mm- // ).-; -^- ,^ v ./<.^ fp ^^ .,„. >*, - - - ~vi>^.fy./^m ^^i4/-^*<X* ThifrtvJf — *,/m-^, 2../^^i| ^^*^^±;i^ 10 THE MASONIC TEXT-BOOK OF TEXiS'ESSEE: CONTAINIXG MONITOEIAL INSTHUCTIONS IN THE DEGKEES OF Entered ipprentiee, Fellow-Craft, Master Masou and Past 31aster TOGETHEE WITH: THE CEREMONIES OF COXSECKATION AND DEDICATION OF NEW LODGES, INSTALLATION OF GEAND ANT) SUBORDINATE OFFICEES, LAYING FOUNDATION STONES, DEDICATION OF MASONIC HALLS, GEAND VISITATIONS, BURIAL SERVICES, EEGUXATIONS FOR PROCESSIONS, MASONIC CALENDAR, ETC., ETC. ALSO, A BRIEF DIGEST OF THE LEADING FORMS OF MASONIC GOGUMENTS, MASONIC TRIALS, ETC. COMPILED ANT) ARRAN"GED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OE A SPECIAL COilMITTEE. APPOrSTED BY TKE M. W. GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEK FOUETH EDITION. NASHTILLE: PKINTED BY OEDEE OF ITOE GEAIsD LODGE. 1888. JCatered according to Act of Congreas, in the year 1866, l>y CHARLES A. FXJLLER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States foi the Middle District of Tennessee. Niv. of : ;:.: ;n. Li^: CjEPT -9. 1938 TO or THAT DISTINGUISHED BKOTHEK AXD KIPE SCHOLAR, WILKIiXS TANNEHILL, PAST GRAND MASTER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE, WHOSE PUKITY OF LIFE "WAS A DALLY EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE SUBLIME PKINCIPLES OF THE MASONIC INSTITUTION: lABOKS OF LOYE, AND OPEN-HANDED CHABITY, ENSHBINED HTM IN THE HEARTS OF HIS BEETHKEN: DEATH WAS LAMENTED AS THE LOSS OF A FATHEB, FKIEND AND BBOTHEE: MEMORY IS BEVERED BY ALL FAITHFUL LOVERS OP THE CRAFT t THE TRUE FRIEND, THE SINCERE CHRISTIAN, THE DEVOTED MASON, %\m Mxmt is gAitato BY THE M. W. GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. : PREFACE. The Grand Lodge of Tennessee, at its Annual Com- munication, in October, 1865, adopted the following resolution " Besolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to superintend the publication of a revised edition of " Tannehill's Manual," or of a Manual founded thereon, into which they will incorporate the leading principles of Masonic Law:" And appointed as said Committee, Charles A. Fuller, P. G. M., John Frizzell, P. G. M., Thomas McCulloch, P. G. M., T. A. Thomas, P. D. G. M., and James McCallum, P. G. M. Ll accordance with the above, the Committee present the following compilation as the result of their labors, which, it is hoped, will meet the wants of the Fraternity in this Jurisdiction, for whom it is especially designed. It has been pre^Dared with as much care as it was pos- sible to bestow upon it, and while it is not presumed to be perfect, or fully up to the desired standard, it is believed that it furnishes the Craft a reliable and safe Text-Book, which, if carefully studied, will render im- portant aid in the performance of the various rites and ceremonies of the Order. Nearly all the Manuals and Text-Books from the time of Preston, have been consulted, and the effort has been made to present a work which the Masonic student may consult with profit, and the workman use with advantage. The Committee have found it most in accordance with theii' own views, to extract more largely from "Tannehill's Manual" than any other work, and in this they have, as they believe, conformed to the wishes of the brethren of the State.* Much aid has been derived, and extracts liberally made, from such eminent Masonic authors as Webb, Cross, Dove, C. W. Moore, Rockwell, Mackey, Macoy, SicKELs, and others. * The undersigned members of the Committee, desire to state, that immediately upon their appointment a meeting was held for organizing and making the necessary arrangements for carrying into effect the wishes of the Grand Lodge. At that meeting, Bro. John Feizzell, P. G. M., was requested to undertake the labor of revision, and preparing the contemplated work for the press. The solicitations of the majority of the Committee were assented to, and on completion of his labors, they assembled and spent several days in a careful examination of manuscripts, etc. It is also proper to state, that the toil of re-writing the book; the time necessarily required in consulting a large number of printed works upon the same subject, to make it as complete as possible; and arranging for the press, has been performed in hours stolen, as it were, from the daily routine of a laborious profession, and under circum- stances of peculiar inconvenience. Notwithstanding the difficulties encountered—the limited period allowed for preparation and ex- ecution, and the pressure of other engagements—the majority of the Committee deem it an act of justice to say, that they not only approve of the work herewith presented, but desire to give whatever credit it may be entitled to at the hands of our brethren to Bro. Pkizzell, to whom it justly belongs. Charles A. Fuller, Thomas McCulloch, James McCallum, T. A. Thomas. MASONIC TEXT-BOOK. INTBODUCTION. "Freemasonry," says a learned