,illustration3 ,,george ,,thornburgh ,,masonic ,,monitor ,,of ,,the ,,degrees ,,of ,entered ,apprentice1 ,fellow ,craft and ,master ,mason ,,together ,,with ,,the ,ceremony of ,installation1 ,laying ,corner ,stones1 ,dedications1 ,masonic ,burial1 ,etc4 ,,by ,,george ,,thornburgh ,p4 ,g4 ,m41 and ,custodian of the ,secret ,work ,,copyright #aijc1 ,,by ,,george ,,thornburgh ,,little ,,rock1 ,,ark4 ,,contents4 ,order of ,business4 ,masonic ,dates4 ,opening ,prayer and ,charge4 ,closing ,prayer and ,charge4 ,closing ,ceremonies4 ,entered ,apprentice4 ,fellow ,craft4 ,master ,mason4 ,grand ,honors and ,reception of ,visitors4 ,election and ,installation4 ,instituting ,lodge4 ,constituting ,lodge4 ,laying ,corner ,stone4 ,dedication of ,hall4 ,funerals4 ,lodge of ,sorrow4 ,,order ,,of ,,business4 ,at stated communications3 ,first4 ,reading the minutes4 ,second4 ,considering unfinished business4 ,third4 ,receiving and referring petitions4 ,fourth4 ,receiving report of committees4 ,fifth4 ,balloting for candidates4 ,sixth4 ,receiving and considering resolutions4 ,seventh4 ,conferring degrees4 ,at called meetings no business should be taken up except that for which the meeting was called4 ,the #bdth of ,june and #bgth of ,december are regular meetings1 but it is not best to take up routine business4 ,let it be a celebration1 and not a business session4 ,,to ,,find ,,and ,,write ,,masonic ,,dates4 ,lodge4--7,anno ,lucis--the year of light74 ,add #d1jjj to the common year2 thus1 for #aijc1 write3 ,a4 ,l4 #eijc4 ,chapter4--7,anno ,inventionis--the year of discovery74 ,add #ecj to the common year4 ,council4--7,anno ,depositionis--the year of deposit74 ,add #a1jjj to the common year4 ,commandery4--7,anno ,ordinis--the year of the order74 ,subtract #a1aah from the common year4 ,certificate and ,recommendation ,this is to ,certify that we have examined the manuscript of the ,monitor1 prepared by ,bro4 ,george ,thornburgh1 and we approve the same4 ,,george ,,thornburgh1 ,w4 ,m4 ,,kent1 ,custodians4 ,,george ,w4 ,,devaughan1 ,j4 ,m4 ,,oathout1 ,grand ,lecturer4 ,,john ,t4 ,,hicks1 ,grand ,master4 ------------ ,little ,rock1 ,ark41 ,august #ai1 #aijc4 ,office of the ,grand ,master of the ,grand ,lodge ,f4 and ,a4 ,m4 of ,arkansas3 ,this ,monitor1 prepared by ,past ,grand ,master ,george ,thornburgh1 having been approved by the ,custodians of the ,work1 the ,grand ,lecturer and myself1 ,i do recommend the use of the same to all the lodges in ,arkansas4 ,,john ,t4 ,,hicks1 ,,grand ,,master4 ,,preface ,,and ,,dedication4 ,the demand of the craft throughout the ,state for a practical working ,monitor of the three degrees1 arranged in conformity with the work in this jurisdiction1 culminated in the adoption1 by the ,grand ,lodge of #aijb1 of the following resolution3 ,resolved1 ,that ,brother ,george ,thornburgh be requested to prepare a ,monitor which shall be adopted as the ,monitor of this ,grand ,lodge4 ,when the proposed ,monitor is approved by the ,custodians of the ,work1 the ,grand ,lecturer1 and the ,grand ,master1 the ,grand ,master shall be authorized to recommend it to the lodges4 ,this ,monitor has been prepared in obedience to that resolution4 ,the book is the child of my heart and mind4 ,a love for the cause inspired its preparation4 ,it goes to the craft with my earnest prayers that it may cause a more general and closer study of the beautiful ceremonies of the first three degrees1 which are the foundation of all true ,freemasonry4 ,i dedicate the book to the ,masons of ,arkansas1 who have so often and so kindly honored me above my merit4 ,,geo4 ,,thornburgh4 ,little ,rock1 ,ark1 ,sept4 #a1 #aijc4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,third ,,edition ,on the #bjth of ,october1 #aijc1 the first edition of one thousand ,monitors was placed on sale4 ,i supposed ,i would probably dispose of them in the course of a year1 but to my surprise1 by ,december #bj they were all sold4 ,i placed the second edition of one thousand on sale ,february #bd1 #aijd1 and by ,june #ae they were gone4 ,evidently the ,monitor fills a long felt want4 ,it was prepared especially to conform to the work in this jurisdiction4 ,it may be studied with profit by every ,mason1 whether he be an officer or not4 ,the youngest ,entered ,apprentice will find it helpful and useful in assisting him to fix upon his mind those beautiful first lessons4 ,the officers from ,master of ,ceremonies to ,worshipful ,master will find it convenient and indispensable in the performance correctly of the beautiful ceremonies of the institution4 ,i am gratified beyond expression at the cordial reception the ,monitor has received from the craft4 ,it is commended in the highest terms by the best workers in the ,state4 ,here are only a few of the hundreds of endorsements sent me4 ,grand ,master ,hicks3 ,it is the best ,monitor to be found for ,arkansas ,masons4 ,grand ,lecturer ,oathout had the manuscript sent to his home that he might very carefully examine it1 and he wrote3 ,i have carefully examined the manuscript of your ,monitor twice over and cheerfully give my endorsement1 believing it to be the best ,monitor ,i have ever seen4 ,i believe your work will be appreciated by the ,craft in ,arkansas when they examine the ,monitor4 ,brother ,g4 ,w4 ,de,vaughan1 ,custodian of the ,secret ,work3 ,i am very much pleased with it4 ,brother ,w4 ,m4 ,kent1 the other custodian of the ,secret ,work3 ,good2 ,i want another copy4 ,our ,senior ,past ,grand ,master ,g4 ,a4 ,dannelly1 who was so long the ,grand ,lecturer1 says3 ,i have read it carefully4 ,in my judgment it is the best ,monitor ,i ever saw4 ,i heartily congratulate you on being the author of such a book4 ,i recommend it to all the lodges4 ,it would be well if every member would supply himself with a copy4 ,past ,grand ,master ,r4 ,h4 ,taylor3 ,i have carefully reviewed it from opening to conclusion4 ,it is a work of great merit1 concise and clear1 free and easy of style4 ,it is not alone valuable and useful as a guide to ,arkansas ,masons1 but to ,masons everywhere4 ,in fact if adopted by other ,grand ,jurisdictions1 would simplify and beautify ,masonic work4 ,every ,mason in the ,state should own and study the ,arkansas ,monitor4 ,past ,grand ,master ,sorrells1 who made the motion in ,grand ,lodge to have the ,monitor prepared1 says3 ,i have examined it closely1 and feel sure that it will meet the approbation of the ,craft throughout this ,jurisdiction4 ,past ,grand ,master ,bridewell3 ,i have examined it and find it complete4 ,to a newly made ,mason it is indispensable1 and if every one of them would get a copy immediately after their raising we would have brighter and better ,masons4 ,it would do a world of good if many of the older ,masons would make it their 'vade mecum4' ,you have eliminated an immense quantity of useless matter contained in most ,monitors1 and that which you placed in lieu is clear and easily understood4 ,the chapters on ',laying ,corner ,stones1' ',dedicating ,lodges1' ',funerals1' etc41 will be appreciated by all who have those services to perform4 ,past ,grand ,master ,baker3 ,have examined it carefully and am well pleased4 ,i think it conforms to the ancient usages of ,masonry1 and ,i feel sure that by the use of it we will have many more ,masons in ,arkansas who know something of lodge work4 ,every lodge ought to have at least three copies4 ,past ,grand ,master ,harry ,myers3 ,i have carefully examined your ,monitor and consider it the best for our lodges possible to get4 ,it is concise1 yet comprehensive4 ,it takes up the work and follows it in order4 ,no lodge should be without it4 ,i wish every ,mason in the ,state would possess himself of this valuable addition to ,masonic literature at once4 ,may it do more and more good as its circulation increases and its influence widens4 ,,george ,,thornburgh1 ,july #a1 #aijd4 ,little ,rock1 ,arkansas ,,masonic ,,monitor ,,of ,,the ,,degrees ,,of ,entered ,apprentice1 ,fellow ,craft and ,master ,mason1 together with the ,ceremony of ,installation1 ,laying ,corner ,stones1 ,dedications1 ,masonic ,burials1 ,etc41 ,etc4 ,,opening ,,the ,,lodge4 ,at regular meetings the lodge must be opened up in regular order and full form from the ,e4 ,a4 to ,m4 ,m4 degree4 ,at special meetings it need only be opened in the degree in which work is to be done4 ,congregate4 ,the ,j4 ,d4 will see that the ,tyler is at his station and close the door4 ,purge4 99 99 99 ,one brother can not vouch for another unless he has sat in open lodge with him1 or examined him by appointment of the ,w4 ,m4 ,tyle4 ,opening ,prayer4 ,most holy and glorious ,lord ,god1 the great ,architect of the universe1 the giver of all good gifts and graces6 ,in ,thy name we have assembled and in ,thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings4 ,grant that the sublime principles of ,freemasonry may so subdue every discordant passion within us1 so harmonize and enrich our hearts with ,thine own love and goodness1 that the ,lodge at this time may humbly reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before ,thy throne6 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,or1 ,almighty and merciful ,god1 hear us with indulgence1 have pity for our weakness1 and aid us with ,thy strength4 ,help us to perform all our duties--to ourselves1 to other men1 and to ,thee4 ,let the great flood of ,masonic light flow over the world4 ,pardon us when we offend4 ,when we go astray1 lead us back to the true path2 and help our feeble efforts to remove all obstacles to the final triumph of the great law of love2 and1 having faithfully performed our duty here below1 wilt ,thou receive us into ,thy ,celestial ,lodge above1 that house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,closing ,prayer4 ,extemporaneous1 or the following3 ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe1 accept our hearty thanks for the many mercies and blessings which ,thy bounty has conferred upon us1 and especially for this social intercourse with our brethren4 ,pardon1 we beseech ,thee1 whatever ,thou has seen amiss in us1 and continue to us ,thy protection and blessing4 ,make us sensible of our obligations to serve ,thee1 and may all our actions tend to ,thy glory and our advancement in knowledge and virtue4 ,grant that the world--the little circle in which we move--may be better and happier for our having lived in it1 and may we practice that ,charity which is the bond of peace and the perfection of every virtue4 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,this charge may be used at closing3 ,brethren3 ,we are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue to mix again with the world4 ,amidst its concerns and employments1 forget not the duties which you have heard so frequently inculcated and so forcibly1 recommended in this lodge4 ,be diligent1 prudent1 temperate1 discreet4 ,remember that around this altar you have promised to befriend and relieve every brother who shall need your assistance4 ,you have promised1 in the most friendly manner1 to remind him of his errors and to aid his reformation4 ,these generous principles are to extend further3 ,every human being has a claim upon your kind offices4 ,do good unto all4 ,recommend it more especially to the household of the faithful4 ,finally1 brethren1 be ye all of one mind2 live in peace2 and may the ,god of ,love and ,peace delight to dwell with and bless you4 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,benediction4 ,may the blessing of heaven rest upon us and all regular ,masons6 ,may brotherly love prevail and every moral and social virtue cement us4 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,w4 ,m4--,brother ,s4 ,w41 how should ,masons meet8 ,s4 ,w4--,upon the level of equality4 ,w4 ,m4--,brother ,j4 ,w41 how act8 ,j4 ,w4--,upon the plumb of rectitude4 ,w4 ,m4--,and part upon the square of morality4 ,so may we ever meet1 act and part1 until we meet in the celestial lodge above4 ,,entered ,,apprentice4 ,s4 ,d43 ,mr4 ----1 we have learned from the declaration1 over your signature1 contained in your petition1 somewhat of your motives in applying for admission into our ancient and honorable ,fraternity2 but1 in order that you may not be misled as to the character or the purpose of the ceremonies in which you are about to engage1 the ,lodge addresses to you these preliminary words3 ,freemasonry is far removed from all that is trivial1 selfish and ungodly4 ,its structure is built upon the everlasting foundation of that ,god-given law--the ,brotherhood of ,man1 in the family whose ,father is ,god4 ,our ancient and honorable ,fraternity welcomes to its doors and admits to its privileges worthy men of all creeds and of every race1 but insists that all men shall stand upon an exact equality1 and receive its instructions in a spirit of due humility1 emphasizing in demeanor1 in conduct1 in ceremony and in language the helpless1 groping nature of man at his birth and his needs of reliance upon ,divine guidance through all the transactions of life4 ,you will here be taught to divest your mind and conscience of all the vices and superfluities of life1 and the ,lodge into which you are now to be admitted expects you to divest yourself of all those worldly distinctions and equipments which are not in keeping with the humble1 reverent and childlike attitude it is now your duty to assume1 as all have done who have gone this way before you4 7,every candidate1 previous to his reception1 is required to give his free and full assent to the following interrogatories propounded by the ,s4 ,d41 in a room adjacent to the ,lodge74 ,do you seriously declare1 upon your honor1 that1 unbiased by the improper solicitation of friends1 and uninfluenced by mercenary motives1 you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of ,freemasonry8 ,do you seriously declare1 upon your honor1 that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of ,freemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution1 a desire for knowledge1 and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow-creatures8 ,do you seriously declare1 upon your honor1 that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usages and established customs of the ,fraternity8 7,let there be no levity--but dignity and decorum47 ,,first ,,section4 ,the preparation to which the candidate must submit before entering the ,lodge serves allegorically to teach him1 as well as to remind the brethren who are present1 that it is the man alone1 divested of all the outward recommendations of rank1 state1 or riches1 that ,masonry accepts1 and that it is his spiritual and moral worth alone which can open for him the door of the ,masonic ,temple4 ,reception4 ,illustration 99 99 99 ,let no man enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the aid of ,deity4 99 99 99 ,prayer4 ,vouchsafe ,thine aid1 ,almighty ,father of the ,universe1 to this our present convention2 and grant that this candidate for ,masonry may dedicate and devote his life to ,thy service1 and become a true and faithful brother among us4 ,endue him with a competency of ,thy divine wisdom1 that by the influence of the pure principles of our ,fraternity he may be better enabled to display the beauties of holiness1 to the honor of ,thy holy name4 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,illustration3 ,,trust in ,,god4 ,behold1 how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity4 ,it is like the precious ointment upon the head1 that ran down upon the beard1 even ,aaron's beard3 that went down to the skirts of his garments4 ,as the dew of ,hermon1 and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of ,zion3 for there the ,lord commanded the blessing1 even life for evermore4--#acc;d ,psalm4 ,illustration ,in the beginning ,god created the heaven and the earth4 ,and the earth was without form1 and void2 and darkness was upon the face of the deep4 ,and the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the face of the waters4 ,and ,god said1 ,let there be light1 and there was light4 ,illustration ,the three ,great ,lights in ,masonry are the ,holy ,bible1 the ,square and the ,compasses1 and are thus explained3 ,the ,holy ,bible is given us as the rule and guide for our faith and practice1 the ,square to square our actions1 and the ,compasses to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions in due bounds with all mankind1 especially the brethren4 ,the three ,lesser ,lights are the ,sun1 ,moon and ,master of the ,lodge1 and are thus explained3 ,as the ,sun rules the day and the ,moon governs the night1 so should the ,worshipful ,master1 with equal regularity1 endeavor to rule and govern the ,lodge4 ,the ,representatives of the three ,lesser ,lights are three burning tapers1 placed in a triangular form about the altar4 99 99 99 ,illustration ,the ,lamb-,skin or ,white ,leathern ,apron is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a ,mason2 more ancient than the ,golden ,fleece2 more honorable than the ,star and ,garter1 or any other order that can be conferred upon you at this or any future period by ,king1 ,prince or ,potentate1 or any other person except he be a ,mason and in the body of a lodge4 ,i trust you will wear it with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the fraternity4 99 99 99 ,the following may be used3 ,it may be that1 in the coming years1 upon your head may rest the laurel wreaths of victory2 pendant from your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of an ,eastern potentate2 nay1 more than these1 with light added to the coming light1 your ambitious feet may tread round after round of the ladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle1 and even the purple of the ,fraternity may rest upon your honored shoulders2 but never again from mortal hands1 never again until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the pearly gates1 shall any honor so distinguished1 so emblematical of purity and all perfections1 be conferred upon you as this which ,i now bestow4 ,it is yours2 yours to wear throughout an honorable life1 and at your death to be deposited upon the coffin which shall inclose your lifeless remains1 and with them laid beneath the clods of the valley4 ,let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of a purity of life and rectitude of conduct1 a never-ending argument for nobler deeds1 for higher thoughts1 for greater achievements4 ,and when at last your weary feet shall have come to the end of life's toilsome journey1 and from your nerveless grasp shall drop forever the working tools of life1 may the record of your life and actions be as pure and spotless as this fair emblem which ,i place in your hands2 and when your trembling soul shall stand naked and alone before the ,great ,white ,throne1 there to receive judgment for the deeds done while here in the body1 may it be your portion to hear from ,him who sitteth as the ,judge ,supreme the welcome words3 ,well done1 good and faithful servant6 ,thou hast been faithful over a few things2 ,i will make thee ruler over many things6 ,enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord4 99 99 99 ,working ,tools4 ,the ,working ,tools of ,entered ,apprentice are the ,twenty-four-,inch ,gauge and the ,common ,gavel4 ,the ,twenty-four-inch ,gauge is an instrument used by operative masons to measure and lay out their work2 but we1 as ,free and ,accepted ,masons1 are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time4 ,it being divided into twenty-four equal parts1 is emblematical of the twenty-four hours of the day1 which we are taught to divide into three equal parts1 whereby are found eight hours for the service of ,god and a distressed worthy brother1 eight for our usual vocations1 and eight for refreshment and sleep4 ,the ,common ,gavel is an instrument used by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stones1 the better to fit them for the builder's use2 but we1 as ,free and ,accepted ,masons1 are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life1 thereby fitting our minds1 as living stones1 for that spiritual building--that house not made with hands--eternal in the heavens4 ,illustration 99 99 99 ,reinvested4 ,northeast ,corner4 99 99 99 an upright man and ,mason1 and ,i give it you strictly in charge ever to walk and act as such before ,god and man4 ,,second ,,section4 ,this section accounts1 rationally for the ceremonies of initiation4 ,containing almost entirely esoteric work1 it cannot be written4 ,the ,master should not only familiarize himself with it1 but he should also diligently learn and explain to the candidate each truth symbolized by each step of the ceremonies through which he has just passed4 99 99 99 ,offensive or ,defensive4 ,at the building of ,king ,solomon's ,temple there was not heard the sound of axe1 hammer or any tool of iron4 ,the question naturally arises1 ,how could so stupendous an edifice be erected without the aid of those implements8 ,the stones were hewn1 squared and numbered in the quarries where they were raised2 the timbers were felled and prepared in the forests of ,lebanon1 conveyed in floats by sea to ,joppa1 and thence by land to ,jerusalem1 where they were set up by the aid of wooden implements prepared for that purpose2 so that every part of the building1 when completed1 fitted with such exact nicety that it resembled the handiwork of the ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe more than that of human hands4 99 99 99 ,masonry regards no man for his worldly wealth or honors2 it is therefore the internal and not the external qualifications of the man that recommend him to become a ,mason4 99 99 99 ,in the fourth chapter of the book of ,ruth we read3 ,now this was the manner in former times concerning redeeming and changing2 for to confirm all things1 a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor2 and this was a testimony in ,israel4 99 99 99 ,cable----4 99 99 99 ,hood----4 99 99 99 ,k--no--ks4 99 99 99 ,ask1 and it shall be given you2 seek1 and ye shall find2 knock and it shall be opened unto you4 99 99 99 ,before entering upon any great or important undertaking1 we ought always to invoke the aid of ,deity4 99 99 99 ,trust in ,god4 99 99 99 ,the ,left ,side4 99 99 99 ,the ,right ,hand1 by our ancient brethren1 was deemed the seat of fidelity4 ,the ancients worshiped a deity named ,fides1 sometimes represented by two right hands joined1 at others by two human figures holding each other by the right hand4 99 99 99 ,the ,lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence4 ,the lambskin is therefore to remind you of that purity of life and conduct which is so essentially necessary to your gaining admission to the ,celestial ,lodge above1 where the ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe presides4 ,northeast ,corner4 ,it is customary at the erection of all ,masonic edifices to lay the first or foundation stone in the northeast corner of the building4 ,the first instructions which the candidate receives symbolizes the cornerstone1 and on it he constructs the moral and ,masonic temple of his life4 ,,third ,,section4 ,this section explains the manner of constituting and the proper authority for holding a ,lodge4 ,here1 also1 we learn where lodges were anciently held1 their ,form1 ,support1 ,covering1 ,furniture1 ,ornaments1 ,lights and ,jewels1 how situated1 and to whom dedicated1 as well in former times as at present4 ,a ,lodge4 ,illustration ,a ,lodge is an assemblage of ,masons1 duly congregated1 having ,holy ,bible1 ,square and ,compasses1 and a dispensation or charter1 authorizing them to work4 ,ancient ,lodges--,where ,held4 ,our ancient brethren held their ,lodges on high hills or in low vales1 the better to observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers1 ascending or descending4 ,lodge meetings at the present day are usually held in upper chambers--probably for the security which such places afford4 ,this custom may have had its origin in a practice observed by the ancient ,jews of building their temples1 schools and synagogues on high hills1 a practice which seems to have met the approbation of the ,almighty1 who said unto the ,prophet ,ezekiel1 ,upon the top of the mountain1 the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy4 ,illustration ,form and ,dimension4 ,its form is 99 99 99 ,its dimension1 from east to west1 embracing every clime between north and south4 ,its universal chain of friendship encircles every portion of the human family and beams wherever civilization extends4 ,a ,lodge is said to be thus extensive to denote the universality of ,freemasonry1 and teaches that a ,mason's charity should be equally extensive4 ,illustration3 ,w4 ,s4 ,b4 ,the ,supports of a ,lodge4 ,a ,lodge is supported by three great pillars1 denominated ,wisdom1 ,strength and ,beauty2 because there should be wisdom to contrive1 strength to support1 and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings4 ,they are represented by the three principal officers of the ,lodge3 ,the pillar ,wisdom1 by the ,w4 ,m4 in the ,east1 who is presumed to have wisdom to open and govern the ,lodge2 the pillar ,strength1 by the ,senior ,warden in the ,west1 whose duty it is to assist the ,w4 ,m4 in the discharge of his arduous labors2 and the pillar ,beauty1 by the ,junior ,warden in the ,south1 whose duty it is to call the craft from labor to refreshment1 superintend them during the hours thereof1 carefully to observe that the means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess1 and see that they return to their labor in due season4 ,its covering is no less than the clouded canopy or starry-decked heaven1 where all good ,masons hope at last to arrive1 by the aid of that theological ladder which ,jacob1 in his vision1 saw extending from earth to heaven2 the three principal rounds of which are denominated ,faith1 ,hope and ,charity2 which admonish us to have faith in ,god1 hope of immortality and charity to all mankind4 ,the greatest of these is ,charity2 for ,faith may be lost in sight1 ,hope ends in fruition1 but ,charity extends beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity4 ,furniture4 ,the furniture of a lodge consists of the ,holy ,bible1 ,square and ,compasses4 ,the ,holy ,bible is dedicated to ,god2 because it is the inestimable gift of ,god to man4 ,the ,square to the ,master1 because it is the proper ,masonic emblem of his office2 and the ,compasses to the craft1 because1 by a due attention to their use1 they are taught to circumscribe their desires1 and keep their passions within due bounds4 ,illustration ,ornaments4 ,the ,ornaments of a ,lodge are the ,mosaic ,pavement1 the ,indented ,tessel