Page:Manual of the Lodge.pdf/230

Rh The Grand Master then addresses the assembly as follows:

Men and brethren here assembled, be it known unto you, that we be lawful Masons, true and faithful to the laws of our country, and engaged, by solemn obligations, to erect magnificent buildings, to be serviceable to the brethren, and to fear God, the Great Architect of the Universe. We have among us, concealed from the eyes of all men, secrets which cannot be divulged, and which have never been found out; but these secrets are lawful and honorable, and not repugnant to the laws of God or man. They were intrusted, in peace and honor, to the Masons of ancient times, and having been faithfully transmitted to us, it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity. Unless our craft were good and our calling honorable, we should not have lasted for so many centuries, nor should we have been honored with the patronage of so many illustrious men in all ages, who have ever shown themselves ready to promote our interests and defend us from all adversaries. We are assembled here to-day in the face of you all, to build a house, which we pray God may deserve to prosper, by becoming a place of concourse for good men, and promoting harmony and brotherly love throughout the world, till time shall be no more.

The brethren all exclaim:

So mote it be. Amen.

A voluntary collection is then made by the Grand Stewards among the brethren for the needy workmen, and the sum collected is placed upon the stone by the Grand Treasurer; during which time the, following is sung in honor of Masonry: