Chapter
[ Chapters 13 and 14 of the Freemasons Monitor
by Bro.Thomas Smith Webb are posted herein. This concludes the book]
Chapter- 13.
Ceremony Of Laying The Foundation Stones of
Public Structures.
This ceremony is conducted by
the M. W. Grand Master and his
officers, assisted by such officers and members of subordinate Lodges as can
conveniently attend. The chief magistrate and other civil officers of the place,
where the building is to be erected, also generally attend on the occasion.
At the time appointed, the Grand Lodge is convened in some suitable place. A
band of martial music is provided and the brethren appear in the insignia of the
Order.
The Lodge is then opened by the Grand Master and the rules for regulating the
procession are read by the Grand Secretary. The Lodge is then adjourned; after
which the procession sets out in due form, in the following order:
Procession at Laying Foundation
Stones.
Two Tylers with drawn Swords;
Tyler of the oldest Lodge with a drawn Sword;
Two Stewards of the oldest Lodge;
Entered Apprentices;
Fellow-Crafts;
Master Masons;
Past Secretaries;
Past Treasurers;
Past Junior Wardens;
Past Senior Wardens;
Mark Masters;
Past Masters;
Royal Arch Masons;
Select Masters;
Knights Templars;
Masters;
Music;
Grand Tyler with a drawn Sword;
Grand Stewards with white Rods;
A Past Master with a Golden Vessel containing Corn;
Principal Architect with Square, Level and Plumb;
Two Past Masters with Silver Vessels, one containing
Wine, and the other Oil;
Grand Secretary and Treasurer;
The Five Orders;
One large light, borne by a Past Master;
The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses,
borne by a Master of a Lodge,
supported by two Stewards on the right and left;
Two large Lights, borne by two Past Masters;
Grand.Chaplain;
Clergy and Orator;
Grand Wardens;
Deputy Grand Master;
The Master of.the oldest Lodge,
carrying the Book of Constitutions on a velvet cushion;
Grand Deacons with black Rods, on a line seven feet apart;
Grand Master;
Two Stewards with white Rods;
Grand Sword bearer with a drawn Sword.
A Triumphal Arch is usually erected at the place where the ceremony is to be
performed. The procession passes through the arch and the brethren repairing to
their stands, the Grand Master and his officers take their places on a temporary
platform, covered with carpet. The Grand Master commands silence. An Ode on
Masonry is sung, after which, the necessary preparations are made for laying the
stone, on which is engraved the year of Masonry, the name and title of the Grand
Master, etc., etc.
The stone is raised up, by means of an engine erected for that purpose and
the Grand Chaplain or Orator repeats a short prayer.
The Grand Treasurer, then, by the Grand Master's command, places under the
stone various sorts of coins and medals of the present age. Solemn music is
introduced and the stone is let down into its place.
The principal architect then presents the working tools to the Grand Master,
who applies the plumb, square and level to the stone, in their proper
positions and pronounces it to be Well
Formed, True and Trusty.
The golden and silver vessels are next brought to the table and delivered.
The former to the Deputy Grand Master and the latter to the Grand Wardens, who
successively present them to the Grand Master and he, according to ancient
ceremony, pours the corn, the wine and
the oil, which they contain on the stone, saying:
"May the all-bounteous Author of Nature bless the
inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries, conveniences and comforts of
this life, assist in the erection and completion of this building, protect the
workmen against every accident and long
preserve this structure from decay and
grant to us all a supply of the Corn of nourishment, the Wine of
refreshment and the Oil of joy!
"Amen. --So mote it be."
He then strikes the stone thrice
with the mallet and the
Public Grand Honors are given.
[They are given in the following manner: Both arms
are crossed on the breast, the left uppermost
and the open palms of the hands sharply striking the shoulders; they are
then raised above the head, the palms striking each other
and then made to fall smartly upon the thighs. This is repeated three
times and as there are three blows given each time, namely, on the breast, on
the palms of the hands and on the
thighs, making nine concussions in all, the Grand Honors are technically said to
be given "by three times three."]
The Grand Master then delivers over to the Architect the various implements
of architecture, intrusting him with the superintendence and direction of the
work after which he reascends the platform and an oration suitable to the
occasion is delivered.
A voluntary collection is made for the needy workmen and the sum collected is
placed upon the stone by the Grand Treasurer.
A suitable song in honor of Masonry concludes the ceremony; after which, the
procession returns to the place, whence it set out and the Lodge is closed in
due form.
Section Four.
The fourth section contains the ceremony observed at the Dedication of
Freemasons' Halls.
On the day appointed, the Grand Master and his officers, accompanied by the
members of the Grand Lodge, meet in a convenient room near the place where the
ceremony is to be performed and open in due and ample form, in the third degree
of Masonry.
The Master of the Lodge to which the
Hall to be dedicated belongs, being present, addresses the Grand Master as
follows,
“ Most Worshipful,
The brethren of -- Lodge, being animated with a desire of promoting the honor
and interest of the Craft, have, at great pains and expense, erected a Masonic
Hall for their convenience and accommodation. They are now desirous that the
same should be examined by the M. W. Grand Lodge and if it meet their
approbation, that it should be solemnly dedicated to Masonic purposes, agreeably
to Ancient Form.
