CHARGE TO THE RIGHT REVEREND GRAND CHAPLAIN.

RIGHT REVEREND COMPANION: The sacred posi-tion of Grand Chaplain has been intrusted to your. care, and I now invest you with the jewel of your office.

In the discharge of your duties, you will be required to conduct the devotional exercises of our grand convocations, and to perform the sacred functions of your holy calling at our public seminaries. Though masonry be not religion, it is emphatically religion's handmaid; and I am sure that, in ministering at its altar, the services you may perform will lose nothing of their vital importance, because they are practised in that spirit of universal tolerance which distinguishes our institution. The doctrines of morality and virtue which you are accustomed to inculcate to the world, as the minister of God, will form the appropriate lessons which you are expected to communicate to your Companions. The profession which you have chosen as your lot in life, is the best guaranty that you will discharge the duties of your present appointment with steadfastness and perseverance in well-doing.

CHARGE TO THE EXCELLENT GR. CAPTAIN OF THE HOST.

EXCELLENT COMPANION: The office with which you have been intrusted is of great importance, and requires much skill and attention for the faithful

discharge of its duties, which are those of a marshal, or master of ceremonies.

You are to superintend all processions of the Grand Chapter, when moving as a distinct body, either in public or private; and as the world can only judge of our private discipline by our public deportment, you will be careful that the utmost order and decorum be observed on all such occasions. You will ever be attentive to the commands of your chief, and always near at hand to see them duly executed. I invest you with the badge of your office, and presume that you will give to your duties all that study and attention which their importance demands. I present you with this sword, as the appropriate implement of your office.

CHARGE TO THE EXCELLENT GRAND PRINCIPAL SOJOURNER.

EXCELLENT COMPANION: The office confided to you is one of great importance, though subordinate in degree. Occupying a station which corresponds to that of Senior Deacon in the lower degrees, it becomes your duty to obey and extend the orders of your superiors, and to act as their proxies in the active business of the Grand Chapter. Attention, obedience, and promptitude are, therefore, essentially necessary for the faithful performance of your duties. I present you with the rod, a symbol of command, as the proper ensign of your office.

CHARGE TO THE EXCELLENT GRAND ROYAL ARCH CAPTAIN.

EXCELLENT COMPANION: The office to which you have been elected nearly corresponds to that of Junior Deacon in the inferior degrees. It is, therefore, your duty to see that the external avenues of the Grand Chapter are securely guarded, and that none are permitted to pass or repass, but such as are duly qualified, and have the requisite permission. Let vigilance and attention, therefore, actuate you in the discharge of the functions of your important office; for the more faithful performance of which, I intrust this sword to your keeping.

CHARGE TO THE GRAND SENTINEL.

COMPANION: You have been appointed Grand Sentinel of this Grand Chapter, and I now invest you with the jewel of your office, and place this sword in your hands, the more effectually to enable you to repel the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and to guard against surprise.

It is your duty to guard the door of the Grand Chapter, on the outside; to report to the Grand Royal Arch Captain those who desire to be admitted; to place the Chapter room in order for convocations; and to attend to such other duties as may be required of you by the Grand Chapter. Your punctual attendance is essentially necessary at every convocation.

The Grand Captain of the Host then makes proclamation as follows:

By authority of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of ......, I proclaim that the Grand officers have been installed in ample form, with the grand honors of masonry, by three times three.

The public or private grand honors of masonry, accordingly as the installation shall have been publicly or privately conducted, shall then be given, and the installation ceremony. will be concluded.

On public occasions these ceremonies may be preceded and followed by anthems, odes, and addresses, at the discretion of the Grand Chapter.

SECTION VI.

CONSTITUTIONAL RULES

FOUNDED ON THE

ANCIENT LANDMARKS AND USAGES OF ROYAL ARCH MASONRY.

1. WHEN the Grand High Priest is absent from the Grand Chapter, the chair shall be taken by the Deputy. If both are absent, the Grand King, or if he be likewise absent, the Grand Scribe must take the chair. If all these officers are absent, the Senior Past Grand officer present must preside. If no such Grand officer be present, the duty will devolve on the High Priest of the oldest Chapter present.

2. When the High Priest of a Chapter is absent, his duties must be performed by the King and Scribe in succession. If they should likewise be absent, the chair must be taken by a Past High Priest of the Chapter; but if no such Past High Priest be present, the Chapter cannot be opened. The Warrant of Constitution is granted to the High Priest, King, and Scribe, and their successors in office, and to none else; and none else can lawfully act.

3. No officer of the Grand or a Subordinate Chapter, can be recognized as such until he has been installed.

4. Every officer shall hold on to his office until his successor has been installed.

5. No officer can resign his office after he has been installed. Nor can any election be held, except at the constitutional convocation for that purpose, unless by dispensation.

6. No Chapter can, at an extra convocation, alter or ex. punge the proceedings of a regular one.