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[Illustration: GEORGE THORNBURGH]




    MASONIC MONITOR

    OF THE DEGREES OF

    Entered Apprentice, Fellow
    Craft and Master Mason

    TOGETHER WITH THE

    Ceremony of Installation, Laying
    Corner Stones, Dedications,
    Masonic Burial, Etc.

    BY

    GEORGE THORNBURGH

    P. G. M., and Custodian of the Secret Work

    COPYRIGHT 1903, BY
    GEORGE THORNBURGH
    LITTLE ROCK, ARK.




CONTENTS.


    Order of Business.

    Masonic Dates.

    Opening Prayer and Charge.

    Closing Prayer and Charge.

    Closing Ceremonies.

    Entered Apprentice.

    Fellow Craft.

    Master Mason.

    Grand Honors and Reception of Visitors.

    Election and Installation.

    Instituting Lodge.

    Constituting Lodge.

    Laying Corner Stone.

    Dedication of Hall.

    Funerals.

    Lodge of Sorrow.




ORDER OF BUSINESS.


At stated communications:

First. Reading the minutes.

Second. Considering unfinished business.

Third. Receiving and referring petitions.

Fourth. Receiving report of committees.

Fifth. Balloting for candidates.

Sixth. Receiving and considering resolutions.

Seventh. Conferring degrees.

At called meetings no business should be taken up except that for which
the meeting was called.

The 24th of June and 27th of December are regular meetings, but it is
not best to take up routine business. Let it be a celebration, and not a
business session.




TO FIND AND WRITE MASONIC DATES.


=Lodge.=--(Anno Lucis--the year of light). Add 4,000 to the common year;
thus, for 1903, write: A. L. 5903.

=Chapter=.--(Anno Inventionis--the year of discovery). Add 530 to the
common year.

=Council.=--(Anno Depositionis--the year of deposit). Add 1,000 to the
common year.

=Commandery.=--(Anno Ordinis--the year of the order). Subtract 1,118
from the common year.




Certificate and Recommendation


This is to Certify that we have examined the manuscript of the Monitor,
prepared by Bro. George Thornburgh, and we approve the same.

    GEORGE THORNBURGH,   }
    W. M. KENT,          } Custodians.
    GEORGE W. DEVAUGHAN, }

    J. M. OATHOUT, Grand Lecturer.

    JOHN T. HICKS, Grand Master.

            ------------

    Little Rock, Ark., August 19, 1903.

_Office of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F. and A. M. of
Arkansas_:

This Monitor, prepared by Past Grand Master George Thornburgh,
having been approved by the Custodians of the Work, the Grand
Lecturer and myself, I do recommend the use of the same to all
the lodges in Arkansas.

    JOHN T. HICKS,
        GRAND MASTER.




PREFACE AND DEDICATION.


The demand of the craft throughout the State for a practical working
Monitor of the three degrees, arranged in conformity with the work in
this jurisdiction, culminated in the adoption, by the Grand Lodge of
1902, of the following resolution:

"Resolved, That Brother George Thornburgh be requested to prepare a
Monitor which shall be adopted as the Monitor of this Grand Lodge. When
the proposed Monitor is approved by the Custodians of the Work, the
Grand Lecturer, and the Grand Master, the Grand Master shall be
authorized to recommend it to the lodges."

This Monitor has been prepared in obedience to that resolution. The book
is the child of my heart and mind. A love for the cause inspired its
preparation. It goes to the craft with my earnest prayers that it may
cause a more general and closer study of the beautiful ceremonies of the
first three degrees, which are the foundation of all true Freemasonry. I
dedicate the book to the Masons of Arkansas, who have so often and so
kindly honored me above my merit.

                                  GEO. THORNBURGH.

Little Rock, Ark, Sept. 1, 1903.




PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION


On the 20th of October, 1903, the first edition of one thousand Monitors
was placed on sale. I supposed I would probably dispose of them in the
course of a year, but to my surprise, by December 20 they were all sold.
I placed the second edition of one thousand on sale February 24, 1904,
and by June 15 they were gone. Evidently the Monitor fills a long felt
want.

It was prepared especially to conform to the work in this jurisdiction.
It may be studied with profit by every Mason, whether he be an officer
or not. The youngest Entered Apprentice will find it helpful and useful
in assisting him to fix upon his mind those beautiful first lessons. The
officers from Master of Ceremonies to Worshipful Master will find it
convenient and indispensable in the performance correctly of the
beautiful ceremonies of the institution.

I am gratified beyond expression at the cordial reception the Monitor
has received from the craft.

It is commended in the highest terms by the best workers in the State.
Here are only a few of the hundreds of endorsements sent me.

Grand Master Hicks: "It is the best Monitor to be found for Arkansas
Masons."

Grand Lecturer Oathout had the manuscript sent to his home that he might
very carefully examine it, and he wrote: "I have carefully examined the
manuscript of your Monitor twice over and cheerfully give my
endorsement, believing it to be the best Monitor I have ever seen. I
believe your work will be appreciated by the Craft in Arkansas when they
examine the Monitor."

Brother G. W. DeVaughan, Custodian of the Secret Work: "I am very much
pleased with it."

Brother W. M. Kent, the other custodian of the Secret Work: "Good; I
want another copy."

Our Senior Past Grand Master G. A. Dannelly, who was so long the Grand
Lecturer, says: "I have read it carefully. In my judgment it is the best
Monitor I ever saw. I heartily congratulate you on being the author of
such a book. I recommend it to all the lodges. It would be well if every
member would supply himself with a copy."

Past Grand Master R. H. Taylor: "I have carefully reviewed it from
opening to conclusion. It is a work of great merit, concise and clear,
free and easy of style. It is not alone valuable and useful as a guide
to Arkansas Masons, but to Masons everywhere. In fact if adopted by
other Grand Jurisdictions, would simplify and beautify Masonic work.
Every Mason in the State should own and study the Arkansas Monitor."

Past Grand Master Sorrells, who made the motion in Grand Lodge to have
the Monitor prepared, says: "I have examined it closely, and feel sure
that it will meet the approbation of the Craft throughout this
Jurisdiction."

Past Grand Master Bridewell: "I have examined it and find it complete.
To a newly made Mason it is indispensable, and if every one of them
would get a copy immediately after their raising we would have brighter
and better Masons. It would do a world of good if many of the older
Masons would make it their 'vade me