The officers of the new Lodge are to be examined by the Deputy Grand Master; after which they return to their Lodge.

The new Lodge then sends one of its members to the Grand Master, with the following message, viz:

"MOST WORSHIPFUL:-The officers and brethren of Lodge, who are now assembled at have instructed me to inform you, that the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge (or Grand Master) was pleased to grant them a letter of dispensation, bearing date the -in the year

day of

of

authorizing them to form and open a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, in the ; that since that period they have regularly assembled, and conducted the business of Masonry according to the best of their abilities; that their proceedings, having received the approbation of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, they have obtained a Charter of Constitution, and are

funds, jewels, and other property accumulated by initiations into the several degrees, become the property of the Grand Lodge, and must be delivered over to the Grand Treasurer.

When lodges that are at first instituted by dispensation, have passed a proper term of probation, they make application to the Grand Lodge for a Charter of Constitution. If this be obtained, they are then confirmed in the possession of their property, and possess all the rights and privileges of regularly constituted lodges, as long as they conform to the Constitutions of Masonry.

After a charter is granted by the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master appoints a day and hour for constituting and consecrating the new lodge, and for installing its Master, Wardens, and other officers.

If the Grand Master, in person, attends the ceremony, the lodge is said to be constituted in ample form; if the Deputy Grand Master only, it is said to be constituted in due form; but if the power of performing the ceremony is vested in a subordinate lodge, it is said to be constituted in form.

When charters of constitution are granted for places where the distance is so great as to render it inconvenient for the Grand Officers to attend, the Grand Master, or his Deputy, issues a written instrument, under his hand and private seal, to some worthy Present or Past Master, with full power to conjugate, constitute and install the petitioners.

desirous that their Lodge should be consecrated, and their officers installed, agreeably to the ancient usages and customs of the Craft; for which purpose they are now met, and await the pleasure of the Most Worshipful Grand Master."

He then returns to his Lodge, who prepare for the reception of the Grand Lodge. When notice is given that they are prepared, the Grand Lodge walk in procession to their hall. When the Grand Master enters, the grand honors are given by the new Lodge; the officers of which resign their seats to the grand officers, and take their several stations on their left.

The necessary cautions are then given, and all, excepting Masters and Past Masters of Lodges, are requested to retire, until the Master of the new Lodge is placed in the Oriental Chair. He is then bound to the faithful performance of his trust, and duly invested.

Upon due notice, the Grand Marshal reconducts the brethren into the hall, 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 Master. As they advance, the Grand Master addresses them, "Brethren, behold your Master!" As they pass, they make the proper salutation, and when they have all passed, he joins them, and takes his appropriate station. A grand procession is then formed, in the following order, viz:

Tyler, with a drawn Sword:

Two Stewards, with White Rods;
Entered Apprentices;

Fellow Crafts;

Master Masons;

MARSHALS.

Stewards;

Junior Deacons ;

Senior Deacons ;

Secretaries;

Treasurers;

Past Wardens;

Junior Wardens;
Senior Wardens;

Past Masters;

Mark Masters;

Royal Arch Masons;

Knights Templars;

Masters of Lodges.

THE NEW LODGE.

Tyler, with a drawn Sword;

Stewards, with White Rods;
Entered Apprentices;
Fellow Crafts;

Master Masons;
Deacons ;

Secretary and Treasurer;

Two Brethren, carrying the flooring, or Lodge ;* Junior and Senior Wardens ;

The Holy Writings, carried by the Oldest Member,

not in office;

The W. Master;
Music.

THE GRAND Lodge.

Grand Tyler, with a drawn Sword;
Grand Stewards, with White Rods;

A Brother, carrying a Golden Vessel of Corn ;†

* Carpet.

+ Wheat.

Two Brethren, carrying Silver Vessels, one of Wine,

the other of Oil;

Grand Secretaries;

Grand Treasurers;

A Past Master, bearing the Holy Writings, Square and Compasses, supported by two Stewards, with Rods;

Two Burning Tapers, borne by two Past Masters; Clergy and Orator;

MARSHAL.

The Tuscan and Composite Orders;
The Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Orders;
Past Grand Wardens;

Past Deputy Grand Masters;
Past Grand Masters;

The Globes;

Junior and Senior Grand Wardens;

Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master; The Master of the Oldest Lodge, carrying the Book of Constitutions;

The M. W. GRAND MASTER;

The Grand Deacons, on a line seven feet apart, on the right and left of the Grand Master, with Black Rods; Grand Standard Bearer;

Grand Sword Bearer, with a drawn Sword;
Two Stewards, with White Rods.

The procession moves on to the church or house where the services are to be performed. 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.

A platform is erected in front of the pulpit, and

provided with seats for the accommodation of the grand officers.

The Bible, Square and Compass, and Book of Constitutions, are placed upon a table, in front of the Grand Master; the Lodge is placed in the centre, upon the platform, covered with white satin or linen, and encompassed by the three tapers, and the vessels of corn, wine and oil.

SERVICES.

1. A piece of Music.

2. Prayer.

3. An Oration.

4. A piece of Music.

5. The Grand Marshal then directs the officers and members of the new Lodge in front of the Grand Master. The Deputy Grand Master addresses the Grand Master, as follows:

"MOST WORSHIPFUL:"A number of brethren, duly instructed in the mysteries of Masonry, having assembled together at stated periods, for some time past, by virtue of a dispensation granted them for that purpose, do now desire to be constituted into a regular Lodge, agreeably to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity."

Their Secretary then delivers the dispensation and records to the Master elect, who presents them to the Grand Master.

The Grand Master examines the records, and if they are found correct, proclaims,

"The records appear to be properly entered, and are approved. Upon due deliberation, the Grand Lodge have granted the brethren of this new Lodge,