culties, and the beauty of harmony in all our communications with one another.

Grant, that thy servant, who has been solemnly invested with authority and rule over these Lodges, may be endued with knowledge and wisdom; and may we, and all our Brethren under his jurisdiction, understand, learn, and keep, all the statutes and commandments of the LORD, pure and undefiled. May brotherly love and charity always abound among us. And when we have

finished our work here below, let our transition be from this earthly tabernacle to the heavenly temple above; there, among thy jewels, may we appear in thy glory for ever and ever.

Bless and prosper, we pray thee, every branch and member of this Fraternity, throughout the habitable earth. May thy kingdom of peace, love, and harmony come. May thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, and the whole world be filled with thy glory. Amen.

PRAYER AT

CONSTITUTING

[By Rev. Br. Dr. John Watkins.]

A LODGE.

Great, Adorable and Supreme Being! We praise thee for all thy mercies, and especially for giving us desires to enjoy, and powers of enjoying, the delights of society. The affections which thou hast implanted in us, and which we cannot destroy without violence to our nature, are among the chief blessings which thy benign wisdom hath bestowed upon us: to improve all our powers to the promotion of thy world, and the good of our fellow-creatures. May we be active under thy Divine light, and dwell in thy truth.

help us duly glory in the

Extend thy favor to us who are now entering into a Fraternal compact under peculiar obligations. Enable us to be faithful to thee, faithful in our callings in life, faithful Masons in all the duties of the Craft, and faithful to each other, as members of this society. Take us under the shadow of thy protection; and to thy service and glory may we consecrate our hearts. May we always put faith in thee, have hope in salvation, and be in charity with all mankind! Amen.

The following Prayers have been prepared expressly for the present edition of the Trestle-Board:

PRAYER AT OPENING A LODGE.

O Lord, our Heavenly Father, the High and Mighty Ruler of the Universe, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, direct us, we beseech thee, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continued help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy Holy Name;—and as thou hast taught us, in thy Holy Word, that all our doings, without Charity, are nothing worth, send thy Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of Charity, the very bond of peace, and of all virtues, without which, whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee.

These things, and whatever else thou seest we need, we humbly ask, for thy Son's sake. Amen.

Almighty and Everlasting God, in whom alone is our trust, and who, in thy Holy Word, hast brought life and immortality to light, defend this, thy servant, with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine forever. Strengthen him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding; endue him with a fear of thy Holy Name; increase in him, more and more, the spirit of Charity, and the love of the Truth.

Let thy Fatherly hand ever be over him; let thy Spirit ever be with him; and so lead him, in the knowledge and the obedience of thy Holy Word, that, having finished his course below, he may at last pass peacefully and joyfully to mansions of rest, in thy Temple above, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. Amen.

PRAYER AT CLOSING.

O God, our Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, we heartily thank thee for the fraternal communion which we have this evening enjoyed.

Pardon all that thy Holy Eye hath seen amiss in us.

Bless our humble labors to the promotion of truth and love, unity and peace. Smile upon our Institution, and make it the instrument of great good.

Dismiss us with thy blessing. Go with us when we separate. Guide us evermore by thy good Providence; and finally reunite us, at thy right hand, in that world of light and life, where thou forever reignest. Amen.

CHAPTER XI.

FORMS TO BE USED FOR VARIOUS MASONIC PUR

POSES.

FORM O F PETITION FOR DISPENSATION FOR A NEW LODGE.

To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of

We, the undersigned, being Master Masons of good standing, and having the prosperity of the Craft at heart, are anxious to exert our best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Freemasonry; and for the convenience of our respective dwellings, and other good reasons, we are desirous of forming a new Lodge, to be named We, therefore, with the approbation of the District Deputy Grand Master, and the Lodge nearest our residence, respectfully pray for a Dispensation, empowering us to meet as a regular Lodge, at

on the

of every month, and there to discharge the duties of Ancient York Masonry, in a constitutional manner, according to the forms of the Order and the laws of the 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.

WHEREAS, a Petition has been presented to me, by sundry Brethren, to wit: Brothers A.,

and State of

B., and C., residing in the -, praying to be congregated

town of into a regular Lodge, and promising to render obedience to the ancient usages and landmarks of the Fraternity, and the laws of the Grand Lodge: And whereas, said Petitioners have been recommended to me as MASTER MASONS, in good standing, by the Master, Wardens, and other members of Lodge, under

our jurisdiction:

Therefore, I,

Grand Master of the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State of -, reposing full confidence in the recommendation aforesaid, and in the Masonic integrity and ability of the petitioners, do, by virtue of the authority in me vested, hereby grant this DISPENSATION, empowering and authorizing our trusty and well-beloved Brethren aforesaid to form and open a LODGE, after the manner of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and therein to admit and make FREEMASONS, according to the ancient custom, and not otherwise.

This Dispensation is to continue in full force for the term of [or until the next annual communication of our Grand Lodge aforesaid,] unless sooner revoked by me. And I do hereby appoint Br. A. B., to be the first Master, Br. C. D., to be the first Senior Warden, and Br. E. F., to be the first Junior Warden, of the said new LODGE. And it shall be their duty, and they are hereby required, to return this DISPENSATION, with a correct transcript of all PROCEEDINGS had under the authority of the same, together with an attested copy of their By-Laws, to our Grand Lodge aforesaid, at the expiration of the time herein specified, -for examination, and for such further action in the premises as shall then be deemed wise and proper.

Given under our hand, and the seal of our Grand Lodge

FORM OF A CHARTER, OR WARRANT, FOR A NEW LODGE.

To all the Fraternity to whom these Presents shall come : The GRAND LODGE of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted MASONS for the of sends Greet

ing:

SEAL.

WHEREAS, a petition has been presented to us by [here insert the names of the petitioners] all Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, praying that they, with such others as shall hereafter join them, may be erected and constituted into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons-which Petition appearing to us as tending to the advancement of Masonry and the good cause of the Craft;

G. M.
D. G. M.

Bnow ye, therefore, That we, the Grand Lodge aforesaid, reposing special trust and confidence in the prudence and fidelity of our beloved Brethren above named, have constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute and appoint them, the said A., B., I., F. &c., a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the Title and Designation of Lodge, No. hereby giving and granting unto them and their successors, full power and authority to convene as Masons, within the Town

of

said, to receive and enter Apprentices, pass Fellow-Crafts, and raise Master Masons, upon the payment of such moderate compensations for the same as may be determined by the said Lodge; also to make choice of a Master, Wardens, and other Office Bearers, annually, or oftener, as they shall see cause; to receive and collect funds for the relief of poor and distressed Brethren, their Widows or Children, and in general to transact all matters relating to Masonry which may to them appear to be for the good of the Craft, according to the ancient usages and customs of Masons.

And we do hereby require the said constituted Brethren to attend the Grand Lodge at its regular Communications, and other Meetings, by their Master and Wardens, or by Proxies regularly appointed; also to keep a fair and regular Record of all their proceedings, and to lay them before the Grand Lodge when required.