Entered Apprentice Ritual - Emulation

Opening Worshipful Master gavels once, repeated by Senior Warden and Junior Warden WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge. All rise. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every Mason? JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled. IG goes to door, does not open it, gives three distinct knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG, no Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled. JW three distinct knocks, no Sign, to WM: The Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that none ut Masons are present. WM: To order Brethren in the %irst Degree. All take Step !ith #ntered Apprentice Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, how many principal officers are there in the Lodge? SW: Three& the Worshipful Master and the #enior and Junior Wardens. WM: Brother #enior Warden, how many assistant officers are there? SW: Three, esides the Tyler or 'uter "uard& namely, the #enior and Junior Deacons and the !nner "uard. WM to JW: The situation of the Tyler? JW: 'utside the door of the Lodge. WM: (is duty? JW: Being armed with a drawn sword to )eep off all intruders and cowans to Masonry and to see that the *andidate+s are properly prepared. WM to SW: The situation of the !nner "uard? SW: Within the entrance of the Lodge. WM: (is duty? SW: To admit Masons on proof, receive the *andidate+s in due form, and o ey the commands of the Junior Warden. WM to JW: The situation of the Junior Deacon? JW: ,t the right of the #enior Warden. WM: (is duty? JW: To carry all messages and communications of the Worshipful Master from the #enior to the Junior Warden, and to see that the same are punctually o eyed. WM to SW: The situation of the #enior Deacon? SW: ,t or near to the right of the Worshipful Master WM: (is duty? SW: To ear all messages and commands from the Worshipful Master to the #enior Warden, and await the return of the Junior Deacon. WM: Brother Junior Warden, your place in the Lodge? JW: !n the #outh. WM: Why are you placed there? JW: To mar) the sun at its meridian, to call the Brethren from la our to refreshment and from

refreshment to la our, that profit and pleasure may e the result. WM: Brother #enior Warden, your place in the Lodge? SW: !n the West. WM: Why are you placed there? SW: To mar) the setting sun, to close the Lodge y command of the Worshipful Master, after having seen that every Brother has had his due. WM to SW: The Master-s place? SW: !n the .ast. WM: Why is he placed there? SW: ,s the sun rises in the .ast to open and enliven the day, so the Worshipful Master is placed in the .ast to open the Lodge, and employ and instruct the Brethren in %reemasonry. WM: The Lodge eing duly formed, efore ! declare it open, let us invo)e the assistance of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse in all our underta)ings0 may our la ours, thus egun in order, e conducted in peace, and closed in harmony. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. WM: Brethren, in the name of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse, ! declare the Lodge duly open all cut Sign for the purposes of %reemasonry in the %irst Degree. WM gives #A%gavel. SW gives #A%gavel and raises &n. JW gives #A%gavel and lo!ers &n. IG goes to door, gives #A knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. I""ediate $ast Master, "ean!hile, opens 'olu"e of Sacred (a! and arranges S)uare and &o"pass. 'olu"e of Sacred (a! is placed so that Worshipful Master can read it* points of the &o"pass are directed to Worshipful Master and hidden by the ar"s of the S)uare angle to!ards Worshipful Master. WM sits !hen this has been co"pleted. All the brethren take their seats !hen the Worshipful Master sits. Initiation yler prepares &andidate and !hen ready to proceed !ith &ere"ony gives three distinct knocks. +y giving the #A%knocks !ith longer intervals the yler indicates that the &andidate is ready. IG rises in front of his chair, takes step and gives #A%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report. JW seated, also gives three distinct knocks and rises. akes step and gives and #A%Sign: Worshipful Master, there is a report. WM: Brother Junior Warden, in1uire who wants admission. JW cuts Sign and sits: Brother !nner "uard see who wants admission. IG cuts Sign and goes to door of (odge, unlocks it, does not leave (odge, but re"ains on threshold !ith hand on door handle, and assures hi"self that &andidate is properly prepared. IG to yler: Whom have you there? yler na"es &andidate: