Manual of the Lodge/Ancient Ceremonies of the Order/Ceremony observed at Grand Visitations
SECTION IV.
CEREMONY OBSERVED AT GRAND VISITATIONS.
HE Grand Master, accompanied by the Grand officers, shall, at least once a year, or as often as he may deem expedient, visit the Lodges under his jurisdiction, to make the customary examinations. When this laudable duty becomes impracticable, from the extent of jurisdiction and large number of Lodges, the Grand Master may appoint any one or more of his Grand officers, who shall visit and inspect such Lodges as the Grand Master shall designate, and make report to him of the result.
The following is the form of a power for inspecting:
To all whom it may concern:
Know ye, that for divers good and sufficient reasons, we, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, finding it inconvenient in person to visit and inspect the following Lodges, namely [here insert the names and localities], have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint, our Right Worshipful Brother, . . . . . . [here name his office], authorizing him as our special proxy to visit the aforesaid Lodges, and to inspect their proceedings, to ascertain the state of their funds and their general condition, report of the same to be forthwith made to me.
| [l. s.] | Given under our hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at . . . . . . . . , this . . . day of in the year of Light, 58 . . |
| . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . . |
| Grand Secretary. | Grand Master. |
When both the Grand and Deputy Grand Masters are absent, the Senior or Junior Grand Warden may preside, as Deputy, in visiting the Lodges, who, in such case, shall have the above deputation, under the grand seal, signed by the Grand Master, and counter signed by the Grand Secretary.
The following is the ceremony observed on such occasions:
The Grand Secretary, by command of the Grand Master or presiding Grand officer, notifies the Lodge of the intended visit. The Master opens his Lodge in the third degree, and places his Deacons at the sides of the door, with their staves crossed.
The brethren arrange themselves in a line from the door, on each side, to the chair. The orders, borne by some of the most respectable private brethren, wait near the door, to walk before the Grand officers when they enter. This being arranged in this manner, the Master deputes a Past Master to escort the Grand officers, who enter in the following form :
Grand Marshal;
Grand Stewards;
Grand Pursuivant, with sword of state;
Two Grand Deacons;
Grand Treasurer and Secretary;
Grand Chaplain;
Senior and Junior Grand Wardens;
Grand and Deputy Grand Masters;
Two Grand Deacons.
The Grand Tiler remains at the door.
They proceed up to the East, when they open to the right and left, and the Grand Master passes through to the chair; they then close, and take their seats on the right of the Master. The Master receives the Grand Master according to ancient usage, with the private grand honors of Masonry, and resigns to him the chair and the hiram, when the officers of the Lodge resign their seats to the corresponding Grand officers. The Master then delivers to the Grand Master the Warrant of Constitution, the Treasurer's and Secretary's books, and a statement of the funds of the Lodge, for his inspection. Having examined them, he expresses his approbation, or makes such observations as the circumstances and situation of the Lodge may require. The Grand Master then resigns the chair to the Worshipful Master, and the Grand officers leave their seats, and repair to the East.
Should the Grand officers retire before the Lodge is closed, the same ceremony must be observed as at their entrance.
