Manual of the Lodge/Ancient Ceremonies of the Order/Installation of the Officers of a Grand Lodge

by Albert Gallatin Mackey

SECTION III.

INSTALLATION OF THE OFFICERS OF A GRAND LODGE.

HE chair being taken by the Grand Master of the preceding year, or, in his absence, by some other Past Grand or Past Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Lodge is opened in the first degree of Masonry, so that all the craft may be permitted to be present. The other chairs are filled by the officers who, having served their time, are about to retire from office.

The Grand Secretary then reads from the records of the Grand Lodge the names of the officers who have been elected to serve for the ensuing year. The Grand Master elect, preceded by the Grand Marshal, is then conducted by two Senior Deacons to the front of the pedestal, and the Grand Marshal says to the presiding Grand officer:

Most Worshipful Sir, you here see present at the pedestal, Brother A. B., who, having been duly elected to preside over the craft as their Grand Master, now declares himself ready for installation.

The presiding Grand officer then rises and says:

Brethren, you here behold before the pedestal, Brother A. B., who, having been duly elected to preside over the craft as their Grand Master, how declares himself ready for installation. If any of you know of any reason why he should not be installed, you will state your objections now, or else forever hereafter hold your peace.

No objection being made, the presiding Grand officer proceeds to administer to the newly elected officer the obligation for the faithful discharge of his duties, the brethren all respectfully standing. The new Grand Master then receives the following charge, and being invested with the ensigns of his dignity, in placed in the Oriental Chair.

CHARGE TO THE GRAND MASTER.

Let me congratulate you, Most Worshipful Sir, on the honor of being raised, from the level of equality, to the high station of presiding over all the and Lodges in the State of . . . . . . . . . ., and the Masonic jurisdiction thereof. We look up with confidence to a brother [whose age alone would entitle him to our respectful deference, but]^[1] whose person is endeared to us by that love of the fraternity which is sanctified by the experience of many revolving years. May the Father of light, of life, and of love invest you with his choicest gifts; may heavenly wisdom illumine your mind; may heavenly power give strength to your exertions; may heavenly goodness fill and enlarge your breast; may your feet rest upon the rock of justice; from your hands may streams of beneficence continually flow; and round your head may there bend a circle made splendid by the rays of honor; and late, very late in life, may you be transmitted from the fading honors of an earthly Lodge, to the mansions prepared for the faithful in another and a better world.

Let me congratulate you, the Grand officers, and other brethren, on the election of our [venerable] Grand Master. As it is his duty to command, according to our constitutions, so it is ours with readiness to obey. Look to the sun, and behold the planetary worlds revolving round him in continual order and harmony with the happiest effect, and learn to imitate their regularity, in the hope of obtaining from the chair of Solomon the light of wisdom and the warmth of love. Or look higher still, and behold the cherubim and seraphim, who are exhibited to us in the oracles of revelation, as flaming spirits, burning with zeal and love before the throne of God. Behold the heavenly host, filled with love to their Creator, and love to our race. See these ministering spirits, exercising their kind offices to men, relieving their wants, securing them from danger, and endeavoring to promote their good.

" Myriads of spiritual beings walk the earth
Unseen, or when we sleep, or when we wake."

Of them let us learn, to rise in our affection to the great Father of all, and thence descending, expand the heart from brother to brother, and to all mankind. Of them let us learn, never to be weary in well-doing, but to "mourn with them that mourn, and to rejoice with them that do rejoice," until, having finished our work on earth, we shall be admitted to the temple above, "not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

The Grand Marshal then standing in front of the pedestal says

Brethren, behold your Grand Master!
Grand Master, behold your brethren!

A procession of the craft is then made three times round the Lodge, and the Installation Ode is sung:

Hail! Masonry divine!
Glory of ages shine;
⁠Long may'st thou reign!
Where'er thy lodges stand,
May they have great command,
And always grace the land,
⁠Thou art divine.

Great fabrics still arise,
And grace the azure skies—
⁠Great are thy schemes;
Thy noble orders are
Matchless beyond compare;
No art with thee can share;
⁠Thou art divine.

Hiram, the architect,
Did all the craft direct
⁠How they should build;
Sol'mon, great Israel's king.
Did mighty blessings bring.
And left us room to sing,
⁠Hail, Royal Art!

At the conclusion of the procession and ode, the Grand Marshal makes the following proclamation:

By the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of . . . . . . . . . . ., I proclaim Most Worshipful Brother A. B. Grand Master of Masons, with the grand honors of Masonry by three times three.

The public grand honors are given by all the brethren.

The new Grand Master then proceeds to install the rest of the Grand officers, each of whom is introduced with the same ceremony before the pedestal, and presented by the Grand Marshal.

