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to perform properly the important duties which you strong are or the iron will that obedience and order, the
are this day called upon to assume. May His protecting chief requisites of good government, are secured, but
care keep you from falling, and late, very late in life, by holding the key to the hearts of men.
may you be transmitted from the fading honors of this
imperfect, to that all-perfect, celestial Lodge above, The offi ce of Grand Master is of great antiquity and
prepared only for the faithful. I now present you with respect, and is one of the highest dignities to which we
this potent emblem of Masonic power (presents gavel). may aspire. Its incumbent, to rule well, should possess
May it never be sounded in vain. I now surrender to and practice several important requisites.
you this seat of authority and render you this fi rst act
of homage due to you as Grand Master. I now hail, As a man, he should be of approved integrity and
salute and proclaim you Grand Master of Masons of irreproachable morals; freed from the dominion of
the State of Wisconsin. Brethren, behold your Grand hasty temper and ill-governed passions; of good
Master. Salute him with the Grand Honors." repute in the world; and practicing, as an example to
---- the Craft, the cardinal virtues of Fortitude, Prudence,
Temperance, and Justice.
Installation Ceremony and Oath of the
Grand Master from the Ahiman Rezon As a citizen, he should be loyal to his government,
obedient to its laws, prompt in the duties he owes
We can compare again, this time from the Ahiman to society, and a pattern of fi delity in all social and
Rezon and Freemasons Guide, we fi nd the following domestic relations."
installation for the Grand Master.
As a Mason, he should cling to the old landmarks,
The Oath and be sternly opposed to their infringement; be
I, ___________, in the presence of Almighty God, and profi cient in the laws, language, and literature of
before the Grand Lodge of the State of _______, do the Fraternity; be desirous to learn, and apt to teach;
promise and swear, that to the best of my ability, I will though not for the time a workman, yet be master of
faithfully, honestly, and impartially perform the duties the work, and qualifi ed to earn his wages; be prompt to
of Grand Master of Masons in this Jurisdiction during aid and relieve, and slow to demand it; be ever mindful
my term of offi ce; and that I will conform to and that, though elevated for a time above his fellows, that
maintain the Constitutions, laws, rules, and regulations he is elevated by them, and that he is yet a Craftsman,
of the Grand Lodge of the State of________, and the more sacredly bound by a Craftsman’s obligation; and
usages and customs of Free and Accepted Masons, he should cultivate everywhere and at all times the
and at all times enforce a strict obedience thereto. So golden tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
help me God.
As an Offi cer, he should remember, fi rst of all, that
The Installing Offi cer continues; "Most Worshipful he is an individual Mason, sharing in that respect a
Brother for from henceforth you are entitled thus to common lot with his Brethren, and therefore interested
be hailed: In inducting you to your chair of offi ce, as in the welfare of each and all; be devoid of undue
a symbol of the commencement of your government ostentation and haughty confi dence with his associate
over the Craft, I am performing a most solemn duty. offi cers; be eager to take counsel with his Brethren, and
By immemorial usage and the irrevocable landmarks ready to give it; be patient in investigation and hearing;
of Masonry, you are invested, as Grand Master of be deliberate in judgement; be prompt in execution;
Masons, with powers and prerogatives which are be forbearing long and much with evildoers; be ready
well-nigh absolute. The interest of the Craft, for weal to reward good; be devoid of favoritism, and wholly
or wo, are placed in your hands during your term of impartial; be watchful over the treasury; having an
offi ce. The good resolutions which I doubt not that you eagle eye upon every portion of his jurisdiction; and
have formed in your own mind that these powers shall breasting over the restless spirit of innovation.
not be abused or perverted by you; I would gladly
strengthen by a word of admonition, which it will not "Such are some of the most important qualifi cations
become henceforth to utter. The very consciousness which a Grand Master should possess, and the leading
of the possession of a great power will ever make a errors which he should avoid. It may be that most, if
generous mind cautious and gentle in its exercise. To not all, of your predecessors have failed to reach this
rule has been the lot of many, and requires neither standard; but it is attainable; and be it your purpose to
strength of intellect or soundness of judgement; to rule reach it, and be a bright and shining example to those
well has been the fortune of but few, and may well be who shall come after you!
the object of an honorable ambition. It is not by the
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