Webb's Masonic Monitor
By Thomas Smith Webb,
1771-1819.Edition 1865
CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION.
THE Grand Master *) asks his deputy, "Whether he has examined the Master nominated in the warrant, and finds him well skilled in the noble science and the royal art." The deputy, answering in the affirmative, +) by the Grand Master's order, takes the candidate from among his fellows, and presents him at the pedestal, saying,
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER,
I present my worthy brother, A. B., to be installed Master of this (new) Lodge. I find him to be of good morals, and of great skill, true and trusty; and as he is a lover of the whole Fraternity, where-so-ever dispersed over the face of the earth, I doubt not that he will discharge his duty with fidelity.The Grand Master then addresses him:
BROTHER,
Previous to your investiture, it is necessary that you should signify your assent
*) In this, and other similar instances, where the Grand Master is specified in acting, may be understood any Master who performs the ceremony.
+) A private examination is understood to precede the installation of every officer.
to those ancient charges and regulations which point out the duty of a Master of a Lodge.
The Grand Master then reads, or orders to be read, a summary of the ancient charges to the Master elect, as follows, viz.:
- You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral law.
- You agree to be a peaceable subject, and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside.
- You promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against government, but patiently to submit to the decisions of the supreme legislature.
- You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably by all men.
- You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of the Order of Masonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations; and to submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren when convened, in every case consistent with the constitutions of the Order.
- You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess.
- You agree to be cautious in carriage and behavior, courteous to your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge.
- You promise to respect genuine brethren, and to discountenance impostors, and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry.
- You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the art.
- You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time being, and to his officers when duly installed; and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge, or general assembly of Masons, that is not subversive of the principles and ground-work of Masonry.
- You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry.
- You promise a regular attendance on the committees and communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper no-
tice, and to pay attention to all the duties of Masonry on convenient occasions.
- You admit that no new Lodge shall be formed without permission of the Grand Lodge; and that no countenance be given to any irregular Lodge, or to any person clandestinely initiated therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of the Order.
- You admit that no person can be regularly made a Mason in, or admitted a member of, any regular Lodge, without previous notice, and due inquiry into his character.
- You agree that no visitors shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, and producing proper vouchers of their having been initiated in a regular Lodge,
These are the regulations of Free and Accepted Masons.
The Grand Master then addresses the Master elect in the following manner:
Do you submit to these charges, and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have done in all ages before you?
The new Master having signified his cordial sub-
mission as before, the Grand Master thus addresses him:
Brother A. B., in consequence of your cheerful conformity to the charges and regulations of the Order, you are now to be installed Master of this (new) Lodge, in full confidence of your care, skill, and capacity to govern the same.
The new Master is then regularly invested with the insignia of his office, and the furniture and implements of his Lodge.
The various implements of the profession are emblematical of our conduct in- life, and upon this occasion carefully enumerated.
The Holy Writings, that great light in Masonry, will guide you to all truth; it will direct your paths to the temple of happiness, and point out to you the whole duty of man.
The Square teaches to regulate our actions by rule and line, and to harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue.
The Compass teaches to limit our desires in every station, that, rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected and die regretted.
The Rule directs that we should punctu-
ally observe our duty, press forward in the path of virtue, and, neither inclining to the right nor to the left, in all our actions have eternity in view.
The Line teaches the criterion of moral rectitude, to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to direct our steps to the path which leads to immortality.
The Book of Constitutions you are to search at all times. Cause it to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts it enjoins.
Lastly, you receive in charge the Bylaws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually executed.
The jewels of the officers of the (new) Lodge being then returned to the Master, he delivers them, respectively, to the several officers of the Grand Lodge, according to their rank.
The subordinate officers of the (new) Lodge are then invested with their jewels by the grand officers of corresponding rank; and are by them, severally in turn, conducted to the Grand Master, who delivers each of them a short charge, as follows, viz.:
THE SENIOR WARDEN.
Brother C. D., you are appointed Senior Warden of this new Lodge, and are now invested with the ensign of your office.
The Level demonstrates that we are descended from the same stock, partake of the same nature, and share the same hope; and, though distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, yet no eminence of station should make us forget that we are brethren; for he who is placed on the lowest spoke of fortune's wheel may be entitled to our regard; because, a time will come, and the wisest knows not how soon, when all distinctions, but that of goodness, shall cease; and death, the grand leveler of human greatness, reduce us to the same state.
Your regular attendance on our stated meetings is essentially necessary: in the absence of the Master you are to govern this Lodge; in his presence, you are to assist him in the government of it. I firmly rely on your knowledge of Masonry, and attachment to the Lodge, for the faithful discharge of the duties of this important trust. Look well to the West!
THE JUNIOR WARDEN.
Brother E. F., you are appointed Junior Warden of this (new) Lodge, and are now invested with the badge of your office.
The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations, to hold the scale of justice in equal poise, to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure, and to make our passions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty.
To you, with such assistance as may be necessary, is entrusted the examination of visitors, and the reception of candidates. To you is also committed the superintendence of the Craft during the hours of refreshment; it is, therefore, indispensably necessary, that you should not only be temperate and discreet, in the indulgence of your own inclinations, but carefully observe that none of the Craft be suffered to convert tile purposes of refreshment into intemperance and excess.
