Ritual for the Installation of a Worshipful Master - Emulation
1999
Prayer
IM says Prayer: Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father and Supreme
Governor of the Universe, to this our solemn rite, and grant that the worthy and
distinguished Brother, who is now about to be numbered among the Rulers in the
Craft, may be endued with wisdom to comprehend, judgment to define, and ability
to enforce obedience to Thy Holy Law, Sanctify him with Thy Grace, strengthen
him with Thy Power, and enrich his mind with genuine knowledge, that he may the
better be enabled to enlighten the minds of his Brethren, and consecrate this
our mansion to the honour and glory of Thy Holy Name.
IPM: So mote it be.
All drop Sign of Reverence, and turn to former position.
Past Master ensures Master Elect rises and that he continues to stand in the
same place; then, assisted by another Past Master if necessary, replaces
kneeling stool in front of WM’s pedestal.
IM: You have already taken a Solemn Obligation as regards your
duties as Master of this Lodge; you will now advance and take another Obligation
with respect to the secrets restricted to the Master’s Chair. ME
advances to pedestal Kneel on both knees, place both hands on the Volume of
Sacred Law ME does so. IM ensures ME removes gloves, if worn.
Installing Master gavels once, repeated by Senior Warden and Junior Warden.
All take Step and give Master mason Penal Sign.
IM: Repeat your name at length and say after me: I, ..., in the
presence of the Most High, and before this Board of Installed Masters, duly
constituted and regularly assembled, of my own free will and accord, do hereby with
left hand touches one or both hands of Master Elect and hereon with
left hand touches Volume of Sacred Law most solemnly promise and
swear that I will for ever conceal and never divulge any or either of the
secrets or mysteries restricted to the Master's Chair to anyone in the world,
unless it be to an Installed Master, or to a Candidate duly elected to that
Office, nor then unless assisted by two or more Installed Masters regularly
assembled for that purpose. All these points I solemnly swear to observe,
without evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation of any kind. So help me the
Most High and preserve me inviolate in this my Solemn Obligation of an Installed
Master.
All cut Sign and recover.
IM: As a pledge of your Fidelity and to render this a Solemn
Obligation you will seal it with your lips thrice on the Volume of Sacred Law.
Master Elect does so.
IM: The symbolic penalty which a Master Elect was formerly called
on to repeat in his Obligation was that of having his right hand s o a sl o h l
s t t w a d Master Elect’s hands remain on Volume of
Sacred Law.
IM: Let me once more direct your attention to the three great
though emblematical Lights in Freemasonry, the Volume of Sacred Law, the Square,
and Compass. The Sacred Volume, that great Light in Masonry, will guide you to
all truth, direct your steps in the paths of happiness, and point out to you the
whole duty of man. The Square will teach you to regulate your life and actions
according to the Masonic line and rule. The Compass remind you to limit your
desires in every station of life, that rising to eminence by merit you will live
respected and die regretted. Leaves pedestal by left
side and goes to right of Master Elect, with right hand takes Master Elect’s
right wrist from above, places left hand on Master Elect’s left breast near
shoulder and presses Master Elect backwards with left hand so that he rises to
his feet.
IM as ME rises: Rise .... Wheels Master
Elect backwards so that he is at South side facing across Lodge, releases hands,
and steps back a few paces.
IM facing ME: It is traditionally reported that when the Temple at
Jerusalem was completed, King Solomon, attended by a numerous retinue, went to
view it. On entering the building, observing Adoniram at a distance, he beckoned
him thus indicates to Master Elect that he should copy
and gives Bowing Sign thrice with right hand by extending right arm horizontally
sideways and bending at the elbow moping the hand to the right shoulder as if
bowing, at the same tune turning his head to the right. Ensures Master Elect
copies and then drops right arm to side.
IM: On approaching his Royal Master, Adoniram was about to kneel,
which the King prevented by taking him thus steps
towards Master Elect and takes latter’s right wrist in his right hand
saying places his left hand underneath Master Elect’s
right arm close to wrist Rise simultaneously
slides his left hand up Master Elect's right forearm to elbow and raises arm,
then replaces Master Elect’s right arm back at his side and steps back.
IM: The signification of the word is ex mason. When the royal
party were about to retire, he saluted them thus indicates
to Master Elect that he should copy and gives Sign of Hy by moving right foot
slightly back and bending body slightly forward, at the same time making a
sweeping gesture with right hand from left shoulder to behind and outside right
leg. Ensures Master Elect copies and then stands as before in token
of humility. Hence are derived the G and word ... of an Installed Master and the
Sign and salutation of a Master of Arts and Sciences.
Past Master ensures that Badge is available and assists to remove from Master
Elect his Master Mason's Badge and replace it with that of an Installed Master.
Installing Master goes forward to Master Elect, fits Badge, holds it
momentarily: I now invest you with the Badge takes off
collar of Worshipful Master and invests Master Elect and Jewel of
your office, which is the highest honour the Lodge has in its power to confer on
any of its members. The Square holding Square in left
hand being the implement which forms the rude and proves the perfect
mass, is well applied by Master Masons to inculcate the purest principles of
piety and virtue. Masonically speaking, it should be the guide of all your
actions releases Square, at option, either after ‘virtue’
or after ‘actions’.
Installing Master takes right wrist of Master Elect with his right hand,
places left hand on Master Elect’s left shoulder and instructs him to place
his left hand on Installing Master’s left shoulder.
Installing Master whispers to Master Elect to step off with left foot and
then, moving backwards starting with right foot leads Master Elect to North side
of Worshipful Master’s pedestal and into pedestal till Master Elect is
standing in front of Worshipful Master’s Chair.
IM: With the Grip and Word of an Installed Master I now place you
in the Chair of King Solomon, by pressure of his hands
makes Master Elect sit in Chair and releases hands, feeling fully
satisfied your future conduct will justify the choice the Brethren have made steps
back on South side of pedestal to allow enough room and salutes Master Elect
with Sign of Hy.
IM, on South of WM, takes up Gavel and hands it to new WM: I now
place in your hand this Gavel which is an emblem of power and will enable you to
preserve order in the Lodge, especially in the East indicates
to WM to replace Gavel.
IM: You will now invest the Immediate Past Master hands
collar to WM.
WM rises: Brother ..., I have much pleasure in investing you with
this jewel places Collar on him as the
Immediate Past Master of the Lodge, feeling assured from the manner in which you
have transacted the business of the Lodge during your Mastership, that should I
at any time require assistance, my reliance on your co-operation will not be
misplaced shakes hands with IPM and sits.
IM on South of WM’s pedestal: Brethren, you will now greet our
newly installed Brother as Installed Masters with five, taking the time from me faces
WM to order, Brethren takes Step and give
Greeting Sign, the meeting of the hands together and with the sides being made
audibly.
All take Step when IM does and give Greeting Sign audibly in unison with IM.
IM on South of WM’s pedestal: I now declare this Board of
Installed Masters closed leans across pedestal, gavels
once, repeated by Senior Warden and Junior Warden.
All sit, except Installing Master.
IM on South of WM’s pedestal: Brother Inner Guard, admit Master
Masons.
Installing Master goes to North-East corner of Lodge and stands facing South.
Inner Guard goes to door, opens it, admits Master Masons, closes and locks
door and returns to seat.