their prefiding officers are not entitled to the rank of past mafters; their officers are not privileged with a vote or voice in the grand lodge; they cannot change their officers without the fpecial approbation and appointment of the grand lodge; and in cafe of the ceffation of fuch lodges, their funds, jewels, and other property, accumulated by initiations into the feveral degrees, become the property of the grand lodge, and must be delivered over to the grand treafurer. When lodges, that are at first instituted by difpenfation, have paffed a proper term of probation, they make application to the grand lodge for a charter of constitution. If this be obtained, they are then confirmed in the poffeffion of their property, and poffefs all the rights and privileges of regularly conftituted lodges, as long as they conform to the conftitutions of masonry. After a charter is granted by the grand lodge, the grand mafter appoints a day and hour for conftituting and confecrating the new lodge, and for inftalling its mafter, wardens, and other officers. If the grand mafter, in perfon, attends the ceremony, the lodge is faid to be conftituted in ample form; if the deputy grand mafter only, it is faid to be conftituted in due form; but if the power of performing the ceremony is vefted in a fubordinate lodge, it is faid to be conftituted in form. When charters of conftitution are granted for places where the distance is so great as to render it inconvenient for the grand officers to attend, the grand mafter, or his deputy, iffues a written inftrument under his hand and private feal, to some worthy present or paft mafter, with full power to conjugate, conftitute and inftall the petitioners. Ceremony of Conftitution and Confecration. On the day and hour appointed, the grand mafter and his officers meet in a convenient room near to that in which the lodge to be conftituted is affembled, and open the grand lodge in the three degrees of masonry. The officers of the new lodge are to be examined by the deputy grand mafter, after which they return to their lodge. The new lodge then fends a meffenger to the grand mafter with the following meffage, viz. "MOST WORSHIPFUL, "The officers and brethren of........... lodge, who are now affembled at .........., have inftructed me to inform you, that the most worshipful grand lodge [or grand mafter] was pleased to grant them a letter of difpenfation, bearing date the day of .........., in the year........., authorising them to form and open a lodge of free and accepted mafons, in the town of .......; that fince that period they have regularly affembled, and conducted the business of mafonry according to the best of their abilities; that their proceedings having received the approbation of the M. W. grand lodge, they have obtained a charter of conftitution, and are defirous that their lodge should be confecrated, and their officers inftalled, agreeably to the ancient ufages and cuftoms of the craft; for which purpose they are now met, and await the pleasure of the most worshipful grand mafter.". He then returns to his lodge, who prepare for the reception of the grand lodge. When notice is given that they are prepared, the grand lodge walk in proceffion to their hall. When the grand mafter enters, the grand honours are given by the new lodge; the officers of which refign their feats to the grand officers, and take their feveral ftations on the left. The neceffary cautions are then given, and all, excepting mafters and paft mafters of lodges, are requested to retire until the mafter of the new lodge is placed in the chair of Solomon. He is then bound to the faithful performance of his truft, and invested with the characteristics of the chair. Upon due notice, the grand marshal reconducts the brethren into the hall, and alf take their places, except the members of the new lodge, who form a proceffion on one fide of the hall, to falute their mafter. As they advance, the grand mafter addreffes them, "Brethren, bebold your master!" As they pafs, they make the proper falutation; and when they have all paffed, he joins them, and takes his "appropriate station. A grand proceffion is then formed in the fol lowing order, viz. Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; Master Masons; Junior Deacons ; The New Lodge. Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; Master Masons; Deacons ; Secretary and Treasurer; Two Brethren, carrying the Lodge; The Holy Writings, carried by the Oldest Member not in office; The Master; The Grand Lodge. Grand Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; A Brother, carrying a Golden Vessel of Corn;† A Burning Taper, borne by a Past Master; Square and Compass, supported by two Stewards, with Rods, * Flooring. + Wheat, Two Burning Tapers, borne by two Past Masters; The Tuscan and Composite Orders; Junior and Senior Grand Wardens; The Master of the Oldest Lodge, carrying the Book of Constitutions; The Grand Deacons, on a line seven feet apart, on the right and left The whole proceffion moves on to the church or house where the fervices are to be performed. When the front of the proceffion arrives at the door, they halt, open to the right and left, and face inward, while the grand mafter, and others in fucceffion, pafs through, and enter the house. A platform is erected in front of the pulpit, and provided with feats for the accommodation of the grand officers. The bible, fquare and compass, and book of conftitutions, are placed upon a table, in front of the grand mafter; the lodge is placed in the centre, upon the platform, covered with white fatin or linen, and encompaffed by the three tapers, and the veffels of corn, wine and oil. A piece of mufic is performed, and the publie fervices commence with prayer. An oration, or fermon, upon the defign and principles of the inftitution, is then delivered by the grand chaplain, or fome one appointed for that purpose, which is fucceeded by a piece of mufic. The grand marfhal then directs the officers and members of the new lodge to form in front |