Deacons; are all present Masons?

(Deacons rise, and in a prescribed fashion proceed throughout the lodge room, observing those in attendance, ascertaining that they are all Masons.

JD: Brother Senior Deacon, all are Masons in the South.

SD: Brother Senior Warden, we are all Masons.

SW: We are all Masons, Worshipful Master.

(The Deacons return to their places)

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Worshipful Master.

WM: The first great care of Masons when convened.

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to open a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Worshipful Master is about to open a Lodge of Entered Apprentices. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: ***. Tyl: ***

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Mason without, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Whence came you?

SW: From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem.

WM: What came you here to do?

SW: To learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in Masonry.

WM: Then you are a Mason, I presume?

SW: I am so taken and accepted among Brethren and Fellows.

 

The Entered Apprentice Degree Ritual

 

INTRODUCTION

WM = Worshipful Master

SW = Senior Warden

JW = Junior Warden

Tr. = Treasurer

Sec. = Secretary

SD = Senior Deacon

JD = Junior Deacon

SS = Senior Steward

JS = Junior Steward

Tyl = Tyler

Ch = Chaplain

Cand. = Candidate

(*; * *; or * * *, normally signifies the number of raps from a gavel. In the case of the Senior Deacon, his staff, pounding on the floor; when it is done at either the outer or inner door,it signifies a knock on the door.

(S) signifies the due-guard and sign being given as a

salutation to the Worshipful Master.)

 

ENTERED APPRENTICE OPENING

WM: *. Officers, take your respective stations and places; Brethren, be clothed.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Are all present Masons?

SW: *Brothers Senior and Juniorn:justify'>WM: What makes you a Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge and Free and Accepted Masons, assembled in a place representing the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: How many compose an Entered Apprentices Lodge?

SW: Seven or more.

WM: When composed of seven, of whom does it consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon's place in the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the South, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; attend to alarms at the outer door and report the same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon's place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the East, to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend to alarms at the inner door; also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Treasurer's place?

SD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Treasurer.

Tr: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Tr: To receive all moneys from the Secretary, keeping a just and accurate account of the same, and pay it out on order of the Lodge, signed by the Worshipful Master; also to perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

WM: The Secretary's place?

Tr: At the left of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Secretary.

Sec: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Sec: To observe the proceedings of the Lodge, make a full record of all that is proper to be written; to receive all moneys due the Lodge and pay it to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefore; and to perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

WM: The Junior Warden's station?

Sec: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that the means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return to their labor in due season, that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden's station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any by due, that none may go away dissatisfied, harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master's station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day,(WM:* * *)so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern the Lodge; setting the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that __________Lodge No. ____ be now opened on the First Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that _______ Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the First Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. This communicate to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof. They may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master, communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that ___________Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the First Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. I communicate the same to you, that having due notice thereof, you may govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the East.

WM * SW * JW *

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the Great Architect of the Universe, the Giver of all good gifts and graces! Thou hast promised that "where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou will by in their midst and bless them." In Thy name we have assembled, and in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry may so subdue every discordant passion within us - so harmonize and enrich or hearts, with Thine own love and goodness - that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before Thy throne. Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and display the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

WM: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

WM: In the name of God and the Holy Saints John, I now declare _______ Lodge No. ___ duly opened and in order for business; at the same time strictly forbidding any un-Masonic conduct whereby the harmony of the same might be disturbed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

JD: * * * Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Lodge is now opened on the Entered Apprentice Degree. Take due notice thereof and tyle accordingly.

JD: * * * Tyl: * * *

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Present the flag of our country at the Altar.

WM Brethren, you will join with me in the pledge of allegiance to the Flag of our Country.

(All join with the Pledge of Allegiance)

WM: *

WM: If there are present any Present or Past Grand Officers, Present or Past Masters, they are cordially and fraternally invited to a seat in the East.

 

ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE

WM: *. Brethren; Mr._______ Is in waiting for the First Degree of Freemasonry, he having been duly accepted. If there is no objection, I shall confer this degree upon him.

WM: There being none, I will proceed.

WM: *. Brother Stewards.

SS: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should a candidate be prepared for the First Degree of Freemasonry?

SS: By being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, left knee and breast bare, hood-winked, and with a cable-tow about his neck.

WM: Repair to the preparation room where Mr. (JH) is in waiting. When thus prepared, cause him to make the usual alarm at the inner door. Brother Secretary, accompany them.(In the preparation room)

Sec: Mr. ______, somewhat of your motives in applying for admission into our ancient and honorable Fraternity we have learned from the declaration, over your signature, contained in your petition; but in order that you may not be misled as to the character or the purpose of the ceremonies in which you are about to engage, the Lodge addresses to you these preliminary words of advice.

Freemasonry is far removed from all that is trivial, selfish and ungodly. Its structure is built upon the everlasting foundation of the God-given law - the Brotherhood of Man, in the family whose Father is God. Our ancient and honorable Fraternity welcomes to its doors and admits to its privileges worthy men of all creeds and of every race, but insists that all men shall stand upon an exact equality, and receive its instructions in a spirit of due humility, emphasizing in demeanor, in conduct, in ceremony and in language the helpless, groping nature of man at his birth and his need of reliance upon Divine guidance through all the transactions of life. You will here be taught to divest your mind and conscience of all the vices and superfluities of life, and the Lodge into which you are now to be admitted expects you to divest yourself of all those worldly distinctions and equipments which are not in keeping with the humble, reverent and childlike attitude it is now your duty to assume, as all have done who have gone this way before you. Every candidate, previous to his reception, is required to give his free and full assent to the following interrogatories, in a room adjacent to the Lodge.

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that unbiased by the improper solicitation of friend, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries of Freemasonry? (Candidate answers.)

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you are prompted to solicit the privileges of Freemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow-creatures? (Candidate answers.)

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usages and established customs of the Fraternity? (Candidate answers. The Secretary re-enters the Lodge.)

Sec: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Secretary.

Sec: The candidate has answered the usual questions in the affirmative.

(There is now a waiting period, giving time for preparation of the candidate(s) in the proper attire)

Cand: ***.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SS: Mr. _________, a poor blind candidate who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethren and Fellows have done who have gone this way before him.

SD: Mr. _____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

SD: Brother Stewards, is he worthy and well qualified?

SS: He is.

SD: Duly and truly prepared?

SS: He is.

SD: By what further right does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SS: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and well recommended.

SD: Since the candidate is in possession of these necessary qualifications, let him wait until the Worshipful Master can be informed of his request, and his answer returned.

SD: ***. Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is without, Mr. _____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethren and Fellows have done who have gone this way before him.

WM: Is it an act of his own free will and accord?

SD: It is.

WM: Is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: By what further right does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and well recommended.

WM: Since the candidate is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge, in the name of God, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD: ***. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge, in the name of God, and be received in due and proper form.

SD: (Stops Cand immediately upon his entering the lodge room)

Mr. _____, I am commanded to receive you on the point of a sharp instrument, piercing your naked left breast, which is to teach you that as this is an instrument of torture to the flesh, so should the recollection thereof be to your mind and conscience, should you ever reveal the secrets of Freemasonry unlawfully.

SD: (Steps to left side of Cand and takes him by the arm, forearm horizontal, forming the angle of a square): Mr. _____, as no man should ever enter upon any great and important undertaking without first invoking the aid of Deity, you will be conducted to the center of the Lodge, caused to kneel and attend prayer.

WM: ***

(All stand; WM is escorted to the center of the lodge, stopping in front of candidate)

Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, and become a true and faithful Brother among us. Endue him with a competency of Thy divine wisdom, that by the influence of the pure principles of our Fraternity he may be better enabled to display the beauties of holiness, to the honor of The Holy Name. Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Mr. _____, in whom do you put your trust?

(Cand answers without prompting)(accepted response: "In God")

WM: Your trust being in God, your faith is well founded.

(WM grasps Cand as a firm handshake, assisting him up) Rise, follow your conductor, and fear no danger.

(WM returns to the east and raps the gavel for all to be seated)

WM: *

JW: *

Chap: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity!"

SW: *

Chap: "It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:"

WM: *

Chap: "For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

SD: ***

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Mr. ____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethren and Fellows have done who have gone this way before him.

JW: Mr. ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

JW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

JW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

JW: By what further right does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and well recommended.

JW: Since the candidate is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to the Senior Warden in the West for his examination.

SD: ***.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SDS: Mr. ____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethren and Fellows have done who have gone this way before him.

SW: Mr. ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

SW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

SW: By what further right does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and well recommended.

SW: Since the candidate is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to the Worshipful Master in the East for his examination.

SD: ***.

WM: *. Who comes here?

SD: Mr. ____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethren and Fellows have done who have gone this way before him.

WM: Mr. ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: By what further right does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and well recommended.

WM: Whence came you, and whither are you traveling?

SD: From the West, traveling East.

WM: Why did you leave the West and travel East?

SD: In Search of Light in Masonry.

WM: Since the candidate is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, and in search of Light in Masonry, reconduct him to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach him how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you teach this candidate how to approach to East in due and ancient form.

SW: Cause the candidate to face the East. Mr. ____, advance on your left foot, bringing the heel of your right into the hollow of your left, thereby forming the angle of a square.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: The candidate is in order.

WM: Mr. ____, before you can proceed further in Freemasonry, it will be necessary for you to take on Obligation appertaining to this degree. It becomes my duty as well as pleasure to inform you that there is nothing contained in the Obligation that conflicts with the duties you owe to God, your country, your neighbor, your family, or yourself. With this assurance on my part, are you willing to take the Obligation?

Cand: I am.

WM: Then advance to the Sacred Altar of Freemasonry. There kneel on your naked left knee; your right forming the angle of a square; your left hand supporting, and your right resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master, the candidate is in due form.

WM: ***.

WM: Mr. ____, if you are still willing to take the Obligation, say "I", pronounce your name in full, and repeat after me.

Cand: I, ____ __ ____,(candidate then repeats the obligation as ministered to him by the WM) of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints of Jerusalem, do hereby and hereon, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hele, forever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts, parts, or points of the hidden mysteries of Freemasonry, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Entered Apprentice, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him or them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him or them only whom I shall find so to be after due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not write, indite, print, paint, stamp, stain, hue, cut, carve, mark or engrave the same upon anything movable or immovable, whereby or whereon the least word, syllable, letter, or character may become legible or intelligible to myself or another, whereby the secrets of Freemasonry may be unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in my whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out, and with my body buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of an Entered Apprentice. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

WM: In token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible on which your hand rests.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, remove the cable-tow.

WM:My Brother, in your present situation, who do you most desire?

Cand:Light in Masonry(prompted by Senior Deacon)

WM: Brethren, stretch forth your hands and assist me in bringing this newly made Brother to true Masonic Light.

WM: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and voice, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there by light!" and there was light. In humble commemoration of that august event, I now say Masonically, let there be Light.

(All clap there hands one time, in unison, as the Senior Deacon removes the hoodwink.)

WM: My Brother, on being brought to Light in Freemasonry, you first behold the Three Great Lights, by aid of the representatives of the Three Lesser.

The Three Great Lights in Masonry are the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, and are thus explained: The Holy Bible is given us as the rule and guide for our faith and practice, the Square to square our actions, and the Compasses circumscribe our desires and keep our passions in due bound with all mankind, especially the Brethren.

(Bible Lecture)

I particularly direct your attention to the Great Light in Masonry, the Holy Bible. Howsoever men differ in creed or theology, all good men are agreed that within the covers of the Holy Bible are found those principles of morality which lay the foundation upon which to build a righteous life. Freemasonry therefore opens this Book upon its Altars, with the command to each of its votaries that he diligently study therein to learn the way to everlasting life. Adopting no particular creed, forbidding sectarian discussion within its Lodgerooms, encouraging each to be steadfast in the faith of his acceptance, Freemasonry takes all good men by the hand, and leading them to its Altars, points to the open Bible thereon, and urges upon each that he faithfully direct his steps through life by the Light he there shall find, and as he there shall find it.

If from our sacred altars the atheist, the infidel, the irreligious man, or the libertine should ever be able to wrest this Book of Sacred Laws, and thus remove, or even obscure, the greatest Light in Masonry - that Light which has for centuries been the rule and guide of Freemasons - then could we no longer claim for ourselves the great rank and title of Free and Accepted Masons; but so long as that Sacred Light shines upon our altars, so long as it illuminates the pathway of the Craftsmen by the golden rays of truth, so long and no longer can Freemasonry live and shed its beneficent influence upon mankind. Guard then, that Book of sacred and immutable law as you would guard your very life. Defend it as you would the flag of your country. Live according to its divine teachings, with its everlasting assurance of a blessed immortality.

WM: The Three Lesser Lights are the Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge, and are thus explained: as the Sun rules the day and the Moon governs the night, so should the Worshipful Master, with equal regularity, rule and govern the lodge. They are represented by three burning tapirs placed in a triangular fashion within the Lodge.

WM: *.

WM: You now observe me as Worshipful Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the East, upon the square, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice. My Brother, an Entered Apprentice advances on his left foot, bringing the heel of his right into the hollow of his left, thereby forming the angle of a square. This is the due-guard, and alludes to the position of your hands while taking the Obligation; this is the sign, and alludes to the penalty of the Obligation. This due-guard and sign are always to be given as a salutation to the Worshipful Master, also on entering or retiring from an Entered Apprentices Lodge. I now present my right hand in token of friendship and brother love, and will invest you with the grip and word. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: I hele.

SD: I conceal.

WM: What do you conceal?

SD: All the secrets of a Mason in Masonry, to which this token alludes.

WM: What is that?

SD: A grip.

WM: Of what?

SD: Of an Entered Apprentice.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter it or halve it.

WM: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

WM: Begin You.

SD: A; WM: B; SD: O; WM: Z.

WM: Boaz, my Brother, is the name of this grip, and should always be given in the customary manner, by lettering or halving. When lettering, always commence with the letter, "A". Rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that you are in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, grip and word of an Entered Apprentice.

SD: ***.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly initiated Entered Apprentice.

JW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

JW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

JW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

JW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

JW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

JW: What is a token?

SD: A certain friendly or brotherly grip, whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

JW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: A grip.

JW: Of what?

SD: Of an Entered Apprentice.

JW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

JW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

JW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or halve it.

JW: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

JW: Begin you.

Cand: A.; JW: B: Cand: O; JW: Z. (Cand is prompted by Senior Deacon as necessary)

Cand: Boaz.

JW: The word is right, I am satisfied

SD: ***.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly initiated Entered Apprentice.

SW: How may I know him to be such?

SD By certain signs and a token.

SW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

SW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

SW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

SW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

SW: What is a token?

SD: A certain friendly or brotherly grip, whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

SW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: A grip.

SW: Of what?

SD: Of an Entered Apprentice.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

<  p style='text-align:justify'>SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

SW: How will do dispose of it?

SD: Letter or halve it.

SW: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

Cand: A; SW: B; Cand: O; SW: Z (Cand is prompted by Senior Deacon as necessary)

Cand: Boaz.

SW: The word is right, I am satisfied. Conduct the Brother to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: *.

(Apron Lecture)

My Brother, I now present you this lambskin or white leather apron. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason- the distinguished badge of a Mason.

It may be that, in the coming years, upon your head may rest the laurel wreaths of victory; pendent from your breast may hand jewels fit to grace the diadem of an Easter potentate; nay, more than these, with light added to the coming light, your ambitious feet may tread round after round of the ladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle, and even the purple of the Fraternity may rest upon your honored shoulders; but never again from mortal hands, never again until your enfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the pearly gates, shall any honor so distinguished, so emblematical of purity and all perfections, be conferred upon you as this which I now bestow.

(Done) It is yours; yours to wear throughout an honorable life, and at your death to be deposited upon the coffin which shall enclose your lifeless remains, and with them laid beneath the clods of the valley. Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever present reminder of a purity of life and rectitude of conduct," a never ending argument for nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for greater achievements. And when at last your weary feet shall have come to the end of life's toilsome journey, and from your nerveless grasp shall drop forever the working tools of life, may the record of your life and actions be as pure and spotless as this fair emblem which I place within your hands tonight; and when your trembling soul shall stand naked and alone before the Great White Throne, there to receive judgment for the deeds done while here in the body, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sitteth as the Judge Supreme the welcome words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Thou has been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things! Enter thou into the joy of Thy Lord."

WM: Carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach you how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you teach this Brother how to wear his apron as an Entered Apprentice.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East. My Brother, at the building of King Solomon's Temple the different bands of workmen were distinguished by the manner in which they wore their aprons. Entered Apprentices wore them with the flap turned up to prevent soiling the clothing; Masonically, to prevent dubbing with untried mortar. Thus wear yours until further advanced.

SD: Worshipful Master, your order has been obeyed.

WM: My Brother, agreeably to an ancient custom adopted in every regular and well governed Lodge, it becomes my duty at this time to demand of you some metallic substance; not so much on account of its intrinsic value, as that it may be deposited in the archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that you were at this time and place made a Mason. Any metallic substance you may have, the Secretary will be pleased to receive.

Cand: ________________ (of course, he has nothing)

WM: Nothing, not even a penny, to commemorate one of the most important events of your life? My Brother, this is to teach you that should you ever meet a member of the human family, especially a Brother Mason, in a like destitute situation, it would be your duty to contribute to his relief as liberally as his necessities might require, and your ability permits.

WM: As you are now clothed as an Entered Apprentice I present you, emblematically, the working tools which are the Twenty-four Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel, and are thus explained. The Twenty-four Inch Gauge is an instrument used by operative masons to measure and lay out their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts, is emblematical on the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts, whereby are found eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother, eight for our usual vocations, and eight for refreshment and sleep. The Common Gavel is an instrument used by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stone, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds, as living stones, for that spiritual building - that house not made with hands - eternal in the Heavens.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, conduct the Brother to the Northeast corner of the Lodge.

WM: My Brother, you there stand an upright man a Mason, and I give it you strictly in charge ever to walk and act as such before God and man. I also present you with a new name, which is caution. It is to teach you to be cautious over all your words and actions, especially on the subject of Freemasonry when in the presence of its enemies.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the Brother to the place whence he came, invest him with that of which he has been divested, and return him to the Lodge for further instruction.

WM: My Brother, salute as you have been instructed.

WM: *. Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Call the Craft from labor to refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in the East.

JW: ***.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master that you be now called from labor to refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in the East..

JW: *.

 

ENTERED APPRENTICE LECTURE

WM: *

(The lecture is given by the WM or a designee of his choosing)

The forms and ceremonies of your initiation may have seemed to you light and frivolous, if not absolutely unmeaning; yet, it may with truth be said of Masonry that all its forms and ceremonies have emblematical meaning, and those through which you have just passed will now be explained to you.

You were first prepared to be made a Mason in your heart; next, in a room adjoining the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

You were prepared by being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, left knee and breast bare, hood-winked, and with a cable-tow about your neck, in which condition you were conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused to give three distinct knocks, which were answered by three within.

You were divested of all metallic substances for two reasons; first, that you might carry nothing offensive or defensive into the Lodge: second, at the building of King Solomon's Temple, there was not heard the sound of axe, hammer, or any metal tool. The question naturally arises, how could so stupendous an edifice have been erected without the sound of axe, hammer, or metal tool?

