ke of the mallet calls to order, and calls up the
Junior and Senior Deacons; two strokes call up all the subordinate
officers; and three, the whole Lodge." The following charge is then
delivered to the newly-installed Master (alias candidate) by the
former Master:

"Worshipful Master, being appointed Master of this Lodge, you
cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you as
their head; nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge
of the important duties annexed to your appointment. The honor,
usefulness, and reputation of your Lodge will materially depend on
the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while
the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in
proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the
genuine principles of our institution. For a pattern of
information, consider the luminary of nature, which, rising in the
East, regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its
circle. In like manner, it is your province to spread and
communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge.
Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of
Masonry, and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it. Charge
them to practice out of the Lodge those duties which they have
been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct,
to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution, so that,
when anyone is said to be a member of it, the world may know that
he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows--to
whom distress may prefer its suit--whose hand is guided by
justice, and his heart expanded by benevolence. In short, by a
diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the constitution
of Masonry, and, above all, the Holy Scriptures, which are given
as a rule and guide of your faith, you will be enabled to acquit
yourself with honor and reputation, and lay up a crown of
rejoicing which shall continue when time shall be no more."[6]

The Master then says to the newly-installed Master, "I now leave you
to the government of your Lodge." He then retires to a seat, and,
after a moment or two, rises and addresses the candidate (now in the
chair as Master), "Worshipful Master, in consequence of my
resignation, and the election of a new Master, the seats of the
Wardens have become vacant. It is necessary you should have Wardens to
assist you in the governmen