Mr. 2, a poor candidate in a state of dar)ness who has een well and worthily recommended, regularly proposed and approved in open Lodge, and now comes, of his own free will and accord, properly prepared, hum ly soliciting to e admitted to the mysteries and privileges of %reemasonry. IG: (ow does he hope to o tain those privileges? yler pro"pting &andidate aloud: By the help of "od, eing free and of good report. &andidate repeats. IG: (alt, while ! report to the Worshipful Master. &loses and locks door, returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step, gives #A%Sign !hich he holds. IG: Worshipful Master, Mr. 2, a poor candidate in a state of dar)ness who has een well and

worthily recommended, regularly proposed and approved in open Lodge and now comes, of his own free will and accord, properly prepared, hum ly soliciting to e admitted to the mysteries and privileges of %reemasonry. WM: (ow does he hope to o tain those privileges? IG: By the help of "od, eing free and of good report. WM: The tongue of good report has already een heard in his favour. Do you, Brother !nner "uard, vouch that he is properly prepared? IG: ! do, Worshipful Master. WM: Then let him e admitted in due form. IG cuts Sign. WM: Brother Deacons. S, places kneeling stool in position. IG takes poniard and goes to door follo!ed by J, and S,, J, on left. IG opens door, retaining hold on it as before, presents poniard to &andidate-s naked left breast. IG: Do you feel anything? After an affir"ative ans!er fro" &andidate raises the poniard above his head to sho! that he has so presented it. J, !ith left hand takes &an fir"ly by right hand, S, on &andidate-s left, and leads hi" to the kneeling stool. All three stand facing #ast. IG after &andidate is ad"itted, closes and locks door, places p on SW.s pedestal and resu"es his seat. WM: Mr.. 2, as no person can e made a Mason unless he is free and of mature age, ! demand of you, are you a free man and of the full age of twenty3one years? J, pro"pting &an aloud: ! am. WM: Thus assured. ! will than) you to )neel while the lessing of (eaven is invo)ed on our proceedings. J, assists &andidate to kneel, instructing hi" if necessary in a !hisper, and then releases his right hand. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. ,eacons hold !ands in left hands, cross the" over head of &andidate and give Sign of /everence. All stand !ith Sign of /everence. Prayer WM: 4ouchsafe Thine aid, ,lmighty %ather and #upreme "overnor of the /niverse, to our present convention, and grant that this *andidate for %reemasonry may so dedicate and devote his life to Thy service as to ecome a true and faithful rother among us. .ndue him with a competency of Thy divine wisdom, that, assisted y the secrets of our Masonic art, he may the etter e ena led to unfold the eauties of true godliness, to the honour and glory of Thy (oly 5ame. I""ediate $ast "aster: #o mote it e. All drop Sign of /everence. ,eacons uncross !ands and hold the" again in right hands. WM: !n all cases of difficulty and danger, in whom do you put your trust? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: !n "od. WM: 6ight glad am ! to find your faith so well founded& relying on such sure support you may safely rise and follow your leader with a firm ut hum le confidence, for where the name of "od is invo)ed, we trust no danger can ensue. WM sits. J, assists &andidate to rise, taking his right hand fir"ly as before. All, e0cept ,eacons and &andidate sit. S, dra!s kneeling stool aside to his left out of !ay of J, and &andidate. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: The Brethren from the 5orth, .ast, #outh and West will ta)e notice that Mr. 2 is a out to

pass in view efore them to show that he is the *andidate, properly prepared, and a fit and proper person to e made a Mason. J, keeping hold of &andidate-s right hand fir"ly as before instructs hi" in a !hisper to step off !ith the left foot and begins the pera"bulation by leading hi" up the 1orth to 1orth%#ast corner of (odge, !hich is 2s)uared., then past WM to South%#ast corner !here the (odge is again 2s)uared., and finally to #ast of JW-s pedestal !here they stand parallel to the pedestal, and a convenient distance fro" it. J, instructs &andidate at each corner, after 2s)uaring,. to step off !ith left foot. hese instructions are !hispered. S, "ean!hile replaces kneeling stool in nor"al position and !hen J, and &andidate have passed 1orth%#ast corner, takes poniard fro" SW.s pedestal to WM and resu"es seat. J, holding &andidate right hand