Chapter 4

My Brother--Your zeal for the institution of Masonry, the progress you have made in the mysteries, and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object of our favor and esteem. You are now bound, by duty, honor and gratitude to be faithful to your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of the Order.

In the character of a Master Mason you are authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of fidelity. To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied must be your constant care; and for this purpose it is your province to recommend to your inferiors obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to inculcate, and by the regularity of your own behavior afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient landmarks of the Order, intrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

Your virtue, honor and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred, and merit the confidence that we have reposed in you.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES.

Grand Honors.

The public Grand Honors (not funeral) are given by raising the hands above and a little in front of the head, and clapping them three times together, then letting them fall to the side--repeating this action twice, making three times.

The private Grand Honors are made by 3x3, but not in the same way as the public Grand Honors.

Reception of Visitors.

The reception of visitors with the honor due to their rank is an ancient custom of the fraternity which should never be omitted. It is an act of great discourtesy to a visiting officer to omit his formal reception by the Lodge, and in an official visitation the visiting officer should ordinarily require it. On the occasion of visits not official it will be found to greatly increase a true fraternal feeling when courtesy is properly shown.

I.--Grand Lodge.

When a visit from the Grand Lodge is expected, the Master will see that a convenient apartment is provided for the use of the Grand Lodge, where the same can be opened in the proper form. On being notified that the Grand Lodge is opened and prepared for the visitation, the Master, the Lodge being opened on the third degree, will send a committee, headed, if possible, by a Past Master, with the Masters of Ceremony with their rods, the Deacons with their rods, and the Marshal, to escort the Grand Lodge. A procession is formed in the following order:

Marshal. Masters of Ceremony. Committee. Deacons. The Grand Lodge.

On arriving at the door, the Grand Marshal will announce:

"The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F. and A. M. of the State of Arkansas."

The procession enters, the Masters of Ceremony and Deacons halt inside the door and cross their rods, the committee proceed, followed by the Grand Lodge in the inverse order of their rank. When the Grand Master arrives in front of the altar, he halts, and the Grand Lodge filing to the right and left form a line across the hall. The committee then introduce The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arkansas. The Grand Master then advances to the East, and the Master receives him according to ancient usages, with the private Grand Honors of Masonry, and resigns to him the chair and the gavel, each other Grand Officer taking his station in place of the corresponding officer of the Lodge, and the brethren are seated.

The Grand Master, at his pleasure, resigns the chair to the Master, whereupon the other Grand Officers resign their respective stations to the proper officers of the Lodge, and repair to the East, and take seats on the right of the Grand Master.

The Grand Lodge should retire before the Lodge is closed. When the Grand Master announces his intention to retire, the Lodge is called up, the Grand Honors are given, and the Masters of Ceremony and Deacons repair to the door and cross their rods, the Marshal conducts the procession of the Grand Lodge to the door, and salutes as the procession passes him.

II.--The Grand Master.

When a visit from the Grand Master is expected, the Master will see that a convenient apartment is provided for his use and that of his suite. When the Grand Master's visit is announced, the Master sends the Marshal, Deacons, Masters of Ceremony, and one of the oldest members (a Past Master, if practicable) bearing the Book of Constitutions, to escort him to the Lodge Room. A procession is formed in the following order:

Marshal. Masters of Ceremony. Suite. Brother with the Book of Constitutions. Grand Master. Deacons.

The Marshal announces to Tyler, Tyler to J. D., and J. D.: "The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Arkansas," when the Master calls up the Lodge. The Masters of Ceremony stop inside, and cross their rods, while the others proceed towards the East. On arriving at the altar, the suite open inwards, the Grand Master passes through, and the others, filing to the right and left, form a line across the hall. The private Grand Honors are then given. The Grand Master advances to the East, and the Master receives him, resigns to him the chair and the gavel. The suite take place on the right of the Master, and the Lodge is seated.

The Grand Master may decline to receive the chair and gavel, or at his pleasure may resign the same.

When the Grand Master announces his intention to retire, having previously resigned the chair and gavel to the Master, the Lodge is called up, the Private Grand Honors are given and the Master directs the proper officers to attend for the escort of the Grand Master. The Masters of Ceremony halt at the door, cross their rods, and the other officers escort the Grand Master to his apartment.

III.--The Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Etc.

The form will be the same as for the Grand Master, except that the Book of Constitutions will not be borne before them.

IV.--Other Brethren.

When a brother visits a Lodge for the first time and has been vouched for, the Master will send the Senior Deacon to introduce him. That officer conducts him to the Altar and says:

"Worshipful Master, I have the pleasure of introducing to you Brother ......, of ...... Lodge ......"

The Master calls up the Lodge and says:

"Brother ......, it gives me pleasure to Introduce to you the members of ...... Lodge and to welcome you to a seat among us. We meet on ......, and shall be very glad to welcome you to any of our meetings."

The Senior Deacon conducts the visitor to a seat and the Lodge is seated.

