Ceremony for Instituting a Lodge Under Dispensation.
The members of the new Lodge, whether they are to be instituted by the
Grand Master, or by a brother deputized by him, will, in either case, be
notified by the Master to assemble in their Lodge room at the time
determined upon. After the brethren are assembled, the Grand Master, or
Instituting Officer, will assume the East and announce the object of the
meeting. He then causes the Letter of Dispensation to be read, after
which the names of the officers appointed by the Grand Master and by the
Master of the new Lodge will be announced. As these names are called,
the officers will form in line near and facing the East, when each
officer will be invested with his jewel. The new Master will then be
seated in the East, on the right of the Instituting Officer. The Wardens
and other officers will take their respective stations. The Instituting
Officer will then open the Lodge on the third degree of Masonry, and
deliver to the officers and brethren the following
Charges to the Officers and Brethren.
Inst. Off.: Worshipful Master: (Who rises.) The Grand Master having
committed to your care the superintendence and government of the
brethren who are to compose this new lodge, you cannot be insensible of
the obligations which devolve on you, as their head, nor of your
responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties
attached to your office.
The honor, reputation, and usefulness of your Lodge will materially
depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns;
while the happiness of its members will be generally promoted in
proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the genuine
principles of our institution.
For a pattern of imitation, consider the sun, which, rising in the east,
regularly diffuses light and luster to all within its circle. In like
manner, it is in your province to spread and communicate light and
instruction to the brethren of your Lodge. Forcibly impress upon them
the dignity and high importance of Masonry; and seriously admonish them
never to disgrace it. Charge them to practice out of the Lodge, those
duties which they have been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and
virtuous conduct, to convince mankind of the goodness of the
Institution; so that, when any one is said to be a member of it, the
world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out
its sorrows, to whom distress may prefer its suit, whose hand is guided
by justice, and whose heart is expanded by benevolence. In short, by a
diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the Constitution of
Masonry, and above all, the Holy Scriptures, which are given as a rule
and guide to your faith, you will be enabled to acquit yourself with
honor and reputation.
Charge to the Wardens.
Brothers Senior and Junior Wardens: (Who are called up by one knock.)
You are too well acquainted with the principles of Masonry to warrant
any distrust that you will be found wanting in the discharge of your
respective duties. What you have seen praiseworthy in others you should
carefully imitate, and what in them may have appeared defective, you
should in yourselves amend. You should be examples of good order and
regularity, for it is only by a due regard to the laws, in your own
conduct, that you can expect obedience to them from others. You are
assiduously to assist the Master in the discharge of his trust,
diffusing light and imparting knowledge to all whom he shall place under
your care. In the absence of the Master you will succeed to higher
duties; your acquirements must therefore be such that the Craft may
never suffer for want of proper instruction. From the spirit which you
have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubt that your future conduct
will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren, and the
testimony of a good conscience.
Charge to the Brethren of the Lodge.
* * *
Brethren of ...... Lodge, such is the nature of our Constitution, that
as some must of necessity rule and teach, so others must, of course,
learn to submit and obey. Humility in both is an essential duty. The
officers who are appointed to govern the Lodge are sufficiently
conversant with the rules of propriety and the laws of the Institution
to avoid exceeding the powers with which they are intrusted, and you
are of too generous dispositions to envy their preferment. I therefore
trust that you will have but one aim, to please each other and to unite
in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.
Finally, my brethren, as this association has been formed and perfected
in so much unity and concord, in which we greatly rejoice, so may it
long continue. May you enjoy every satisfaction and delight, which
disinterested friendship can afford. May kindness and brotherly
affection distinguish your conduct as men and Masons. Within your
peaceful walls, may your children, and your children's children
celebrate, with joy and gratitude, the annual recurrence of this
auspicious solemnity. And may the tenets of our profession be
transmitted through your Lodge, pure and unimpaired, from generation to
generation.