and the ,blazing ,star4 ,the ,mosaic ,pavement is a representation of the ground floor of ,king ,solomon's ,temple2 the ,indented ,tessel1 of that beautiful tessellated border or skirting which surrounded it4 ,the ,mosaic ,pavement is emblematical of human life1 checkered with good and evil2 the ,indented ,tessel1 or tessellated border1 of the manifold blessings and comforts which constantly surround us1 and which we hope to enjoy by a firm reliance on ,divine ,providence1 which is hieroglyphically represented by the ,blazing ,star in the centre4 ,lights4 ,a ,lodge has three symbolic lights2 one in the ,east1 one in the ,west and one in the ,south1 represented by the ,w4 ,m41 ,s4 ,w4 and ,j4 ,w4 ,there is no light in the north1 because ,king ,solomon's ,temple1 of which every lodge is a representation1 was so far north of the elliptic that the sun could dart no rays into the northern part thereof4 ,the north1 therefore1 we ,masonically call a place of darkness4 ,jewels4 ,a ,lodge has six jewels2 three of these are immovable and three movable4 ,the ,immovable ,jewels are the ,square1 ,level and ,plumb4 ,the ,square inculcates morality2 the ,level1 equality1 and the ,plumb1 rectitude of conduct4 ,they are called immovable jewels1 because they are always to be found in the ,east1 ,west and ,south parts of the ,lodge1 being worn by the officers in their respective stations4 ,the ,movable ,jewels are the ,rough ,ashlar1 the ,perfect ,ashlar and the ,trestle-,board4 ,the ,rough ,ashlar is a stone1 as taken from the quarry1 in its rude and natural state4 ,by it we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature4 ,the ,perfect ,ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the workmen1 to be adjusted by the working tools of the fellow craft2 and reminds us of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education1 our own endeavors and the blessing of ,god4 ,the ,trestle-,board is for the master workman to draw his designs upon4 ,by it we are reminded that1 as the operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the master on his trestle-board1 so should we1 both operative and speculative1 endeavor to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe1 in the great books of nature and revelation1 which are our spiritual1 moral and ,masonic trestle-boards4 ,how ,situated4 ,a ,lodge is situated due east and west1 because ,king ,solomon's ,temple was so situated2 and also because1 when ,moses crossed the ,red ,sea1 being pursued by ,pharaoh and his hosts1 he erected a ,tabernacle by ,divine command1 and placed it due east and west to receive the first rays of the rising sun1 and to commemorate that mighty east wind by which the miraculous deliverance of ,israel was effected4 ,illustration ,dedication of ,lodges4 ,our ancient brethren dedicated their lodges to ,king ,solomon because he was our first most excellent ,grand ,master1 but ,masons of the present day1 professing ,christianity1 dedicate theirs to ,st4 ,john the ,baptist and ,st4 ,john the ,evangelist1 who were two eminent patrons of ,masonry2 and since their time there is represented in every regular and well govern lodge a certain point within a circle embordered by two perpendicular parallel lines1 representing ,st4 ,john the ,baptist and ,st4 ,john the ,evangelist2 and upon the top rests the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,the point represents the individual brother2 the circle1 the boundary-line of his duty beyond which he is never to suffer his passions1 interests or prejudices to betray him4 ,in going around this circle we necessarily touch on the two parallel lines1 as well as the ,holy ,scriptures1 and while a ,mason keeps himself circumscribed within these due bounds1 it is impossible that he should materially err4 ,tenets4 ,the three great tenets of a ,mason's profession inculcate the practice of those commendable virtues1 ,brotherly ,love1 ,relief and ,truth4 ,brotherly ,love4--,by the exercise of brotherly love we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family--the high and low1 the rich and poor--who1 created by one ,almighty ,parent and inhabitants of the same planet1 are to aid and protect each other4 ,on this principle ,masonry unites men of every country1 sect and opinion1 and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance4 ,relief4--,to relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men1 but particularly on ,masons who profess to be linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection4 ,to soothe the unhappy1 to sympathize with their misfortunes1 to compassionate their miseries and to restore peace to their troubled minds1 is the great aim we have in view4 ,on this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections4 ,truth is a divine attribute1 and the foundation of every virtue4 ,to be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in ,masonry4 ,on this theme we contemplate1 and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct2 hence1 while influenced by this principle1 hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us2 sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish us1 and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare and rejoicing in each other's prosperity4 ,p4 ,p4 ,e4 ,every ,mason has four 7p4 p4 e47 which are illustrated by the four cardinal virtues3 ,fortitude1 ,prudence1 ,temperance and ,justice4 ,fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain or peril1 when prudentially deemed expedient4 ,this virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice1 and should be deeply impressed upon the mind of every ,mason4 ,it is a safeguard or security against the success of any attempt1 by force or otherwise1 to extort from him any of those valuable secrets with which he has been solemnly intrusted1 and which were emblematically impressed upon him on his first admission into the lodge1 when he was received on 99 99 99 which refers to 99 99 99 ,prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason1 and is that habit by which we wisely judge and prudentially determine on all things relative to our present as well as to our future happiness4 ,this virtue should be the peculiar characteristic of every ,mason1 not only for the government of his conduct while in the lodge1 but also when abroad in the world4 ,it should be his constant care1 when in any strange or mixed companies never to let fall the least sign1 token or word whereby the secrets of ,masonry might be unlawfully obtained2 ever bearing in mind that important occasion when on his left 99 99 99 which alludes to 99 99 99 ,temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable1 and frees the mind from the allurements of vice4 ,this virtue should be the constant practice of every ,mason2 as he is thereby taught to avoid excess1 or contracting any licentious or vicious habit1 the indulgence of which would subject him to the contempt and detestation of all good ,masons2 and might lead him to disclose some of those valuable secrets which he has promised to conceal and never reveal4 ,it will remind you of the p4 and alludes to the 99 99 99 ,justice is that standard1 or boundary of right1 which enables us to render to every man his just due1 without distinction4 ,this virtue is not only consistent with human and ,divine laws1 but is the very cement and support of civil society4 ,as justice in a great measure constitutes the really good man1 so should it be the invariable practice of every ,mason never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof2 ever remembering the time when placed in 99 99 99 which alludes to the 99 99 99 ,illustration ,chalk1 ,charcoal and ,clay4 ,entered ,apprentices should serve their masters with freedom1 fervency and zeal1 which are represented by ,chalk1 ,charcoal and ,clay4 ,there is nothing freer than ,chalk1 the slightest touch of which leaves a trace2 there is nothing more fervent than ,charcoal1 for to it1 when properly ignited1 the most obdurate metals will yield2 there is nothing more zealous than ,clay4 ,our ,mother ,earth alone of all the elements has never proved unfriendly to man4 ,bodies of ,water deluge him with rain1 oppress him with hail and drown him with inundation2 the ,air rushes in storms and prepares the tempest2 and ,fire lights up the volcano2 but the ,earth1 ever kind and indulgent1 is found subservient to his wishes4 ,though constantly harassed1 more to furnish the luxuries than the necessaries of life1 she never refuses her accustomed yield1 spreading his pathway with flowers and his table with plenty4 ,though she produces poison1 still she supplies the antidote1 and returns with interest every good committed to her care2 and when at last we are called upon to pass through the dark valley of the shadow of death she once more receives us1 and piously covers our remains within her bosom1 thus admonishing us that as from it we came1 so to it we must shortly return4 ,symbolism of the ,degree4 ,the ,first1 or ,entered ,apprentice1 degree of ,masonry is intended1 symbolically1 to represent the entrance of man into the world in which he is afterwards to become a living and thinking actor4 ,coming from the ignorance and darkness of the outer world1 his first craving is for light--not that physical light which springs from the great orb of day as its fountain1 but that moral and intellectual light which emanates from the primal ,source of all things--from the ,grand ,architect of the ,universe--the ,creator of the sun and of all that it illuminates4 ,hence the great1 the primary object of the first degree is to symbolize the birth of intellectual light in the mind2 and the ,entered ,apprentice is the type of the unregenerate man1 groping in moral and mental darkness1 and seeking for the light which is to guide his steps and point him to the path which leads to duty and to ,him who gives to duty its reward4 ,charge at ,initiation4 ,brother3 ,as you are now introduced to the first principles of ,freemasonry1 ,i congratulate you on being accepted into this ancient and honorable ,fraternity4 ,ancient1 as having existed from time immemorial2 and honorable1 as tending in every particular so to render all men who will be comformable to its precepts4 ,no institution was ever raised on a better principle or more solid foundation2 nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down than are contained in the several ,masonic lectures4 ,the wisest and best of men in all ages have been encouragers and promoters of our ,art1 and have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the ,fraternity1 to extend its privileges1 and to patronize its assemblies4 ,there are three great duties which as a ,mason you are charged to inculcate3 ,to ,god1 to your neighbor and to yourself4 ,to ,god1 in never mentioning ,his name save with that reverential awe which is due from the creature to his ,creator1 to implore ,his aid in all your laudable undertakings1 and to esteem ,him as the chief good4 ,to your neighbor1 in acting upon the square and doing unto him as you would that he should do unto you4 ,and to yourself1 in avoiding all irregularities and intemperance1 which may impair your faculties or debase the dignity of your profession4 ,a zealous attachment to these duties will insure public and private esteem4 ,in the ,state you are to be a quiet and peaceable citizen1 true to your government and just to your country4 ,you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion1 but patiently submit to legal authority and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live1 yielding obedience to the laws which afford you protection4 ,in your outward demeanor be particularly careful to avoid censure or reproach4 ,let not interest1 favor1 or prejudice1 bias your integrity1 or influence you to be guilty of a dishonorable action4 ,although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited1 yet it is not meant that ,freemasonry should interfere with your necessary vocations1 for these are on no account to be neglected2 neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who1 through ignorance1 may ridicule it4 ,at your leisure hours1 that you may improve in ,masonic knowledge1 you are to converse with well-informed brethren1 who will always be as ready to give as you will be to receive instruction4 ,finally1 my brother1 keep sacred and inviolate the mysteries of the ,order1 as these are to distinguish you from the rest of the community and mark your consequence among ,masons4 ,if in the circle of your acquaintance you find a person desirous of being initiated into the ,fraternity1 be particularly careful not to recommend him unless you are convinced that he will conform to our rules1 that the honor1 glory and reputation of the institution may be firmly established1 and the world at large be convinced of its good effects4 ,charge to a ,soldier4 ,brother3 ,our institution breathes a spirit of general philanthropy4 ,its benefits1 in a social point of view1 are extensive4 ,in the most endearing ties1 it unites all mankind4 ,in every nation1 wherever civilization extends--and not unfrequently among wild savages of the forest--it opens an asylum to a brother in distress1 and grants hospitality to the necessitous and unfortunate4 ,the sublime principles of universal goodness and love to all mankind1 which are essential to it1 cannot be lost in national distinctions1 prejudices and animosities4 ,the rage of contest and the sanguinary conflict have1 by its recognized principles1 been abated1 and the milder emotions of humanity substituted4 ,it has often performed the part of the ,angel of ,goodness1 in ministering to the wants of the sick1 the wounded1 and the unfortunate prisoner of war4 ,it has even taught the pride of victory to give way to the dictates of an honorable connection4 ,in whatever country you travel1 when you meet a true ,mason1 you will find a brother and a friend1 who will do all in his power to serve you2 and who will relieve you1 should you be poor or in distress1 to the utmost of his ability1 and with a ready cheerfulness4 ,pure patriotism will always animate you to every call of your country4 ,and this institution demands that you shall be true to your government4 ,but should you1 while engaged in the service of your country1 be made captive1 you may find affectionate brethren1 where others would only find enemies4 ,and should you be the captor of one who belongs to this noble fraternity1 remember that he is your brother4 ,,fellow ,,craft4 ,first ,section--,reception4 99 99 99 ,illustration ,thus he shewed me3 and behold the ,lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line1 with a plumb-line in ,his hand4 ,and the ,lord said unto me3 ,amos1 what seest thou8 and ,i said1 ,a plumb-line4 ,then said the ,lord3 ,behold1 ,i will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people ,israel2 ,i will not again pass by them any more4 ,amos1 vii4 #g1 #h4 ,illustration ,illustration ,illustration ,the ,working ,tools4 ,the ,working ,tools of ,fellow ,craft are the ,plumb1 the ,square and the ,level1 and are thus explained3 ,the ,plumb is an instrument used by ,operative ,masons to try perpendiculars1 the ,square to square their work1 and the ,level to prove horizontals2 but we1 as ,free and ,accepted ,masons1 are taught to use them for more noble and glorious purposes4 ,the ,plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before ,god and man1 squaring our actions by the ,square of ,virtue1 ever remembering that we are traveling upon the ,level of ,time to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns4 ,,second ,,section4 ,you now represent a young ,f4 ,c4 on his way to the ,m4 ,c4 of ,k4 ,s4 ,t41 to have his name enrolled among the workmen1 and to be taught the wages of a ,f4 ,c4 ,masonry is divided into two classes1 operative and speculative4 ,we have wrought in speculative ,masonry1 but our ancient brethren wrought both in operative and speculative4 ,they wrought at the building of ,k4 ,s4 ,t41 and many other ,masonic edifices4 ,they wrought but six days in a week1 and rested upon the seventh4 ,the seventh1 therefore1 our ancient brethren consecrated as a day of rest1 the better to enable them to contemplate the glorious works of creation and to adore their great ,creator4 ,on our way to the ,m4 ,c4 the first things that attract our attention are the representatives of two brazen pillars1 one upon the left1 the other upon the right of the porch4 ,the one upon the left1 denominated 99 99 99 denoted strength2 the one upon the right1 denominated 99 99 99 denoted establishment1 having reference to a passage of ,scripture wherein ,god said to ,david1 ,and thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee4 ,those pillars were eighteen cubits high1 twelve in circumference and four in diameter4 ,they were prepared of molten brass1 the better to withstand conflagration or inundation4 ,they were cast in the clay grounds of the river ,jordan1 between ,succoth and ,zaradatha1 where ,k4 ,s4 ordered all the holy vessels to be cast4 ,they were hollow1 four inches1 or a hand's breadth1 in thickness1 and served as the archives of ,masonry in which the ,rolls1 ,records and ,proceedings were kept4 ,they were adorned with two chapiters1 five cubits each4 ,those chapiters were ornamented with net-work1 lily-work and pomegranate1 denoting union1 peace and plenty4 ,the net-work1 from its intimate connection1 denotes union4 ,the lily1 from its whiteness1 denotes peace4 ,the pomegranate1 from the exuberance of its seeds1 denotes plenty4 ,mounted upon the chapiters were two globes1 representing the terrestrial and celestial bodies1 on the convex surface of which were delineated the countries1 seas and other portions of the earth1 the planetary revolutions and other important particulars4 ,they represented the universality of ,freemasonry--that from east to west and between north and south ,freemasonry extends1 and in every clime are ,masons to be found1 and teach that a ,mason's charity should be co-extensive4 ,masonic tradition informs us that those pillars were placed at the porch of ,k4 ,s4's ,t4 as a memento to the children of ,israel of their happy deliverance from the land of bondage1 and represented the pillar of cloud that over-shadowed them by day and the pillar of fire that illumined them by night4 ,the next thing that attracts our attention is a flight of winding stairs1 composed of three1 five and seven steps4 ,the three steps allude to the three principal officers of the lodge1 three principal supports in ,masonry1 and the three principal stages in human life4 ,the three principal officers are the ,w4 ,m41 ,s4 ,w4 and ,j4 ,w4 ,the three principal supports are ,wisdom1 ,strength and ,beauty1 because it is necessary to have wisdom to contrive1 strength to support and beauty to adorn all well governed institutions4 ,the three principal stages of human life are ,youth1 ,manhood and ,age--,youth as an ,e4 ,a41 ,manhood as a ,f4 ,c41 and ,age as a ,m4 ,m4 ,the five steps allude to the five orders of architecture1 and the five human senses4 ,the five orders of architecture are the ,tuscan1 ,doric1 ,ionic1 ,corinthian and ,composite1 three of which1 from their antiquity1 have ever been held in high repute among ,masons--the ,doric1 ,ionic and ,corinthian4 ,the five human senses are hearing1 seeing1 feeling1 tasting and smelling1 the first three of which have ever been held in high repute among ,masons1 because by hearing we hear the 99 99 992 by seeing we see the 99 99 991 and by feeling we feel the 99 99 991 whereby one ,mason may know another in the dark as well as in the light4 ,the seven steps allude to many sevens--the seven sabbatical years1 seven years of plenty1 seven years of famine1 seven years during which ,k4 ,s4's ,t4 was in course of erection1 seven golden candlesticks1 but more particularly the seven liberal arts and sciences1 which are ,grammar1 ,rhetoric1 ,logic1 ,arithmetic1 ,geometry1 ,astronomy and ,music4 7,note3--,a fine effect can be had1 if an organ is played1 by using the following4 ,the organist should begin to play softly when the speaker begins on ,music37 ,music is that elevated science which affects the passions by sound4 ,there are few who have not felt its charms1 and acknowledged its expressions to be intelligible to the heart4 ,it is a language of delightful sensations1 far more eloquent than words2 it breathes to the ear the clearest intimations2 it touches and gently agitates the agreeable and sublime passions2 it wraps us in melancholy1 elevates us in joy and melts us in tenderness4 ,again the pathetic dies away and martial strains are heard1 reminding us of the battlefield and its attendant glory4 7,as the word glory is pronounced the organist at once strikes the chords of some war-music like ,dixie1 ,marseilles ,hymn1 etc4 ,after a few bars are played with full organ1 the organist lets the music die away to a soft and gentle tremolo1 and the ,deacon resumes73 ,the glorious notes of the battle-hymn float over the red field of carnage4 ,brave men hear the inspiring music2 the ranks close up2 the bayonets are fixed2 and1 with a cheer which strikes terror to the heart of the foe1 they rush forward in one glorious charge1 across the plain slippery with the blood of patriots1 up the opposing hillside1 even to the mouth of cannon belching forth fire and death4--,but stop6 ,look yonder6 ,the dying soldier raises his head4 ,his breast is already crimson with his heart's-blood4 ,his eye even now is dimming and glazing4 ,the old home comes back to him in memory4 ,he puts his hand to his ear as if listening4 ,what does he hear8 7,here the organist plays softly the strains of ,home1 ,sweet ,home1 or some well-known lullaby2 during which the ,deacon continues73 ,ah1 it is the old1 old melody of youth and home6 ,again we are around the old hearthstone4 ,again do we kneel at mother's knee to lisp the evening prayer4 ,again she takes us in her arms1 and sings to her tired child the soft1 low lullaby of childhood's happy days4--,oh1 ,music1 ,music6 ,art ,divine6 ,thou dost move and stir the heart as nothing else can do6 ,yet never canst thy sweet potency be better used than when it inspires praise and gratitude to the great ,lord and ,master of us all6 7,at the word all1 the organist promptly strikes the chords of ,old ,hundred1 and1 to its accompaniment1 the ,master calling up the ,lodge1 all unite in singing the long-metre doxology47 ,this brings us to the outer door of the ,m4 ,c41 which we find partly open1 but strictly tiled by the ,j4 ,w4 ,we will see if we can gain admission4 ,j4 ,w43 ,who comes here8 ,a young ,f4 ,c41 on his way to the ,m4 ,c4 to have his name enrolled among the workmen and to be taught the wages of a ,f4 ,c4 ,how do you expect to pass the outer door8 ,by the 99 99 99 and 99 99 99 of a ,f4 ,c4 ,give them4 99 99 99 ,what does this 99 99 99 denote8 ,plenty4 ,how is it represented8 ,by a sheaf of corn suspended near a waterfall4 ,how did it originate8 ,it originated in consequence of a quarrel that long existed between ,jephtha1 judge of ,israel1 and the ,ephraimites4 ,the ,ephraimites were a wicked1 stubborn and rebellious people1 whom ,jephtha strove to subdue by lenient means1 but all to no avail4 ,they became highly incensed because they were not called to share in the rich spoils of the ,ammonitish war1 raised an exceeding great army1 crossed over the river ,jordan1 came down upon ,jephtha and gave him battle4 ,jephtha1 being apprised of their approach1 called out the mighty men of ,gilead and put the ,ephraimites to flight4 ,and to make his victory secure1 he placed guards at all the passes on the river ,jordan1 giving them this password3 ,shibboleth4 ,the ,ephraimites1 being of a different tribe and dialect1 could not pronounce the word ,shibboleth1 but called it ,sibboleth1 which trifling defect proved them enemies1 and there fell at that time forty and two thousand4 ,the 99 99 99 and 99 99 99 with the explanation are correct4 ,you have my permission to pass the outer door4 ,this brings us to the inner door of the ,m4 ,c41 which we find partly open but more strictly tiled by the ,s4 ,w4 ,we will see if we can gain admission4 ,who comes here8 ,a young ,f4 ,c41 on his way to the ,m4 ,c41 to have his name enrolled among the workmen1 and to be taught the wages of a ,f4 ,c4 ,how do you expect to pass the inner door8 ,by the true 99 99 99 and 99 99 99 of a ,f4 ,c4 ,give them4 99 99 99 ,they are correct4 ,you have my permission to pass the inner door6 ,this brings us into the ,m4 ,c4 ,w4 ,m41 this young ,f4 ,c4 has come up to the ,m4 ,c4 to have his name enrolled among the workmen and be taught the wages of a ,f4 ,c4 ,w4 ,m43 ,i congratulate you upon your arrival into the ,m4 ,c4 ,you have been admitted for the sake of the letter ,g4 you see suspended over the ,master's station1 which entitles you to the enrolling of your name among the workmen and to be taught the wages of a ,f4 ,c4 ,brother ,secretary1 you will enroll the brother's name4 ,the wages of a ,f4 ,c4 are ,c41 ,w4 and ,o4 ,the ,c4 of nourishment1 ,w4 of refreshment and ,o4 of joy4 ,i will also instruct you in the three ,p4 ,j4 ,they are a ,l4 ,e41 an ,i4 ,t41 and a ,f4 ,b4 ,a4 ,l4 ,e41 that you will ever be attentive to lessons from the ,i4 ,t41 and a ,f4 ,b4 should serve as a faithful repository for all the secrets of the ,fraternity that may be entrusted to your care4 ,the letter ,g4 has a very significant meaning4 ,it is the initial of ,geometry1 the first and noblest of sciences1 and the basis on which the superstructure of ,freemasonry is erected4 ,by ,geometry we may curiously trace ,nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses2 by it we discover the power1 wisdom and goodness of the ,grand ,artificer of the ,universe1 and view with delight the proportions which compose this vast machine2 by it we discover how the planets move in their respective orbits and demonstrate their various revolutions2 by it we account for the return of the seasons1 and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye4 ,numberless worlds are around us1 all framed by the same ,divine ,artist1 which roll through the vast expanse1 and are all conducted by the same unerring law of ,nature4 ,a survey of ,nature1 and the observation of her beautiful proportions1 first determined man to imitate the divine plan and study symmetry and order4 ,this gave rise to societies and birth to every useful art4 ,the architect began to design1 and the plans which he laid down1 being improved by time and experience1 have produced works which are the admiration of every age4 ,the lapse of time1 the ruthless hand of ignorance and the devastations of war