Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Part 10

The Deputy Grand Master now conducts the W. M. elect before the altar, facing the East, and says:

D. G. M.: Most Wors.h.i.+pful Grand Master, I present Brother ---- ----, to be installed Wors.h.i.+pful Master of this Lodge.

G. M.: Right Wors.h.i.+pful Deputy Grand Master, have you carefully examined the brother, and do you find him qualified to discharge the duties of the office for which he has been chosen?

D. G. M.: Most Wors.h.i.+pful Grand Master, I find him to be qualified and of good morals, of great skill, true and trusty; and, as he is a lover of the Fraternity, I doubt not he will discharge his duties with fidelity and honor.

The Grand Master will perform the installation service to the end, continuing the ceremony as for annually elected officers, the Deputy Grand Master a.s.sisting.

Annually Elected Officers.

Installing his successor is usually the prerogative of the retiring Wors.h.i.+pful Master, although any Past Master may act as installing officer for the occasion. A competent brother (usually a Past Master) will be appointed to act as Marshal, who will present the officers-elect for installation. All things being in order, the Installing Officer says:

Inst. Off.: Brother Marshal, you will present the Wors.h.i.+pful Master-elect for installation.

Mar: Wors.h.i.+pful Master, I present Brother ----, who has been elected Wors.h.i.+pful Master of this Lodge, and is now ready for installation.

Inst. Off.: Brethren, you now behold before you Brother ---- ----, who has been elected to serve this Lodge as Wors.h.i.+pful Master, and now declares himself ready for installation. If any of you have any reason to urge why he should not be installed you will make it known now, or forever after hold your peace. No objection being offered, I shall now install him.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, I congratulate you upon your election as Wors.h.i.+pful Master of this Lodge, and it will afford me great pleasure to invest you with the authority and the insignia of your office. Previous to your invest.i.ture, however, it is necessary that you signify your a.s.sent to those charges and regulations which point out the duty of the Master of a Lodge:

I. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral law?

II. You agree to be a peaceable citizen and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside?

III. You promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the government, but patiently submit to the law and the const.i.tuted authorities?

IV. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably toward all men?

V. You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of Freemasonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations, and submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren, in Lodge convened, in every case consistent with the Const.i.tutions of the Fraternity?

VI. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess?

VII. You agree to be cautious in your behavior, courteous to your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge?

VIII. You promise to respect genuine brethren, and discountenance impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry?

IX. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the mystic art?

X. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time being, and to his officers when duly installed, and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge that is not subversive of the principles and groundwork of Masonry?

XI. You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry?

XII. You promise a regular attendance on the communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and to pay a proper attention to all the duties of Masonry, on convenient occasions?

XIII. You admit that no new Lodge shall be formed without permission of the Grand Lodge, and that no countenance be given to any irregular Lodge, or to any person clandestinely made therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of Freemasonry?

XIV. You admit that no person can be regularly made a Mason in, or admitted a member of, any regular Lodge without previous notice and due inquiry into his character?

XV. You agree that no visitor shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, or being properly vouched for?

These are the regulations of Free and Accepted Masons. Do you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have done in all ages before you?

The Master answers: I do.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, in consequence of your conformity to the charges and regulations of the Fraternity, you are now to be installed Master of this Lodge, in full confidence of your skill and capacity to govern the same.

The Master is then regularly invested with the insignia of his office, and the furniture and implements of the Lodge are placed in his charge.

The various implements of his profession are emblematical of his conduct in life, and are fully explained, as follows:

Inst. Off.: The Holy Writings, that Great Light in Masonry, which guides us to all truth, directs our path to the temple of happiness, and points out the whole duty of man.

The Square teaches us to regulate our actions and harmonize our conduct with the principles of morality and virtue.

The Compa.s.ses teach us to limit our desires in every station, that, rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected and die regretted.

The Rule directs us to punctually observe our duty, press forward in the path of virtue, and, inclining neither to the right nor to the left, in all our actions to have eternity in view.

The Line, the emblem of moral rect.i.tude, teaches us to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to walk in the path which leads to a blessed immortality.

The Const.i.tution and Laws you are to search at all times and cause to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts they enjoin.

You now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which this Lodge is held. You are carefully to preserve the same and duly transmit it to your successor in office.

You will also receive in charge the By-Laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually executed.

The new Master is conducted to the East and placed on the right of the Installing Officer until the other officers are installed.

The other officers are then severally presented by the Marshal to the Installing Officer, who delivers to each his appropriate charge.

Senior Warden.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Senior Warden of this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as Senior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He a.s.sents.) You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.

The Level teaches that we are descended from the same stock, partake of the same nature, and share the same hope; "that we are all children of one common father, heirs of the same infirmities, and exposed to the same vicissitudes." It also reminds us that, although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, no eminence of station should make us forget that we are brethren, and that in the Lodge and in all our Masonic a.s.sociations, we are on a level. This implement teaches us that a time will come, and the wisest knows not how soon, when all distinctions but that of goodness, shall cease, and death, the grand leveler of all human greatness, reduce us to the same state.

Your regular attendance on the stated and other meetings of the Lodge is essentially necessary. In the absence of the Master you are to govern the Lodge, and in his presence a.s.sist him in the government of it. Hence you will perceive the necessity of preparing yourself for the important duties which may devolve upon you. Look well to the West, and guard with scrupulous care the pillar committed to your charge.

He is conducted to his proper station.

Junior Warden.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Junior Warden of this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as Junior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He a.s.sents.) You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.

The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations; to do unto others as we would have others do to us; to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure, and make our pa.s.sions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty.