CEREMONY OF CORNERSTONE LAYING

(after the Grand Officers and Guests are seated on the platform)

G.M.: (Rises) Brethren, the Grand Lodge of the Philippines has convened for the purpose of Laying the Cornerstone of a Temple in this town (or city) ___________________________ in accordance with the invitation of the Master of_______________Lodge No. _________ presented to the Grand Master on the _______ day of ______________, 20 ___.

Men and brethren here assembled, be it known unto you that we are lawful Masons, solemnly engaged to erect magnificent buildings, to render service to the Craft, and to humanity, and above all to fear God, the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and the Great Builder of worlds and Creator of man.

We have among us secrets of our art, which may not be divulged, but which are reputable and proper and not repugnant to the laws of God and of man. These have been committed in faith to our keeping, and it is our duty to transmit in our turn unchanged to those who are to succeed us, so that they may remain unimpaired to the remotest generation. Unless our Craft were good and its calling honorable, it could not, by human providence, have existed for so many centuries, nor would it have been favored with the patronage and care of so many virtuous and illustrious men.

In the character of Masons we are gathered here today before you all to establish the foundation of a house, which, we pray God, may become and continue to be a place for the concourse of the wise and the good; wherein justice and love may rule the actions of men, and where shall be demonstrated the beauty of harmony in all the transactions of daily life.

MUSIC

"Philippines My Philippines"

MASTER: (Steps in front of GM, bows and says) Most Worshipful Grand Master We, Brethren of …………….... Lodge No. ........…. being animated with a burning desire to promote the honor and interest of our honorable and ancient Crafts, have conceived to build a Temple for our convenience and accommodation. We are desirous that you commence with the ceremonies of laying its cornerstones in accordance with ancient form and usage. (Remain standing.)

G.M.: Worshipful Master and Brethren of _______________ Lodge No _______ it gives us great pleasure to comply with your desire to discharge this important and significant duty which devolves upon us. We shall now proceed with the ceremony.

Bro. Grand Marshall, you will form the Grand Officers in Oblong square.

(The Grand Marshall forms the Grand Officers in Oblong Square in front of the platform. The Grand Master at the East side, the DGM at the North, SGW at the West, JGW at the South, Grand Treasurer at the Northeast, the Secretary at the Southeast, the Grand Chaplain at the left of the Grand Master. Other officers and members of the Lodge stand behind the Grand Officers. All being so arranged, the Grand Master commences the ceremony)

G.M.: (Calls up brethren): Brethren, before entering upon any great or important, undertaking, and in accordance with the teachings of our Ancient Craft, it is our duty to invoke the blessing of God. We will, therefore, unite with our Grand Chaplain in an invocation to the Throne of Grace.

GRAND CHAPLAIN: Let us pray: Almighty and Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, the Great Jehovah. Who laid the foundation of the earth, we beseech Thee to look with favor on this our undertaking of laying the cornerstones of a material building. We look to Thee for guidance, and we pray that Thou wilt on this occasion give us wisdom to guide us, strength to support us, and the beauty of holiness to adorn our labors and to render them acceptable in Thy sight. Grant, O God, that Thy blessing and watchful care may sustain and protect the workmen who are here to be employed. So order their lives and their work that no discord or confusion may disturb the harmony that should be theirs. And when the structure shall be finished, we pray Thee that it shall be devoted to all that stand for good, and to the glory of Thy holy Name. And when our labors on earth are ended, we pray that we may be received in "that House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Amen.

MUSIC

G.M.: Bro. SGW - It has been the custom among the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons from time immemorial, to assemble for the purpose of laying the foundation stones of public buildings, when requested to do so by those having authority. The Grand Lodge of the Philippines having been invited by the Master of _________ Lodge No. ____ of this town (or city) of ______________ to lay the cornerstone of their Temple, to be dedicated to Masonry, Virtue and Universal Benevolence, it has, by my order, here been convened and it is my will and pleasure that they do now assist me in the performance of that significant duty. This you will communicate to the Junior Grand Warden, and to the Craft, that they, and all others present, may be duly notified thereof.

SGW: Bro. Junior Grand Warden – it is the will and pleasure of the Most Worshipful Grand Master that the Grand Lodge of the Philippines do now perform in laying the foundation stones of this Masonic Temple. This you will report to the brethren, that they, and all others here assembled, may have due and timely notice of this order.

JGW: Brethren, it is the will and pleasure of Most Worshipful ......................... Grand Master of Masons in the jurisdiction of the Philippines, that the Grand Lodge do now proceed with the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of this Masonic Temple. Of this you will take due notice, and govern yourselves accordingly.

MUSIC

G.M.: Bro. Grand Treasurer, it has ever been the custom of the Craft upon occasion like the present, to deposit within a cavity in the stone placed at the northeast corner of the edifice, certain memorials of the period at which it was erected; so that, if in the lapse of ages, the fury of the elements, the violence of man, or the slow but certain ravages of time, should lay bare its foundations, an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations, to bear testimony to the untiring, unending industry of Free and Accepted Masons. Has such a deposit now been prepared?

GRAND TREASURER: It has, M.W. Grand Master, and the various articles of which it is composed are safely enclosed within the casket now before you.

G.M.: Bro. Grand Secretary, you will read the record of the contents of the casket.

(Grand Secretary reads the contents of the casket.)

G.M.: Bro. Grand Treasurer, you will now deposit the casket in the cavity beneath the cornerstone; and may the Great Architect of the Universe, in His wisdom, grant that ages upon ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men.