The stones were hewn, squared, and numbered in the quarries where raised; the timbers felled and prepared in the forests of Lebanon, conveyed by sea in floats to Joppa, and thence by land to Jerusalem, where they were set up by the aid of wooden instruments prepared for that purpose; and when the building was completed, every part thereof fitted with such exact nicety that it resembled more the handiwork of the Supreme Architect of the Universe than that of human hands.

You were neither naked nor clothed because Masonry regards no man on account of his worldly wealth or honors. It is the internal and not the external qualifications that recommend a man to Masonry.

You were neither barefoot nor shod, agreeably to an ancient Israelitish custom adopted among Masons. We read in the book of Ruth concerning their manner of changing and redeeming, that, "to confirm all things, a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor." That was testimony in Israel. This therefore we do, testifying thereby in the strongest manner possible the sincerity of our intentions in the work in which we are engaged.

You were hood-winked and with a cable-tow about your neck for three reasons; first, that your heart might conceive before your eyes beheld the beauties of Freemasonry; second, that as you were in darkness, it was to teach you to keep the whole world so respecting the secrets of Freemasonry, except to such as were justly entitled to receive the same as you were about to become; and third, had you not conformed to the ceremony of your initiation, thereby rendering yourself unworthy to be taken by the hand as a Mason, you might, by aid of the cable-tow, have been led out of the Lodge without having beheld even the form thereof.

You were caused to give three distinct knocks to alarm the Lodge and inform the Worshipful Master that a poor blind candidate craved admission. The three knocks allude to a certain portion of the Scriptures which reads: "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

You found your circumstances in Masonry at that time verified by that passage as follows; you asked the recommendation of a friend to be made a Mason; through his recommendation you sought initiation; you knocked, and the door of Freemasonry was opened unto you.

You were received on the point of a sharp instrument piercing your naked left breast, to teach you that as it was an instrument of torture to the flesh, so should the recollection thereof be to your mind and conscience should you ever reveal the secrets of Freemasonry unlawfully.

You were conducted to the center of the Lodge and caused to kneel for the benefit of prayer, for before entering upon any great or important undertaking, we ought always to invoke the aid of Deity.

You were asked in whom you put your trust, agreeably to our ancient laws, as no atheist can be made a Mason; it was therefore necessary that you express a belief in Deity, otherwise no obligation would have been regarded as binding.

You were taken by the right hand, ordered to rise, follow your conductor and fear no danger, for as your were in darkness and could neither foresee nor avoid danger, it was to teach you that you were in the hands of faithful friends, in whose fidelity you might with safety confide.

You were conducted once regularly around the Lodge that the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren might see that you were duly and truly prepared.

You were caused to meet with several obstructions on your passage around the Lodge, because this and every regular and well governed Lodge is or ought to be a correct representation of the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple, which had guards placed at the south, west and east gates to prevent any from passing or re-passing except such as were duly qualified and had permission from King Solomon; it was therefore necessary that you meet with these several obstacles and at each of those stations be duly examined. You were caused to kneel on your naked left knee and not your right or both, because the left side has ever been deemed the weaker part of the human body; it was therefore to teach you that you were taking upon yourself the weaker part of Masonry, it being that of the Entered Apprentice only.

Your right hand and not your left or both, rested on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, because the right hand, by our ancient Brethren, was deemed the sign of fidelity. The ancients worshipped a deity named Fides, sometimes represented by two right hands joined, at others by two human figures holding each other by the right hand. The right, therefore was used in this great and important undertaking, testifying thereby in the strongest manner possible the fidelity of our purpose in the work in which we are engaged. You were presented with a lambskin or white leather apron, because the lamb, in all ages has been deemed an emblem of innocence. The lambskin is therefore to remind you of that purity of life and rectitude of conduct which is so essentially necessary to your gaining admission to that Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

A demand was made of you for some metallic substance, to teach you that should you ever meet a member of the human family, especially a Brother Mason, in like destitute situation, it would be your duty to contribute to his relief as liberally as his necessities might require and your ability permits.

You were placed in the north-east corner of the Lodge, because in the erection of all public buildings, especially those of Masonic form, the first stone is, or ought to be placed in the north-east corner; you were therefore placed in the north-east corner of the Lodge to receive your first instruction, whereon to build your moral and Masonic edifice.

This brings us to the third and last section of the degree, which explains the manner of constituting and the proper authority for holding a Lodge. Here also, we learn where Lodges were anciently held; their Form, Support, Covering, Furniture, Ornaments, Lights and Jewels; how situated, and to whom dedicated, as well in former times as at present. You are taught, by the aid of impressive symbols, to discharge with propriety the duties that devolve upon you as a man and Mason.

The word Lodge is analogous to that of church, referring not so much to the place of meeting as to the persons assembled. A lodge may therefore at this time be defined as a certain number of Free and Accepted Masons, duly assembled, furnished with the Holy Bible, the Square and the Compassed, together with a Charter, or Dispensation, from some Grand Body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work.

The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses have been partially explained to you; the Charter has not. This is the one in possession of this Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Nevada was pleased to grant this Charter to __________ Lodge No. ___. It empowers us to confer the three degrees of Masonry, which powers we are this evening partially exercising. It is signed by the Grand Officers, with the seal of the Grand Lodge attached, and contains all the necessary instructions for retaining the same.

Our ancient Brethren held their Lodges on high hills or in low vales, the better to observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, ascending or descending.

Lodge meetings at the present day are usually held in upper chambers - probably for the security which such places afford. This custom may have had its origin in a practice observed by the ancient Jews of building their temples, schools and synagogues on high hills, a practice which seems to have met the approbation of the Almighty, who said unto the Prophet Ezekiel, "Upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy."

The form of a Lodge is oblong. In length from east to west, in breadth between north and south, as high as heaven, and as deep as from the surface to the centre. A Lodge is said to be thus extensive to denote the universality of Freemasonry, and teaches that a Mason's charity should be equally extensive.

A Lodge is supported by three great pillars, denominated Wisdom, Strength and Beauty; because there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. They are represented by the three principal officers of the Lodge; the pillar Wisdom by the Worshipful Master in the East, who is presumed to have wisdom to open and govern the Lodge; the pillar Strength by the Senior Warden in the West, whose duty it is to assist the Worshipful Master in the discharge of his arduous labors; and the pillar Beauty, by the Junior Warden in the South, whose duty it is to call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that the means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return to their labor in due season, that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

The covering of a Lodge is no less than the clouded canopy, or starry decked heaven, where all good Masons hope at last to arrive by the aid of that ladder which Jacob in his vision saw extended from earth to heaven, the principal rounds of which are denominated Faith, Hope and Charity, which admonish us to have Faith in God, Hope in Immortality, and Charity to all mankind. The greatest of these is Charity; for our Faith may be lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity.

Every regular and well governed Lodge is furnished with the Holy Bible, the Square, and the Compasses, together with a Charter or Dispensation. The Holy Bible is dedicated to the service of God, because it is the inestimable gift of God to man, and on it we obligate our newly made Brethren. The Square to the Master, because it is the proper Masonic emblem of his office, and the Compasses to the Craft, because, by a due attention to their use, they are taught to circumscribe their desires and keep their passions in due bounds with all mankind, especially the Brethren.

The Ornaments of a Lodge are the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star.

The Mosaic Pavement is a representation of the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple; the Indented Tessel, of that beautiful tessellated border or skirting which surrounded it.

The Mosaic Pavement is emblematical of human life, checkered with good and evil; the Indented Tessel, or tessellated border, of the manifold blessings and comforts which constantly surround us, and which we hope to enjoy by a firm reliance on Divine Providence, which is hieroglyphically represented by the Blazing Star in the centre.

A Lodge has Three Symbolic Lights, situated East, West and South. There is none in the North, because King Solomon's Temple was situated so far north of the ecliptic that the sun, even at meridian, did not dart its rays into the northernmost parts thereof. The North, therefore, we Masonically term a place of darkness.

A Lodge has six Jewels - three movable and three immovable.

The Immovable Jewels are the Square, the Level and the Plumb. They are so termed because they are appropriated to particular parts of the Lodge, where alone they should be found - the Square to the East, the Level to the West and the Plumb to the South. Although the Brethren occupying those stations may from time to time be changed, still the Jewels will always be found in their respective stations in the Lodge.

The Movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle-board. The Rough Ashlar is a stone in its rude and natural state, as taken from the quarry; the Perfect Ashlar, one prepared by the workmen, to be adjusted by the working tools of a Fellow Craft; and the Trestle-board is for the master workman to draw his designs upon.

By the Rough Ashlar we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature; by the Perfect Ashlar, of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by aid of a virtuous education, our own endeavors and the blessing of Deity; and as the operative workman erects his temporal building in accordance with the designs laid down upon the Trestle-board by the master workman, so should we, both operative and speculative, endeavor to erect our spiritual building in accordance with the designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe in the Great Book of Nature and Revelation, which is our spiritual, moral and Masonic Trestle-board.

Lodges are situated due east and west, because King Solomon's Temple was so situated. Moses, by divine command, after having conducted the Children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, through the Red Sea and into the wilderness, erected a Tabernacle to God, which he situated due east and west, to commemorate that miraculous east wind which wrought their mighty deliverance. King Solomon's Temple is said to have been a representation of that Tabernacle.

Lodges were anciently dedicated to King Solomon, as he is said to have been our first Most Excellent Grand Master; but modern Masons dedicate their Lodges to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, and since their time there is represented in every regular and well governed Lodge a certain point within a circle, the point representing the individual Brother, the circle representing the boundary line of his duty to God and man, beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, prejudices or interests to betray him on any occasion. This circle is embordered by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, and upon the vertex rests the book of Holy Scriptures, which points out the whole duty of man. In going around this circle we necessarily touch upon these lines as well as upon the Holy Scriptures, and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, it is impossible that he should materially err.

The principal tenets of our profession are three-fold, including the inculcation and practice of those truly commendable virtues, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human race as one family - the high, the low, the rich, the poor - who, being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, ought to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good men and true is the first lesson we are taught in Freemasonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish us, and the heart and the tongue join in promoting each others welfare and rejoicing in each others prosperity.

My Brother, in order that you may better understand what is to follow, I will ask the Senior Deacon a question.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master (or else, if the lecture is not being delivered by the WM, the name or title of the actual lecturer.)

WM: How may I know you to be a Mason?

SD: By certain signs, a token, a word, and the perfect points of my entrance.

(Lecturer resumes): My Brother, signs, grips, and words have been particularly explained to you, but the perfect points of your entrance have not. They are four, the Pectoral, Manual, Guttural and Pedal. They represent the four cardinal virtues, Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance and Justice.

Fortitude is the noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudently deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice, and should be deeply impressed upon your mind as a safeguard or security against any attempt that may be made, by force or otherwise, to extort from you any of those valuable secrets with which you have been so solemnly entrusted, and which was emblematically represented upon your first admission into the Lodge, when you were received on the point of a sharp instrument piercing your naked left breast. This, my Brother, is the first perfect point of your entrance, the Pectoral.

Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of Reason, and is the habit by which we wisely judge and prudently determine on all things relative to our present as well as our future happiness. This virtue should be your peculiar characteristic, not only for the government of your conduct while in the Lodge, but also when abroad in the world. You should be particularly cautious in all strange or mixed companies, never to let fall the least sign, token or word whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be obtained ever bearing in mind that solemn moment while kneeling at the Altar of Freemasonry, your left supporting, your right resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, you solemnly promised to conceal and never reveal the secrets of Freemasonry. This is the second perfect point of your entrance, the Manual.

Temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind of the allurements of vice. This virtue should be your constant practice, as you are thereby taught to avoid excess or the contracting of any licentious or vicious habits, the indulgence of which might lead you to disclose some of those valuable secrets which you have promised to conceal and never reveal, and which would consequently subject you to the contempt and detestation of all good Masons, if not to the penalty of your Obligation, that of having your throat cut across, you tongue torn out and with your body buried in the sands of the sea, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours. This is the third perfect point of your entrance, the Guttural.

Justice is that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render to every man his just due without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with divine and human laws, but is the very cement and support of civil society; and as justice in a great measure constituted the really good man, so should it be your invariable practice never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof; ever remembering that while standing in the north-east corner of the Lodge before the Worshipful Master, you were informed that you there stood an upright man and Mason, and it was given you strictly in charge ever to walk and act as such before God and man. This is the fourth perfect point of your entrance, the Pedal.

Entered Apprentices should serve their masters with freedom, fervency and zeal, which are represented by Chalk, Charcoal, and Clay.

There is nothing freer than Chalk, the slightest touch of which leaves a trace; there is nothing more fervent than Charcoal, for to it, when properly ignited, the most obdurate metals will yield; there is nothing more zealous than Clay, our mother Earth, for it alone of all the elements has never proved unfriendly to man. Bodies of water deluge him with rain, oppress him with hail and drown him with inundation; the air rushes in storms and prepares the tempest; the fire lights up the volcano; but the Earth, ever kind and indulgent, is found subservient to his wishes. Though constantly harassed, more to furnish the luxuries than the necessaries of life, she never refuses her accustomed yield, spreading his pathway with flowers and his table with plenty. Though she produces poison, still she supplies the antidote, and returns with interest every good committed to her care; and when at last we are called upon to pass through the "dark valley of the shadow of death", she once more receives us, and piously covers our remains within her bosom, thus admonishing us that as from it we came, so to it we must shortly return.

WM: This, my Brother, concludes the ceremony of your initiation, and if you will rise I will repeat to you the Charge. (Or, if the Charge is not being delivered by the WM, the name or title of the person doing so)

 

ENTERED APPRENTICE CHARGE

My Brother, as you are now introduced to the first principles of Freemasonry, I congratulate you on being accepted into this ancient and honorable Fraternity. Ancient, as having existed from time immemorial; and honorable, as tending in every particular so to render all men who will be conformable to its precepts. No institution was ever raised on a better principle or more solid foundation; nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down than are contained in the several Masonic lectures. The wisest and best of men in all ages have been encouragers and promoters of our Art, and have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the Fraternity, to extend its privileges, and to patronize its assemblies.

There are three great duties which as a Mason you are charged to inculcate: ( * * * ), To God, to your neighbor, and to yourself. To God, in never mentioning His name save with that reverential awe which is due from a creature to his Creator; to implore His aid in all your laudable undertakings; and to esteem Him as the Chief Good. ( * ).

To your neighbor, in acting upon the square and in doing unto him as you would that he should do unto you. And to yourself, in avoiding all irregularities and intemperance, which may impair your faculties or debase the dignity of your profession.

As a Mason, you are to study the Sacred Law, to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice, and to regulate your life and actions by its divine precepts. A zealous attachment to these duties will insure public and private esteem.

In the State you are to be a quiet and peaceable citizen, true to your government and just to your country. You are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority and conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which you live, yielding obedience to the laws which afford you protection. In your outward demeanor be particularly careful to avoid censure and reproach, and beware of all who may artfully endeavor to insinuate themselves into your esteem with a view of betraying your virtuous resolutions or to make you swerve from the principles of our institution. Let not interest, favor or prejudice bias your integrity or influence you to be guilty of a dishonorable action, but let your conduct be uniform and your deportment suitable to the dignity of your profession.

Above all, practice benevolence and charity, for these virtues have distinguished Masons in every age and country. The inconceivable pleasure of contributing to the relief of our fellow-creatures is truly experienced by persons of a humane disposition, who are naturally excited by sympathy to extend their aid in alleviation of the misery of others. This encourages the generous Mason to distribute his bounty with cheerfulness. Supposing himself in the situation of an unhappy sufferer, he listens to the tale of woe with attention, bewails misfortune, and speedily relieves distress.

The Constitutions of the Fraternity are to engage your attention. These consist of two part, oral and written communications. The former, comprehending the mysteries of the Art, are only to be acquired by practice and experience in the Lodge; the latter include the history of Masonry, the lives and characters of its patrons, and the ancient charges and general regulations of the Craft.

A punctual attendance on the duties of the Fraternity we earnestly enjoin, especially in that assembly in which your name will be enrolled as a member. There, and in all regular meetings of the Fraternity, you are to behave with order and decorum, that harmony may be preserved and the business of Masonry be properly conducted. The rules of good breeding you are never to violate by using unbecoming language in derogation of the name of God or toward the corruption of good morals; neither are you to enter into any dispute about religion or politics, nor behave irreverently while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and important. On every occasion you are to pay a proper deference and respect to the Master and presiding officers, and diligently apply to the work of Freemasonry, that you may the sooner become proficient therein, as well for your own credit as for the honor of the company with whom you associate.

Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant that Freemasonry should interfere with your necessary vocations for these are on no account to be neglected; neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it.

At your leisure hours, that you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are to converse with well-informed Brethren, who will always be as ready to give as you will be to receive instruction.

Finally, my Brother, keep sacred and inviolate the mysteries of the Order, as these are to distinguish you from the rest of the community and mark your consequence among Masons.

WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection with this degree that it will be necessary for you to commit to memory, and on which you must pass a suitable examination, in open Lodge, or as provided by our Nevada Code, before you can be passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft. I will appoint Brother _______ _______ to instruct you.

(This concludes the initiation portion of the First Degree. The WM then proceeds to close lodge.)

 

ENTERED APPRENTICE CLOSING

WM: * Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you anything to bring before the Lodge before I proceed to close?

SW: Nothing in the West.

WM: Anything in the South Brother Junior Warden?

JW: (S) Nothing in the South

WM: Has any Brother anything to bring before the Lodge before I proceed to close?

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: The last as well as the first great care of Masons when convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to close this Lodge of Entered Apprentices, and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Worshipful Master is about to close this Lodge of Entered Apprentices. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: * * * Tyl: * * *

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Mason without, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Whence came you?

SW: From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem.

WM: What came you here to do?

SW: To learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in Masonry.

WM: Then you are a Mason, I presume?

SW: I am so taken and accepted among Brethren and Fellows.

WM: What makes you a Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assembled in a place representing the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: How many compose an Entered Apprentices Lodge?

SW: Seven or more.

WM: When composed of seven, of whom does it consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon's place in the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the South, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; attend to alarms at the outer door and report the same to the Worshipful Master; and to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon's place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend to alarms at the inner door, and to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Treasurer's place?

SD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Treasurer.

Tr: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Tr: To receive all moneys from the Secretary, keeping a just and accurate account of the same, and pay it out on orders of the Lodge, signed by the Worshipful Master; and to perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

WM: The Secretary's place?

Tr: At the left of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Secretary.

Sec: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Sec: To observe the proceedings of the Lodge, making a fair record of all that is proper to be written; to receive all moneys due the Lodge and present it to the Treasurer, take his receipt thereof; and to perform such other duties as are prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

WM: The Junior Warden's Station?