have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity1 on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed4 ,even the ,temple of ,solomon1 so spacious and magnificent1 and constructed by so many celebrated artists1 escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force4 ,freemasonry1 notwithstanding1 still survives4 ,the attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue1 and the mysteries of ,freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts4 ,tools and implements of architecture and symbolic emblems most expressive have been selected by the ,fraternity to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths1 and thus through a succession of ages have been transmitted unimpaired the most excellent tenets of our institution4 ,but the letter ,g4 has a far greater significance still4 ,it is the initial of ,deity--a name that1 at the mere mention of which1 all1 from the ,w4 ,m4 in the east to the youngest ,e4 ,a4 in the northeast corner1 should with meekness reverently bow4 99 99 99 ,lecture4 99 99 99 ,symbolism of the ,degree4 ,if the object of the first degree is to symbolize the struggles of a candidate groping in darkness for intellectual light1 that of the second degree represents the same candidate laboring amid all the difficulties that encumber the young beginner in the attainment of learning and science4 ,the ,entered ,apprentice is to emerge from darkness to light2 the ,fellow ,craft is to come out of ignorance into knowledge4 ,this degree1 therefore1 by fitting emblems1 is intended to typify these struggles of the ardent mind for the attainment of truth--moral and intellectual truth--and above all that ,divine truth1 the comprehension of which surpasseth human understanding1 and to which1 standing in the ,middle ,chamber1 after his laborious ascent of the winding stairs1 he can only approximate by the reception of an imperfect1 yet glorious reward in the revelation of that hieroglyphic light which none but craftsmen ever saw4 ,charge at ,passing4 ,brother3 ,being passed to the second degree of ,freemasonry1 we congratulate you on your preferment4 ,the internal1 and not the external1 qualifications of a man are what ,masonry regards4 ,as you increase in knowledge you will improve in social intercourse4 ,it is unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which as a ,fellow ,craft you are bound to discharge1 or to enlarge on the necessity of a strict adherence to them1 as your own experience must have established their value4 ,our laws and regulations you are strenuously to support1 and be always ready to assist in seeing them duly executed4 ,you are not to palliate or aggravate the offenses of your brethren1 but in the decision of every trespass against our rules you are to judge with candor1 admonish with friendship1 and reprehend with justice4 ,the study of the liberal arts1 that valuable branch of education which tends so effectually to polish and adorn the mind1 is earnestly recommended to your consideration1 especially the science of ,geometry1 which is established as the basis of our art4 ,geometry1 or ,masonry1 originally synonymous terms1 being of a divine and moral nature1 is enriched with the most useful knowledge2 while it proves the wonderful properties of nature1 it demonstrates the more important truths of morality4 ,your past behavior and regular deportment have merited the honor which we have conferred1 and in your new character it is expected that you will conform to the principles of the ,institution by steadily persevering in the practice of every commendable virtue4 ,such is the nature of your engagements as a ,fellow ,craft1 and to these duties you are bound by the most sacred ties4 ,,master ,,mason4 ,,first ,,section4 ,illustration ,reception4 ,the ,compasses are peculiarly dedicated to this degree1 and as a ,master ,mason you are taught that between their extreme points are contained the most important tenets of ,freemasonry--,friendship1 ,morality and ,brotherly ,love4 ,perambulation4 ,the following passage of ,scripture is introduced3 ,remember now thy ,creator in the days of thy youth1 while the evil days come not1 ,nor the years draw nigh1 when thou shalt say1 ,i have no pleasure in them2 while the sun1 or the light1 or the moon1 or the stars1 be not darkened1 nor the clouds return after the rain3 ,in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble1 and the strong men shall bow themselves1 ,and the grinders cease because they are few1 and those that look out of the windows be darkened1 and the doors shall be shut in the streets1 ,when the sound of the grinding is low1 and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird1 and all the daughters of music shall be brought low2 ,also when they shall be afraid of that which is high1 and fears shall be in the way1 ,and the almond tree shall flourish1 and the grasshopper shall be a burden1 and desire shall fail3 ,because man goeth to his long home1 and the mourners go about the streets3 or ever the silver cord be loosed1 or the golden bowl be broken1 or the pitcher be broken at the fountain1 or the wheel broken at the cistern4 ,then shall the dust return to the earth as it was3 and the spirit shall return unto ,god who gave it4 7,eccl4 xii1 #a-g47 ,illustration3 ,ecclesiastes ,,xii4 ,illustration ,presentation of ,working ,tools4 ,the ,working ,tools of a ,master ,mason are all the implements of ,masonry1 especially the ,trowel4 ,the ,trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass2 but we1 as ,free and ,accepted ,masons1 are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection--that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers1 among whom no contention should ever exist1 save that noble contention1 or rather emulation1 of who best can work and best agree4 ,my brother1 you have been 99 99 99 ,,second ,,section4 ,the lodge represents the ,craft at refreshment at the building of ,k4 ,s4's ,temple4 ,address4 ,character and habits of the builder4 ,altar4 ,south1 ,west1 ,east4 ,hill west of 99 99 99 ,illustration 99 99 99 ,k4 ,s4--,what is the cause of confusion8 ,h4 ,k4 ,t4--99 99 99 ,first and ,second ,search4 ,illustration ,during ,second ,search4 #ab ,f4 ,c4 7,ordered ,confine74 99 99 99 ,choose from the bands 99 99 99 ,those traveling in a 99 99 99 ,illustration3 ,sea ,coast of ,joppa ,third ,search4 99 99 99 ,fourth ,search4 99 99 99 ,acacia and voices4 ,capture--,sentence4--,w4 ,w4 ,f4 ,t4 99 99 99 ,f4 ,c4 ,released4 99 99 99 ,procession4 ,funeral ,dirge4 #a4 ,hark6 from the tombs a doleful sound6 ,mine ears attend the cry3 ,ye living men come view the ground ,where you must shortly lie4 #b4 ,princes6 this clay must be your bed1 ,in spite of all your towers2 ,the tall1 the wise1 the reverend head1 ,must lie as low as ours4 #c4 ,great ,god6 is this our certain doom6 ,and are we still secure1 ,still walking downward to the tomb1 ,and yet prepared no more8 #d4 ,grant us the power of quick'ning grace1 ,to fit our souls to fly4 ,then1 when we drop this dying flesh1 ,we'll rise above the sky4 ,pleyel's ,hymn4 ,solemn strikes the fun'ral chime1 ,notes of our departing time2 ,as we journey here below ,through a pilgrimage of woe4 ,mortals1 now indulge a tear1 ,for mortality is here6 ,see how wide her trophies wave ,o'er the slumbers of the grave6 ,here another guest we bring6 ,seraphs of celestial wing1 ,to our fun'ral altar come1 ,waft our friend and brother home4 ,lord of all6 below--above-- ,fill our hearts with truth and love2 ,when dissolves our earthly tie ,take us to ,thy ,lodge on high4 ,the following ,prayer is used at the raising of a brother to the degree of ,master ,mason3 ,thou1 ,o ,god6 knowest our down-sitting and our up-rising1 and understandest our thoughts afar off4 ,shield and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies1 and support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through this vale of tears4 ,man that is born of a woman is of few days1 and full of trouble4 ,he cometh forth like a flower1 and is cut down3 he fleeth also as a shadow1 and continueth not4 ,seeing his days are determined1 the number of his months is with ,thee2 ,thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass4 ,turn from him that he may rest till he shall accomplish his day4 ,for there is hope of a tree1 if it be cut down1 that it will sprout again1 and that the tender branch thereof will not cease4 ,but man dieth and wasteth away2 yea1 man giveth up the ghost1 and where is he8 ,as the waters fail from the sea1 and the flood decayeth and drieth up1 so man lieth down1 and riseth not till the heavens be no more4 ,yet1 ,o ,lord1 have compassion on the children of ,thy creation2 administer them comfort in time of trouble1 and save them with an everlasting salvation4 ,amen6 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 99 99 99 ,illustration ,that we should be ever ready to go on foot1 and even barefoot1 on a worthy ,m4 ,m4's errand1 should his necessities require it1 and we be no better provided4 ,that we should ever remember our brethren in our devotions to ,deity4 ,that the secrets of a worthy ,m4 ,m41 when communicated to us as such1 should be as secure and inviolate in our breasts as they were in his before communication4 ,that we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to support a falling brother1 and aid him on all lawful occasions4 ,that we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel in the ear of a brother1 and warn him of approaching danger4 99 99 99 ,it has been the practice of all ages to erect monuments to the memory of exalted worth4 ,illustration ,,third ,,section4 ,this section illustrates certain hieroglyphical emblems1 and inculcates many useful and impressive moral lessons4 ,it also details many particulars relative to the building of the ,temple at ,jerusalem4 ,king ,solomon's ,temple4 ,this magnificent structure was founded in the fourth year of the reign of ,solomon1 on the second day of the month ,zif1 being the second month of the sacred year4 ,it was located on ,mt4 ,moriah1 near the place where ,abraham was about to offer up his son ,isaac1 and where ,david met and appeased the destroying angel4 ,josephus informs us that1 though more than seven years were occupied in building it1 yet1 during the whole term it did not rain in the day time1 that the workmen might not be obstructed in their labor4 ,from sacred history we also learn that there was not the sound of ax1 hammer or any tool of iron heard in the house while it was building4 ,it is said to have been supported by #a1dec columns and #b1ijf pilasters1 all hewn from the finest ,parian marble4 ,it was symbolically supported1 also1 by three pillars4 ,illustration ,the three pillars here represented were explained in a preceding degree1 and there represented ,wisdom1 ,strength and ,beauty4 ,here they represent our three ancient ,grand ,masters3 ,s4 ,k4 of ,i41 ,h4 ,k4 of ,t41 and ,h4 ,a42 the pillar ,wisdom1 ,s4 ,k4 of ,i41 by whose wisdom the ,temple was erected1 that superb model of excellence which has so honored and exalted his name2 the pillar ,strength1 ,h4 ,k4 of ,t41 who strengthened ,k4 ,s4 in his great and important undertaking2 and the pillar ,beauty1 ,h4 ,a41 the ,w4 ,s4 of the tribe of ,naphtali1 by whose cunning workmanship the ,temple was so beautified and adorned4 ,there were employed in its building #c ,grand ,masters1 #c1cjj ,masters or overseers of the work1 #hj1jjj ,fellow ,crafts1 and #gj1jjj ,entered ,apprentices or bearers of burdens4 ,all these were classed and arranged in such manner1 by the wisdom of ,solomon1 that neither envy1 discord nor confusion was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellowship which prevailed among the workmen1 except in one notable instance4 99 99 99 ,in front of the magnificent porch were placed the two celebrated pillars--one on the left hand1 and one on the right hand4 ,they are supposed to have been placed there as a memorial to the children of ,israel of the happy deliverance of their forefathers from ,egyptian bondage1 and in commemoration of those two miraculous pillars of fire and of cloud4 ,the pillar of fire gave light to the children of ,israel and facilitated their march4 ,the cloud proved darkness to ,pharaoh and his host and retarded their pursuit4 ,king ,solomon1 therefore1 ordered these pillars placed at the entrance of the ,temple1 as the most conspicuous place1 that the children of ,israel might have that happy event continually before their eyes in going to and returning from divine worship4 ,the ,three ,steps4 ,the ,three ,steps usually delineated upon the ,master's ,carpet are emblematical of the three principal stages of human life3 ,youth1 ,manhood and ,age4 ,in ,youth1 as ,entered ,apprentices1 we ought industriously to occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge2 in ,manhood1 as ,fellow ,crafts1 we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to ,god1 our neighbor and ourselves1 so that in ,age1 as ,master ,masons1 we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a well-spent life1 and die in the hope of a glorious immortality4 ,the ,pot of ,incense4 ,the ,pot of ,incense is an emblem of a pure heart1 which is always an acceptable sacrifice to ,deity2 and as this glows with fervent heat1 so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the great and beneficent ,author of our existence for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy4 ,the ,beehive4 ,the ,beehive is an emblem of industry1 and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings1 from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust4 ,it teaches us that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings1 so we should ever be industrious ones2 never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want1 especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves4 ,when we take a survey of ,nature1 we view man in his infancy1 more helpless and indigent than the brute creation2 he lies languishing for days1 months and years1 totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself1 of guarding against the attack of the wild beasts of the field1 or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather4 ,it might have pleased the great ,creator of heaven and earth to have made man independent of all created beings2 but as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society1 mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security1 thereby enjoying better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship4 ,thus was man formed for social and active life1 the noblest part of the work of ,god2 and he who will so demean himself as not to endeavor to add to the common stock of knowledge may be deemed a drone in the hive of nature1 a useless member of society1 and unworthy of our protection as ,masons4 ,the ,book of ,constitutions4 ,the ,book of ,constitutions guarded by the ,tiler's ,sword reminds us that we should be ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts1 words and actions1 particularly when before the enemies of ,masonry1 ever bearing in remembrance those truly ,masonic virtues1 silence and circumspection4 ,the ,sword4 ,the ,sword pointing to a ,naked ,heart demonstrates that justice will sooner or later overtake us2 and although our thoughts1 words and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men1 yet that-- ,illustration ,all ,seeing ,eye whom the ,sun1 ,moon and ,stars obey1 and under whose watchful care even ,comets perform their stupendous revolutions1 pervades the inmost recesses of the human ,heart1 and will reward us according to our merits4 ,the ,anchor and the ,ark4 ,the ,anchor and the ,ark are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life4 ,they are emblematical of that ,divine ,ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of troubles1 and that ,anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor1 where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest4 ,forty-seventh ,problem of ,euclid4 ,this was an invention of our ancient friend and brother ,pythagoras1 who1 in his travels through ,asia1 ,africa and ,europe1 was initiated into several orders of priesthood1 and raised to the sublime degree of ,master ,mason4 ,this wise philosopher enriched his mind abundantly in a general knowledge of things and more especially in ,geometry1 or ,masonry4 ,on this subject he drew out many problems and theorems2 and among the most distinguished he erected this1 which1 in the joy of his heart1 he called ,eureka1 in the ,grecian language signifying ,i have found it2 and upon the erection of which he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb4 ,it teaches ,masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences4 ,illustration ,the ,hour-,glass4 ,the ,hour-glass is an emblem of human life4 ,behold how swiftly the sands run1 and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close6 ,we cannot without astonishment behold the little particles which are contained in this machine--how they pass away almost imperceptibly2 and yet1 to our surprise1 in the short space of an hour they are all exhausted4 ,thus wastes man6 ,to-day he puts forth the tender leaves of hope2 to-morrow blossoms1 and bears his blushing honors thick upon him2 the next day comes a frost which nips the shoot2 and when he thinks his greatness is still aspiring1 he falls1 like autumn leaves1 to enrich our mother earth4 ,the ,scythe4 ,the ,scythe is an emblem of time1 which cuts the brittle thread of life and launches us into eternity4 ,behold what havoc the ,scythe of ,time makes among the human race6 ,if by chance we should escape the numerous ills incident to childhood and youth1 and with health and vigor arrive at the years of manhood1 yet withal we must soon be cut down by the all-devouring ,scythe of ,time1 and be gathered into the land where our fathers have gone before us4 ,illustration ,thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon the solemn thought of death1 which1 without revelation1 is dark and gloomy2 but we are suddenly revived by the ever-green and ever-living ,sprig of ,faith which strengthens us1 with confidence and composure1 to look forward to a blessed immortality2 and we doubt not that1 on the glorious morn of the ,resurrection1 our bodies will rise and become as incorruptible as our souls4 ,then let us imitate the good man in his virtuous and amiable conduct1 in his unfeigned piety to ,god1 in his inflexible fidelity to his trust1 that we may welcome the grim tyrant ,death1 and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our ,supreme ,grand ,master1 to translate us from this imperfect to that all-perfect1 glorious and celestial lodge above1 where the ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe presides4 99 99 99 ,lecture4 99 99 99 ,charge4 ,my ,brother--,your zeal for the institution of ,masonry1 the progress you have made in the mysteries1 and your conformity to our regulations1 have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor and esteem4 ,you are now bound1 by duty1 honor and gratitude to be faithful to your trust2 to support the dignity of your character on every occasion2 and to enforce1 by precept and example1 obedience to the tenets of the ,order4 ,in the character of a ,master ,mason you are authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren1 and to guard them against a breach of fidelity4 ,to preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied must be your constant care2 and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors obedience and submission2 to your equals1 courtesy and affability2 to your superiors1 kindness and condescension4 ,universal benevolence you are always to inculcate1 and by the regularity of your own behavior afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed4 ,the ancient landmarks of the ,order1 intrusted to your care1 you are carefully to preserve1 and never suffer them to be infringed1 or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity4 ,your virtue1 honor and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear4 ,let no motive1 therefore1 make you swerve from your duty1 violate your vows or betray your trust2 but be true and faithful1 and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented4 ,thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred1 and merit the confidence that we have reposed in you4 ,,forms ,,and ,,ceremonies4 ,grand ,honors4 ,the public ,grand ,honors 7not funeral7 are given by raising the hands above and a little in front of the head1 and clapping them three times together1 then letting them fall to the side--repeating this action twice1 making three times4 ,the private ,grand ,honors are made by #cx#c1 but not in the same way as the public ,grand ,honors4 ,reception of ,visitors4 ,the reception of visitors with the honor due to their rank is an ancient custom of the fraternity which should never be omitted4 ,it is an act of great discourtesy to a visiting officer to omit his formal reception by the ,lodge1 and in an official visitation the visiting officer should ordinarily require it4 ,on the occasion of visits not official it will be found to greatly increase a true fraternal feeling when courtesy is properly shown4 ,i4--,grand ,lodge4 ,when a visit from the ,grand ,lodge is expected1 the ,master will see that a convenient apartment is provided for the use of the ,grand ,lodge1 where the same can be opened in the proper form4 ,on being notified that the ,grand ,lodge is opened and prepared for the visitation1 the ,master1 the ,lodge being opened on the third degree1 will send a committee1 headed1 if possible1 by a ,past ,master1 with the ,masters of ,ceremony with their rods1 the ,deacons with their rods1 and the ,marshal1 to escort the ,grand ,lodge4 ,a procession is formed in the following order3 ,marshal4 ,masters of ,ceremony4 ,committee4 ,deacons4 ,the ,grand ,lodge4 ,on arriving at the door1 the ,grand ,marshal will announce3 ,the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,lodge of ,f4 and ,a4 ,m4 of the ,state of ,arkansas4 ,the procession enters1 the ,masters of ,ceremony and ,deacons halt inside the door and cross their rods1 the committee proceed1 followed by the ,grand ,lodge in the inverse order of their rank4 ,when the ,grand ,master arrives in front of the altar1 he halts1 and the ,grand ,lodge filing to the right and left form a line across the hall4 ,the committee then introduce ,the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,lodge of ,free and ,accepted ,masons of ,arkansas4 ,the ,grand ,master then advances to the ,east1 and the ,master receives him according to ancient usages1 with the private ,grand ,honors of ,masonry1 and resigns to him the chair and the gavel1 each other ,grand ,officer taking his station in place of the corresponding officer of the ,lodge1 and the brethren are seated4 ,the ,grand ,master1 at his pleasure1 resigns the chair to the ,master1 whereupon the other ,grand ,officers resign their respective stations to the proper officers of the ,lodge1 and repair to the ,east1 and take seats on the right of the ,grand ,master4 ,the ,grand ,lodge should retire before the ,lodge is closed4 ,when the ,grand ,master announces his intention to retire1 the ,lodge is called up1 the ,grand ,honors are given1 and the ,masters of ,ceremony and ,deacons repair to the door and cross their rods1 the ,marshal conducts the procession of the ,grand ,lodge to the door1 and salutes as the procession passes him4 ,,ii4--,the ,grand ,master4 ,when a visit from the ,grand ,master is expected1 the ,master will see that a convenient apartment is provided for his use and that of his suite4 ,when the ,grand ,master's visit is announced1 the ,master sends the ,marshal1 ,deacons1 ,masters of ,ceremony1 and one of the oldest members 7a ,past ,master1 if practicable7 bearing the ,book of ,constitutions1 to escort him to the ,lodge ,room4 ,a procession is formed in the following order3 ,marshal4 ,masters of ,ceremony4 ,suite4 ,brother with the ,book of ,constitutions4 ,grand ,master4 ,deacons4 ,the ,marshal announces to ,tyler1 ,tyler to ,j4 ,d41 and ,j4 ,d43 ,the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master of ,masons of ,arkansas1 when the ,master calls up the ,lodge4 ,the ,masters of ,ceremony stop inside1 and cross their rods1 while the others proceed towards the ,east4 ,on arriving at the altar1 the suite open inwards1 the ,grand ,master passes through1 and the others1 filing to the right and left1 form a line across the hall4 ,the private ,grand ,honors are then given4 ,the ,grand ,master advances to the ,east1 and the ,master receives him1 resigns to him the chair and the gavel4 ,the suite take place on the right of the ,master1 and the ,lodge is seated4 ,the ,grand ,master may decline to receive the chair and gavel1 or at his pleasure may resign the same4 ,when the ,grand ,master announces his intention to retire1 having previously resigned the chair and gavel to the ,master1 the ,lodge is called up1 the ,private ,grand ,honors are given and the ,master directs the proper officers to attend for the escort of the ,grand ,master4 ,the ,masters of ,ceremony halt at the door1 cross their rods1 and the other officers escort the ,grand ,master to his apartment4 ,,iii4--,the ,deputy ,grand ,master1 ,grand ,wardens1 ,etc4 ,the form will be the same as for the ,grand ,master1 except that the ,book of ,constitutions will not be borne before them4 ,,iv4--,other ,brethren4 ,when a brother visits a ,lodge for the first time and has been vouched for1 the ,master will send the ,senior ,deacon to introduce him4 ,that officer conducts him to the ,altar and says3 ,worshipful ,master1 ,i have the pleasure of introducing to you ,brother 4444441 of 444444 ,lodge 444444 ,the ,master calls up the ,lodge and says3 ,brother 4444441 it gives me pleasure to ,introduce to you the members of 444444 ,lodge and to welcome you to a seat among us4 ,we meet on 4444441 and shall be very glad to welcome you to any of our meetings4 ,the ,senior ,deacon conducts the visitor to a seat and the ,lodge is seated4 ,if the visitor is to be examined the ,w4 ,m4 appoints a committee1 who retire at the door of the preparation room1 the ,s4 ,d4 passing them out4 ,when the committee are ready to report1 they make an alarm at the door of the preparation room4 ,the ,s4 ,d4 attends to it1 and reports that the examining committee desire admission4 ,the ,w4 ,m4 directs him to admit them4 ,when he goes to the door1 if the committee expect to report favorably they will introduce the ,s4 ,d4 to the visitor4 ,the committee then come in and make their report at the altar that they have