Our Lodge Ceremonies.

OUR LODGE CEREMONIES .

THE system , organisation , and discipline of our Masonic ceremonies altord evidence of the care and forethought that have been expended by their authors , but as constant association dulls perception , it is probable that the remarks I

now propose to make may place the subject before you in a new light , and afford food for serious contemplation . In all regular assemblies of men convened for wise and useful purposes , the commencement and conclusion of business are accompanied by some form . In every country of the world

the practice prevails , and is deemed essential . From the most remote periods of antiquity it is traced , and the rehned improvements of modern times have not abolished it . Ceremonies , simply considered , are insignificant , but their effects are sometimes important . When they impress awe and

reverence on the mind , and engage attention by external attraction to solemn rites , they are interesting objects . These purposes are effected by judicious ceremonies , regularly conducted and properly ^ arranged . On this ground they have received the sanction of the wisest men in all ages , and

consequently could not escape the notice of Masons . To begin well is the most likely means to end well , and it has been justly remarked that when order and method are neglected at the beginning they will seldom be found to take place at the end . The rites and ceremonies of Freemasonry

form the distinctive peculiarity of the Institution . In their nature they are simple , and their end is instructive . They naturally excite a high degree of curiosity in a newhyv initiated Brother , and create an earnest desire to investigate their meaning and to become acquainted with their object

and . design . It requires , however , both serious application and untiring diligence to ascertain the precise nature of every ceremony which our ancient Brethren saw reason to

adopt in the formation of an exclusive system which was to pass through the world unconnected with religion and politics of all times and of every people among whom it should flourish and increase . But the assiduous Mason , with

the assistance of an intelligent Master in the chair—and none but intelligent Brethren should ever be placed in that position- —will not fail to derive instruction from every ceremony he may witness , and improvement from every ordinance with which he may become acquainted . The first business

which occupies the Brethren when assembled at the stated meetings , is what is technically termed the opening of the Lodge . The ceremony both of opening and closing a Lodge with solemnity and decorum is universally recognised amongst Masons , and though the mode in some Lodges may

vary in some particulars , still a uniformity prevails in every Lodge , and the variations , if any , are often solely 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 honoured every eye is naturally directed tor propriety of conduct and behaviour , 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 is given by W . M ., with a request for the attention and assistance of his Brethren . At the well-known signal the Officers and Brethren , clothed in their regalia , repair to their respective stations , and await

the commands of the Worshipful Master . The intent of the meeting becomes the object of attraction , and the mind is insensibly drawn from those indiscriminate subjects of conversation which are . apt to intrude on our less serious moments . The next object is to detect impostors amongst

ourselves , and for this purpose recourse is had to our peculiar rites as Masons . Attention 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 certain mystic forms , of no recent date ,

intimate that we may proceed . At the opening of 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 various stations . These are

not the only advantages resulting from a due observance of this ceremony ; the mind is drawn with reverential awe to the Supreme Architect of the Universe , and the eye fixed on Him who is the only author of life and immortality . Here we are taught to worshi p and adore the Supreme Jehovah ,

Our Lodge Ceremonies.

and to supplicate His protection and assistance in all our well meant endeavours . After the customary salutations , the Master pronounces the Lodge to be opened in due and ancient form , and assumes the government , and under him and his Wardens , the Brethren , with one accord unite m

duty and respect , and the business of the evening- is conducted with order and harmony . The minutes are read and confirmed , visiting Brethren are admitted , and if they are strangers are duly examined and vouchers obtained , it the business of the evening renders it necessary that the Lodge

shall be opened in several degrees , the same order and regularity are observed in advancing and reducing it , all Brethren of an inferior degree retiring before the Lodge is opened in a superior degree . The ceremony of closing the Lodge differs from that of opening only in the necessary

change of phraseology and in certain precautionary means . The necessary degree of subordination which takes place m the government of the Lodge is peculiarly marked , while a proper tribute of respect is offered up to the beneficent Author of Life , and His blessing invoked on behalf of the

whole Fraternity . Each Brother faithfully locks up the secrets in his own repository , and , pleased with his reward , retires to enjoy and disseminate amongst the private circles of his friends the fruits of his labour and industry in the Lodge . The Brethren present are all expected to assist in

the performance of both opening and closing , and much of the beauty and harmony of the scene depends on their quiet deportment and strict attention to the business before them . In this , as in all other Masonic ceremonies , everything like levity or rudeness in speech or action is to be deprecated and

avoided . A Mason should never forget that he is a gentleman , in the true sense of that term , and that all the forms and ceremonies he witnesses , or in which he is desired to

participate while in the Lodge , are designed to illustrate and inculcate some great moral truth . The peculiar beauty of our ceremonies is . that they all tend to improve the mind and consecrate the affections to virtue . The labours and

duties of the Lodge should begin and end with prayer . The Brethren assembled cannot be too often reminded of their dependence on the Almighty Architect of the Universe for every blessing they enjoy . Prayer is an ancient and beautiful custom of the Institution . It was the constant practice of

our ancestors . It is enjoined by the Constitution and cannot , with propriety , be omitted . There are also certain Ancient Charges , one or more of which may be properly rehearsed , either immediately subsequent to the opening , or just previously to the closing of the Lodge . When business does

not prevent , the reading of at least one of them from the Book of Constitutions might with advantage be introduced . A knowledge of their duties to the Craft , to society , and to

each other , cannot be too firmly fixed on the minds of the Brethren . It has ' been beautifull y said that the Master opens the Lodge at sunrise with solemn prayer ; the Junior Warden calls the Brethren from labour when the sun attains

its meridian height ; and the Senior Warden closes the Lodge with prayer at sunset , when the labours of our ancient Brethren ended . The great luminary of creation rises' in the east to open the day with a mild and genial influence , and all nature rejoices in the appearance of his beams . In

the northern hemisphere he gains his meridian in the south , invigorating all things with the perfection of his ripening qualities . With declining strength he sets in the west , to close the day , leaving mankind at rest from their labours . This is a type of the three most prominent stages in the life

of a man—infancy , manhood , and age ; the first characterised by the blush ot innocence , is pure as the tints which gild the Eastern portals of the day ; the heart rejoices in the unsuspecting integrity of its own unblemished virtues , nor fears deceit , because it knows no guile , manhood succeeds ; the

ripening intellect arrives at the meridian of its powers . At the approach of old age , man ' s strength decays ; his sun is setting in the west ; enfeebled by sickness or bodily infirmities , he lingers on till death finally closes his eventful

day , and happy is he if the setting splendours of a virtuous life gild his departing moments with gentle tints of hope , and close his short- - ' career in peace , harmony , and Brotherly love . —P . M . of the Australian Commonwealth , m " Masonry . "

Charitable Duty Of Our Order.

CHARITABLE DUTY OF OUR ORDER .

IN January 1900 , acting upon a suggestion made in the Grand Lodge of Michigan by Frank T . Lodge , then Grand Master , the Grand Lodge appointed a Committee to' investi-