INSTALLATION OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

INSTRUCTIONS

All outgoing Grand Officers, except Installing Officer and Grand Organist, shall retire to the ante room and surrender their aprons and collars to the Grand Officers to be installed. All officers shall wear their collars, except the Grand Master-elect.

The collar of the Grand Master-elect shall be placed on the left side of the Altar and his hat on a pedestal, also at the left side of the Altar.

Two chairs shall be placed in front of the Junior Steward and another two chairs directly opposite on the North side, facing inward.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies shall form the officers at the ante room in two columns, facing the door. The Grand Marshal shall lead the left column, and the Grand Tyler the right column. When the columns are about to enter the Lodge Hall the Installing Officer shall call up the Lodge and the Grand Organist shall play an appropriate music.

ORDER OF ENTRANCE

GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES

GRAND MARSHAL - GRAND TYLER GRAND CHAPLAIN - ASST. GRAND SEC. GRAND ORATOR - G. STANDARD BEARER GRAND SWORD BEARER - GRAND BIBLE BEARER SR. GRAND LECTURER - JR. GRAND LECTURER JR. GRAND LECTURER - JR. GRAND LECTURER JR. GRAND LECTURER - JR. GRAND LECTURER JR. GRAND LECTURER - SR. GRAND STEWARD SR. GRAND DEACON - JR. GRAND STEWARD JR. GRAND DEACON - GRAND PURSUIVANT DIST. DEPUTY G.M. - DIST. DEPUTY G.M. DIST. DEPUTY G.M. - DIST. DEPUTY G.M. DIST. DEPUTY G.M. - DIST. DEPUTY G.M. DIST. DEPUTY G.M. - DIST. DEPUTY G.M. DIST. DEPUTY G.M. - DIST. DEPUTY G.M. DIST. DEPUTY G.M. - DIST. DEPUTY G.M. Ditto Ditto Ditto GRAND MASTER - DEPUTY GRAND MASTER SR. GRAND WARDEN - JR. GRAND WARDEN. GRAND TREASURER - GRAND SECRETARY

Led by the Grand Master of Ceremonies, the officers shall enter in the order above indicated. Upon reaching the Altar, the Grand Master of Ceremonies shall turn and face the West. The columns shall divide, the left column to proceed and walk along North pavement and the right column along South pavement. Upon order of the Grand Master of Ceremonies, both columns shall stop and face inward. The six elective Grand Officers shall then enter, passing between the columns, and the Grand Master and Senior Grand Warden shall proceed to the two chairs on the North center, the Deputy Grand Master and Junior Grand Warden to the two chairs on the South-center, and the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary to their proper places.

When the elective Grand Officers arrive at their seats the Grand Master of Ceremonies shall direct the appointive officers to go to their respective places and seats, except the Grand Tyler who shall remain standing where he is.

When the officers have reached their respective places, the Installing Officer shall sit the Grand Lodge. Then the Installing Officer shall call up the Grand Lodge and direct the Grand Chaplain to give the invocation at the Altar. After the invocation the Grand Lodge shall be seated. Then the Grand Master of Ceremonies, standing in his position at the Altar facing East, shall present the Officers in the order as herein given.

Each officer, as he is presented, shall rise, turn and bow slightly to the Installing Officer, who shall return the bow. After the Charge is delivered to the officers, the Installing Officer shall sit them. And the Grand Tyler shall go to his proper place.

GRAND LODGE

INSTALLATION CEREMONIES

GRAND MASTER (Raps x) Brethren of the Grand Lodge, the hour for the installation of the elective and appointive officers for the ensuing year has arrived. When we are free from restraint, the present officers will retire immediately to the ante room and surrender their respective aprons and jewels to their successors. M.W............. will be the Installing Officer and M.W. . . . . . . . will act as Grand Master of Ceremonies.

The brethren may consider themselves free from restraint until the sound of the gavel in the East. (Raps X)

(Are the officers have entered and been sealed by the Installing Officer as given in the Instructions):

I.O.: (Rises and calls up Grand Lodge) Brethren, the first lesson taught us in Freemasonry is that we should never enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of God. Let us, therefore, bow our heads be at the sign of fidelity and unite with our Grand Chaplain in prayer.