Sec: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that the means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return to labor in due season, that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden's Station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West, to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master's station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to rule and govern the day, (WM: ***) so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to rule and govern the Lodge; setting the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that _____ _____Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the First Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until ordered by proper authority, of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the First Degree of Freemasonry, and stay closed until ordered by proper authority, of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master, communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the First Degree of Freemasonry, and stay closed until ordered by proper authority. Of which due and timely notice will be given. I communicate the same to you, that having due notice thereof, you may govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: And now, Almighty Father, we ask Thy blessing upon the proceedings of this communication, and as we are about to separate, we ask Thee to keep us under Thy protecting care until again we are called together. Teach us, O God, to realize the beauties of the principles of our time-honored institution, not only while in the Lodge, but when abroad in the world. Subdue every discordant passion within us. May we love one another in the bonds of union and friendship. AMEN.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Warden

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should Masons meet?

SW: On the Level.

WM: And how act, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: By the Plumb.

WM: And part upon the Square. So should we, my Brethren, ever meet, act, and part.

May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. AMEN.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and close the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

WM: I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly closed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

WM: *. 

 

ENTERED APPRENTICE EXAMINATION

Q. Whence came you?

A. From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem.

Q. What came you here to do?

A. To learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in Masonry.

Q. Then you are a Mason, I presume?

A. I am so taken and accepted among Brethren and Fellows.

Q. What makes you a Mason?

A. My Obligation.

Q. Where were you made a Mason?

A. Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assembled in a place representing the Ground Floor of King Solomon's Temple.

 ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~   ly:Arial'>Q. How do you know yourself to be a Mason?

A. By having been tried, never denied, and ready to be tried again.

Q. How may I know you to be a Mason?

A. By certain signs, a token, a word, and the perfect points of my entrance.

Q. What are signs?

A. Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

Q. Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

A. It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

Q. Have you a further sign?

A. I have.

Q. Has that an allusion?

A. It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

Q. What is a token?

A. A certain friendly or brotherly grip whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

Q. Advance and give me a token. What is that?

A. A grip.

Q. Of what?

A. Of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. Has it a name?

A. It has.

Q. Will you give it to me?

A. I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

Q. How will you dispose of it?

A. Letter or halve it.

Q. Letter it and begin.

A. You Begin.

Q. Begin you.

A. A; Q. B; A. O; Q. Z.

A. Boaz.

Q. Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason.

A. In my heart

Q. Where next?

A. In a room adjoining the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

Q. How were your prepared?

A. By being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, left knee and breast bare, hood-winked, and with a cable-tow about my neck, in which condition I was conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused to give three distinct knocks which were answered by three within.

Q. What was said to you from within?

A. Who comes here?

Q. Your answer?

A. A poor, blind candidate, who is desirous of having and receiving a part in the rights, lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, as all Brethren and Fellows have done who have gone this way before me.

Q. What were you then asked?

A. If this was an act of my own free will and accord, if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared, all of which being answered in the affirmative, I was then asked by what further right I expected to obtain this important privilege.

Q. Your answer?

A. Being a man, free-born, of lawful age, and well recommended.

Q. What were you then told?

A. Since I was in possession of all these necessary qualifications, I should wait until the Worshipful Master could be informed of my request and his answer returned.

Q. What was his answer when returned?

A. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge, in the name of God, and be received in due and ancient form.

Q. How were you received?

a. On the point of a sharp instrument, piercing my naked left breast.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Conducted to the center of the Lodge and caused to kneel for the benefit of prayer.

Q. After prayer, what we you asked?

A. In whom I put my trust.

Q. Your answer.

A. In God.

Q. What were you then told?

A. My trust being in God, my faith was well founded. I was taken by the right hand, ordered to rise, follow my conductor, and fear no danger.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Conducted once regularly around the Lodge, and to the Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as at the door.

Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you?

A. Directed me conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before.

Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you?

A. Directed me conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before, who also demanded of me whence I came and whither traveling.

Q. Your answer.

A. From the West, traveling East.

Q. Why did you leave the West and travel East?

A. In search of Light in Masonry.

Q. How did the Worshipful Master dispose of you?

A. Ordered me re-conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

Q. What is that due and ancient form?

A. Advancing on my left foot, bringing the heel of my right into the hollow of my left, thereby forming the angle of a square, body erect, facing East.

Q. What did the Worshipful Master then do with you?

A. Made me a Mason.

Q. How?

A. In due form.

Q. What is that due form?

A. Kneeling on my naked left knee, my right forming the angle of a square, my left hand supporting, my right resting on the Holy Bible, Square, and Compasses, in which due form I took the solemn Obligation of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. Have you that Obligation?

A. I have.

Q. Repeat it.

          A. I, ____ __ ____,of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected to God and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints of Jerusalem, do hereby and hereon, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hele, forever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts, parts, or points of the hidden mysteries of Freemasonry, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Entered Apprentice, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him or them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him or them only whom I shall find so to be after due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not write, indite, print, paint, stamp, stain, hue, cut, carve, mark or engrave the same upon anything movable or immovable, whereby or whereon the least word, syllable, letter, or character may become legible or intelligible to myself or another, whereby the secrets of Freemasonry may be unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in my whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out, and with my body buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of an Entered Apprentice. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

Q. After the Obligation, what were you asked?

A. What I most desired.

Q. Your answer?

A. Light in Masonry.

Q. Did you receive it?

A. I did, by order of the Worshipful Master with the assistance of the Brethren.

Q. On being brought to Light in Freemasonry, what did you first behold?

A. The Three Great Lights in Masonry, by aid of the representatives of the Three Lesser.

Q. What are the Three Great Lights in Masonry?

A. The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

Q. How are they explained?

A. The Holy Bible is given us a the rule and guide for our faith and practice, the Square to square our actions and the Compasses to circumscribe our desires and keep our possessions in due bounds with all mankind, especially the Brethren.

Q. What are the Three Lesser Lights?

A. The Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge.

Q. How are they explained?

A. As the Sun rules the day and the Moon governs the night, so should the Worshipful Master, with equal regularity, rule and govern the Lodge.

Q. What are the representatives of the Three Lesser Lights?

A. They are three burning tapirs placed in a triangular form within the Lodge.

Q. What did you next behold?

A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice, who presented his right hand in token of friendship and brotherly love, and invested me with the grip and word, ordered me to rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that I was in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, grip and word of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. What did you next behold?

A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East a second time, who presented me a lambskin or white leather apron, told me it was an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, ordered me to carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice.

Q. How should an Entered Apprentice wear his apron?

A. With the flap turned up, to prevent soiling the clothing; Masonically, to prevent daubing with un-tempered mortar.

Q. What demand was then made of you?

A. Some metallic substance, not so much on account of its intrinsic value as that it might be deposited in the archives of the Lodge as a memorial that I was at that time and place made a Mason, but upon strict search found myself entirely destitute.

Q. With what were you then presented?

A. The working tools of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. What are they?

A. The Twenty-four Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel.

Q. How are they explained?

A. The Twenty-four Inch Gauge is an instrument used by operative Masons to measure and lay out their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts is emblematical of the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts,where are found eight hours for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother, eight for our usual vocations, and eight for refreshment and sleep.

          The Common Gavel is an instrument used by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds as living stones, for that spiritual building - that house not made with hands - eternal in the Heavens.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Conducted to the Northeast corner of the Lodge and informed by the Worshipful Master that there I stood an upright man and Mason, and he gave it me strictly in charge, ever to walk and act as such before God and man.

Q. With what were you then presented?

A. A new name, which is Caution. It is to teach me to be cautious over all my words and actions, especially on the subject of Freemasonry, when in the midst of its enemies.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

          A. Re-conducted to the place whence I came, invested with that of which I had been divested, and returned to the Lodge for further instruction.

 

The Fellow Craft Degree Ritual

 

FELLOW CRAFTS OPENING

WM: *. Officers, take your respective stations and places; Brethren be clothed.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Are all present Fellow Crafts?

SW: I will ascertain through the proper officer and report.

SW: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Are all present Fellow Crafts?

JD: Brother Senior Warden, all present are Fellow Crafts.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: All present are Fellow Crafts.

WM: As further evidence that all present are Fellow Crafts, receive the pass-word from the Senior and Junior Deacons, who will obtain it from the Brethren on the right and left, and communicate it in the East.

SW: *. Deacons, attend the West.

SW: Give me the pass-word of a Fellow Craft. Now obtain it from the Brethren on the right and left and communicate it to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: The pass-word is right and duly received in the East.

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Worshipful Master.

WM: The first great care of Masons when convened.

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to open a Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Worshipful Master is about to open a Lodge of Fellow Crafts. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother of this degree without, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Are you a Fellow Craft?

SW: I am, try me.

WM: By what will you be tried?

SW: By the square.

WM: Why by the Square?

SW: Because it is an emblem of morality and one of the working tools of a Fellow Craft.

WM: What is a Square?

SW: An angle of ninety degrees, or the fourth part of a circle.

WM: What makes you a Fellow Craft?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Fellow Craft?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts, assembled in a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: How many compose a Fellow Crafts Lodge?

SW: Five or more.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon's place in the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the South, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; attend to alarms at the outer door and report the same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon's place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend to alarms at the inner door; also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Warden's station?

SD: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that their means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return in due season that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden's station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West, to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master's station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day,(WM: * * *) so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern the Lodge; setting the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Second Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ____ ____Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Second Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. This communicate to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful Master, communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Second Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. I communicate the same to you, that having due notice thereof, you may govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the

East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the Great Architect of the Universe, the Giver of all good gifts and graces! Thou hast promised that "Where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt be in their midst and bless them." In Thy name we have assembled, and in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry may so subdue every discordant passion within us - so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine own love and goodness - that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before Thy throne. AMEN.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and display the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

WM: "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew the descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. "In the name of God and the Holy Saints John, I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly opened and in order for business; at the same time strictly forbidding any un-Masonic conduct whereby the harmony of the same might be disturbed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Lodge is now open on the Fellow Craft Degree. Take due notice thereof and tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Present the Flag of our Country at the Altar.

WM: Brethren; you will join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country.

(ALL) (Recite the Pledge of Allegiance)

WM: If there are present and Present or Past Grand Officers, Present or Past Masters, they are cordially and fraternally invited to a seat in the East.

 

FELLOW CRAFT DEGREE

WM: *. Brethren; Brother _____ is in waiting for the Second Degree of Freemasonry, he having made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree. If there is no objection, I shall confer this degree upon him. (Pause) Brethren, there being none, I will proceed.

WM: *. Brother Stewards.

SS: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should a Brother be prepared for the Second Degree of Freemasonry?

SS: By being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, right knee and breast bare, hood-winked, and with a cable-tow twice around his right arm, clothed as an Entered Apprentice.

WM: Repair to the preparation room where Brother ____ is in waiting. When thus prepared, cause him to make the usual alarm at the inner door. (At this time, any Present or Past Grand Lodge Officers, or Masters, who had been invited to a seat in the East, retire to the sidelines for the degree work.)

Cand: * * *

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SS: Brother ____, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, and now wishes more Light in Masonry by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

SD: Brother ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

SD: Brother Stewards, is he worthy and well qualified?

SS: He is.

SD: Duly and truly prepared?

SS: He is.

SD: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SS: He has.

SD: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SS: By the benefit of the pass-word.

SD: Has he the pass-word?

SS: He has not, I have it for him.

SD: Advance and give it.

SS: Shibboleth.

SD: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him wait until the Worshipful Master can be informed of his request, and his answer returned.

SD: * * *. Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is without, Brother ____, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, and now wishes more Light in Masonry by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

WM: Is this an act of his own free will and accord?

SD: It is.

WM: Is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

WM: Give it for the benefit of the Craft.

SD: Shibboleth.

WM: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD: * * *. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother ____, when first you entered a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, you were received on the point of a sharp instrument piercing your naked left breast, the moral of which was at that time explained to you. I am now commanded to receive you on the angle of a square applied to your naked right breast, which is to teach you that the Square of Virtue should be a rule and guide for your practice through life.

JW: *. SW: *. WM: *.

JW: * *.

Chap: "Thus he shewed me; and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in His hand."

SW: * *.

Chap: "And the Lord said unto me: Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb-line. Then said the Lord: Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel."

WM: * *.

Chap: "I will not again pass by them any more."

SD: * * *.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ____, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, and now wishes more Light in Masonry by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

JW: Brother ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

JW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

JW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

JW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

JW: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

JW: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not. I have it for him.

JW: Advance and give it.

SD: Shibboleth.

JW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to the Senior Warden in the West for his examination.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ____, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, and now wishes more Light in Masonry by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

SW: Brother ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

SW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

SW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

SW: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

SW: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not. I have it for him.

SW: Advance and give it.

SD: Shibboleth.

SW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to the Worshipful Master in the East for his examination.

SD: * * *.

WM: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ____, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, and now wishes more Light in Masonry by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

WM: Brother ____, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not. I have it for him.

WM: Advance and give it.

SD: Shibboleth.(Each of the three times it is given during this examination, the pass-word is whispered by the Senior Deacon into the ear of the examiner, so that the candidate will not overhear it.)

WM: The pass-word is right. Whence came you and whither are you traveling?

SD: From the West, traveling East.

WM: Why did you leave the West and travel East?

SD: In search of more Light in Masonry.

WM: Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, and in search of more Light in Masonry, reconduct him to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach him how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you teach this Brother how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East.

SW: Brother ____, advance on your left foot as an Entered

Apprentice. Take an additional step on your right foot, bringing the heel of your left into the hollow of your right, thereby forming the angle of a square.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: The Brother is in order.

WM: Brother ____, before you can proceed further in Freemasonry, it will be necessary for you to take an Obligation appertaining to this degree. It becomes my duty, as well as pleasure, to inform you, that there is nothing contained in the Obligation that conflicts with the duties you owe to God, your country, your neighbor, your family, or yourself. With this assurance on my part, are you willing to take the Obligation?

Cand: (Answers in the affirmative)

WM: Than advance to the Sacred Altar of Freemasonry. There kneel on your naked right knee, your left forming the angle of a square, your right hand resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, your left in a vertical position, your arm forming a square.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master, the Brother is in due form.

WM: * * *.

WM: Brother ____, if you are still willing to take the Obligation, say "I", pronounce your name in full, and repeat after me.

Cand: I, ____ ____, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Crafts, erected to Him, and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, do hereby and hereon, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets belonging to the Degree of Fellow Craft, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Fellow Craft, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him or them until by due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have found him or them justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore, I do promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons, sent me from the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts, or handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow, and the square and angle of my work.

Furthermore, I do promise and swear that I will help, aid and assist all poor and distressed Fellow Crafts, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and can do so without material injury to myself.

Furthermore, I do promise and swear that I will not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Fellow Crafts Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree, to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done by another if in my power to prevent. To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me whatsoever, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my left breast torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the vultures of the air, should I ever knowingly, or willfully, violate this, my solemn Obligation of a Fellow Craft. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

WM: In token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible on which you hand rests.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, remove the cable-tow.

WM: Brother ____, in your present situation, what do you most desire?

Cand: (prompted by SD) More Light in Masonry.

WM: Let the Brother be brought to Light.

WM: My Brother, on being brought to Light in this degree, you behold the Three Great Lights in Masonry, as in the preceding degree, with this difference: One point of the Compasses is above the Square, which is to teach you that you have received, and are entitled to receive, more Light in Masonry. But as one point is still hidden from your view, it is also to teach you that you are as yet one material point in darkness respecting Freemasonry.

WM: *.

WM: You now behold me as Worshipful Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the East, upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft. My Brother, a Fellow Craft advances on his right foot, bringing the heel of his left into the hollow of his right, thereby forming the angle of a square. This is the due guard, and alludes to the position of your hands while taking the Obligation; this is the sign, and alludes to the penalty of the Obligation. This due-guard and sign are always to be given as a salutation to the Worshipful Master, also on entering or retiring from a Fellow Crafts Lodge.

WM: My Brother, before rising from this Sacred Altar where you have taken the solemn Obligation of a Fellow Craft, I wish to direct your attention to one of its ties. You have sworn that you would answer and obey all due signs and regular summons sent you from the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts, or handed you by a worthy Brother of this degree, if within the length of your cable-tow and the square and angle of your work. The length of your cable-tow alludes to you ability to obey a summons, and the square and angle of your work to the propriety of answering such. Should you receive a summons from this or any other Lodge, health and business permitting, it would be your duty to obey it; health and business not permitting, it would no be within the length of your cable-tow. Should you see a Masonic sign given at what you deemed an improper time, or an improper place, you are not bound to answer it; it would not be within the square and angle of your work. My Brother, your own good judgment must tell you when and where to answer Masonic signs.

I now present my right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the pass-grip, pass-word, real grip and word of a Fellow Craft. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time. Give me the grip of an Entered Apprentice.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: Will you be off or from?

SD: From.

WM: From what and to what?

SD: From the grip of an Entered Apprentice to the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.

WM: Pass. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

WM: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

WM: Begin you.

SD: Shib. WM: bo. SD: leth.

WM: Shibboleth, my Brother, is the name of this grip. You should always remember it, for should you be present at the opening or a Fellow Crafts Lodge, this pass-word will be demanded of you by one of the Deacons, and should you be unable to give it, it would cause confusion in the Craft.

WM: Will you be off or from?

SD: From.

WM: From what and to what?

SD: From the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft, to the real grip of the same.

WM: Pass. What is that?

SD: The real grip of a Fellow Craft.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or halve it.

WM: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

WM: Begin you.

SD: A. WM: J. SD: C. WM: H. SD: I. WM: N.

WM: Jachin, my Brother, is the name of this grip, and should always be given in this manner, by lettering or halving it. When lettering, always commence with the letter "A". Rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that you are in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, pass-grip, pass-word, real grip and word of a Fellow Craft.

SD: * * *.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A worthy Brother Fellow Craft.

JW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and tokens.

JW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars

JW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

JW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

JW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has, to the penalty of the Obligation.

JW: What are tokens?

SD: Certain friendly or brotherly grips whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

JW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.

JW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

JW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

JW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

JW: Syllable it and begin.

SD:You begin.

JW: Begin you.

Cand (prompted if necessary): Shib. JW: bo. Cand: leth.

Cand: Shibboleth.

JW: Will you be off or from?

SD: From.

JW: From what and to what?

SD: From the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft to the real grip of the same.

JW: Pass. What is that?

SD: The real grip of a Fellow Craft.

JW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

JW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

JW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or halve it.

JW: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

JW: Begin you.

Cand (prompted as necessary): A. JW: J. Cand: C.

JW: H. Cand: I. JW: N.

SD: Jachin.

JW: The word is right. I am satisfied.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A worthy Brother Fellow Craft.

SW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and tokens.

SW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

SW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

SW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

SW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

SW: What are tokens?

SD: Certain friendly or brotherly grips whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

SW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

SW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

SW; Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

Cand (prompted): Shib. SW: bo. Cand: leth.

Cand: Shibboleth.

SW: Will you be off or from?

SD: From.

SW: From what and to what?

SD: From the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft to the real grip of the same.

SW: Pass. What is that?

SD: The real grip of a Fellow Craft.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

SW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

SW: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

Cand: A; SW: J; Cand: C; SW: H; Cand: I; SW: N.

Cand: Jachin.