examined 4444441 who claims to be a member of 444444 ,lodge ,no4 4444441 under the jurisdiction of the ,grand ,lodge of 444444 and find him to be a ,master ,mason 7or1 that they are not satisfied to vouch for him as a worthy ,mason74 ,the ,w4 ,m4 seats the committee1 and asks if there is any objection to the admission of 444444 as a visitor4 ,any member of the ,lodge has the right to object to the admission of a visitor1 but the grounds of the objection must be stated to the ,w4 ,m41 who shall judge of the sufficiency thereof4 ,if there be no objection1 the ,w4 ,m4 directs the ,s4 ,d4 to introduce the brother4 ,the ,s4 ,d4 presents him at the altar and introduces him to the ,w4 ,m41 who in turn introduces him to the ,lodge in the form above4 ,no brother should be allowed to visit a lodge for the first time without an introduction4 ,if the visitor is a ,past ,master1 he should be invited to a seat in the ,east4 ,election and ,installation4 ,the ,master1 ,senior ,warden1 ,junior ,warden1 ,treasurer and ,secretary of a chartered ,lodge must be chosen annually by ballot1 and by a majority of votes1 at the time fixed in the by-laws4 ,the ,senior and ,junior ,deacons and ,tyler are appointed by the ,w4 ,m4 ,a ,chaplain and ,senior and ,junior ,masters of ,ceremony may be appointed also4 ,if a lodge fails to elect officers at the time appointed1 it may at said meeting1 or at the next regular meeting thereof1 appoint a day for such election1 not more than three months from the regular time1 and may1 without dispensation1 elect officers at said appointed time and install them at once4 ,no member in arrears for dues at the time of the regular election shall be elected or appointed to any office in the ,lodge1 nor be allowed to vote at such election4 ,every voter is eligible to any office except that of ,master4 ,where a ,lodge finds it absolutely necessary to elect a brother ,w4 ,m41 who has not served as ,warden1 the facts must be reported to the ,grand ,master1 and the ,master-elect must not be installed without his dispensation4 ,when vacancies occur in any of the elective offices of the ,lodge1 they must be filled by seniority or pro tem4 appointments during the remainder of the term4 ,no election can be held to fill them except by dispensation of the ,grand ,master4 ,each ,lodge may make its own rule as to whether nominations shall be made or vote without nominations4 ,no one can be installed by proxy4 ,officers re-elected must be installed after each election4 ,membership in a ,lodge is necessary to eligibility to office except in case of ,tyler and ,organist4 ,any ,past ,master in good standing of a ,blue ,lodge can install the officers of a ,lodge4 ,,installations4 ,officers of a ,new ,lodge4 ,the new ,lodge having been constituted1 etc41 the ,grand ,master says3 ,g4 ,m43 ,this ,lodge having been constituted1 ,i will now install its officers4 ,right ,worshipful ,deputy ,grand ,master1 collect the official jewels1 place them upon the altar1 and present ,brother ---- ----1 who has been elected ,worshipful ,master4 ,the ,deputy ,grand ,master now conducts the ,w4 ,m4 elect before the altar1 facing the ,east1 and says3 ,d4 ,g4 ,m43 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 ,i present ,brother ---- ----1 to be installed ,worshipful ,master of this ,lodge4 ,g4 ,m43 ,right ,worshipful ,deputy ,grand ,master1 have you carefully examined the brother1 and do you find him qualified to discharge the duties of the office for which he has been chosen8 ,d4 ,g4 ,m43 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 ,i find him to be qualified and of good morals1 of great skill1 true and trusty2 and1 as he is a lover of the ,fraternity1 ,i doubt not he will discharge his duties with fidelity and honor4 ,the ,grand ,master will perform the installation service to the end1 continuing the ceremony as for annually elected officers1 the ,deputy ,grand ,master assisting4 ,annually ,elected ,officers4 ,installing his successor is usually the prerogative of the retiring ,worshipful ,master1 although any ,past ,master may act as installing officer for the occasion4 ,a competent brother 7usually a ,past ,master7 will be appointed to act as ,marshal1 who will present the officers-elect for installation4 ,all things being in order1 the ,installing ,officer says3 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ,marshal1 you will present the ,worshipful ,master-elect for installation4 ,mar3 ,worshipful ,master1 ,i present ,brother ----1 who has been elected ,worshipful ,master of this ,lodge1 and is now ready for installation4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brethren1 you now behold before you ,brother ---- ----1 who has been elected to serve this ,lodge as ,worshipful ,master1 and now declares himself ready for installation4 ,if any of you have any reason to urge why he should not be installed you will make it known now1 or forever after hold your peace4 ,no objection being offered1 ,i shall now install him4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 ,i congratulate you upon your election as ,worshipful ,master of this ,lodge1 and it will afford me great pleasure to invest you with the authority and the insignia of your office4 ,previous to your investiture1 however1 it is necessary that you signify your assent to those charges and regulations which point out the duty of the ,master of a ,lodge3 ,i4 ,you agree to be a good man and true1 and strictly to obey the moral law8 ,,ii4 ,you agree to be a peaceable citizen and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside8 ,,iii4 ,you promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the government1 but patiently submit to the law and the constituted authorities8 ,,iv4 ,you agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates1 to work diligently1 live creditably1 and act honorably toward all men8 ,v4 ,you agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of ,freemasonry1 and their regular successors1 supreme and subordinate1 according to their stations1 and submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren1 in ,lodge convened1 in every case consistent with the ,constitutions of the ,fraternity8 ,,vi4 ,you agree to avoid private piques and quarrels1 and to guard against intemperance and excess8 ,,vii4 ,you agree to be cautious in your behavior1 courteous to your brethren1 and faithful to your ,lodge8 ,,viii4 ,you promise to respect genuine brethren1 and discountenance impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of ,masonry8 ,,ix4 ,you agree to promote the general good of society1 to cultivate the social virtues1 and to propagate the knowledge of the mystic art8 ,x4 ,you promise to pay homage to the ,grand ,master for the time being1 and to his officers when duly installed1 and strictly to conform to every edict of the ,grand ,lodge that is not subversive of the principles and groundwork of ,masonry8 ,,xi4 ,you admit that it is not in the power of any man1 or body of men1 to make innovations in the body of ,masonry8 ,,xii4 ,you promise a regular attendance on the communications of the ,grand ,lodge1 on receiving proper notice1 and to pay a proper attention to all the duties of ,masonry1 on convenient occasions8 ,,xiii4 ,you admit that no new ,lodge shall be formed without permission of the ,grand ,lodge1 and that no countenance be given to any irregular ,lodge1 or to any person clandestinely made therein1 being contrary to the ancient charges of ,freemasonry8 ,,xiv4 ,you admit that no person can be regularly made a ,mason in1 or admitted a member of1 any regular ,lodge without previous notice and due inquiry into his character8 ,,xv4 ,you agree that no visitor shall be received into your ,lodge without due examination1 or being properly vouched for8 ,these are the regulations of ,free and ,accepted ,masons4 ,do you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations1 as ,masters have done in all ages before you8 ,the ,master answers3 ,i do4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 in consequence of your conformity to the charges and regulations of the ,fraternity1 you are now to be installed ,master of this ,lodge1 in full confidence of your skill and capacity to govern the same4 ,the ,master is then regularly invested with the insignia of his office1 and the furniture and implements of the ,lodge are placed in his charge4 ,the various implements of his profession are emblematical of his conduct in life1 and are fully explained1 as follows3 ,inst4 ,off43 ,the ,holy ,writings1 that ,great ,light in ,masonry1 which guides us to all truth1 directs our path to the temple of happiness1 and points out the whole duty of man4 ,the ,square teaches us to regulate our actions and harmonize our conduct with the principles of morality and virtue4 ,the ,compasses teach us to limit our desires in every station1 that1 rising to eminence by merit1 we may live respected and die regretted4 ,the ,rule directs us to punctually observe our duty1 press forward in the path of virtue1 and1 inclining neither to the right nor to the left1 in all our actions to have eternity in view4 ,the ,line1 the emblem of moral rectitude1 teaches us to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action1 and to walk in the path which leads to a blessed immortality4 ,the ,constitution and ,laws you are to search at all times and cause to be read in your ,lodge1 that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts they enjoin4 ,you now receive in charge the ,charter1 by the authority of which this ,lodge is held4 ,you are carefully to preserve the same and duly transmit it to your successor in office4 ,you will also receive in charge the ,by-,laws of your ,lodge1 which you are to see carefully and punctually executed4 ,the new ,master is conducted to the ,east and placed on the right of the ,installing ,officer until the other officers are installed4 ,the other officers are then severally presented by the ,marshal to the ,installing ,officer1 who delivers to each his appropriate charge4 ,senior ,warden4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 you have been elected ,senior ,warden of this ,lodge4 ,do you solemnly promise that you will serve the ,lodge as ,senior ,warden for the ensuing year1 and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability8 7,he assents47 ,you will now be invested with the insignia of your office4 ,the ,level teaches that we are descended from the same stock1 partake of the same nature1 and share the same hope2 that we are all children of one common father1 heirs of the same infirmities1 and exposed to the same vicissitudes4 ,it also reminds us that1 although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination1 no eminence of station should make us forget that we are brethren1 and that in the ,lodge and in all our ,masonic associations1 we are on a level4 ,this implement teaches us that a time will come1 and the wisest knows not how soon1 when all distinctions but that of goodness1 shall cease1 and death1 the grand leveler of all human greatness1 reduce us to the same state4 ,your regular attendance on the stated and other meetings of the ,lodge is essentially necessary4 ,in the absence of the ,master you are to govern the ,lodge1 and in his presence assist him in the government of it4 ,hence you will perceive the necessity of preparing yourself for the important duties which may devolve upon you4 ,look well to the ,west1 and guard with scrupulous care the pillar committed to your charge4 ,he is conducted to his proper station4 ,junior ,warden4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 you have been elected ,junior ,warden of this ,lodge4 ,do you solemnly promise that you will serve the ,lodge as ,junior ,warden for the ensuing year1 and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability8 7,he assents47 ,you will now be invested with the insignia of your office4 ,the ,plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations2 to do unto others as we would have others do to us2 to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure1 and make our passions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty4 ,in the absence of the ,master and ,senior ,warden upon you devolves the government of the ,lodge2 but to you is especially committed the superintendence of the ,craft during the hours of refreshment2 it is1 therefore1 not only necessary that you should be temperate and discreet in the indulgence of your own inclinations1 but carefully observe that none of the ,craft convert the purpose of refreshment into intemperance or excess4 ,look well to the ,south4 ,guard with vigilance the pillar committed to your charge1 that nothing may disturb the harmony of the ,lodge or mar its beauty4 ,he is conducted to his proper station4 ,treasurer4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 you have been elected ,treasurer of this ,lodge and will now be invested with the jewel of your office4 ,it is your duty to receive all moneys belonging to the ,lodge from the ,secretary1 keep a just and true account thereof1 and pay them out by order of the ,worshipful ,master and consent of the ,lodge4 ,your own honor and the confidence the brethren repose in you will arouse you to that faithfulness in the discharge of the duties of your office which its important nature demands4 ,he is conducted to his station4 ,secretary4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 you have been elected ,secretary of this ,lodge1 and will now be invested with the jewel of your office4 ,it is your duty to keep a faithful record of all things pertaining to the ,lodge1 proper to be written1 transmit a copy of the same to the ,grand ,lodge when required1 receive all moneys due the ,lodge and pay them to the ,treasurer1 taking his receipt for the same4 ,your love for the ,craft and attachment to the ,lodge will induce you cheerfully to fulfill the very important duties of your office1 and in so doing you will merit the esteem of your brethren4 ,he is conducted to his station4 ,chaplain4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 you have been appointed ,chaplain of this ,lodge1 and will now be invested with the jewel of your office4 ,it will be your duty to perform those solemn services which we should constantly render to our infinite ,creator1 and which1 when offered by one whose holy profession is to point to heaven and lead the way1 may1 by refining our souls1 strengthening our virtues1 and purifying our minds1 prepare us for admission into the society of those above1 whose happiness will be as endless as it is perfect4 ,he is conducted to his station1 which is in the ,east in front and to the left of the ,w4 ,m4 ,the ,senior and ,junior ,deacons4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brothers ---- and ----1 you are appointed ,deacons of this ,lodge1 and are now invested with the badge of your office4 ,it is your province to attend on the ,master and ,wardens and to act as their proxies in the active duties of the ,lodge2 such as in the reception of candidates into the different degrees of ,masonry1 the introduction and accommodation of visitors1 and in the immediate practice of our rites4 ,the ,square and ,compasses1 as badges of your office1 ,i entrust to your care1 not doubting your vigilance and attention4 ,they are conducted to their stations4 ,masters of ,ceremonies4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brothers ---- and ----1 you have been appointed ,masters of ,ceremonies of this ,lodge1 and will now be invested with the jewels of your office4 ,the positions to which you are assigned in the ,lodge are very important4 ,you are to assist the ,senior ,deacon and other officers in performing their respective duties4 ,your conduct should be courteous and dignified4 ,remember that in your company the candidate will receive his first impressions of our institution4 ,your regular and early attendance at our meetings will afford the best proof of your zeal and attachment to the ,lodge4 ,they are conducted to their stations4 ,tiler4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,brother ---- ----1 you have been appointed ,tiler of this ,lodge1 and will now be invested with the jewel and the implement of your office4 ,as the ,sword is placed in the hands of the ,tiler to enable him effectually to guard the ,lodge against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers1 and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission of the ,worshipful ,master1 so it should morally serve as a constant admonition to us to set a guard over our thoughts1 a watch at our lips1 and a sentinel over our actions1 thereby preventing the approach of every unworthy thought or deed1 and preserving consciences void of offence toward ,god and toward man4 ,your early and punctual attendance will give us the best proof of your appreciation of and love for the institution4 ,he is conducted to his station4 ,the ,installing ,officer1 addressing the ,master1 when presenting the ,gavel1 explains its power and use4 ,one 99 of which calls 99 99 992 two 99 calls 99 99 992 three 99 calls 99 99 99 ,worshipful ,master1 behold your brethren6 ,brethren1 behold your ,master6 ,the grand honors are then given the ,w4 ,m4 by the ,lodge1 the ,marshal leading in the ceremony4 ,the brethren are now seated4 ,then the ,grand ,master or ,installing ,officer may deliver an address or read the following charges1 in his discretion3 ,worshipful ,master3 ,the superintendence and government of the brethren who compose this ,lodge having been committed to your care1 you cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you as their head1 nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties annexed to your position4 ,the honor1 reputation and usefulness of this ,lodge will materially depend upon the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns2 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 institution4 ,as a pattern for imitation1 consider the great luminary of nature1 which1 rising in the ,east1 regularly diffuses light and luster to all within the circle4 ,in like manner1 it is your province to spread and communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your ,lodge4 ,forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of ,masonry1 and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it4 ,charge them to practice out of the ,lodge those duties which they have been taught in it2 and by amiable1 discreet and virtuous conduct1 to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution2 so that when a person is said to be a member of it1 the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows1 to whom distress may prefer its suit1 whose hand is guided by justice1 and whose heart is expanded by benevolence4 ,in short1 by a diligent observance of the ,by-,laws of the ,lodge1 the ,constitutions of ,freemasonry1 and1 above all1 the ,holy ,scriptures1 which are given as a rule and a guide to your faith1 you will be enabled to acquit yourself with honor and reputation1 and lay up a crown of rejoicing1 which shall continue when time shall be no more4 ,brother ,senior and ,junior ,warden3 ,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 duties4 ,suffice it to say1 that what you have seen praiseworthy in others you should carefully imitate2 and what in them may have appeared defective you should in yourselves amend4 ,you should be examples of good order and regularity2 for it is only by a due regard to the laws in your own conduct that you can expect obedience to them from others4 ,you are assiduously to assist the ,master in the discharge of his trust1 diffusing light and imparting knowledge to all whom he shall place under your care4 ,in the absence of the ,master1 you will succeed to higher duties2 your acquirements must therefore be such that the ,craft may never suffer for want of proper instruction4 ,from the spirit which you have hitherto evinced1 ,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 conscience4 ,the ,lodge being called up1 the ,installing ,officer continues as follows3 ,brethren of ---- ,lodge3 ,such is the nature of our constitution1 that as some must of necessity rule and teach1 so others must1 of course1 learn to submit and obey4 ,humility in both is an essential duty4 ,the officers who are chosen to govern your ,lodge are sufficiently conversant with the rules of propriety and the laws of the institution to avoid exceeding the powers with which they are entrusted1 and you are of too generous dispositions to envy their preferment2 ,i1 therefore1 trust that you will have but one aim--to please each other1 and unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness4 ,finally1 my brethren1 as this ,lodge has been formed and perfected in so much unanimity and concord1 so may it long continue4 ,may you long enjoy every satisfaction and delight which disinterested friendship can afford4 ,may kindness and brotherly affection distinguish your conduct as men and as ,masons4 ,within your peaceful walls may your children's children celebrate1 with joy and gratitude1 the annual recurrence of this auspicious solemnity2 and may the tenets of our profession be transmitted through this ,lodge1 pure and unimpaired1 from generation to generation4 ,the ,marshal then makes proclamation from the ,south1 ,west and ,east in the following manner3 ,i am directed to proclaim1 and ,i do hereby proclaim1 that the ,worshipful ,master1 ,wardens1 and other officers1 elected and appointed1 of ---- ,lodge1 have been regularly installed into their respective stations4 ,,instituting ,,and ,,constituting ,,new ,,lodge ,ceremony for ,instituting a ,lodge ,under ,dispensation4 ,the members of the new ,lodge1 whether they are to be instituted by the ,grand ,master1 or by a brother deputized by him1 will1 in either case1 be notified by the ,master to assemble in their ,lodge room at the time determined upon4 ,after the brethren are assembled1 the ,grand ,master1 or ,instituting ,officer1 will assume the ,east and announce the object of the meeting4 ,he then causes the ,letter of ,dispensation to be read1 after which the names of the officers appointed by the ,grand ,master and by the ,master of the new ,lodge will be announced4 ,as these names are called1 the officers will form in line near and facing the ,east1 when each officer will be invested with his jewel4 ,the new ,master will then be seated in the ,east1 on the right of the ,instituting ,officer4 ,the ,wardens and other officers will take their respective stations4 ,the ,instituting ,officer will then open the ,lodge on the third degree of ,masonry1 and deliver to the officers and brethren the following ,charges to the ,officers and ,brethren4 ,inst4 ,off43 ,worshipful ,master3 7,who rises47 ,the ,grand ,master having committed to your care the superintendence and government of the brethren who are to compose this new lodge1 you cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you1 as their head1 nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties attached to your office4 ,the honor1 reputation1 and usefulness of your ,lodge will materially depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns2 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 institution4 ,for a pattern of imitation1 consider the sun1 which1 rising in the east1 regularly diffuses light and luster to all within its circle4 ,in like manner1 it is in your province to spread and communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your ,lodge4 ,forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of ,masonry2 and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it4 ,charge them to practice out of the ,lodge1 those duties which they have been taught in it2 and by amiable1 discreet1 and virtuous conduct1 to convince mankind of the goodness of the ,institution2 so that1 when any one is said to be a member of it1 the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows1 to whom distress may prefer its suit1 whose hand is guided by justice1 and whose heart is expanded by benevolence4 ,in short1 by a diligent observance of the by-laws of your ,lodge1 the ,constitution of ,masonry1 and above all1 the ,holy ,scriptures1 which are given as a rule and guide to your faith1 you will be enabled to acquit yourself with honor and reputation4 ,charge to the ,wardens4 ,brothers ,senior and ,junior ,wardens3 7,who are called up by one knock47 ,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 duties4 ,what you have seen praiseworthy in others you should carefully imitate1 and what in them may have appeared defective1 you should in yourselves amend4 ,you should be examples of good order and regularity1 for it is only by a due regard to the laws1 in your own conduct1 that you can expect obedience to them from others4 ,you are assiduously to assist the ,master in the discharge of his trust1 diffusing light and imparting knowledge to all whom he shall place under your care4 ,in the absence of the ,master you will succeed to higher duties2 your acquirements must therefore be such that the ,craft may never suffer for want of proper instruction4 ,from the spirit which you have hitherto evinced1 ,i entertain no doubt that your future conduct will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren1 and the testimony of a good conscience4 ,charge to the ,brethren of the ,lodge4 99 99 99 ,brethren of 444444 ,lodge1 such is the nature of our ,constitution1 that as some must of necessity rule and teach1 so others must1 of course1 learn to submit and obey4 ,humility in both is an essential duty4 ,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 intrusted1 and you are of too generous dispositions to envy their preferment4 ,i therefore trust that you will have but one aim1 to please each other and to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness4 ,finally1 my brethren1 as this association has been formed and perfected in so much unity and concord1 in which we greatly rejoice1 so may it long continue4 ,may you enjoy every satisfaction and delight1 which disinterested friendship can afford4 ,may kindness and brotherly affection distinguish your conduct as men and ,masons4 ,within your peaceful walls1 may your children1 and your children's children celebrate1 with joy and gratitude1 the annual recurrence of this auspicious solemnity4 ,and may the tenets of our profession be transmitted through your ,lodge1 pure and unimpaired1 from generation to generation4 ,proclamation4 ,instituting ,officer3 7,calls up ,lodge47 ,in the name and by the authority of the ,most ,worshipful99 ,grand ,master of ,free and ,accepted ,masons of the ,state of ,arkansas1 ,i now declare