The Grand Master then directs the Grand Marshal to form the procession, when
they move forward to the Hall to be dedicated. On entering, the music will
continue, while the procession marches three times round the hall.
The carpet or flooring is then placed in the center and the Grand Master
having taken the chair, under a canopy of state, the Grand Officers
and the Masters and Wardens of the Lodges repair to the places
previously prepared for their reception. The three Lights and the Gold
and Silver Pitchers, with the corn, wine and oil, are placed round the Lodge, at
the head of which stands the Altar, with the Holy Bible open and the Square and Compasses laid thereon, with the Charter,
Book of Constitutions and By-laws.
An Anthem is sung
and an Exordium on Masonry given, after which,
the Architect addresses the Grand
Master as follows,
“ Most Worshipful,
Having been intrusted with the superintendence and management of the workmen
employed in the erection of this edifice and having, according to the best of my
ability, accomplished the task assigned 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, humbly hoping
that the exertions which have been made on this occasion, will be crowned with
your approbation and that of the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.”
To which the Grand Master makes the following reply, “ 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 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.
An Ode in honor of Masonry is sung, accompanied with instrumental music.
The Deputy Grand Master then
rises and says,
“ Most Worshipful,
The hall in which we are now
assembled and the plan upon which
it has been constructed, having met with your approbation, it is the desire of
the Fraternity that it should now be dedicated according to ancient form and
usage.”
Whereupon a procession is formed
in the following order,
Grand Sword-Bearer;
A Past Master with a Light;
A Past Master with a Bible, Square and
Compasses,
on a velvet cushion;
Two Past Masters, each with a Light;
Grand Secretary and Treasurer with
Emblems;
Grand Junior Warden with Pitcher of Corn;
Grand Senior Warden with Pitcher of Wine;
Deputy Grand Master with Pitcher of Oil;
Grand Master;
Two Stewards with Rods;
All the other
brethren keep their places and assist in performing an Ode, which continues
during the procession, excepting only at the intervals of dedication. The Carpet
being uncovered, the first time passing round it, the Grand Junior Warden
presents the Pitcher of Corn to the Grand Master, who pours it out upon the
Lodge, at the same time pronouncing, "In the name of the Great Jehovah, to whom be all honor
and glory, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to Masonry."
[The
Grand Honors are given.]
[They are given in the following manner: Both arms are
crossed on the breast, the left uppermost and
the open palms of the hands sharply striking the shoulders; they are then raised
above the head, the palms striking each other
and then made to fall smartly upon the thighs. This is repeated three
times and as there are three blows given each time, namely, on the breast, on
the palms of the hands and on the
thighs, making nine concussions in all, the Grand Honors are technically said to
be given "by three times three."]
The second time passing round the Lodge, the Grand Senior Warden
presents the Pitcher of Wine to the Grand Master, who sprinkles it upon the
Carpet, at the same time saying,
"In the name of the Holy Saints John, I do
solemnly dedicate this Hall to Virtue."
[The Grand Honors are twice
given.]
The third time passing round the Lodge, the Deputy Grand Master
presents the Grand Master with the Pitcher of Oil, who pours it upon the Carpet,
saying, "In the name of the
whole Fraternity, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to Universal
Benevolence."
[The grand honors are thrice
given.]
A solemn Invocation is made to the Throne of Grace by the Grand Chaplain
and an Anthem sung; after which the Carpet is covered
and the Grand Master retires to his Chair.
An Oration is then delivered and
the ceremonies conclude with music.
The Grand Lodge is then closed in due or ample form.
Chapter - 14.
Forms Most
Commonly Required.
Form Of A Petition For A Charter Or
Warrant To Establish A New Lodge.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of --:
Your petitioners respectfully represent, that they are Ancient, Free and
Accepted Master Masons. Having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, they
are willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine
principles of Masonry. 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 -- Lodge. In consequence of this desire and for the good of the
Craft, they pray for a warrant or dispensation, to empower them to assemble as a
legal Lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in the several degrees of
Entered Apprentice, Fellow-Craft and
Master Mason, in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the ancient
form of the Fraternity and the laws
and regulations of the Grand Lodge. That they have nominated and do recommend 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; that, if the
prayer of the petition should be granted, they promise a strict conformity to
all the constitutional laws, rules and
regulations of the Grand Lodge.
This petition must be signed by at least eight regular Master Masons, one of
whom must be of the degree of Past Master and
recommended by the Lodge nearest the place where the new Lodge is to be held. It
must be delivered to the Grand Secretary, whose duty it is to lay it before the
Grand Lodge. In the recess of the Grand Lodge, application should be made in the
same form to the Grand Master.
After a charter is granted by the
Grand Lodge, the Grand Master appoints a day and hour for constituting and
consecrating the new Lodge and for installing the Master, Wardens
and other officers. The Grand Master has power to appoint some worthy
Past Master, with full power to consecrate, constitute and install the
petitioners.
Form Of A Proxy From The Grand Master To A Present Or Past
Master To Constitute And Consecrate A New Lodge and To Install The Officers.