SW: The word is right, I am satisfied. Conduct the Brother to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: *. Brother Senior Deacon, reconduct the Brother to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach him how to wear his apron as a Fellow Craft.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you teach this Brother how to wear his apron as a Fellow Craft.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East. My Brother, you have already been informed that at the building of King Solomon's Temple, the different bands of workmen were distinguished by the manner in which they wore their aprons. Fellow Crafts wore theirs with the flap turned down at the lower left corner, tucked up in the form of a triangle, to serve as a receptacle for their working tools. As a Fellow Craft you will therefore wear yours in this manner, that the three sides of the triangle thus formed may symbolize the fidelity, industry, and skill which should characterize your work as a Fellow Craft.

SD: Worshipful Master, your orders have been obeyed.

WM: My Brother, as you are now clothed as a Fellow Craft, I present you emblematically, the working tools, which are the Plumb, Square, and Level, and are thus explained: The Plumb is an instrument used by operative masons to try perpendiculars, the Square to square their work, and the Level to prove horizontals; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use them for more noble and glorious purposes. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the Square of Virtue, ever remembering that we are traveling upon the Level of Time to that "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns."

WM: I now present you the Three Precious Jewels; the Attentive Ear, the Instructive Tongue, and the Faithful Breast. They teach us this important lesson. The Attentive Ear receives the sound from the Instructive Tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of Faithful Breasts.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, reconduct the Brother to the place whence he came, invest him with that of which he has been divested, and return him to a place represent-ing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: My Brother, salute as you have been instructed.

WM: *. Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Call the Craft from labor to refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in the East.

JW: * * *. Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful Master that you be now called from labor to refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in the East. *.

 

 

WM: *.

SS: (from outside the inner door): * * *.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SS: Worthy Brother Fellow Crafts desire admission.

SD: Worshipful Master, worthy Brother Fellow Crafts desire admission.

WM: You will admit them and conduct them emblematically through a porch, up a flight of winding stairs consisting of three, five, and seven steps, through an outer and inner door, into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you be admitted and conducted emblematically through a porch, up a flight of winding stairs consisting of three, five, andseven steps, through an outer and inner door, into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

 

MIDDLE CHAMBER LECTURE

My Brother, the second section of this degree is principally devoted to the explanation of physical science, and by the studies attached thereto, the mind is improved and elevated to a communion with its Maker. Circumstances of importance to the Craft, and of peculiar interest to the Mason who delights in the study of the mystic beauties of his profession, are here developed and explained.

The second section of this degree also has reference to the origin of the institution, and views Masonry under two denominations, operative and Speculative.

By operative masonry, we allude to the proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure will derive figure, strength and beauty, and whence will result a due proportion and just correspondence in all its parts. It furnishes us with dwellings and convenient shelter from the vicissitudes and inclemencies of seasons; and while it displays the effects of human wisdom, as well in the choice as in the arrangement of the sundry materials of which an edifice is composed, it demonstrates that a fund of science and industry is implanted in man for the best most salutary and beneficent purposes.

By Speculative, or Free, Masonry, we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the Square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. It is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under obligation to pay that rational homage to the Deity which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation, and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfection of his Divine Creator.

The second section of this degree also refers to the origin of the Jewish Sabbath, as well as to the manner in which it was kept by our ancient Brethren.

In six days God created the heaven and the earth, and rested on the seventh day; the seventh, therefore, our ancient Brethren consecrated as a day of rest from their labor, thereby enjoying frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works of Creation, and to adore their Great Creator.

At the building of King Solomon's Temple there were eighty thousand Fellow Crafts employed. These were all under the immediate direction of our ancient Operative Grand Master Hiram Abif. On the evening of the sixth day their work was inspected, and all who had proved themselves worthy, by strict fidelity to their duties, were invested with certain mystic signs, grips, and words, to enable them to gain admission into the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple. On the same day and hour, King Solomon, accompanied by his confidential officers, consisting of his Secretary, Senior and Junior Wardens, repaired to the Middle Chamber to meet them.

His Secretary he placed near his person, the Senior Warden at the inner and the Junior Warden at the outer door, giving them strict instructions to suffer none to enter except such as were in possession of certain mystic signs, grips, and words, previously established, so that when any did enter, he, knowing that they must have been faithful workmen or they could not have gained admission, had nothing to do but order their names recorded as such, and pay them their wages, which they received in corn, wine and oil, emblematical of nourishment, refreshment and joy, and after solemnly admonishing them of the reverence due the great and sacred name of Deity, suffered them to depart in peace until the time should arrive to commence the following week's work.

This, you will perceive, was all accomplished on the evening of the sixth day, that there might be no unnecessary labor performed on the seventh, that being a day set apart for rest and meditation.

We, my Brother, are in possession of the same mystic signs, grips and words as were our ancient Brethren, and are about to endeavor to work our way into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple, and should we succeed, I have no doubt we shall be alike received and rewarded.

In doing this it will be necessary for us to make an advance, emblematically, through a porch, up a flight of winding stairs consisting of three, five, and seven steps, through an outer and inner door. In making this advance we necessarily pass between two pillars or columns, representing those pillars erected at the entrance to the porch of King Solomon's Temple; one on the right hand, the other on the left. The name of the one on the left hand was Boaz, denoting strength; the name of the one on the right, Jachin, denoting establishment, collectively alluding to several promises of God to David, one of which reads: "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee."

"Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits."

Their composition was of molten or cast brass, the better to withstand inundation or conflagration, that they might not be removed by flood or destroyed by fire. They were cast in the clay grounds on the banks of the River Jordan, between Succoth and Zeredatha, where King Solomon ordered these and all the sacred vessels of the Temple to be cast. They were cast hollow for the purpose of contain-ing the rolls and records which composed the archives of our ancient Brethren.

The chapiters were adorned with leaves of lilywork, network and chains of pomegranates, denoting Peace, Unite, and Plenty. The Lily, from its extreme whiteness, as well as the retired situation in which it grows, denotes Peace; the Network, from the intimate connection of all its parts, Unity; and the Pomegranate, from the exuberance of its seed, Plenty.

These pillars are surmounted by two artificial spherical bodies, on the convex surfaces of which are represented the countries, seas, and various parts of the earth; the face of the heavens, the planetary revolutions, and other important particulars.

Contemplating these bodies, we are inspired with a due reverence for the Deity and His works, and are induced to encourage the studies of astronomy, geography, navigation, and the arts dependent on them, by which society has been so much benefited.

Passing between these columns, the next object to which our attention is particularly drawn is a representation of a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five, and seven steps, each of which has certain Masonic significance. The three steps allude to the Three Great Lights in Masonry, the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses; also to the three principal officers of the Lodge, the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, who represent the three great supports of Masonry: Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, it being necessary that there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. The three steps also allude to the great luminary of creation as he appears to us at the three principal points of observation: he rises in the east to open the day with a mild and gentle influence, and all Nature rejoices at 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 to rest from their labor.

This is the type of the three principal stages in the life of man; infancy, manhood, and age.

The first of these is characterized by the blush of innocence as pure as the tints that gild the eastern portals of the day; and the heart rejoices in the unsuspecting integrity of its own unblemished virtue, nor fears deceit, because it knows no guile. Manhood succeeds; the ripening intellect attains the meridian of its powers. At the approach of old age, strength decays - his sun is setting in the west. Enfeebled by sickness and bodily infirmities, he lingers on until death finally closes his eventful day, and happy is he if the setting splendors of a virtuous life gild his departing moments with the gentle tints of Hope, and close his short career in peace, harmony, and brotherly love.

Ponder well, my Brother, upon the wisdom taught by these emblems, and be admonished:

"That when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan, which moves

To that mysterious realm, where each shall take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

We will make a further advance and ascend the five steps. The five steps allude to the five orders of architecture, and the five human senses. By order in architecture is meant a system of all the members, proportions and ornaments of columns and pilasters; or it is the regular arrangement of the projecting parts of a building, which, united with those of a column, form a beautiful, perfect and complete whole.

From the first formation of society, order in architecture may be traced. When the rigors of seasons obliged men to contrive shelter from the inclemency of the weather, we learn that they first planted trees on end, and then laid others across to support a covering.

The bands which connected those trees at top and bottom are said to have given rise to the idea of the base and capital of pillars, and from this simple hint originally proceeded the more improved art of architecture.

The five orders are thus classed: the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.

The ancient and original orders of architecture revered by Masons are no more than three - the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, which were invented by the Greeks. To these the Romans have added two - the Tuscan, which they made plainer than the Doric, and the Composite, which was more ornamental, if not more beautiful than the Corinthian. The first three orders alone, however, show invention and particular character, and essentially differ from each other; the two others have nothing but what is borrowed, and differ only accidentally. The Tuscan is the Doric in its earliest state, and the Composite is the Corinthian enriched with the Ionic. To the Greeks, therefore, and not to the Romans, we are indebted for that which is great, judicious and distinct in architecture.

The five human senses are Hearing, Seeing, Feeling, Smelling and Tasting, the first three of which have ever been deemed prerequisite to being made a Mason, for by Hearing we hear the word, Shibboleth; by Seeing, we see the sign; and by Feeling, we feel that friendly and brotherly grip whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

We will now make a still further advance and ascend the seven steps. The seven steps allude to the seven liberal arts and sciences, which are: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy.

Grammar is the science which teaches us how to express our ideas in appropriate words, which we afterward beautify and adorn with Rhetoric; while Logic instructs us how to think and reason with propriety, and to make language sub-ordinate to thought.

Arithmetic, which is the science of computing by numbers, is absolutely essential, not only to a thorough knowledge of all mathematical science, but also to a proper pursuit of our daily vocations.

Geometry treats of the powers and properties of magnitudes in general, where length, breadth and thickness are considered - from a point to a line, from a line to a superficies, and from a superficies to a solid.

A point is the beginning of all geometrical matter. A line is the continuation of the same.

A superficies has length and breadth without a given thickness.

A solid has length and breadth with a given thickness, which forms a cube and comprehends the whole.

By this science the architect is enabled to construct his plans and execute his designs; the general to arrange his soldiers; the engineer to mark out grounds for encampments; the geographer to give the dimensions of the world and all things therein contained - to delineate the extent of the seas, and specify the divisions of empires, kingdoms and provinces. By it also, the astronomer is enabled to make his observations, and to fix the duration of times and seasons, years and cycles. In fine, Geometry is the foundation of architecture and the root of mathematics. To be without a perception of the charms of Music is to be without the finer traits of humanity. It is the medium which gives the natural world communication with the spiritual, and few are they who have not felt its power and acknowledged its expressions to be intelligible to the heart. It is a language of delightful sensations, far more eloquent than words. It breathes to the ear the clearest intimations; it touches and gently agitates the agreeable and sublime passions; it wraps us in melancholy and elevates us to joy; it dissolves and inflames; it melts us in tenderness and excites us to war.

It has a voice for every age and a capacity for every degree of taste and intelligence. Its lullaby soothes the infant in its mother's arms; its joyous notes wing the tripping feet of the dancers on the green; its martial tones inspire the spirit of patriotism, nerve the warrior's arm, and fire his heart. The stirring strains of national airs, heard on the rough edge of battle, have ever thrilled the soldier, causing him to burn with an emulous desire to lead the perilous advance, and animating him to deeds of heroic valor and the most sublime devotion. Amid the roar of cannon, the din of musketry and the carnage of battle, he is stricken to the dust.

Raising himself to take one last long look on life, he hears in the distance that plaintive strain, "Home, Sweet Home. "It was our mother's evening hymn, and has often lulled us to sleep in infancy. The mellowing tides of old cathedral airs, vibrating through aisles and arches, have stilled the ruffled spirit, and sweeping aside the discordant passions of men, have bourne them along its resistless current, until their united voices have joined in sounding aloud the chorus of the heaven-born anthem: "Peace on earth, good will toward men."

But music never sounds with such seraphic harmony as when employed in singing hymns of gratitude to the Creator of the Universe:

"Be Thou, O God, exalted high,

And as Thy glory fills the sky,

So let it be on earth displayed,

Till Thou art here, as there, obeyed."

Astronomy is that sublime science which inspires the contemplative mind to soar aloft and read the wisdom, strength and beauty of the Great Creator in the heavens. How nobly eloquent of the Deity is the celestial hemisphere - spangled with the most magnificent heralds of His infinite glory! They speak to the whole universe; for there is no people so barbarous as to fail to understand their language; no nation so dist-ant that their voices are not heard among them.

My Brother, we are now approaching a place representing the outer door to the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple, which we will find partly open but closely tyled by the Junior Warden, who will doubtless demand of us the pass-word of a Fellow Craft. Let us advance and make a regular alarm.

SD: * * *.

JW: Who comes here?

SD: Fellow Crafts endeavoring to work their way into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

JW: How do you expect to gain admission?

SD: By the pass-word of a Fellow Craft.

JW: Give it.

SD: Shibboleth.

JW: What does it denote?

SD: Plenty.

JW: How represented?

SD: By a sheaf of corn, suspended near a waterfall, which teaches us that while we have bread to eat and pure refreshing water to drink, we have all that necessity requires.

JW: By whom instituted?

SD: By Jephthah, a Judge of Israel, in a war with the Ephraimites. The Ephraimites had long been a stubborn and rebellious people, whom Jephthah had striven to subdue by mild and lenient measures, but without effect. They were highly incensed at Jephthah for not being called to fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish war, and gathered together a mighty army, crossed the River Jordan, and prepared to give Jephthah battle; but, being apprised of their approach, he called together the men of Israel, went forth, gave them battle, and put them to flight; and to make his victory more complete he stationed guards at the different passes along the banks of the River Jordan and said unto them, "If ye see any strangers pass this way, say unto them, 'Now say ye, Shibboleth,' but the Ephraimites, being of a different tribe, could not frame to pronounce the word and said 'Sibboleth.' This trifling defect proved them to be enemies and cost them their lives, and there fell that day on the field of battle and at the different passes along the banks of the River Jordan, forty and two thousand, after which Jephthah ruled quietly in Israel until the time of his death, in all about six years.

This was what affected us to distinguish a friend from a foe, and has since been adopted as the pass-word to be given before entering any regular and well governed Lodge of Fellow Crafts.

JW: I am satisfied; pass on.

SD: My Brother, we are now approaching a place representing the inner door to the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple, which we will find partly open but closely tyled by the Senior Warden, who will doubtless demand of us the real grip and word of a Fellow Craft. Let us advance and make a regular alarm.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Fellow Crafts endeavoring to work their way into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

SW: How do you expect to gain admission.

SD: By the real grip and word of a Fellow Craft.

SW: Advance and give it. What is that?

SD: The real grip of a Fellow Craft.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

SW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or halve it.

SW: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

SD: A; SW: J; SD: C; SW: H; SD: I; SW: N.

SD: Jachin.

SW: I am satisfied; pass on and in.

SD: My Brother, we are now in a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple. Behold the letter G, suspended in the East! It is the initial of Geometry, the first and noblest of sciences, and the basis on which the superstructure of Freemasonry is erected. By Geometry we may curiously trace Nature through her various windings to her most concealed recesses; by it we discover the power, wisdom and goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with delight the proportions which compose this vast machine; by it we discover how the planets move in their respective orbits, and demonstrate their various revolutions; by it we count for the return of the seasons, and the variety of scenes which each season displays to the discerning eye. Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same Divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and are all conducted by the same unerring law of Nature.

A survey of Nature, and the observations of her beautiful proportions, first determined man to imitate the Divine Plan and study symmetry and order. This gave rise to societies and birth to every useful art. The architect began to design, and the plans which he laid down, being improved by time and experience, have produced works which are the admiration of every age. The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastations of war have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity, on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Freemasonry, notwithstanding, still survives. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.

Ages ago, upon the Eastern plains, was our institution set up, founded upon principles more durable than the metal wrought into the statues of ancient kings. Age after age rolled by; storm and tempest hurled their thunders at its head; wave after wave of bright insidious sands curled about its feet and heaped their sliding grains against its sides; men came and went in fleeting generations; seasons fled like hours through the whirling wheel of time; it through the attrition of the waves and sands of life - through evil report as well as good, Freemasonry has maintained its beneficent influence, spreading wider and wider over the earth.

Tools and implements of architecture and symbolic emblems most expressive have been selected by the Fraternity to imprint on the mind wise and serious truths, and thus through the succession of ages have been transmitted, unimpaired, the most excellent tenets or our institution.

Every Brother admitted within the walls of this Middle Chamber should heed the lessons here inculcated, and consider that as a Freemason he is a builder, not of a material edifice, but of a temple more glorious than that of Solomon - a temple of honor, of justice, of purity, of knowledge, and of truth - and that these tools of the operative mason's art indicate the labors he is to perform, the dangers he is to encounter, and the preparations he is to make in the uprearing of that spiritual temple wherein his soul will find rest forever and forevermore; then, indeed will the attentive ear have received the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry shall be safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. 

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: I have the pleasure of presenting Brother ____, who has made an advance, emblematically, through a porch, up a flight of winding stairs, consisting of three, five, and even steps, through an outer and inner door, into a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple, and now awaits your pleasure.

WM: My Brother, I congratulate you on arriving at a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple. It was there our ancient brethren had their names recorded as faithful workmen; it is here that you are entitled to have yours recorded as such. Brother Secretary, please make the proper record.

Secy: Worshipful Master, the record will be made.

WM: It was there also our ancient Brethren received their wages, consisting of Corn, Wine, and Oil, emblematical of nourishment, refreshment, and joy, which was to signify that our ancient Brethren, when passed to this degree, were entitled to wages sufficient to procure not only the necessaries and comforts of life, but many of its superfluities; and may your industrious habits and strict application to business procure for you a plenty of the Corn of nourishment, the Wine of refreshment, and the Oil of joy.

WM: * * *.

WM: The letter G, to which your attention was directed on your passage hither, has a still greater and more significant meaning. It is the initial of the grand and sacred name of God, before whom all Masons, from the youngest Entered Apprentice who stands in the Northeast corner of the Lodge, to the Worshipful Master who presides in the East, should most humbly, reverently, and devoutly bow.

WM: *. My Brother, this concludes the ceremonies of this degree, and if you will remain standing, I will repeat to you the charge.

 

CHARGE AT PASSING

My Brother, being passed to the Second Degree of Freemasonry, we congratulate you on your preferment. The internal, and not the external, qualifications of a man are what Masonry regards. As you increase in knowledge you will improve in social intercourse.

It is unnecessary to recapitulate the duties which as a Fellow Craft you are bound to discharge, or to enlarge on the necessity of a strict adherence to them, as your own experience must have established their value. Our laws and regulations you are strenuously to support, and be always ready to assist in seeing them duly executed. You are not to palliate or aggravate the offenses of your Brethren, but in the decision of every trespass against our rules you are to judge with candor, admonish with friendship and reprehend with justice.

Be just and fear not. Never speak ill of anyone unless you are sure that what you say be true. Avoid suspicion; for, like the fabled upas, it blights all healthy life and makes a desert round it.

Nothing so fair, nothing so pure can live, buy by suspicion may be marred and blasted; no path so straight but to suspicion's eye looks tortuous and bent from its true end. The study of the liberal arts, that valuable branch of education which tends so effectually to polish and adorn the mind, is earnestly recommended to your consideration, especially t                               ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~   he science of Geometry, which is established as the basis of our art. Geometry, or Masonry, originally synonymous terms, being of a divine and moral nature, is enriched with the most useful knowledge; while it proves the wonderful properties of nature, it demonstrates the more important truths of morality.

