Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire

Amalgamations

 

Extended Agenda for the Celebration of the

Amalgamation of

..................... Lodge No ...................

1.         The Brethren assemble in the Lodge Room

2.         Opening Hymn [Hail Eternal .... ]

3.         Lodge opened in the 1st Degree by the Worshipful Master.

4.         Dispensation.    

5. [a]    The DPGM is admitted accompanied by the Provincial Deputation

    [b]    Salutations

    [c]    DPGM gives his Welcome

    [d]    Introduction of the Provincial Delegation

Deputy Provincial Grand Master
Assistant Provincial Grand Master
Provincial Senior Grand Warden
Provincial Junior Grand Warden
District Chairman
Provincial Grand Chaplain
Provincial Grand Secretary
Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies
Provincial Deputy Grand DC(s)
Provincial Grand Organist
Provincial Grand Tyler
Co-ordinator

Opening Remarks [leading to]:

6.         Opening Prayer by Provincial Grand Chaplain.

“Vouchsafe thine aid Almighty Father,
Architect and Ruler of the Universe, To us Thy servants.
Grant we beseech Thee, the assistance of Thy Grace
in this our undertakings.
Direct us in all our ways with Thy Divine wisdom.
Unite us in will and deed to complete the task set before us
to the honour and glory of thy Holy name”.          SMIB             

                        ProvGDC:-     “Brethren be seated”.

7.         The DPGM states the purpose of the meeting.            
“Brethren we are assembled on the present occasion for the purpose of celebrating the amalgamation of the ..............Lodge No ..... with the .................. Lodge No ..............  I, therefore, call on the Provincial Grand Secretary to state the wishes of the Brethren and the proceedings they have taken thus far”.

8.         The Provincial Grand Secretary addresses the DPGM stating that United  Grand Lodge has granted a Certificate of Amalgamation.
“DPGM, the Brethren of ..............Lodge No ..... and the .................. Lodge No ............., in the County of Lancaster in the Masonic Province of East Lancashire, who are now assembled, have requested me to inform you that, having completed the required procedures and agreed in Open Lodge to amalgamate, the MW Grand Master has been pleased to grant a Certificate of Amalgamation bearing the date ........ and to the enfacement of the Warrants and they are desirous that the amalgamation of their Lodges should be affirmed according to the established customs of the Order, for which purpose they are now met, and await your pleasure”.

9.         The DPGM gives direction:
“I will thank those Brethren of the Amalgamated Lodge to be upstanding, whilst the Provincial Grand Secretary reads the Certificate of Amalgamation.

10.       The ProvGSec reads the Certificate of Amalgamation.
The ProvGDC presents Certificate of Amalgamation to the DPGM for inspection.

DPGM then says:-
“It is in order”

ProvGDC places the Certificate of Amalgamation on the Mosaic Pavement and
at  same time the cancelled Warrant of the ..........................Lodge No ......................... is placed
on the pavement by the ProvDepGDC (1)

ProvGDC says:- “Brethren be seated”.

11.       The DPGM calls upon the Provincial Grand Chaplain for an Oration.
“I call upon the Provincial Grand Chaplain to deliver an Oration.”

ProvGChap delivers Oration

12.       The Brethren of the amalgamated Lodge are arranged round the Mosaic Pavement facing outwards.
The DPGM leaves his chair to receive the salt.

13.       A reading by the Provincial Grand Chaplain.
“And every Oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season
with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the Covenant
of thy God to be lacking from the meat offering; with all Thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.”

14.       During the perambulations by the DPGM the Brethren sing:--
            “Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
            O’er the worlds tempestuous sea;
            Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
            For we have no help but Thee,
            Yet possessing every blessing
            If our God our Father be.”

15.       The DPGM sprinkles salt on the Brethren standing [left shoulder].

            The DPGM sprinkles salt on the Mosaic Pavement and says:-

“I sprinkle Salt on this Lodge, the emblem of hospitality and friendship; and may prosperity and happiness attend this Lodge until time shall be no more.”

16.       The Provincial Grand Chaplain carries the censer three times round the Lodge reciting Exodus.

17.       Amalgamation prayer by the ProvGChap.
           

ProvGDC:-            “Brethren round the Mosaic pavement will face East. Brethren, up standing and to order for prayer.”                         

