Present, or Past Master's Degree. THIS degree should be carefully studied, and well understood, by every Master of a Lodge. It treats of the government of our society; the disposition of our rulers; and illustrates their requisite qualifications. It includes the ceremony of opening and closing lodges in the several preceding degrees; and also the forms of installation and consecration, in the Grand Lodge, as well as private lodges. It comprehends the ceremonies at laying the foundation stones of public buildings, and also at dedications and at funerals, by a variety of particulars explanatory of those ceremonies. SECTION I. ON THE MANNER OF CONSTITUTING A LODge. Any number of Master Masons, not under seven, desirous of forming a new Lodge, must apply, by petition, to the Grand Lodge of the State in which they reside, as follows: FORM OF A PETITION FOR A NEW LODGE. "To the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of The undersigned petitioners, being Ancient Free and Accepted Master Masons, having the prosperity of the fraternity at heart, and willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Masonry, respectfully represent of "That they are desirous of forming a new Lodge in the to be named No.They therefore pray for letters of dispensation, or a warrant of constitution, to empower them to assemble, as a legal Lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry, in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the original forms of the Order, and the regulations of the Grand Lodge. They have nominated and do recommend Brother A. B. to be the first Master; C. D. to be the first Senior Warden, and E. F. to be the first Junior Warden, of said Lodge. If the prayer of the petition shall be granted, they promise a strict conformity to the constitution, laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge."* CEREMONY OF CONSTITUTION. On the day and hour appointed, the Grand Master and his officers meet in a convenient room, near to that in which the Lodge to be constituted is assembled, and open the Grand Lodge in the three degrees of Masonry. * This petition, being signed by at least seven regular masons, and recommended by a lodge or lodges adjacent to the place where the new lodge is to be holden, is delivered to the Grand Secretary, who lays it before the Grand Lodge. If the petition meets the approbation of the Grand Lodge, they generally order a dispensation to be issued, which is signed by the Grand or Deputy Grand Master, and authorizes the petitioners to assemble as a legal lodge, for a specified term of time. In some jurisdictions, the Grand and Deputy Grand Masters, respectively, are invested with authority to grant dispensations, at pleasure, during the recess of the Grand Lodge; in others, they are never issued without the special direction of the Grand Lodge. Lodges working under dispensations are considered merely as agents of the Grand Lodge; their presiding officers are not entitled to the rank of Past Masters; their officers are not privileged with a vote or voice in the Grand Lodge; they cannot change their officers without the special approbation and appointment of the Grand Lodge; and in case of the cessation of such lodges, their |