(Grand Treasurer, assisted by some brethren, places casket in the cavity of the lower stone. During this time the band or choir may play or sing some suitable music or ode: “Lord the Saviour of my soul.”)

G.M.: Bro. Principal Architect, you will now distribute the working tools among the Grand Officers.

(Principal Architect distributes working tools to the following officers) Grand Master- Trowel DGM - Square SGW - Level JGW - Plumb

G.M.: The Grand Officers will approach the stone and place themselves around it. (GM at the East, DGM at the North, SGW at the West, and JGW at the South. The GRAND MASTER, assisted by some brethren or workmen, spreads the cement upon the lower stone, after which he says)

G.M.: Craftsmen, you will lower the stone, (the stone should be suspended from a derrick, stopping it twice in the descent. At each stop, and at the third and last time when the stone touches the foundation, the public Grand Honors, led by the Grand Marshal are given once by all Masons present).

GRAND MARSHAL: Together, Brethren: As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

(When the stone is about its edges, the Grand Master then address the DGM)

G.M.: Bro. Deputy Grand Master, what is the jewel of your office?

DGM: The Square, Most Worshipful

G.M.: Then you will apply the Square to those portions of the stone which should be squared.

DGM: (Applies the Square to the various corners of the stone) I have obeyed your order, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and found that in that respect, the Craftsmen have done their duty.

G.M.: Bro. SGW, what is the jewel of your office?

SGW.: The Level, Most Worshipful.

G.M.: You will then apply the Level to the stone, and see if it has been laid in a manner creditable to our Ancient Craft.

SGW: (Applies Level to the surface of the stone.) I have obeyed your order, M.W. Grand Master, and found that the stone has been well leveled by the craftsmen.

G.M.: Bro. JGW, what is the jewel of your office?

JGW: The Plumb, Most Worshipful

G.M.: You will apply the Plumb to the stone, and see if it has been properly adjusted.

JGW: (Tries the several sides of the stone with the Plumb) I have obeyed your order, M.W. Grand Master and found that the work of the craftsmen in that respect has been skillfully performed.

G.M.: (Approaches the stone); The craftsmen having faithfully and skillfully performed their duty I, therefore, declare this foundation stone

to be well formed, true and trusty and laud according to the rules of our Ancient Craft.

(Each phrase is accompanied with a firm stroke on the stone with the handle of his trowel) May the edifice which is to rest upon it ever be devoted to the uses of those whose mission it is extend the spread of useful knowledge to practice unceasing and unostentatious charity and to inculcate fraternity and good will among men and may it be completed by the craftsmen in peace, love and harmony - they suffering no contention among themselves except that noble and fraternal one, as to who best can work and best agree.

CONSECRATION

G.M.: Brethren and friends: it is customary after laying the cornerstone of a building to consecrate it, in which corn, wine and oil are deposited on the upper surface of the newly laid stone, as symbols of the prosperity, peace, freedom, and joy which a grateful people acknowledge as gifts bestowed upon them by the Divine Creator in Whom they put their trust. Bro. Grand Marshal, you will distribute the vessels of Corn, Wine and Oil to the DGM and the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, respectfully.

DGM: (Pours the Corn upon the stone at the same time saying) May the Grand Architect of the Universe strengthen and sustain the craftsmen while engaged in this important work and may He ever bountifully vouchsafe the Corn nourishment to all employed in honest and useful toil.

SGW: (Pours the Wine upon the stone at the same time saying) May the Great Giver of all enable the craftsmen in due time to complete this beautiful Temple and during their intervals from labor may they constantly be blessed with that refreshment of which this wine is emblematic.

JGW: (Pours the Oil upon the stone at the same time saying) May the blessing of Heaven descend upon this and all good works and may our beloved Fraternity long exist to pour forth the oil of joy upon the hearts of the widowed, the fatherless, and the distressed.

(The Grand Master extending his hand, makes the following)

INVOCATION

G.M.: May the All-Bounteous Author of Creation lend aid to those who have conceived and thus far carried on this goodly enterprise may He protect the workmen employed upon this building from every accident and long preserve it for the beneficent uses which it is destined to subserve and may He grant to us all an ever bountiful supply of the Corn of Nourishment the Wine of Refreshment and the Oil of Joy. Amen.

Response: So mote it be.

Bro. GRAND MARSHAL you will now collect from the Grand Officers the several working tools and entrust them into the hands of the Chief Architect of the Building

(Done)

Bro. Principal Architect, relying upon your skill in your noble art, I now entrust to you those implements of Operative Masonry. May this undertaking be speedily accomplished; may there be no envy, discord or confusion among the workmen; and may you perform the important duties with which you have been charged, not only to the satisfaction of those who have entrusted you with their fulfillment, but in such manner as shall secure the approbation of your own conscience, and redound to the honor of our Ancient Craft.

(GM return to the platform followed by his officers and resume their seats)

MUSIC

(Address — Grand Master or Grand Orator)

G.M.: (Calls up brethren) The Grand Chaplain will give the Benediction.

GRAND CHAPLAIN: (Stretches forth right hand at a 45° angle)

May the blessing of Almighty God, Who made the heaven and the earth, and all who dwell therein, be with us all and remain with us, now and forevermore. Amen.

G.M.: Bro. Grand Marshall, you will reform the procession to return to the Lodge Hall.

(Procession is reformed and returns to the Lodge)

Grand Lodge is closed in due form.