The Grand Marshal first introduces the Deputy Grand Master, saying:

Most Worshipful Sir, you here see present at the pedestal, Brother C. D., who having been duly elected to serve the craft as their Deputy Grand Master, now declares himself ready for installation.

The Grand Master says:

Brethren, you here behold before the pedestal, Brother C. D., who having been elected to serve the craft as their Deputy Grand Master, now declares himself ready for installation. If any of you know of any reason why he should not be installed, you will state your objections now, or else forever here after hold your peace.

No objection being made, the Grand Master proceeds to administer to the newly elected officer the obligation for the faithful discharge of his duties, the brethren all respectfully standing. The new Deputy Grand Master then receives the following charge, and being invested with the ensigns of his dignity, is placed at the right hand of the Grand Master:

DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.

Right Worshipful Brother, the station to which you have been called by the suffrages of your brethren, is one of great dignity and much importance. In the absence of the Grand Master, you are to exercise his prerogatives in presiding over the craft; in his presence you are to assist him with your counsel and co-operation. But while your powers and privileges are thus extensive, remember that they carry with them a heavy share of responsibility. The honor that has been conferred upon you, and the trust that has been reposed in you, demand a corresponding fidelity and attachment to the interests of those to whose kindness and confidence you are indebted for your official elevation. Let the Book of Constitutions be your constant study, that you may be the better enabled to preserve inviolate the laws and ancient landmarks of our Order, and that you may be ever ready to exercise the functions of that more exalted office to which you are so liable to be called. Receive this jewel of your office, and sit at our right hand to aid us with your counsel.

The remaining Grand officers are introduced in like manner, by the Grand Marshal, and receive their appropriate charges as follows:^[2]

SENIOR GRAND WARDEN.

Very Worshipful Brother, by the suffrages of your brethren, you have been elected their Senior Grand Warden, and we now invest you with the badge of your office.

Your regular attendance at the communications of the Grand Lodge is essentially necessary. In the absence of the Grand Master and his Deputy, you are to govern the craft; in their presence you are to strengthen and support the authority of your chief.

We firmly rely on your knowledge of Masonry and your attachment to our institution, for the faithful discharge of the duties of this important trust.—Look well to the West.

JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN.

Very Worshipful Brother, by the suffrages of your brethren, you have been elected their Junior Grand Warden, and we now in vest you with the badge of your office.

Your regular and punctual attendance at the communications of the Grand Lodge is earnestly requested. In the absence of your superior officers, you are to govern the craft in their presence you will aid them in their arduous labors.

We have no doubt that you will faithfully execute the duties which are incumbent on you in your present position.—Look well to the South.

GRAND TREASURER.

Worshipful Brother, you have been elected to the responsible office of Grand Treasurer, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office.

It is your duty to receive all moneys due the Grand Lodge, to make due entries of the same, and pay them out by order of the Grand Master, and with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge. The office to which you have been appointed embraces an important trust, and the choice of your brethren is an evidence of the high opinion they entertain of your fidelity and discretion.

We do not doubt that your regard for the fraternity will prompt you to the faithful discharge of your duties.

GRAND SECRETARY.

Worshipful Brother, you have been elected to the important office of Grand Secretary, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office.

It is your duty to observe all the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, and to make a fair record of all things proper to be written. You are also the official organ of the Grand Lodge, and in that capacity will conduct its various correspondence, and act as the medium of intercourse between the fraternity and their Grand Master. In the discharge of these extensive duties, let your carriage and behavior be marked by that promptitude and discretion that will at once reflect credit on yourself and honor on the body whom you represent.

GRAND CHAPLAIN.

Most Reverend Brother, the sacred position of Grand Chaplain has been intrusted to your care, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office.

In the discharge of your duties you will be required to lead the devotional exercises of our Grand Communications, and to perform the sacred functions of your holy calling at our public ceremonies. Though Masonry be not religion, it is emphatically religion's handmaid, and we are sure that in ministering at its altar, the services you may perform will lose nothing of their vital influence because they are practiced in that spirit of universal tolerance which distinguishes our institution. The doctrines of morality and virtue, which you are accustomed to inculcate to the world, as the minister of God, will form the appropriate lessons you are expected to communicate to your brethren in the Lodge. The profession which you have chosen for your lot in life is the best guarantee that you will discharge the duties of your present appointment with steadfastness and perseverance in well-doing. The Holy Bible, that great light of Masonry, we intrust to your care.

GRAND LECTURER.

Worshipful Brother, you have been appointed the Grand Lecturer of this jurisdiction, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office.

