nity. And may the tenets of our profession be transmitted through your lodge, pure and unimpaired, from generation to generation."

The grand marshal then proclaims the new lodge in the following manner, viz.

"In the name of the wost worshipful grand lodge, of the state of........ I proclaim this new lodge, by the name lodge duly constituted."

Hiram, the architect,
Did all the craft direct
How they should build;
Sol'mon, great Isr'el's king,"
Did mighty blessings bring,
And left us room to sing,
Hail royal Art!

Chorus.

Three Times

The lodge is then closed with the usual solemnities in the different degrees by the grand master and his officers. This is the usual ceremony observed by regular masons at the constitution of a new lodge, which the grand master may abridge or extend at pleasure; but the material points are on no account to be omitted. The same ceremony and charges attend every succeeding installation of new officers.

THE THIRD SECTION.

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.

At the time appointed, the grand lodge is convened in 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.

Marshal.

PROCESSION AT LAYING FOUNDATION STONES.

Two Tylers, with Drawn Swords,
Tyler of the Oldest Lodge, with do.
Two Stewards of the Oldest Lodge,
Entered Apprentices,

Fellow Crafts,

Master Masons,
Stewards,
Junior Deacons,
Senior Deacons,
Secretaries,
Treasurers,
Past Wardens,
Junior Wardens,
Senior Wardens,

Past Masters
Royal Arch Masons,
Knights Templars,

Masters of Lodges, in office,
Music,

Grand Tyler, with a Drawn Sword,
Grand Stewards, with White Rods,

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,
Past Deputy Grand Masters,
Past Grand Masters,
Chief Magistrate of the Place,

Two Large Lights, borne by two Masters of Lodges,
Grand Wardens,

One Large Light, borne by a Master of a Lodge,
Deputy Grand Master,

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.

A triumphal arch is usually erected at the place where the ceremony is to be performed.

The procession passes through the arch, and the brethren repairing to their stands, the grand master and his officers take their places on a temporary platform, covered with carpet. An ode on masonry is sung. The grand marshal 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. &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

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 honours of masonry are given.

The grand master then delivers over to the architect the various implements of architecture, entrusting him with the superintendence 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. song in honour of masonry concludes the ceremony; after which the procession returns to the place whence it set out, and the lodge is closed.

THE FOURTH SECTION.

Ceremony observed at the Dedication of Mason's Halls

A

On the day appointed for the celebration of the ceremony of dedication, the grand master and his officers, accompanied by the members of the grand lodge, meet in a convenient room near to the place where the cere mony 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: