Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

CLOSING CEREMONIES
GRAND MA5TER OF ALL SYMBOLIC LODGES.”
Venerable Master—Brother Senlol Grand Warden,
have you anytlung in the West to offer before this lodge
cf Grand Masters?
bett wr Warden~—.-Nothlng, Venerable Master.
Venerable Master—Brother Junior Grand Warden,
have you anything in the South to offer before th,~
lodge of Grand Masters?
Junior IVarden—Notlilng, Venerable Master.
Venerable Master—Brother Orator, have you anything
in thc North to offer before this lodge of (~iaiitl
Mastcrs?
Orator—Nothing, Venerable”’ Master.
Venerable Master—Has any Grantl Master anything
to offer to this degree for the benefit of a brother mason?
(No answer.)
Nate 243.—’ Grand Master Ad-Vitam nr Grand Master of all Symbolic
Lodges. L5cotch Maaonry.]-~The second degree conferred In the Consaitury
of t’rin.es of tue Ruuai Seiret. Scotch Masonry, and the 20th
utiolt the catalogue of that system, The presiding officer is styled Grand
Mister and represents Cyrus Artaxerxes; there are t~vo Wardens The
hingings of the Lodge are Rfue and Yellow The historical instructions
rciate to the construction of the three templea of Solomon. Zeruhhahel
and lztcrod. nith the establishment of a fourth, or spiritual structure.
sahich will outlast the ravages of time. The lights are nine Jewel. a
triangular piate of gold showing the word Secret. ‘—Morris’s Masonic
Dictionary, Artitlo Grand Master Ad-Vitam or Grand Master of all
Symbolic Lodgaa.
Note 244.—”Vsnerabie Grand Master of all Symbolic Lodges. The
twentieth degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. See Grand
Mastaa of all Symbolic Lodges. The Diotionnaira Maconniqus says that
this degree was formeriy conferred on those hrethrcn in France who, in
receiving it. obtained the right to organize Lodges, and to act as Masters
nr venerahies for life, an abuse that was subsequently abolished by the
Graud Orient. Ragon and vassal both make the same statement, It
may be true, but they furnish no documentary evidence of the fact.
And examination of an old 105. French ritual of the degree, when it
brined part of the Rite of Perfection, which is in my possession. abows
nothing in the catechism that renders this theory of its origin improbable.’
—Mackey’s Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, Artiols venerable GramS
Master af all Symbolic Lodges,
CLOSING CEREMONIEs. (35
Venerable Master—Brother Senior Grand Warden,
what is the ~iour?
Senior Warden—The world waits for the light, Yeneranle
Master.
Venerable Master—Then it is time to close, that the
great light of this lodge may be borne into and illumine
the world. Together brethren.
All—(Give the first sign.)
Venerable Master—(Knocks three; 0 00.)
Senior Warden.—(Knocl~s three; 0 00.)
Junior Warden.—(Knocks three; 000.)
AlI—(Clap three; 0 00.) Lux Est.
Venerable Mastcr—Whcrever the nine great lights
are, there is this lodge. Let tlle great light of Veneration
go forth and slime in the lodge. (Pursuivant
takcs that light and retires.)
Venerable Master’~-..LeL the great light of Charity go
forth into and inspire the world. (Junior Deacon takes
that light and retires.)
Venerable Master—Let the great light of Generosity
go forth into and ennoble the world. (Senior Deacou
takes that light and retires.)
Venerable Master—Let the great light of Heroism go
forth into and burn in the spirits of men. (Secretary
takes tllat light and retires.)
Venerable Master—Let the great light of Honor go
forth into the world and baseness skulk and hide from
its presence. (Treasurer takes that light and retires.)
Venerable Master—Let the great light of Patriotism
go forth and shine in the world. (Orator takes that
light and retires.)
Venerable Master—Let the great light of Justice go
forth and blaze upon the altars of all men’s hearts.
(Junior Warden takes that light and retires.)