It is your duty to instruct the craft in the due performance of their duty; to communicate light and information to the uninformed; to preserve our ritual and our traditions in the memory of the fraternity; to see that the ancient landmarks of the Order are not removed by unskillful hands; and by your instructions to the Subordinate Lodges, to illustrate the genius and vindicate the principles of our institution. It is to be presumed that one whom his brethren have thought capable of discharging so important and difficult a trust, will require no prompting for the proper performance of his duty. Let it be your object, while inculcating upon the members of this time-honored society a faithful regard for its obligations, to impress the world at large with a favorable opinion of its design and tendency.

GRAND DEACONS.

Brethren, you have been appointed the Grand Deacons of this Grand Lodge, and we now invest you with the jewels of your office, and these rods as ensigns of your authority.

It is your province to attend upon the Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and to act as their proxies in the active duties of the Grand Lodge. Let vigilance and attention actuate you in the discharge of the functions of your office.

GRAND MARSHAL.

Brother, you have been appointed Grand Marshal, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office, and present you with this baton, as the ensign of your authority.

It is your duty to proclaim the Grand officers at their installation; to arrange all processions of the Grand Lodge, and to preserve order according to the forms prescribed. Skill and precision are essentially necessary to the faithful discharge of these duties.

GRAND PURSUIVANT.

Brother, you have been appointed Grand Pursuivant, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office, and intrust this sword of state to your keeping.

Your station is near the door, whence you will receive all reports from the Grand Tiler, and announce the name and Masonic rank of all who desire admission. You will see that none enter without wearing their appropriate decorations. You will also carry the Grand Sword of State in all public processions, and perform such other duties as appertain to your office. Your early and punctual attendance at all communications of the Grand Lodge is essentially necessary.

GRAND STEWARDS.

Brethren, you have been appointed Grand Stewards, and we now invest you with the jewels of your office, and place in your hands these white rods as ensigns of your station.

It is your duty to superintend the tables at the hour of refreshment, and see that every brother is suitably provided. It is, therefore, indispensably necessary that you yourselves should be temperate and discreet in the indulgence of your own inclinations, carefully observing that none of the craft transgress the due bounds of moderation in the enjoyment of their pleasures.

GRAND TILER.

Brother, you have been appointed Tiler of this Grand Lodge, and we now invest you with the jewel of your office, and place this sword in your hands, the more effectually to enable you to guard against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and to suffer none to pass or repass but such as are duly qualified.

It is your duty to guard the door of the Grand Lodge on the outside; to report to the Grand Pursuivant those who desire to be admitted; to summon the members of the Grand Lodge, under the direction of the Grand Secretary, and to attend to such other duties as may be required of you by the Grand Lodge. Your punctual attendance is essentially necessary at every communication.

The Grand Marshal then makes proclamation as follows:

By the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of . . . . . . . . . . ., I proclaim that the Grand and Subordinate officers have been installed in ample form with the grand honors of Masonry by three times three.

The public grand honors are then given, and the brethren make the response,

So mote it be.

The following Ode, or some other appropriate one, is then sung:

Almighty Father! God of Love!
⁠Sacred, eternal King of kings!
From thy celestial courts above,
⁠Send beams of grace on seraphs' wings
Oh, may they, gilt with light divine,
⁠Shed on our hearts inspiring rays;
While bending at this sacred shrine,
⁠We offer mystic songs of praise.

Faith, with divine and heavenward eye,
⁠Pointing to radiant realms of bliss,
Shed here thy sweet benignity,
⁠And crown our works with happiness;
Hope! too, with bosom void of fear,
⁠Still on thy steadfast anchor lean;
Oh, shed thy balmy influence here,
⁠And fill our breasts with joy serene.

And thou, fair Charity! whose smile
⁠Can bid the heart forget its woe,
Whose hand can misery's care beguile,
⁠And kindness' sweetest boon bestow,
Here shed thy sweet soul-soothing ray;
⁠Soften our hearts, thou power divine!
Bid the warm gem of pity play,
⁠With sparkling luster, on our shrine.

Thou, who art thron'd 'midst dazzling light,
⁠And wrapp'd in brilliant robes of gold,
Whose flowing locks of silv'ry white
⁠Thy age and honor both unfold,
Genius of Masonry! descend,
⁠And guide our steps by thy strict law;
Oh, swiftly to our temple bend,
⁠And fill our breasts with solemn awe.

An address may then be delivered by any brother appointed for the occasion. After which the Grand Chaplain pronounces the benediction, and the Grand Lodge is closed in ample form.

1. That is included within brackets, must be omitted as occasion may require.
2. When the former Grand Marshal has been re-elected, he is introduced to the pedestal by the Grand Pursuivant.