Your regular and punctual attendance is particularly requested; and I have no doubt that you will faithfully execute the duty which you owe to your present appointment. Look well to the South!
THE TREASURER.
Brother G. H., you are appointed Treasurer of this (new) Lodge. It is your duty
to receive all moneys from the hands of the Secretary, keep just and regular accounts of the same, and pay them out at the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure, with the consent of the Lodge. I trust your regard for the Fraternity will prompt you to the faithful discharge of the duties of your office.
THE SECRETARY.
Brother I. K., you are appointed Secretary of this (new) Lodge. It is your duty to observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure, to record the proceedings of the Lodge, to receive all moneys, and pay them into the hands of the Treasurer.
Your good inclination to Masonry and this Lodge, I hope, will induce you to discharge your office with fidelity, and by so doing you will merit the esteem and applause of your brethren.
THE SENIOR AND JUNIOR DEACONS.
Brothers L. M. and N. O., you are appointed Deacons of this (new) Lodge. It is your province to attend on the Master and Wardens, and to act as their proxies in the active duties of the Lodge; such as in
the reception of candidates into the different degrees of Masonry; the introduction and accommodation of visitors, and in the immediate practice of our rites. Those columns, as badges of your office, I trust to your care, not doubting your vigilance and attention.
THE STEWARDS.
Brothers P. Q. and R. S., you are appointed Stewards of this (new) Lodge. The duties of your office are, to assist in the collection of dues and subscriptions, to keep an account of the Lodge expenses, to see that the tables are properly furnished at refreshment, and that every brother is suitably provided for; and generally to assist the Deacons and other officers in performing their respective duties. Your regular and early attendance will afford the best proof of your zeal and attachment to the Lodge.
THE TYLER.
Brother T. U., you are elected Tyler of this Lodge, and I invest you with the implement of your office. As the sword is placed in the hands of the Tyler, to en-
able him effectually to guard against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass but such as are duly qualified; so it should morally serve as a constant admonition to us, to set a guard at the entrance of our thoughts, to place a watch at the door of our lips, and to post a sentinel over our actions: thereby excluding every unqualified and unworthy thought, word, and deed; and preserving consciences void of offense toward God and toward man. Your early and punctual attendance will afford the best proof of your zeal for the institution.
The Grand Master then addresses the officers and members of the (new) Lodge as follows:
CHARGE
Upon the Installation of the Officers of a Lodge.
WORSHIPFUL MASTER: The Grand Lodge having committed to your care the superintendence and government of the brethren who are to compose this (new) Lodge, you can not be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you, as their head; nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the im-
portant duties annexed to your appointment.
The honor, reputation, and usefulness of your Lodge will materially depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the genuine principles of our institution.
For a pattern of imitation, consider the great luminary of nature, which, rising in the East, regularly diffuses light and luster to all within its circle. In like manner it is your province to spread and communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge. Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of Masonry; and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it. Charge them to practice, out of the Lodge, those duties which they have been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct, to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution; so that, when any one is said to be a member of it, the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows; to whom
distress may prefer its suit; whose hand is guided by justice, and his heart expanded by benevolence. In short, by a diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the constitutions of Masonry, and above all the Holy Scriptures, which are given as a rule and guide to your faith, you will be enabled to acquit yourself with honor and reputation, and lay up a crown of rejoicing, which shall continue when time shall be no more.
BROTHER SENIOR AND JUNIOR WARDENS:
You are too well acquainted with the principles of Masonry to warrant any apprehension that you will be found wanting in the discharge of your respective duties. Suffice it to mention, that what you have seen praiseworthy in others you should carefully imitate; and what in them may have appeared defective you should in yourselves amend. You should be examples of good order and regularity; for it is only by a due regard to the laws in your own conduct, that you can expect obedience to them from others. You are assiduously to assist the Master in the discharge of his trust, diffusing light and imparting
knowledge to all whom he shall place under your care. In the absence of the Master, you will succeed to higher duties; your acquirements must therefore be such, as that the Craft may never suffer for want of proper instruction. From the spirit which you have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubt that your future conduct will be such as to merit the applause of your brethren, and the testimony of a good conscience.
BRETHREN OF -- LODGE:
Such is the nature of our constitution, that as some must of necessity rule and teach, so others must of course learn to submit and obey. Humility in both is an essential duty. The officers who are appointed to govern your Lodge are sufficiently conversant with the rules of propriety and the laws of the institution, to avoid exceeding the powers with which they are intrusted; and you are of too generous dispositions to envy their preferment. I therefore trust that you will have but one aim: to please each other, and unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.
Finally, my brethren, as this association has been formed and perfected in so much unanimity and concord, in which we greatly rejoice, so may it long continue. May you long enjoy every satisfaction and delight which disinterested friendship can afford. May kindness and brotherly affection distinguish your conduct as men and as Masons. Within your peaceful walls, may your children's children celebrate with joy and gratitude the transactions of this auspicious solemnity. 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 Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of --, I proclaim this new Lodge, by the name of -- Lodge, duly constituted.
This proclamation is made thrice, and each time followed with a flourish of drums or trumpets.
The Grand Chaplain then makes the concluding prayer, which ends the public ceremonies.
The grand procession is then formed in the same order as before, and returns to the hall.