If the visitor is to be examined the W. M. appoints a committee, who retire at the door of the preparation room, the S. D. passing them out. When the committee are ready to report, they make an alarm at the door of the preparation room. The S. D. attends to it, and reports that the examining committee desire admission. The W. M. directs him to admit them. When he goes to the door, if the committee expect to report favorably they will introduce the S. D. to the visitor. The committee then come in and make their report at the altar that they have examined ......, who claims to be a member of ...... Lodge No. ......, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of ...... and find him to be a Master Mason (or, that they are not satisfied to vouch for him as a worthy Mason). The W. M. seats the committee, and asks if there is any objection to the admission of ...... as a visitor. Any member of the Lodge has the right to object to the admission of a visitor, but the grounds of the objection must be stated to the W. M., who shall judge of the sufficiency thereof. If there be no objection, the W. M. directs the S. D. to introduce the brother. The S. D. presents him at the altar and introduces him to the W. M., who in turn introduces him to the Lodge in the form above. No brother should be allowed to visit a lodge for the first time without an introduction. If the visitor is a Past Master, he should be invited to a seat in the East.

Election and Installation.

The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary of a chartered Lodge must be chosen annually by ballot, and by a majority of votes, at the time fixed in the by-laws. The Senior and Junior Deacons and Tyler are appointed by the W. M. A Chaplain and Senior and Junior Masters of Ceremony may be appointed also.

If a lodge fails to elect officers at the time appointed, it may at said meeting, or at the next regular meeting thereof, appoint a day for such election, not more than three months from the regular time, and may, without dispensation, elect officers at said appointed time and install them at once.

No member in arrears for dues at the time of the regular election shall be elected or appointed to any office in the Lodge, nor be allowed to vote at such election.

Every voter is eligible to any office except that of Master.

Where a Lodge finds it absolutely necessary to elect a brother W. M., who has not served as Warden, the facts must be reported to the Grand Master, and the Master-elect must not be installed without his dispensation.

When vacancies occur in any of the elective offices of the Lodge, they must be filled by seniority or pro tem. appointments during the remainder of the term. No election can be held to fill them except by dispensation of the Grand Master.

Each Lodge may make its own rule as to whether nominations shall be made or vote without nominations.

No one can be installed by proxy.

Officers re-elected must be installed after each election.

Membership in a Lodge is necessary to eligibility to office except in case of Tyler and Organist.

Any Past Master in good standing of a Blue Lodge can install the officers of a Lodge.

INSTALLATIONS.

Officers of a New Lodge.

The new Lodge having been constituted, etc., the Grand Master says:

G. M.: This Lodge having been constituted, I will now install its officers. Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, collect the official jewels, place them upon the altar, and present Brother ---- ----, who has been elected Worshipful Master.

The Deputy Grand Master now conducts the W. M. elect before the altar, facing the East, and says:

D. G. M.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I present Brother ---- ----, to be installed Worshipful Master of this Lodge.

G. M.: Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, have you carefully examined the brother, and do you find him qualified to discharge the duties of the office for which he has been chosen?

D. G. M.: Most Worshipful Grand Master, I find him to be qualified and of good morals, of great skill, true and trusty; and, as he is a lover of the Fraternity, I doubt not he will discharge his duties with fidelity and honor.

The Grand Master will perform the installation service to the end, continuing the ceremony as for annually elected officers, the Deputy Grand Master assisting.

Annually Elected Officers.

Installing his successor is usually the prerogative of the retiring Worshipful Master, although any Past Master may act as installing officer for the occasion. A competent brother (usually a Past Master) will be appointed to act as Marshal, who will present the officers-elect for installation. All things being in order, the Installing Officer says:

Inst. Off.: Brother Marshal, you will present the Worshipful Master-elect for installation.

Mar: Worshipful Master, I present Brother ----, who has been elected Worshipful Master of this Lodge, and is now ready for installation.

Inst. Off.: Brethren, you now behold before you Brother ---- ----, who has been elected to serve this Lodge as Worshipful Master, and now declares himself ready for installation. If any of you have any reason to urge why he should not be installed you will make it known now, or forever after hold your peace. No objection being offered, I shall now install him.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, I congratulate you upon your election as Worshipful Master of this Lodge, and it will afford me great pleasure to invest you with the authority and the insignia of your office. Previous to your investiture, however, it is necessary that you signify your assent to those charges and regulations which point out the duty of the Master of a Lodge:

I. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral law?

II. You agree to be a peaceable citizen and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside?

III. You promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the government, but patiently submit to the law and the constituted authorities?

IV. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably toward all men?

V. You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of Freemasonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations, and submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren, in Lodge convened, in every case consistent with the Constitutions of the Fraternity?

VI. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess?

VII. You agree to be cautious in your behavior, courteous to your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge?

VIII. You promise to respect genuine brethren, and discountenance impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry?

IX. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the mystic art?

X. 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 that is not subversive of the principles and groundwork of Masonry?

XI. You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry?

XII. You promise a regular attendance on the communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and to pay a proper attention to all the duties of Masonry, on convenient occasions?

XIII. 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 made therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of Freemasonry?

