what was the Lodge of Promulgation set up to do in 1809

The Lodge of Promulgation was warranted on 26th October 1809 by the Moderns Grand Lodge to ascertain and promulgate the ancient landmarks of Craft Masonry, reverting to practices used prior to 1739 and paving the way for the Union of 1813 12. The Earl of Moira authorized its warrant to prepare the Craft for reunion between the Moderns and the Antients 1. The body was established to carry into effect the intention of Grand Lodge to revert to those ancient landmarks and instruct the Craft accordingly, as a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge notes.

To achieve this standardization, the lodge met weekly to settle the form and manner of ritualistic ceremonies 1. Once the members agreed on the correct workings, they invited the Masters of London lodges to attend rehearsals covering the Three Degrees as well as the ceremony of Installation for Worshipful Masters 1.

The lodge's work focused on specific ritual adjustments in the Craft, including determining the form of the lodge, defining the number and roles of officers, restoring the proper words to each degree, moving pass-words to the transition between degrees rather than within them, and formally observing the installation of Masters as a landmark of the Order 1. Having established these accepted forms and instructed London lodge leaders in their execution, the lodge completed its work and disbanded in March 1811 1.

Between 1809 and 1811, the Lodge of Promulgation examined and standardized core ceremonial practices to align Craft working with ancient usage prior to the changes introduced around 1739 1. It resolved that the formal installation ceremony of the Worshipful Master constituted a true landmark of the Order and must be strictly observed 1, as a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge notes.

The lodge addressed the internal structure and seating of the lodge room. As Quatuor Coronati Lodge records, it recommended the formal employment of Deacons as officers within Craft lodges to assist in ritual and administration, settled the physical seating of the Wardens and Past Masters, established the correct placement of the Three Great Lights, and confirmed the symbolic usage of the Wardens' columns.

Regarding degree work, the lodge standardized the procedures for opening and closing the lodge across the First, Second, and Third Degrees, as well as the preparation and advancement of candidates (a paper read before Quatuor Coronati Lodge). It restored the proper words belonging to each degree and established that pass-words should be given between degrees rather than within them 1. An article on the Quatuor Coronati Lodge website also notes that the lodge resolved to reverse the modes of recognition for the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees to restore their ancient alignment.