Office of the Grand Master of The
Grand Lodge Of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of ….
To All Whom it May Concern - Greetings
Know ye, that, reposing full confidence in the skill and Masonic ability of our
Worshipful Brother --
I, Grand Master of the M. W. Grand Lodge of ---, do by these presents
constitute and appoint him my Proxy, for me and in my name, to constitute and
consecrate Lodge ---, No. -- and to
install the officers thereof in due and ancient form, he making due return to me
of his doings in the premises. Given under my hand and private seal, at the day
and year first above written.
[PRIVATE SEAL.] M. W. GRAND MASTER.
Petition For A Dispensation To Confer Degrees On, Or Ballot For, A
Candidate, in less than the Regular Time.
Hall of -- LODGE, NO --. -- 18 --,
To the M. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of ---:
By a vote of this Lodge, I am instructed to ask you for a dispensation to
pass the ballot (or confer the degrees, as the case may be) for M. A. B., who
has petitioned this Lodge for initiation, (or is anxious to receive the degrees
of F. C. and M. M., as the case may be,) at a special meeting, to be called for
that purpose.
M. A. B. is -- years of age; his residence is --; his occupation is --. The
case is one of emergency, for the reasons following: [Here state at length the
reasons why a dispensation should be granted in the case.]
O. P., W. MASTER. [Seal of Lodge.]
Petition To be Presented by a
Candidate for Initiation.
To the Worshipful Master Wardens and Brethren of -- Lodge, No. --, of F. and
A. Masons:
The petition of the subscriber respectfully showeth that, having long
entertained a favorable opinion of your ancient institution, he is desirous of
being admitted a member thereof, if found worthy.
His place of residence is --; his age, -- years; his occupation, --.
(Signed) A. B.
Petition for Affiliation.
To the Worshipful Master Wardens and Brethren of -- Lodge, No. -- :
The petition of the subscriber respectfully showeth that he is a Master Mason
and has been regularly dimitted from --- Lodge No. --, under the
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of --- and
is desirous of becoming a member of your Lodge.
His residence is
---; his occupation is ---. Should his petition be granted, he promises
obedience to the by-laws and regulations of your Lodge.
(Signed) A. B.
Petition
for Dimit.
DATE, -- 186-.
To the Worshipful Masters, Wardens and
Brethren of Lodge, No. -- :
The undersigned, a Master Mason and
member in good standing in your Lodge, respectfully asks to withdraw from
membership and that a dimit be
issued to him certifying such fact.
The reasons which induce this request are: [Here set forth the reasons, for
instance, about to remove to the jurisdiction of another Lodge, to join in a
petition for new Lodge, etc., etc., as the case may be.]
(Signed) A. B.
Form of a Dimit.
HALL of -- Lodge No.--, held at -- by authority of the Grand Lodge of ---. I
hereby certify that at a --- meeting of --- Lodge No. ---, held on the -- day of
--, A. L. 586 -, Bro. --, by consent of said Lodge, withdrew his membership from
the same; he being at the time a worthy Master Mason, [here state Masonic
oficial rank, P. M., P. S. W., etc., as the case may be,] in good standing
and having paid all dues assessed against him.
By order of said Lodge.
[SEAL.] ---, Sec'y.
Petition for a Diploma
May be made verbally by the applicant in person, or through any brother.
Form of Diploma or Grand Lodge
Certificate.
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of . . . . . .
I hereby certify, that -- Lodge, No. --, is regularly constituted and held
under the authority and jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge
and that -- is Worshipful Master, --- is Senior Warden
and is Junior Warden of said Lodge.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the
Grand Lodge, at ---, this --- day of -- A. L. 586, A. D. 186-.
[SEAL.] ---, Grand Secretary.
We, the Master and Wardens of --- Lodge, No. ---, held under the authority
and jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of F. and A. Masons of the State of ---, do
hereby certify that our worthy and well-beloved brother --- (who has written his
name below,) is a Master Mason, in good standing in our Lodge
and he is hereby recommended to the favor and protection of the Craft
throughout the globe.
Given under our hands and the seal of our Lodge, at --, this -- day of --, A.
L. 586-, A. D. 186-.
--, W. M.
--, S. M.
--, J. W.
Attest:
---, Secretary.
Signature of ---
Public Grand Honours.
The Public Grand Honors are given on all public
occasions in the presence of the profane as well as the initiated. They are used
at the laying of cornerstones of public buildings, or in other services in which
the ministrations of the Fraternity are required
and especially in funerals. They are given in the following manner: Both
arms are crossed on the breast, the left uppermost
and the open palms of the hands sharply striking the shoulders; they are
then raised above the head, the palms striking each other
and then made to fall smartly upon the thighs. This is repeated three
times and as there are three blows
given each time, namely, on the breast, on the palms of the hands
and on the thighs, making nine concussions in all, the Grand Honors are
technically said to be given "by three times three." On the occasion
of funerals, each one of these honors is accompanied by the words "the
will of God is accomplished: so mote it be," audibly pronounced by the
brethren. --- Mackey's Lexicon.
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