fir"ly, strikes JW on right shoulder thrice !ith &andidate-s right hand. JW: Whom have you there? J,: Mr. 2, a poor *andidate in a state of dar)ness who has een well and worthily recommended, regularly proposed and approved in open Lodge, and now comes, of his own free will and accord, properly prepared, hum ly soliciting to e admitted to the mysteries and privileges of %reemasonry. JW: (ow does he hope to o tain those privileges? J,: By the help of "od, eing free and of good report. JW rises and faces &andidate. J, places right hand of &an in that of JW. JW: .nter, free and of good report. /eplaces right hand of &andidate in left hand of J, and sits. J, holding &andidate-s right hand fir"ly leads hi" to South%West corner of the (odge, !hich is 2s)uared., and then to South of SW.s pedestal !here the stand parallel to the pedestal, and a convenient distance fro" it. J, holding &andidate-s right hand fir"ly, strikes SW on right shoulder thrice !ith &andidate-s right hand. SW: Whom have you there? J,: Mr. 2 a poor *andidate in a state of dar)ness who has een well and worthily recommended, regularly proposed and approved in open Lodge, and now comes, of his own free will and accord, properly prepared, hum ly soliciting to e admitted to the mysteries and privileges of %reemasonry. SW: (ow does he hope to o tain those privileges? J,: By the help of "od, eing free and of good report. SW rises and faces &andidate. J, places right hand of &andidate in that of SW. SW: .nter, free and of good report 6eplaces *andidate+s right hand in left hand of JD and remains standing. J, holding &andidate-s right hand fir"ly leads hi" to 1orth of SW-s pedestal, "akes an anti% clock!ise !heel, places &andidate-s right hand in left hand of SW and turns &andidate to face #ast* he stands on left of &andidate, also facing #ast. SW holding up &andidate-s right hand, takes step and gives #A%sign: WM, ! present to you Mr. 2, a *andidate properly prepared to e made a Mason.Maintains Sign and continues to hold &andidate-s right hand. WM: Brother #enior Warden, your presentation shall e attended to, for which purpose ! shall address a few 1uestions to the *andidate which ! trust he will answer with candour. SW cuts Sign, replaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of J, and sits. J, takes &andidate-s right hand fro" SW and positions hi"self on right of &andidate still holding &andidate-s hand, both facing #ast. WM: Do you seriously declare on your honour that, un iased y the improper solicitation of friends against your own inclination, and uninfluenced y mercenary or other unworthy motive, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a *andidate for the mysteries and privileges of %reemasonry? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Do you li)ewise pledge yourself that you are prompted to solicit those privileges y a

favoura le opinion preconceived of the !nstitution, a general desire of )nowledge, and a sincere wish to render yourself more e$tensively servicea le to your fellow3creatures? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Do you further seriously declare on your honour that, avoiding fear on the one hand and rashness on the other, you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of your !nitiation, and if once admitted, you will afterwards act and a ide y the ancient usages and esta lished customs of the 'rder? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Brother #W, you will direct the JD to instruct the *andidate to advance to the pedestal in due form. SW: Brother Junior Deacon, it is the Worshipful masters command that you instruct the *andidate to advance to the pedestal in due form. J, instructs &andidate to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" diagonally to position facing Worshipful Master and about four feet fro" the pedestal, and, still holding &andidate-s hand, instructs hi" in a !hisper to place his feet together, then to turn out his right foot so as to for" a s)uare, the left foot pointing #ast and the right foot pointing South. J, aloud to &andidate and ensuring &andidate suits action to !ord: Ta)e a short pace with your left foot, ringing the heels together in the form of a s1uare. Ta)e another, a little longer, heel to heel as efore. ,nother, still longer, heels together as efore. &andidate should arrive so that he can kneel !ithout further advancing, and !ith his left foot directed to the #ast and his right foot in the for" of a s)uare directed South. S, takes up position on left of &andidate si"ultaneously !ith arrival of