he taste,
spirit, and liberality of its founders.

The Deputy Grand Master then rises, and says:

Most Worshipful: The hall in which we are now assembled, and the plan
upon which it has been constructed, having met with your approbation,
it is the desire of the Fraternity that it should be now dedicated,
according to ancient form and usage.

The Lodge is then uncovered, and a procession is made around it in the
following form, during which solemn music is played.

Grand Tiler, with drawn sword;

A Past Master, with light;

A Past Master, with Bible, Square and Compass,
on a velvet cushion;

Two Past Masters, each with a light;

Grand Secretary and Treasurer, with emblems;

Grand Junior Warden, with vessel of corn;

Grand Senior Warden, with vessel of wine;

Deputy Grand Master, with vessel of oil;

Grand Master;

Two Stewards, with rods.

When the procession arrives at the East, it halts; the music ceases, and
the Grand Chaplain makes the following

Consecration Prayer.

Almighty and ever-glorious and gracious Lord God, Creator of all things,
and Governor of everything Thou hast made, mercifully look upon Thy
servants, now assembled in Thy name and in Thy presence, and bless and
prosper all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee. Graciously
bestow upon us Wisdom, in all our doings; Strength of mind in all our
difficulties, and the Beauty of harmony and holiness in all our
communications and work. Let Faith be the foundation of our Hope, and
Charity the fruit of our obedience to Thy revealed will.

May all the proper work of our institution that may be done in this
house be such as Thy wisdom may approve and Thy goodness prosper. And,
finally, graciously be pleased, O Thou Sovereign Architect of the
Universe, to bless the Craft, wheresoever dispersed, and make them true
and faithful to Thee, to their neighbor, and to themselves. And when the
time of our labor is drawing near to an end, and the pillar of our
strength is declining to the ground, graciously enable us to pass
through the "valley of the shadow of death," supported by Thy rod and
Thy staff, to those mansions beyond the skies where love, and peace, and
joy forever reign before Thy throne. Amen.

Response: So mote it be!

All the other brethren keep their places, and assist in singing the Ode,
which continues during the procession, excepting only at the intervals
of dedication.

S