Annually Elected Officers.
Installing his successor is usually the prerogative of the retiring Worshipful Master, although any Past Master may act as installing officer for the occasion. A competent brother (usually a Past Master) will be appointed to act as Marshal, who will present the officers-elect for installation. All things being in order, the Installing Officer says:
Inst. Off.: Brother Marshal, you will present the Worshipful Master-elect for installation.
Mar: Worshipful Master, I present Brother ——, who has been elected Worshipful Master of this Lodge, and is now ready for installation.
Inst. Off.: Brethren, you now behold before you Brother —— ——, who has been elected to serve this Lodge as Worshipful Master, and now declares himself ready for installation. If any of you have any reason to urge why he should not be installed you will make it known now, or forever after hold your peace. No objection being offered, I shall now install him.
Inst. Off.: Brother —— ——, I congratulate you upon your election as Worshipful Master of this Lodge, and it will afford me great pleasure to invest you with the authority and the insignia of your office. Previous to your investiture, however, it is necessary that you signify your assent to those charges and regulations which point out the duty of the Master of a Lodge:
I. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral law?
II. You agree to be a peaceable citizen and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside?
III. You promise not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the government, but patiently submit to the law and the constituted authorities?
IV. You agree to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably toward all men?
V. You agree to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of Freemasonry, and their regular successors, supreme and subordinate, according to their stations, and submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren, in Lodge convened, in every case consistent with the Constitutions of the Fraternity?
VI. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels, and to guard against intemperance and excess?
VII. You agree to be cautious in your behavior, courteous to your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge?
VIII. You promise to respect genuine brethren, and discountenance impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry?
IX. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the social virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the mystic art?
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 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 communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and to pay a proper 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 made therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of Freemasonry?
XIV. You admit that no person can be regularly made a Mason in, or admitted a member of, any regular Lodge without previous notice and due inquiry into his character?
XV. You agree that no visitor shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, or being properly vouched for?
These are the regulations of Free and Accepted Masons. Do you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations, as Masters have done in all ages before you?
The Master answers: I do.
Inst. Off.: Brother —— ——, in consequence of your conformity to the charges and regulations of the Fraternity, you are now to be installed Master of this Lodge, in full confidence of your skill and capacity to govern the same.
The Master is then regularly invested with the insignia of his office, and the furniture and implements of the Lodge are placed in his charge. The various implements of his profession are emblematical of his conduct in life, and are fully explained, as follows:
Inst. Off.: The Holy Writings, that Great Light in Masonry, which guides us to all truth, directs our path to the temple of happiness, and points out the whole duty of man.
The Square teaches us to regulate our actions and harmonize our conduct with 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 us to punctually observe our duty, press forward in the path of virtue, and, inclining neither to the right nor to the left, in all our actions to have eternity in view.
The Line, the emblem of moral rectitude, teaches us to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to walk in the path which leads to a blessed immortality.
The Constitution and Laws you are to search at all times and cause to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts they enjoin.
You now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which this Lodge is held. You are carefully to preserve the same and duly transmit it to your successor in office.
You will also receive in charge the By-Laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually executed.
The new Master is conducted to the East and placed on the right of the Installing Officer until the other officers are installed.
The other officers are then severally presented by the Marshal to the Installing Officer, who delivers to each his appropriate charge.