Your past behavior and regular deportment have merited the honor we have conferred, and in your new character it is expected that you will conform to the principles of the Order by steadily persevering in the practice of every commendable virtue.

Such is the nature of your engagement as a Fellow Craft, and to these duties you are bound by the most sacred ties. 

WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection with this degree that it will be necessary for you to commit to memory and on which you must pass a suitable examination in open Lodge, or as provided by our Nevada Code, before you can be Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. I have no doubt that the Brother who has instruct-ed you thus far will be pleased to continue.

 

FELLOW CRAFTS CLOSING

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you anything to bring before the Lodge before I proceed to close?

SW: Nothing in the West.

WM: Anything in the South, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: (S) Nothing in the South.

WM: Has any Brother anything to bring before the Lodge before I proceed to close?

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: The last as well as the first great care of Masons when convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to close this Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Worshipful Master is about to close this Lodge of Fellow Crafts. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother of this degree, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Are you a Fellow Craft?

SW: I am, try me.

WM: By what will you be tried?

SW: By the square.

WM: Why by the Square?

SW: Because It is an emblem of morality and one of the working tools of a Fellow Craft.

WM: What is a Square?

SW: An angle of ninety degrees, or the fourth part of a circle.

WM: What makes you a Fellow Craft?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Fellow Craft?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts, assembled in a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: How many compose a Fellow Crafts Lodge?

SW: Five or more.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens,

Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon's place in the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the South, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; attend the alarms at the outer door and report the same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon's place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the alarms at the inner door; also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Warden's station?

SD: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshments, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that their means of refreshments are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return to their labors in due season, that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden's station.

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.: The Master's station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to rule and govern the day(WM: * * *.), so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern the Lodge; setting the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Second Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until opened by proper authority, of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Second Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until opened by proper authority, of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master, communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Second Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until opened by proper authority, of which due and timely notice will be given. I communicate the same to you, that having due notice thereof, you may govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: And now, Almighty Father, we ask Thy blessing upon the proceedings of this communication, and as we are about to separate, we ask Thee to keep us under Thy protecting care until again we are called together. Teach us, O God, to realize the beauties of the principles of our time-honored institution, not only while in the Lodge, but when abroad in the world. Subdue every discordant passion within us. May we love one another in the bonds of union and friendship. AMEN

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should Masons meet?

SW: On the Level.

WM: And how act, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: By the Plumb.

WM: And part upon the Square. So should we, my Brethren, ever meet, act, and part.

May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. AMEN.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and close the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

WM: I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly closed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

WM: *.

  

FELLOW CRAFT EXAMINATION

Q. Are you a Fellow Craft?

A. I am, try me.

Q. By what will you be tried?

A. By the Square.

Q. Why by the Square?

A. Because it is an emblem of morality and one of the working tools of a Fellow Craft.

Q. What is a Square?

A. An angle of ninety degrees, or the fourth part of a circle.

Q. What makes you a Fellow Craft?

A. My Obligation.

Q. Where were you made a Fellow Craft?

A. Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts, assembled in a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

Q. How may I know you to be a Fellow Craft?

A. By certain signs and tokens.

Q. What are signs?

A. Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

Q. Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

A. It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

Q. Have you a further sign?

A. I have.

Q. Has that an allusion?

A. It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

Q. What are tokens?

A. Certain friendly or brotherly grips, whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

Q. Advance and give me a token. What is that?

A. The pass-grip of a Fellow Craft.

Q. Has it a name?

A. It has.

Q. Will you give it to me?

A. I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

Q. How will you dispose of it?

A. Letter or syllable it.

Q. Syllable it and begin.

A. You begin.

Q. Begin you.

A. Shib;

Q. bo;

leth.

A. Shibboleth.

Q. Will you be off or from?

<

A. From.

Q. From what, and to what?

A. From the pass-grip of a Fellow Craft to the real grip of the same.

Q. Pass. What is that?

A. The real grip of a Fellow Craft.

Q. Has it a name?

A. It has.

Q. Will you give it to me?

A. I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

Q. How will you dispose of it?

A. Letter or halve it.

Q. Letter it and begin.

A. You begin.

Q. Begin you.

A. A; Q. J; A. C; Q. H; A. I; Q. N.

A. Jachin.

Q. Where were you prepared to be made a Fellow Craft?

A. In a room adjoining the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts.

Q. How were you prepared?

A. By being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, right knee and breast bared, hood-winked, and with a cable-tow twice around my right arm, clothed as an Entered Apprentice, in which condition I was conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused to give three distinct knocks, which were answered by three within.

Q. Why was the cable-tow twice around your right arm?

A. To teach me that as a Fellow Craft I was under a double tie to the Fraternity.

Q. To what do the three knocks allude?

A. To the Three Precious Jewels.

Q. What was said to you from within?

A. Who comes here?

Q. Your answer?

A. A worthy Brother, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, and now wishes more Light in Masonry by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

Q. What were you then asked?

A. If this was an act of my own free will and accord, if I was worthy and well-qualified, duly and truly prepared, if I had made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree, all of which being answered in the affirmative, I was then asked by what further right or benefit I expected to obtain this important privilege.

Q. Your answer?

A. By the benefit of the pass-word.

Q. Had you the pass-word?

A. I had not. My conductor had, and gave it for me.

Q. What were you then told?

A. Since I was in possession of all these necessary qualifications, I should wait until the Worshipful Master could be informed of my request and his answer returned.

Q. What was his answer when returned?

A. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Crafts and be received in due and ancient form?

Q. How were you received?

A. On the angle of a Square applied to my naked right breast, which was to teach me that the Square of Virtue should be a rule and guide for my practice through life.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Conducted twice regularly around the Lodge and to the Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as at the door.

Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you?

A. Directed my conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before.

Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you?

A. Directed me conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before, who also demanded of me whence I came and whither traveling.

Q. Your answer?

A. From the West, traveling East.

Q. Why did you leave the West and travel East.

A. In search of more Light in Masonry.

Q. How did the Worshipful Master dispose of you?

A. Ordered me re-conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

Q. What is that due and ancient form?

A. Advancing on my right foot, bring the heel of my left into the hollow of my right, thereby forming the angle of a square, body erect, facing East.

Q. What did the Worshipful Master then do with you?

A. Made me a Fellow Craft.

Q. How?

A. In due form.

          Q. What is that due form?

A. Kneeling on my naked right knee, my left forming the angle of a square, my right hand resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, my left in a vertical position, my arm forming a square, in which due form I took the solemn Obligation of a Fellow Craft.

Q. Have you that Obligation?

A. I have.

Q. Repeat it.

A. I, _____ ______, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Fellow Crafts, erected to Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, do hereby and heron, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets belong to the Degree of Fellow Craft, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Fellow Craft, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such; and not unto him or them until by due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have found him or them justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons, sent me from the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Fellow Crafts, or handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow, and the square and angle of my work.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will help, aid, and assist all poor and distressed Fellow Crafts, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and can do so without material injury to myself. Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Fellow Craft's Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree, to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done by another, if in my power to prevent.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my left breast torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the vultures of the air, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a Fellow Craft. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

Q. After the Obligation what were you asked?

A. What I most desired.

Q. Your answer.

A. More Light in Masonry.

Q. Did you receive it?

A. I did, by order of the Worshipful Master.

Q. On being brought to Light in this degree, what did you first behold?

A. The Three Great Lights in Masonry, as in the preceding degree, with this difference; one point of the Compasses was above the Square, which was to teach me that I had received, and was entitled to receive, more Light in Masonry, but as one point was still hidden from my view, it was also to teach me that I was as yet one material point in darkness respecting Freemasonry.

Q. What did you next behold?

A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East, upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft, who presented his right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and invested me with the pass-grip, pass-word, real grip and word, ordered me to rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that I was in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, pass-grip, pass-word, real grip and word of a Fellow Craft.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Re-conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to wear my apron as a Fellow Craft.

Q. How should a Fellow Craft wear his apron?

A. With the lower left corner tucked up.

Q. With what were you then presented?

A. The working tools of a Fellow Craft.

Q. What are they?

A. The Plumb, Square, and Level.

Q. How are they explained?

A. The Plumb is an instrument used by operative masons to try perpendiculars, the Square to square their work, and the Level to prove horizontals; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use them for more noble and glorious purposes. The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the Square of Virtue, ever remembering we are traveling upon the Level of Time to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

Q. With what were you then presented?

A. The Three Precious Jewels; the Attentive Ear, the Instructive Tongue, and the Faithful Breast. They teach us this important lesson. The Attentive Ear receives the sound from the Instructive Tongue, and the mysteries of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of Faithful Breasts.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Re-conducted to the place whence I came, invested with that of which I had been divested, and returned to a place representing the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple.

 

The Master Mason Degree Ritual

 

MASTER MASONS OPENING

WM: *. Officers, take your respective stations and places; Brethren, be clothed.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Are all present Master Masons?

SW: I will ascertain through the proper officer and report.

SW: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Are all present Master Masons?

JD: Brother Senior Warden, all present are Master Masons.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: All present are Master Masons.

WM: As further evidence that all present are Master Masons, receive the pass-word from the Senior and Junior Deacons, who will obtain it from the Brethren on the right and left, and communicate it in the East.

SW: *. Deacons, attend the West.

SW: Give me the pass-word of a Master Mason. Now obtain it from the Brethren on the right and left and communicate it to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: The pass-word is right and duly received in the East.

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Worshipful Master.

WM: The first great care of Masons when convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to open a Lodge of Master Masons, and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Worshipful Master is about to open a Lodge of Master Masons. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: *. Tyl: *.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Master Mason without, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Are you a Master Mason?

SW: I am.

WM: What induced you to become a Master Mason?

SW: That I might obtain the Master's Word, travel in foreign countries, work and receive Master's wages, and be thereby better enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief of distressed worth Master Masons, their widows and orphans.

WM: What makes you a Master Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Master Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, assembled in a place representing the Sanctum Sanctorum of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge.

SW: Three or more.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon's place in the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the south, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct. Attend the alarms at the outer door and report the same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon's place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the alarms at the inner door; also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Warden's station?

SD: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that their means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return to their labor in due season, that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden's station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the set is in the West at close of day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master's Station.

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day (WM:***) so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern the Lodge, setting the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that ______ _____Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Third Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ______ ______ Lodge No ___ be now opened on the Third Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. This communicate to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful Master, communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that ______ _______ Lodge No. ___ be now opened on the Third Degree of Freemasonry for work and instruction. I communicate the same to you that having due notice thereof, you may govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you ever traveled as a Master Mason?

SW: I have, from West to East, and from East to West again.

WM: Of what were you in search?

SW: Of that which was lost.

WM: To what do you allude?

SW: The secret word of a Master Mason.

WM: Did you find it?

SW: I did not, but found a substitute.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that the substitute be sent to the East, accompanied with the steps, due-guards and signs, through the Junior Deacon.

SW: Brother Junior Deacon, attend.

(At this time, the steps, due-guards and signs of the 3 degrees, as well as the substitute word, are communicated from the Senior Warden to the Junior Deacon. The Junior Deacon then carries them to the East and communicates them to the Worshipful Master.)

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the substitute has come to the East correctly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the Great Architect of the Universe, the Giver of all good gifts and graces. Thou hast promised that where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt be in their midst and bless them. In Thy name we have assembled, and in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings.

Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry may so subdue every discordant passion within us - so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine own love and goodness - that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that order and beauty which reign forever before Thy throne. AMEN.

(ALL): So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and display the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

WM: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

WM: In the name of God and the Holy Saints John, I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly opened and in order for business; at the same time strictly forbidding any un-Masonic conduct whereby the harmony of the same might be disturbed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Lodge is now opened on the Master Masons Degree. Take due notice thereof and tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Present the flag of our country at the Altar.

WM: Brethren; you will join with me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country.

(ALL) (Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.)

WM:*. If there are present any Present or Past Grand Officers, Present or Past Masters, they are cordially and fraternally invited to a seat in our East.

 

MASTER MASON DEGREE

WM: *. Brethren; Brother _______ is in waiting for the Third Degree of Freemasonry, he having made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree. If there is no objection, I shall confer this degree upon him.

WM: Brethren, there being none, I will proceed.

WM: *. Brother Stewards.

SS: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should a Brother be prepared for the Third Degree of Freemasonry?

SS: By being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot, both knees and breasts bare, hood-winked, and with a cable-two three times around his body, clothed as a Fellow Craft.

WM: Repair to the preparation room where Brother _______ is in waiting. When thus prepared, cause him to make the usual alarm at the inner door.

Cand: * * *.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SS: Brother _______, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

SD: Brother _______, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

SD: Brother Stewards, is he worthy and well qualified?

SS: He is.

SD: Duly and truly prepared?

SS: He is.

SD: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SS: He has.

SD: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SS: By the benefit of the pass-word.

SD: Has he the pass-word?

SS: He has not, I have it for him

SD: Advance and give it.

SS: Tubalcain. (Said softly so as no to be overheard by the candidate.)

SD: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him wait until the Worshipful Master can be informed of his request, and his answer returned.

SD: * * *. Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: There is without, Brother _______, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

WM: Is this an act of his own free will and accord?

SD: It is.

WM: Is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

WM: Give it for the benefit of the Craft.

SD: Tubalcain.

WM: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD: * * *. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, and be received in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother _______, when first you entered a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, you were received on the point of a sharp instrument piercing your naked left breast; on your second entrance, you were received on the angle of a square applied to your naked right breast, the morals of which were at those times explained to you. I am now commanded to receive you on the extreme points of the Compasses, extending from your naked right to your naked left breast, which is to teach you that as within the breast are contained the most vital parts of man, so between the extreme points of the Compasses are contained the most valuable tenets of Freemasonry, which are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love.

JW: *.

Chap: Remember now Thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not;

SW: *.

Chap: Nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: I have no pleasure in them; while the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain.

WM: *.,

Chap: In the days when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves:

JW: * *.

Chap: And the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets:

SW: * *.

Chap: When the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low:

WM: * *.

Chap: Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way:

JW: * * *.

Chap: And the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail:

SW: * * *.

Chap: Because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets; or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the cistern:

WM: * * *.

Chap: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

SD: * * *.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ______, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

JW: Brother ______, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

JW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

JW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

JW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

JW: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

JW: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

JW: Advance and give it.

SD: Tubalcain (whispered in ear of JW)

JW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to the Senior Warden in the East for his examination.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ______, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

SW: Brother ______, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

SW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

SW: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

SW: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By the benefit of the pass-word.

SW: Has he the pass-word.

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

SW: Advance and give it.

SD: Tubalcain (whispered)

SW: The pass-word is right. Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, conduct him to the Worshipful Master in the East for his examination.

SD: * * *.

WM: *. Who comes here?

SD: Brother ______, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

WM: Brother ______, is this an act of your own free will and accord?

Cand: It is.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

SD: He has.

WM: By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this important privilege?

SD: By benefit of the pass-word.

WM: Has he the pass-word?

SD: He has not, I have it for him.

WM: Advance and give it.

SD: Tubalcain (whispered)

WM: The pass-word is right. Whence came you and whither are you traveling?

SD: From the West, traveling East.

WM: Why did you leave the West and travel East?

SD: In search of further Light in Masonry.

WM: Since the Brother is in possession of all these necessary qualifications, and in search of further Light in Masonry, re-conduct him to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach him how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you teach this Brother how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East.

SW: Brother ______, advance on your left foot as an Entered Apprentice; and on your right as a Fellow Craft. Take an additional step on your left foot, bringing the heel of your right to the heel of your left, thereby forming the angle of a square.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: The Brother is in order.

WM: Brother ______, before you can proceed further in Freemasonry, it will be necessary for you to take an Obligation appertaining to this degree. It becomes my duty as well as pleasure to inform you that there is nothing contained in the Obligation that conflicts with the duties you owe to God, your country, your neighbor, your family, or yourself. With this assurance on my part, are you willing to take the Obligation.

Cand: (answers in the affirmative).

WM: Then advance to the Sacred Altar of Freemasonry. There kneel on your naked knees, both hands resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master, the Brother is in due form.

WM: * * *.

WM: Brother ______, if you are still willing to take the Obligation, say "I", repeat your name in full, and repeat after me.

Cand: I, _____ ______, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, erected to Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets belonging to the Degree of Master Mason, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Master Mason, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such, and not unto him or them until by due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have found him or them justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of Nevada, also all the laws, rules, and edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge from whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail; together with the by-laws, rules, and regulations of this or any other Lodge of which I may become a member, so far as the same shall come to my knowledge.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons sent me from the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will help, aid, and assist all poor and distressed Master Masons, their widows and orphans, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and can do so without material to myself or family.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will keep the secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to me as such, as secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in his before communication.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a Brother, unless I am in real distress; and should I see the sign given, or hear the word spoken, I will hasten to the relief of the person so giving it.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not give the substitute for the Master's Word in any other way or manner than that in which I receive it, which will be on the Five points of Fellowship, and at low breath.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done by another, if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor otherwise do him personal violence in anger, except in the necessary of myself, family or property.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not have illicit carnal intercourse with a Master Mason's wife, widow, mother, sister or daughter, nor suffer it to be done by another if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising of an old man in dotage, a young man under age, an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a person of unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be such.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising of a candidate clandestinely, nor hold Masonic intercourse with a clandestine Mason, or with one who has been suspended or expelled, knowing him to be such, until duly restored.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor remembrance among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a Master Mason. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

WM: In token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible on which your hands rest.

WM: Senior Deacon, remove the cable-tow; we now hold this Brother by a stronger tie.

WM: Brother ______, in your present situation, what do you most desire?

Cand: Further Light in Masonry (prompted).

WM: Let the Brother be brought to Light.

WM: My Brother, on being brought to Light in this degree, you behold the Three Great Lights in Masonry as in the preceding degree, with this difference; both points of the Compasses are above the Square, which is to teach you that you have received, and are entitled to receive all the Light that can be conferred upon or communicated to you in a Master Masons Lodge.

WM: *. You now behold me as Worshipful Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the East, upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft; upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Master Mason. My Brother, a Master Mason advances on his left foot, bringing the heel of his right to the heel of his left, thereby forming the angle of a square. This is the due-guard, and alludes to the position of your hands while taking the Obligation; this is the sign, and alludes to the penalty of the Obligation. This due-guard and sign are always to be given as a salutation to the Worshipful Master, also on entering or retiring from a Master Masons Lodge.

On entering your own or any other Lodge in this jurisdiction, you will advance immediately in front of the Altar and observe the points of the Compasses. Should both points be below the Square, it will be a sure indication that the Lodge is open on the First Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful Master with the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice. Should one point be above the Square, it will be an equally sure indication that the Lodge is open on the Second Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful Master with the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft. Should both points be above the Square, it will also be an equally sure indication that the Lodge is open on the Third Degree, wherein you will salute the Worshipful Master with the due-guard and sign of a Master Mason.

I now present my right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the pass-grip and pass-word of a Master Mason. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time. Give me the real grip of a Fellow Craft.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: Will you be off or from?

SD: From.

WM: From what and to what?

SD: From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the pass-grip of a Master Mason.

