which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee. Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open; and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now, therefore, arise, O Lord God, into thy restingplace, thou and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.] 2 Chron. vii. 1, 4.-[Now, when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.] Charge to be delivered to a Brother, who is accepted and acknowledged as a Most Excellent Master. BROTHER "Your admittance to this degree of masonry, is a proof of the good opinion the brethren of this lodge entertain of your masonic abilities. Let this consideration induce you to be careful of forfeiting, by misconduct and inattention to our rules, that esteem which has raised you to the rank you now possess. "It is one of your great duties, as a most excellent master, to dispense light and truth to the uninformed mason; and I need not remind you of the impossibility of complying with this obligation without possessing an accurate acquaintance with the lectures of each degree. "If you are not already completely conversant in all the degrees heretofore conferred on you, remember, that an indulgence, prompted by a belief that you will apply yourself with double diligence to make yourself so, has induced the brethren to accept you. "Let it, therefore, be your unremitting study to acquire such a degree of knowledge and information as shall enable you to discharge, with propriety, the various duties incumbent on you, and to preserve unsullied the title now conferred upon you of a Most Excellent Master." MOST EXCELLENT MASTER'S SONG: By Brother T. S. Webb, Deputy Grand High Priest of the United States, General Grand Chapter-To be sung when any one is received into that Degree. All hail to the morning That bids us rejoice; The All hail to the morning That bids us rejoice; The # Cres. The cape-stone is finished, Our labour is o'er; The sound of the gavel shall hail us no more sound of the gavel shall hail us no more For. Companions assemble (Th' occasion is glorious,) By the ANCIENT OF DAYS, Ceremonies. There's no more occasion for level or plumb-line, Our works are compleated, the Ark safely seated, Now those that are worthy, Our toils who have shar'd, Have our approbation, Have gain'd our good will, We accept and receive them most excellent masters, ALMIGHTY CREATOR, Descend now, and fill Our hearts with good will, Preside at our meetings, True pleasure in teaching Good will to mankind. Thy wisdom inspired the great institution, Its beauty shall rise through the midst of the fire, 30 |