PRAYER

Almighty and Everlasting God, vouchsafe Thine Aid to this our solemn rite, and grant that Thy servants who are now about to assume their duties as officers of this Grand Lodge, may be endued with wisdom to comprehend, judgement to define and firmness to enforce the law. Sanctify them with Thy grace, strengthen them with Thy power and enrich their minds with genuine knowledge, that they may be enabled to enlighten their brethren and fulfill the duties of the stations to which they have been called, with wisdom and discretion and with acceptance to Thee, and to Thy name be the glory and honor forever. (Amen)

I.O.: (Seats Grand Lodge. Then GMC. presents officers in the following order.)

G.M.C.: Most Worshipful, I take pleasure in presenting to you for installation:

Bro..... who has been appointed Grand Tyler. Bro. ....who has been appointed Grand Organist, Bro. .. ..who has been appointed Grand Pursuivant, Bro..... who has been appointed Junior Grand Steward, Bro. .. ..who has been appointed Senior Grand Steward, Bro. .... who has been appointed Junior Grand Deacon, Bro..... who has been appointed Senior Grand Deacon, Bro. . .who has been appointed Junior Grand Lecturer, Bro. ....who has been appointed Senior Grand Lecturer, Bro. ....who has been appointed Grand Bible Bearer, Bro.....who has been appointed Grand Sword Bearer, Bro..... who has been appointed Grand Standard Bearer, Bro..... who has been appointed Grand Marshal, Bro.....who has been appointed Grand Orator, Bro..... who has been appointed Grand Chaplain, Bro..... who has been appointed Assistant Grand Secretary,

Bro. .. who has been appointed District Deputy Grand Master for Masonic District No¬.¬_ and etc., Bro...who has been elected member of the Board for General Purposes, and Bro......who has been elected member of the Board for General Purposes.

I.O.: Our Grand Master-elect, reposing confidence in your ability to discharge the duties of your respective offices, has been pleased to appoint you officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines until the close of the next annual communication subject to his will and pleasure.

Do you accept the responsibilities and promise to perform the duties of your office to the best of your ability? Response: I do.

I.O.: The duties of your several offices are prescribed in our ordinances and, while it will be incumbent upon you to see that they are carefully and punctually performed, they are not the limit or full measure of your responsibility. Zeal for the interest of Freemasonry, courtesy and affability to your brethren, likewise, are incumbent upon you. With confidence that your conduct will be such as to merit your present appointment, I install you in your respective offices. (Gavel X)

G.M.C.: Most Worshipful, I take pleasure in presenting to you for installation: Bro..... who has been elected Grand Secretary, and Bro.... who has been elected Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year.

I.O.: Your brethren have expressed their confidence in your zeal, integrity and ability by electing you to your respective offices. Do you each promise to discharge the duties of your office in strict accordance with our ordinances, to the best of your ability?

Response: I do.

I.O.: The duties incumbent upon you in your offices are fraught with grave responsibilities. To your several care and custody are committed the very valuable, tangible and intangible assets of this Grand body, its financial, records and esoteric work. It is of the utmost importance for you ever to remember that in the discharge of your respective duties, you are acting as the trustees of your brethren. They have the right to expect of you integrity above any question, zeal for their interests and accuracy in the performance of your duties. With confidence that your conduct will continue to be such as to merit the applause of your brethren and the testimony of a good conscience, I install you in your respective offices. (Gavel X)

I.O.: Bro. Grand Master of Ceremonies, you will present the Junior Grand Warden-elect and Senior Grand Warden-elect at the Altar.

(The Grand Master of Ceremonies faces about and proceeds directly West until he is on a line with the Grand Wardens who rise he faces about, they advance each to his side and the three proceed abreast to the Altar).

G.M.C.: Most Worshipful, I have the honor to present Bro who has been collected Junior Grand Warden, and Bro who has been collected Senior Grand Warden for the ensuing year.

I.O.: My brothers, you have been selected to occupy these responsible offices during the ensuing year. Do you catch promise to perform faithfully the duties of your office and at all times to keep the true aims and exalted purpose of Freemasonry the guiding lights of your conduct? Response: I do.

I.O.: The offices conferred upon you, the trust reposed in you and the responsible duties of your positions, demand a corresponding fidelity and attachment to the interests of the brethren of this jurisdiction, to whose consideration and confidence you are indebted for the rank you now hold. Let no effort be wanting in the faithful discharge of all your duties; let benefit to Freemasonry be your constant aim and desire. Thus you will merit their continued esteem and have occasion to rejoice in the consciousness of service well rendered. You will now be conducted to your respective stations.

(G.M.C. conducts first the Junior to the South, they bow to each other, the Junior Grand Warden sits down, then Grand Master of Ceremonies conducts the Senior to the West: they bow to each other and the Senior Grand Warden sits down. The Grand Master of Ceremonies returns to the Altar.)

