The other officers are then severally presented by the Marshal to the Installing Officer, who delivers to each his appropriate charge.
Senior Warden.
Inst. Off.: Brother —— ——, you have been elected Senior Warden of this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as Senior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He assents.) You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.
The Level teaches that we are descended from the same stock, partake of the same nature, and share the same hope; "that we are all children of one common father, heirs of the same infirmities, and exposed to the same vicissitudes." It also reminds us that, although distinctions among men are necessary to preserve subordination, no eminence of station should make us forget that we are brethren, and that in the Lodge and in all our Masonic associations, we are on a level. This implement teaches us that a time will come, and the wisest knows not how soon, when all distinctions but that of goodness, shall cease, and death, the grand leveler of all human greatness, reduce us to the same state.
Your regular attendance on the stated and other meetings of the Lodge is essentially necessary. In the absence of the Master you are to govern the Lodge, and in his presence assist him in the government of it. Hence you will perceive the necessity of preparing yourself for the important duties which may devolve upon you. Look well to the West, and guard with scrupulous care the pillar committed to your charge.
He is conducted to his proper station.
Junior Warden.
Inst. Off.: Brother —— ——, you have been elected Junior Warden of this Lodge. Do you solemnly promise that you will serve the Lodge as Junior Warden for the ensuing year, and will perform all the duties appertaining to that office to the best of your ability? (He assents.) You will now be invested with the insignia of your office.
The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations; to do unto others as we would have others do to us; to observe the just medium between intemperance and pleasure, and make our passions and prejudices coincide with the line of our duty.
In the absence of the Master and Senior Warden upon you devolves the government of the Lodge; but to you is especially committed the superintendence of the Craft during the hours of refreshment; it is, therefore, not only necessary that you should be temperate and discreet in the indulgence of your own inclinations, but carefully observe that none of the Craft convert the purpose of refreshment into intemperance or excess. Look well to the South. Guard with vigilance the pillar committed to your charge, that nothing may disturb the harmony of the Lodge or mar its beauty.