latter and J, so that all three stand facing WM, J, on right and S, on left of &andidate. WM: !t is my duty to inform you that Masonry is free, and re1uires a perfect freedom of inclination in every *andidate for its mysteries. !t is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue. !t possesses great and invalua le privileges, and in order to secure those privileges to worthy men, and we trust to worthy men alone, vows of fidelity are re1uired0 ut let me assure you that in those vows there is nothing incompati le with your civil, moral, or religious duties. ,re you therefore willing to ta)e a #olemn ' ligation, founded on the principles ! have stated, to )eep inviolate the secrets and mysteries of the 'rder? &andidate: ! am. WM: Then you will )neel on your left )nee, your right foot formed in a s1uare &andidate co"plies0 give me your right hand which ! place on the 4olume of #acred Law while your left will e employed in supporting these *ompasses, one point presented to your na)ed left reast J, assists by raising &andidate-s right hand, S, assists by raising &andidate-s left hand. WM places one leg of &o"passes in &andidate-s left hand and directs the $oint to his naked left breast. he &o"passes are held by &andidate !ith upper point on breast. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. All stand !ith Step and give #A%Sign. ,eacons hold !ands in left hands, cross the" over head of &andidate, take step and give #A%Sign. WM: 6epeat your name at length and say after me& !. 2, in the presence of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse, and of this worthy, worshipful, and warranted Lodge of %ree and ,ccepted Masons , regularly assem led and properly dedicated, of my own free will and accord, do here y, and hereon, sincerely and solemnly promise and swear, that ! will always hele, conceal, and never reveal any part or parts, point or points of the secrets or mysteries of or elonging to %ree and ,ccepted Masons in Masonry which may heretofore have een )nown y me, or shall now or at any future period e communicated to me, unless it e to a true and lawful Brother or Brothers, and not even to him or them, until after due trial, strict e$amination, or sure information from a well3)nown Brother that he or they are worthy of that confidence0 or in the ody of a 7ust, perfect and regular Lodge of ,ncient %reemasons. ! further solemnly promise that ! will not write those secrets, indite, carve, mar), engrave, or otherwise them delineate, or cause or suffer it to e so done y others, if in my power to prevent it, on anything, mova le or immova le, under the canopy of (eaven, where y or

whereon any letter, character, or figure, or the least trace of a letter, character, or figure, may ecome legi le, or intelligi le to myself or anyone in the world, so that our secret arts and hidden mysteries may improperly ecome )nown through my unworthiness. These several points ! solemnly swear to o serve, without evasion, e1uivocation, or mental reservation of any )ind, in the certain )nowledge that on the violation of any of them ! shall e randed as a willfully per7ured individual, void of all moral worth, and totally unfit to e received into this worshipful Lodge, or any other warranted Lodge, or society of men who pri8e honour and virtue a ove the e$ternal advantages of ran) and fortune. #o help me "od, and )eep me steadfast in this my "reat and #olemn ' ligation of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason All cut Sign. ,eacons lo!er !ands to right hand. WM re"oves &o"passes fro" &andidate-s left hand. S, lo!ers &andidate-s left hand to side. &andidate-s right hand re"ains on 'olu"e of Sacred (a!. WM: What you have repeated may e considered ut a serious promise0 as a pledge of your fidelity, and to render it a #olemn ' ligation, you will seal it with your lips on the 4olume of #acred Law. &andidate co"plies. (aving een )ept for a considera le time in a state of dar)ness, what, in your present situation, is the predominant wish of your heart? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Light. WM: Brother Junior Deacon, let that lessing e restored to the *andidate. J, should catch WM.s eye to indicate that he is ready. WM raises gavel, "oves it left, right, and do!n. All give one clap as gavel strikes pedestal. J, re"oves hood!ink at the sa"e "o"ent. WM pausing till &andidate is used to light and ready to continue: (aving een restored to the lessing of material light, let me point out to your attention what we consider the three great, though em lematical, lights in %reemasonry& they are the 4olume of #acred Law, the #1uare, and *ompass. The #acred Writings are to govern our faith, the #1uare to regulate our actions, and the *ompass to )eep us in due ounds with all man)ind, particularly our Brethren in %reemasonry. WM takes &andidate-s right hand fro" the 'olu"e of Sacred (a! !ith his right hand: 6ise, newly o ligated Brother among Masons. 