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the ancient established usages and customs of the fraternity? Ans. I do.

After the above declarations are made, and reported to the Master, he makes it known to the lodge, in the following manner, viz.

BRETHREN,

At the request of Mr. A. B. he has been proposed and accepted in regular form; I therefore recommend him as a proper candidate for the mysteries of Masonry, and worthy to partake of the privileges of the fraternity; and, in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the order.

If there are then no objections made, the candidate is introduced in due form.

CHAPTER XIV.

REMARKS UPON THE CEREMONIES USED AT OPENING AND CLOSING OF A

LODGE.

In all regular assemblies of men, who are convened for wise and useful purposes, the commencement and conclusion of business are accompanied with some form.

To begin well, is the most likely means to end well; and it is judiciously remarked, that when order and method are neglected at the beginning, they will be seldom found to take place at the end.

The ceremony of opening and closing a lodge with solemnity and decorum, is therefore universally admitted among Masons; and though the mode in some lodges may vary, and in every degree must vary, still a uniformity in the general practice prevails in every lodge; and the variation (if any) is solely occasioned by a want of method,

which a little application might easily

remove.

To conduct this ceremony with propriety, ought to be the peculiar study of every Mason-especially of those who have the honour to rule in our assemblies. To persons who are dignified, every eye is naturally directed for propriety of conduct and behaviour and from them, other brethren, who are less informed, will naturally expect to derive an example worthy of imita tion.

From a share in this ceremony no Mason can be exempted. It is a ge neral concern, in which all must assist. This is the first request of the Master, and the prelude to all business. No. sooner has it been signified,.than every officer repairs to his station, and the brethren rank according to their degrees. The intent of the meeting becomes the sole object of attention, and the mind is insensibly drawn from, those indiscriminate subjects of conversation, which are apt to intrude on our less serious moments.

This effect accomplished, our care is directed to the external avenues of the lodge, and the proper officers, whose province it is to discharge that duty, execute their trust with fidelity, and by certain mystick forms, of no recent date, intimate that we may safely proceed. To detect impostors among ourselves, an adherence to order in the character of Masons ensues, and the lodge is either opened or closed in solemn form.

At opening the lodge, two purposes are wisely effected-the Master is reminded of the dignity of his character, and the brethren of the homage and veneration due from them in their sundry stations. These are not the only advantages resulting from the due observance of this ceremony-a reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated, and the eye fixed on that object, from whose radiant beams light only can be derived. Here we are taught to adore the God of heaven, and to supplicate his protection on our wellmeant endeavours. The Master as

sumes his government in due form, and under him his Wardens-who accept their trust, after the customary salutations. The brethren then, with one accord, unite in duty and respect, and the ceremony concludes.

At closing the lodge, a similar form takes place. Here the less important duties of Masonry are not passed over unobserved. The necessary degree of subordination in the government of a lodge is peculiarly marked, while the proper tribute of gratitude is offered up to the beneficent Author of life, and his blessing invoked and extended to the whole fraternity. Each brother faithfully locks up the treasure he has acquired, in his own secret repository -and, pleased with his reward, retires to enjoy and disseminate among the private circle of his brethren, the fruits of his labour and industry in the lodge.

These are faint outlines of a ceremony which universally prevails among Masons in every country, and distinguishes all their meetings. It is ar

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