ProvGChap:-
“O God, our Father, Ruler and Architect of the Universe,
You have created us and call us to live together as Brethren.
inder the auspices of your love.
Grant we beseech Thee, Unity and Peace to these your servants
who have come together as one Lodge out of two Lodges.
Make them strong in their resolve to be faithful to thee, to each other and to The Lodge. That they may be one in their calling, strong in their Hope and fervent in Spirit. United in the one who liveth and reigneth now and for ever.” SMIB.

18.       DPGM Affirms the Amalgamation of the Lodges.

ProvGDC:-     “Brethren to order”.            
DPGM:-
“I affirm the Amalgamation of these Lodges now denominated the ...................... Lodge No ......., on the register of the United Grand Lodge of England and may the GAOTU prosper, direct and counsel you in all your undertakings.”All:-  “So Mote it Be”         
   
ProvGDC:-
“The Brethren round the Mosaic Pavement will face inwards”.

19.       Let us have Harmony [all sing]:
ProvGDC:-     “Brethren, we will sing Let us have Harmony

ProvGDC:-
 “The Brethren round the Mosaic Pavement will face outwards. Brethren be seated”. 

20.       Brethren of the amalgamated Lodge resume their seats.

ProvGDC:- “The Brethren round the Mosaic Pavement will resume their seats.” 

The ProvGDC and the ProvDepGDC, rise, collect the Certificate of Amalgamation and the Warrants of the erased ............................. Lodge No ............................ from the Mosaic Pavement, together with the enfaced Warrant of the newly named ........................... Lodge  No ................... and take them to the DPGM. The ProvGDC returns to his seat and sits. The ProvDepGDC stays with the WM and returns the appropriate Warrants to the ProvGSec. He then returns to his seat and sits.

21.       DPGM delivers the new Warrants, Banners, Certificate of Amalgamation and the By Laws to WM.

            The DPGM stands along with the WM and says:

“WM, I now deliver into your special keeping the Warrant of the former ............... Lodge No ....., which has been cancelled by the Grand Secretary, together with the Certificate of Amalgamation. These to hand down with the enfaced Warrant of the .................. Lodge No ................, on the day of Installation to your successor and by him and those succeeding him to theirs.   May the amalgamated ......... Lodge No ......., prosper and may the true and genuine principles of our great and glorious Institution, flourish forever under their auspices. 
I likewise deliver to you with the By-Laws of your Lodge.”

22.       Patriarchal Benediction by Provincial Grand Chaplain.

ProvGDC:-
“Brethren upstanding and to Order for the Patriarchal  
Benediction”.     [Sign of Reverence].

ProvGChap:- 
“The Lord bless and preserve thee;
The Lord make his face to shine upon thee
And be gracious unto thee;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee,
And grant thee peace,
Both now and forever.” SMIB

ProvGDC:-     “Brethren be seated.”

23.       The DPGM addresses the Brethren of the Amalgamated Lodge.

ProvGDC:-    “Brethren of the [new] ..................... Lodge No ............. upstanding”.

DPGM addresses the Brethren.

“Brethren of the Lodge, I am now to say a few words and it may be convenient for you to be seated.”

Address by the DPGM

Thereafter:-
The WM and the Brethren of the Lodge stand and the WM gives the Lodge’s thanks and appreciation to the DPGM and to the Provincial Deputation for their attendance and the extremely hard work undertaken.
[This is the stage for a cheque for charity [if required] to be presented].

The ProvGDC:-         “Brethren be seated”.

24.       Alms
The DPGM announces that a collection will now be taken for Alms.

25.       DPGM accompanied by the Provincial Delegation retires.

ProvGDC rises and goes before the DPGM and says:-

“DPGM is it now your wish to retire? [response – “Yes, ProvGDC]
“Is it also your wish to be accompanied by the Provincial Delegation?”

“Brethren the DPGM will now retire.  ProvDepGDC’s you will escort the ProvGWardens to the East.”

The ProvDepGDCs ‘collect’ the Senior and Junior Wardens of the Lodge, escort them to their respective chairs and exchange them for the Provincial Wardens who they then place into the procession.

The ProvGDC then says:  “Brethren, upstanding”

The ProvGDC then goes for the WM, escorts him to the WM’s pedestal, the DPGM vacates the chair to him and is escorted to the procession:-

The ProvGDC then says:

  “Brethren forward”. [applause is usual]

There is no other business for the Lodge to undertake therefore:

26.       The Lodge is closed by the WM.