6estores *andidate+s right hand to Junior Deacon. WM sits. S, returns to seat. All, e0cept J, and &andidate sit. J, takes &andidate-s right hand, turns left and conducts hi" to 1orth side of WM.s pedestal so that both are in a position parallel to the pedestal and about t!o feet fro" it, facing South to!ards WM. and releases hand. WM: 9ou are now ena led to discover the three lesser lights0 they are situated .ast, #outh, and West, and are meant to represent the #un, Moon, and Master of the Lodge0 the #un to rule the day, the Moon to govern the night, and the Master to rule and direct his Lodge. WM: Brother 2, y your mee) and candid ehaviour this evening you have, sym olically, escaped two great dangers, ut there was a third which, traditionally, would have awaited you until the latest period of your e$istence. The dangers you have escaped are those of sta ing and strangling, for on your entrance into the Lodge this poniard picks up poniard fro" pedestal, unsheathes it, and sho!s it to &andidate, suiting actions to !ords was presented to your na)ed left reast, to imply that had you rashly attempted to rush forward, you would have een accessory to your own death y sta ing, whilst the Brother who held it would have remained firm and done his duty sheathes poniard and replaces it on pedestal. J, re"oves cable%to! fro" neck of &an and hands it to WM. WM sho!s cable%to! to &andidate: There was li)ewise this ca le3tow, with a running noose a out your nec), which would have rendered any attempt at retreat e1ually fatal hands cable%to! to I""ediate $ast Master.

WM: But the danger which, traditionally, would have awaited you until your latest hour was the physical penalty at one time associated with the ' ligation of a Mason, that of having your throat cut across had you improperly disclosed the secrets of Masonry. The full penalty was that of having the throat cut across, the tongue turned out y the root and uried in the sand of the sea at low3water mar) or a ca les length from the shore, where the tide regularly e s and flows twice in twenty3four hours. The inclusion of such a penalty is unnecessary, for the ' ligation you have ta)en this evening is inding on you for so long as you shall live. (aving ta)en the "reat and #olemn ' ligation of a Mason, ! am now permitted to inform you that there are several degrees in %reemasonry, and peculiar secrets restricted to each0 these, however, are not communicated indiscriminately, ut are conferred on *andidates according to merit and a ilities. ! shall therefore proceed to entrust you with the secrets of this Degree, or those mar)s y which we are )nown to each other and distinguished from the rest of the world0 ut must premise for your general information that all #1uares, Levels, and :erpendiculars are true and proper #igns to )now a Mason y. 9ou are therefore e$pected to stand perfectly erect &andidate co"plies, your feet formed in a #1uare &andidate co"plies, your ody eing thus considered an em lem of your mind, and your feet of the rectitude of your actions. 9ou will now ta)e a short pace towards me with your left foot, ringing the right hell into its hollow &andidate co"plies. That is the first regular step in %reemasonry, and it is in this position that the secrets of the Degree are communicated. They consist of a #ign, To)en and Word WM rises, faces &andidate and takes Step. :lace your hand in this position with the thum e$tended in the form of a s1uare to the left of the windpipe WM illustrates and ensures that &andidate copies. The #ign is given drawing the hand smartly across the throat and dropping it to the side. WM illustrates and ensures &andidate copies. WM: This is in allusion to the sym olic penalty of the degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a Mason would rather have had his throat cut across than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him. The "rip or To)en is given WM takes &andidate-s right hand and ad3usts grip by placing &andidate-s thu"b in position before placing his o!n y a distinct pressure of the thum on the first 7oint of the hand. This, when regularly given and received, serves to distinguish a Brother y night as well as y day. This "rip or To)en demands a word, a word highly pri8ed amongst Masons as a guard to their privileges. Too much caution, therefore, cannot e o served in communicating it0 it should never e given at length, ut always y Letters or #ylla les, to ena le you to do which, ! must first tell you what that word is& it is B',; J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B',;. WM: B ' , ;. