Part 13 (2/2)

Grand Chaplain.

Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, (carrying scroll, containing (in charge of the box[A]

list of articles to be to be deposited under placed under the the corner-stone.) corner-stone.)

Gr'd Steward, Past Gr'd Officers,[B] Gr'd Steward, (carrying rod.) (in the order of their (carrying rod.) G rank, two abreast.) R A Princ.i.p.al Architect,[C]

N (carrying Square, Level and Plumb.) D

M Jr. Grand Warden, Sr. Grand Warden, A (carrying vessel of oil.) (carrying vessel of wine.) R S Deputy Grand Master.

H (carrying vessel of corn.) A L Master of Oldest Lodge, . (carrying book of const.i.tutions.)

Jr. Grand Deacon, Grand Master. Sr. Grand Deacon, (carrying rod.) (carrying rod.)

The procession thus formed will proceed to join the general procession, if any, and march to the place where the ceremony is to be performed.

[A] This box may be carried by the Treasurer, or be sent in advance to the site of the corner-stone, as circ.u.mstances may dictate.

[B] In the absence of Past Grand Officers, these Stewards will support the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Warden.

[C] If the architect of the building is not a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Square, Level and Plumb will be carried by a brother appointed for the purpose, who will deliver them to the architect on arriving at the corner-stone.

When a procession is composed of other than the officers of the Grand Lodge and Master Masons, it should be formed in the following order:

G Music.

R A M Military.

N A D R Civic Societies and Organizations.

S H Chief Magistrate, Mayor or other Official Guests.

A L Knights Templar Escort.

Grand Lodge.

Should any Masonic body other than those above named appear, they will be a.s.signed an appropriate place in the procession.

A triumphal arch is usually erected near the place where the ceremony is to be performed; and the corner-stone should have engraved on its face the words, ”Laid by the Masonic Fraternity,” with the date, the year of Masonry, the name of the Grand Master, and such other particulars as may be deemed proper.

When the head of the procession reaches the Arch, it will open to the right and left, facing inward. The Grand Master, uncovering, preceded by the Grand Marshal and Grand Tyler, and followed by the other Grand Officers and the Chief Magistrate and civil officers of the place, will pa.s.s through the lines and ascend to the platform. As the Grand Master and others advance, the remainder of the procession will counter-march and surround the platform.

The stone should be suspended about six feet from its bed, by a machine having suitable arrangements for slowly lowering it to its place. All being in readiness--

The Grand Master will command silence and address the a.s.sembly, announcing the purposes of the occasion, etc., concluding as follows:

The teachings of Freemasonry inculcate, that in all our works, great or small, begun and finished, we should seek the aid of Almighty G.o.d. It is our first duty, then, to invoke the blessing of the great Architect of the Universe upon the work in which we are about to engage. I therefore command the utmost silence, and call upon all to unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace.

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