u wilt
be in the midst of them, and bless them." In Thy name we assemble,
most humbly beseeching Thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that
we may know and serve Thee aright, and that all our actions may tend
to Thy glory, and our advancement in knowledge and virtue. And we
beseech Thee, O Lord God, to bless our present assembling; and to
illumine our minds through the influence of the Son of Righteousness,
that we may walk in the Light of Thy countenance; and when the trials
of our probationary state are over, be admitted into the temple not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen. So mote it be.

ANOTHER PRAYER.--Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the
head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down
to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew
that descended upon the mountain of Zion, for there the Lord commanded
the blessing, evermore. Amen. So mote it be. [This prayer is likewise
used on closing the Lodge.]

The Lodge being now open and ready to proceed to business, the Master
directs the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting, which
naturally brings to view the business of the present. If there are any
candidates to be brought forward, that is the first business attended
to.[1]

* * * * *

CEREMONIES OF THE ADMISSION AND INITIATION OF A CANDIDATE IN THE FIRST
DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY.

At the first regular communication after the candidate has petitioned
for admission, if no objection has been urged against him, the Lodge
proceeds to a ballot. One black ball will reject a candidate. The
boxes may be passed three times. The Deacons are the proper persons
to pass them; one of the boxes has black and white beans or balls in
it, the other empty; the one with the balls in it goes before and
furnishes each member with a black and white ball; the empty box
follows and receives them. There are two holes in the top of this box,
with a small tube in each, one of which is black, and the other white,
with a partition in the box. The members put both their balls into
this box as their feelings dictate; when the balls are received, the
box is presented to the Master, Senior, and Junior Wardens, who
pronounce clear or not clear, as the case may be. The ballot proving
clear, the candidate (if present) is conducted into a small
preparation room adjoi