PUBLIC OPENING CEREMONY
From the Frontier Army Lodge of Masonic Research #1875
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WM * Brethren and Guests,
The ways of Virtue are beautiful. Knowledge is attained by degrees. Wisdom
dwells with Contemplation: there we must seek her. Let us then apply ourselves
with zeal to the practice of the excellent principles inculcated by the Craft
Let us ever remember that the great objects of our fraternity are the restraint
of improper desires and passions, the cultivation of an active benevolence and
promotion of a correct knowledge of the duties we owe to God, our Neighbor and
ourselves. Let us cultivate the great moral virtues which are laid down on our
Masonic Trestleboard and improve in everything that is good, amiable and useful.
As with every important undertaking, we invoke the blessing of deity.
Brother Chaplain. ***
Chaplain (kneeling at Altar)
Supreme Architect of the Universe, in Thy name we have assembled, and in Thy
name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the sublime principles
of Freemasonry may so subdue every discord and passion within us; so harmonize
and enrich our hearts with Thine own love and goodness, that the lodge at this
time may humbly reflect that beauty and order which reign forever before Thy
throne. Amen.
Response: So mote it be.
Or this:
Almighty God, grant us grace to so conduct the affairs of this lodge that all
we do, and all we think, and all we say, may be inspired by Thy wisdom, to the
end that we may do Thy will, and to Thee shall be all honor and glory. Amen
Response: So mote it be.
WM "Brother Junior Warden, you will display the three
burning tapers."
JW Proceeds directly to the three lesser lights As he lights the
candles in the regular manner, he says - "Every lodge has 3 lights situated
East [lights candle] West [lights candle] and South [lights candle], none in the
North.
Returns to his station
WM "Brother Senior Warden, you will display the Holy Bible,
Square and Compasses."
SW Proceeds directly to the Altar and says:
[As he slowly opens the Bible]
"The Bible is dedicated to God, it being the inestimable gift of God to
man". [As he carefully places the square on the Bible] "The square is
dedicated to the Master, it being the proper emblem of his office and should
continually remind him of the duty he owes to the lodge over which he is elected
to preside." [As he carefully places the Compasses over the square]
"And the Compasses is dedicated to the Craft, for by a due attention to
their use they are taught to circumscribe their desires and keep their passions
within due bounds with all mankind."
Returns to his station
JW "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell
together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down
upon the beard, evens Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his
garment. As the dew of Herman, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains
of Zion; for there the Lord Commanded the blessing, even life forevermore."
{ If the flag is to be formally presented, it should be done at this time,
otherwise }
WM "Brethren and guests, will you join me in the Pledge of
Allegiance to our Flag."
WM *
(If this were a public installation, the installing officer would now be
escorted to the Altar by the SW. The WM would go to the Altar greet and escort
him to the East, introduce him to the members and guests and offer him the
gavel. The installation ceremonies would then proceed as usual.)
WM "Brethren, we are now to quit this sacred retreat of
friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and
employments, forget not the duties you have heard so frequently inculcated and
forcibly recommended in this lodge. Be diligent, prudent, temperate and
discreet. Every human being has a claim on your kind offices. Do good unto all.
Recommend it more especially to the household of the faithful. Finally,
Brethren, be ye all of one mind; live in peace, and may the God of Love and
peace delight to dwell with and bless you. So we end our labors, Brethren and
Guests, in the same manner in which we began our labors.
WM: Brother Chaplain." ***
Chaplain (from the Altar)
" Supreme Grand Master, Ruler of Heaven and Earth; now that we are about
to separate and return to our respective places of abode, wilt Thou be pleased
so to influence our hearts and minds that we may each one of us practice out of
the lodge those great moral duties which are inculcated in it, and with
reverence study and obey the laws which Thou hast given us in Thy Holy Word.
Amen"
Response: So mote it be.
WM Brother SW, you will secure the Holy Bible, Square and
Compasses."
[ Done ]
WM Brother JW, you will extinguish the 3 burning tapers.
[ Done ]
WM "Brethren and Guests, you are dismissed." *
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