Lodges. Every Chapter ought to assemble for work, at least once in three months; and must consist of a High Priest, King, Scribe, Captain of the Host, Principal Sojourner, Royal Arch Captain, three Grand Masters of the Veils, Treasurer, Secretary, and as 'many members as may be found convenient for working to advantage. The officers of the chapter officiate in the lodges, holden for conferring the preparatory degrees, according to rank, as follows: viz. The High Priest, as Master. The King, as Senior Warden. The Scribe, as Junior Warden. The Captain of the Host, as Marshal or Master of Ceremonies. The Principal Sojourner, as Senior Deacon. seer. The Master of the third Veil, as Master Overseer. The Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Stewards, and Tyler, as officers of corresponding rank. The High Priest of every Chapter has it in special charge, to see that the bye-laws of his Chapter, as well as the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution, and all the regulations of the Grand Chapter, are duly observed :-that all the officers of his Chapter perform the duties of their respective offices faithfully, and are examples of diligence and industry to their companions ;-that true and accurate records of all the proceedings of the chapter are kept by the secretary ;-that the treasurer keeps and renders exact and just accounts of all the monies and other property belonging to the Chapter;-that the regular returns be made annually to the Grand Chapter;—and that the annual dues to the Grand Chapter be regularly and punctually paid. He has the right and authority of calling his Chapter together at pleasure, upon any emergency or occurrence, which in his judgment may require their meeting: It is his privilege and duty, together with the king and scribe, to attend the meetings of the Grand Chapter, either in person or by proxy; and the well-being of the institution requires that his duty should on no oɛcasion be omitted. The office of High Priest is a station highly. honourable to all those, who diligently perform the important duties annexed to it." By a frequent recurrence to the constitution and general regulations, and a constant practice of the several sublime lectures and charges, you will be best enabled to fulfil those duties; and I am confident that the companions, who are chosen to preside with you, will give strength to your endeavours, and support to your exertions. Let the Mitre with which you are invested, remind you of the dignity of the office you sustain, and its inscription impress upon your mind a sense of your dependence upon God; that perfection is not given unto man upon earth, and that perfect holiness belongeth alone unto the Lord. The Breast-Plate, with which you are decorated, in imitation of that upon which were engraven the names of the twelve tribes, and worn by the High Priest of Israel, is to teach you that you are always to bear in mind your responsibility to the laws and ordinances of the institution, and that the honour and interests of your Chapter and its members, should be always near your heart. The various colours of the Robes you wear, are emblematical of every grace and virtue which can adorn and beautify the human mind; each of which will be briefly illustrated in the course of the charges to be delivered to your subordinate officers. You will now take charge of your officers, standing upon their right, and present them severally in succession to the Deputy Grand High Priest, by whom they will be presented to me for installation. 22. The High Priest of the Chapter will then present his second officer to the Deputy Grand High Priest, who will present him to the Grand High Priest in the words of the Constitution. The Grand High Priest, will then ask him whether he has attended to the ancient charges and regulations before recited to his superior officer: if he answers in the affirmative, he is asked whether he fully and freely assents to the same: if he answers in the affirmative, the Grand High Priest directs his deputy to invest him with his clothing, &c. and then addresses him as follows, viz. CHARGE to the Second Officer, or King. EXCELLENT COMPANION, The important station to which you are elected in this Chapter, requires from you exemplary conduct; its duties demand your most assiduous attention; you are to second and support your chief in all the requirements of his office; and should casualties at any time prevent his attendance, you are to succeed him in the performance of his duties. Your badge (the Level surmounted by a crown) should remind you, that although you are the representative of a King, and exalted by office above your Companions, yet that you remain upon a level with them, as respects your duty to God, to your neighbour, and to yourself; that you are equally bound with them, to be obedient to the laws and ordinances of the institution, to be charitable, humane and just, and to seek every occasion of doing good. Your office teaches a striking lesson of humility. The institutions of political society teach us to consider the king as the chief of created beings, ་ and that the first duty of his subjects, is to obey his mandates:-but the institutions of our sublime degrees, by placing the King in a situation subordinate to the High Priest, teaches us that our duty to God is paramount to all other duties, and should ever claim the priority of our obedience to man; and that however strongly we may be bound to obey the laws of civil society, yet that those laws, to be just, should never intermeddle with matters of conscience, nor dictate articles of faith. The Scarlet Robe, an emblem of imperial dignity, should remind you of the paternal concern you should ever feel for the welfare of your Chapter, and the fervency and zeal with which you should endeavour to promote its prosperity. In presenting to you the Crown, which is an emblem of royalty, I would remind you, that to reign sovereign in the hearts and affections of men, must be far more grateful to a generous and benevolent mind, than to rule over their lives and fortunes; and that to enable you to enjoy this preeminence with honour and satisfaction, you must subject your own passions and prejudices to the dominion of reason and charity. You are entitled to the second seat in the council of your Companions. Let the bright example of your illustrious predecessor in the Grand Council at Jerusalem, stimulate you to the faithful dis |