These ceremonies are conducted only by the Grand Master in person, or by
some brother acting for him, under special dispensation, assisted by the
officers of the Grand Lodge, and such of the Craft as may be invited, or
who may choose to attend, either as Lodges, or as individual brethren.
No corner-stone should be laid with Masonic ceremonies, except those of
acknowledged public structures, or buildings which are to be used for
Masonic purposes; and then only by special request of the proper
authorities.
The Lodge or Lodges in the place where the building is to be erected,
may invite such neighboring Lodges, and other Masonic bodies, as they
may deem proper. The Chief Magistrate, and other Officers of the place,
should also be invited to attend on the occasion.
At the time appointed for the ceremony, a sufficient number of brethren
to act as Grand Officers are convened in a suitable place, where a
Special Communication of the Grand Lodge will be opened on the Third
Degree, and proper instructions given by the Grand Master; after which,
the Officers of the Grand Lodge, under the direction of the Grand
Marshal, will form in the following order:
Grand Tyler.
(with drawn sword.)
Master Masons.
Grand Steward. A Brother. Grand Steward.
(carrying rod.) (carrying Bible, (carrying rod.)
Square and Compass,
on a cushion.)
Grand Chaplain.
Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer,
(carrying scroll, containing (in charge of the box[A]
list of articles to be to be deposited under
placed under the the corner-stone.)
corner-stone.)
Gr'd Steward, Past Gr'd Officers,[B] Gr'd Steward,
(carrying rod.) (in the order of their (carrying rod.)
G rank, two abreast.)
R
A Principal Architect,[C]
N (carrying Square, Level and Plumb.)
D
M Jr. Grand Warden, Sr. Grand Warden,
A (carrying vessel of oil.) (carrying vessel of wine.)
R
S Deputy Grand Master.
H (carrying vessel of corn.)
A
L Master of Oldest Lodge,
. (carrying book of constitutions.)
Jr. Grand Deacon, Grand Master. Sr. Grand Deacon,
(carrying rod.) (carrying rod.)
The procession thus formed will proceed to join the general procession,
if any, and march to the place where the ceremony is to be performed.
[A] This box may be carried by the Treasurer, or be sent in advance to
the site of the corner-stone, as circumstances may dictate.
[B] In the absence of Past Grand Officers, these Stewards will support
the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Warden.
[C] If the architect of the building is not a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, the Square, Level and Plumb will be carried by a brother
appointed for the purpose, who will deliver them to the architect on
arriving at the corner-stone.
When a procession is composed of other than the officers of the Grand
Lodge and Master Masons, it should be formed in the following order:
G Music.
R
A M Military.
N A
D R Civic Societies and Organizations.
S
H Chief Magistrate, Mayor or other Official Guests.
A
L Knights Templar Escort.
.
Grand Lodge.
Should any Masonic body other than those above named appear, they will
be assigned an appropriate place in the procession.
A triumphal arch is usually erected near the place where the ceremony is
to be performed; and the corner-stone should have engraved on its face
the words, "Laid by the Masonic Fraternity," with the date, the year of
Masonry, the name of the Grand Master, and such other particulars as may
be deemed proper.
When the head of the procession reaches the Arch, it will open to the
right and left, facing inward. The Grand Master, uncovering, preceded by
the Grand Marshal and Grand Tyler, and followed by the other Grand
Officers and the Chief Magistrate and civil officers of the place, will
pass through the lines and ascend to the platform. As the Grand Master
and others advance, the remainder of the procession will counter-march
and surround the platform.
The stone should be suspended about six feet from its bed, by a machine
having suitable arrangements for slowly lowering it to its place. All
being in readiness--
The Grand Master will command silence and address the assembly,
announcing the purposes of the occasion, etc., concluding as follows:
The teachings of Freemasonry inculcate, that in all our works, great or
small, begun and finished, we should seek the aid of Almighty God. It is
our first duty, then, to invoke the blessing of the great Architect of
the Universe upon the work in which we are about to engage. I therefore
command the utmost silence, and call upon all to unite with our Grand
Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace.
The brethren uncover, while the Grand Chaplain delivers the following,
or some other appropriate
Prayer.
Almighty God! who hath given us grace at this time, with one accord, to
make our common supplication unto Thee, and dost promise, that where two
or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt grant their
request; fulfill now, O Lord! the desires and petitions of Thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world, knowledge
of Thy truth; and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.
Response: So mote it be.
The choir may then sing an Ode, or a piece of instrumental music may be
performed.
Deposit of Memorials.
Grand Master: R. W. Brother Grand Treasurer, it has ever been the
custom, on occasions like the present, to deposit within a cavity in
the stone, placed in the north-east corner of the edifice, certain
memorials of the period at which it was erected; so that in the lapse of
ages, if the fury of the elements, or the slow but certain ravages of
time, should lay bare its foundation, an enduring record may be found by
succeeding generations, to bear testimony to the energy, industry and
culture of our time. Has such a deposit been prepared?
Grand Treasurer: It has, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and the various
articles of which it is composed are safely enclosed within the casket
now before you.
Grand Master: R. W. Grand Secretary, you will read for the information
of the brethren and others here assembled, a record of the contents of
the casket.
Grand Secretary reads a list of the articles contained in the casket.
Grand Master: R. W. Grand Treasurer, you will now deposit the casket in
the cavity beneath the corner-stone, and may the Great Architect of the
Universe, in His wisdom, grant that ages on ages shall pass away ere it
again be seen of men.
Grand Treasurer, assisted by the Grand Secretary, will place the casket
in the cavity prepared, and report:
Most Worshipful Grand Master, your orders have been duly executed.
Presentation of Working Tools.
Principal Architect delivers the working tools to the Grand Master, who
retains the Trowel, and presents the Square, Level and Plumb to the
Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Warden, respectively,
saying:
Right Worshipful Brethren, you will receive the implements of your
office. With your assistance and that of the Craft, I will now proceed
to lay the corner-stone of this edifice, according to the custom of our
Fraternity. Brother Grand Marshal, you will direct the Craftsmen to
furnish the cement, and prepare to lower the stone.
Laying Stone.
The Grand Master will then spread a portion of the cement. The stone is
then lowered slowly, during which there should be appropriate music. The
Grand Master then says:
Trial of Stone.
R. W. Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper implement of your office?