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with respect and obedience to their superiors in office, and that, in all other respects, they conduct themselves as good masons.

"And we do hereby declare the precedence of the said lodge, in the grand lodge and elsewhere, to commence from the

"In testimony whereof, we, the grand master and grand wardens, by virtue of power and authority to us committed, have hereunto set our hands, and caused the seal of the grand lodge to be affixed, at, this -day of Anno Domini and of ma

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D. E. grand senior warden,
F. G. grand junior warden.

By order of the grand lodge,

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O. P. grand secretary."

But it is. usual, in the first instance, to grant a dispensation, which is signed by the master or deputy grand master, and authorizes the petitioners to hold a legal lodge for a certain limited time.

In some jurisdictions, the grand and deputy grand masters may respectively grant such dispensations; but in others, the special direction of the grand lodge is necessary.

The presiding officers of lodges, working under dispensations, are not entitled to vote in the grand lodge; nor can such lodges change their officers without the consent of the grand lodge, of which they are merely considered as the agents; and in case that such lodges should cease to exist, their funds, jewels, and other property, belong to the grand lodge, and must be deposited into the hands of the grand treasurer.

When the conduct of such lodge, however, has been regular during the time of their probation, they will be entitled to the enjoyment of all their privileges, so lone

be erected and constituted a regular lodge of free and accepted masons, which petition appearing to us as intended for the advancement of masonry, and the good of the craft,

"Know ye, therefore, that we, the grand lodge aforesaid, reposing special trust and confidence in the prudence and fidelity of our beloved brethren above named, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents, do constitute and appoint the said A. B., C. D., E F., &c. a regular lodge of free and accepted masons, under the title and designation of lodge; hereby giving and granting unto them and their successors, full power and authority to convene as masons, within the town of in the county of aforesaid,

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to receive and enter apprentices, pass fellow crafts and raise master masons, upon the payment of such compensations as may be determined by the said lodge; also to make choice of a master, wardens, and other officers, annually or otherwise, as they shall see cause; to receive and collect funds for the relief of poor and distressed brethren, their widows and orphans; and, in general, to transact all matters relating to masonry, which may to them appear to be for the good of the sraft, according to the ancient usages and customs of

masons.

"And we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the grand lodge at their quarterly.communications and other meetings, by their master and wardens, or by proxies regularly appointed; also to keep a fair and regular record of all their proceedings, and to lay them before the grand lodge when required. "And we do enjoin upon our brethren of the said lodge, that they be punctual in their quarterly payment of such sums as may be assessed on them, for the support of the grand lodge, that they behave themselves

with respect and obedience to their superiors in office, and that, in all other respects, they conduct themselves as good masons.

"And we do hereby declare the precedence of the said lodge, in the grand lodge and elsewhere, to commence from the

"In testimony whereof, we, the grand master and grand wardens, by virtue of power and authority to us committed, have hereunto set our hands, and caused the seal of the grand lodge to be affixed, atAnno Domini

sonry

-day of

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this

and of ma

F.

D. E. grand senior warden,
G. grand junior warden.

By order of the grand lodge,

O. P. grand secretary."

But it is. usual, in the first instance, to grant a dispensation, which is signed by the master or deputy grand master, and authorizes the petitioners to hold a legal lodge for a certain limited time.

In some jurisdictions, the grand and deputy grand masters may respectively grant such dispensations; but in others, the special direction of the grand lodge is necessary.

The presiding officers of lodges, working under dispensations, are not entitled to vote in the grand lodge; nor can such lodges change their officers without the consent of the grand lodge, of which they are merely considered as the agents; and in case that such lodges should cease to exist, their funds, jewels, and other property, belong to the grand lodge, and must be deposited into the hands of the grand treasurer.

When the conduct of such lodge, however, has been regular during the time of their probation, they will be entitled to the enjoyment of all their privileges, so long.

they shall continue to act in conformity to the constitutions and land marks of ancient masonry.

The grand lodge having signified its approbation of the new lodge, the grand master appoints a day and hour for its consecration, and for the installation of the officers, &c.

If the grand master, together with his officers attend the ceremony, the lodge is said to be constituted in ample form; if the deputy grand master, with the other grand officers, we say it is constituted in due form; but if the power of performing the ceremony be vested in any subordinate lodge, as is usual in such cases, when the distance is so great as to render it inconvenient for the grand officers to attend, it is said to be constituted in form.

At the time appointed, the grand master and officers (or the master and officers of any private lodge, authorized by the grand master for that purpose) meet in a convenient room, near to that in which the lodge to be constituted, is assembled.

The officers of the new lodge are to be examined by the deputy grand master; and after they are approved, they return to their lodge and prepare for the reception of the most worshipful grand lodge. When notice is given, that they are prepared, the grand lodge walk in procession to their hall; to whom, on their entrance, the grand honours are paid; and to them the officers of the new lodge resign their seats, and take their stations on the left.

The necessary cautions are then delivered from the chair; after which all, excepting masters or past masters of lodges, are desired to retire, until the master of the new lodge is placed in the chair of Solomon.

Upon due notice, the brethren return; and all take their places, except the members of the new lodge, who form a procession on one side of the hall to salute their

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master. The grand master thus accosts them, thren, behold your master." As they proceed, they make the proper salutation, and when they have all passed, the master joins them and takes his proper place.

The lodges then form into such order of procession, as, agreeably to the circumstances of the brethren present, may be deemed most suitable and convenient.

The whole procession, then moves on towards the church or house, in which it is intended, that the services shall be performed, with the Reverend the clergy, and such other gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, as may have been invited, and are in waiting.

When the front of the procession arrives at the door, they halt, open to the right and left, and face inward, while the grand master and others in succession pass through and enter the house or church.

The public services are such as the brethren of the lodge to be constituted have previously arranged, with the approbation of the grand master. The business generally commences with a piece of solemn music, followed by prayer, and a discourse delivered by the grand chaplain, or some respectable and intelligent brother, appointed for that purpose.

The grand master, deputy grand master, grand chaplain, and grand secretary, go to the place of consecration, and the officers and brethren of the new lodge, form before the grand master, whom the deputy grand mas ter accosts in the following manner;

"MOST WORSHIPFUL MASTER,

"A number of brethren, duly instructed in the seve ral degrees of free-masonry, and good workmen, having, by virtue of a dispensation granted them for that pur pose, assembled as regular masons, and duly recorded their transactions, now desire to be formed into a regu

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