heads.
What, then, are all the externals of human dignity, the power of wealth, the dreams of ambition, the pride of intellect, or the charms of beauty, when nature has paid her just debt? Fix your eyes on the last sad scene, and view humanity, stript of its dazzling, mere- tricious ornaments, you must needs be persuaded of the utter emptiness of these delusions. The monarch of an hundred provinces — at whose bidding nations pay obeisance — and the poor beggar that shivers at his gate are equals in the house of death. The one is obliged to part with his scepter and his crown ; the other has no further use for his wallet and his rags — and both are indebted to their Mother Earth for a common sepulture. In the grave all fallacies are
FUNERAL SERVICE. 171
detected, all ranks are leveled, and all distinctions are done away.
While we drop the sympathetic tear over the grave of our departed Brother, let us cast around his foi- bles— whatever they may have been — the broad mantle of a Mason s charity, nor withhold from its memory the just commendation that his virtues claim at our hands. It is of record in the Volume of Eternal Truth that perfection on earth can never be attained. The best of created men did most grievously err, and the wisest of our race went sadly astray. Suf- fer, then, the apologies of human nature to plead in behalf of him who can not longer extenuate for himself.
Our present meeting and proceedings will have been vain and useless, if they fail to excite our serious re- flections and strengthen our resolutions for amendment. Be then persuaded, my Brethren, by the uncertainty of life and the unsubstantial nature of all its pursuits, and postpone no longer that preparation which it is wisdom to provide and madness to defer. Let us each embrace the present propitious moment; and now, while time and gracious opportunity offer, prepare for the exigencies of our latter end, when the pleasures of this world will be as poisoned cups to our lips, and the reflections consequent upon a well-spent life alone af- ford us comfort and consolation.
Let us here resolve to maintain, with greater assi- duity, the dignified character of our profession. May out faith be evinced in a correct moral walk and de- portment ; may our hope be bright as the glorious
172 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
mysteries that will be revealed hereafter; and our charity boundless as the wants of humanity !
And, having faithfully discharged the duties which we owe to God, to our neighbor, and ourselves, when at last it shall please the GRAND MASTER of the Universe to send his Tyler, Death, to summon us into his eternal presence, may the trestle-board of our whole lives pass such inspection that it may be given unto each one of us to u eat of the hidden manna," and to receive the " white stone with the new name written," that will insure perpetual and unspeakable happiness in the Paradise of God !
The following Invocations are then made :
Master. — May we be true and faithful to each other, and may we live and die in love !
Response.— So mote it be.
Master. — May we profess what is good, and always act agreeable to our profession !
Response. — So mote it be.
Master. — May the Lord bless us and keep us ; may the Lord be gracious unto us, and may all our good intentions be crowned with success !
Response. — So mote it be.
Master. — Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace — good-will towards men !
Response. — So mote it be — now, henceforth, and for- ever. Amen.
The service is then resumed by the Master as follows: "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall
FUNERAL SERVICE. 173
he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall
never die.
Here the apron is taken from the coffin and handed to the Master, and the coffin is deposited in the earth, when the serv- ice is resumed.
For as much as it has pleased Almighty God, wise in his Providence, to take out of the world the soul of our deceased brother, we therefore commit his body to the ground — earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The Secretary will then advance and deposit the Roll in the grave with the usual forms.
Master. — Friend and Brother, we bid thee fare- well ! Thou art at rest from thy labors ; may it be in peace !
Response. — So mote it be. Amen.
Then may be sung, or rehearsed by the Master, the following, or some other appropriate hymn :
HYMN.
I. Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,
Though sorrow and darkness encompass the tomb ; The Savior has passed through its portals before thee,
And the lamp of his love is thy guide through the gloom.
II. Thou art gone to the grave— we no longer behold thee,
Nor tread the rough path of the world by thy side ; But the wide arms of mercy were spread to enfold thee,
For all men may hope since the Sinless has died.
III. Thou art gone to the grave, but 't were wrong to deplore thee,
When God was thy ransom, thy guardian, and guide; He gave thee, and took thee, and soon will restore thee,
Where death has no sting since the Savior has died.
174 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
The service is then resumed by the Master, who, presenting the Apron, says :
The Lamb Skin, or White Apron, is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason. It is more an- cient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle ; more honorable than the Star and Garter.
The Master then deposits it in the grave.
