THE CEREMONIES OF OPENING AND/OR CLOSING A MASONIC LODGE.
(From the 1843 Masonic Trestle-Board)

The rites and ceremonies of Freemasonry form the distinctive peculiarity of the Institution.  In their nature they are simple --- in their end instructive.  They naturally excite a high degree of curiosity in a newly initiated Brother, and create an earnest desire to investigate their meaning, and to become acquainted with their object and design.  It requires, however, both serious application and untiring diligence to ascertain the precise nature of every ceremony which our ancient Brethren saw reason to adopt in the formation of an exclusive system, which was to pass through the world unconnected with the religion and politics of all times; and of every people among whom it should flourish and increase.

The assiduous Mason, with the assistance of an intelligent Master in the Chair --- and none but intelligent Brethren should ever be placed in that responsible station --- will not fail to derive instruction from every ceremony he may witness, and improvement from every ordinance with which he may become acquainted.

The first business which occupies the Brethren when assembled at their stated meetings is what is technically termed the OPENING of the Lodge.  The ceremonies cannot here be described with any considerable degree of minuteness.  We may, however, remark that at the well known signal, the Officers, Members, and visiting Brethren, clothed in their appropriate regalia, repair to their respective stations and await the commands of the Worshipful Master. The avenues of the Lodge are secured, and the ceremony of opening proceeds.

The ceremony of CLOSING differs from that of opening only in the necessary changes of phraseology and in certain precautionary measures.  The Brethren present are all expected to assist in the performance of both duties, and much of the beauty and harmony of the scene depends on their quiet deportment and strict attention to the business before them.  In this, as in all other Masonic ceremonies, everything like levity or rudeness in speech or action is to be depreciated and avoided.

A Mason should never forget that he is a gentleman, and that all of the peculiarities he witnesses, or in which he is required to participate while in the Lodge are designed to illustrate and inculcate some great moral truth.  The peculiar beauty of our ceremonies is, that they all tend to improve the mind and consecrate the affections to virtue.

The labors and duties of the Lodge should begin and end with prayer.  The Brethren cannot be too often reminded of their dependence on the Almighty Architect of the Universe for every blessing they enjoy.  Prayer is an ancient and beautiful custom of this Institution.  It was the constant practice of our ancestors.  It is enjoined by the Constitutions, and cannot with propriety be dispensed with.

It has been beautifully said that the Master opens the Lodge at sunrise, with solemn prayer; the Junior Warden calls the men from labor when the Sun attains its meridian height; and the Senior Warden closes the Lodge with prayer at sunset --- when the labors of our ancient Brethren ended.

The great luminary of creation rises in the East to open the day, and all nature rejoices in the appearance of his beams.  He gains his meridian in the South, invigorating all things with the perfection of his ripening qualities. With declining strength he sets in the West to close the day, leaving mankind at rest from their labors.  This is a type of the three most prominent stages in the life of man --- infancy, manhood, and age.

The first, characterized by the blush of innocence, pure as the tints which guild the eastern portals of the day.  The heart  rejoices in the unsuspecting integrity of its own unblemished virtues, nor fears deceit, because it known no guile. Manhood succeeds --- the ripening intellect arrives at the meridian of its powers, while at the approach of old age, his strength decays; his sun is setting in the West; and enfeebled by sickness or bodily infirmities, he lingers on till death finally closes his eventful day – and happy is he if the setting splendors of a virtuous life gild his departing moments with the gentile tints of hope, and closes his short career in peace, harmony, and Brotherly Love.