this ,lodge duly instituted and properly prepared for the transaction of such business as may lawfully come before it4 99 ,if ,grand ,master ,institutes the ,lodge1 in person1 he will omit what precedes the 99 and insert as4 ,instituting ,officer3 7,addressing ,master47 ,i now deliver to you the ,dispensation empowering you and your brethren to work as a ,regular ,lodge4 ,you are its custodian and must see to it that it is present at all ,communications of the ,lodge4 ,you must also1 as required by law1 safely transmit it to the ,grand ,secretary just prior to the next ,annual ,communication of the ,grand ,lodge1 and when this is done1 ,masonic work in this ,lodge must cease until the ,dispensation is continued by the ,grand ,lodge1 or until the ,lodge is constituted4 ,i now deliver to you the gavel of authority2 wield it1 my brother1 with prudence and discretion4 ,you will now assume your station4 ,constituting a ,newly ,chartered ,lodge4 ,after the grant of a charter the new ,lodge thus created should be constituted1 and its officers installed1 by the ,grand ,master or his ,deputy or some past or present ,master4 ,the ,lodge is opened on the ,third ,degree4 ,the ,marshal forms the officers of the new ,lodge in front of the ,installing ,officer1 whereupon the ,deputy ,g4 ,m4 addresses the ,g4 ,m4 as follows3 ,most ,worshipful1 a number of brethren1 duly instructed in the mysteries of ,masonry1 having assembled together for some time past by virtue of a dispensation granted them for that purpose1 do now desire to be regularly constituted as a lodge agreeably to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity4 ,the charter is presented by the ,d4 ,g4 ,m4 to the ,grand ,master1 who examines it and1 if correct1 proclaims3 ,g4 ,m4--,the charter appears to be correct and is approved4 ,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 ,lodge4 ,we shall now proceed according to the ancient usage to constitute these brethren into a regular ,lodge4 ,the officers of the new ,lodge deliver up their jewels and badges to their ,master1 who presents them1 with his own1 to the ,d4 ,g4 ,m4 and he to the ,g4 ,m4 ,the ,d4 ,g4 ,m4 then presents the ,master-elect to the ,g4 ,m41 saying3 ,d4 ,g4 ,m4--,most ,worshipful1 ,i present to you ,brother ----1 whom the members of the ,lodge now to be constituted have chosen for their ,master4 ,the ,g4 ,m4 asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with their choice4 7,they bow in token of assent47 ,the ,master-elect then presents1 severally1 his ,wardens and other officers1 naming them and their respective offices4 ,the ,g4 ,m4 asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with each and all of them4 7,they bow as before47 ,the officers and members of the new ,lodge form in front of the ,g4 ,m4 and the business of consecration commences4 ,the ,g4 ,m4 and grand officers form around the ,lodge1 all kneeling4 ,a piece of solemn music is performed while the ,lodge is being uncovered1 after which the first clause of the consecration prayer is rehearsed by the ,grand ,chaplain1 as follows3 ,great ,architect of the ,universe2 ,maker and ,ruler of all worlds4 ,deign from ,thy ,celestial ,temple1 from the realms of light and glory1 to bless us in all the purposes of our present assembly4 ,we humbly invoke ,thee to give us at this1 and at all times1 ,wisdom in all our doings1 ,strength of mind in all our difficulties1 and the ,beauty of harmony in all our communications4 ,permit us1 ,o ,thou author of life and light1 great source of love and happiness1 solemnly to consecrate this ,lodge to ,thy honor and glory4 ,amen4 ,response by the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge3 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,the ,grand ,officers will then rise4 ,consecration4 ,the ,deputy ,grand ,master will step forward and present the ,vessel of ,corn 7wheat7 to the ,grand ,master1 who sprinkles a portion of it upon the symbol of the ,lodge1 saying3 ,may the ,giver of every good and perfect gift strengthen this ,lodge in all its philanthropic undertakings4 ,the following may then be sung3 ,when once of old1 in ,israel1 ,our brethren wrought with toil1 ,jehovah's blessings on them fell1 ,in showers of ,corn and ,wine and ,oil4 ,in like manner1 the ,senior ,grand ,warden presents the ,vessel of ,wine1 which is sprinkled on the ,lodge by the ,grand ,master1 saying3 ,may this ,lodge be continually refreshed at the pure fountain of ,masonic virtue4 ,the following may then be sung3 ,when then a shrine to him above ,they built1 with worship sin to foil1 ,on threshold and on corner-stone ,they poured out ,corn and ,wine and ,oil4 ,the ,junior ,grand ,warden then presents the ,vessel of ,oil1 which is used in the same manner1 the ,grand ,master saying3 ,may the ,supreme ,ruler of the ,universe preserve this ,lodge in peace1 and vouchsafe to it every blessing4 ,the following may then be sung3 ,and we have come1 fraternal bands1 ,with joy and pride and prosperous spoil1 ,to honor him by votive hands1 ,with streams of ,corn and ,wine and ,oil4 ,each vessel after use is placed upon the table4 ,the ,grand ,master then orders the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge to kneel as before1 when the ,grand ,chaplain will rehearse the remaining portion of the consecration prayer3 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 our ,god1 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 duties4 ,may brotherly love1 relief and truth always prevail among the members of this ,lodge4 ,may this bond of union continue to strengthen the ,lodges throughout the world4 ,bless all our brethren1 wherever dispersed1 and grant speedy relief to all who are either oppressed or distressed4 ,we affectionately commend to ,thee all the members of this whole family2 may they increase in grace1 in the knowledge of ,thee1 and in love to each other4 ,finally1 may we finish all our work here below1 with ,thy approbation2 and then may our transition from this earthly abode be to ,thy heavenly ,temple above1 there to enjoy light and glory1 and bliss ineffable and eternal4 ,amen4 ,response3 7,by the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge47 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,a short piece of solemn music is then performed1 during which the ,grand ,officers will rise4 ,dedication4 ,the ,grand ,master steps forward1 and extending his hands over the emblem of the ,lodge1 exclaims3 ,to the memory of the ,holy ,saints ,john1 we dedicate this ,lodge4 ,may every brother revere their character and imitate their virtues4 ,response3 7,by the brethren47 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen4 ,the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge will then about face1 and stand1 while the brethren of the new ,lodge1 under direction of the ,grand ,marshal1 make a circuit in procession1 single file1 and salute the ,grand ,officers with their hands crossed upon their breasts1 left over right1 and heads slightly bowed while passing4 ,upon the completion of this ceremony1 the brethren will resume position1 facing inward4 ,the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge will also resume original position4 ,the ,grand ,master will call up1 with his gavel1 all present1 and then proceed to ,constitute the ,lodge4 ,grand ,master3 ,in the name of the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,lodge of the ,state of ,arkansas1 ,i now constitute and form you1 my beloved brethren1 into a ,regular ,lodge of ,free and ,accepted ,masons4 ,from henceforth we empower you to meet as a ,regular ,lodge1 constituted in conformity to the rites of our institution1 and the charges of our ancient and honorable ,fraternity2 and may the ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe prosper1 direct and counsel you in all your doings4 ,response by the brethren3 ,so mote it be4 ,the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge will1 under the direction of the ,grand ,marshal1 give the ,full ,grand ,honors4 ,the ,grand ,marshal will then slowly replace the covering on the ,lodge1 during which a choir should chant-- ,glory be to ,god on ,high4 ,the ,grand ,marshal will then conduct the ,grand ,master to his chair1 and instruct the officers of the ,grand ,lodge to resume their respective stations2 and the members of the new ,lodge to resume their seats4 ,during these movements instrumental music should be performed4 ,grand ,master3 7,calls up the assembly47 ,worshipful ,grand ,marshal1 you will make proclamation that 444444 ,lodge1 ,no4 4444441 has been regularly constituted4 ,grand ,marshal3 ,i am directed by the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master to proclaim1 and ,i do hereby proclaim1 that 444444 ,lodge1 ,no4 4444441 has been regularly constituted1 and duly registered as such in the ,grand ,lodge of ,arkansas4 ,this proclamation is made from the ,east1 7one knock by ,g4 ,m472 from the ,west1 7one knock by the ,s4 ,g4 ,w472 from the ,south1 7one knock by the ,j4 ,g4 ,w472 once1 twice1 thrice2 the ,craft will take due notice and govern itself accordingly4 ,the ,grand ,honors are given4 ,grand ,master seats the brethren4 ,,laying ,,corner ,,stones4 ,these ceremonies are conducted only by the ,grand ,master in person1 or by some brother acting for him1 under special dispensation1 assisted by the officers of the ,grand ,lodge1 and such of the ,craft as may be invited1 or who may choose to attend1 either as ,lodges1 or as individual brethren4 ,no corner-stone should be laid with ,masonic ceremonies1 except those of acknowledged public structures1 or buildings which are to be used for ,masonic purposes2 and then only by special request of the proper authorities4 ,the ,lodge or ,lodges in the place where the building is to be erected1 may invite such neighboring ,lodges1 and other ,masonic bodies1 as they may deem proper4 ,the ,chief ,magistrate1 and other ,officers of the place1 should also be invited to attend on the occasion4 ,at the time appointed for the ceremony1 a sufficient number of brethren to act as ,grand ,officers are convened in a suitable place1 where a ,special ,communication of the ,grand ,lodge will be opened on the ,third ,degree1 and proper instructions given by the ,grand ,master2 after which1 the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge1 under the direction of the ,grand ,marshal1 will form in the following order3 ,grand ,tyler4 7with drawn sword47 ,master ,masons4 ,grand ,steward4 ,a ,brother4 ,grand ,steward4 7carrying rod47 7carrying ,bible1 7carrying rod47 ,square and ,compass1 on a cushion47 ,grand ,chaplain4 ,grand ,secretary1 ,grand ,treasurer1 7carrying scroll1 containing 7in charge of the box,a list of articles to be to be deposited under placed under the the corner-stone47 corner-stone47 ,gr'd ,steward1 ,past ,gr'd ,officers1,b ,gr'd ,steward1 7carrying rod47 7in the order of their 7carrying rod47 ,g rank1 two abreast47 ,r ,a ,principal ,architect1,c ,n 7carrying ,square1 ,level and ,plumb47 ,d ,m ,jr4 ,grand ,warden1 ,sr4 ,grand ,warden1 ,a 7carrying vessel of oil47 7carrying vessel of wine47 ,r ,s ,deputy ,grand ,master4 ,h 7carrying vessel of corn47 ,a ,l ,master of ,oldest ,lodge1 4 7carrying book of constitutions47 ,jr4 ,grand ,deacon1 ,grand ,master4 ,sr4 ,grand ,deacon1 7carrying rod47 7carrying rod47 ,the procession thus formed will proceed to join the general procession1 if any1 and march to the place where the ceremony is to be performed4 ,a ,this box may be carried by the ,treasurer1 or be sent in advance to the site of the corner-stone1 as circumstances may dictate4 ,b ,in the absence of ,past ,grand ,officers1 these ,stewards will support the ,deputy ,grand ,master and ,grand ,warden4 ,c ,if the architect of the building is not a member of the ,masonic ,fraternity1 the ,square1 ,level and ,plumb will be carried by a brother appointed for the purpose1 who will deliver them to the architect on arriving at the corner-stone4 ,when a procession is composed of other than the officers of the ,grand ,lodge and ,master ,masons1 it should be formed in the following order3 ,g ,music4 ,r ,a ,m ,military4 ,n ,a ,d ,r ,civic ,societies and ,organizations4 ,s ,h ,chief ,magistrate1 ,mayor or other ,official ,guests4 ,a ,l ,knights ,templar ,escort4 4 ,grand ,lodge4 ,should any ,masonic body other than those above named appear1 they will be assigned an appropriate place in the procession4 ,a triumphal arch is usually erected near the place where the ceremony is to be performed2 and the corner-stone should have engraved on its face the words1 ,laid by the ,masonic ,fraternity1 with the date1 the year of ,masonry1 the name of the ,grand ,master1 and such other particulars as may be deemed proper4 ,when the head of the procession reaches the ,arch1 it will open to the right and left1 facing inward4 ,the ,grand ,master1 uncovering1 preceded by the ,grand ,marshal and ,grand ,tyler1 and followed by the other ,grand ,officers and the ,chief ,magistrate and civil officers of the place1 will pass through the lines and ascend to the platform4 ,as the ,grand ,master and others advance1 the remainder of the procession will counter-march and surround the platform4 ,the stone should be suspended about six feet from its bed1 by a machine having suitable arrangements for slowly lowering it to its place4 ,all being in readiness-- ,the ,grand ,master will command silence and address the assembly1 announcing the purposes of the occasion1 etc41 concluding as follows3 ,the teachings of ,freemasonry inculcate1 that in all our works1 great or small1 begun and finished1 we should seek the aid of ,almighty ,god4 ,it is our first duty1 then1 to invoke the blessing of the great ,architect of the ,universe upon the work in which we are about to engage4 ,i therefore command the utmost silence1 and call upon all to unite with our ,grand ,chaplain in an address to the ,throne of ,grace4 ,the brethren uncover1 while the ,grand ,chaplain delivers the following1 or some other appropriate ,prayer4 ,almighty ,god6 who hath given us grace at this time1 with one accord1 to make our common supplication unto ,thee1 and dost promise1 that where two or three are gathered together in ,thy name1 ,thou wilt grant their request2 fulfill now1 ,o ,lord6 the desires and petitions of ,thy servants1 as may be most expedient for them2 granting us in this world1 knowledge of ,thy truth2 and in the world to come1 life everlasting4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,the choir may then sing an ,ode1 or a piece of instrumental music may be performed4 ,deposit of ,memorials4 ,grand ,master3 ,r4 ,w4 ,brother ,grand ,treasurer1 it has ever been the custom1 on occasions like the present1 to deposit within a cavity in the stone1 placed in the north-east corner of the edifice1 certain memorials of the period at which it was erected2 so that in the lapse of ages1 if the fury of the elements1 or the slow but certain ravages of time1 should lay bare its foundation1 an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations1 to bear testimony to the energy1 industry and culture of our time4 ,has such a deposit been prepared8 ,grand ,treasurer3 ,it has1 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 and the various articles of which it is composed are safely enclosed within the casket now before you4 ,grand ,master3 ,r4 ,w4 ,grand ,secretary1 you will read for the information of the brethren and others here assembled1 a record of the contents of the casket4 ,grand ,secretary reads a list of the articles contained in the casket4 ,grand ,master3 ,r4 ,w4 ,grand ,treasurer1 you will now deposit the casket in the cavity beneath the corner-stone1 and may the ,great ,architect of the ,universe1 in ,his wisdom1 grant that ages on ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men4 ,grand ,treasurer1 assisted by the ,grand ,secretary1 will place the casket in the cavity prepared1 and report3 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 your orders have been duly executed4 ,presentation of ,working ,tools4 ,principal ,architect delivers the working tools to the ,grand ,master1 who retains the ,trowel1 and presents the ,square1 ,level and ,plumb to the ,deputy ,grand ,master1 ,senior and ,junior ,grand ,warden1 respectively1 saying3 ,right ,worshipful ,brethren1 you will receive the implements of your office4 ,with your assistance and that of the ,craft1 ,i will now proceed to lay the corner-stone of this edifice1 according to the custom of our ,fraternity4 ,brother ,grand ,marshal1 you will direct the ,craftsmen to furnish the cement1 and prepare to lower the stone4 ,laying ,stone4 ,the ,grand ,master will then spread a portion of the cement4 ,the stone is then lowered slowly1 during which there should be appropriate music4 ,the ,grand ,master then says3 ,trial of ,stone4 ,r4 ,w4 ,deputy ,grand ,master1 what is the proper implement of your office8 ,d4 ,g4 ,master3 ,the ,square4 ,g4 ,m43 ,what are its moral and ,masonic uses8 ,d4 ,g4 ,m43 ,to square our actions by the rule of virtue1 and prove our work4 ,g4 ,m43 ,apply the implement of your office to that portion of the stone that needs to be proved1 and make report4 ,the ,square is applied to the four corners4 ,d4 ,g4 ,m43 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 ,i find the stone to be square4 ,the ,craftsmen have done their duty4 ,g4 ,m43 ,r4 ,w4 ,senior ,grand ,warden1 what is the proper implement of your office8 ,s4 ,g4 ,w43 ,the ,level4 ,g4 ,m43 ,what are its ,masonic uses8 ,s4 ,g4 ,w43 ,morally1 it teaches ,equality2 and by it we prove our work4 ,g4 ,m43 ,apply the implement of your office to that portion of the corner-stone that needs to be proved1 and make report4 ,level is applied to the top surface4 ,s4 ,g4 ,w43 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 ,i find the stone to be level4 ,the ,craftsmen have done their duty4 ,g4 ,m43 ,r4 ,w4 ,junior ,warden1 what is the proper implement of your office8 ,j4 ,g4 ,w43 ,the ,plumb4 ,g4 ,m43 ,what are its moral and ,masonic uses8 ,j4 ,g4 ,w43 ,morally1 it teaches rectitude of conduct2 and by it we prove our work4 ,g4 ,m43 ,apply the implement of your office to that portion of the corner-stone that needs to be proved1 and make report4 ,the ,plumb is applied to the sides of the stone4 ,j4 ,g4 ,w43 ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,master1 ,i find the stone to be plumb4 ,the ,craftsmen have done their duty4 ,grand ,master 7striking the stone three times with his gavel71 says3 ,this corner-stone has been tested by the proper implements of ,masonry4 ,i find that the ,craftsmen have skillfully and faithfully done their duty2 and ,i do declare the stone to be well formed and trusty1 truly laid1 and correctly proved according to the rules of our ,ancient ,craft4 ,may the building be conducted and completed amid the blessings of ,plenty1 ,health and ,peace4 ,response by the ,craft3 ,so mote it be4 ,consecration4 ,grand ,master3 ,brother ,grand ,marshal1 you will present the elements of consecration to the proper officers4 ,grand ,marshal presents vessel of corn to the ,d4 ,g4 ,m42 the wine to the ,s4 ,g4 ,w42 and the oil to the ,j4 ,g4 ,w4 ,deputy ,grand ,master advances with the corn1 scattering it on the stone1 and says3 ,i scatter this corn as an emblem of ,plenty2 may the blessings of bounteous ,heaven be showered upon us1 and upon all like patriotic and important undertakings1 and inspire the hearts of the people with virtue1 wisdom and gratitude4 ,response by the ,craft3 ,so mote it be4 ,senior ,grand ,warden advances with the vessel of wine1 pouring it on the stone1 and says3 ,i pour this wine as an emblem of ,joy and ,gladness4 ,may the great ,ruler of the ,universe bless and prosper our ,national1 ,state and ,city ,governments2 preserve the union of the ,states in harmony and brotherly love1 which shall endure through all time4 ,response by the ,craft3 ,so mote it be4 ,junior ,warden advances with the vessel of oil1 pouring it on the stone1 saying3 ,i pour this oil as an emblem of ,peace2 may its blessings abide with us continually2 and may the ,grand ,master of ,heaven and ,earth shelter and protect the widow and orphan1 and vouchsafe to them1 and to the bereaved1 the afflicted and sorrowing1 everywhere1 the enjoyment of every good and perfect gift4 ,response by the ,craft3 ,so mote it be4 ,grand ,master1 extending his hands1 pronounces the following invocation3 ,may corn1 wine and oil1 and all the necessaries of life1 abound among men throughout the world4 ,may the blessing of ,almighty ,god be upon this undertaking4 ,may ,he protect the workmen from every accident4 ,may the structure here to be erected1 be planned with ,wisdom1 supported by ,strength1 and adorned in ,beauty1 and may it be preserved to the latest ages1 a monument to the energy and liberality of its founders4 ,response by the ,craft3 ,so mote it be4 ,proclamation4 ,grand ,master3 7,addressing ,architect47 ,worthy sir 7or brother71 having thus1 as ,grand ,master of ,masons1 laid the corner-stone of the structure1 ,i now return to you these implements of ,operative ,masonry 7presents ,square1 ,level and ,plumb71 having full confidence in your skill and capacity to perform the important duties confided to you1 to the satisfaction of those who have entrusted you with their fulfillment4 ,the ,g4 ,m4 strikes the stone three times with the gavel1 and the public grand honors are given4 ,the ,grand ,master will then make report of his doings1 as follows3 ,i have the honor to report1 that in compliance with the request of the proper authorities1 the corner-stone of the 444444 building to be erected on this site1 has been laid successfully1 with the ancient ceremonies of the ,craft4 ,the ,brother ,grand ,marshal will therefore make the proclamation4 ,grand ,marshal3 ,in the name of the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,lodge of ,free and ,accepted ,masons of the ,state of ,arkansas1 ,i now proclaim that the corner-stone of the structure to be erected1 has this day been found true and trusty1 and laid according to the old customs1 by the ,grand ,master of ,masons4 ,closing ,ode4 ,oration4 ,benediction4 ,glory be to ,god on ,high1 and on earth peace1 good will toward men6 ,o ,lord1 we most heartily beseech ,thee with ,thy favor to behold and bless this assemblage2 pour down ,thy mercies1 like the dew that falls upon the mountains1 upon ,thy servants engaged in the solemn ceremonies of this day4 ,bless1 we pray ,thee1 all the workmen who shall be engaged in the erection of this edifice2 keep them from all forms of accidents and harm2 grant them in health and prosperity to live2 and finally1 we hope1 after this life1 through ,thy mercy and forgiveness to attain everlasting joy and felicity in ,thy bright mansion1 in ,thy holy temple1 not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,after which1 the ,grand ,lodge1 with escort1 returns to the place whence it started1 and is closed4 ,the ,lodges1 and other ,masonic bodies1 return to their respective halls4 99 99 99 ,,dedication ,,of ,,masonic ,,halls4 ,at the time appointed for the celebration of the ceremony of dedication1 the ,grand ,master and his officers1 accompanied by the members of the ,grand ,lodge1 meet in a convenient room1 near to the place where the ceremony is to be performed1 and the ,grand ,lodge is opened in ample form4 ,the procession is then formed1 under direction of the ,grand ,marshal1 when the ,grand ,lodge moves to the hall to be dedicated1 in the following order3 ,music2 ,tiler1 with drawn sword2 ,stewards1 with white rods2 ,master ,masons2 ,grand ,secretaries2 ,grand ,treasurers2 ,a ,past ,master1 bearing the ,holy ,writings1 ,square and ,compass1 supported by two ,stewards1 with rods2 ,two ,burning ,tapers1 borne by two ,past ,masters2 ,chaplain and ,orator2 ,past ,grand ,wardens2 ,past ,deputy ,grand ,masters2 ,past ,grand ,masters2 ,the ,globes2 ,junior ,grand ,warden1 carrying a silver vessel with corn2 ,senior ,grand ,warden1 carrying a silver vessel with wine2 ,deputy ,grand ,master1 carrying a golden vessel with oil2 ,the ,lodge1 ,covered with white linen1 carried by four ,brethren2 ,master of the oldest ,lodge1 carrying ,book of ,constitutions2 ,grand ,master1 ,supported by two ,deacons1 with rods4 ,when the ,grand ,officers arrive at the center of the ,lodge room1 the ,grand honors are given4 ,the ,grand ,officers then repair to their respective stations4 ,the ,lodge is placed in front of the altar1 toward the ,east1 and the gold and silver vessels and lights are placed around it4 ,these arrangements being completed1 the following or some other appropriate ,ode is sung3 ,master ,supreme6 accept our praise2 ,still bless this consecrated band2 ,parent of light6 illume our ways1 ,and guide us by thy sovereign hand4 ,may ,faith1 ,hope1 ,charity1 divine1 ,here hold their undivided reign2 ,friendship and ,harmony combine ,to soothe our cares--to banish pain4 ,may pity dwell within each breast1 ,relief attend the suffering poor2 ,thousands by this1 our ,lodge1 be blest1 ,till worth1 distress'd1 shall want no more4 ,the ,master of the ,lodge to which the hall to be dedicated belongs1 then rises1 and addresses the ,grand ,master as follows3 ,most ,worshipful3 ,the brethren of 444444 ,lodge1 being animated with a desire to promote the honor and interest of the ,craft1 have erected a ,masonic ,hall1 for their convenience and accommodation4 ,they are desirous that the same should be examined by the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,lodge2 and if it should meet their approbation1 that it be solemnly dedicated to ,masonic purposes1 agreeably to ancient form and usage4 ,the ,architect or ,brother who has had the management of the structure then addresses the ,grand ,master as follows3 ,most ,worshipful3 ,having been entrusted with the superintendence and management of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice2 and having1 according to the best of my ability1 accomplished the task assigned me1 ,i now return my thanks for the honor of this appointment1 and beg leave to surrender up the implements which were committed to my care1 when the foundation of this fabric was laid1 7presenting to the ,grand ,master the ,square1 ,level and ,plumb71 humbly hoping that the exertions which have been made on this occasion will be crowned with your approbation1 and that of the ,most ,worshipful ,grand ,lodge4 ,to which the ,grand ,master replies3 ,brother ,architect3 ,the skill and fidelity displayed in the execution of the trust reposed in you at the commencement of this undertaking1 have secured the entire approbation of the ,grand ,lodge2 and they sincerely pray that