The hymns used in the opening and closing ceremonies of each degree, and in the exemplification of the work of the several degrees, are recorded in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge for December 15, 1870. At fifteen minutes past six o'clock P. M., the Grand Lodge was closed in AMPLE FORM, until the 29th instant, then to meet at the Masonic Temple in this city, at four o'clock P. M., for the Installation of Grand Officers, and the celebration of the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist. Prayer was offered by W. Bro. Rev. Joshua Young, Grand Chaplain. A true abstract from the Records. Attest: Charles H. Titus, Recording Grand Secretary. STATED COMMUNICATION. DECEMBER 29, A. L. 5874. A STATED COMMUNICATION OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS was held at Masonic Temple, Boston, on Tuesday, the twenty-ninth day of December, A. L 5874, A. D. 1874, for the Installation of Grand Officers, and the celebration of the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist. R. W. WINSLOW LEWIS . R. W. WILLIAM D. COOLIDGE R. W. ABRAHAM A. DAME R. W. WILLIAM SUTTON R. W. SAMUEL P. OLIVER R. W. WILLIAM F. SALMON R. W. SAMUEL C. LAWRENCE R. W. CHARLES KIMBALL R. W. RICHARD BRIGGS. R. W. ELIJAH W. BURR Also the Masters, Wardens and Brethren of many subordinate Lodges. The Grand Lodge was opened in AMPLE FORM, at four o'clock P. M., with prayer by W. Bro. Rev. Joshua Young, Grand Chaplain, and singing. The GREAT LIGHT was opened by the Grand Marshal at the Gospel of Saint John the Evangelist. The Grand Master announced the death of W. Lovell Bicknell, Grand Standard-Bearer, who died at his residence, in East Weymouth, on the th instant, at the /4 advanced age of eighty-two years; and R. W. John T. Heard, R. W. William T. Grammer and W. William J. Stevens were appointed a committee to prepare a suitable memorial for the Records of the Grand Lodge. INSTALLATION. The Grand Master appointed R. W. Brothers Winslow Lewis, John T. Heard, William D. Coolidge, William Parkman, Charles C. Dame and William S. Gardner, a committee to wait upon R. W. Percival Lowell Everett, Grand Master elect, and present him for installation. The committee retired, attended by the Grand Deacons, the Grand Sword-Bearer and the Grand Stewards, conducted by the Grand Marshal, and escorted the Grand Master elect to the Grand East,-the Brethren all rising, and duly presented him for installation. The Grand Master directed the committee to conduct the Grand Master elect to the altar, there to receive the benefit of prayer, and be invested with his official obligation. The Grand Master elect having been conducted to the altar, solemn prayer was offered in his behalf by W. Bro. Rev. Joshua Young, Grand Chaplain in the words following: PRAYER AT THE INSTALLATION OF GRAND MASTER. Oh Thou, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed: We invoke Thy blessing upon this Thy servant, to whose honor, wisdom and good intent are now and hereby committed the great interests of the ancient and time-honored Brother. hood over which, within the limits of this Commonwealth, he has been elected to preside, as the head of the Body. Dating its beginning from a remote peribd; surviving the accidents and decays of time; out-riding all the storms of malice and persecution; fresh, strong, never more vigorous than to-day; the Masonic Fraternity still lives and flourishes, watched over, may we not believe, by a Divine Providence, and perpetuated under God's eye, through the ages, as an Institution of good order, of social virtue, of peace and good-will among men. Into the far future, as it unfolds to the needs and desires of mankind, may it still continue to offer its blessings of help and enjoyment to all who worthily seek them-the interchange of fraternal greetings, the formation of blessed friendships. May our Brother, assisted by those associated with him in the administration of affairs, and by the blessing of Him with. out whom the builder buildeth in vain, fail not to transmit unimpaired the precious trusts committed to his keeping. To this end, give unto him faith the most lively, hope the most pure, charity unfeigned. In the possession and exercise of his authority, may courtesy be blended with firmness, prudence united with justice; and may he, both by precept and example, show himself to the whole Craft a wise Master-builder, not only skillful at designs on the Trestle Board, but knowing also how to use the Trowel with which is spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass-the cement of Brotherly love and affection which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and Brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree. |