Officers of a New Lodge.
The new Lodge having been constituted, etc., the Grand Master says:
G. M.: This Lodge having been constituted, I will now install its
officers. Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, collect the official
jewels, place them upon the altar, and present Brother ---- ----, who
has been elected Worshipful Master.
The Deputy Grand Master now conducts the W. M. elect before the altar,
facing the East, and says:
D. G. M.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I present Brother ---- ----, to
be installed Worshipful Master of this Lodge.
G. M.: Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, have you carefully examined
the brother, and do you find him qualified to discharge the duties of
the office for which he has been chosen?
D. G. M.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I find him to be qualified and
of good morals, of great skill, true and trusty; and, as he is a lover
of the Fraternity, I doubt not he will discharge his duties with
fidelity and honor.
The Grand Master will perform the installation service to the end,
continuing the ceremony as for annually elected officers, the Deputy
Grand Master assisting.
Annually Elected Officers.
Installing his successor is usually the prerogative of the retiring
Worshipful Master, although any Past Master may act as installing
officer for the occasion. A competent brother (usually a Past Master)
will be appointed to act as Marshal, who will present the officers-elect
for installation. All things being in order, the Installing Officer
says:
Inst. Off.: Brother Marshal, you will present the Worshipful
Master-elect for installation.
Mar: Worshipful Master, I present Brother ----, who has been elected
Worshipful Master of this Lodge, and is now ready for installation.
Inst. Off.: Brethren, you now behold before you Brother ---- ----, who
has been elected to serve this Lodge as Worshipful Master, and now
declares himself ready for installation. If any of you have any reason
to urge why he should not be installed you will make it known now, or
forever after hold your peace. No objection being offered, I shall now
install him.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, I congratulate you upon your election as
Worshipful Master of this Lodge, and it will afford me great pleasure to
invest you with the authority and the insignia of your office. Previous
to your investiture, however, it is necessary that you signify your
assent to those charges and regulations which point out the duty of the
Master of a Lodge:
I. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral
law?
II. You agree to be a peaceable citizen and cheerfully to conform to the
laws of the country in which you reside?
III. You promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against
the government, but patiently submit to the law and the constituted
authorities?
IV. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates, to work
diligently, live creditably, and act honorably toward all men?
V. You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of
Freemasonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate,
according to their stations, and submit to the awards and resolutions of
your brethren, in Lodge convened, in every case consistent with the
Constitutions of the Fraternity?
VI. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against
intemperance and excess?
VII. You agree to be cautious in your behavior, courteous to your
brethren, and faithful to your Lodge?
VIII. You promise to respect genuine brethren, and discountenance
impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry?
IX. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the
social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the mystic art?
X. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time being, and
to his officers when duly installed, and strictly to conform to every
edict of the Grand Lodge that is not subversive of the principles and
groundwork of Masonry?
XI. You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to
make innovations in the body of Masonry?
XII. You promise a regular attendance on the communications of the Grand
Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and to pay a proper attention to all
the duties of Masonry, on convenient occasions?
XIII. You admit that no new Lodge shall be formed without permission of
the Grand Lodge, and that no countenance be given to any irregular
Lodge, or to any person clandestinely made therein, being contrary to
the ancient charges of Freemasonry?
XIV. You admit that no person can be regularly made a Mason in, or
admitted a member of, any regular Lodge without previous notice and due
inquiry into his character?
XV. You agree that no visitor shall be received into your Lodge without
due examination, or being properly vouched for?
These are the regulations of Free and Accepted Masons. Do you submit to
these charges and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have
done in all ages before you?
The Master answers: I do.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, in consequence of your conformity to the
charges and regulations of the Fraternity, you are now to be installed
Master of this Lodge, in full confidence of your skill and capacity to
govern the same.
The Master is then regularly invested with the insignia of his office,
and the furniture and implements of the Lodge are placed in his charge.
The various implements of his profession are emblematical of his conduct
in life, and are fully explained, as follows:
Inst. Off.: The Holy Writings, that Great Light in Masonry, which guides
us to all truth, directs our path to the temple of happiness, and points
out the whole duty of man.
The Square teaches us to regulate our actions and harmonize our conduct
with the principles of morality and virtue.
The Compasses teach us to limit our desires in every station, that,
rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected and die regretted.
The Rule directs us to punctually observe our duty, press forward in the
path of virtue, and, inclining neither to the right nor to the left, in
all our actions to have eternity in view.
The Line, the emblem of moral rectitude, teaches us to avoid
dissimulation in conversation and action, and to walk in the path which
leads to a blessed immortality.
The Constitution and Laws you are to search at all times and cause to be
read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent
precepts they enjoin.
You now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which this
Lodge is held. You are carefully to preserve the same and duly transmit
it to your successor in office.
You will also receive in charge the By-Laws of your Lodge, which you are
to see carefully and punctually executed.
