First Published 1969 ‘Tenth and revised edition 1996 Repnnted 1999 THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF GRAND LODGE AND OF PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT GRAND LODGESTHE OPENING AND CLOSING OF GRAND LODGE AND OF PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT GRAND LODGES The same form of Opening and Closing Ceremonies are used for Grand Lodge and for Provincial and District Grand Lodges. The only difference between the Opening and Closing Ceremonies apart from the use of the appropriate word 1s that a different Prayer ts used. The Ceremony following is set out for occasions when Grand Lodge is opened and closed by the MWGM: when the Ceremony 18 conducted by any other quahfied Brother, the appropriate title ts substituted where necessary. It should be noted that mn accordance with Rule 51 of the Book of Constitutions when a Past Grand Master or the Deputy or an Assistant Grand Master presides in Grand Lodge, it is declared opened or closed st due form and not in ample form, and where 289290 Grand Lodge Ceremony a Brother below that rank presides, ia form. When the Ceremony 1s for Opening or Closing a Provincial or Distriet Grand Lodge, the Lodge is so described and the ttles of the appropnate Provincial or District Grand Officers substituted for those of Grand Lodge. In accordance with Rule 79 of the Book of Constitutions when the Provincial or District Grand Master presides in a Provincial or District Grand Lodge. it is to be declared opened or closed in due form. im all other cases, it form. MWGM oo omg SGW one mk IGW o1te om. MWGM — Brethren, assist me to open (or close) this Grand Lodge. ALL rise MWGM — Brother Grand Pursuivant, where 1s your situation in Grand Lodge? GP — Within the Inner Porch of Grand Lodge. MWGM. MWGM — What is your duty? GP — To give a due report of all approaching Brethren, and to see that they are properly clothed and ranged under theirGrand Lodge Ceremony 291 respective banners. MWGM — Do you find them so placed? GP — To the best of my knowledge. MWGM. MWGM — Where is the situation of the JGW? GP — {n the South, MWGM. MW GM — Brother JGW, whom do you represent? JIGW — .... prince of the people. on Mount Tabor. MWGM — Where ts the situation of the sGw? IGW — In the West. MWGM. MWGM -—~ Brother SGW, whom do you represent? SGW — .... the Assistant High Priest, on Mount Sinai. MWGM — Where ts the situation of the Deputy GM? SGW — At the right of the MWGM., MWGM — Brother DGM. whom do you represent? DGM — HA, the Prince of Architects, MWGM — What ts your duty?292 Grand Lodge Ceremony DGM — To lay schemes, draw designs and assist the MWGM in the execution of the work. MWGM — Where is the situation of the MWGM? DGM — In the East. MWGM — Whom does he represent? DGM — The Royal Solomon. MWGM — Brethren, I call on the Grand Chaplain to invoke the blessing of theGAOTU. For Opening G Chap — G A OT U, without Whose special and preventing grace all human efforts are of no avail, mercifully hear our supplications and grant that our labours, thus begun in order and obedience to our Laws, may please Thee both in will and deed and evermore redound to the honour of Thy Holy Name. ALL— SMIB. MWGM — In the name of the Royai Solomon, I declare this Grand Lodge opened m ample formt — one ==. SGW — One and raises column. JGW — One FB ard lowers column.Grand Lodge Ceremony 293 For Closing G Chap — Accept we beseech Thee, G A OT U, our humble and hearty thanks for the many blessings we derive from Thine infinite Goodness. Grant that the precepts and principles of the Order may be deeply engraven on our hearts and so dispose our words and actions, that eschewing those things that are contrary to our profession, and following all such things as are agreeable to the same, they may continue to cement and adorn the Sacred Edifice both how and evermore. ALL—S MIB. MWGM — In the name of the Royal Solomon I declare this Grand Lodge closed in ample formt — one. SGW — one a and lowers column, IGW — one and raises column. (in Grand Lodge the VSL and the § and Cs are attended 10 by the GDC).Presented by To