WM: Pass. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

WM: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

WM: Begin you.

SD: Tu. WM: bal. SD: cain.

WM: Tubalcain, my Brother, is the name of this grip. You should always remember it, for should you be present at the opening of a Master Masons Lodge, this pass-word will be demanded of you by one of the Deacons, and should you be unable to give it, it would cause confusion in the Craft. Rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that you are a duly obligated Master Mason, and in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, pass-grip and pass-word.

SD: * * *.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly obligated Master Mason.

JW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

JW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

JW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

JW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

JW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

JW: What is a token?

SD: A certain friendly or brotherly grip whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

JW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

JW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

JW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

JW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

JW: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

JW: Begin you.

Cand(prompted as necessary): Tu; JW: bal; Cand: cain.

Cand: Tubalcain.

JW: The word is right. I am satisfied.

SD: * * *.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly obligated Master Mason.

SW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

SW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

SW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

SW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

SW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

SW: What is a token?

SD: A certainly friendly or brotherly grip, whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

SW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

SW: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or syllable it.

SW: Syllable it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

Cand(prompted as necessary): Tu; SW: bal; Cand: cain.

Cand: Tubalcain.

SW: The word is right; I am satisfied. Conduct the Brother to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: *. Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the Brother to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach him how to wear his apron as a Master Mason.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that you teach this Brother how to wear his apron as a Master Mason.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East. My Brother, you have already been informed that at the building of King Solomon's Temple, the different bands of workmen were distinguished by the manner in which they wore their aprons. Master Masons wore theirs turned down in the form of a square to designate them as Master Masons or overseers of the work. As a speculative Master Mason you will therefore wear yours in this manner, to admonish you that your acts toward all mankind should possess the qualities of that perfect figure; to symbolize the integrity of your service to God, and to remind you of your four-fold duty, to your country, your neighbor, your family, and yourself.

SD: Worshipful Master, your orders have been obeyed.

WM: My Brother, as you are now clothed as a Master Mason, I present you emblematically the working tools, which are all the tools in Masonry, especially the Trowel. The Trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection - that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and Brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the Brother to the place whence he came, invest him with that of which he has been divested, and return him to the Lodge for further instruction.

WM: My Brother, salute as you have been instructed.

WM: *. Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Call the Craft from labor to refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in the East.

JW: * * *. Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master that you be now called from labor to refreshment, to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in the East. *.

 

MASTER MASON DEGREE - SECOND SECTION

Cast of Characters(in addition to officers):

WM ----------------------- King Solomon(Worshipful Master)

SW ------------------------Senior Grand Warden(Senior Warden)

R #1 ----------------------- First Ruffian (Jubela)

R #2 ----------------------- Second Ruffian (Jubelo)

R #3 ----------------------- Third Ruffian (Jubelum)

FC #1 --------------------- First Fellow Craft

FC #2 --------------------- Second Fellow Craft

FC #3 --------------------- Third Fellow Craft

S-F ------------------------- Sea-faring Man

W-F ------------------------ Way-faring Man

(When lodge reconvenes, the newly obligated Master Mason has been adorned with the jewel of the Junior Warden and placed in the Junior Warden's station. He has been given a scant set of instructions on what to do when he is called upon by the Worshipful Master.)

 

WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?

(The Cand is confused by the question, so he has no answer to give)

WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?

SW: (S) Worshipful Master, there appears to be a stranger in the South.

WM: What! A stranger in the South! Brother Senior Deacon, conduct the stranger to the East.

WM: My Brother, you have this evening been obligated by the various solemn and weighty ties of a Master Mason. Having voluntarily assumed this obligation, you were brought to Light and instructed. You have been taught to wear your apron as a Master Mason, and are so wearing it among us at this moment. Even our Working Tools, the implements of Masonry have been explained to you, and you have been exhorted to make a proper use of the Trowel, the principal Working Tool of this degree. All this would imply that you are a Master Mason and qualified to travel and work as one. Nay more, my Brother, I observe upon your person a badge of office, the jewel of the Junior Warden, one of the principal officers of the Lodge, which all doubtless confirms you in the belief that you are a Master Mason. Is it so?

Cand(prompted, if necessary, answers in the affirmative).

WM: However natural that assumption may be to you, yet it is erroneous. You have not yet attained the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. You are not yet a Master Mason, so far as to enable you to prove yourself one, or to travel and work as one; nor do I know that you will ever become a Master Mason. You have a way to travel over that is extremely perilous. You will be beset with danger of many kinds, and may perhaps meet with death, as did once befall an eminent Brother of this degree. But your trust is in God and your faith is well founded. Before setting out, therefore, upon such a serious enterprise as this, you will repair to the Altar for the purpose of prayer. Heretofore you have had a Brother to pray for you; now you must pray for yourself. Go then, my Brother, and may the blessing of God accompany you.

SD: You are now at the Altar. You must be again hood-winked. Kneel and pray. Your prayer may be mental or audible, and when you have concluded it you will signify the same by saying Amen, and rising.

WM: * * *.

Cand: Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: *.

SD: My Brother, heretofore you have represented a candidate in search of Light. Now you represent a character, none less a personage than our Grand Master Hiram Abif, who was the Grand Architect at the building of King Solomon's Temple. It was the usual custom of this great and good man, at high twelve, when the Craft was called from labor to refreshment, to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, there to order up his adorations to Deity and draw his designs on the Trestle-board. This you have done. He would then retire by the South gate, as you will now do.

R #!: Grand Master Hiram, I am glad to meet you thus alone; long have I sought this opportunity. You promised us that when the Temple was completed we should receive the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby we could travel in foreign countries and receive wages as such. Behold! The Temple is about completed, and we have not received what we strived for. At first I did not doubt your veracity, but now I do. I therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, this is neither a proper time nor place; wait until the Temple is completed, then, if found worthy, you shall receive them; otherwise you can not.

R #1: Talk not to me of time nor place. Now is the time, and here is the place; none other will satisfy me. I therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, I can not give them.

R #!: Grand Master Hiram, for the third and last time I demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, I cannot, and will not, give them.

SD: He then fled, and attempted to pass out at the west gate, as you will now do.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, most of the Craft are weary, and many are exceedingly anxious to receive the secrets of a Master Mason, and we can see no good reason why we are put off so long; and some of us have determined to wait no longer. I therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, why this violence? I can not give them, neither can they be given, except in the presence of Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre; and myself.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, your life is in danger. All the avenues of the Temple are securely guarded; escape is impossible. I therefore demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, I shall not give them. Wait with patience for the proper time.

R #2: Grand Master Hiram, I again, and for the last time, demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason, or your life.

SD: My life you can have; my integrity, never!

SD: He then fled and attempted to make his exit out at the east gate, as you will now do.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I have heard your caviling with Jubela and Jubelo. From them you have escaped; but from me - never! My name is Jubelum. What I purpose, that I perform. I hold in my hand an instrument of death. If you refuse me now, you do so at your peril. I say, give me the secrets of a Master Mason, or I will take your life.

SD: Craftsman, I have often refused you and shall always refuse you when accosted in this manner. Your demands are vain.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I for the second time demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: Craftsman, your demands are vain. I shall not give them.

R #3: Grand Master Hiram, I for the third and last time demand of you the secrets of a Master Mason.

SD: And I, for the third time, refuse you.

(Jubelum then strikes the Cand across the forehead, he is caused to fall backward into a large canvas that he can be carried in.)

R #1: What have we done?

R #2: We have slain our Grand Master Hiram Abif. What shall we do with the body?

R #3: Let us carry it into a remote corner, and bury it in the rubbish of the Temple. (Having done so): Now let us retire until low twelve, when we will meet here again.

 

SOLILOQUY:

R #3(Jubelum): At last, the awful deed is done; here, cold and mute, wrapped in the icy cloak of death, the Master sleeps. No more the pageantry of pomp and power. No more the Craftsmen hastening to perform his deep design. No more the Temple rising proudly on its hill and beckoning Heaven itself to smile upon its stately columns. No more shall he these high ambitions gratify.

Oh Death, untimely, yet Oh timely Death. Wrested from earth while yet his honors clustered; before the breath of calumny had stained, or slander marred the worth of his achievements, he is fallen; yielding up his life ere he would betray his sacred trust; surrendering all - all that life holds dear - power, wealth, everything - yet holding fast to his Masonic faith.

Oh, daring loyalty; Oh, fortitude most grand. For him in coming time shall countless thousands sound his name and sing his praise, who death preferred, than faithless prove, than trust betray.

Yet, kept so well, his secret stands revealed and in his death I read it thus: Truth - Honor - Fortitude.

But hark. The temple bell rings out the midnight hour. Come now, my comrades, let us haste away and bear with us, where-ere we go, the heavy burden of remorse.

R #!: This is the hour.

R #2: This is the place.

R #3: And here is the body. Assist me to carry it in a due west course from the Temple to the brow of a hill, where I have dug a grave six feet deep east and west and six feet perpendicular, in which we will bury it.

R #3: I will set this sprig of acacia at the head of the grave, that the place may be known should occasion every require it. Now, let us make our escape by way of Joppa, out of the country.

R #3: Yonder is a sea-faring man. Let us accost him.

R #3: Is that your ship there?

S-f: It is.

R #3: Where are you bound?

S-f: To Ethiopia.

R #3: When do you sail?

S-f: Immediately.

R #3: Do you take passengers?

S-f: I do.

R #3: Will you take us?

S-f: I will, if you have King Solomon's permit to leave the country.

R #3: We will pay your demands, but we have no permits.

S-f: Then you can not go, for I am strictly forbidden to take any of the workmen from the Temple out of the country without King Solomon's permit.

R #3: Then let us return back into the country.

* * * * * *

KS: *. Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the confusion in the Temple, and why are the Craftsmen not at their labors as usual?

SW: (S) Our Grand Master Hiram Abif is missing and there are no designs on the trestle-board

KS: That is very strange. He has ever been punctual and faithful to his trust. He must be indisposed. Order strict search to be made for him throughout the several apartments of the Temple, and see if he can be found.

SW: Craftsmen; you will make strict search throughout the several apartments of the Temple and see if our Grand Master Hiram Abif can be found

(Fellow Crafts go around the room, asking, "Have you see anything of our Grand Master Hiram Abif?", to which some of the Brethren respond with, "No, I have not seen him since high twelve yesterday.")

FC#1: Brother Senior Grand Warden, strict search has been made, but our Grand Master Hiram Abif can not be found. He has not been seen since high twelve yesterday.

SW: (S) Your orders have been obeyed, Most Excellent King Solomon. Strict search has been made throughout the several apartments of the Temple, but our Grand Master Hiram Abif can not be found. He has not been seen since high twelve yesterday.

WM: I fear some fateful act has befallen him.

FC#1: * * *. Twelve Fellow Crafts, clothed in white gloves and aprons, crave audience with Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: Admit them.

FC#1: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, we twelve who appear before you are clothed in white gloves and aprons in token of our innocence. We twelve, with three others, seeing the Temple about to be completed, and being desirous of obtaining the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby we could travel in foreign countries and receive wages as such, entered into the horrid conspiracy of extorting them from our Grand Master Hiram Abif, or taking his life; but, reflecting on the atrocity of our intentions, being stricken with horror, we twelve recanted, but we fear the other three have persisted in their murderous design. We twelve have come before you to confess our premeditated guilt, and im                               ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z { | } ~   plore your pardon.

WM: Brother Grand Secretary, call the roll of the workmen.

(The roll of the workmen is called)

Secy: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, the roll of the workmen has been called and Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum are found missing.

WM: Craftsmen, are they the three who were aligned with you in this horrid conspiracy?

FC#1: (S) They are the three, Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: It is my order that you divide yourselves into parts of three, and three travel east, three west, three north, and three south in pursuit of the ruffians.

FC#1: Let us go east.

FC#2: We will go north.

FC#3: We will go south.

FC#1: And we, west.

FC#1: Yonder is a way-faring man. Let us accost him.

FC#1: Have you seen any strangers pass this way?

W-f: I saw some yesterday, three, who from their appearance were workmen from the Temple.

FC#1: Where were they going?

W-f: They were seeking a passage to Ethiopia.

FC#1: Did they obtain one?

W-f: They did not.

FC#1: Where did they go?

W-f: They returned back into the country.

FC#1: This is important. Let us return and report it to King Solomon.

FC#1: (S) Tidings from the west, Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: Report them.

FC#1: We three who pursued a due west course from the Temple, went until we met with a way-faring man, of whom we inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way, who informed us that he had, three, who from their appearance were workmen from the Temple, seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having obtained one they returned back into the country. Deeming this of great importance, we have returned to bring this intelligence to you.

WM: Your intelligence proves but one thing to my mind, that the ruffians are still in the country and within our power. You will divide yourselves as before, and travel as before. I now give you positive injunction to find the criminals, and as positive assurance that if you do not, you will be deemed the murderers, and shall suffer for their enormous crime.

FC#2: I am weary and worn out and must sit down to rest and refresh myself.

FC#1: Don't stop here. Remember, that if we do not find the criminals, we will be deemed the murderers and shall suffer for their enormous crime.

FC#2: Alas, this is the reward of evil companionship. Had I but heeded the lessons taught me as a Fellow Craft, I would now be among the workmen of the Temple, honored and respected; as it is, I am an outcast. Hail, Brothers. This is singular, on rising up I accidentally caught hold of this sprig of acacia, and it easily gave way.

FC#1: That is singular.

R #1: O, that my throat had been cut across -----,

FC#1: Hark, what is that?

R #1: -------, my tongue torn out, and with my body buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC#3: That is the voice of Jubela.

R #2: O, that my left breast had been torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the vultures of the air, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC#2: That is the voice of Jubelo.

R #3: It was I who gave the fatal blow; it was I who killed him. O, that my body had been severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have been guilty of the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

FC #1 I know that voice; that is the voice of Jubelum.

FC#3: What shall we do? They are the murderers of whom we are in search.

FC#2: They are desperate men. It would be a serious undertaking to capture them.

FC#1: There are but three of them, and there are three of us. Our cause is just, and our trust is in God. Let us rush in, seize, bound, and take them before King Solomon.

FC#1: (S) Tidings from the west, Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: Report them.

FC#1: As we three who pursued a due west course from the Temple were returning, one of our number becoming more weary than the rest, sat down at the brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself, and on rising up he accidentally caught hold of a sprig of acacia, which easily gave way, exciting his curiosity; and while we were meditating over the singularity of the occasion, we heard three frightful exclamations from the clefts of the adjacent rocks. The first was the voice of Jubela, exclaiming, " O, that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out, and with my body buried in the sands of the sea, at low-water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif ." The second was the voice of Jubelo, exclaiming, " O, that my left breast had been torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the vultures of the air, ere I have been guilty of the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif. The third was the voice of Jubelum, exclaiming more horribly than the rest, "It was I who gave the fatal blow, it was I who killed him. O, that my body had been severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have been guilty of the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif ." Upon which we rushed in, seized, bound, and have brought them before you.

WM: Jubela, are you guilty of this horrid deed?

R #1: I am guilty, Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: Jubelo, are you also guilty?

R #2: I am more guilty, Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: Jubelum, are you likewise guilty?

R #3: I am most guilty, Most Excellent King Solomon; I am more guilty than the rest. It was I who gave the fatal blow, it was I who killed him.

WM: Then you shall die, impious wretches, to conspire against the life of so great and good a man as your Grand Master Hiram Abif. Take them without the gates of the city and execute them according to their several imprecations in the clefts of the rocks.

FC#1: (S) Most Excellent King Solomon, your orders have been obeyed. The murderers have been put to death according to their several imprecations in the clefts of the rocks.

WM: It is well. Go now, you Fellow Crafts, in search of the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif, and if found, observe whether the Master's Word, or a key to it, is on or about it.

FC#1: Here is the place where our worthy Brother sat down to rest and refresh himself. Here is the appearance of a newly made grave. Let us open it. Here is a body, but in such a mangled and putrid condition that it cannot be recognized. What a deathly effluvium arises from it. The Master's Word, or a key to it, can not be found on or about it. Here is a Jewel. Let us remove it and carry it to King Solomon.

FC#1: (S) Tidings, Most Excellent King Solomon.

WM: Report them.

FC#1: We traveled a due west course from the Temple to the brow of the hill where our worthy Brother sat down to rest and refresh himself. We found the appearance of a newly made grave; we opened it and discovered a body, but in such a mangled and putrid condition that it could not be recognized; and we found our hands involuntarily placed in this position to guard against the deathly effluvium that arose from it. The Master's Word, or a key to it, could not be found on or about it; however, we found this Jewel, which we have brought up for your inspection.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, this is indeed the Jewel of our Grand Master Hiram Abif. No doubt can now remain as to his lamentable fate. Craftsmen, the pardon you sought I now grant you, in token of my appreciation of your efforts to detect the murderers and to deliver the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, you will form the Craft in Grand Procession to go with me, to endeavor to raise the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif for more decent interment; and as the Master's Word is now lost, it is my order that the first sign given at the grave, and the first word spoken after the body is raised, shall be adopted for the regulation of all Masters Lodges, until future ages shall find out the right.

SW: * * *. Craftsmen, form in Grand Procession to repair with me to the grave, to endeavor to raise the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif for more decent interment.

SD: Brethren; form in Grand Procession on the north side of the Lodge, double file, facing the East.

 

DIRGE:

(Sung by all, while in Grand Procession):

Solemn strikes the funeral chime,

Notes of our departing time;

As we journey here below,

Through a pilgrimage of woe.

Mortals now indulge a tear,

For mortality is here.

See how wide her trophies wave

O'er the slumbers of the grave.

Here another guest we bring.

Seraphs of celestial wing,

To our funeral altar come:

Waft this friend and brother home.

There, enlarged, thy soul shall see

What was veiled in mystery;

Heavenly glories of the place

Show his Maker, face to face.

Lord of all, below - above

Fill our hearts with truth and love.

When dissolves our earthly tie,

Take us to thy Lodge on High.

WM: Here then lie the remains of your Grand Master Hiram Abif. Stricken down in the performance of duty, a martyr to his faith. He was bourne to this lonely spot by unhallowed hands at a midnight hour, upon the hope that the eye of man would never more behold him, or the hand of justice be laid upon his guilty murderers. Vain hope. Here lies the body of your Grand Master Hiram Abif. His work was not done, yet his column is broken. His death was untimely and his Brethren mourn. The honors so justly his due have not been paid him. His body shall be raised; shall be honored; shall be borne back to the Temple for more decent interment; and a monument shall be erected to commemorate his labors, his fidelity and his untimely death.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, apply to the body the grip of an Entered Apprentice, and endeavor to raise it.

SW: Most Excellent King Solomon, owing to the high state of putrefaction, the body having been dead fifteen days, the skin slips from the flesh and it can not be so raised.

(All raise their arms toward Heaven, their arms forming a square, and lowering them by three movements, to their sides.): Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widow's Son?

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, you have a stronger grip; that of a Fellow Craft. Apply that to the body and endeavor to raise it.

SW: Most Excellent King Solomon, owing to the reason before given, the flesh cleaves from the bones, and the body can not be so raised.

(All, in unison, as above, only this time, it is done twice): Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widow's Son? (Again, with arms raised): Oh Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widow's Son?

