o ancient
custom, with the service used on the occasion.

The foregoing includes all the ceremonies ever used in conferring the
degree of Past Master; but the ceremonies are more frequently
shortened by the omission of some part of them; the presenting of the
"various implements of the profession," and their explanations, are
often dispensed with; and still more often, the charge.

* * * * *

MOST EXCELLENT MASTER'S DEGREE.

CEREMONIES USED IN OPENING A LODGE OF MOST EXCELLENT MASTERS.

The Lodge being called to order, the Most Excellent Master says,
"Brother Junior, are they all Most Excellent Masters in the South?"
The Junior Warden replies, "They are, Most Excellent." Most Excellent
Master to Senior Warden, "Brother Senior, are they all Most Excellent
Masters in the West?" The Senior Warden replies, "They are, Most
Excellent." M. E. M.--"They are in the East (gives one rap, which
calls up both Deacons); Brother Junior Deacon, the first care of a
Mason?" J. D.--"To see the door tyled, Most Excellent." M. E.
M.--"Attend to that part of your duty, and inform the Tyler that we
are about to open this Lodge of Most Excellent Masters, and direct him
to tyle accordingly." Junior Deacon steps to the door and gives six
knocks, which the Tyler answers with six more; Junior Deacon gives one
more, which the Tyler answers with one; the door is then partly
opened, when the Junior Deacon informs the Tyler that a Lodge of Most
Excellent Masters is about to be opened, and tells him to tyle
accordingly; and then returns to his place in the Lodge and says,
"Most Excellent Master, the Lodge is tyled." M. E. M. "By whom?" J.
D.--"By a Most Excellent Master Mason without the door, armed with the
proper implements of his office." M. E. M.--"His duty there?" J.
D.--"To keep off all cowans and eavedroppers, and see that none pass
and repass without permission from the chair." M. E. M.--"Your place
in the Lodge, Brother Junior?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Senior
Warden in the West, Most Excellent." M. E. M.--"Your duty there,
Brother Junior?" J. D.--"To wait on the Most Excellent Master and
Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and
take charge of the door." M. E. M.--"The Senior Deacon's place in the
Lodge?" J. D.--"At the right hand of the Most Excellent Master in the
East." M. E. M.--"I thank you, brother. Your duty in the East, Brother
Senior?" S. D.--"To wait on the Most