The Marshal presents the Master-elect to the Installing Officer, and says: Worshipful Master: I present you Bro. A. B., who has been duly and constitutionally elected W. Master of .................. Lodge, No. ..., Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, for the ensuing Masonic year. I believe him to be well qualified to discharge the duties of that office. He has also signified his willingness to accept the same. I therefore ask that he be duly and constitutionally installed therein. Wor. Sir and Bro.--I take pleasure in installing you into this honorable office, with the usual ceremonies; but, previous to being invested with the insignia of your office, it is necessary that you should signify your assent to those ancient charges and regulations which point out the duty of a Master of a Lodge, viz: "I. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral law. "III. You promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against government, but patiently to submit to the decisions of the supreme legislature. "IV. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably by all men. V. You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of the Order of Masonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations; and to submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren, when convened, in every case consistent with the Constitutions of the Order. "VI. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess. "VII. You agree to be cautious in carriage and behavior, courteous to your brethren and faithful to your Lodge. "VIII. You promise to respect genuine brethren and to discountenance "X. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time being, and to his officers when duly installed; and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge, or General Assembly of Masons, that is not subversive of the principles and groundwork of Masonry. "XI. You admit that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make innovations in the body of Masonry. "XII. You promise a regular attendance on the committees and communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice; and to pay attention to all the duties of Masonry, on convenient occasions. "XIII. You admit that no new Lodge; shall be formed without permission of the Grand Lodge; and that no countenance be given to any irregular Lodge, or to any person clandestinely initiated therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of the Order. "XV. You agree that no visitors shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, and producing proper vouchers of their having been initiated in a regular Lodge." These are the regulations of Free and Accepted Masons. The Installing Officer then addresses the Master-elect in the following manner: "Do you submit to these charges, and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have done in all ages before you?" The new Master having signified his cordial submission as before, the Installing Officer thus addresses him: "Brother A. B., in consequence of your cheerful conformity to the charges and regulations of the Order, you are now to be installed Master of this (new) Lodge, in full confidence of your care, skill and capacity to govern the same." [The various implements of the profession are emblematical of our conduct in life, and upon this occasion are carefully enumerated.] The Holy Writings, that great light in Masonry, will guide you to all truth; it will direct your path to the temple of happiness, and point out to you the whole duty of man. The Square teaches us to regulate our actions by rule and line, and to harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue. The Compasses teach us to limit our desires in every station, that, rising to eminence by merit, we may live respected, and die regretted. The Rule directs that we shall punctually observe our duty; press forward in the path of virtue, and, neither inclining to the right nor to the left, in all our actions have eternity in view. The Line teaches us the criterion of moral rectitude, to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to direct our steps to the path which leads to immortality. Presented by the Marshal to the Installing Officer, with the same ceremony, only changing the name of W. Master to Senior Warden, and the same with all the other officers. After the Warden is properly presented, the him with his Jewel and Gavel, e and says: The Level demonstrates that we are descended from the same stock, partake of the same nature, and share the same hope; and though distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, yet no eminence of station should make us forget that we He is then seated to the right of the W. Master. Brother E. F.: You have been elected Junior Warden of .................. Lodge, No. ..., and are now invested with the badge of your office. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations, to hold the scale of justice in equal poise, to observe the just medium between Brother G. H.: You have been elected Treasurer of .................. Lodge, No. ..... It is your duty to receive all moneys from the Secretary, make due entries thereof and pay them out by order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the Lodge. I trust your regard for the welfare of the Order will prompt you to a faithful discharge of your duties. Brother E. F.: You have been elected .................. Lodge, No. .... It is your duty to carefully observe all the proceedings of the Lodge; make Rev. Sir and Brother: You have been appointed Chaplain of this Lodge. It is your duty to perform those solemn services which we should constantly render to our Creator; and which, when offered by one whose profession is "to point to heaven and lead the way," may, by refining our souls, strengthening our virtues, and purifying our minds, prepare us for admission into the society of those above, where happiness will be as endless as it is perfect. Brothers A. B. and C. D.: You have been appointed Deacons of .................. Lodge, No. ..., and I invest with you the badges Brothers O. P. and R. S.: You are appointed Stewards of this Lodge or Masters of the Ceremonies. It is your duty to assist the Deacons and other officers in performing their respective duties, to see that the tables are properly furnished at refreshment, and the brethren suitably provided for. Your regular and early attendance will afford the best proof of your zeal and attachment to the Lodge. Brother S. A.: You are elected Tiler of .................. Lodge, No. ..., and I invest you with the implement of your office. As Worshipful Sir and Brother: To your care is committed the Charter of this Lodge and the government of the brethren who compose the same and are within the jurisdiction of said Lodge. You cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you as their head nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties annexed to said station. The honor, reputation and usefulness of your Lodge will materially depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; whilst the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in proportion to You are too well acquainted with the principles of Masonry to warrant any distrust that you will be found wanting in the discharge of your respective duties. Suffice it to say, that what you have seen praiseworthy in others, you should carefully imitate; and what in them may have appeared defective, you should in yourselves amend. You should be examples of good order and regularity; for it is only by a due regard to the laws, in your own conduct, that you can expect obedience to them from others. You are assiduously to assist the Master in the discharge of his trust; diffusing light and imparting knowledge to all whom he shall place under your care. In the absence of the Master, you will succeed to higher duties; your acquirements must, therefore, be such as that the Craft may never suffer for the want of proper instruction. From the spirit which you have hitherto evinced, I entertain no doubtSenior Warden
The Junior Warden
The Secretary
Senior and Junior Deacons
Tiler