The Washington times., 1923-06-05

documents and from other 81
The ceremonies OF q corner
stone dedication are very inter
esting, being highly symbolical
slightly drawing aside the vail
which hides the mysteries Of the
fraternity. For the benefit Of
those who have never attended q
ceremony OF this nature, the pro
ceedings are outlined as follows
After the Masons have congre'
gated at some previously appoint.
ed place, they form procession,
usually accompanied by a band
OF music, and proceed to the site
of the proposed edifice. When it
has arrived there, the procession
opens to the right and left, and,
uncovering, the grand master and
his officers pass through the
lines to the platform while the
rest of the brethren surround the
platform, when the following cere-
monies are performed. The Grand
Master states. the purpose for
which they have assembled in
these words:
'"rhe grand lodge is here assem-
sembled for the purpose Of laying
the corner stone of a building to be
dedicated to- Che here names the
purpose for which the building is
to be used ''and as we Masons
are taught that we should implore
the aid of our Supreme Grand
Master in all our laudable under
takings, let US attend while the
Reverend and worshipful Grand
Chaplain invokes the divine bless
ing"
CHAPLAIN OFFERS PRAYER.
The Grand Chaplain then offers
up prayer, and there is a selec-
ton played by the band or sung
by the choir. The Grand Master
then proceeds:
Right Worshipful Grand
Treasurer, you will deposit in the
case the several articles as they
are called by the Right Worship
full Grand Secretary"
The Grand Secretary then reads
the list, which, In this jurisdic-
ton must include copy of the
Holy Bible, and the Grand Treas
urer deposits them as directed.
During this ceremony soft music
either vocal or instrumental, is
rendered.
The trowel Is presented to the
Grand Master. who says:
1.-THE trowel will be Used in
spreading the cement which shall
unite this building into one COM
mon mass. Remembering that
we are all children OF our Father
in Heaven who loves and pities
all, may the trowel symbolic to
US the spreading of the cement
OF friendship and affection which
should unite the brotherhood Of
man into a sacred band, among
whom 20 contention should ever
exist save that noble contention,
or rather emulation, OF who can
best work and best agree"
SPREADS THE CEMENT.
The Grand Master then spreads
the cement, or sometimes only
one trowelful, workmen or others
interested also officiating. When
all Is in readiness, the workmen
swing the stone into position and
lower it by three distinct motions
to its proper place at the corner
OF the foundation, the band
meanwhile playing soft music.
The architect then presents the
square, level, and plumb to the
Grand Master, and says:
Most Worshipful, the neces-
sary preparations having been
made for laying the foundation
stone of this edifice, present
you the square, level, and plumb,
those useful implements Of the
Craft by which you will be able
to ascertain that the material
which is to constitute the chief
corner stone Of the future edidce.
and which you are about to lay in
fits appropriate position, is well
formed, true, and trusty."
HOW RITUAL READS.
The grand master hands the
square to the deputy grand mas
ter, the level to the senior grand
warden, and the plumb to tho
Junior grand warden. Tho grand
master. the deputy grand master,
senior and Junior grand wardens,
and past grand masters then de-
scend from the platform. and,
when possible, the grand master
and the past grand masters stand
at tho east OF the stone, the
deputy grand master on the right
OF tho grand master, the senior
grand warden at the west, and
the junior grand warden at the
south of the stone, Then fol.
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