Imatges de pàgina
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our brother from this transitory state of existence, and to weaken the chain by which we are linked one to another, may his death remind us, that our own must soon take place, and incline us, who survive him, to be more united in the ties of friendship and brotherly love.

"To the grave, we resign our brother, in expectation of his immortal happiness, and we humbly hope, that our Almighty Creator will graciously hear us, when we now attempt to approach him as the hearer of pray

er.

"Almighty God, of infinite mercy and goodness, extend to us the riches of thine everlasting favour, and crown thy present benefits with honour and immortality, and to God, be glory for ever. Amen'

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Then the is dropped into the grave, and each brother near it, may, if permitted, throw on the coffin, a shovel full of earth.

The brethren then return to the hall or place where they formed, the proper charges are given, and the lodge is closed with a blessing.

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May the Lord bless us, and keep us. May he give us light and truth, and unite our hearts for ever.”

"Amen! So mote it be !"

CHAPTER XXXII.

Processions.

NO. 1.-ORDER OF PROCESSION FOR ONE LODGE, ON COM

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Music, (when the musicians are brethren, otherwise they form on the right and left of the procession, or precede the tyler);

Marshal.

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Secretary and Treasurer;

Senior and Junior wardens ;

The Holy writings, square and compass, carried by the oldest member of the lodge not in office, accompanied by the chaplain ;

Past masters ;
Master.

SECT. 2.-Grand processions.

No. 2.-ORDER of processION, WHEN THE CEREMONY OF
CONSECRATING AND CONSTITUTING A LODGE IS PERS
FORMED IN PUBLIC, &C.

Two tylers with drawn swords;

Music;

Tyler of the oldest lodge with a drawn sword; Two stewards of the oldest lodge with white rods ; Entered apprentices;

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To form as in No. 1, omitting past masters and chaplain.

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Music ;

Grand tyler with a drawn sword;

Grand stewards with white rods;

(When masons' halls are to be dedicated, &c., the corn, wine, and oil, are to be carried as in No. 3.

Grand secretary and treasurer;

Master of a lodge, bearing the Sacred writings, square and compass on a crimson velvet cushion, supported by the stewards of the second oldest lodge, with white rods, the first steward on his right, the second on his left hand;

Grand chaplain ;

Past grand wardens ;
Past deputy grand wardens ;
Past grand masters;
Grand wardens ;

Deputy grand masters ;

Master of the oldest lodge, bearing the book of consti

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Grand sword bearer with a drawn sword ;

Two stewards with white rods ;

Gentlemen invited to join the procession follow two and two.

NO. 3.-ORDER OF PROCESSION AT LAYING THE FOUNDAtion stones of public BUILDINGS, &C.

Two tylers (as in No. 2);

Music;

Tyler of the oldest lodge with a drawn sword;

Two stewards of the oldest lodge with white rods;

Marshal.

Marshal.

Entered apprentices;
Fellow crafts;

Master masons;
Tylers;
Stewards;

Junior deacons ;
Senior deacons ;
Secretaries;
Treasurers;

Past wardens ;
Junior wardens ;
Senior wardens ;

Past masters ;.
Masters;

Music;

Grand tyler (as in No. 2);

Grand stewards (as in do );

A brother, carrying a golden vessel containing corn; Two brethren, carrying silver urns, one containing wine, the other oil;

Principal architect;

Grand secretary and treasurer ;

Bible, square and compass, carried by a master, sup

ported by two stewards as in No. 2.

When not sup

ported by stewards, the grand chaplain walks with the

master of the lodge, who supports the bible, &c.

Grand Marshal.

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 great light horne by a master of a lodge ;
Deputy grand masters;

Master of the oldest lodge, bearing the book of constitutions (as in No 2);

Grand deacons, with black rods (placed as in No. 2) i Grand master;

Grand sword bearer (as in No. 2);

Two stewards with white rods ;

Gentlemen, who choose to join the procession follow.

NOTES.

When two or more lodges walk in procession, they form as above either in one body or in separate lodges. If separately, the youngest lodge precedes the elder.

The marshals are to walk on the left of the procession.

All officers of lodges, in procession, should wear the badges of their office.

None except master masons, are to wear decorated aprons. Those on the third step, may have an edging of silk, or a square and com. pass made of silk, and the aprons of those of higher degrees, according to their order. None but officers, who must always be master masons, are permitted to wear sashes; and this decoration is only for particular officers.

If a past or present grand master, deputy grand master, or grand warden should join the procession of a private lodge, they are to be treated with that attention, which is due to their respective stations. They take place after the master of the lodge. Two deacons with, black rods, one on the right and another on the left, attend a grand warden, and when a grand master, or deputy grand master is present, the book of constitutions is borne before him, a sword bearer follows him, and the deacons with black rods are placed on his right and left, at an angular distance of five feet, as in No. 2.

Musicians, if belonging to the fraternity, walk in the procession, after the tyler; but if they be not masons, they precede the tyler, or walk on the right and left of the procession.

The order of procession No. 1, is suitably formed for funerals. The cushion on which the holy bible is placed, is covered with black silk or black cloth; a black silk knot is placed at the end of each steward's rod and also on the musical instruments. The procession immediately precedes the corpse, and the brethren walk two and two, except such officers, as from their station, are to walk otherwise.

When a new lodge is to be consecrated &c, that lodge is always to form separately, and its place in the procession is immediately preceding the grand lodge.

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