This emblem I now deposit in the grave of our de- ceased Brother. We are thus reminded of the uni- versal domination of Death. The arm of friendship can not interpose to prevent his coming; the wealth of the world can not purchase our release ; nor will the innocence of youth or the charms of beauty propitiate his purpose. The mattock, the coffin, and the melan- choly grave admonish us of our mortality ; and that, sooner or later, these frail, weak bodies must molder in their parent dust.
The Master, holding the Evergreen in his hand, continues •
This Evergreen is an emblem of our faith in the im- mortality of the soul. By this we are reminded of our high and glorious destiny beyond the " world of shadows;" and that there dwells within our tabernacle of clay an imperishable, immortal spirit, over which the grave has no dominion and death no power.
The brethren will now move in procession round the grave, and severally drop in it the sprig of evergreen * after which the Public Grand Honors are given. The Master then continues the ceremony in the following words :
From time immemorial it has been the custom among the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, at the request of a brother, to accompany his corpse to
FUNERAL DIRGE. 175
the place of interment, there to deposit it with the usual formalities.
In conformity to this ancient usage, and at the re- quest of our deceased brother, we have assembled at this time, in the character of Masons, to offer up be- fore the world the last sad tribute of our affection ; thereby to demonstrate, in the strongest possible manner, the sincerity of the past esteem for him, and our steady attachment to the principles of the Order.
We have now, with the usual Masonic ceremonies, committed the body of a brother to its kindred dust. We leave him in the hands of a Being who has done all things well.
To those of his immediate relatives and friends, who are most heart-stricken at the loss we have all sustained, we have nothing of this world's consolation to offer. We can only deeply, sincerely, and most af- fectionately sympathize with them in their affective bereavement. But, in the beautiful spirit of the Christian's theology, we dare to say that He who " tempers the wind to the shorn lamb '' looks down with infinite compassion upon the widow and father- less in the hour of their desolation ; and that the same benevolent Savior who wept tears of sympathy at the grave in Bethany, will fold the arms of His love and protection around those who put their trust and confi- dence in him.
The service is concluded with the following or some other suitable prayer :
Almighty and Most Merciful God, in whom we live and move and have our being, and before whom all
176 UNIVERSAL MONITOR.
men must appear to render an account for the deeds done in the body, we do most earnestly beseech thee, as we now surround the grave of our fallen Brother, to impress deeply upon our minds the solemnities of this day. May we ever remember that " in the midst of life we are in death," and so live and act our sev- eral parts as we will desire to have done when the hour of our departure is at hand.
And 0, Gracious Father, vouchsafe us, we pray thee, thy divine assistance to redeem our misspent time ; and in the discharge of the duties thou hast assigned us, in the erection of our moral edifice, may we have wisdom from on high to direct us, strength commensurate with our task to support us, and the beauty of holiness to render all our performances ac- ceptable in thy sight. And at last, when our work on earth is done, when the mallet of death shall call us from our labors^ may we obtain a blessed and everlast- ing rest in that Spiritual House, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens !
Amen. So mote it be.
The procession will return to the place whence it set out,; where the necessary duties are complied with, and the Lodge is closed in the Third Degree.
FUNERAL SERVICE. 177
FUNERAL DIRGE.
Solemn strikes the funeral chime ! Notes of our departing time, As we journey here below, Through a pilgrimage of woe !
Mortals now indulge a tear, For mortality is near! See how wide her trophies wave, O'er the slumbers of the grave !
Here another guest we bring ! Seraphs of celestial wing, To our funeral altar come — Waft this Friend and Brother home I
Lord of all ! below — above — Fill our hearts with Truth and Love ! When dissolves our earthly tie, Take us to thy Lodge on high !
CEREMONIES
TO BE OBSERVED AT THE
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
OF
GRAND LODGES.
12
PART FOURTH.
CEREMONIES
TO BE OBSERVED AT THE
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
OF
GEAND LODGES.
At the time appointed for the ceremonies, the Grand Lodge being opened in the Third Degree of Masonry, the chair must be taken by some Grand or Deputy Grand Master ; or, if none such be present, then by some member of a subordinate Lodge who may have passed one of those stations; or, if none such be pres- ent, then by some competent brother who may have been duly installed as Worshipful Master of a chartered Lodge, and is at the time a member of some regular Lodge.
The brother officiating in the ceremonies, who, for the time be- ing, will be addressed by the title of M. W. Grand Master, will first appoint some suitable brethren to act in the ceremonies as Grand Chaplain and Grand Marshal.
He will direct the Grand Secretary to call the names of the officers elect, to be installed, who will come forward and be ar- ranged by the Grand Marshal in order before the Grand Master
When in order, the Grand Marshal will make the following announcement :