Proclamation.
Instituting Officer: (Calls up Lodge.) In the name and by the authority
of the Most Worshipful* Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of
the State of Arkansas, I now declare this Lodge duly instituted and
properly prepared for the transaction of such business as may lawfully
come before it.
* If Grand Master Institutes the Lodge, in person, he will omit what
precedes the * and insert "as."
Instituting Officer: (Addressing Master.) I now deliver to you the
Dispensation empowering you and your brethren to work as a Regular
Lodge. You are its custodian and must see to it that it is present at
all Communications of the Lodge. You must also, as required by law,
safely transmit it to the Grand Secretary just prior to the next Annual
Communication of the Grand Lodge, and when this is done, Masonic work in
this Lodge must cease until the Dispensation is continued by the Grand
Lodge, or until the Lodge is constituted. I now deliver to you the gavel
of authority; wield it, my brother, with prudence and discretion. You
will now assume your station.
Constituting a Newly Chartered Lodge.
After the grant of a charter the new Lodge thus created should be
constituted, and its officers installed, by the Grand Master or his
Deputy or some past or present Master. The Lodge is opened on the Third
Degree. The Marshal forms the officers of the new Lodge in front of the
Installing Officer, whereupon the Deputy G. M. addresses the G. M. as
follows:
Most Worshipful, a number of brethren, duly instructed in the mysteries
of Masonry, having assembled together for some time past by virtue of a
dispensation granted them for that purpose, do now desire to be
regularly constituted as a lodge agreeably to the ancient usages and
customs of the fraternity.
The charter is presented by the D. G. M. to the Grand Master, who
examines it and, if correct, proclaims:
G. M.--The charter appears to be correct and is approved. Upon due
deliberation the Grand Lodge has granted the brethren of this new Lodge
a charter establishing and confirming them in the rights and privileges
of a regularly constituted Lodge. We shall now proceed according to the
ancient usage to constitute these brethren into a regular Lodge.
The officers of the new Lodge deliver up their jewels and badges to
their Master, who presents them, with his own, to the D. G. M. and he to
the G. M.
The D. G. M. then presents the Master-elect to the G. M., saying:
D. G. M.--Most Worshipful, I present to you Brother ----, whom the
members of the Lodge now to be constituted have chosen for their Master.
The G. M. asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with their choice.
(They bow in token of assent.)
The Master-elect then presents, severally, his Wardens and other
officers, naming them and their respective offices. The G. M. asks the
brethren if they remain satisfied with each and all of them. (They bow
as before.)
The officers and members of the new Lodge form in front of the G. M. and
the business of consecration commences.
The G. M. and grand officers form around the Lodge, all kneeling.
A piece of solemn music is performed while the Lodge is being uncovered,
after which the first clause of the consecration prayer is rehearsed by
the Grand Chaplain, as follows:
Great Architect of the Universe; Maker and Ruler of all worlds. Deign
from Thy Celestial Temple, from the realms of light and glory, to bless
us in all the purposes of our present assembly. We humbly invoke Thee
to give us at this, and at all times, Wisdom in all our doings, Strength
of mind in all our difficulties, and the Beauty of harmony in all our
communications. Permit us, O Thou author of life and light, great source
of love and happiness, solemnly to consecrate this Lodge to Thy honor
and glory. Amen.
Response by the Officers of the Grand Lodge:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without
end. Amen.
The Grand Officers will then rise.
Consecration.
The Deputy Grand Master will step forward and present the Vessel of Corn
(wheat) to the Grand Master, who sprinkles a portion of it upon the
symbol of the Lodge, saying:
May the Giver of every good and perfect gift strengthen this Lodge in
all its philanthropic undertakings.
The following may then be sung:
When once of old, in Israel,
Our brethren wrought with toil,
Jehovah's blessings on them fell,
In showers of Corn and Wine and Oil.
