Chapter D: G. M.--Most Worshipful, I present to you Brother ----, whom the

members of the Lodge now to be constituted have chosen for their Master.

The G. M. asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with their choice. (They bow in token of assent.)

The Master-elect then presents, severally, his Wardens and other officers, naming them and their respective offices. The G. M. asks the brethren if they remain satisfied with each and all of them. (They bow as before.)

The officers and members of the new Lodge form in front of the G. M. and the business of consecration commences.

The G. M. and grand officers form around the Lodge, all kneeling.

A piece of solemn music is performed while the Lodge is being uncovered, after which the first clause of the consecration prayer is rehearsed by the Grand Chaplain, as follows:

Great Architect of the Universe; Maker and Ruler of all worlds. Deign from Thy Celestial Temple, from the realms of light and glory, to bless us in all the purposes of our present assembly. We humbly invoke Thee to give us at this, and at all times, Wisdom in all our doings, Strength of mind in all our difficulties, and the Beauty of harmony in all our communications. Permit us, O Thou author of life and light, great source of love and happiness, solemnly to consecrate this Lodge to Thy honor and glory. Amen.

Response by the Officers of the Grand Lodge:

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Grand Officers will then rise.

Consecration.

The Deputy Grand Master will step forward and present the Vessel of Corn (wheat) to the Grand Master, who sprinkles a portion of it upon the symbol of the Lodge, saying:

May the Giver of every good and perfect gift strengthen this Lodge in all its philanthropic undertakings.

The following may then be sung:

When once of old, in Israel,
Our brethren wrought with toil,
Jehovah's blessings on them fell,
In showers of Corn and Wine and Oil.

In like manner, the Senior Grand Warden presents the Vessel of Wine, which is sprinkled on the Lodge by the Grand Master, saying:

May this Lodge be continually refreshed at the pure fountain of Masonic virtue.

The following may then be sung:

When then a shrine to him above
They built, with worship sin to foil,
On threshold and on corner-stone
They poured out Corn and Wine and Oil.

The Junior Grand Warden then presents the Vessel of Oil, which is used in the same manner, the Grand Master saying:

May the Supreme Ruler of the Universe preserve this Lodge in peace, and vouchsafe to it every blessing.

The following may then be sung:

And we have come, fraternal bands,
With joy and pride and prosperous spoil,
To honor him by votive hands,
With streams of Corn and Wine and Oil.

Each vessel after use is placed upon the table.

The Grand Master then orders the Officers of the Grand Lodge to kneel as before, when the Grand Chaplain will rehearse the remaining portion of the consecration prayer:

Grant, O Lord, our God, 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 duties. May brotherly love, relief and truth always prevail among the members of this Lodge. May this bond of union continue to strengthen the Lodges throughout the world. Bless all our brethren, wherever dispersed, and grant speedy relief to all who are either oppressed or distressed. We affectionately commend to Thee all the members of this whole family; may they increase in grace, in the knowledge of Thee, and in love to each other. Finally, may we finish all our work here below, with Thy approbation; and then may our transition from this earthly abode be to Thy heavenly Temple above, there to enjoy light and glory, and bliss ineffable and eternal. Amen.

Response: (By the Officers of the Grand Lodge.) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A short piece of solemn music is then performed, during which the Grand Officers will rise.

Dedication.

The Grand Master steps forward, and extending his hands over the emblem of the Lodge, exclaims:

To the memory of the Holy Saints John, we dedicate this Lodge. May every brother revere their character and imitate their virtues.

Response: (By the brethren.) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Officers of the Grand Lodge will then about face, and stand, while the brethren of the new Lodge, under direction of the Grand Marshal, make a circuit in procession, single file, and salute the Grand Officers with their hands crossed upon their breasts, left over right, and heads slightly bowed while passing. Upon the completion of this ceremony, the brethren will resume position, facing inward. The Officers of the Grand Lodge will also resume original position. The Grand Master will call up, with his gavel, all present, and then proceed to

Constitute the Lodge.

Grand Master: In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas, I now constitute and form you, my beloved brethren, into a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. From henceforth we empower you to meet as a Regular Lodge, constituted in conformity to the rites of our institution, and the charges of our ancient and honorable Fraternity; and may the Supreme Architect of the Universe prosper, direct and counsel you in all your doings.

Response by the brethren: So mote it be.

The Officers of the Grand Lodge will, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, give the Full Grand Honors. The Grand Marshal will then slowly replace the covering on the Lodge, during which a choir should chant--

"Glory be to God on High."

The Grand Marshal will then conduct the Grand Master to his chair, and instruct the officers of the Grand Lodge to resume their respective stations; and the members of the new Lodge to resume their seats. During these movements instrumental music should be performed.

Grand Master: (Calls up the assembly.) Worshipful Grand Marshal, you will make proclamation that ...... Lodge, No. ......, has been regularly constituted.

Grand Marshal: I am directed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to proclaim, and I do hereby proclaim, that ...... Lodge, No. ......, has been regularly constituted, and duly registered as such in the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. This proclamation is made from the East, (one knock by G. M.); from the West, (one knock by the S. G. W.); from the South, (one knock by the J. G. W.); once, twice, thrice; the Craft will take due notice and govern itself accordingly. The Grand Honors are given.

Grand Master seats the brethren.

LAYING CORNER STONES.

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

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

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

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

Grand Tyler.
(with drawn sword.)

Master Masons.

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

Grand Chaplain.

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

Gr'd Steward, Past Gr'd Officers,[B] Gr'd Steward,
(carrying rod.) (in the order of their (carrying rod.)
G rank, two abreast.)
R
A Principal Architect,[C]
N (carrying Square, Level and Plumb.)
D

M Jr. Grand Warden, Sr. Grand Warden,
A (carrying vessel of oil.) (carrying vessel of wine.)
R
S Deputy Grand Master.
H (carrying vessel of corn.)
A
L Master of Oldest Lodge,
. (carrying book of constitutions.)

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

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

[A] This box may be carried by the Treasurer, or be sent in advance to the site of the corner-stone, as circumstances may dictate.

[B] In the absence of Past Grand Officers, these Stewards will support the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Warden.

[C] If the architect of the building is not a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Square, Level and Plumb will be carried by a brother appointed for the purpose, who will deliver them to the architect on arriving at the corner-stone.

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

G Music.
R
A M Military.
N A
D R Civic Societies and Organizations.
S
H Chief Magistrate, Mayor or other Official Guests.
A
L Knights Templar Escort.
.
Grand Lodge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer.

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

Response: So mote it be.

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

Deposit of Memorials.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Presentation of Working Tools.

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

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

Laying Stone.

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

Trial of Stone.

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

D. G. Master: The Square.

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

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

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

The Square is applied to the four corners.