LAYING CORNER STONES.
These ceremonies are conducted only by the Grand Master in person, or by some brother acting for him, under special dispensation, assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge, and such of the Craft as may be invited, or who may choose to attend, either as Lodges, or as individual brethren.
No corner-stone should be laid with Masonic ceremonies, except those of acknowledged public structures, or buildings which are to be used for Masonic purposes; and then only by special request of the proper authorities.
The Lodge or Lodges in the place where the building is to be erected, may invite such neighboring Lodges, and other Masonic bodies, as they may deem proper. The Chief Magistrate, and other Officers of the place, should also be invited to attend on the occasion.
At the time appointed for the ceremony, a sufficient number of brethren to act as Grand Officers are convened in a suitable place, where a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge will be opened on the Third Degree, and proper instructions given by the Grand Master; after which, the Officers of the Grand Lodge, under the direction of the Grand Marshal, will form in the following order:
| Grand Tyler, (with drawn sword.) | |||||
| Master Masons. | |||||
| Grand Steward, (carrying rod.) | A Brother, (carrying Bible, Square and Compass, on a cushion.) | Grand Steward, (carrying rod.) | |||
| Grand Chaplain | |||||
| Grand Secretary, (carrying scroll, containing list of articles to be placed under the corner-stone.) | Grand Treasurer, (in charge of the box[A] to be deposited under the corner-stone.) | ||||
| Gr'd Steward, (carrying rod.) | PastGr'd Officers,[B] (in the order of their rank, two abreast.) | Gr'd Steward, (carrying rod.) | |||
| G R A N D M A R S H A L | Principal Architect,[C] (carrying Square, Level and Plumb.) | ||||
| Jr. Grand Warden, (carrying vessel of oil.) | Sr. Grand Warden, (carrying vessel of wine.) | ||||
| Deputy Grand Master, (carrying vessel of corn.) | |||||
| Master of Oldest Lodge, (carrying book of constitutions.) | |||||
| Jr. Grand Deacon, (carrying rod.) | Grand Master. | Sr. Grand Deacon, (carrying rod.) | |||
The procession thus formed will proceed to join the general procession, if any, and march to the place where the ceremony is to be performed.
[A] This box may be carried by the Treasurer, or be sent in advance to the site of the corner-stone, as circumstances may dictate.
[B] In the absence of Past Grand Officers, these Stewards will support the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Warden.
[C] If the architect of the building is not a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Square, Level and Plumb will be carried by a brother appointed for the purpose, who will deliver them to the architect on arriving at the corner-stone.