this edifice may continue a lasting monument of the taste1 spirit1 and liberality of its founders4 ,the ,deputy ,grand ,master then rises1 and says3 ,most ,worshipful3 ,the hall in which we are now assembled1 and the plan upon which it has been constructed1 having met with your approbation1 it is the desire of the ,fraternity that it should be now dedicated1 according to ancient form and usage4 ,the ,lodge is then uncovered1 and a procession is made around it in the following form1 during which solemn music is played4 ,grand ,tiler1 with drawn sword2 ,a ,past ,master1 with light2 ,a ,past ,master1 with ,bible1 ,square and ,compass1 on a velvet cushion2 ,two ,past ,masters1 each with a light2 ,grand ,secretary and ,treasurer1 with emblems2 ,grand ,junior ,warden1 with vessel of corn2 ,grand ,senior ,warden1 with vessel of wine2 ,deputy ,grand ,master1 with vessel of oil2 ,grand ,master2 ,two ,stewards1 with rods4 ,when the procession arrives at the ,east1 it halts2 the music ceases1 and the ,grand ,chaplain makes the following ,consecration ,prayer4 ,almighty and ever-glorious and gracious ,lord ,god1 ,creator of all things1 and ,governor of everything ,thou hast made1 mercifully look upon ,thy servants1 now assembled in ,thy name and in ,thy presence1 and bless and prosper all our works begun1 continued1 and ended in thee4 ,graciously bestow upon us ,wisdom1 in all our doings2 ,strength of mind in all our difficulties1 and the ,beauty of harmony and holiness in all our communications and work4 ,let ,faith be the foundation of our ,hope1 and ,charity the fruit of our obedience to ,thy revealed will4 ,may all the proper work of our institution that may be done in this house be such as ,thy wisdom may approve and ,thy goodness prosper4 ,and1 finally1 graciously be pleased1 ,o ,thou ,sovereign ,architect of the ,universe1 to bless the ,craft1 wheresoever dispersed1 and make them true and faithful to ,thee1 to their neighbor1 and to themselves4 ,and when the time of our labor is drawing near to an end1 and the pillar of our strength is declining to the ground1 graciously enable us to pass through the valley of the shadow of death1 supported by ,thy rod and ,thy staff1 to those mansions beyond the skies where love1 and peace1 and joy forever reign before ,thy throne4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,all the other brethren keep their places1 and assist in singing the ,ode1 which continues during the procession1 excepting only at the intervals of dedication4 ,song4 ,tune--,old ,hundred4 ,genius of ,masonry1 descend1 ,and with thee bring thy spotless train1 ,constant our sacred rites attend1 ,while we adore thy peaceful reign4 ,the first procession being made around the ,lodge1 the ,grand ,master having reached the ,east1 the ,grand ,junior ,warden presents the vessel of ,corn to the ,g4 ,master1 saying3 ,most ,worshipful3 ,in the dedications of ,masonic ,halls1 it has been of immemorial custom to pour corn upon the ,lodge1 as an emblem of nourishment4 ,i1 therefore1 present you this vessel of corn1 to be employed by you according to ancient usage4 ,the ,grand ,master then1 striking thrice with his mallet pours the corn upon the ,lodge1 saying3 ,in the name of the great ,jehovah1 to whom be all honor and glory1 ,i do solemnly dedicate this hall to ,freemasonry4 ,the grand honors are given4 ,bring with thee ,virtue1 brightest maid6 ,bring ,love1 bring ,truth1 bring ,friendship here2 ,while social ,mirth shall lend her aid ,to soothe the wrinkled brow of ,care4 ,the second procession is then made around the ,lodge1 and the ,grand ,senior ,warden presents the vessel of wine to the ,grand ,master1 saying3 ,most ,worshipful3 ,wine1 the emblem of refreshment1 having been used by our ancient brethren in the dedication and consecration of their ,lodges1 ,i present you this vessel of wine1 to be used on the present occasion according to ancient ,masonic form4 ,the ,grand ,master then sprinkles the wine upon the ,lodge1 saying3 ,in the name of the holy ,saints ,john1 ,i do solemnly dedicate this hall to ,virtue4 ,the grand honors are twice repeated4 ,bring ,charity6 with goodness crowned1 ,encircled in thy heavenly robe6 ,diffuse thy blessings all around1 ,to every corner of the ,globe6 ,the third procession is then made round the ,lodge1 and the ,deputy ,grand ,master presents the vessel of oil to the ,grand ,master1 saying3 ,most ,worshipful3 ,i present you1 to be used according to ancient custom1 this vessel of oil1 an emblem of that joy which should animate every bosom on the completion of every important undertaking4 ,the ,grand ,master then sprinkles the oil upon the ,lodge1 saying3 ,in the name of the whole ,fraternity1 ,i do solemnly dedicate this hall to ,universal ,benevolence4 ,the grand honors are thrice repeated4 ,to ,heaven's high ,architect all praise1 ,all praise1 all gratitude be given1 ,who deigned the human soul to raise1 ,by mystic secrets1 sprung from ,heaven4 ,the ,grand ,chaplain1 standing before the ,lodge1 then makes the following ,invocation4 ,and may the ,lord1 the giver of every good and perfect gift1 bless the brethren here assembled1 in all their lawful undertakings1 and grant to each one of them1 in needful supply1 the corn of nourishment1 the wine of refreshment1 and the oil of joy4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,the ,lodge is then covered1 and the ,grand ,master retires to his chair4 ,the following or an appropriate original oration may then be delivered1 and the ceremonies conclude with music3 ,brethren3 ,the ceremonies we have performed are not unmeaning rites1 nor the amusing pageants of an idle hour1 but have a solemn and instructive import4 ,suffer me to point it out to you1 and to impress upon your minds the ennobling sentiments they are so well adapted to convey4 ,this ,hall1 designed and built by ,wisdom1 supported by ,strength1 and adorned in ,beauty1 we are first to consecrate in the name of the great ,jehovah2 which teaches us1 in all our works1 begun and finished1 to acknowledge1 adore1 and magnify ,him4 ,it reminds us1 also1 in ,his fear to enter the door of the ,lodge1 to put our trust in him while passing its trials1 and to hope in ,him for the reward of its labors4 ,let1 then1 its altar be devoted to ,his service1 and its lofty arch resound with ,his praise6 ,may the eye which seeth in secret witness here the sincere and unaffected piety which withdraws from the engagements of the world to silence and privacy1 that it may be exercised with less interruption and less ostentation4 ,our march round the ,lodge reminds us of the travels of human life1 in which ,masonry is an enlightened1 a safe1 and a pleasant path4 ,its tesselated pavement of ,mosaic-work intimates to us the chequered diversity and uncertainty of human affairs4 ,our step is time2 our progression1 eternity4 ,following our ancient ,constitutions1 with mystic rites we dedicate this ,hall to the honor of ,freemasonry4 ,our best attachments are due to the ,craft4 ,in its prosperity1 we find our joy2 and1 in paying it honor1 we honor ourselves4 ,but its worth transcends our encomiums1 and its glory will outsound our praise4 ,brethren3 ,it is our pride that we have our names on the records of ,freemasonry4 ,may it be our high ambition that they should shed a luster on the immortal page6 ,the hall is also dedicated to ,virtue4 ,this worthy appropriation will always be duly regarded while the moral duties which our sublime lectures inculcate1 with affecting and impressive pertinency1 are cherished in our hearts and illustrated in our lives4 ,as ,freemasonry aims to enliven the spirit of ,philanthropy1 and promote the cause of ,charity1 so we dedicate this ,hall to ,universal ,benevolence2 in the assurance that every brother will dedicate his affections and his abilities to the same generous purpose2 that while he displays a warm and cordial affection to those who are of the ,fraternity1 he will extend his benevolent regards and good wishes to the whole family of mankind4 ,such1 my brethren1 is the significant meaning of the solemn rites we have just performed1 because such are the peculiar duties of every ,lodge4 ,i need not enlarge upon them now1 nor show how they diverge1 as rays from a center1 to enlighten1 to improve1 and to cheer the whole circle of life4 ,their import and their application is familiar to you all4 ,in their knowledge and their exercise may you fulfill the high purposes of the ,masonic ,institution4 ,how many pleasing considerations1 my brethren1 attend the present interview6 ,while in almost every other association of men1 political animosities1 contentions1 and wars interrupt the progress of ,humanity and the cause of ,benevolence1 it is our distinguished privilege to dwell together in peace1 and engage in plans to perfect individual and social happiness4 ,while in many other nations our ,order is viewed by politicians with suspicion1 and by the ignorant with apprehension1 in this country its members are too much respected1 and its principles too well known1 to make it the object of jealousy or mistrust4 ,our private assemblies are unmolested2 and our public celebrations attract a more general approbation of the ,fraternity4 ,indeed1 its importance1 its credit1 and1 we trust1 its usefulness1 are advancing to a height unknown in any former age4 ,the present occasion gives fresh evidence of the increasing affection of its friends2 and this noble apartment1 fitted up in a style of such elegance and convenience1 does honor to ,freemasonry1 as well as reflects the highest credit on the respectable ,lodge for whose accommodation and at whose expense it is erected4 ,we offer our best congratulations to the ,worshipful ,master1 ,wardens1 ,officers1 and ,members of 444444 ,lodge4 ,we commend their zeal1 and hope it will meet with the most ample recompense4 ,may their ,hall be the happy resort of ,piety1 ,virtue1 and ,benevolence6 ,may it be protected from accident1 and long remain a monument of their attachment to ,freemasonry6 ,may their ,lodge continue to flourish2 their union to strengthen2 and their happiness to abound6--,and when they1 and we all1 shall be removed from the labors of the earthly ,lodge1 may we be admitted to the brotherhood of the perfect1 in the building of ,god1 the ,hall not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens6 ,the ,grand ,lodge is again formed in procession1 as at first1 returns to the room where it was opened1 and is closed in ample form4 ,,masonic ,,funeral ,,service ,general ,directions4 #a4 ,no ,freemason can be buried with the formalities of the ,fraternity unless it be at his own request or that of some of his family1 communicated to the ,master of the ,lodge of which he was a member at the time of his death1 foreigners or sojourners excepted2 nor unless he has received the ,master ,mason degree2 and to this rule there can be no exception4 #b4 ,fellow ,crafts or ,entered ,apprentices are not entitled to these obsequies1 nor can they be allowed in the procession1 as ,masons1 at a ,masonic funeral4 #c4 ,the ,master of the ,lodge1 having received notice of the death of a brother 7the deceased having attained the degree of ,master ,mason71 and of his request to be buried with the ceremonies of the ,craft1 fixes the day and hour for the funeral 7unless previously arranged by the friends or relatives of the deceased71 and issues his order to the ,secretary to summon the ,lodge4 ,members of other ,lodges may be invited1 but they should join with the ,lodge performing the ceremonies4 #d4 ,upon the death of a sojourner who had expressed a wish to be buried with ,masonic ceremonies1 the duties prescribed in ,article #c will devolve upon the ,master of the ,lodge within whose jurisdiction the death may have occurred1 unless there be more than one ,lodge in the place2 and if so the funeral service will be performed by the oldest ,lodge1 unless otherwise mutually arranged4 #e4 ,whenever other societies or the military unite with ,masons in the burial of a ,mason1 the body of the deceased must be in charge of the ,lodge having jurisdiction1 and the services should1 in all respects1 be conducted as if none but ,masons were present4 #f4 ,if the deceased was a ,grand or ,past ,grand ,officer the ,officers of the ,grand ,lodge should be invited2 when the ,master of the ,lodge having jurisdiction will invite the ,grand ,officer present who has attained the highest rank to conduct the burial service4 #g4 ,the pallbearers should be ,masons1 and should be selected by the ,master1 with the approval of the family of the deceased4 ,if the deceased was a member of a ,chapter or other ,masonic body1 a portion of the pallbearers should be taken from these bodies severally4 #h4 ,the proper clothing to be worn at a ,masonic funeral is black or dark clothes1 a black necktie1 white gloves1 and a white apron1 and a sprig of evergreen on the left breast4 ,the ,master's gavel1 the ,wardens' columns1 the ,deacons' and ,stewards' rods1 the ,tiler's sword and the ,marshal's baton1 should be trimmed with black crape4 ,the officers of the ,lodge and ,grand ,officers should wear their official jewels4 #i4 ,as soon as the remains are placed in the coffin there should be placed upon it a plain white lambskin apron4 #aj4 ,if a ,past or ,present ,grand ,master1 ,deputy ,grand ,master1 or ,grand ,warden1 should join the procession of a ,lodge1 proper attention must be paid to them4 ,they take place after the ,master of the ,lodge4 ,two ,deacons1 with white rods1 should be appointed by the ,master to attend them4 #aa4 ,when the head of the procession shall have arrived at the place of interment1 or where the services are to be performed1 the lines should be opened1 and the highest officer in rank1 preceded by the ,marshal and ,tiler1 pass through1 and the others follow in order4 #ab4 ,upon arriving at the entrance to the cemetery1 the brethren should march in open order to the tomb or grave4 ,if the body is to be placed in the former1 the ,tiler should take his place in front of the open door1 and the lines be spread so as to form a circle4 ,the coffin should be deposited within the circle1 and the ,stewards and ,deacons should cross their rods over it4 ,the bearers should take their places on either side--the mourners at the foot of the coffin1 and the ,master and other officers at the head4 ,after the coffin has been placed in the tomb1 the ,stewards should cross their rods over the door and the ,deacons over the ,master4 ,if the body is to be deposited in the earth1 an oblong square should be formed around the grave1 the body being placed on rests over it2 the ,stewards should cross their rods over the foot1 and the ,deacons the head1 and retain their places throughout the services4 #ac4 ,after the clergymen shall have performed the religious services of the church1 the ,masonic services should begin4 #ad4 ,when a number of ,lodges join in a funeral procession1 the position of the youngest ,lodge is at the head1 or right1 of the procession1 and the oldest at the end1 or left1 excepting that the ,lodge of which deceased was a member walks nearest the corpse4 #ae4 ,a ,lodge in procession is to be strictly under the discipline of the ,lodge room2 therefore no brother can enter the procession or leave it without express permission from the ,master1 conveyed through the ,marshal4 ,the ,lodge is open and not at refreshment4 ,service in ,lodge ,room4 ,the brethren having assembled at the lodge room1 the ,lodge will be opened briefly on the ,third ,degree2 the purpose of the communication must be stated1 and remarks upon the character of the deceased may be made by the ,master and brethren1 when the service will commence1 all the brethren standing3 ,master3 ,what man is he that liveth and shall not see death8 ,shall he deliver his soul from the land of the grave8 ,s4 ,w43 ,his days are as grass2 as a flower of the field so he flourisheth4 ,j4 ,w43 ,for the wind passeth over it1 and it is gone2 and the place thereof shall know it no more4 ,m43 ,where is now our departed brother8 ,s4 ,w43 ,he dwelleth in night2 he sojourneth in darkness4 ,j4 ,w43 ,man walketh in a vain shadow2 he heapeth up riches1 and cannot tell who shall gather them4 ,m43 ,when he dieth1 he shall carry nothing away2 his glory shall not descend after him4 ,s4 ,w43 ,for he brought nothing into the world1 and it is certain he can carry nothing out4 ,j4 ,w43 ,the ,lord gave and the ,lord hath taken away2 blessed be the name of the ,lord4 ,m43 ,the ,lord is merciful and gracious1 slow to anger1 and plenteous in mercy4 ,s4 ,w43 ,god is our salvation2 our glory and the rock of our strength2 and our refuge is in ,god4 ,j4 ,w43 ,he hath not dealt with us after our sins1 nor rewarded us according to our iniquities4 ,m43 ,can we offer any precious gift acceptable in the sight of the ,lord to redeem our brother8 ,s4 ,w43 ,we are poor and needy4 ,we are without gift or ransom4 ,j4 ,w43 ,be merciful unto us1 ,o ,lord1 be merciful unto us2 for we trust in ,thee4 ,our hope and salvation are in ,thy patience4 ,where else can we look for mercy8 ,m43 ,let us endeavor to live the life of the righteous1 that our last end may be like his4 ,s4 ,w43 ,the ,lord is gracious and righteous2 yea1 our ,god is merciful4 ,j4 ,w43 ,god is our ,god forever and ever2 ,he will be our guide1 even unto death4 ,m43 ,shall our brother's name and virtues be lost upon the earth forever8 ,response3 ,we will remember and cherish them in our hearts4 ,m43 ,i heard a voice from heaven1 saying unto me3 ,write from henceforth1 ,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord6 ,even so1 saith the ,spirit2 for they rest from their labors4 ,here the ,master will take the ,sacred ,roll 7a sheet of parchment or paper prepared for the purpose71 on which have been inscribed the name1 age1 date of initiation or affiliation1 date of death1 and any matters that may be interesting to the brethren1 and shall read the same aloud1 and shall then say3 ,almighty ,father6 in ,thy hands we leave1 with humble submission1 the soul of our departed brother4 ,response2 ,amen6 ,so mote it be4 ,the ,masonic funeral honors should then be given once2 the brethren to respond3 ,the will of ,god is accomplished4 ,amen4 ,so mote it be6 ,the ,master should then deposit the ,roll in the archives of the ,lodge4 ,the following or some appropriate ,hymn may be sung3 ,ode--,air1 ,balerma4 ,c4 ,m4 ,few are thy days1 and full of woe1 ,o man1 of woman born6 ,thy doom is written1 ,dust thou art1 ,and shalt to dust return4 ,behold the emblem of thy state ,in flowers that bloom and die2 ,or in the shadow's fleeting form1 ,that mocks the gazer's eye4 ,determined are the days that fly ,successive o'er thy head2 ,the number'd hour is on the wing1 ,that lays thee with the dead4 ,great ,god6 afflict not1 in ,thy wrath1 ,the short alloted span ,that bounds the few and weary days ,of pilgrimage to man4 ,the ,master or ,chaplain will repeat the following or some other appropriate ,prayer3 ,almighty and ,heavenly ,father6 infinite in wisdom1 mercy and goodness1 extend to us the blessings of ,thy everlasting grace4 ,thou alone art a refuge and help in trouble and affliction4 ,in this bereavement we look to ,thee for support and consolation4 ,strengthen our belief that ,death hath no power over a faithful and righteous soul6 ,though the dust returneth to the dust as it was1 the spirit returneth unto ,thee4 ,as we mourn the departure of a brother beloved from the circle of our ,fraternity1 may we trust that he hath entered into a higher brotherhood1 to engage in nobler duties and in heavenly work1 to find rest from earthly labor and refreshment from earthly care4 ,may ,thy peace abide within us1 to keep us from all evil6 ,make us grateful for present benefits1 and crown us with immortal life and honor4 ,and to ,thy name shall be all the glory forever4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,a procession should then be formed1 which will proceed to the church or the house of the deceased1 in the following order3 ,tiler1 with drawn sword4 ,masters of ,ceremony1 with white rods4 ,m ,master ,masons4 ,a ,secretary and ,treasurer4 ,r ,senior and ,junior ,wardens4 ,s ,past ,masters4 ,h ,the ,chaplain4 ,a ,the ,three ,great ,lights ,l on a cushion1 covered with black cloth1 carried 4 by a member of the ,lodge4 ,the ,master1 supported by two ,deacons1 with white rods4 ,when the head of the procession arrives at the entrance to the building1 it should halt and open to the right and left1 forming two parallel lines1 when the ,marshal1 with the ,tiler1 will pass through the lines and escort the ,master or ,grand ,officer into the house1 the brethren closing in and following1 thus reversing the order of procession2 the brethren with heads uncovered4 ,service at ,church or ,house of ,deceased4 ,after the religious services have been performed1 the ,master will take his station at the head of the coffin1 the ,senior ,warden at his right1 the ,junior ,warden at his left2 the ,deacons and ,stewards1 with white rods crossed1 the former at the head1 and the latter at the foot of the coffin1 the brethren forming a circle around all1 when the ,masonic service will commence by the ,chaplain or ,master repeating the following or some other appropriate prayer1 in which all the brethren will join3 7,scripture can be used here47 ,prayer4 ,our ,father which art in heaven1 hallowed be ,thy name4 ,thy kingdom come4 ,thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven4 ,give us this day our daily bread4 ,and forgive us our trespasses1 as we forgive those who trespass against us4 ,and lead us not into temptation1 but deliver us from evil4 ,for ,thine is the kingdom1 and the power1 and the glory forever4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,master3 ,brethren1 we are called upon by the imperious mandate of the dread messenger ,death1 against whose free entrance within the circle of our ,fraternity the barred doors and ,tiler's weapon offer no impediment1 to mourn the loss of one of our companions4 ,the dead body of our beloved ,brother lies in its narrow house before us1 overtaken by that fate which must sooner or later overtake us all2 and which no power or station1 no virtue or bravery1 no wealth or honor1 no tears of friends or agonies of relatives can avert2 teaching an impressive lesson1 continually repeated1 yet soon forgotten1 that every one of us must ere long pass through the shadow of death1 and dwell in the house of darkness4 ,s4 ,warden3 ,in the midst of life we are in death2 of whom may we seek succor but of ,thee1 ,o ,lord1 who for our sins art justly displeased4 ,thou knowest1 ,lord1 the secrets of our hearts2 shut not ,thy merciful ears to our prayer4 ,j4 ,warden3 ,lord1 let me know my end1 and the number of my days2 that ,i may be certified how long ,i have to live4 ,master3 ,man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble4 ,he cometh forth like a flower1 and is cut down2 he fleeth also as a shadow1 and continueth not4 ,seeing his days are determined1 the number of his months is with ,thee2 ,thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass2 turn from him that he may rest1 till he shall accomplish his day4 ,for there is a hope of a tree1 if it be cut down1 that it will sprout again1 and that the tender branch thereof will not cease4 ,but man dieth and wasteth away2 yea1 man giveth up the ghost1 and where is he8 ,as the waters fail from the sea1 and the flood decayeth and drieth up1 so man lieth down1 and riseth not till the heavens be no more4 ,s4 ,warden3 ,our life is but a span long1 and the days of our pilgrimage are few and full of evil4 ,j4 ,warden3 ,so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom4 ,master3 ,man goeth forth to his work and to his labor until the evening of his day4 ,the labor and work of our brother are finished4 ,as it hath pleased ,almighty ,god to take the soul of our departed brother1 may he find mercy in the great day when all men shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body4 ,we must walk in the light while we have light2 for the darkness of death may come upon us at a time when we may not be prepared4 ,take heed1 therefore1 watch and pray2 for ye know not when the time is2 ye know not when the ,master cometh--at even1 at midnight1 or in the morning4 ,we should so regulate our lives by the line of rectitude and truth that in the evening of our days we may be found worthy to be called from labor to refreshment1 and duly prepared for a translation from the terrestrial to the celestial ,lodge1 to join the ,fraternity of the spirits of just men made perfect4 ,s4 ,warden3 ,behold1 ,o ,lord1 we are in distress6 ,our hearts are turned within us2 there is none to comfort us2 our sky is darkened with clouds1 and mourning and lamentations are heard among us4 ,j4 ,warden3 ,our life is a vapor that appeareth for a little while1 and then vanisheth away4 ,all flesh is as grass1 and all the glory of man as the flower of grass4 ,the grass withereth1 and the flower thereof falleth away4 ,master--,it is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting2 for that is the end of all men2 and the living will lay it to his heart4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,ode--,air1 ,naomi4 ,here ,death his sacred seal hath set1 ,on bright and by-gone hours2 ,the dead we mourn are with us yet1 ,and--more than ever--ours6 ,ours1 by the pledge of love and faith2 ,by hopes of heaven on high2 ,by trust1 triumphant over death1 ,in immortality4 ,the dead are like the stars by day1 ,withdrawn from mortal eye2 ,yet holding unperceived their way ,through the unclouded sky4 ,by them1 through holy hope and love1 ,we feel1 in hours serene1 ,connected with the ,lodge above1 ,immortal and unseen4 ,the service may be concluded with the following1 or some other suitable prayer3 ,most ,glorious ,god1 ,author of all good and ,giver of all mercy1 pour down ,thy blessings upon us1 and strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection4 ,may the present instance of mortality remind us of our own approaching fate1 and1 by drawing our attention toward ,thee1 the only refuge in time of need1 may we be induced to so regulate our conduct here that when the awful moment shall arrive at which we must quit this transitory scene1 the enlivening prospect of ,thy mercy may dispel the gloom of death1 and that after our departure hence in peace and ,thy favor1 we may be received into ,thine everlasting kingdom1 and there join in union with our friends1 and enjoy that uninterrupted and unceasing felicity which is allotted to the souls of just men made perfect4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,if