ON OPENING AND CLOSING LODGES.. THE ceremony of opening and closing a Lodge with solemnity and decorum, is universally admitted among Masons; and though the mode in some Lodges may vary, and in every degree must, in some particulars, still an uniformity prevails in every Lodge, and the variations, if any, are only occasioned by want of method, which a little application might easily remove. To conduct this ceremony with propriety, ought to be the study of every mason, but more especially those who are called to officiate as officers of the Lodge. To those of our brethren who are thus honored, every eye is naturally directed for propriety of conduct and behavior; and from them, our brethren who are less informed will expect an example worthy of imitation. From a share in this ceremony, no mason can be exempted: it is a general concern, in which all must assist; the first notice of which is given by the W. M., with a request of the attention and assistance of his brethren. No sooner has it been signified, than every officer repairs to his station, and the brethren rank according to their degrees. The next object is to detect impostors among ourselves; and for this purpose recourse is had to our peculiar rites as masons. This object being accomplished, our next care is directed to the external avenues of the Lodge, and the proper officers, whose province it is to discharge that duty, execute their trust with fidelity, and by cer tain mystic forms, of no recent date, intimate that we may safely proceed. At opening the Lodge, two purposes are wisely effected the master is reminded of the dignity of character which he is to maintain from the elevation of his office, and the brethren of the reverence and respect due from them in their sundry stations. These are not the only advantages re sulting from a due observance of this ceremony; the mind is drawn with reverential awe to the Su preme Architect of the Universe, and the eye fixed on HIM who is the only author of life and immor tality. Here we are taught to worship and adore the supreme JEHOVAH, and to supplicate his protection and assistance in all our well-meant endeavors. After the customary salutations, the master pronounces the Lodge to be opened in due and ancient form, and assumes the government, and under him his wardens; the brethren with one accord unite in duty and respect, and the business of the meeting is conducted with order and harmony. At the closing of a Lodge, a similar ceremony takes place as at opening-the avenues of the Lodge are guarded; a recapitulation of the duties of the officers is rehearsed; a proper tribute of grati tude is offered up to the Great Author of our existence, and his blessing invoked and extended to the whole fraternity. If it should be deemed necessary that the Lodge be opened in the several degrees, for dispatch of business, when that in the first degree shall have been finished, the W. Master, after due inquiry of the wardens and brethren, will proclaim it to be his will and pleasure that the Entered Apprentices' degree be dispensed with for the purpose of opening on the Fellow Craft degree, and all who are not Fellow Crafts are requested to retire. When the necessary precautions are taken that none remain but those who are entitled to this privilege, the sentinel is again reminded of his duty, and the Fellow Craft's degree opened in due form. When the business in this degree shall have been finished, the Lodge is dispensed with, as in the first degree, and a Master's Lodge opened in due form. After the business in the Master's Degree is finished, the Lodge is closed and the labors of the Fellow Crafts resumed: if nothing should offer in this degree, the Lodge is closed and the labors of the Entered Apprentices resumed. Should nothing fur ther offer in this degree, the records of the evening having been read and approved, the Lodge is closed in due and ancient form. These are but faint outlines of the ceremonies which prevail among masons, in every country, and distinguish all their meetings. FORMS OF PRAYERS, CHARGES, &c. Most holy and glorious Lord God, the great Arch itect of the universe, the Giver of all good gifts and graces: Thou hast promised, that "where two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt be in the midst of them, and bless them." In thy name we assemble, most humbly beseeching thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that we may know and serve thee aright, and that all our actions may tend to thy glory, and to our advancement in know ledge and virtue. And we beseech thee, O Lord God, to bless our present assembling, and to illuminate our minds, through the intercession of the Son of Righteousness, that we may walk in the light of thy countenance; and when the trials of our probationary state are over, be admitted into THE TEMPLE"not made with hands, eternal in the heavSo mote it be. Amen. ens A Prayer at Closing. Supreme Architect of the universe, accept our humble praises for the many mercies and blessings which thy bounty has conferred on us, and especially for this friendly and social intercourse. Pardon, we beseech thee, whatever thou hast seen amiss in us since we have been together; and continue to us thy presence, protection, and blessing. Make us sensible of the renewed obligations we are under to love thee supremely, and to be friendly to each other. May all our irregular passions be subdued, and may we daily increase in Faith, Hope, and Cha rity; but more especially in that Charity, which is the bond of peace, and the perfection of every virtue May we so practice thy precepts, that, through the merits of the Redeemer, we may finally obtain thy promises, and find an entrance through the gates into the temple and city of our God. So mote it be. Amen. Benediction at Closing. May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular masons! May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us! BRETHREN: So mote it be. Amen Charge at Closing. We are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties which you have heard so frequently inculcated, and so forcibly recommended in this Lodge. Be diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. Remem ber, that around this altar, you have promised to, befriend and relieve every brother, who shall need your assistance. You have promised, in the most friendly manner to remind him of his errors, and aid a reformation. These generous principles are to extend further. Every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. Do good unto all. Recom mend 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. RECOMMENDATIONS [For the information of those of the Fraternity with when the Author of this little volume has not had the pleasure of an acquaintance, he would submit the following, from a large number of Certificates, in testimony of his masonic qualifications.] TO THE FRATERNITY OF FREE AND AC- UNITED STATES OF NORTH. KNOW YE, That we, the undersigned, having duly examined our worthy Companion, JEREMY L. CROSS, do find him well skilled and correct in the Lectures and mode of working in the three first Degrees of Ancient Free Masonry, as received, sanctioned, and directed to be taught, by the sev eral Grand Lodges of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and New Jersey; also, with the Lectures and mode of working in the several Degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Masonry, as sanctioned and directed to be taught by the Officers of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of North America, We do therefore cheerfully recommend him as fully competent to teach the same. Duly appreciating the utility that would arise from a greater uniformity in our mode of working and Lecturing; and as the good of the INSTITUTION demands it; we do therefore earnestly recommend to the whole FRATERNITY, to receive, sanction, and adopt the same. Witness our Hands: M. E. and Hon. DEWITT CLINTON, Gen. Grand High M. E. HENRY FOWLE, Esq., D. G. G. H. Priest of the |