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

LAYING CORNER STONES.

Reading edition

These ceremonies are conducted only by the Grand Master in person, or by some brother acting for him, under special dispensation, assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge, and such of the Craft as may be invited, or who may choose to attend, either as Lodges, or as individual brethren.

No corner-stone should be laid with Masonic ceremonies, except those of acknowledged public structures, or buildings which are to be used for Masonic purposes; and then only by special request of the proper authorities.

The Lodge or Lodges in the place where the building is to be erected, may invite such neighboring Lodges, and other Masonic bodies, as they may deem proper. The Chief Magistrate, and other Officers of the place, should also be invited to attend on the occasion.

At the time appointed for the ceremony, a sufficient number of brethren to act as Grand Officers are convened in a suitable place, where a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge will be opened on the Third Degree, and proper instructions given by the Grand Master; after which, the Officers of the Grand Lodge, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, will form in the following order:

Grand Tyler, (with drawn sword.)

Master Masons.

Grand Steward, (carrying rod.) A Brother, (carrying Bible, Square and Compass, on a cushion.) Grand Steward, (carrying rod.)

Grand Chaplain

Grand Secretary, (carrying scroll, containing list of articles to be placed under the corner-stone.) Grand Treasurer, (in charge of the box[A] to be deposited under the corner-stone.)

Gr'd Steward, (carrying rod.) Past Gr'd Officers,[B] (in the order of their rank, two abreast.) Gr'd Steward, (carrying rod.)

G R A N D M A R S H A L Principal Architect,[C] (carrying Square, Level and Plumb.)

Jr. Grand Warden, (carrying vessel of oil.) Sr. Grand Warden, (carrying vessel of wine.)

Deputy Grand Master, (carrying vessel of corn.)

Master of Oldest Lodge, (carrying book of constitutions.)

Jr. Grand Deacon, (carrying rod.) Grand Master. Sr. Grand Deacon, (carrying rod.)

The procession thus formed will proceed to join the general procession, if any, and march to the place where the ceremony is to be performed.

When a procession is composed of other than the officers of the Grand Lodge and Master Masons, it should be formed in the following order:

G R A N D M A R S H A L . Music.

Military.

Civic Societies and Organizations.

Chief Magistrate, Mayor or other Official Guests.

Knights Templar Escort.

Grand Lodge.

Should any Masonic body other than those above named appear, they will be assigned an appropriate place in the procession.

A triumphal arch is usually erected near the place where the ceremony is to be performed; and the corner-stone should have engraved on its face the words, "Laid by the Masonic Fraternity," with the date, the year of Masonry, the name of the Grand Master, and such other particulars as may be deemed proper.

When the head of the procession reaches the Arch, it will open to the right and left, facing inward. The Grand Master, uncovering, preceded by the Grand Marshal and Grand Tyler, and followed by the other Grand Officers and the Chief Magistrate and civil officers of the place, will pass through the lines and ascend to the platform. As the Grand Master and others advance, the remainder of the procession will counter-march and surround the platform.

The stone should be suspended about six feet from its bed, by a machine having suitable arrangements for slowly lowering it to its place. All being in readiness—

The Grand Master will command silence and address the assembly, announcing the purposes of the occasion, etc., concluding as follows:

The teachings of Freemasonry inculcate, that in all our works, great or small, begun and finished, we should seek the aid of Almighty God. It is our first duty, then, to invoke the blessing of the great Architect of the Universe upon the work in which we are about to engage. I therefore command the utmost silence, and call upon all to unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace.

The brethren uncover, while the Grand Chaplain delivers the following, or some other appropriate

Prayer.

Almighty God! who hath given us grace at this time, with one accord, to make our common supplication unto Thee, and dost promise, that where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt grant their request; fulfill now, O Lord! the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world, knowledge of Thy truth; and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.

Response: So mote it be.

The choir may then sing an Ode, or a piece of instrumental music may be performed.

Deposit of Memorials.

Grand Master: R. W. Brother Grand Treasurer, it has ever been the custom, on occasions like the present, to deposit within a cavity in the stone, placed in the north-east corner of the edifice, certain memorials of the period at which it was erected; so that in the lapse of ages, if the fury of the elements, or the slow but certain ravages of time, should lay bare its foundation, an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations, to bear testimony to the energy, industry and culture of our time. Has such a deposit been prepared?

Grand Treasurer: It has, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and the various articles of which it is composed are safely enclosed within the casket now before you.

Grand Master: R. W. Grand Secretary, you will read for the information of the brethren and others here assembled, a record of the contents of the casket.

Grand Secretary reads a list of the articles contained in the casket.

Grand Master: R. W. Grand Treasurer, you will now deposit the casket in the cavity beneath the corner-stone, and may the Great Architect of the Universe, in His wisdom, grant that ages on ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men.

Grand Treasurer, assisted by the Grand Secretary, will place the casket in the cavity prepared, and report:

Most Worshipful Grand Master, your orders have been duly executed.

Presentation of Working Tools.

Principal Architect delivers the working tools to the Grand Master, who retains the Trowel, and presents the Square, Level and Plumb to the Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Warden, respectively, saying:

Right Worshipful Brethren, you will receive the implements of your office. With your assistance and that of the Craft, I will now proceed to lay the corner-stone of this edifice, according to the custom of our Fraternity. Brother Grand Marshal, you will direct the Craftsmen to furnish the cement, and prepare to lower the stone.

Laying Stone.

The Grand Master will then spread a portion of the cement. The stone is then lowered slowly, during which there should be appropriate music. The Grand Master then says:

Trial of Stone.

R. W. Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper implement of your office?

D. G. Master: The Square.

G. M.: What are its moral and Masonic uses?

D. G. M.: To square our actions by the rule of virtue, and prove our work.

G. M.: Apply the implement of your office to that portion of the stone that needs to be proved, and make report.

The Square is applied to the four corners.

D. G. M.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I find the stone to be square. The Craftsmen have done their duty.

G. M.: R. W. Senior Grand Warden, what is the proper implement of your office?

S. G. W.: The Level.

G. M.: What are its Masonic uses?

S. G. W.: Morally, it teaches Equality; and by it we prove our work.

G. M.: Apply the implement of your office to that portion of the corner-stone that needs to be proved, and make report.

Level is applied to the top surface.

S. G. W.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I find the stone to be level. The Craftsmen have done their duty.

G. M.: R. W. Junior Warden, what is the proper implement of your office?

J. G. W.: The Plumb.

G. M.: What are its moral and Masonic uses?

J. G. W.: Morally, it teaches rectitude of conduct; and by it we prove our work.

G. M.: Apply the implement of your office to that portion of the corner-stone that needs to be proved, and make report.

The Plumb is applied to the sides of the stone.

J. G. W.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I find the stone to be plumb. The Craftsmen have done their duty.

Grand Master (striking the stone three times with his gavel), says:

This corner-stone has been tested by the proper implements of Masonry. I find that the Craftsmen have skillfully and faithfully done their duty; and I do declare the stone to be well formed and trusty, truly laid, and correctly proved according to the rules of our Ancient Craft. May the building be conducted and completed amid the blessings of Plenty, Health and Peace.