6. The Grand Marshal will then form the whole in procession, and they will march through the veils into the inner apartment, where they will surround the altar, which is previously prepared, in ample form, for the occasion.

7. All present will kneel, and the following prayer will be recited:

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PRAYER.

Almighty and Supreme High Priest of heaven and earth! Who is there in heaven but thee, and who upon earth can stand in competition with thee? Thy OMNISCIENT mind brings all things in review, past, present and to come; thine OMNIPOTENT arm directs the movements of the vast creation; thine OMNIPRESENT eye pervades the secret recesses of every heart; thy boundless beneficence supplies us with every comfort and enjoyment; and thine unspeakable perfections and glory surpass the understanding of the children of men! Our Father, who art in heaven, we invoke thy benediction upon the purposes of our present assembly. Let this Chapter he established to thine honor: let its officers be endowed with wisdom to discern, and fidelity to pursue, its true 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 good will they owe to all mankind. Let this Chapter be consecrated to thy glory, and its members ever exemplify their love to God by their beneficence to man.

"Glory be to God on high."

Response." Amen! So mote it be."

They are then qualified in due form.

All the Companions, except High Priests and Past High Priests, are then desired to withdraw, while the new High Priest is solemnly bound to the performance of his duties; and after the performance of other necessary ceremonies, not proper to be written, they are permitted to return.

8. The whole then return to their appropriate stations; when the Grand Marshal will form a general procession, in the following order :

CAPTAIN OF THE HOST.

Three Royal Arch Stewards, with Rods;
Tyler of a Blue Lodge;

Entered Apprentices ;
Fellow Crafts;

Master Masons;

Stewards of Lodges, having Jewels;

Deacons, having Jewels;

Secretaries, having Jewels;
Treasurers, having Jewels;
Wardens, having Jewels;
Mark Master Masons;

M. E. Masters;

Royal Arch Masons, by three;

Royal Masters, by three;

Select Masters, by three;

Orders of Knighthood;

Tyler of the new Chapter;
Members of the new Chapter, by three;
Three Masters of Veils ;

Secretary, Treasurer, R. A. Captain; and
P. Sojourner, carrying the Ark;

A Companion, carrying the Pot of Incense;

Two Companions, carrying Lights;
Scribe, High Priest and King;

Grand Chapter, as before prescribed.

On arriving at the church, or house where the services are to be performed, they halt, open to the right and left, and face inward, while the Grand officers and others in succession, pass through and enter the house.

9. The officers and members of the new Chapter, and also of the Grand Chapter, being seated, the Grand Marshal proclaims silence, and the ceremonies com

mence.

10. An Anthem or Ode is to be performed.

11. An Oration or Address is to be delivered. 12. An Ode or Piece of Music.

*[13. The Deputy Grand High Pries then rises and informs the Grand High Priest, that "a number of Companions, duly instructed in the sublime mysteries, being desirous of promoting the honor, and propagating the principles of the Art, have applied to the Grand Chapter for a warrant to constitute a new Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, which having been obtained, they are now assembled for the purpose of being constituted, and having their officers installed in due and ancient form.]

[14. The Grand Marshal will then form the officers and members of the new Chapter in front of the Grand officers; after which, the Grand High Priest directs the Grand Secretary to read the warrant.]

* Those paragraphs which are enclosed within brackets, apply exclusively to cases where new Chapters are constituted, and their officers installed for the first time. The rest apply equally to such cases, as well as to annual installa

tions.

[15. The Grand High Priest then rises and says, "By virtue of the high powers in me vested, I do form you, my respected Companions, into a regular Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. From henceforth you are authorized and empowered to open and hold a Lodge of Mark Masters, Past Masters, and Most Excellent Masters, and a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; and to do and perform all such things as thereunto may appertain; conforming, in all your doings, to the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution, and the general regulations of the State Grand Chapter. And may the God of your fathers be with you, guide and direct you in all your doings."]

16. The furniture, clothing, jewels, implements, utensils, &c., belonging to the Chapter, (having been previously placed in the centre, in front of the Grand officers, covered,) are now uncovered, and the new Chapter is dedicated in due and ancient form.

17. The dedication then follows: the Grand Chaplain saying,

"To our Most Excellent Patron, ZERUBBABEL, We solemnly dedicate this Chapter. May the blessing of our Heavenly High Priest descend and rest upon its members, and may their felicity be immortal.

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Glory be to God on high."-Response by the Companions.

"As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end! Amen.-" So mote it be."

18. The Grand Marshal then says, "I am directed to proclaim, and I do hereby proclaim this Chapter, by the name of Chapter, duly consecrated, constituted and dedicated. This, &c., &c.

19. An Ode.

20. The Deputy Grand High Priest will then present the first officer of the new Chapter to the Grand High Priest, saying,

MOST EXCELLENT GRAND HIGH PRIEST:-I present you my worthy Companion nominated in

the warrant, to be installed High Priest of this [new] Chapter. I find him to be skilful in the royal art, and attentive to the moral precepts of our forefathers, and have therefore no doubt but he will discharge the duties of his office with fidelity.

The Grand High Priest then addresses him as follows:

MOST EXCELLENT :-I feel much satisfaction in performing my duty on the present occasion, by installing you into the office of High Priest of this [new] Chapter. It is an office highly honorable to all those who diligently perform the important duties annexed to it. Your reputed masonic knowledge, however, precludes the necessity of a particular enumeration of those duties. I shall, therefore, only observe, that by a frequent recurrence to the constitution, and general regulations and constant practice of the several sublime lectures and charges, you will be best able to fulfil them; and I am confident that the Companions who are chosen to preside with you, will give strength to your endeavors, and support your exertions. I shall now propose certain questions to you, relative to the duties of your office, and to which I must request your unequivocal answer.