AMENDED RITUAL FOR CLOSING THE LODGE IN ANY DEGREE OF THE SYMBOLIC MASONRY

BENEDICTION

WM: May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons! May Brotherly Love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us! Amen.

ALL: So mote it be. (Put down right arm and stand at attention.)

DS: (Stand with rods at attention.)

WM: (Puts on hat.)

SD: (Goes to the Altar with rod at carry, a step West of it, turns to center towards, stands with rod at attention, gives the due-guard and sign, places rod at salute as he takes a step at the Altar, turns off the lesser lights; disarranges the Great Lights seeing to it that the Square and Compasses do not touch the Altar table, stands with rod at attention and takes one step to the left.)

WM: I now declare this lodge of EAMs / FCMs / MMs to be duly closed. Brother Junior Deacon, inform the Tyler that the Lodge is closed.

JD: (Faces about, rod at carry, goes to the door, transfers rod to left hand and gives three knocks on the door with the knuckles of the right hand and waits for response. After hearing the Tyler's three knocks from without, opens the door with his right hand, takes one step back, transfers rod to his right hand, takes one step back and stands at attention.)

Brother Tyler, the Lodge is closed.

(Faces about and stands with rod at attention.)

WM: (Goes back to his station and remains standing.)

ALL: (Simultaneously with Worshipful Master, go back to their respective stations and places and remain standing; Deacons put rods in stands.)

WM: The officers will approach the East and return their jewels.

OFS: (Heads turned to the Senior Warden, the Senior Warden takes off his jewel and, together, the others take off theirs.)

(Holding jewels up, assemble at the North side of the pavement in the following order: Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Auditor, Chaplain, Marshal, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, other appointed officers & Organist; all facing East.)

(Senior Warden faces South and walks toward the center, faces East and approaches the Worshipful Master when he is ready to receive the jewel. Returns his jewel with both hands, turns right and returns to his station along the South, stands at attention.)

(The Junior Warden faces South as the Senior Warden reaches the center, walks toward the center as the Senior Warden leaves the center, approaches the Worshipful Master when the Senior Warden leaves for his station. Returns his jewel with both hands, turns right and returns to his station along the South, stands at attention.)

(The other officers will follow the same sequence.)

WM: (After all the officers are back at their stations and places, sits.)

ALL: (Retire from the Lodge.)