INSTITUTING AND CONSTITUTING NEW LODGE

Ceremony for Instituting a Lodge Under Dispensation.

The members of the new Lodge, whether they are to be instituted by the Grand Master, or by a brother deputized by him, will, in either case, be notified by the Master to assemble in their Lodge room at the time determined upon. After the brethren are assembled, the Grand Master, or Instituting Officer, will assume the East and announce the object of the meeting. He then causes the Letter of Dispensation to be read, after which the names of the officers appointed by the Grand Master and by the Master of the new Lodge will be announced. As these names are called, the officers will form in line near and facing the East, when each officer will be invested with his jewel. The new Master will then be seated in the East, on the right of the Instituting Officer. The Wardens and other officers will take their respective stations. The Instituting Officer will then open the Lodge on the third degree of Masonry, and deliver to the officers and brethren the following

Charges to the Officers and Brethren.

Inst. Off.: Worshipful Master: (Who rises.) The Grand Master having committed to your care the superintendence and government of the brethren who are to compose this new lodge, you cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you, as their head, nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties attached to your office.

The honor, reputation, and usefulness of your Lodge will materially depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while the happiness of its members will be generally promoted in proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the genuine principles of our institution.

For a pattern of imitation, consider the sun, which, rising in the east, regularly diffuses light and luster to all within its circle. In like manner, it is in your province to spread and communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge. Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of Masonry; and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it. Charge them to practice out of the Lodge, those duties which they have been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct, to convince mankind of the goodness of the Institution; so that, when any one is said to be a member of it, the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows, to whom distress may prefer its suit, whose hand is guided by justice, and whose heart is expanded by benevolence. In short, by a diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the Constitution of Masonry, and above all, the Holy Scriptures, which are given as a rule and guide to your faith, you will be enabled to acquit yourself with honor and reputation.

Charge to the Wardens.

Brothers Senior and Junior Wardens: (Who are called up by one knock.) You are too well acquainted with the principles of Masonry to warrant any distrust that you will be found wanting in the discharge of your respective duties. What you have seen praiseworthy in others you should carefully imitate, and what in them may have appeared defective, you should in yourselves amend. You should be examples of good order and regularity, for it is only by a due regard to the laws, in your own conduct, that you can expect obedience to them from others. You are assiduously to assist the Master in the discharge of his trust, diffusing light and imparting knowledge to all whom he shall place under your care. In the absence of the Master you will succeed to higher duties; your acquirements must therefore be such that the Craft may never suffer for want of proper instruction. From the spirit which you have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubt that your future conduct will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren, and the testimony of a good conscience.

Charge to the Brethren of the Lodge.

* * *

Brethren of ...... Lodge, such is the nature of our Constitution, that as some must of necessity rule and teach, so others must, of course, learn to submit and obey. Humility in both is an essential duty. The officers who are appointed to govern the Lodge are sufficiently conversant with the rules of propriety and the laws of the Institution to avoid exceeding the powers with which they are intrusted, and you are of too generous dispositions to envy their preferment. I therefore trust that you will have but one aim, to please each other and to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.

Finally, my brethren, as this association has been formed and perfected in so much unity and concord, in which we greatly rejoice, so may it long continue. May you enjoy every satisfaction and delight, which disinterested friendship can afford. May kindness and brotherly affection distinguish your conduct as men and Masons. Within your peaceful walls, may your children, and your children's children celebrate, with joy and gratitude, the annual recurrence of this auspicious solemnity. And may the tenets of our profession be transmitted through your Lodge, pure and unimpaired, from generation to generation.

Proclamation.

Instituting Officer: (Calls up Lodge.) In the name and by the authority of the Most Worshipful * Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Arkansas, I now declare this Lodge duly instituted and properly prepared for the transaction of such business as may lawfully come before it.

______________________ * If Grand Master Institutes the Lodge, in person, he will omit what precedes the * and insert "as."

Instituting Officer: (Addressing Master.) I now deliver to you the Dispensation empowering you and your brethren to work as a Regular Lodge. You are its custodian and must see to it that it is present at all Communications of the Lodge. You must also, as required by law, safely transmit it to the Grand Secretary just prior to the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, and when this is done, Masonic work in this Lodge must cease until the Dispensation is continued by the Grand Lodge, or until the Lodge is constituted. I now deliver to you the gavel of authority; wield it, my brother, with prudence and discretion. You will now assume your station.

Constituting a Newly Chartered Lodge.

After the grant of a charter the new Lodge thus created should be constituted, and its officers installed, by the Grand Master or his Deputy or some past or present Master. The Lodge is opened on the Third Degree. The Marshal forms the officers of the new Lodge in front of the Installing Officer, whereupon the Deputy G. M. addresses the G. M. as follows:

Most Worshipful, a number of brethren, duly instructed in the mysteries of Masonry, having assembled together for some time past by virtue of a dispensation granted them for that purpose, do now desire to be regularly constituted as a lodge agreeably to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity.

The charter is presented by the D. G. M. to the Grand Master, who examines it and, if correct, proclaims:

G. M.—The charter appears to be correct and is approved. Upon due deliberation the Grand Lodge has granted the brethren of this new Lodge a charter establishing and confirming them in the rights and privileges of a regularly constituted Lodge. We shall now proceed according to the ancient usage to constitute these brethren into a regular Lodge.