the remains of the deceased are to be removed to a distance1 where the brethren cannot follow to perform the ceremonies at the grave1 the procession will return to the ,lodge room or disperse1 as most convenient4 ,service at ,grave4 ,when the solemn rites of the dead are to be performed at the grave1 the procession should be formed1 and proceed to the place of interment in the following order3 ,tiler1 with drawn sword4 ,masters of ,ceremony1 with white rods4 ,musicians1 if they are ,masons2 otherwise they follow the ,tiler4 ,master ,masons4 ,secretary and ,treasurer4 ,m ,senior and ,junior ,wardens4 ,a ,r ,past ,masters4 ,s ,h ,chaplain4 ,a ,l ,the ,three ,great ,lights on a cushion1 covered with black cloth1 carried by a member of the ,lodge4 ,the ,master1 ,supported by two ,deacons with white rods4 ,officiating ,clergy4 ,pall ,bearers4 ,pall ,bearers4 ,mourners4 ,if the deceased was a member of a ,royal ,arch ,chapter and a ,commandery of ,knights ,templar1 and members of those bodies should unite in the procession1 clothed as such1 the former will follow the ,past ,masters1 and the latter will act as an escort or guard of honor to the corpse1 outside the pallbearers1 marching in the form of a triangle1 the officers of the ,commandery forming the base of the triangle1 with the ,eminent ,commander in the center4 ,when the procession has arrived at the place of interment the members of the ,lodge should form a square around the grave2 when the ,master1 ,chaplain and other officers of the acting ,lodge1 take their position at the head of the grave1 and the mourners at the foot4 ,after the clergyman has performed the religious service of the ,church1 the ,masonic service should begin4 ,the ,chaplain rehearses the following1 or some other suitable prayer3 ,prayer4 ,almighty and most merciful ,father1 we adore ,thee as the ,god of time and eternity4 ,as it hath pleased ,thee to take from the light of our abode one dear to our hearts1 we beseech ,thee to bless and sanctify unto us this dispensation of ,thy providence4 ,inspire our hearts with wisdom from on high1 that we may glorify ,thee in all our ways4 ,may we realize that ,thine ,all-,seeing ,eye is upon us1 and be influenced by the spirit of truth and love to perfect obedience--that we may enjoy ,thy divine approbation here below4 ,and when our toils on earth shall have ended1 may we be raised to the enjoyment of fadeless light and immortal life in that kingdom where faith and hope shall end1 and love and joy prevail through eternal ages4 ,and ,thine1 ,o righteous ,father1 shall be the glory forever4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,the following exhortation is then given by the ,master3 ,the solemn notes that betoken the dissolution of this earthly tabernacle have again alarmed our outer door1 and another spirit has been summoned to the land where our fathers have gone before us4 ,again we are called to assemble among the habitations of the dead1 to behold the narrow house appointed for all living4 ,here1 around us1 in that peace which the world cannot give or take away1 sleep the unnumbered dead4 ,the gentle breeze fans their verdant covering1 they heed it not2 the sunshine and the storm pass over them1 and they are not disturbed2 stones and lettered monuments symbolize the affection of surviving friends1 yet no sound proceeds from them1 save that silent but thrilling admonition1 ,seek ye the narrow path and the straight gate that lead unto eternal life4 ,we are again called upon to consider the uncertainty of human life1 the immutable certainty of death1 and the vanity of all human pursuits4 ,decrepitude and decay are written upon every living thing4 ,the cradle and the coffin stand in juxtaposition to each other2 and it is a melancholy truth that so soon as we begin to live1 that moment we also begin to die4 ,it is passing strange that1 notwithstanding the daily mementos of mortality that cross our path--notwithstanding the funeral bells so often toll in our ears and the mournful processions go about our streets--we will not more seriously consider our approaching fate4 ,we go on from design to design1 add hope to hope1 and lay out plans for the employment of many years1 until we are suddenly alarmed at the approach of the ,messenger of ,death1 at a moment when we least expect him1 and which we probably conclude to be the meridian of our existence4 ,what1 then1 are all the externals of human dignity--the power of wealth1 the dreams of ambition1 the pride of intellect1 or the charms of beauty--when ,nature has paid her just debt8 ,fix your eyes on the last sad scene1 and view life stripped of its ornaments1 and exposed in its natural weakness1 and you must be persuaded of the utter emptiness of these delusions4 ,in the grave1 all fallacies are detected1 all ranks are leveled1 all distinctions are done away4 ,here the scepter of the prince and the staff of the beggar are laid side by side4 ,our present meeting and proceedings will have been vain and useless1 if they fail to excite our serious reflections1 and strengthen our resolutions of amendment4 ,be then persuaded1 my brethren1 by this example of the uncertainty of human life1 of the unsubstantial nature of all its pursuits1 and no longer postpone the all-important concern of preparing for eternity4 ,let us each embrace the present moment1 and while time and opportunity permit1 prepare for that great change when the pleasures of the world be as a poison to our lips1 and the happy reflections consequent upon a well-spent life afford the only consolation4 ,thus shall our hopes be not frustrated1 nor we be hurried unprepared into the presence of that all-wise and powerful ,judge1 to whom the secrets of all hearts are known4 ,let us resolve to maintain with sincerity the dignified character of our profession4 ,may our ,faith be evinced in a correct moral walk and deportment2 may our ,hope be bright as the glorious mysteries that will be revealed hereafter2 and our ,charity boundless as the wants of our fellow-creatures4 ,and1 having faithfully discharged the great duties which we owe to ,god1 to our neighbor1 and to ourselves1 when at last it shall please the ,grand ,master of the ,universe to summon us into ,his eternal presence1 may the ,trestle-board of our whole lives pass such inspection that it may be given unto each of us to eat of the hidden manna1 and to receive the white stone with a new name that will insure perpetual and unspeakable happiness at ,his right hand4 ,the ,lambskin being removed from the coffin1 the ,master holds it up and says3 ,w4 ,m43 ,the ,lambskin1 or white leathern ,apron1 is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a ,mason2 more ancient than the ,golden ,fleece or ,roman ,eagle2 more honorable than ,star and ,garter1 when worthily worn4 ,this emblem ,i now deposit in the grave of our deceased brother4 ,deposits it4 ,by it we are reminded of that purity of life and conduct so essentially necessary to gaining admission to the ,celestial ,lodge above1 where the ,supreme ,architect of the ,universe presides4 ,the mattock1 the coffin1 and the melancholy grave admonish us of our mortality1 and that1 sooner or later1 these frail bodies must moulder in their parent dust4 ,the ,master1 holding the evergreen1 continues3 ,this evergreen1 which once marked the temporary resting-place of the illustrious dead1 is an emblem of our faith in the immortality of the soul4 ,by it we are reminded that we have an immortal part within us1 that shall survive the grave1 and which shall never1 never1 never die4 ,by it we are admonished that1 though1 like our brother whose remains lie before us1 we shall soon be clothed in the habiliments of death1 and deposited in the silent tomb1 yet1 through our belief in the mercy of ,god1 we may confidently hope that our souls will bloom in eternal spring4 ,this1 too1 ,i deposit in the grave4 ,the brethren then move in procession round the place of interment1 and severally drop the sprig of evergreen into the grave1 during which the following may be sung3 ,funeral ,dirge4 ,hark6 from the tombs a doleful sound6 ,mine ears attend the cry3 ,ye living men1 come view the ground ,where you must shortly lie4 ,princes6 this clay must be your bed1 ,in spite of all your towers2 ,the tall1 the wise1 the reverend head1 ,must lie as low as ours4 ,great ,god6 ,is this our certain doom8 ,and are we still secure8 ,still walking downward to the tomb1 ,and yet prepared no more8 ,grant us the power of quick'ning grace1 ,to fit our souls to fly2 ,then1 when we drop this dying flesh1 ,we'll rise above the sky4 ,or the following3 ,pleyel's ,hymn4 ,solemn strikes the fun'ral chime1 ,notes of our departing time2 ,as we journey here below ,through a pilgrimage of woe4 ,mortals1 now indulge a tear1 ,for mortality is here6 ,see how wide her trophies wave ,o'er the slumbers of the grave6 ,here another guest we bring6 ,seraphs of celestial wing1 ,to our funeral altar come1 ,waft our friend and brother home4 ,lord of all6 below--above-- ,fill our hearts with truth and love2 ,when dissolves our earthly tie ,take us to ,thy ,lodge on high4 ,after which the ,masonic funeral honors are given4 ,the ,grand ,honors1 practiced among ,masons at funerals1 whether in public or private1 are given in the following manner3 ,both arms are crossed on the breast1 the left uppermost1 and the open palms of the hands sharply striking the shoulders2 they are then raised above the head1 the palms striking each other1 and then made to fall smartly upon the thighs4 ,this is repeated three times1 and while they are being given the third time1 the brethren audibly pronounce the following words--when the arms are crossed on the breast3 ,we cherish his memory here2 when the hands are extended above the head3 ,we commend his spirit to ,god who gave it2 and when the hands are extended toward the ground3 ,and consign his body to the grave4 ,the ,master then continues the ceremony3 ,the ,great ,creator1 having been pleased to remove our brother from the cares and troubles of this transitory existence to a state of endless duration1 thus severing another link from the fraternal chain that binds us together1 may we who survive him be more strongly cemented in the ties of union and friendship2 and1 during the short space allotted us here1 we may wisely and usefully employ our time1 and1 in the reciprocal intercourse of kind and friendly acts1 mutually promote the welfare and happiness of each other4 ,unto the grave we now consign his body--earth to earth2 ashes to ashes2 dust to dust--there to remain until the trump shall sound on the ,resurrection morn4 ,we can trustfully leave him in the hands of ,him who doeth all things well1 who is glorious in holiness1 fearful in praises1 doing wonders4 ,to those of his immediate relatives and friends who are most heart-stricken at the loss we have all sustained1 we have but little of this world's consolation to offer2 we can only sincerely1 deeply and most affectionately sympathize with them in their afflictive bereavement2 but we can say1 that ,he who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb looks down with infinite compassion upon the widow and fatherless in the hour of their desolation2 and that the ,great ,architect will fold the arms of ,his love and protection around those who put their trust in ,him4 ,then let us improve this solemn warning1 so that1 when the sheeted dead are stirring1 when the great white throne is set1 we shall receive from the ,omniscient ,judge the thrilling invitation1 ,come1 ye blessed1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world4 ,the services will close with the following or some other suitable prayer3 ,prayer4 ,most ,glorious ,god1 ,author of all good and ,giver of all mercy1 pour down ,thy blessings upon us1 and strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection4 ,may the present instance of mortality remind us of our own approaching fate1 and1 by drawing our attention toward ,thee1 the only refuge in time of need1 may we be induced to so regulate our conduct here that when the awful moment shall arrive at which we must quit this transitory scene1 the enlivening prospect of ,thy mercy may dispel the gloom of death1 and that after our departure hence in peace and ,thy favor1 we may be received into ,thine everlasting kingdom1 and there enjoy that uninterrupted and unceasing felicity which is allotted to the souls of just men made perfect4 ,bless those who are bereaved by this sad providence1 and make this brotherhood faithful to their solemn vows1 to comfort1 aid1 and protect those thus left to their sacred charge4 ,and now1 ,o ,lord1 we pray for ,thy hand to lead us in all the paths our feet must tread2 and when the journey of life is ended1 may light from our immortal home illuminate the dark valley and shadow of death1 and voices of the loved ones welcome us to that house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,the ,master then approaches the head of the grave 7or the entrance to the tomb71 and gently says3 ,soft and safe to thee1 my brother1 be this earthly bed4 ,bright and glorious be thy rising from it4 ,fragrant be the acacia sprig that here shall flourish4 ,may the earliest buds of spring unfold their beauties on this1 thy resting place2 and here may the sweetness of the summer's rose linger latest4 ,though the cold blast of autumn may lay them in the dust1 and for a time destroy the loveliness of their existence1 yet the destruction is not final1 and in the springtime they shall surely bloom again4 ,so1 in the bright morning of the world's resurrection1 thy mortal frame1 now laid in the dust by the chilling blast of death1 shall spring again into newness of life1 and expand1 in immortal beauty1 in realms beyond the skies4 ,until then1 dear brother1 until then1 farewell4 ,the ,benediction will then be pronounced by the ,master1 or ,chaplain1 as follows3 ,the ,lord bless us and keep us4 ,the ,lord make ,his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us4 ,the ,lord lift up the light of ,his countenance1 and give us peace4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,end of ,service at ,grave4 ,in very inclement weather service at the grave can be shortened by omitting any part of the ceremony except the apron1 acacia and honors4 ,,another ,,service ,,at ,,the ,,grave4 ,at the grave the ,lodge forms a circle or semicircle4 ,the ,master and other officers of the ,lodge take their position at the head of the grave2 the ,tyler behind the ,master1 and the mourners at the foot4 ,the religious burial service of the church 7if there be any7 should be first performed1 after which the ,masonic service begins3 ,the following passage of ,scripture1 from ,ecclesiastes1 chapter xii1 verses #a-g1 is read3 ,chaplain3 ,remember now thy ,creator in the days of thy youth1 while the evil days come not1 nor the years draw nigh1 when thou shalt say1 ,i have no pleasure in them2 while the sun1 or the light1 or the moon1 or the stars be not darkened1 nor the clouds return after the rain2 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble1 and the strong men shall bow themselves1 and the grinders cease because they are few1 and those that look out of the windows be darkened2 and the doors shall be shut in the streets1 when the sound of the grinding is low2 and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird1 and all the daughters of music shall be brought low2 also when they shall be afraid of that which is high1 and fears shall be in the way1 and the almond tree shall flourish1 and the grasshopper shall be a burden1 and desire shall fail2 because man goeth to his long home1 and the mourners go about the streets2 or ever the silver cord be loosed1 or the golden bowl be broken1 or the pitcher be broken at the fountain1 or the wheel broken at the cistern4 ,then shall the dust return to the earth as it was1 and the spirit shall return unto ,god who gave it4 ,master3 ,one by one they pass away--the brothers of our adoption1 the companions of our choice4 ,a brother whose hand we have clasped in the bonds of fraternal fellowship now lies before us in the rigid embrace of death4 ,all that remains of one near and dear to us is passing from our sight1 and we know that we shall meet him on earth no more4 ,we1 who knew him so well in our brotherhood1 feel that in his departure from among the living1 something has gone out of our own lives that can never be again4 ,thus1 as human ties are broken1 the world becomes less and less1 and the hope to be reunited with friends who are gone1 grows more and more4 ,here is immediate compensation1 which1 while it cannot assuage our grief1 may teach resignation to the inevitable doom of all things mortal4 ,while we stand around the open grave1 in the presence of a body once1 and so lately1 warm with life and animate with thought1 now lingering for a brief moment at the dark portal of the tomb--like a beam of holy light the belief must come1 this cannot be all there is of day4 ,stricken human nature cries out3 ,there must be a dawn beyond this darkness and a never setting sun1 while this short life is but a morning star4 ,the cycles of ,time roll with the procession of seasons4 ,spring is bloom2 summer is growth2 autumn is fruition2 winter is the shroud1 and beneath its cold1 yet kindly fold1 live the germs of a new life4 ,spring comes again2 growth matures1 and fruit is eternal4 ,this is the religion and lesson of ,nature1 and the universal example cannot fail in relation to man4 ,let us draw comfort and consolation from things visible in this sad scene1 and lift our eyes to the invisible ,father of all with renewed faith that we are in ,his ,holy ,hands4 ,besides ,his infinitude of worlds1 we have also ,his word1 ,that ,he is ,all1 and ,all-upholding4 ,we can do nothing for the dead4 ,we can only offer respect to our brother's inanimate clay1 and cherish his memory in the abiding faith that our temporary loss is his eternal gain4 ,in this belief let us commit him with due reverence to the keeping of the ,all-,father1 who is supreme in wisdom1 infinite in love1 and ordereth all things well4 7,family service to be omitted in case no relatives of the deceased are present47 ,while we pay this tribute of respect and love to the memory of our late brother1 let us not forget to extend our fraternal sympathy to his deeply afflicted and sorrowing family 7wife1 children1 father1 mother1 brothers1 sisters1 as the relatives may be present73 ,in your irreparable bereavement1 and as he1 for whom we are all mourners1 was true to us1 and faithful to the ties of our brotherhood1 so shall we be true to you in the practice of the principles of ,freemasonry and in tender memory of our loved and lost4 ,he gave much of his time to us in devotion to our cause4 ,we owe a grateful acknowledgement to you for his social companionship and service1 and mingle our sorrows at parting with yours1 his near and dear relations4 ,master3 ,may we be true and faithful2 and may we live and die in love6 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,master3 ,may we profess what is good1 and always act agreeably to our profession6 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,master3 ,may the ,lord bless us and prosper us1 and may all our good intentions be crowned with success4 ,response3 ,so mote it be4 ,the apron is taken from the coffin and handed to the ,master2 and while the coffin is being lowered into the grave1 either of the following funeral dirges may be sung--the one used1 to be selected and announced before leaving the lodge-room3 ,funeral ,dirge4 ,air--,pleyel's ,hymn4 ,solemn strikes the funeral chime1 ,notes of our departing time1 ,as we journey here below ,through a pilgrimage of woe4 ,mortals1 now indulge a tear1 ,for ,mortality is here2 ,see how wide her trophies wave1 ,o'er the slumber of the grave6 ,here another guest we bring2 ,seraphs of celestial wing1 ,to our funeral altar come1 ,waft our friend and brother home4 ,lord of all6 below--above-- ,fill our hearts with truth and love2 ,when dissolves our earthly tie1 ,take us to ,thy lodge on high4 ,hark1 ,from the ,tombs4 ,hark1 from the tombs1 a doleful sound1 ,mine ears attend the cry3 ,ye living men2 come view the ground ,where you must shortly lie4 ,princes1 this clay must be your bed1 ,in spite of all your towers2 ,the tall1 the wise1 the reverend head ,must lie as low as ours4 ,great ,god6 ,is this our certain doom8 ,and are we still secure8 ,still walking downward to the tomb1 ,and yet prepared no more8 ,grant us the power of quick'ning grace1 ,to fit our souls to fly2 ,then1 when we drop this dying flesh1 ,we'll rise above the sky4 ,at the conclusion of the singing1 the ,master1 displaying the apron1 continues3 ,the ,lambskin1 or white leathern apron1 is an emblem of innocence1 and the badge of a ,mason2 more honorable than the crown of royalty1 or the emblazoned insignia of princely orders1 when worthily worn4 ,the ,master drops the apron into the grave4 ,our brother was worthy of its distinction1 and it shall bear witness to his virtues1 and our confidence in the sincerity of his profession4 ,w4 ,m43 7,taking off his white glove and holding it up47 ,this ,glove is a symbol of fidelity and is emblematic of that ,masonic friendship which bound us to him whose tenement of clay now lies before us4 ,it reminds us that while these mortal eyes shall see him not again1 yet1 by the practice of the tenets of our noble order and a firm faith and steadfast trust in the ,supreme ,architect1 we hope to clasp once more his vanished hand in friendship and in love4 7,deposits glove47 ,those whom virtue unites1 death can never separate4 ,the ,master1 displaying an evergreen sprig1 continues3 ,the ,evergreen is emblematic of our ,faith in ,immortality4 ,this green sprig is the symbol of that vital spark of our being which continues to glow more divinely when the breath leaves the body1 and can never1 never1 never die4 ,the ,master drops the evergreen in the grave1 and the ,brothers each make a similar deposit1 with as little confusion as possible4 ,if the place is convenient1 they march around the grave in a line4 ,when all are again settled in their places1 the public ,grand ,honors are given by three times three4 ,the will of ,god is accomplished2 so mote it be4 ,amen4 ,the ,master then continues3 ,change is the universal law of mortality1 and the theme of every page of its history4 ,here we view the most striking illustration of change that can be presented to mortal eyes1 minds and hearts4 ,ties of fraternity1 friendship1 love1 all broken1 and earthly pursuits1 hopes and affections laid waste by death4 ,let us profit by this example of the uncertainty of the world1 and resolve to live honest1 pure and worshipful lives in daily preparation for the summons that will1 sooner or later1 surely come4 ,it came to our brother1 whose remains we have here laid away to rest eternal1 and reminds us that we1 too1 are mortal--subject to the universal law4 ,our brother is dead1 and cannot speak for himself4 ,let us defend his good name4 ,frailties he may have had1 as what mortal man has not8 ,to err is human1 charity is ,divine1 and judgment is with the ,almighty and ,all-,merciful4 ,in this resting place of the body1 virtues only are remembered1 and sweet memories bloom4 ,all must pass through the ,shadow of ,death1 and each one must make the dark journey without the companionship of earthly friend4 ,let us all hasten to secure the passport of an upright life1 to the glories of a better land4 ,unto the grave we have resigned the body of our brother4 ,the ,master scatters a handful of earth in the grave4 ,earth to earth2 dust to dust 7the ,s4 ,w4 scatters dirt in the grave72 ashes to ashes 7the ,j4 ,w4 scatters dirt in the grave72 there to remain until the dawn of that resplendent day1 when again1 the morning stars shall sing together1 and all the sons of ,god shall shout for joy4 ,prayer by the ,chaplain4 ,chaplain3 ,almighty and eternal ,god1 in whom we live and move1 and have our being--and before whom all men must appear1 in the judgment day to give an account of their deeds in life1 we1 who are daily exposed to the flying shafts of death1 and now surround the grave of our fallen brother1 most earnestly beseech ,thee to impress deeply on our minds the solemnities of this day1 as well as the lamentable occurrence that has occasioned them4 ,here may we be forcibly reminded that in the midst of life we are in death1 and that whatever elevation of character we may have obtained1 however upright and square the course we have pursued1 yet shortly we must all submit as victims of its destroying power1 and endure the humbling level of the tomb1 until the last loud trump shall sound the summons of our resurrection from mortality and corruption4 ,may we have ,thy divine assistance1 ,o merciful ,god1 to redeem our mis-spent time2 and in the discharge of our important duties ,thou has assigned us1 in the erection of our moral edifice1 may we have wisdom from on high to direct us1 strength commensurate with our task to support us1 and the beauty of holiness to adorn and render all our performances acceptable in ,thy sight4 ,and when our work is done1 and our bodies mingle with the mother earth1 may our souls1 disengaged from their cumbrous dust1 flourish and bloom in eternal day2 and enjoy that rest which ,thou hast prepared for all good and faithful servants1 in that spiritual house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens1 through the great ,redeemer4 ,amen4 ,so mote it be4 ,amen4 ,fill grave4 ,w4 ,m43 ,soft and safe1 my brother1 be this thy earthly bed4 ,bright and glorious be thy rising from it4 ,in the glorious morning of the resurrection may thy body spring again into newness of life1 to live forever in the home of the blest4 ,until then1 dear brother1 farewell4 ,benediction4 ,chaplain3 ,the ,lord bless us and keep us4 ,the ,lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us4 ,the ,lord lift up the light of his countenance and give us peace4 ,amen4 ,,ritual ,,for ,a ,,lodge ,,of ,,sorrow4 ,the following ,ritual for a ,lodge of ,sorrow is recommended for use in the ,lodges4 ,while necessarily of a funeral character1 it differs essentially from the burial service4 ,in the latter case1 we are in the actual presence of the departed1 and engaged in the last rites of affection and respect for one who has been our companion in life1 and whose mortal remains we are about to consign to their last resting-place4 ,the ,lodge of ,sorrow1 on the contrary1 is intended to celebrate the memory of our departed brethren2 and while we thus recall to our recollection their virtues1 and temper anew