Opening in First Degree…1
OPENING
WM: one gavel. SW: one gavel. JW: one gavel.
WM – Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge.
ALL – rise (if not already standing)
WM – names JW – Bro …….., what is the first care of every Mason?
JW – To see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
WM – Direct that duty to be done.
JW – names IG – Bro ………., see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
IG – goes to door, does not open it, gives three distinct knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler – responds with same knocks.
IG – no Sp or Sn, names JW – Bro …….., the Lodge is properly tyled.
JW – three distinct knocks, no Sp or Sn, to WM, no name – The Lodge is properly tyled.
WM – names SW – Bro …….., the next care?
SW – To see that none but Masons are present.
WM – To order, Brethren, in the First Degree.
ALL – take Sp, with EA Sn.
WM – Bro JW, how many principle officers are there in the Lodge?
JW – Three: the WM, and the S and JWs.
WM – Bro SW, how many assistant officers are there?
SW – Three, besides the Tyler or OG: namely, the S and JDs, and the IG.
WM – to JW – The situation of the Tyler?
JW – Outside the door of the Lodge.
WM – His duty?
JW – Being armed with a drawn sword, to keep off all intruders and cowans to Masonry and to see that the Candidates are properly prepared.
WM – to SW – The situation of the IG?
SW – Within the entrance of the Lodge.
WM – Bro. IG, your duty?
IG – To admit Masons on proof, receive the Candidates in due form, and obey the commands of the JW.
WM – to JW – The situation of the JD?
JW – At the right of the SW.
WM – Bro. JD, your duty?
JD – To carry all messages and communications of the WM from the S to the JW, and to see that the same are punctually obeyed.
WM – to SW – The situation of the SD?
SW – At or near to the right of the WM.
WM – Bro. SD, your duty?
SD – To bear all messages and commands from the WM to the SW, and await the return of the JD.
WM – Bro. JW, your place in the Lodge?
JW – In the S.
WM- Why are you placed there?
JW – To mark the sun at it’s meridian, to call the Brethren from labour to refreshment and from refreshment to labour, that profit and pleasure may be the result.
WM – Bro. SW, your place in the Lodge?
SW – In the W.
WM – Why are you placed there?
SW – To mark the setting sun, to close the Lodge by command of the WM, after having seen that every Brother has had his due.
WM – to IPM – Bro. IPM, the Master’s place?
IPM – In the E.
WM – Why is he placed there?
IPM – As the sun rises in the E to open and enliven the day, so the WM is placed in the E to open the Lodge, and employ and instruct the Brethren in Freemasonry.
Chaplain – The Lodge being duly formed, before it is declared open, let us invoke the assistance of the Great Architect of the Universe in all our undertakings; may our labours, thus begun in order, be conducted in peace, and closed in harmony.
All – So mote it be.
WM – Brethren, in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe, I declare the Lodge duly open (All cut Sn) for the purposes of Freemasonry in the First Degree.
WM – EA knocks
SW – EA knocks and raises Cn
JW – EA knocks and lowers Cn
SD and JD – attend to TB and WTs after JW knocks, then stand to order in N and S, facing E.
IG – goes to door, gives EA knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler – responds with same knocks.
IPM – opens VSL and arranges Sq and Cs, then takes one pace back facing WM.
IPM, SD and JD – take Sp with EA Sn, cut Sn, then return to respective positions in front of chairs.
WM – sits
ALL – sit