Another Prayer at the Making of a Mason.

Thou Supreme Author of Peace, and Lover of Concord, bless us in the exercise of those kind and social affections, which thou hast given us. May we display and cherish them, as our honour, and our joy. May this, our friend, who is now to become our brother, devote his live to thy service, and consider aright the true principles of his engagements. May he be endowed with wisdom to direct him in all his ways, strength, to support him in all his difficulties, and beauty, to adorn his moral conduct; and may we jointly and individually walk within compass, and square our actions by the dictates of virtue and conscience, and the example of the wise and the good. Amen.

Another, for the same object.

Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention; and grant, that this candidate for masonry, may dedicate and devote his life to thy service, and become a true and faithful brother amongst us. Endue him with a competency of thy divine wisdom, that by the secrets of our art, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of brotherly love, relief, and truth, to the honour of thy holy name. Amen.

Another.

Great Architect of Heaven, Maker and Ruler of worlds unnumbered! Deign, from thy celestial temple, to look down on us, the workmanship of thy hands. As we are now about to enlighten a fellow mortal in masonry, wilt thou enlighten us in the knowledge of divine truths. Enable us to live within the compass of thy commands, and to square our actions to thy divine will; and bless us, even us, Father Almighty. Thou hast planted reason in the human heart, may it expand until it reacheth the footstool of thy throne; and when our spirits shall be called to part from this lodge of clay, may they be permitted to join the all-perfect lodge in heaven, there to receive never ending refreshment, in the regions of bliss and immortality. Amen. So mote it be.

Another.

Grand Architect! Behold us aspiring towards thee. Thy works fill us with rapture... Heaven's gates stand open, to welcome thy sons to glory. Behold our friend, who is soon to be our brother, entering upon the threshold, which is before this apartment in thy works. May love burst the silence around him, and salute him welcome at the first step. May joy triumph in his heart, and

1

friendship guide him as he ascends. May his countenance be cheered by the light, and confidence increase as he passes on. May he behold the enblems of his labour, and his heart reply in ready obedience. May the cheerfulness inspired by the dawning light, attend him through the day; and when a long day shall be completed, may he find his lot with the faithful, in the immortal glory of the temple, which is pure with the light of God, and eternal in the heavens. Amen.

A General Prayer in a Lodge.*

Great Architect, in whose work all life is employed, the whole is harmony in thee; each part has its place, and all is perfect.

Behold us, who from this apartment in thy work, small indeed in itself, but vast enough for our full employment. From hence, we behold thy magnificent displays of power and wisdom, and here we enjoy thy goodness. Regard our work, begun in thy presence, and under thy laws. On the equal base of truth, let our building stand. May its entrance be illuminated with hope, and may great and good actions give it glory. With our master, may our labour be sweet, and our reward

* The three last prayers in this selection, were composed by the Rev. and Right Worshipful Thaddeus Mason Harris, A. M. Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

2

sure. May the skilful inspire a laudable ambition, and each soul be filled with light.

When we extend our hands to a friend, and introduce him to our joys, let truth guide our lips, and love dwell in our hearts. May we add merit to our friendship, and a sincere heart to our pleasures. May the entrance be a sweet recollection to him. May each visit improve his hopes and enlarge his virtues, and may our virtues shine together with brighter light, and the glory of the everlasting God be upon us. Amen.

CHAPTER XXV.

Of the Duty of Officers.

SECTION 1.-OF THE MASTER, HIS ELECTION AND
DUTIES.

In the twenty-third chapter of this book, I have already taken notice of some of the qual ifications, which ought to be possessed by those, who preside as masters of a lodge, I now proceed to mention the manner of their election and general duties.

The master of every lodge, is chosen annually by ballot, at some stated meeting, after which, the other officers are to be elected in the same manner and; it is a standing rule, that no brother shall refuse to accept of an

1

.

office, to which he may have been chosen, unless he had previously served in the same station.

As soon as the master is installed, he has it in special charge to see that the by-laws of his own lodge, as well as the general regulations of the grand lodge, be duly observed; that his wardens faithfully perform their duty, and by the correctness of their moral deportment, set a good example to the craft; that correct minutes of all proceedings be made by the secretary; that the treasurer keep exact and just accounts of all monies received and expended, and that he exhibit the same when thereunto required by the body, and that all the funds and property belonging to the lodge be disposed of in such manner, as to a majority of the brethren may appear proper.

He shall also take care, that no apprentice or fellow craft, be taken into his lodge, unless he be found duly qualified to learn and comprehend the sublime mysteries of the art. Thus shall apprentices, when they have made the necessary progress, become fellow crafts; and, in due time, be raised to the sublime degree of master masons; and if they conduct themselves with propriety, they may afterwards be initiated into the higher orders.

The master of every lodge, has the power of calling the members thereof together, upon the application of any of the brethren, or upon any emergency, which may, in his opinion, render such extra meeting necessary. It