CHAPTER XI. SUNDRY CEREMONIES. CEREMONY OBSERVED AT LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF PUBLIC STRUCTURES. THIS ceremony is conducted by the grand master and his officers, assisted by the members of the grand lodge, and such officers and members of private lodges as can conveniently attend. The chief magistrate and other civil officers of the place where the building is to be erected, also generally attend on the occasion. The ceremony is thus conducted: At the time appointed, the grand lodge is convened at some suitable place, approved by the grand master. A band of martial music is provided, and the brethren appear in the insignia of the order, and with white gloves and aprons. The lodge is opened by the grand master, and the rules for regulating the procession to and from the place where the ceremony is to be performed, are read by the grand secretary. The necessary cautions are then given from the chair, and the lodge is adjourned; after which the procession sets out in the following order: PROCESSION AT LAYING FOUNDATION STONES. Two Tylers, with Drawn Swords Fellow Crafts Stewards Junior Deacons Senior Deacons Secretaries Grand Tyler, with a Drawn Sword A Brother, with a Golden Vessel containing Corn Two Brethren, with Silver Vessels, one containing Wine, and the other Oil Principal Architect, with Square, Level, and Plumb Grand Secretary and Treasurer Bible, Square and Compass, carried by a Master of a Lodge, supported by two Stewards Grand Chaplain The Five Orders Past Grand Wardens Chief Magistrate of the Place Two Large Lights, borne by two Masters of Lodges One Large Light, borne by a Master of a Lodge Master of the Oldest Lodge, bearing the Book of Constitutions on a Velvet Cushion Grand Deacons, with Black Rods, on a Line seven Feet apart GRAND MASTER Grand Sword Bearer, with a Drawn Sword Two Stewards, with White Rods The triumphal arch is usually erected at the place where the ceremony is to be performed. The procession passes through the arch, and the brethren repairing to their stands, the grand master and his officers take their places on a temporary platform, covered with carpet. An ode on masonry is sung. The grand master commands silence, and the necessary preparations are made for laying the stone, on which is engraved the year of masonry, the name and titles of the grand master, &c. The stone is raised up, by means of an engine erected for that purpose, and the grand chaplain or orator repeats a short prayer. The grand treasurer then, by the grand master's command, places under the stone various sorts of coin and medals of the present age. Solemn music is introduced, and the stone let down into its place. The principal architect then presents the working tools to the grand master, who applies the plumb, square and level to the stone, in their proper positions, and pronounces it to be "WELL FORMED, TRUE, AND TRUSTY." The golden and silver vessels are next brought to the table, and delivered; the former to the deputy grand master, and the latter to the grand wardens, who successively present them to the grand master: and he, according to ancient ceremony, pours the corn, the wine, and the oil which they contain, on the stone, saying "May the all-bounteous author of nature bless the inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries, conveniences and comforts of life; assist in the erection and completion of this building; protect the workmen against every accident, and long preserve this structure from decay. And grant to us all, in needed supply, the CORN of nourishment, the WINE of refreshment, and the OIL of joy! "Amen! So mote it be! Amen!" He then strikes the stone thrice with the mallet, and the public honors of masonry are given. The grand master then delivers over to the architect the various implements of architecture, entrusting him with the superintendance and direction of the work; after which, he re-ascends the platform, and an oration suitable to the occasion is delivered. A voluntary collection is made for the workmen, and the sum collected is placed upon the stone by the grand treasurer. A song in honor of masonry concludes the ceremony, after which the procession returns to the place whence it set out, and the lodge is closed. CEREMONY OBSERVED AT THE DEDICATION OF MASONS' HALLS. On the day appointed for the celebration of the ceremony of dedication, the grand master and his officers, accompanied by the members of the graud lodge, meet in a convenient room near to the place where the ceremony is to be performed, and the grand lodge is opened in ample form in the first three degrees of masonry. The master of the lodge to which the hall to be dedicated belongs, being present, rises, and addresses the grand master, as follows: MOST WORSHIPFUL, "The brethren of Lodge, being animated with a desire of promoting the honor and interest of the craft, have, at great pains and expense, erected a masonic hall, for their convenience and accommodation. They are now desirous that the same should be examined by the most worshipful grand lodge; and if it should meet their approbation, that it should be solemnly dedicated to masonic purposes, agreeably to ancient form." The grand master then directs the grand secretary to read the order of procession, which is delivered over to the grand marshal; and a general charge respecting propriety of behaviour, is given by the deputy grand master, A grand procession is then formed in the order laid down in pages 107-8. The whole moves forward to the ball which is to be dedicated, and upon the arrival of the front of the procession at the door, they halt, open to the right and left, and face inward; whilst the grand master, and others in succession, pass through and enter. The music continues while the procession marches three times round the hall. The lodge is then placed in the centre; and the grand master having taken the chair, under a canopy of state, the grand officers, and the masters and wardens of the lodges, repair to the places previously prepared for their reception: the three lights, and the gold and silver pitchers, with the corn, wine and oil, are placed around the lodge, at the head of which stands the pedestal, with the bible open, and the square and compass laid thereon, with the constitution roll, on a crimson velvet cushion. Matters being thus disposed, an anthem is sung, and an exordium on masonry given; after which the architect ad、 dresses the grand master, as follows: "MOST WORSHIPFUL, "Having been entrusted with the superintendance and management of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice; and having, according to the best of my ability, accomplished the task assigned me, I now return my thanks for the honor of this appointment, and beg leave to surrender up the implements which were committed to my care, when the foundation of this fabric was laid; humbly hoping, that the exertions which have been made on this occasion, will be crowned with your approbation, and that of the most worshipful grand lodge." To which the grand master makes the following reply: BROTHER ARCHITECT, "The skill and fidelity displayed in the execution of the trust reposed in you at the commencement of this un. dertaking, have secured the entire approbation of the grand lodge; and they sincerely pray, that this edifice |