and eminent brother, "is a Moral Order, instituted by virtuous men, with the praiseworthy design of recalling to our remembrance the most sublime Truths, in the midst of the most innocent and social pleasures, founded on Liberality, Brotherly Love, and Charity. "It is a beautiful system of morahty, vailed in allegory, and illustrated by symbols. Truth is its center—^the point whence its radii diverge—^pointing out to its disciples a correct knowledge of the Great Architect of the Universe, and the moral laws which he has ordained for their government." A proper administration of the various ceremonies connected with its ritual is of the fii'st importance, and worthy of our serious consideration. The rites and ceremonies of Freemasonry form the distinctive pecu- liarity of the Institution. In their nature, they are simple; in their end, instructive. It requires, however, close apphcation and untiring diligence to ascertain the precise nature of every ceremony which our ancient brethren saw reason to adopt in the formation of an exclusive system, which was to pass through the world 8 INTRODUCTION. unconnected with the religion and politics of all times, and of every people among whom it should flourish and increase. In order to preserve our ceremonies from the hand of innovation, it is essentially necessarj^ that every officer should be thoroughly acquainted with them, and that a firm determination should exist among the Craft to admit no change. A few words here or there may not in themselves appear of much consequence, yet, by frequent allowance, we become habituated to them, and thus open the door to evils of more serious magnitude. There is, there can be, no safety but in a rigid adherence to the ancient ceremonies of the Order. PART I. SYMBOLIC MASONRY. OPENING AND CLOSING THE LODGE. In all regular assemblies of men wliicli are convened for wise and useful purposes, the commencement and conclusion of business is accompanied with, some form. In every country of the world the practice prevails, and is deemed essential. From the most remote periods of antiquity it is traced, and the refined improvements of modern times have not abolished it. Ceremonies, simply considered, are little more than visionary delusions ; but their effects are sometimes important. When they impress awe and reverence on the mind, and attract the attention to solemn rites by external forms, they are interesting objects. These purposes are effected when judicious ceremonies are regularly conducted and properly arranged. On this ground they have received the sanction of the wisest men in all ages, and consequently could not escape the notice of Masons. To begin well is the most likely means to end well: and it is justly remarked that when order and method are neglected at the beginning they will be seldom found to take place at the end. The ceremony of opening and closing the Lodge with solemnity and decorum is, therefore, universally adopted among Masons; and though the mode in some meetings may vary, and in every degree must vary, still an uni- formity in the general practice prevails in the Lodge; and the variation, if any, is solely occasioned by a want of method, which a little application will easily remove. To conduct this ceremony with propriety, ought to be the pecuhar study of all Masons, especially of those who have the honor to rule in our assemblies. To per- 12 MASONIC TEXT-BOOK. sons who are thus dignified every eye is dii'ected for regularity of conduct and behavior ; and by their example other brethren, less informed, may naturally expect to derive instruction. During the opening and closing ceremonies of a Lodge, one of the following, or some other suitable prayer, should invariably be offered : PEATERS AT OPENING. Most merciful God ! Supreme Architect of Heaven and Earth ! We beseech thee to guide and protect these brethren here assembled, and fulfill at this time that divine promise thou wert pleased to make to those who should be gathered together in thy name. Teach us to know and serve thee aright. Bless and pros- per us in all our laudable undertakings, and grant, God ! that our conduct may tend to thy glory, to the advancement of Freemasonry, and finally to our own salvation in that blessed kingdom where the righteous shall find rest. Amen. Response. So mote it be. Great Architect of the Universe! In thy name we have assembled, and in thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry may so ! OPENING AND CLOSING. 13 subdue every discordant passion within us—so harmonize and enrich our hearts with thine own love and goodness—that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before thy throne. Amen. Response. So mote it be. Almighty and Eternal Jehovah! Great Light of Life ! in whom we live, and move, and have our being ! Bless the brethren here assembled Give them one mind, and influence each one of them by the same zeal! Make them one in name and in heart.