I.O.: Brother Grand Master of Ceremonies, you will present the Deputy Grand Master-elect.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies goes to the Deputy, offers his right arm and conducts him to the Altar.)

G.M.C.: Most Worshipful, I have the honor to present Brother.... who has been elected Deputy Grand Master for the ensuing year.

I.O.: Your brethren have called you to the second highest office within their power to bestow. Do you solemnly promise to perform the duties of that office, to aid and assist the Grand Master with your counsel and cooperation in his presence and in his absence or inability to act, to faithfully discharge the duties and responsibilities of his office?

Response: I do.

I.O.: Your office is next in importance to that of Grand Master. Our laws provide that during his absence or inability to act, his duties, powers and prerogatives devolve upon you. Your acquirements must, therefore, be such as to insure their proper discharge. Ever bear in mind that the efficiency of a Grand Master in a large measure depends upon his lieutenants. If they are incapable, unfaithful or indolent, his labors are materially and unjustly increased and to a large extent unavailing. Confident that you will teach the brethren by precept and example to bear with each other and advance the cause of Freemasonry. I install you Deputy Grand Master and direct that you be conducted to your station in the East.

(The G.M.C. conducts the Deputy Grand Master to the East by way of North, waits, bows and returns to the Altar.)

I.O.: Brother Grand Master of Ceremonies, you will present the brother who has been elected Grand Master, first causing him to kneel at the Altar.

(The G.M.C. goes to the Grand Master-elect, offers his right arm and they proceed to the Altar, where the latter kneels on both knees and places both hands upon the Great Lights.)

G.M.C.: Most Worshipful, I have the honor and pleasure of presenting Brother. ... who has been elected Grand Master of Masons in the jurisdiction of the Philippines for the ensuing year.

I.O.: My brother, you have been placed at the Altar in your present position to remind you of the first lesson taught you in Freemasonry that’s you should never enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of God. The repetition of that lesson is particularly appropriate now that you are about to enter the greatest and most important undertaking of your fraternal career. It is fitting and proper that you should present yourself on bended knees before the Great Architect of the Universe and humbly implore Him to impart to you wisdom and humility, to save you from vain glorious opinion, that you may govern wisely, courageously and yet with kindness and courtesy to your brethren. Again, in these moments you must commune alone with Him Who knows all your thoughts and deeds and resolution for the future.

(The I.O. uncovers until the Grand Master-elect says Amen aloud)

I.O.: When you were installed Master of your Lodge you were required to give your assent to certain ancient charges and regulations as Masters had done in all ages before you. Now that you are about to be installed Grand Master, do you reaffirm your assent to those charges and promise to continue to support those regulations?

Response. I do.

I.O.: Do you agree that all powers with which you are about to be invested are given you by your brethren solely for the protection and improvement of Freemasonry?

Response. I do.

I.O.: Do you promise never to be arbitrary or discourteous, but to decide justly and impartially, to labor diligently to maintain peace and harmony among the brethren, to spread brotherly love and affection and ever to remember that you are but first among your peers?

Response. I do.

I.O. Then you will repeat after me the vow of your office: I do solemnly promise and swear that I will support the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines and will perform the duties of Grand Master to the best of my ability. So help me God. Amen.

You will arise.

In consequence of the promise and vow which you have given in the presence of your brethren. I shall now cause you to be invested with the jewel and symbol of your office and be conducted to your station in the East

(The G.M.C. invests him with the collar and hands him his hat. As the new Grand Master covers, the I.O. uncovers and steps to his right. As the Grand Master of Ceremonies starts toward the East. The Installing Officer calls up the Lodge. The Grand Master of ceremonies conduct the new Grand Master to the east, waits bows and returns to his place West of the Altar. The new Grand Master takes his station directly behind his pedestal.)

I.O.: Most Worshipful, the progress and welfare of Freemasonry within our jurisdiction during the ensuing year will materially depend upon you and the officers chosen to serve with you. You will remember that only out of the fitness to govern arises the right to rule. Believing that you are qualified and will not weary in well-doing, I present to you the gavel.

Brother Grand Master of Ceremonies, you will make proclamation.

G.M.C.: In the name and by the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, I proclaim the officers of this Grand Lodge duly installed in ample form.

I.O.: Brethren of the Grand Lodge, let us join with the Grand Master of Ceremonies in saluting our Grand Master, (Public Grand honors: Cross both arms upon breast, left hand outermost and bow slightly)

I.O. This concludes the installation ceremony. (Raps X)