our resolutions so to live1 that1 when we shall have passed the silent portals1 our memories may be cherished with grateful remembrance1 we learn to look upon death from a more elevated point of view2 to see in it the wise and necessary transition from the trials and imperfections of this world1 to the perfect life for which our transient journey here has been the school and the preparation4 ,vocal and instrumental music are indispensable to the proper effect of the ceremony4 ,the brethren should wear dark clothing1 and white gloves and aprons4 ,there is no necessity for any attempt at secrecy in the ceremonies of ,sorrow ,lodges4 ,they may be held in churches or public halls1 or in the presence of friends at the ,lodge room1 with benefit to all concerned4 ,preparation of the ,hall4 ,i4 ,the ,lodge room should be appropriately draped in black1 and the several stations covered with the same emblem of mourning4 ,,ii4 ,on the ,master's pedestal is a skull and lighted taper4 ,,iii4 ,in the center of the room is placed the catafalque1 which consists of a rectangular platform1 about six feet long by four feet wide1 on which are two smaller platforms1 so that three steps are represented4 ,on the third one should be an elevation of convenient height1 on which is placed an urn4 ,the platform should be draped in black1 and a canopy of black drapery may be raised over the urn and platform4 ,,iv4 ,at each corner of the platform will be placed a candlestick1 bearing a lighted taper1 and near it1 facing the ,east1 will be seated a brother1 provided with an extinguisher1 to be used at the proper time4 ,v4 ,during the first part of the ceremonies the lights in the room should burn dimly4 ,,vi4 ,arrangements should be made to enable the light to be increased to brilliancy at the appropriate point in the ceremony4 ,,vii4 ,on the catafalque will be laid a pair of white gloves1 a lambskin apron1 and if the deceased brother had been an officer1 the appropriate insignia of his office4 ,,viii4 ,where the ,lodge is held in memory of several brethren1 shields bearing their names are placed around the catafalque4 ,opening the ,lodge4 ,the several officers being in their places1 and the brethren seated1 the ,worshipful ,master will call up the ,lodge and say3 ,w4 ,m43 ,brother ,senior ,warden1 for what purpose are we assembled8 ,s4 ,w43 ,to honor the memory of those brethren whom death hath taken from us2 to contemplate our own approaching dissolution2 and1 by the remembrance of immortality1 to raise our souls above the considerations of this transitory existence4 ,w4 ,m43 ,brother ,junior ,warden1 what sentiments should inspire the souls of ,masons on occasions like the present8 ,j4 ,w43 ,calm sorrow for the absence of our brethren who have gone before us2 earnest solicitude for our own eternal welfare1 and a firm faith and reliance upon the wisdom and goodness of the ,great ,architect of the ,universe4 ,w4 ,m43 ,brethren1 commending these sentiments to your earnest consideration1 and invoking your assistance in the solemn ceremonies about to take place1 ,i declare this ,lodge of ,sorrow opened4 ,the ,chaplain1 or ,worshipful ,master1 will then offer the following1 or some other suitable ,prayer3 ,grand ,architect of the ,universe1 in whose holy sight centuries are but as days2 to whose omniscience the past and the future are but as one eternal present2 look down upon ,thy children1 who still wander among the delusions of time--who still tremble with dread of dissolution1 and shudder at the mysteries of the future2 look down1 we beseech ,thee1 from ,thy glorious and eternal day into the dark night of our error and presumption1 and suffer a ray of ,thy divine light to penetrate into our hearts1 that in them may awaken and bloom the certainty of life1 reliance upon ,thy promises1 and assurance of a place at ,thy right hand4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,the following1 or some other appropriate ,ode may here be sung3 ,ode4 ,tune--,bradford1 ,c4 ,m4 ,o brother1 thou art gone to rest2 ,we will not weep for thee2 ,for thou art nowhere1 oft on earth1 ,thy spirit longed to be4 ,o brother1 thou art gone to rest2 ,thy toils and cares are o'er2 ,and sorrow1 pain1 and suffering now ,shall ne'er distress thee more4 ,o brother1 thou art gone to rest1 ,and this shall be our prayer3 ,that1 when we reach our journey's end1 ,thy glory we shall share4 ,the ,worshipful ,master 7taking the skull in his hand7 will then say3 ,brethren3 ,in the midst of life we are in death1 and the wisest cannot know what a day may bring forth4 ,we live but to see those we love passing away into the silent land4 ,behold this emblem of mortality1 once the abode of a spirit like our own2 beneath this mouldering canopy once shone the bright and busy eye2 within this hollow cavern once played the ready1 swift1 and tuneful tongue2 and now1 sightless and mute1 it is eloquent only in the lessons it teaches us4 ,think of those brethren1 who1 but a few days since1 were among us in all the pride and power of life2 bring to your minds the remembrance of their wisdom1 their strength1 and their beauty2 and then reflect that to this complexion have they come at last2 think of yourselves1 thus will you be when the lamp of your brief existence has burned out4 ,think how soon death1 for you1 will be a reality4 ,man's life is like a flower1 which blooms today1 and tomorrow is faded1 cast aside1 and trodden under foot4 ,the most of us1 my brethren1 are fast approaching1 or have already passed the meridian of life2 our sun is setting in the ,west2 and oh6 how much more swift is the passage of our declining years than when we started upon the journey1 and believed--as the young are too apt to believe--that the roseate hues of the rising sun of our existence were always to be continued4 ,when we look back upon the happy days of our childhood1 when the dawning intellect first began to exercise its powers of thought1 it seems as but yesterday1 and that1 by a simple effort of the will1 we could put aside our manhood1 and seek again the loving caresses of a mother1 or be happy in the possession of a bauble2 and could we now realize the idea that our last hour had come1 our whole earthly life would seem but as the space of time from yesterday until today4 ,centuries upon centuries have rolled away behind us2 before us stretches out an eternity of years to come2 and on the narrow boundary between the past and the present flickers the puny taper we term our life4 ,when we came into the world1 we knew naught of what had been before us2 but1 as we grew up to manhood1 we learned of the past2 we saw the flowers bloom as they had bloomed for centuries2 we beheld the orbs of day and night pursuing their endless course among the stars1 as they had pursued it from the birth of light2 we learned what men had thought1 and said1 and done1 from the beginning of the world to our day2 but only through the eye of faith can we behold what is to come hereafter1 and only through a firm reliance upon the ,divine promises can we satisfy the yearnings of an immortal soul4 ,the cradle speaks to us of remembrance--the coffin1 of hope1 of a blessed trust in a never-ending existence beyond the gloomy portals of the tomb4 ,let these reflections convince us how vain are all the wranglings and bitterness engendered by the collisions of the world2 how little in dignity above the puny wranglings of ants over a morsel of food1 or for the possession of a square inch of soil4 ,what shall survive us8 ,not1 let us hope1 the petty strifes and bickerings1 the jealousies and heart-burnings1 the small triumphs and mean advantages we have gained1 but rather the noble thoughts1 the words of truth1 the works of mercy and justice1 that ennoble and light up the existence of every honest man1 however humble1 and live for good when his body1 like this remnant of mortality1 is mouldering in its parent dust4 ,let the proud and the vain consider how soon the gaps are filled that are made in society by those who die around them2 and how soon time heals the wounds that death inflicts upon the loving heart2 and from this let them learn humility1 and that they are but drops in the great ocean of humanity4 ,and when ,god sends his angel to us with the scroll of death1 let us look upon it as an act of mercy1 to prevent many sins and many calamities of a longer life2 and lay down our heads softly and go to sleep1 without wrangling like froward children4 ,for this at least man gets by death1 that his calamities are not immortal4 ,to bear grief honorably and temperately1 and to die willingly and nobly1 are the duties of a good man and true ,mason4 ,ode4 ,tune--,naomi4 ,c4 ,m4 ,when those we love are snatched away1 ,by ,death's relentless hand1 ,our hearts the mournful tribute pay1 ,that friendship must demand4 ,while pity prompts the rising sigh1 ,with awful power imprest2 ,may this dread truth1 ,i too must die1 ,sink deep in every breast4 ,let this vain world allure no more2 ,behold the opening tomb6 ,it bids us use the present hour2 ,tomorrow death may come4 ,the voice of this instructive scene ,may every heart obey2 ,nor be the faithful warning vain ,which calls to watch and pray4 ,at its conclusion the ,chaplain will read the following passages3 ,lo1 ,he goeth by me and ,i see ,him not4 ,he passeth on also1 but ,i perceive ,him not4 ,behold ,he taketh away1 who can hinder ,him8 ,man that is born of a woman is of few days1 and full of trouble4 ,he cometh forth like a flower1 and is cut down2 he fleeth also as a shadow1 and continueth not4 ,seeing his days are determined1 the number of his months are with ,thee3 ,thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass2 turn from him that he may rest1 till he shall accomplish1 as an hireling1 his day4 ,for there is hope of a tree if it be cut down1 that it will sprout again1 and that the tender branch thereof will not cease4 ,though the root thereof wax old in the earth1 and the stock thereof die in the ground1 yet through the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant4 ,but man dieth and wasteth away2 yea1 man giveth up the ghost1 and where is he8 ,as the waters fail from the sea1 and the flood decayeth and drieth up1 so man lieth down1 and riseth not2 till the heavens be no more1 they shall not awake1 nor be raised out of their sleep4 ,my days are passed1 my purposes are broken off1 even the thoughts of my heart4 ,if ,i wait1 the grave is mine house2 ,i have made my bed in the darkness4 ,i have said to corruption1 thou art my father4 ,and where is now my hope8 ,as for my hope1 who shall see it8 ,they shall go down to the bars of the pit1 when our rest together is in the dust4 ,my bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh4 ,oh1 that my words were now written2 ,oh1 that they were printed in a book6 ,that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever6 ,for ,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and that ,he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth4 ,and though after my skin worms destroy this body1 yet in my flesh shall ,i see ,god4 ,whom ,i shall see for myself1 and mine eyes shall behold1 and not another4 ,for ,thou cast me into the deep1 in the midst of the seas2 and ,thy floods compassed me about2 all ,thy billows and ,thy waves passed over me4 ,then ,i said1 ,i am cast out of ,thy sight2 yet will ,i look again toward ,thy holy temple4 ,the waters compassed me about1 even to the soul1 the depth closed me round about1 the weeds were wrapt about my head4 ,i said1 in the cutting off of my days ,i shall go to the gates of the grave6 ,i am deprived of the residue of my years2 ,i said1 ,i shall not see the ,lord1 even the ,lord in the land of the living2 ,i shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world4 ,behold1 for peace ,i had great bitterness2 but ,thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption4 ,for the grave cannot praise ,thee1 death cannot celebrate ,thee2 the living1 the living1 he shall praise ,thee as ,i do this day4 ,are not my days few8 ,cease1 then1 and let me alone1 that ,i may take comfort a little1 before ,i go whence ,i shall not return1 even to the land of darkness1 and the shadow of death4 ,a land of darkness1 as darkness itself2 and of the shadow of death1 without any order1 and where the light is as darkness4 ,an interval of profound silence will be observed4 ,the general lights of the hall1 if there be convenience1 will be turned low1 and the four brethren will extinguish the tapers near which they are placed4 ,prayer by the ,chaplain4 ,our ,father ,who art in heaven1 it hath pleased ,thee to take from among us those who were our brethren4 ,let time1 as it heals the wounds thus inflicted upon our hearts and on the hearts of those who were near and dear to them1 not erase the salutary lessons engraved there2 but let those lessons1 always continuing distinct and legible1 make us and them wiser and better4 ,and whatever distress or trouble may hereafter come upon us1 may we ever be consoled by the reflection that ,thy wisdom and ,thy love are equally infinite1 and that our sorrows are not the visitations of ,thy wrath1 but the result of the great law of harmony by which everything is being conducted to a good and perfect issue in the fullness of ,thy time4 ,let the loss of our brethren increase our affection for those who are yet spared to us1 and make us more punctual in the performance of the duties that friendship1 love and honor demand4 ,when it comes to us also to die1 may a firm and abiding trust in ,thy mercy dispel the gloom and dread of dissolution4 ,be with us now1 and sanctify the solemnities of this occasion to our hearts1 that we may serve ,thee in spirit and understanding4 ,and to ,thy name shall be ascribed the praise forever4 ,amen4 ,response3 ,so mote it be6 ,the ,wardens1 ,deacons and ,stewards1 will now approach the ,east and form a procession1 thus3 ,two ,stewards1 with rods4 ,two ,wardens4 ,the ,worshipful ,master1 supported by the ,deacons1 with rods4 ,this procession will move once around the catafalque to slow and solemn music4 ,on arriving at the ,east1 the procession will halt and open to the right and left4 ,the ,junior ,warden will then advance to the catafalque1 and1 placing upon it a bunch of white flowers1 will say3 ,junior ,warden3 ,in memory of our departed brethren ,i deposit these white flowers1 emblematical of that pure life to which they have been called1 and reminding us that as these children of an hour will droop and fade away1 so1 too1 shall we soon follow those who have gone before us1 and inciting us so to fill the brief span of our existence that we may leave to our survivors a sweet savor of remembrance4 ,the ,junior ,warden will now return to his place1 and an interval of profound silence will be observed4 ,the procession will again be formed1 and move as before1 to the sound of slow music1 twice around the catafalque4 ,they will open as before1 and the ,senior ,warden approaching the catafalque will place upon it a wreath of white flowers1 and say3 ,senior ,warden3 ,as the sun sets in the ,west1 to close the day and herald the approach of night1 so1 one by one we lay us down in the darkness of the tomb to wait in its calm repose for the time when the heavens shall pass away as a scroll1 and man1 standing in the presence of the ,infinite1 shall realize the true end of his pilgrimage here below4 ,let these flowers be to us the symbol of remembrance of all the virtues of our brethren who have preceded us to the silent land1 the token of that fraternal alliance which binds us while on earth and which we hope will finally unite us in heaven4 ,the ,senior ,warden returns to his place1 and an interval of profound silence will be observed4 ,the procession will again be formed1 and move three times around the catafalque to slow and solemn music1 as before4 ,arrived in the ,east1 the ,worshipful ,master will advance and place upon the ,urn a wreath of evergreen1 and say3 ,worshipful ,master3 ,it is appointed unto all men once to die1 and after death cometh the resurrection4 ,the dust shall return to the earth and the spirit unto ,god who gave it4 ,in the grave all men are equal2 the good deeds1 the lofty thoughts1 the heroic sacrifices alone survive and bear fruit in the lives of those who strive to emulate them4 ,while1 therefore1 nature will have its way1 and our tears will fall upon the graves of our brethren1 let us be reminded by the evergreen symbol of our faith in immortal life that the dead are but sleeping1 and be comforted by the reflection that their memories will not be forgotten2 that they will still be loved by those who are soon to follow them2 that in our archives their names are written1 and that in our hearts there is still a place for them4 ,and so1 trusting in the infinite love and tender mercy of ,him without whose knowledge not even a sparrow falls1 let us prepare to meet them where there is no parting1 and where with them we shall enjoy eternal rest4 ,the ,worshipful ,master will return to his place1 and a period of silence will obtain4 ,the ,chaplain will now be conducted to the altar1 where he will read3 ,but some man will say3 ,how are the dead raised up8 and with what body do they come8 ,thou fool1 that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die2 and that which thou sowest1 thou sowest not that body that shall be1 but bear grain2 it may chance of wheat or of some other grain2 but ,god giveth it a body as it hath pleased ,him1 and to every seed his own body4 ,all flesh is not the same flesh2 but there is one kind of flesh of men1 another flesh of beasts1 another of fishes1 and another of birds4 ,there are also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial2 but the glory of the celestial is one1 and the glory of the terrestrial is another4 ,there is one glory of the sun1 and another glory of the moon1 and another glory of the stars2 for one star differeth from another star in glory4 ,so also is the resurrection of the dead4 ,it is sown in corruption1 it is raised in incorruption2 it is sown in dishonor1 it is raised in glory2 it is sown in weakness1 it is raised in power2 it is sown a natural body1 it is raised a spiritual body4 ,there is a natural body1 and there is a spiritual body4 ,and so it is written1 the first man ,adam was made a living soul1 the last ,adam was made a quickening spirit4 ,howbeit1 that was not first which is spiritual1 but that which is natural2 and afterward that which is spiritual4 ,the first man is of the earth1 earthy2 the second man is the ,lord from heaven4 ,as is the earthy1 such are they also that are earthy2 and as is the heavenly1 such are they also that are heavenly4 ,and as we have borne the image of the earthy1 we shall also bear the image of the heavenly4 ,now this ,i say1 brethren1 that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of ,god2 neither doth corruption inherit incorruption4 ,behold1 ,i show you a mystery2 we shall not all sleep1 but we shall all be changed2 in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1 at the last trump2 for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead shall be raised incorruptible1 and we shall be changed4 ,for this corruptible must put on incorruption1 and this mortal must put on immortality4 ,so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption1 and this mortal shall have put on immortality1 then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written1 death is swallowed up in victory4 ,o death1 where is thy sting8 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8 ,as the ,chaplain pronounces the concluding words1 ,o grave1 where is thy victory8 the lights in the hall will be raised to brilliancy1 the four brethren seated around the catafalque will relight the tapers1 while a strain of triumphant music will be played4 ,the ,chaplain will return to his place in the ,east1 and the following1 or some other appropriate ,ode1 will be sung to music of a more cheerful character3 ,ode4--,tune1 ,cary4 ,one sweetly solemn thought ,comes to me o'er and o'er2 ,i am nearer home today ,than ,i ever have been before4 ,nearer my ,father's house1 ,where the many mansions be2 ,nearer the great white throne2 ,nearer the crystal sea4 ,nearer the bound of life1 ,where we lay our burdens down2 ,nearer leaving the cross2 ,nearer gaining the crown4 ,but lying darkly between1 ,winding down through the night1 ,is the deep and unknown stream1 ,that leads at last to the light4 ,father1 perfect my trust6 ,strengthen the might of my faith2 ,let me feel as ,i would when ,i stand ,on the rock of the shore of death4 ,feel as ,i would when my feet ,are slipping over the brink2 ,for it may be1 ,i am nearer home-- ,nearer now than ,i think4 ,the ,orator will then pronounce the ,eulogium4 ,then follows the following1 or some other appropriate ,ode3 ,ode4--,tune3 ,old ,hundred4 ,l4 ,m4 ,once more1 ,o ,lord1 let grateful praise ,from ev'ry heart to ,thee ascend2 ,thou art the guardian of our days1 ,our first1 our best and changeless friend4 ,hear now our parting hymn of praise1 ,and bind our hearts in love divine2 ,oh1 may we walk in wisdom's ways1 ,and ever feel that we are ,thine4 ,closing4 ,worshipful ,master3 ,brother ,senior ,warden1 our recollection of our departed friends has been refreshed1 and we may now ask ourselves1 were they just and perfect ,masons1 worthy men1 unwearied toilers in the vineyard1 and possessed of so many virtues as to overcome their faults and shortcomings8 ,answer these questions1 as ,masons should answer4 ,senior ,warden3 ,man judgeth not of man4 ,he ,whose infinite and tender mercy passeth all comprehension1 ,whose goodness endureth forever1 has called our brethren hence4 ,let ,him judge4 ,in ancient ,egypt no one could gain admittance to the sacred asylum of the tomb until he had passed under the most solemn judgment before a grave tribunal4 ,princes and peasants came there to be judged1 escorted only by their virtues and their vices4 ,a public accuser recounted the history of their lives1 and threw the penetrating light of truth on all their actions4 ,if it were adjudged that the dead man had led an evil life1 his memory was condemned in the presence of the nation1 and his body was denied the honors of sepulture4 ,but ,masonry has no such tribunal to sit in judgment upon her dead2 with her1 the good that her sons have done lives after them2 and the evil is interred with their bones4 ,she does require1 however1 that whatever is said concerning them shall be the truth2 and should it ever happen that of a ,mason1 who dies1 nothing good can be truthfully said1 she will mournfully and pityingly bury him out of her sight in silence4 ,worshipful ,master3 ,brethren1 let us profit by the admonitions of this solemn occasion1 lay to heart the truths to which we have listened1 and resolve so to walk that when we lay us down to the last sleep it may be the privilege of the brethren to strew white flowers upon our graves and keep our memories as a pleasant remembrance4 ,brother ,senior ,warden3 ,announce to the brethren that our labors are now concluded1 and that it is my pleasure that this ,lodge of ,sorrow be closed4 ,senior ,warden3 ,brother ,junior ,warden1 the labors of this ,lodge of ,sorrow being ended1 it is the pleasure of the ,worshipful ,master that it be now closed4 ,make due announcement to the brethren1 and invite them to assist4 ,junior ,warden calling up the ,lodge4 ,brethren1 the labors of this ,lodge of ,sorrow being ended1 it is the pleasure of the ,worshipful ,master that it be now closed4 ,w4 ,m43 ,let us unite with our ,chaplain in an invocation to the ,throne of ,grace4 99 99 99 ,w4 ,m43 ,this ,lodge of ,sorrow is now closed4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the following have been retained as they appear in the original publication3 #a4 alternative spelling for ,tiler and ,tyler2 #b4 hyphenation in corner-stone_/corner stone1 ever-green_/evergreen1 north-east_/northeast and to-morrow_/tomorrow2 #c4 punctuation in the order of the ,special ,communication of the ,grand ,lodge2 #d4 irregular indentation of verse on pages #fc and #adi2 and #e4 99 99 99 within the text1 and on a line of its own1 99 99 99 ,changes have been made as follows3 ,page #b ,election and ,installation changed to ,election and ,installation4 ,laying ,corner ,stone changed to ,laying ,corner-,stone4 ,page #g alone valuable a changed to alone valuable and ,page #h vade mecum4' changed to 'vade mecum4' ,page #aj offend ,when we go astray1 changed to offend4 ,when we go astray1 ,page #aa with hands1 eternal i changed to with hands1 eternal in the ,page #ab ,brother ,s4 ,w41 how changed to ,brother ,s4 ,w41 how ,page #ac selfish and ungodly changed to selfish and ungodly4 ,page #bd eavesdroppers1 as-scending changed to eavesdroppers1 ascending ,page #bi north of the eliptic changed to north of the elliptic ,page #cf hich he is afterwards changed to which he is afterwards ,page #dg the ,doric ,ionic changed to the ,doric1 ,ionic seven sabatical years changed to seven sabbatical years expressions to be intellgible changed to expressions to be intelligible ,page #dh and gentle tremulo changed to and gentle tremolo ,page #ea to pass the inner door8 changed to to pass the inner door6 ,page #eb to your care4 changed to to your care4 ,page #fc dissolves our eathly changed to dissolves our earthly ,page #fd degree of ,master ,msaon changed to degree of ,master ,mason ,page #fe approaching danger changed to approaching danger4 ,page #fi darkness to ,pharoah changed to darkness to ,pharaoh ,page #gc problems and theorims changed to problems and theorems ,page #hb a lodge ,for changed to a lodge for ,page #hc necessary to eligibilty changed to necessary to eligibility ,page #hg with the ,constituions changed to with the ,constitutions ,page #if calls 99 99 99 changed to calls 99 99 992 ,page #aaj ,s4 ,g4 ,w47 from the ,south changed to ,s4 ,g4 ,w472 from the ,south ,page #aab ,past ,g'rd ,officers changed to ,past ,gr'd ,officers ,page #aai the folowing invocation changed to the following invocation ,page #abb ,deacons1 with rods2 changed to ,deacons1 with rods4 ,page #abe bless the ,craft1 whersoever changed to bless the ,craft1 wheresoever ,page #abe employed by you acording changed to employed by you according ,page #ach ,master repeating the folowing changed to ,master repeating the following ,page #ach ,try name changed to ,thy name ,page #adj from the terrestial changed to from the terrestrial ,page #adc follow the ,tiler changed to follow the ,tiler4 ,page #adi ,princes6 this clay changed to ,princes6 this clay ,page #age terresrtial is another changed to terrestrial is another