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The New Master having signified his cordial submission, is regularly installed, bound to his trust and invested with the badge of office by the Grand Master, who thus salutes him:
Brother A. B., in consequence of your cheerful conformity to the Charges and Regulations of the Order, I appoint you Master of this New Lodge, not doubting of your care, skill, and capacity.
The warrant of constitution is then delivered over to the Master; after which the Holy Writings, the rule and line, the square and compasses, the constitutions, the minute book, the mallet, the trowel, the chisel, the movable jewels, and all the insignia of the different Officers, are separately presented to him, and charges suitable for each delivered. The New Master is then conducted by the Grand Stewards, amidst the acclamations of the brethren, to the Grand Master's left hand, where he returns his becoming acknowledgements; first, to the Grand Master; and next, to all the Officers in order; after which he is saluted by the Brethren in a grand chorus suitable for the occasion. The members of the New Lodge advance in procession, pay due homage to the Grand Master, and signify their promise of subjection and obedience by the usual congratulations in the different degrees of masonry.
This ceremony being concluded, the Grand Master orders the New Master to enter immediately upon the exercise of his office; by appointing his Wardens. They are conducted to the pedestal, presented to the Grand Master, and installed by the Grand Wardens; after which the New Master proceeds to invest them with the badges of their offices in the following manner:
Brother C.D. I appoint you Senior Warden of this lodge; and invest you with the ensign of your office. Your regular attendance on our stated meetings is essentially necessary; as in my absence you are to govern this lodge, and in my presence to assist me in the government of it. I firmly rely on your knowledge of the Art, and attachment to the lodge, for the faithful discharge of the duties of this important trust.
Brother E.F. I appoint you Junior Warden of this lodge; and invest our with the badge of your office. To you I entrust the examination of visitors, and the introduction of candidates. Your regular and punctual attendance is particularly requested; and I have no doubt that you will faithfully execute the duty which you owe to your present appointment.
The New Master then addresses his Wardens together:
Brother Wardens, you are too expert in the principles of masonry, to require more information in the duties of your respective offices; suffice it to mention, that I expect that what you have seen praise-worthy in others, you will carefully imitate; and what in them may have appeared defective, you will in yourselves amend. Good order and regularity you must endeavor to promote; and, by due regard to the laws in your own conduct, enforce obedience to them from the other members.
The Wardens retire to their seats, and the Treasurer is invested. The Secretary is then called to the pedestal, and invested with the jewel of his office; upon which the Mew Master addresses him:
I appoint you, Brother G.H., Secretary of this lodge. It is your province to record the minutes, settle the accounts, and issue out the summons for our regular meetings. Your good inclinations to masonry and the lodge, I hope, will induce you to discharge your office with fidelity, and by so doing, you will merit the esteem and applause of your brethren.
The Deacons are then named, and invested, upon which the New Master addresses them as follows:
Brothers I.K. and L.M. I appoint you Deacons of this lodge. It is your province to attend on the Master, and to assist the Wardens in the active duties of the lodge; such as in the reception of candidates into the different degrees of masonry, and in the immediate practice of our rites. Those columns, as badges of your office, I entrust to your care, not doubting your vigilance and attention.
The Stewards are next called up, and invested, upon which the following charge is delivered to them by the New Master:
Brothers N.O. and P.Q. I appoint you Stewards of this lodge, The duties of your office are, introduce visitors, and see that they are properly accommodated, to collect subscriptions and other fees, and keep an exact account of the lodge expenses. Your regular and early attendance will afford the best proof of your zeal and attachment.
The Master then appoints the Tyler, and delivers over to him the instrument of his office, with a short charge on the occasion, after which he addresses the members of the lodge at large, as follows:
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