The officers of the new Lodge deliver up their jewels and badges to their Master, who presents them, with his own, to the D. G. M. and he to the G. M.

The D. G. M. then presents the Master-elect to the G. M., saying:

D. G. M.—Most Worshipful, I present to you Brother ——, whom the members of the Lodge now to be constituted have chosen for their Master.

The G. M. asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with their choice. (They bow in token of assent.)

The Master-elect then presents, severally, his Wardens and other officers, naming them and their respective offices. The G. M. asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with each and all of them. (They bow as before.)

The officers and members of the new Lodge form in front of the G. M. and the business of consecration commences.

The G. M. and grand officers form around the Lodge, all kneeling.

A piece of solemn music is performed while the Lodge is being uncovered, after which the first clause of the consecration prayer is rehearsed by the Grand Chaplain, as follows:

Great Architect of the Universe; Maker and Ruler of all worlds. Deign from Thy Celestial Temple, from the realms of light and glory, to bless us in all the purposes of our present assembly. We humbly invoke Thee to give us at this, and at all times, Wisdom in all our doings, Strength of mind in all our difficulties, and the Beauty of harmony in all our communications. Permit us, O Thou author of life and light, great source of love and happiness, solemnly to consecrate this Lodge to Thy honor and glory. Amen.

Response by the Officers of the Grand Lodge:

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Grand Officers will then rise.

Consecration.

The Deputy Grand Master will step forward and present the Vessel of Corn (wheat) to the Grand Master, who sprinkles a portion of it upon the symbol of the Lodge, saying:

May the Giver of every good and perfect gift strengthen this Lodge in all its philanthropic undertakings.

The following may then be sung:

In like manner, the Senior Grand Warden presents the Vessel of Wine, which is sprinkled on the Lodge by the Grand Master, saying:

May this Lodge be continually refreshed at the pure fountain of Masonic virtue.

The following may then be sung:

The Junior Grand Warden then presents the Vessel of Oil, which is used in the same manner, the Grand Master saying:

May the Supreme Ruler of the Universe preserve this Lodge in peace, and vouchsafe to it every blessing.

The following may then be sung:

Each vessel after use is placed upon the table.

The Grand Master then orders the Officers of the Grand Lodge to kneel as before, when the Grand Chaplain will rehearse the remaining portion of the consecration prayer:

Grant, O Lord, our God, that those who are now about to be invested with the government of this Lodge may be endowed with wisdom to instruct their brethren in their duties. May brotherly love, relief and truth always prevail among the members of this Lodge. May this bond of union continue to strengthen the Lodges throughout the world. Bless all our brethren, wherever dispersed, and grant speedy relief to all who are either oppressed or distressed. We affectionately commend to Thee all the members of this whole family; may they increase in grace, in the knowledge of Thee, and in love to each other. Finally, may we finish all our work here below, with Thy approbation; and then may our transition from this earthly abode be to Thy heavenly Temple above, there to enjoy light and glory, and bliss ineffable and eternal. Amen.

Response: (By the Officers of the Grand Lodge.) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A short piece of solemn music is then performed, during which the Grand Officers will rise.

Dedication.

The Grand Master steps forward, and extending his hands over the emblem of the Lodge, exclaims:

To the memory of the Holy Saints John, we dedicate this Lodge. May every brother revere their character and imitate their virtues.

Response: (By the brethren.) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Officers of the Grand Lodge will then about face, and stand, while the brethren of the new Lodge, under direction of the Grand Marshal, make a circuit in procession, single file, and salute the Grand Officers with their hands crossed upon their breasts, left over right, and heads slightly bowed while passing. Upon the completion of this ceremony, the brethren will resume position, facing inward. The Officers of the Grand Lodge will also resume original position. The Grand Master will call up, with his gavel, all present, and then proceed to

Constitute the Lodge.

Grand Master: In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas, I now constitute and form you, my beloved brethren, into a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. From henceforth we empower you to meet as a Regular Lodge, constituted in conformity to the rites of our institution, and the charges of our ancient and honorable Fraternity; and may the Supreme Architect of the Universe prosper, direct and counsel you in all your doings.

Response by the brethren: So mote it be.

The Officers of the Grand Lodge will, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, give the Full Grand Honors. The Grand Marshal will then slowly replace the covering on the Lodge, during which a choir should chant—

"Glory be to God on High."

The Grand Marshal will then conduct the Grand Master to his chair, and instruct the officers of the Grand Lodge to resume their respective stations; and the members of the new Lodge to resume their seats. During these movements instrumental music should be performed.

Grand Master: (Calls up the assembly.) Worshipful Grand Marshal, you will make proclamation that ...... Lodge, No. ......, has been regularly constituted.

Grand Marshal: I am directed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to proclaim, and I do hereby proclaim, that ...... Lodge, No. ......, has been regularly constituted, and duly registered as such in the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. This proclamation is made from the East, (one knock by G. M.); from the West, (one knock by the S. G. W.); from the South, (one knock by the J. G. W.); once, twice, thrice; the Craft will take due notice and govern itself accordingly. The Grand Honors are given.

Grand Master seats the brethren.