At the time appointed for the celebration of the ceremony of dedication,
the Grand Master and his officers, accompanied by the members of the
Grand Lodge, meet in a convenient room, near to the place where the
ceremony is to be performed, and the Grand Lodge is opened in ample
form.
The procession is then formed, under direction of the Grand Marshal,
when the Grand Lodge moves to the hall to be dedicated, in the following
order:
Music;
Tiler, with drawn sword;
Stewards, with white rods;
Master Masons;
Grand Secretaries;
Grand Treasurers;
A Past Master, bearing the Holy Writings, Square and Compass,
supported by two Stewards, with rods;
Two Burning Tapers, borne by two Past Masters;
Chaplain and Orator;
Past Grand Wardens;
Past Deputy Grand Masters;
Past Grand Masters;
The Globes;
Junior Grand Warden, carrying a silver vessel with corn;
Senior Grand Warden, carrying a silver vessel with wine;
Deputy Grand Master, carrying a golden vessel with oil;
The Lodge,
Covered with white linen, carried by four Brethren;
Master of the oldest Lodge, carrying Book of Constitutions;
Grand Master,
Supported by two Deacons, with rods.
When the Grand Officers arrive at the center of the Lodge room, the
Grand honors are given.
The Grand Officers then repair to their respective stations.
The Lodge is placed in front of the altar, toward the East, and the gold
and silver vessels and lights are placed around it.
These arrangements being completed, the following or some other
appropriate Ode is sung:
Master Supreme! accept our praise;
Still bless this consecrated band;
Parent of light! illume our ways,
And guide us by thy sovereign hand.
May Faith, Hope, Charity, divine,
Here hold their undivided reign;
Friendship and Harmony combine
To soothe our cares--to banish pain.
May pity dwell within each breast,
Relief attend the suffering poor;
Thousands by this, our Lodge, be blest,
Till worth, distress'd, shall want no more.
The Master of the Lodge to which the hall to be dedicated belongs, then
rises, and addresses the Grand Master as follows:
Most Worshipful: The brethren of ...... Lodge, being animated with a
desire to promote the honor and interest of the Craft, have erected a
Masonic Hall, for their convenience and accommodation. They are desirous
that the same should be examined by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge; and
if it should meet their approbation, that it be solemnly dedicated to
Masonic purposes, agreeably to ancient form and usage.
The Architect or Brother who has had the management of the structure
then addresses the Grand Master as follows:
Most Worshipful: Having been entrusted with the superintendence and
management of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice;
and having, according to the best of my ability, accomplished the task
assigned me, I now return my thanks for the honor of this appointment,
and beg leave to surrender up the implements which were committed to my
care, when the foundation of this fabric was laid, (presenting to the
Grand Master the Square, Level and Plumb), humbly hoping that the
exertions which have been made on this occasion will be crowned with
your approbation, and that of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.
To which the Grand Master replies:
Brother Architect: The skill and fidelity displayed in the execution of
the trust reposed in you at the commencement of this undertaking, have
secured the entire approbation of the Grand Lodge; and they sincerely
pray that this edifice may continue a lasting monument of the taste,
spirit, and liberality of its founders.
The Deputy Grand Master then rises, and says:
Most Worshipful: The hall in which we are now assembled, and the plan
upon which it has been constructed, having met with your approbation,
it is the desire of the Fraternity that it should be now dedicated,
according to ancient form and usage.
The Lodge is then uncovered, and a procession is made around it in the
following form, during which solemn music is played.
Grand Tiler, with drawn sword;
A Past Master, with light;
A Past Master, with Bible, Square and Compass,
on a velvet cushion;
Two Past Masters, each with a light;
Grand Secretary and Treasurer, with emblems;
Grand Junior Warden, with vessel of corn;
Grand Senior Warden, with vessel of wine;
Deputy Grand Master, with vessel of oil;
Grand Master;
Two Stewards, with rods.
When the procession arrives at the East, it halts; the music ceases, and
the Grand Chaplain makes the following
Consecration Prayer.
Almighty and ever-glorious and gracious Lord God, Creator of all things,
and Governor of everything Thou hast made, mercifully look upon Thy
servants, now assembled in Thy name and in Thy presence, and bless and
prosper all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee. Graciously
bestow upon us Wisdom, in all our doings; Strength of mind in all our
difficulties, and the Beauty of harmony and holiness in all our
communications and work. Let Faith be the foundation of our Hope, and
Charity the fruit of our obedience to Thy revealed will.
May all the proper work of our institution that may be done in this
house be such as Thy wisdom may approve and Thy goodness prosper. And,
finally, graciously be pleased, O Thou Sovereign Architect of the
Universe, to bless the Craft, wheresoever dispersed, and make them true
and faithful to Thee, to their neighbor, and to themselves. And when the
time of our labor is drawing near to an end, and the pillar of our
strength is declining to the ground, graciously enable us to pass
through the "valley of the shadow of death," supported by Thy rod and
Thy staff, to those mansions beyond the skies where love, and peace, and
joy forever reign before Thy throne. Amen.
Response: So mote it be!
All the other brethren keep their places, and assist in singing the Ode,
which continues during the procession, excepting only at the intervals
of dedication.
Song.
Tune--Old Hundred.
Genius of Masonry, descend,
And with thee bring thy spotless train,
Constant our sacred rites attend,
While we adore thy peaceful reign.
The first procession being made around the Lodge, the Grand Master
having reached the East, the Grand Junior Warden presents the vessel of
Corn to the G. Master, saying:
Most Worshipful: In the dedications of Masonic Halls, it has been of
immemorial custom to pour corn upon the Lodge, as an emblem of
nourishment. I, therefore, present you this vessel of corn, to be
employed by you according to ancient usage.
The Grand Master then, striking thrice with his mallet pours the corn
upon the Lodge, saying:
In the name of the great Jehovah, to whom be all honor and glory, I do
solemnly dedicate this hall to Freemasonry.
The grand honors are given.
Bring with thee Virtue, brightest maid!
Bring Love, bring Truth, bring Friendship here;
While social Mirth shall lend her aid
To soothe the wrinkled brow of Care.
The second procession is then made around the Lodge, and the Grand
Senior Warden presents the vessel of wine to the Grand Master, saying:
Most Worshipful: Wine, the emblem of refreshment, having been used by
our ancient brethren in the dedication and consecration of their Lodges,
I present you this vessel of wine, to be used on the present occasion
according to ancient Masonic form.
The Grand Master then sprinkles the wine upon the Lodge, saying:
In the name of the holy Saints John, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to
Virtue.
The grand honors are twice repeated.
Bring Charity! with goodness crowned,
Encircled in thy heavenly robe!
Diffuse thy blessings all around,
To every corner of the Globe!
The third procession is then made round the Lodge, and the Deputy Grand
Master presents the vessel of oil to the Grand Master, saying:
Most Worshipful: I present you, to be used according to ancient custom,
this vessel of oil, an emblem of that joy which should animate every
bosom on the completion of every important undertaking.
The Grand Master then sprinkles the oil upon the Lodge, saying:
In the name of the whole Fraternity, I do solemnly dedicate this hall to
Universal Benevolence.
The grand honors are thrice repeated.
To Heaven's high Architect all praise,
All praise, all gratitude be given,
Who deigned the human soul to raise,
By mystic secrets, sprung from Heaven.