54 SELECTION OF MEMBERS. Craft Lectures, and by a faithful and appropriate attention to them, every Mason may hope ultimately to become acquainted with all its mysteries. Some may be more able than others, some more eminent, some more useful; but all, in their different spheres, may prove advantageous to the community; and our necessities, as well as our consciences, bind us to love one another. It must also be admitted, that those who accept offices and exercise authority in the Lodge ought to be men of prudence and address, enjoying the advantages of a well-cultivated mind and retentive memory. All men are not blessed with the same powers and talents; all men, therefore, are not equally qualified to govern. He who wishes to teach, must submit to learn; and no one can be qualified to fill the higher offices of the Lodge, who has not previously discharged the duties of those which are subordinate. Experience is the best preceptor. Every man may rise by gradation, but merit and industry are the first steps to preferment. Masonry is wisely instituted for different ranks and degrees of men; and every brother, according to his station and ability, may be employed in the Lodge, and class with his equal. Actuated by the best principles, no disquietude is found among the professors of the art. Each class is happy in its particular association; and when all the classes meet in general convention, one plan regulates the whole: neither arrogance nor presumption appear on the one hand, nor diffidence nor incivility on the other; but every brother strives to excel in promoting that endearing happiness which constitutes the essence of civil society. The selection of men in the founding of a Lodge is a task of considerable nicety; hence it is essentially necessary the brother who undertakes it should be conversant with the habits and opinions of every one he purposes to connect himself with, as one ill-mannered, ill-tempered, or contemptuous person will throw all prospective harmony into discord. It should ever be borne in mind that we ought to be as careful whom we introduce into a Lodge as we should FORM OF PETITION. 55 be in the selection of personal friends, and one whom we would not admit to intimate intercourse with our own domestic circle is unfit for a seat in our Lodge. One who is addicted to intemperance, with gambling propensities, a scoffer at religion, or a debauchee of any kind, is unworthy of admittance within our portals. The necessary measure to accomplish this object is thus defined in The Book of Constitutions: OF CONSTITUTING A NEW LODGE. Every application for a warrant to hold a new Lodge must be by petition to the Grand Master, signed by at least seven regularly registered Masons; and the Lodges to which they belong, or formerly belonged, must be specified. The petition must be recommended by the officers of a regular Lodge, and be transmitted to the Grand Secretary, unless there be a Provincial Grand Master in the District or Province in which the Lodge is proposed to be holden, in which case it is to be sent to him or to his deputy, who is to forward it, with his recommendation or opinion thereon, to the Grand Master. The following is the form of petition : To the M. W. Grand Master of the United Fraternity of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of England: We, the undersigned, being regular registered Masons of the Lodges mentioned against our respective names, having the prosperity of the Craft at heart, are anxious to exert our best endeavours to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of the art; and, for the conveniency of our respective dwellings and other good reasons, we are desirous of forming a new Lodge, to be named In consequence of this desire, we pray for a warrant of constitution, empowering us to meet as a regular Lodge, at on the of every month, and there to discharge the duties of Masonry, in a constitutional manner, according to the forms of the Order and the laws of the 56 WARRANT GRANTED. Grand Lodge: and we have nominated and do recommend Brother [A. B.] to be the first Master, Brother [C. D.] to be the first Senior Warden, and Brother [E. F.] to be the first Junior Warden of the said Lodge. The prayer of this petition being granted, we promise strict obedience to the commands of the Grand Master and the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge.' The warrant being granted, it is entrusted to some skilful brother, who is specially deputed by the Grand Master, or Provincial Grand Master, to open and consecrate the new Lodge in solemn form. CHAPTER VIII. CONSECRATION OF A LODGE. THE deputy of the Grand Master being ready, a procession is arranged from the ante-room, and he is conducted into the apartment in which the Lodge is to be held; he takes his position in the east, having a representative D. G. M. on his right, and the Chaplain on his left; he directs two brethren, being Past Masters, to fill the Wardens' chairs, and forthwith opens the Lodge in the three degrees, and an ode is sung. The Master and his officers, accompanied by some dignified clergyman, having taken their stations, and the Lodge, which is placed in the centre, being covered with white satin, the Consecration ceremony commences, all devoutly kneel, and the preparatory prayer is rehearsed. Although the practice is not universal, an extemporary prayer is generally adopted at the opening of the ceremony. For this may be used: Almighty Father who art in Heaven, we invoke Thy benediction upon the purposes of our present assembly. Let this Lodge be established to Thine honour; let its officers be endowed with wisdom to discern and fidelity to pursue its truest interests; let its members be ever mindful of the duty they owe to their God, the obedience they owe to their superiors, the love they owe to their equals, and the goodwill they owe to all mankind. Let this Lodge be consecrated to Thy glory, and its members ever exemplify their love to God, by their beneficence to Him. So mote it be. 58 PETITION AND WARRANT READ. From the mass of odes, we give one written by Brother Dunckerley, a Mason of great and deserved celebrity, and as the air is patent to the British people, it is easy of adoption: AIR- God save the Queen.' 'Hail! universal Lord! 'Before Thy name we bend, The Consecrating Officer is then informed by the Secretary (pro tem.) that the brethren present desire to be formed into a new Lodge, and, having presented a petition for a warrant, or Charter of Constitution, which has been granted, pray it may be constituted in ancient and solemn form. The Master orders the petition and the warrant to be read; which done, he then inquires if the brethren approve of the officers nominated in the warrant to preside over them. This being signified, an address or oration is delivered on the nature and design of the Institution, suitable to the time or locality. The Chaplain then offers a prayer: Almighty Father, God Most High, the Grand Geometrician and Great Architect of the Universe, we implore Thy blessing with every confidence in Thy providence and protection upon this Lodge, convened for the sacred object of solemnly dedicating its House of Assembly to Thy honour and glory. We pray most fervently that all who meet within these walls may be ever endued with the lofty principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth; and, above all, of devotion to Thee, through whose bounty our cups overflow with corn, wine, and oil in plenteousness; from whom we have received the heart to feel, the hand to labour, the eye to behold; the |