The ninth day of my 100 Day Plan to learn Masonic ritual before going into The Chair. The idea of this 100 Day Plan is being word perfect when installing the Officers and closing the Lodge at my Installation meeting, and also to get a good grip on the rest of the other rituals for the coming year. Over the previous days we’ve read through everything we (as newly installed Master) needs to know for the Installation ceremony, that is installing the Immediate Past Master, then investing the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, the Lodge Admin Team, investing the Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, the Inner Guard and finally the Tyler (Outer Guard). So isn’t that everything? No! We still have to Close The Lodge
Learn Masonic Ritual, Day 9 of 100: Close the Lodge
Now then this should be a breeze. The bulk of this is what we hear in every Lodge meeting we attend. The problem arises when you think you are familiar with it, but when you’re stood at the front of the Lodge, the Installation ceremony is over, you take a deep breath as you realise that you are now in charge of the Lodge, and suddenly you completely forget what the Master usually says to close the Lodge.
Therefore, Day 9 is Closing the Lodge (pages 54-65 in my book of Emulation Ritual). Remember, as we’ve just finished the Installation we are still in the Third Degree. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll be closing the Third and Second Degrees in full at the Installation, but will be Resuming the Lodge in them (page 68 in my book). Replacing the Closing in the Third and Second with Resuming definitely reduces the workload, but please don’t skip over this.
Also, spend some time learning the correct way to do the Risings in your Lodge. The blue book gives a guide, but I strongly suggest checking the current Master of your Lodge to get the correct wording. Some Lodges combine the Risings into one to save time, and of course all Lodges have their own number and Province they are held in. If you say it wrong it may sound alright to yourself, but will stand out a mile to everyone else in the Lodge!
Remember that once the ceremony is over and the Lodge is closed you may need to introduce the National Anthem (just the first verse!) and Closing Ode, and instruct the Organist if necessary.
If you’re confident with all of this then take a moment to read through the full Closings. It’s unlikely you’ll do full Closing at an Installation, but being prepared just in case is never a bad thing.