OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE LODGE
The hour of opening the lodge, as specified in the bylaws (or as called if the communication is to be a special one), having arrived, the Worshipful Master will take his place in the East and proceed to open the lodge in accordance with the work of this Grand Jurisdiction.
Care must be taken that none are present but the members and brethren who are properly vouched for, followed with the precaution that the avenues are securely guarded, and the Tyler informed of his duty, as well as the qualifications necessary for those who seek to pass.
The officers and members are then reminded by the Master of their duties in the lodge and to each other, and of his intention to proceed to business. A prayer is offered, and the lodge is declared open (a) in regular communication for the transaction of business, or (b) in special communication for the conferring of a degree. The Master’s declaration for a regular communication shall emphasize the appropriate degree in which the Lodge is opened, as the Bylaws and official Monitor allow regular communications to be conducted in any one of the three degrees, provided however, only Master Masons, members of said lodge, have a voting right on any matter, or the right to make objection to the Master’s declaration as to the proficiency of any brother then being examined for his proficiency in any degree. Entered Apprentice Masons or Fellow Craft Masons have no voting rights on any matter.
It is proper here to remark that the Master who would have a successful administration should never fail to open the lodge at the time specified in the bylaws; for, by first fulfilling the law himself he can, with more propriety, demand its its fulfillment at the hands of the other members.
To open a lodge in form, there are five classes of ceremonies to be performed (esoteric).
To call a lodge from refreshment to labor into a degree that has been formally opened with the five classes of ceremonies, there must be three classes of ceremonies performed, viz., congregating, purging, and tyling. It is not lawful or proper to call a lodge from refreshment to labor into a degree that has not been formally opened with the five classes of ceremonies.
The closing of a lodge in one degree also closes the lodge opened on all lower degrees. The closing of a lodge in a higher degree and then opening it in a lower degree makes the communication a special one. Examination for proficiency may be held in a lodge that has been opened in the degree in which the brother is being examined, or in a higher degree, provided that the brother being examined, if in a lodge opened in a higher degree than the degree for which he is being examined, shall be admitted upon the order of the Master, and shall enter from the preparation room conducted by and under control of the Senior Deacon, shall not advance to the East, shall be examined for proficiency in the subject degree, and (subject to any objection by a Master Mason only - who is a member of the conferring lodge) may be found and declared to be proficient by the Master, and shall then immediately be returned to the preparation room.
Opening Prayers
One of the following, or other suitable opening prayer, must be used.
May the favor of God, refreshing as the dew of Herman, and as the dew that descended on the mountains of Zion abide with and govern us in all our proceedings. Amen
Response: So mote it be.
Or this:
May the blessing of Heaven rest upon this meeting, so happily begun. May it be conducted in order and closed in harmony. Amen.
Response: So mote it be.
Or this:
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name, and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life. Amen
Response: So mote it be.
Closing Prayers
O Lord, protect us all the days of this life, that when the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy day is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done, then in Thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last. Amen
Response: So mote it be.
Or this:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Response: So mote it be.
Benediction at Closing
To be given by the Master
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
Response: So mote it be.