Almighty God! who hath given us grace at this time, with one accord, to make our common supplication unto Thee, and dost promise, that where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt grant their request; fulfill now, O Lord! the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world, knowledge of Thy truth; and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.
Response: So mote it be.
The choir may then sing an Ode, or a piece of instrumental music may be performed.
Deposit of Memorials.
Grand Master: R. W. Brother Grand Treasurer, it has ever been the custom, on occasions like the present, to deposit within a cavity in the stone, placed in the north-east corner of the edifice, certain memorials of the period at which it was erected; so that in the lapse of ages, if the fury of the elements, or the slow but certain ravages of time, should lay bare its foundation, an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations, to bear testimony to the energy, industry and culture of our time. Has such a deposit been prepared?
Grand Treasurer: It has, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and the various articles of which it is composed are safely enclosed within the casket now before you.
Grand Master: R. W. Grand Secretary, you will read for the information of the brethren and others here assembled, a record of the contents of the casket.
Grand Secretary reads a list of the articles contained in the casket.
Grand Master: R. W. Grand Treasurer, you will now deposit the casket in the cavity beneath the corner-stone, and may the Great Architect of the Universe, in His wisdom, grant that ages on ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men.
Grand Treasurer, assisted by the Grand Secretary, will place the casket in the cavity prepared, and report: