ignorance of the excellent precepts it enjoins.  Lastly, you receive in charge the by-laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually executed.  I will also present you with the mallet; it is an emblem of power.  One stroke of the mallet calls to order, and calls up the Junior and Senior Deacons; two strokes call up all the subordinate officers; and three, the whole Lodge.”  The following charge is then delivered to the newly-installed Master (alias candidate) by the former Master: 

“Worshipful Master, being appointed Master of this Lodge, you cannot be insensible of the obligations which devolve on you as their head; nor of your responsibility for the faithful discharge of the important duties annexed to your appointment.  The honor, usefulness, and reputation of your Lodge will materially depend on the skill and assiduity with which you manage its concerns; while the happiness of its members will be generally promoted, in proportion to the zeal and ability with which you propagate the genuine principles of our institution.  For a pattern of information, consider the luminary of nature, which, rising in the East, regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its circle.  In like manner, it is your province to spread and communicate light and instruction to the brethren of your Lodge.  Forcibly impress upon them the dignity and high importance of Masonry, and seriously admonish them never to disgrace it.  Charge them to practice out of the Lodge those duties which they have been taught in it; and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous conduct, to convince mankind of the goodness of the institution, so that, when anyone is said to be a member of it, the world may know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour out its sorrows—­to whom distress may prefer its suit—­whose hand is guided by justice, and his heart expanded by benevolence.  In short, by a diligent observance of the by-laws of your Lodge, the constitution of Masonry, and, above all, the Holy Scriptures, which are given as a rule and guide of your faith, you will be enabled to acquit yourself with honor and reputation, and lay up a crown of rejoicing which shall continue when time shall be no more."[6]

The Master then says to the newly-installed Master, “I now leave you to the government of your Lodge.”  He then retires to a seat, and, after a moment or two, rises and addresses the candidate (now in the chair as Master), “Worshipful Master, in consequence of my resignation, and the election of a new Master, the seats of the Wardens have become vacant.  It is necessary you should have Wardens to assist you in the government of your Lodge.  The constitution requires us to elect our officers by ballot, but it is common, on occasions of this kind, to dispense with those formalities, and elect by ayes and noes; I move we do so on the present occasion.”  The question is tried and carried in the affirmative.  The Master has a right to nominate one candidate for