XIV. 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?

XV. You agree that no visitor shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, or being properly vouched for?

These are the regulations of Free and Accepted Masons. Do you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have done in all ages before you?

The Master answers: I do.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, in consequence of your conformity to the charges and regulations of the Fraternity, you are now to be installed Master of this Lodge, in full confidence of your skill and capacity to govern the same.

The Master is then regularly invested with the insignia of his office, and the furniture and implements of the Lodge are placed in his charge. The various implements of his profession are emblematical of his conduct in life, and are fully explained, as follows:

Inst. Off.: The Holy Writings, that Great Light in Masonry, which guides us to all truth, directs our path to the temple of happiness, and points out the whole duty of man.

The Square teaches us to regulate our actions and harmonize our conduct with the principles of morality and virtue.

The Compasses teach us to limit our desires in every station, that, rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected and die regretted.

The Rule directs us to punctually observe our duty, press forward in the path of virtue, and, inclining neither to the right nor to the left, in all our actions to have eternity in view.

The Line, the emblem of moral rectitude, teaches us to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to walk in the path which leads to a blessed immortality.

The Constitution and Laws you are to search at all times and cause to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts they enjoin.

You now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which this Lodge is held. You are carefully to preserve the same and duly transmit it to your successor in office.

You will also receive in charge the By-Laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually executed.

The new Master is conducted to the East and placed on the right of the Installing Officer until the other officers are installed.

The other officers are then severally presented by the Marshal to the Installing Officer, who delivers to each his appropriate charge.

Senior Warden.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Senior Warden of this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as Senior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He assents.) You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.

The Level teaches that we are descended from the same stock, partake of the same nature, and share the same hope; "that we are all children of one common father, heirs of the same infirmities, and exposed to the same vicissitudes." It also reminds us that, although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, no eminence of station should make us forget that we are brethren, and that in the Lodge and in all our Masonic associations, we are on a level. This implement teaches us that 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 all human greatness, reduce us to the same state.

Your regular attendance on the stated and other meetings of the Lodge is essentially necessary. In the absence of the Master you are to govern the Lodge, and in his presence assist him in the government of it. Hence you will perceive the necessity of preparing yourself for the important duties which may devolve upon you. Look well to the West, and guard with scrupulous care the pillar committed to your charge.

He is conducted to his proper station.

Junior Warden.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Junior Warden of this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as Junior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He assents.) You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.

The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations; to do unto others as we would have others do to us; to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure, and make our passions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty.

In the absence of the Master and Senior Warden upon you devolves the government of the Lodge; but to you is especially committed the superintendence of the Craft during the hours of refreshment; it is, therefore, not only necessary that you should be temperate and discreet in the indulgence of your own inclinations, but carefully observe that none of the Craft convert the purpose of refreshment into intemperance or excess. Look well to the South. Guard with vigilance the pillar committed to your charge, that nothing may disturb the harmony of the Lodge or mar its beauty.

He is conducted to his proper station.

Treasurer.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Treasurer of this Lodge and will now be invested with the jewel of your office.

It is your duty to receive all moneys belonging to the Lodge from the Secretary, keep a just and true account thereof, and pay them out by order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the Lodge. Your own honor and the confidence the brethren repose in you will arouse you to that faithfulness in the discharge of the duties of your office which its important nature demands.

He is conducted to his station.

Secretary.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been elected Secretary of this Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewel of your office.

It is your duty to "keep a faithful record of all things pertaining to the Lodge, proper to be written, transmit a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge when required, receive all moneys due the Lodge and pay them to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same."

Your love for the Craft and attachment to the Lodge will induce you cheerfully to fulfill the very important duties of your office, and in so doing you will merit the esteem of your brethren.

He is conducted to his station.

Chaplain.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been appointed Chaplain of this Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewel of your office.

It will be your duty to perform those solemn services which we should constantly render to our infinite Creator, and which, when offered by one whose holy profession is "to point to heaven and lead the way," may, by refining our souls, strengthening our virtues, and purifying our minds, prepare us for admission into the society of those above, whose happiness will be as endless as it is perfect.

He is conducted to his station, which is in the East in front and to the left of the W. M.

The Senior and Junior Deacons.

Inst. Off.: Brothers ---- and ----, you are appointed Deacons of this Lodge, and are now invested with the badge of your office. 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. The Square and Compasses, as badges of your office, I entrust to your care, not doubting your vigilance and attention.

They are conducted to their stations.

Masters of Ceremonies.

Inst. Off.: Brothers ---- and ----, you have been appointed Masters of Ceremonies of this Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewels of your office. The positions to which you are assigned in the Lodge are very important. You are to assist the Senior Deacon and other officers in performing their respective duties. Your conduct should be courteous and dignified. Remember that in your company the candidate will receive his first impressions of our institution. Your regular and early attendance at our meetings will afford the best proof of your zeal and attachment to the Lodge.

They are conducted to their stations.

Tiler.

Inst. Off.: Brother ---- ----, you have been appointed Tiler of this Lodge, and will now be invested with the jewel and the implement of your office.