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, our attempts are vain. What shall we do?

SW: Let us pray.

Chap: Thou, O God. Knowest our down sitting and our uprising, and understandest our thoughts afar off. Shield and defend us from the evil intentions of our enemies, and support us under the trials and afflictions we are destined to endure while traveling through this vale of tears. Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee: Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass. Turn from him that he may rest till he shall accomplish his day. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. But man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down and riseth not till the Heavens be no more. Yet, O Lord, have compassion on the children of Thy creation; administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation. AMEN.

(ALL): So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Grand Warden, your counsel was timely and good. Masons should ever remember that when the strength and wisdom of man fails, there is an inexhaustible supply above, yielded to us through the power of prayer. My mind is now clear, and the body shall be raised.

Craftsmen, you have labored upon the Temple more than six years, honestly toiling, encouraged and buoyed up by the promise that when the Temple was completed, those of you who were found worthy should receive the secrets of a Master Mason. The Master's Word is lost in the death of your Grand Master Hiram Abif, but I will substitute a word which shall be adopted for the regulation of all Master's Lodges, until future ages shall find out the right; and the first word I utter after the body is raised shall be such substitute word. Yea, my Brethren, I have a Word; and though the skin may slip from the flesh, and the flesh cleaves from the bones, there is strength in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and he shall prevail.

(The Worshipful Master now reaches down and grasps the candidate's right hand with the real grip of a Master Mason, and as he raises the candidate up, it is done on the Five Point of Fellowship. The WM then whispers the substitute Word into the candidate's ear):

WM: Ma - Ha - Bone.

WM: My Brother, the word you have just received is a Hebrew word, and signifies, "What! The Builder?", and alludes to a particular tie in your Obligation wherein you swore that you would never give the substitute for the Master's Word in any other way or manner than that in which you would receive it, which would be on the Five Points of Fellowship and at low breath. The Five Points of Fellowship are: foot to foot; knee to knee; breast to breast; hand to back; and cheek to cheek or mouth to ear. And teach us these important lessons: Foot to foot, that we should be ever ready to go on foot, even barefoot, on a worthy Master Mason's errand, should his necessities require it, and we be no better provided. Knee to knee, that we should ever remember our Brethren in our devotions to Deity. Breast to breast, that the secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to us as such, should be as secure and inviolate in our breasts as they were in his before communication. Hand to back, that we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to support a falling Brother, and aid him on all lawful occasions. Cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear, that we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring Brother, and warn him of approaching danger.

My Brother, I will now instruct you as to the manner of arriving at the real grip and word of a Master Mason. As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you will do so at this time. Give me the pass-grip of a Master Mason.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: Will be you be off or from?

SD: From.

WM: From what and to what?

SD: From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the real grip of the same.

WM: Pass. What is that?

SD: The real grip of a Master Mason, or lion's paw.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD: Place yourself in the proper position to receive it and I will.

WM: Mark the difference, my Brother, Heretofore your answer has been; I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it. Now it is: Place yourself in the proper position to receive it and I will.

WM: What is the proper position to receive it?

SD: On the Five Points of Fellowship.

WM: What are the Five Points of Fellowship?

SD: Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek or mouth to ear.(Cand and WM are placing themselves on the Five Points of Fellowship as the SD names them.)

WM: Ma. Cand: Ha. WM: Bone.(WM may have the cand begin, while still in position, ie., Cand: Ma. WM: Ha. Cand: Bone, being sure the candidate fully understands the word.)

WM: My Brother, the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason is given in this manner: raising the hands toward Heaven, your arms forming a square, and lowering them by three distinct motions to the sides, and alludes to a particular tie in your Obligation, wherein you swore that you would not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a Brother, unless you were in real distress. Should you be in a place where the Sign could not be seen, the words, "O Lord, my God, is there no help for the Widow's son?", are to be substituted, but the sign and words are never to be given together. Should you see the Sign or hear the Words, you will hasten to the relief of the person so giving them, for you may rest assured that they come from one who has traveled the same road and received the same Light in Masonry that you have.

WM: My Brother, you will now return to the East, and receive an historical account of this degree.

 

MASTER MASON LECTURE

WM: *

Lecturer: Sacred history informs us that it was determined in the councils of infinite wisdom that a Temple should be founded at Jerusalem, which should be erected to God, and dedicated to His Holy Name. The high honor and distinguished privilege of performing this sacred service was denied to David, King of Israel, because, as the Scriptures inform us, he had made great wars and shed blood abundantly. From the same sacred source we learn that the God of Israel had promised David that out of his loins he should raise up seed to serve Him. This divine and memorable promise was afterward fulfilled in the person of Solomon, and in the splendid and unexampled career of his prosperity.

After David had been gathered to his fathers, and the last honor paid to his memory, Solomon wielded the sceptre of Israel, peace reigned within her borders, and the Children of Israel looked forward with peculiar satisfaction for the display of that wisdom which was destined to astonish and amaze the world.

In the second month of the fourth year of his reign, Solomon commenced the erection of this edifice, the curious workmanship of which was calculated to excite the wonder and admiration of all succeeding ages. It was located on Mount Moriah, near the place where Abraham was about to offer up his son Isaac, and where David met and appeased the destroying angel that was visible over the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite.

About that time, King Solomon received a congratulatory letter from Hiram, King of Tyre, offering him every assistance in his power, and manifesting a strong desire to participate in the high honors then clustering around the Throne of Israel. Thus was the building progressing, with the assistance of Hiram, King of Tyre, and under the immediate supervision of our ancient operative Grand Master Hiram Abif, and was well nigh completed when several of the Craft, in an attempt to extort from Grand Master Hiram Abif the secrets of a Master Mason, became his assassins, and for a short period the building was impeded in its progress.

You, my brother, have this evening represented that cunning workman who fell a martyr to his integrity and inflexible fidelity.

His death was premeditated by fifteen Fellow Crafts who, seeing the Temple about to be completed and being desirous of obtaining the secrets of a Master Mason, whereby they could travel in foreign countries and receive wages as such, entered into the horrid conspiracy of extorting them from our Grand Master Hiram Abif or taking his life. But, reflecting on the atrocity of their intentions and being stricken with horror, twelve of them recanted; the other three, however, persisted in their murderous designs.

It was the usual custom of this great and good man, at high twelve, when the craft were called from labor to refreshment, to enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holies, there to offer up his adorations to Deity, and to draw his designs on the trestle-board. The three Fellow Crafts who persisted in their murderous design, knowing that to be his usual custom, placed themselves at the south, west and east gates of the Temple and there awaited his return.

On the day of his death, having fulfilled his usual custom, he attempted to retire by the south gate, where he was accosted by Jubela, who thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, and on being refused, gave him a blow with a twenty-four inch gauge across the throat, upon which he fled and attempted to pass out at the west gate where he was accosted by Jubelo, who in like mind, thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, and on being refused, gave him a blow with a square upon his breast, upon which he fled and attempted to make his escape out at the east gate, where he was assaulted by Jubelum, who in like manner thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason, and on being thrice refused, gave him a violent blow with a setting maul oh his forehead, which felled him dead on the spot.

They then buried the body in the rubbish of the Temple until low twelve, or twelve at midnight, when they met by agreement and carried it in a due west course from the Temple to the brow of a hill, where they buried it in a grave dug six feet deep east and west and six feet perpendicular, at the head of which they planted a sprig of acacia, that the place might be known should occasion ever require it, and made their exit.

The following day our Grand Master Hiram Abif was missing. His absence was detected by there being no designs drawn on the Trestle-board.

King Solomon being informed of this supposed him to be indisposed, and ordered strict search to be made for him throughout the several apartments of the Temple to see if he could be found. Strict search was made but he could not be found. King Solomon then feared that some fearful accident had befallen him.

The twelve Fellow Crafts, who had recanted from their murderous design, presented themselves before King Solomon, clothed in white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, confessed their premeditated guilt and implored his pardon.

King Solomon then ordered a roll of the workmen to be called and upon roll-call there were three Fellow Crafts missing, namely Jubela, Jubelo, and Jubelum.

King Solomon then ordered them to divide themselves into parts of three and three travel east, three west, three north and three south in pursuit of the ruffians.

The twelve departed and those who traveled a due west course from the Temple went until they met with a way-faring man of whom they inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way, who informed them that he had, three, who from their appearance were workmen from the Temple, seeking a passage to Ethiopia, but not having obtained one, returned back into the country.

They returned and brought this information to King Solomon, who ordered them to divide as before and travel as before, with the positive injunction to find the criminals, and as positive assurance that if they did not, they would be deemed the murderers, and should suffer for their enormous crime.

They traveled as before and as those who pursued a due west course from the Temple were returning, one of their number becoming more weary than the rest, sat down at the brow of a hill to rest and refresh himself, and on arising he accidentally caught hold of a sprig of acacia, which easily giving way, excited his curiosity, and while they were meditating over the singularity of the occasion, they heard three frightful exclamations issuing from the clefts of the adjacent rocks. The first was the voice of Jubela, exclaiming O, that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out, and with my body buried in the sands of the sea at low-water mark, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif. The second was the voice of Jubelo, exclaiming, O, that my left breast had been torn open, my heart and vitals taken thence, and with my body given as a prey to the vultures of the air, ere I have been accessory to the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif; and the third was the voice of Jubelum, exclaiming more horribly than the rest, it was I who gave the fatal blow, it was I who killed him. O, that my body had been severed in twain, by bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes and the ashes thereof scatter to the four winds of Heaven, ere I have been guilty of the death of so great and good a man as our Grand Master Hiram Abif.

Whereupon they rushed in, seized, bound, and took them before King Solomon, who order them taken without the gates of the city and there executed according to their several imprecations in the clefts of the rocks. They were accordingly executed.

King Solomon then ordered the Fellow Crafts to go in search of the body of our Grand Master Hiram Abif, and if found, to observe whether the Master's Word or a key to it could be found on or about it.

His body was found at the brow of the hill where one worthy Brother sat down to rest and refresh himself. The Master's Word or a key to it could not be found on or about it.

King Solomon then ordered them to go with him to raise the body for more decent interment, and ordered that as the Master's Word was then lost, the first sign given at the grave and the first word spoken after the body was raised should be adopted for the regulation of all Masters Lodges, until future ages should find out the right.

They repaired to the grave where King Solomon ordered them to take the body by the grip of an Entered Apprentice and endeavor to raise it, but owing to the horrible state of putrefaction, the body having been dead fifteen days, the skin slipped from the flesh and it could not so be raised. King Solomon then ordered them to take it by the real grip of a Fellow Craft and endeavor to raise it, but owing to the reason before given, the flesh cleaved from the bones, and it could not be so raised. King Solomon then took it by the strong grip of a Master Mason and raised it on the Five Points of Fellowship, which are, foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek or mouth to ear.

They teach us these important lessons; foot to foot, that we should be ever ready to go on foot, even barefoot, on a worthy Master Mason's errand, should his necessities require it and we be no better provided; knee to knee, that we should ever remember our Brethren in our devotions to Deity; breast to breast, that the secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to us as such, should be as secure and inviolate in our breasts as they were in his before communication; hand to back, that we should be ever ready to stretch forth a hand to support a falling Brother and aid him on all lawful occasions; cheek to cheek or mouth to ear, that we should be ever ready to whisper wise counsel into the ear of an erring Brother and warn him of approaching danger.

They carried the body to the Temple and buried it in due form, and Masonic tradition informs us that a monument was erected to his memory, on which was delineated a beautiful Virgin weeping over a broken column; before her lay a book, open; in her right hand a sprig of acacia; in her left, an urn; and behind her stood Time with his fingers unfolding and counting the ringlets of her hair.

The broken column denotes the untimely death of our Grand Master Hiram Abif; the beautiful Virgin, weeping, denotes the Temple, unfinished; the book open before her, that his virtues there lie on perpetual record; the sprig of acacia in her right hand, the timely discovery of his body; the urn in her left, that his ashes were there safely deposited to perpetuate the remembrance of so distinguished a character; and Time standing behind her unfolding the ringlets of her hair denotes that time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things.

Thus we close the second section with a tribute to the memory of that distinguished artist, who preferred to lose his life rather than betray his trust, and whose death exhibited an instance of virtue, fortitude and integrity seldom equaled, and never excelled in the history of man.

In the third section, many particulars relative to King Solomon's Temple are considered. This section also illustrates certain hieroglyphical emblems and inculcates many useful lessons to extend knowledge and promote virtue.

This magnificent Temple, which long challenged the admiration of the world, far exceeded in splendor all other structures that had hitherto been erected. It was begun in the month of April, A. M. 2992, 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, and it was finished in the month of October, A. M. 2999, 1005 years before Christ.

There were two remarkable events attending the erection of the edifice. Sacred history informs us that there was not heard the sound of axe, hammer, or any metal tool in the building; and Josephus informs us that, although a little more than seven years were employed in its erection, it did not rain except in the night season and while the Craft were gone from labor to refreshment. This we regard as a striking manifestation of the superintending care of Divine Providence.

The Temple is said to have been supported by 1453 columns and 2906 pilasters, all hewn from the finest Parian marble.

There were employed in its erection, three Grand Masters, three thousand three hundred Masters of overseers of the work, eighty thousand Fellow Crafts or hewers in the mountains and quarries, and seventy thousand Entered Apprentices or bearers of burdens. All these were classed and arranged in such manner by the wisdom of King Solomon that neither envy, discord nor confusion was suffered to interrupt or disturb the peace and good fellowship which prevailed among the workmen.

Entered Apprentices formerly held their meetings on the checkered pavement, or ground floor of King Solomon's Temple, where they met every evening to receive instructions relative to the work of the following day. A Lodge of Entered Apprentices consists of seven or more and must be composed of one Master Mason and six or more Entered Apprentices.

Fellow Crafts held their meetings in the Middle Chamber of King Solomon's Temple, where they met on the evening of the sixth day of each week to receive their wages. A Lodge of Fellow Crafts consists of five or more, and must be composed of two Master Masons and three or more Fellow Crafts.

Master Masons held their meetings in the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holies of King Solomon's Temple, where they met occasionally to devise plans for the prosecution of the work. A Lodge of Master Masons consists of three or more, and must be composed of three Master Masons, representing Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre; and Hiram Abif.

The three pillars here represented were explained in a preceding degree, and there represented Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Here they represent our three ancient Grand Masters: Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre; and Hiram Abif. The pillar Wisdom, Solomon, King of Israel, by whose wisdom the Temple was erected, the superb model of excellence which has so honored and exalted his name; the pillar Strength, Hiram, King of Tyre, who strengthened King Solomon in his great and important undertaking; and the pillar Beauty, Hiram Abif, the Widow's Son of the tribe of Naphtali, by whose cunning workmanship the Temple was so beautified and adorned.

The three steps usually delineated on the Master's carpet are emblematical of the three principal stages of human life: Youth, Manhood and Age. In Youth, as Entered Apprentices, we ought industriously to occupy our minds in the attainment of useful knowledge; in Manhood, as Fellow Crafts, we should apply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to God, our neighbor, and ourselves, so that in age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a well spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.

There are nine classes of Masonic emblems, the first eight of which are: the Pot of Incense, the Beehive, the Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tyler's Sword, the Sword pointing to the Naked Heart, the All-seeing Eye, the Anchor and the Ark,the Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid, the Hour-glass and the Scythe.

The Pot of Incense is an emblem of a pure heart, which is always an acceptable sacrifice to Deity, and as this glows with fervent heat, so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the great and beneficent Author of our existence for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy.

The Beehive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow creatures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves.

The Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tyler's Sword reminds us that we should be ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words and actions, particularly when before the enemies of Masonry, ever bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic virtues, silence and circumspection.

The Sword pointing to the Naked Heart demonstrates that justice will sooner or later overtake us; and although our thoughts, words and actions may be hidden from the eyes of men, yet that All-seeing Eye, whom the Sun, Moon and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even the Comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human Heart, and will reward us according to our merits.

The Anchor and the Ark are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematical of the Divine Ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and that Anchor which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.

The Forty-seventh Problem of Euclid teaches Masons to be general lovers of the arts and sciences.

The Hour-glass is an emblem of human life. Behold how swiftly the sands run, and how rapidly our lives are drawing to a close. We cannot, without astonishment, behold the little particles which are contained in this machine - how they pass away almost imperceptibly; and yet, to our surprise, in the short space of an hour they are all exhausted. Thus wastes man. Today he puts forth the tender leaves of hope; tomorrow blossoms, and bears his blushing honors thick upon him; the next day comes a frost which nips the shoot; and when he thinks his greatness is still aspiring, he falls, like autumn leaves, to enrich our mother earth.

The Scythe is an emblem of time, which cuts the brittle thread of life and launches us into eternity. Behold what havoc the Scythe of Time makes among the human race. If by chance we should escape the numerous ills incident to childhood and youth, and with health and vigor arrive at the years of manhood, yet withal we must soon be cut down by the all-devouring Scythe of Time, and be gathered into the land where our fathers have gone before us.

The ninth is not monitorial; it is the Setting Maul, the Spade, the Coffin, and the Sprig of Acacia. The Setting Maul is that by which our Grand Master Hiram Abif was slain; the Spade, that which dug his grave; the Coffin, that which received his lifeless remains; and the Sprig of Acacia, that which bloomed at the head of his grave.

The first three are striking emblems of mortality and afford serious reflection to all thinking men, but they would be more dark and gloomy were it not for the Sprig of Acacia that bloomed at the head of the grave, (WM: * * *.) which serves to remind us that there is an imperishable part within us which bears the nearest affinity to the Supreme Intelligence which pervades all nature and which will never, never, never die. (WM: *)

Thus we close the explanation of the emblems upon the solemn thought of death, which without revelation would be dark and gloomy, but we are suddenly revived by that ever green and ever living sprig of Faith, which strengthens us with confidence and composure, to look forward to a blessed immortality, and we doubt not that on the glorious morn of resurrection our bodies will rise and become as incorruptible as our souls.

Then let us imitate the example of our Grand Master Hiram Abif, in his virtuous and amiable conduct, in his unfeigned piety to God, in his inflexible fidelity to his trust, that we may welcome the grim tyrant, Death, and receive him as a kind messenger sent from our Supreme Grand Master to translate us from this imperfect to that perfect, glorious and celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

WM: My Brother, this concludes the Third Degree of Freemasonry, with the exception of the Charge. If you will rise, I will repeat it to you.

 

CHARGE AT RAISING

My Brother, your zeal for our Institution, the progress you have made in our mysteries, and your steady conformity to our useful regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object for this peculiar mark of our favor.

Duty and honor, now alone, bind you to be faithful to every trust, to support the dignity of your character on all occasions, and strenuously to enforce, by precept and example, a steady attachment to the tenets of Freemasonry. Exemplary conduct on your part will convince the world that merit is the just title to our privileges, and that on you our favors have not been undeservedly bestowed.

As a Master Mason, you are authorized to correct the irregularities of your less informed Brethren; to fortify their minds with resolutions against the snares of the insidious, and to guard them against every allurement to vicious practices. To preserve the reputation of the Fraternity, unsullied, ought to be your constant care, and therefore it becomes your province to caution the inexperienced against a breach of fidelity.

