CHAPTER IX. REMARKS ON THE PRESENT OR PAST MASTER'S DEGREE. THIS degree is usually classed as the fifth in order; which arrangement carries it into a foreign organization, independent of the authority of the Grand Lodges. It is not, however, necessarily connected with any other than the symbolic degrees. It therefore more properly follows as the fourth in order. It should be carefully studied and well understood by every Master of a Lodge, the duties appertaining to whose responsible station are many and various embracing the whole range of Masonic labors, from the Apprentice to the Master- including the Opening and Closing of Lodges -the Initiating, Crafting, and raising of Masons - the forms of Installation and Consecration, in Grand as well as subordinate Lodges -- the ceremonies of Laying the Corner Stones of public edifices of forming and conducting Processions the Constitution of new Lodges — the Dedication of Masonic Halls the Conducting of Funeral Ceremonies and services, with all the detail that go to make up these general duties, and which are particularly set forth in the following sections. FIRST SECTION. ON THE MANNER OF CONSTITUTING A LODGE. Any number of Master Masons, not under seven, desirous of forming a new Lodge, must apply, by petition, to the Grand Lodge of the State in which they reside, as follows - FORM OF A PETITION FOR A NEW LODGE. "To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of —. The undersigned petitioners, being Ancient Free and Accepted Master Masons, having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, and willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Masonry, respectfully represent— "That for the convenience of their respective dwellings, and for other good reasons, they are desirous of forming a new Lodge in the town of to be named They therefore pray for letters of dispensation, or a warrant of constitution, to empower them to assemble, as a legal Lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry, in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the original forms of the Order, and the regulations of the Grand Lodge. They have nominated and do recommend Brother A. B. to be the first Master; C. D. to be the first Senior Warden, and E. F. to be the first Junior Warden, of said Lodge. If the prayer of the petition shall be granted, they promise a strict conformity to all the constitutions, laws and regulations, of the Grand Lodge." This petition, being signed by at least seven regular Masons, and recommended by a Lodge, or Lodges, adjacent to the place where the new Lodge is to be holden, is delivered to the Grand Secretary, who lays it before the Grand Lodge. If the petition meets the approbation of the Grand Lodge, a dispensation is ordered to be issued, which is signed by the Grand or Deputy Grand Master, and authorizes the petitioners to assemble as a legal Lodge, for a specified time. When Lodges, which are at first instituted by Dispensation, have passed a proper time of probation, they make application to the Grand Lodge for a Charter of Constitution. If this be obtained, the Grand Master appoints a day and hour for constituting and consecrating the new Lodge, and for installing its Master, Wardens, and other officers. If the Grand Master, in person, attends the ceremony, the Lodge is said to be constituted in ample form; if the Deputy Grand Master only, it is said to be constituted in due form; but if the power of performing the ceremony is vested in a subordinate Lodge, it is said to be constituted in form. CEREMONY OF CONSTITUTION. On the day and hour appointed, the Grand Master and his officers meet in a convenient room, near to that in which the Lodge to be constituted is assembled, 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 Master; after which they return to their Lodge. The new Lodge then sends one of its members to the Grand Master, with the following message, viz., — "MOST WORSHIPFUL — "The officers and Brethren of -Lodge, who are now assembled at have instructed me to inform you, that the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge (or Grand Master) was pleased to grant them a letter of Dispensation, bearing date the day of- in the year authorizing them to form and open a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, in the town of ; that since that period they have regularly assembled, and conducted the business of Masonry according to the best of their abilities; that their proceedings having received the approbation of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, they have obtained a Charter of constitution, and are desirous that their Lodge should be consecrated, and their officers installed, agreeably to the ancient usages and customs of the Craft; for which purpose they are now met, and await the pleasure of the Most Worshipful Grand Master." 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 procession to their hall. When the Grand Master enters, the grand honors are given by the new Lodge; the officers of which resign their seats to the Grand Officers, and take their several stations on their left. The necessary cautions are then given, and all, excepting Masters and Past Masters of Lodges, are requested to retire, until the Master of the new Lodge is placed in the Oriental Chair. He is then bound to the faithful pe formance of his trust, and duly invested. Upon due notice, the Grand Marshal reconducts the Brethren into the hall, and all take their places, except the members of the new Lodge, who form a procession on one side of the hall, to salute their Master. As they advance, the Grand Master addresses them, "Brethren, behold your Master!" As they pass, they make the proper salutation; and when they have all passed, he joins them, and takes his appropriate station. A grand procession is then formed, in the following order, viz., Tyler, with a drawn sword; Two Stewards, with White Roc's ; Master Masons; Junior Deacons ; Senior Deacons ; Past Wardens; Junior Wardens; Senior Wardens; [Mark Masters ;] Past Masters; THE NEW LODGE. Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; Master Masons; Deacons ; Secretary and Treasurer; Two Brethren, carrying the Lodge ;* * Generally the flooring, or ark. The Holy Writings, carried by the oldest Member, not in oflice The Master; THE GRAND LODGE. Grand Tyler, with a Drawn Sword; Grand Stewards, with White Rods; 3 A Brother, carrying a Golden Vessel of Corn ;* Two Brethren, carrying Silver Vessels, one of Wine, the other of Oil; Grand Secretaries; Grand Treasurer; A Burning Taper, borne by a Past Master; A Past Master, bearing the Holy Writings; Square and Compass, supported by two Stewards, with Rods; The Tuscan and Composite Orders; Past Deputy Grand Masters; Past Grand Masters ; The Globes; Junior and Senior Grand Wardens ; Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master; The Master of the Oldest Lodge, carrying the Book of Constitutions ; The M. W. GRAND MASTER; The G. Deacons, on a line, seven feet apart, on the right and left of the Grand Master, with Black Rods; Grand Sword Bearer, with a Drawn Sword; Two Stewards, with White Rods. The procession moves on to the church or house where the services are to be performed. When the front of the procession arrives at the door, they halt, open to the right and left, and face inward, while the Grand Master, and others, in succession, pass through and enter the house. A platform is erected in front of the pulpit, and provided with seats for the accommodation of the Grand Officers. The Bible, Square and Compass, and Book of Constitu * Wheat. |