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CONSECRATION OF A SUBORDINATE LODGE
the official monitor
grand lodge of texas (1922)
On the day appointed for the ceremony of dedication, the Grand
Lodge meets in a convenient room near the place, and opens in ample form in the
third degree. The Master of the Lodge wishing to be dedicated, rises and
says:
Most Worshipful G. M.: The Brethren of Lodge, No, have, at great pains and
expense, erected a Masonic Hall for their convenience and accommodation. They
are desirous that the same should be examined by the M. W. Grand Lodge; and if
it meets their approbation, that it be solemnly dedicated to Masonic purposes,
agreeably to ancient form.
A grand procession is then formed under the direction of the Grand Marshal as
follows, viz:
Tiler with a drawn sword;
Two Stewards, with
white rods;
Entered Apprentices;
Fellow-Crafts;
Master
Masons;
Stewards;
Junior Deacons;
Senior
Deacons;
Secretaries;
Treasurers;
Past Wardens;
Senior and Junior Wardens
[Mark
Masters;]
Past Masters;
Royal Arch Masons;
Knights Templars;
Masters
of Lodges.
THE NEW LODGE.
Tiler with drawn sword;
Stewards with white rods;
Entered
Apprentices;
Fellow-Crafts;
Master Masons;.
Deacons;
Secretary and
Treasurer;
Two Brethren, carrying the Lodge 1
Junior and Senior Wardens;
The Holy Writings, carried
by the oldest
Member, not in office;
The Master;
Music;
THE GRAND LODGE.
Grand Tiler, with a drawn sword;
Grand Stewards, with white
rods;
A Brother, carrying a golden vessel of corn; 2
Two Brethren, carrying silver vessels,
one of wine,
the other of oil;
Grand Secretary;
Grand Treasurer;
A Burning Taper,
borne by a Past Master;
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;
The Tuscan and Composite
Orders;
The Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Orders;
Past Grand
Wardens;
Past Deputy Grand Masters;
Past Grand Masters;
The
Globes;
Grand Junior and Senior Wardens;
Right Worshipful Deputy Grand
Master;
The Master of the oldest Lodge, carrying the book of
Constitutions;
THE M. W. GRAND MASTER.
The G. Deacons, on a line seven feet apart, on the right and
left of the
Grand Master, with black rods;
Grand Sword Bearer, with a
drawn sword;
Two Stewards with white rods.
The procession moves on to the 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 and provided with seats for the accommodation of the
Grand Officers.
The Grand Master calls all to order; player is then made by the Grand
Chaplain and an anthem sung, after which the Architect addresses the Grand
Master, as follows:
Most Worshipful: Having been entrusted with the superintendence and management of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice; and
having, according to the best of my ability, accomplished the task assigned me,
I now return my thanks for the honor of this appointment, and beg leave to
surrender up the implements which were committed to my care, when the foundation
of this fabric was laid, hoping the exertions thus made will be crowned with
your approbation and that of this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.
The Grand Master replies:
Brother Architect: The skill and fidelity displayed in the execution of the
trust reposed in you, have secured the entire approbation of the Grand Lodge,
and they sincerely hope that this edifice may continue a lasting monument of the
taste, spirit and liberality of its founders.
An ode is then sung--
The Deputy Grand Master then says:
Most Worshipful: The Hall in which we are now assembled, and the plan upon
which it has been constructed, having met with your approbation, it is the
desire of the Fraternity that it should be now dedicated according to ancient form and usage.
The Grand Master then requests all who are not Master Masons to
retire.
A procession is then formed as follows, viz:
Grand Sword Bearer;
Grand Standard Bearer;
A
Past Master, with a Light;
A Past Master, with Bible, Square and
Compasses;
Two Past Masters, each with a Light;
Grand Secretary and
Treasurer, with emblems;
Grand Junior Warden, with Pitcher of Corn;
Grand
Senior Warden, with Pitcher of Wine;
Deputy Grand Master, with Pitcher of
Oil;
Grand Master;
Two Stewards, with White Rods.
All the other brethren keep their places and assist in
performing an ode, which continues during the procession, excepting at intervals
of dedication. The Lodge or Master's Carpet, which is spread in the center of
the Hall with the Lodge furniture and lights upon it, is then uncovered, and the
procession marches around it, when the Grand Junior Warden presents the Pitcher
of Corn to the Grand Master, who, striking thrice with his mallet, pours it out
upon the Lodge, at the same time saying:
"In the name of the great Jehovah, to whom be all honor and glory, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to Freemasonry."
The Grand Honors are then given.
The procession then passes around the Lodge, and the Grand Senior Warden
presents the Pitcher of Wine to the Grand Master, who sprinkles it upon the
Lodge, saying:
"In the name of the Holy Saints John, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to
Virtue."
The Grand Honors are then thrice given.
The procession again passes around the Lodge for the third time. when the
Deputy Grand Master presents the Pitcher el Oil to the Grand Master, who,
sprinkling it upon the Lodge, says:
"In the name of the whole Fraternity, I do solemnly dedicate this Hall to
Universal Benevolence."
The Grand Honors are then twice given An invocation is made to
the Throne of Grace by the Grand Chaplain. The Lodge is then covered and the
Grand Master again takes his seat upon the platform, and those who have retired
are invited in, after which an oration is delivered and the ceremonies concluded
with music. A grand procession is again formed as at first, and the Grand Lodge
returns to the room where it was opened and closes in ample form.
Footnotes
1 Generally
the floor or carpet.
2 Wheat.
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