The new Master is conducted to the East and placed on the right of the
Installing Officer until the other officers are installed.
The other officers are then severally presented by the Marshal to the
Installing Officer, who delivers to each his appropriate charge.
Senior Warden.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Senior Warden of
this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as
Senior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties
appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He assents.)
You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.
The Level teaches that we are descended from the same stock, partake of
the same nature, and share the same hope; "that we are all children of
one common father, heirs of the same infirmities, and exposed to the
same vicissitudes." It also reminds us that, although distinctions among
men are necessary to preserve subordination, no eminence of station
should make us forget that we are brethren, and that in the Lodge and in
all our Masonic associations, we are on a level. This implement teaches
us that a time will come, and the wisest knows not how soon, when all
distinctions but that of goodness, shall cease, and death, the grand
leveler of all human greatness, reduce us to the same state.
Your regular attendance on the stated and other meetings of the Lodge is
essentially necessary. In the absence of the Master you are to govern
the Lodge, and in his presence assist him in the government of it. Hence
you will perceive the necessity of preparing yourself for the important
duties which may devolve upon you. Look well to the West, and guard with
scrupulous care the pillar committed to your charge.
He is conducted to his proper station.
Junior Warden.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Junior Warden of
this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as
Junior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties
appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He assents.)
You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.
The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations; to do
unto others as we would have others do to us; to observe the just medium
between intemperance and pleasure, and make our passions and prejudices
coincide with the line of our duty.
In the absence of the Master and Senior Warden upon you devolves the
government of the Lodge; but to you is especially committed the
superintendence of the Craft during the hours of refreshment; it is,
therefore, not only necessary that you should be temperate and discreet
in the indulgence of your own inclinations, but carefully observe that
none of the Craft convert the purpose of refreshment into intemperance
or excess. Look well to the South. Guard with vigilance the pillar
committed to your charge, that nothing may disturb the harmony of the
Lodge or mar its beauty.
He is conducted to his proper station.
Treasurer.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Treasurer of this
Lodge and will now be invested with the jewel of your office.
It is your duty to receive all moneys belonging to the Lodge from the
Secretary, keep a just and true account thereof, and pay them out by
order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the Lodge. Your own honor
and the confidence the brethren repose in you will arouse you to that
faithfulness in the discharge of the duties of your office which its
important nature demands.
He is conducted to his station.
Secretary.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Secretary of this
Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewel of your office.
It is your duty to "keep a faithful record of all things pertaining to
the Lodge, proper to be written, transmit a copy of the same to the
Grand Lodge when required, receive all moneys due the Lodge and pay them
to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same."
Your love for the Craft and attachment to the Lodge will induce you
cheerfully to fulfill the very important duties of your office, and in
so doing you will merit the esteem of your brethren.
He is conducted to his station.
Chaplain.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been appointed Chaplain of this
Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewel of your office.
It will be your duty to perform those solemn services which we should
constantly render to our infinite Creator, and which, when offered by
one whose holy profession is "to point to heaven and lead the way," may,
by refining our souls, strengthening our virtues, and purifying our
minds, prepare us for admission into the society of those above, whose
happiness will be as endless as it is perfect.
He is conducted to his station, which is in the East in front and to the
left of the W. M.
The Senior and Junior Deacons.
Inst. Off.: Brothers ---- and ----, you are appointed Deacons of this
Lodge, and are now invested with the badge of your office. It is your
province to attend on the Master and Wardens and to act as their proxies
in the active duties of the Lodge; such as in the reception of
candidates into the different degrees of Masonry, the introduction and
accommodation of visitors, and in the immediate practice of our rites.
The Square and Compasses, as badges of your office, I entrust to your
care, not doubting your vigilance and attention.
They are conducted to their stations.
Masters of Ceremonies.
Inst. Off.: Brothers ---- and ----, you have been appointed Masters of
Ceremonies of this Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewels of
your office. The positions to which you are assigned in the Lodge are
very important. You are to assist the Senior Deacon and other officers
in performing their respective duties. Your conduct should be courteous
and dignified. Remember that in your company the candidate will receive
his first impressions of our institution. Your regular and early
attendance at our meetings will afford the best proof of your zeal and
attachment to the Lodge.
They are conducted to their stations.
Tiler.
Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been appointed Tiler of this
Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewel and the implement of your
office.
As the Sword is placed in the hands of the Tiler to enable him
effectually to guard the Lodge against the approach of cowans and
eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are
duly qualified and have permission of the Worshipful Master, so it
should morally serve as a constant admonition to us to set a guard over
our thoughts, a watch at our lips, and a sentinel over our actions,
thereby preventing the approach of every unworthy thought or deed, and
preserving consciences void of offence toward God and toward man. Your
early and punctual attendance will give us the best proof of your
appreciation of and love for the institution.
He is conducted to his station.
The Installing Officer, addressing the Master, when presenting the
Gavel, explains its power and use.