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B ' , ;. WM retains grip: ,s in the course of the ceremony you will e called on for this word, the Junior Deacon will now dictate the answers you are to give. What is this? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason. WM: What does it demand? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. WM: "ive me that word. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud and )uickly to prevent hi" giving !ord at length: ,t my initiation ! was taught to e cautious0 ! will letter or halve it with you. WM: Which you please, and egin. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B'. WM: ,;. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B',;. WM: This word is derived from the left hand pillar at the porchway or entrance to <ing #olomon+s Temple, so named after Boa8 the great3grandfather of David, a :rince and 6uler of !srael. The import of the word is !n #trength0 pass B',;. WM places &andidate-s right hand in left hand of Junior ,eacon and sits.

J, turns right, controlling &andidate by holding his right hand, regains floor of (odge, turns left, instructs &andidate in !hisper to step off !ith left foot passes in front of WM.s pedestal to the South%#ast corner !hich they s)uare. J, leads &andidate to #ast side of JW.s pedestal, !here they stand parallel to the pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. J, rests butt of his !and on floor, !ith top resting against right shoulder. akes step and gives #A% Sign: Bro Junior Warden, ! present to you Brother 2 on his initiation. &uts Sign and takes !and in right hand again. JW: ! will than) Brother 2 to advance to me as a Mason. J, instructs &andidate in a !hisper to take Step and give #A%Sign and then to cut Sign, and ensures &andidate does so. JW: (ave you anything to communicate? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. JW rises, faces &andidate, and takes Step and offers hand. J, places right hand of &andidate in that of JW, and !ith left hand ad3usts grip fro" above. JW gives grip, after J, has ad3usted &andidate-s right thu"b, retaining grip throughout the !hole of collo)uy: What is this? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason. JW: What does it demand? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. JW: "ive me that word. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ,t my initiation ! was taught to e cautious0 ! will letter or halve it with you. JW: Which you please and egin. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B. JW: '. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ,. JW: ;. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B'. JW: ,;. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B',;. JW: :ass. /eplaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of J, and sits. J, leads &andidate via South%West corner of the (odge, s)uaring as before, to the South of SW.s pedestal. +oth &andidate and J, face 1orth parallel to SW.s pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. J, rests butt of !and on floor !ith the top resting against right shoulder, takes Step and gives #A% Sign: Brother #enior Warden, ! present to you Brother 2 on his initiation. J, cuts Sign and takes !and in his right hand again. SW: ! will than) Brother 2 to advance to me as a Mason. J, instructs &andidate in !hisper to take Step only and ensures he does not give Sign at this stage. SW: What is that? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The first right step in %reemasonry. SW: Do you ring anything else? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. J, instructs &andidate to give #A%Sign and cut it. SW: What is that? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The #ign of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason. SW: To what does it allude? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The sym olic penalty of the degree, which implied that, as a man of honour a Mason would rather have had his throat cut across than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him. SW: (ave you anything to communicate? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have.

