National Council: - Institution of Lodges

Ritual

For Lodges of the International Organization of Good Templars
Used with permission of the National Council of IOGT-USA
(***Not currently used - for historical significance only.***)
Edited for the Internet by Brent B.

Institution of Lodges

[Lodges can be instituted only by the I.C.T., a G.C.T. or by a Deputy holding a Commission from one of them. The Officer, before instituting, should ascertain that the Charter has been duly granted, and the Charter fee paid, or that he is empowered to receive the fee, which must be paid before the Lodge is instituted. He should then call the institution meeting and endeavor to get a sufficient number of Good Templars to assist. At the appointed hour he should:—

Call the meeting to order.
Call the names of the applicants and see that there is a sufficient number of them present.
Collect the fees that the applicants may decide upon, subject to the minimum fee fixed by Grand Lodge. If the charter fee has not been paid, he must collect it.
Request applicants who have Clearance Cards to sign the Roll of Membership.
Appoint Good Templars present to officiate during initiation of new members; if there are none present he shall administer the obligation to the applicants.
Submit the question of the name of the Lodge.
Request the Lodge to recommend a member for Lodge Deputy.
Have officers nominated and elected.
Install the Officers, directing them to their different chairs and declaring them duly installed.
Explain the Organisation briefly.
Have the Lodge fix place, next night and hour of meeting.

The above business being transacted the Instituting Officer will proceed.]

•

Instituting Officer Brothers and Sisters, having complied with all that our Laws and Usages demand, it is my pleasure and duty to welcome the members of .................... Lodge into the Organization. It is your privilege if you be faithful and energetic to exert a healthy influence upon the community in which you reside.

Let your efforts ever be in harmony, and your counsels guided by reason, charity, and true wisdom. Above all, let me ask that your example shall be such as to advance the true interests of this Lodge, and of our common cause. The efficiency of an institution depends more upon the example and practice of its members than upon their precepts or professions. Live above reproach; live to do good; live to improve all the higher faculties of man's nature; and you will be instrumental in accomplishing a part of the great work of regenerating the world.

• • •

And now, by authority of the Grand Lodge..............of the International Organization of Good Templars, I hereby proclaim........................ Lodge to be duly organised and instituted, and, while obedient to the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge, and of the International Supreme Lodge to be fully entitled to all rights and privileges of Lodges of our Organization.

[The Lodge should appoint a Committee on By-Laws to report at next meeting. Letters and greetings may be read, visitors may present their greetings, the C.T. may offer thanks to the Instituting Officer, etc., and then the meeting is closed in due form. Before leaving the room, the Instituting Officer must see that the Charter is completed [if that is not done by the G. Sec.], that a correct record of the Institution Meeting is inserted in the minutes and signed by him, that the Institution report is filled out, and that the Officers get the necessary instruction in the keeping of the Lodges' Books.]

[Installation Ceremony] [Top of Page]


	Ritual For Lodges of the International Organization of Good Templars Used with permission of the National Council of IOGT-USA (*Not currently used - for historical significance only.*) Edited for the Internet by Brent B. Institution of Lodges [Lodges can be instituted only by the I.C.T., a G.C.T. or by a Deputy holding a Commission from one of them. The Officer, before instituting, should ascertain that the Charter has been duly granted, and the Charter fee paid, or that he is empowered to receive the fee, which must be paid before the Lodge is instituted. He should then call the institution meeting and endeavor to get a sufficient number of Good Templars to assist. At the appointed hour he should:— Call the meeting to order. Call the names of the applicants and see that there is a sufficient number of them present. Collect the fees that the applicants may decide upon, subject to the minimum fee fixed by Grand Lodge. If the charter fee has not been paid, he must collect it. Request applicants who have Clearance Cards to sign the Roll of Membership. Appoint Good Templars present to officiate during initiation of new members; if there are none present he shall administer the obligation to the applicants. Submit the question of the name of the Lodge. Request the Lodge to recommend a member for Lodge Deputy. Have officers nominated and elected. Install the Officers, directing them to their different chairs and declaring them duly installed. Explain the Organisation briefly. Have the Lodge fix place, next night and hour of meeting. The above business being transacted the Instituting Officer will proceed.] • Instituting Officer Brothers and Sisters, having complied with all that our Laws and Usages demand, it is my pleasure and duty to welcome the members of .................... Lodge into the Organization. It is your privilege if you be faithful and energetic to exert a healthy influence upon the community in which you reside. Let your efforts ever be in harmony, and your counsels guided by reason, charity, and true wisdom. Above all, let me ask that your example shall be such as to advance the true interests of this Lodge, and of our common cause. The efficiency of an institution depends more upon the example and practice of its members than upon their precepts or professions. Live above reproach; live to do good; live to improve all the higher faculties of man's nature; and you will be instrumental in accomplishing a part of the great work of regenerating the world. • • • And now, by authority of the Grand Lodge..............of the International Organization of Good Templars, I hereby proclaim........................ Lodge to be duly organised and instituted, and, while obedient to the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge, and of the International Supreme Lodge to be fully entitled to all rights and privileges of Lodges of our Organization. [The Lodge should appoint a Committee on By-Laws to report at next meeting. Letters and greetings may be read, visitors may present their greetings, the C.T. may offer thanks to the Instituting Officer, etc., and then the meeting is closed in due form. Before leaving the room, the Instituting Officer must see that the Charter is completed [if that is not done by the G. Sec.], that a correct record of the Institution Meeting is inserted in the minutes and signed by him, that the Institution report is filled out, and that the Officers get the necessary instruction in the keeping of the Lodges' Books.] [Installation Ceremony] [Top of Page]