In like manner, the Senior Grand Warden presents the Vessel of Wine,
which is sprinkled on the Lodge by the Grand Master, saying:
May this Lodge be continually refreshed at the pure fountain of Masonic
virtue.
The following may then be sung:
When then a shrine to him above
They built, with worship sin to foil,
On threshold and on corner-stone
They poured out Corn and Wine and Oil.
The Junior Grand Warden then presents the Vessel of Oil, which is used
in the same manner, the Grand Master saying:
May the Supreme Ruler of the Universe preserve this Lodge in peace, and
vouchsafe to it every blessing.
The following may then be sung:
And we have come, fraternal bands,
With joy and pride and prosperous spoil,
To honor him by votive hands,
With streams of Corn and Wine and Oil.
Each vessel after use is placed upon the table.
The Grand Master then orders the Officers of the Grand Lodge to kneel as
before, when the Grand Chaplain will rehearse the remaining portion of
the consecration prayer:
Grant, O Lord, our God, that those who are now about to be invested with
the government of this Lodge may be endowed with wisdom to instruct
their brethren in their duties. May brotherly love, relief and truth
always prevail among the members of this Lodge. May this bond of union
continue to strengthen the Lodges throughout the world. Bless all our
brethren, wherever dispersed, and grant speedy relief to all who are
either oppressed or distressed. We affectionately commend to Thee all
the members of this whole family; may they increase in grace, in the
knowledge of Thee, and in love to each other. Finally, may we finish all
our work here below, with Thy approbation; and then may our transition
from this earthly abode be to Thy heavenly Temple above, there to enjoy
light and glory, and bliss ineffable and eternal. Amen.
Response: (By the Officers of the Grand Lodge.) As it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A short piece of solemn music is then performed, during which the Grand
Officers will rise.
Dedication.
The Grand Master steps forward, and extending his hands over the emblem
of the Lodge, exclaims:
To the memory of the Holy Saints John, we dedicate this Lodge. May every
brother revere their character and imitate their virtues.
Response: (By the brethren.) As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Officers of the Grand Lodge will then about face, and stand, while
the brethren of the new Lodge, under direction of the Grand Marshal,
make a circuit in procession, single file, and salute the Grand Officers
with their hands crossed upon their breasts, left over right, and heads
slightly bowed while passing. Upon the completion of this ceremony, the
brethren will resume position, facing inward. The Officers of the Grand
Lodge will also resume original position. The Grand Master will call up,
with his gavel, all present, and then proceed to
Constitute the Lodge.
Grand Master: In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the
State of Arkansas, I now constitute and form you, my beloved brethren,
into a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. From henceforth we
empower you to meet as a Regular Lodge, constituted in conformity to
the rites of our institution, and the charges of our ancient and
honorable Fraternity; and may the Supreme Architect of the Universe
prosper, direct and counsel you in all your doings.
Response by the brethren: So mote it be.
The Officers of the Grand Lodge will, under the direction of the Grand
Marshal, give the Full Grand Honors. The Grand Marshal will then slowly
replace the covering on the Lodge, during which a choir should chant--
"Glory be to God on High."
The Grand Marshal will then conduct the Grand Master to his chair, and
instruct the officers of the Grand Lodge to resume their respective
stations; and the members of the new Lodge to resume their seats. During
these movements instrumental music should be performed.
Grand Master: (Calls up the assembly.) Worshipful Grand Marshal, you
will make proclamation that ...... Lodge, No. ......, has been regularly
constituted.
Grand Marshal: I am directed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to
proclaim, and I do hereby proclaim, that ...... Lodge, No. ......, has
been regularly constituted, and duly registered as such in the Grand
Lodge of Arkansas. This proclamation is made from the East, (one knock
by G. M.); from the West, (one knock by the S. G. W.); from the South,
(one knock by the J. G. W.); once, twice, thrice; the Craft will take
due notice and govern itself accordingly. The Grand Honors are given.
Grand Master seats the brethren.