To your inferiors in rank or office, you are to recommend obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; and to your superiors, kindness and condescension.

Universal benevolence you are zealously to inculcate, and by the regulation of your own conduct, endeavor to remove every aspersion against this venerable institution.

Our ancient landmarks you are carefully to preserve, and never suffer them to be infringed, nor are you to countenance any deviation from our established customs.

If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person desirous of being initiated into the Fraternity, be particularly careful not to recommend him unless you are convinced that he will conform to our rules, that the honor, glory and reputation of the institution may be firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good effects.

Finally, my Brother, congratulating you most sincerely, let me enjoin upon you that your honor and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the respectable character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, tempt you to swerve from your duties, violate your vows, or betray your trust, but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you have this evening represented; thus rendering yourself worthy of the honor we have conferred and meriting the trust we have reposed in you.

My Brother, I congratulate you on becoming a Master Mason, and as such commend you to the kind care, love and protection of Master Masons whithersoever dispersed around the globe. Be good; be true; and satisfy the world that by becoming a Master Mason you have become a better man. Retain, I entreat you, that purity of life and rectitude of conduct with which we hope you are endowed, and of which that spotless apron is the emblem, and the badge.

WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection with this degree that it will be necessary for you to commit to memory and on which you must pass a suitable examination in open Lodge, or as provided by our Nevada Code, within sixty days. I have no doubt the Brother who has instructed you thus far will be pleased to continue.

You will now step to the Secretary's desk and sign the by-laws, after which you will be entitled to your share of our privileges, as well as subjected to your share of our responsibilities.

 

MASTER MASON CLOSING

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you anything to bring before the Lodge before I proceed to close?

SW: Nothing in the West.

WM: And in the South, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: (S) Nothing in the South.

WM: Has any Brother anything to bring before the Lodge before I proceed to close?

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: The last as well as the first great care of Masons when convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I am about to close this Lodge of Master Masons, and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that the Worshipful Master is about to close this Lodge of Master Masons. Take due notice thereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: * * *. Tyl: * * *.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Master Mason without, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-pass except such as are duly qualified and have permission from the Worshipful Master.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Are you a Master Mason?

SW: I am.

WM: What induced you to become a Master Mason?

SW: That I might obtain the Master's Word, travel in foreign countries, work and receive Master's wages, and be thereby better enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief of distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans.

WM: What makes you a Master Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Master Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, assembled in a place representing the Sanctum Sanctorum of King Solomon's Temple.

WM: How many compose a Master Masons Lodge?

SW: Three or more.

WM: When composed of five, of whom does it consist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon's place in the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the South, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; attend the alarms at the outer door and report the same to the Worshipful Master; also to see that we are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon's place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in the East to the Senior Warden in the West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct; welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend the alarms at the inner door, also to receive and conduct candidates.

WM: The Junior Warden's station?

SD: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the glory and beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintend them during the hours thereof, carefully to observe that the means of refreshment are not perverted to intemperance or excess, and see that they return to their labor in due season, that the Worshipful Master may receive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden's station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, so stands the Senior Warden in the West to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing the Lodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any be due, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.

WM: The Master's station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day(WM: ***), so rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern the Lodge, setting the Craft at work, giving them proper instruction for their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until its next regular communication, unless especially convened, of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to the Junior Warden in the South, and he to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until its next regular communication, unless especially called, of which due and timely notice will be given. This communicate to the Brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren, it is the order of the Worshipful Master, communicated to me through the Senior Warden in the West, that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the Third Degree of Freemasonry, and stand closed until its next regular communication, unless especially called, of which due and timely notice will be given. I communicate the same to you, that having due notice thereof, you will govern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Have you ever traveled as a Master Mason?

SW: I have; from West to East, and from East to West again.

WM: Of what were you in search?

SW: Of that which was lost.

WM: To what do you allude?

SW: The secret word of a Master Mason.

WM: Did you find it?

SW: I did not; but found a substitute, which at the opening of this Lodge was sent to the East, accompanied with the steps, due-guards and signs.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, I will now return the same to the West, accompanied with the steps, due-guards and signs, through the Senior Deacon. Brother Senior Deacon, attend.

(At this time, the steps, due-guards and signs of the 3 degrees, as well as the substitute, are communicated from the Worshipful Master to the Senior Deacon. The Senior Deacon then carries them to the West and communicates them to the Senior Warden.)

SW: (S) Worshipful Master, the substitute has come to the West correctly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe the East.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: *. SW: *. JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: And now, Almighty Father, we ask Thy blessing upon the proceedings of this communication, and as we are about to separate, we ask Thee to keep us under Thy protecting care until again we are called together. Teach us, O God, to realize the beauties of the principles of our time-honored institution, not only while in the Lodge, but when abroad in the world. Subdue every discordant passion within us. May we love one another in the bonds of union and friendship. Amen.

(ALL): So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: How should Masons meet?

SW: On the level.

WM: And how act, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: By the plumb.

WM: And part upon the square. So should we, by Brethren, ever meet, act, and part. May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and close the Three Great Lights in Masonry.

WM: I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ duly closed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Inform the Tyler.

WM: *.

 

MASTER MASON EXAMINATION

Q: Are you a Master Mason?

A: I am.

Q: What induced you to become a Master Mason?

A: That I might obtain the Master's word, travel in foreign countries, work and receive Master's wages, and be thereby better enabled to support myself and family, and contribute to the relief of distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans.

Q: What makes you a Master Mason?

A: My Obligation.

Q: Where were you made a Master Mason?

A: Within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, assembled in a place representing the Sanctum Sanctorum of King Solomon's Temple.

Q: How may I know you to be a Master Mason?

A: By certain signs and tokens.

Q: What are signs?

A: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

Q: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

A: It has; to the position of my hands while taking the Obligation.

Q: Have you a further sign?

A: I have.

Q: Has that an allusion?

A: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

Q: What are tokens?

A: Certain friendly or brotherly grips whereby one Mason may know another in the dark as in the light.

Q: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

A: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.

Q: Has it a name?

A: It has.

Q: Will you give it to me?

A: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.

Q: How will you dispose of it?

A: Letter or syllable it.

Q: Syllable it and begin.

A: You begin.

Q: Begin you.

A: Tu; Q: bal; A: cain.

A: Tubalcain.

Q: Will you be off or from?

A: From.

Q: From what, and to what?

A: From the pass-grip of a Master Mason to the real grip of the same.

Q: Pass. What is that?

A: The real grip of a Master Mason, or lion's paw.

Q: Has it a name?

A: It has.

Q: Will you give it to me?

A: Place yourself in the proper position to receive it and I will.

Q: What is the proper position to receive it.

A: On the Five Points of Fellowship.

Q: What are the Five Points of Fellowship?

A: Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear.(Five Points of Fellowship are assumed as the response is being given)

A: Ma; Q: Ha; A: Bone (whispered)

Q: Where were you prepared to be made a Master Mason?

A:    In a room adjoining the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons.

Q: How were you prepared?

A: By being divested of all metallic substances, neither naked nor clothed, barefoot, both knees and breasts bare, hood-winked, and with a cable-tow three times around my body, clothed as a Fellow Craft, in which condition I was conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused to give three distinct knocks, which were answered by three within.

Q: Why was the cable-tow three times around your body?

A: To teach me that as a Master Mason I was under a threefold tie to the Fraternity.

Q: To what do the three knocks allude?

A: To the Third Degree upon which I was then entering.

Q: What was said to you from within?

A: Who comes here?

Q: Your answer?

A: Brother _____ ______, who has been duly initiated an Entered Apprentice, passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft, and now wishes further Light in Masonry by being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

Q: What were you then asked?

A: If this was an act of my own free will and accord, if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared, if I had made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree, all of which being answered in the affirmative, I was then asked by what further right or benefit I expected to obtain this important privilege.

Q: Your answer?

A: By the benefit of the pass-word.

Q: Had you the pass-word?

A: I had not. My conductor had and gave it for me.

Q: What were you then told?

A: Since I was in possession of all these necessary qualifications, I should wait until the Worshipful Master could be informed of my request and his answer returned.

Q: What was his answer when returned?

A: Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons and be received in due and ancient form.

Q: How were you received?

A: On the points of the Compasses, extending from my naked right to my naked left breast, which was to teach me that as within the breast are contained the most vital parts of man, so between the extreme points of the Compasses are contained the most valuable tenets of Freemasonry, which are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love.

Q: How were you then disposed of?

A: Conducted three times regularly around the Lodge and to the Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as at the door.

Q: How did the Junior Warden dispose of you?

A: Directed me conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before.

Q: How did the Senior Warden dispose of you?

A: Directed me conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, where the same questions were asked and answers returned as before, who also demanded of me whence I came and whither traveling.

Q: Your answer?

A: From the West, traveling East.

Q: Why did you leave the West and travel East?

A: In search of further Light in Masonry.

Q: What was then ordered?

A: That I be re-conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to approach the East in due and ancient form.

Q: What is that due and ancient form?

A: Advancing on my left foot, bringing the heel of my right to the heel of my left, thereby forming the angle of a square, body erect, facing East.

Q: What did the Worshipful Master then do with you?

A: Obligated me as a Master Mason.

Q: How?

A: In due form.

Q: What is that due form?

A: Kneeling on my naked knees, both hands resting on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, in which due form I took the solemn Obligation of a Master Mason.

Q: Have you that Obligation?

A: I have.

Q: Repeat it.

A: I, _____ ______, of my own free will and accord, in the

presence of Almighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, erected to Him and dedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John, do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will keep and conceal and never reveal any of the secrets belonging to the Degree of Master Mason, which I have received, am about to receive, or may be hereafter instructed in, to any person unless it shall be to a worthy Brother Master Mason, or within the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such, and not unto him or them until by due trial, strict examination, or lawful Masonic information, I shall have found him or them justly entitled to receive the same.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the State of Nevada, also all the laws, rules, and edicts of the same, or of any other Grand Lodge from whose jurisdiction I may hereafter hail; together with the by-laws, rules, and regulations of this or any other Lodge of which I may become a member, so far as the same shall come to my knowledge.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons sent me from the body of a just and duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, or handed me by a worthy Brother of this degree, if within the length of my cable-tow.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will help, aid, and assist all poor and distressed Master Masons, their widows and orphans, they applying to me as such, I finding them worthy, and can do so without material to myself or family.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will keep the secrets of a worthy Brother Master Mason, when communicated to me as such, as secure and inviolate in my breast as they were in his before communication.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not give the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress of a Master Mason, except for the benefit of the Craft while at work or for the instruction of a Brother, unless I am in real distress; and should I see the sign given, or hear the word spoken, I will hasten to the relief of the person so giving it.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not give the substitute for the Master's Word in any other way or manner than that in which I receive it, which will be on the Five points of Fellowship, and at low breath.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not wrong, cheat, nor defraud a Master Masons Lodge, or a worthy Brother of this degree to the value of anything, knowingly, nor suffer it to be done by another, if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not knowingly strike a Brother Master Mason, nor otherwise do him personal violence in anger, except in the necessary of myself, family or property.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not have illicit carnal intercourse with a Master Mason's wife, widow, mother, sister or daughter, nor suffer it to be done by another if in my power to prevent.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising of an old man in dotage, a young man under age, an irreligious libertine, an atheist, a person of unsound mind, or a woman, knowing them to be such.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I will not be present at the initiating, passing, or raising of a candidate clandestinely, nor hold Masonic intercourse with a clandestine Mason, or with one who has been suspended or expelled, knowing him to be such, until duly restored.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind in me whatsoever; binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence, and with my body burned to ashes, and the ashes thereof scattered to the four winds of Heaven, that there might remain neither track, trace nor remembrance among man or Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I should be, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, my solemn Obligation of a Master Mason. So help me God and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same.

Q: After the Obligation, what were you asked?

A: What I most desired.

Q: Your answer?

A: Further Light in Masonry.

Q: Did you receive it?

A: I did, by order of the 'Worshipful Master.

Q: On being brought to Light in this degree, what did you first behold?

A: The Three Great Lights in Masonry, as in the preceding degree, with this difference: Both points of the Compasses were above the Square, which was to teach me that I had received, and was entitled to receive all the Light that could be conferred upon or communicated to me in a Master Masons Lodge.

Q: What did you next behold?

A: The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East, upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of an Entered Apprentice; upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Fellow Craft; upon the step, under the due-guard and sign of a Master Mason, who presented his right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and invested me with the pass-grip and pass-word, ordered me to rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them that I was a duly Obligated Master Mason, in possession of the step, due-guard, sign, pass-grip and pass-word.

Q: What was then ordered?

A: That I be re-conducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to wear my apron as a Master Mason.

Q: How should a Master Mason wear his apron?

A: With the flap turned down.

Q: With what were you then presented?

A: The working tools of a Master Mason.

Q: What are they?

A: All the tools in Masonry, especially the Trowel. The Trowel is an instrument used by operative masons to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection - that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and Brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.

Q: What was then ordered?

A: That I be re-conducted to the place whence I came, invested with that of which I had been divested, and returned to the Lodge to represent our ancient operative Grand Master Hiram Abif.

         ) * + , M N U V W  ! , - . q r { |            e f r ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &r s            $ % A B C    " # $             { | } ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &} g h i S T U A B 5 6 7 4 5 f g h i  ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &    ; < I J T U V W      ` a         b c      7 8 9   ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &   1 2 3      # $ c d e      H I ~        V W       ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &   k l      B C      4 5        # $ % w x      3 4 5 ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &5      < = b c d     M N v w x      N O { | }      J K   ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &       k l ! ! J! K! L! ! ! ! ! ! ?" @" m" n" o" " " " " " :# ;# m# n# o# # # ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &# $ $ Y$ Z$ w$ x$ y$ $ $ % % % d% e% % % % % % $& %& && x& y& & & & & & E' F' ' ' ' ' ' ( ( ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &( ( e( f( ( ( ( ( ( ) ) ) l) m) ) ) ) ) ) .* /* }* ~* * * * * * H+ I+ y+ z+ {+ + + , , , j, ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &j, k, , , , , , - - - l- m- - - - - - 1. 2. ~. . . . . . . G/ H/ t/ u/ v/ / / 0 0 0 e0 f0 0 ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 c1 d1 1 1 1 1 1 &2 '2 r2 s2 2 2 2 2 2 @3 A3 m3 n3 o3 3 3 4 4 4 ]4 ^4 4 4 4 ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &4 4 4 5 5 5 \5 ]5 }5 ~5 5 5 5 6 6 i6 j6 6 6 7 7 7 W7 X7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 W8 X8 8 8 8 8 8 ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &8 9 9 9 Y9 Z9 9 9 9 9 9 *: +: z: {: : : ; ; \; ]; {; |; }; ; ; < < < V< W< y< z< {< < < < < < ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &< N= O= {= |= }= = = = = = J> K> > > > > 0? 1? ? ? ? ? ? @ @ @ b@ c@ @ @ @ @ @ A A A TA UA ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &UA A A A A @B AB BB B B B B (C )C wC xC C C C )D *D VD WD XD D D D D D +E ,E vE wE E E F F BF CF ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &CF DF F F F F 3G 4G G G G G G G G =H >H H H H H H I I I TI UI I I I I I ?J @J J J J J 'K ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &'K (K rK sK K K L L lL mL nL L L L L L ;M N N N N N N :O ;O O O O O ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &O %P &P P P P P P !Q "Q qQ rQ Q Q Q &R 'R SR TR UR R R R R R (S )S PS QS RS S S S S XT YT ZT T T ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &T T T T 'U (U TU UU VU U U U U U )V *V mV nV oV V V W W .W /W 0W W W W W W X X )X *X +X }X ~X X ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &X X 'Y (Y )Y wY xY Y Y Y Z Z Z Z rZ sZ Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z .[ /[ ~[ [ [ [ [ [ [ *\ +\ ,\ ~\ \ \ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &\ \ \ \ \ *] +] ,] ~] ] ] ] ] 0^ 1^ y^ z^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ C_ D_ _ _ _ _ ` ` ` p` q` ` ` a a Xa Ya ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &Ya a a b b b _b `b b b b b Kc Lc c c c c :d ;d d d d d e e ge he e e f f Uf Vf f f f f !g ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &!g "g #g tg ug g g h h Qh Rh |h }h ~h h h i i ki li i i i i i Cj Dj j j j j k k !k tk uk k k k ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &k k k l l l sl tl l l l #m $m sm tm m m m m m n n n ]n ^n n n n n n o o o _o `o o o o o ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &o o 1p 2p 3p p p p p p q q Vq Wq q q q q Xr Yr Zr r r r r s Ts Us qs rs ss s s t t t bt ct t ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &t t t t t u u u Vu Wu su tu uu u u &v 'v (v zv {v v v v !w "w qw rw w w w w w 5x 6x cx dx ex x x ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &x x x x 8y 9y y y y y !z "z nz oz z z z z z 1{ 2{ 3{ { { { { { { { -| .| /| | | | | | | | ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &| !} "} #} u} v} } } } } } E~ F~ G~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ @ A        X Y Ԁ Հ ր ( ) y z ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &z { | }   Q R       k l   R S  ' ( ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &( ) | } Å ą > ? ܆ ݆ ' ( u v Ň Ƈ   V W { | } ψ Ј    e f ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &   ] ^ _   + , -  ҋ Ӌ ԋ & ' > ? @  P Q s t u Ǎ ȍ ߍ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  & 5 6 Ҏ ӎ 7 8 9 ^ _ ` ̐ ͐ ΐ ! I J K 7 8 ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  & ? @    W X    j k ^ _ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &   d e f   \ ] ^ ˘ ̘ ͘  H I J 7 8 ? @ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &    W X    j k ^ _   d e f  ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &  ` a b Ϡ Р Ѡ # $ L M N : ; B C    Z [ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &    m n   a b ¦   g h i    U V ި ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &ި ߨ ! " t u M N K L x y z ̫ ͫ M N ۬ ܬ ݬ / 0 z ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &z { ȭ ɭ I J v w x ʮ ˮ K L | } ~ Я ѯ   l m   N O ڱ ۱ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &۱ J K ; < = ڳ ۳ ܳ . / I J K 3 4 5 ص ٵ $ % t u ¶ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &¶ ö   _ ` H I    D E 2 3 к Ѻ ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  & # $ D E , - z { ȼ ɼ ' ( c d h i j ٽ ڽ ۽ - . / 0 < = f g ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &g ʾ ˾ ̾ ;  $ % & ' ( z { ǿ ȿ P Q 4 5   d e ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  & $ % % & t u   3 4 5 F G + , v ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &v w   \ ] G H f g h   P Q : ; $ % s t ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &    ) * S T u v + , { |   1 2 3 # $ r s U ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &U V C D - . Z [ \ + , I J K   = > ? ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &                               ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ; < = > ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x z { | } ~   ? @ c d e ) * H I J ! E F G 9 : ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &: ; - . _ ` a 4 5 _ ` a ( ) I J K  ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  & m n   V W N O w x y    Z [    k l ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &l * + , ~    e f g < = Z [ \ . / n o p ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  &p = >  N O P   3 4 5 0 1 2 ÿ{wsokg ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  ] a  & $ % & x y   J K L   G H I   1 2