Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Part 16

The Lodge, Covered with white linen, carried by four Brethren;

Master of the oldest Lodge, carrying Book of Const.i.tutions;

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; Friends.h.i.+p 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 Wors.h.i.+pful: 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 Wors.h.i.+pful 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 Wors.h.i.+pful: 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 a.s.signed 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 Wors.h.i.+pful 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 Wors.h.i.+pful: The hall in which we are now a.s.sembled, 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 Compa.s.s, on a velvet cus.h.i.+on;

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 G.o.d, Creator of all things, and Governor of everything Thou hast made, mercifully look upon Thy servants, now a.s.sembled 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 inst.i.tution 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 pa.s.s 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 a.s.sist 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 Wors.h.i.+pful: 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 Friends.h.i.+p 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 Wors.h.i.+pful: 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.