SW rises, faces &andidate, takes Step and offers hand. J, places &andidate-s right hand in that of SW and !ith left hand ad3usts grip fro" above. SW gives grip after J, has ad3usted &andidate-s right thu"b and retains grip throughout the !hole of the collo)uy: What is this? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason. SW: What does it demand? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. SW: "ive me that word. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud and )uickly to prevent hi" giving !ord at length: ,t my initiation ! was taught to e cautious0 ! will letter or halve it with you. SW: Which you please, and egin. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B'. SW: ,;. J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: B',;. SW: Whence is this word derived? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: %rom the left hand pillar at the porchway or entrance to <ing #olomon+s Temple, so named after Boa8 the great3grandfather of David, a :rince and 6uler of !srael. SW: The import of the word? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: !n strength. SW: :ass. SW replaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of J, and re"ains standing. J, takes &andidate by right hand to 1orth side of SW.s pedestal, by passing in front of it. 4e then, "akes an anti%clock!ise !heel, places &andidate-s right hand in left hand of SW and lining up on left of &andidate, ensures they are both facing #ast. SW takes Step and gives #A%Sign !hich he holds: Worshipful Master, ! present to you Brother 2 on his initiation for some mar) of your favour. WM: Brother #enior Warden, ! delegate you to invest him with the distinguishing adge of a Mason. SW cuts Sign, releases &andidate-s hand and !ith &andidate facing hi", puts on hi" badge of an #ntered Apprentice 5ree"ason. SW picks up lo!er right hand corner of badge !ith his left hand: Brother 2 y the Worshipful Masters+s command, ! invest you with the distinguishing adge of a Mason. !t is more ancient than the "olden %leece or 6oman .agle, more honoura le than the "arter or any other 'rder in e$istence, eing the adge of innocence and the ond of friendship. ! strongly e$hort you ever to wear and consider it as such0 and further inform you that if you never disgrace that adge. Strikes badge of &andidate !ith his right hand* all +rethren strike theirs si"ultaneously* it will never disgrace you. !ith his left hand restores right hand of &andidate to left hand of J, and sits. J, takes &andidate-s right hand fro" SW and positions hi"self on right of &andidate, both facing #ast, and releases hand. WM: Let me add to the o servations of the #enior Warden, that you are never to put on that adge should you e a out to visit a Lodge in which there is a Brother with whom you are at variance, or against whom you entertain animosity. !n such cases it is e$pected that you will invite him to withdraw in order amica ly to settle your differences, which eing happily effected, you may then clothe yourselves, enter the Lodge and wor) with that love and harmony which should at all times characterise %reemasons. But if, unfortunately, your differences e of such a nature as not to e so easily ad7usted, it were etter that one or oth of you retire than that the harmony of the Lodge should e distur ed y your presence. Brother Junior Deacon, you will place our new3made Brother at the 5orth3.astern part of the Lodge. J, takes &andidate-s right hand leads hi" up 1orth to 1orth%#astern part of the (odge. +oth face South, as near as convenient to the corner of the (odge. J, releases hand. J,: Left foot across the Lodge, right foot down the Lodge0 pay attention to the Worshipful Master.

WM: !t is customary, at the erection of all stately and super edifices, to lay the first or foundation stone at the 5orth3.ast corner of the uilding. 9ou, eing newly admitted into Masonry, are placed at the 5orth3.ast part of the Lodge figuratively to represent that stone, and from the foundation laid this evening may you raise a superstructure perfect in its parts and honoura le to the uilder. 9ou now stand, to all e$ternal appearance, a 7ust and upright Mason and ! give it you in strong terms of recommendation ever to continue and act as such. !ndeed, ! shall immediately proceed to put your principles in some measure to the test, y calling upon you to e$ercise that virtue which may 7ustly e denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a %reemason-s heart0 ! mean *harity. ! need not here dilate on its e$cellences& no dou t it has often een felt and practiced y you. #uffice it to say, it has the appro ation of (eaven and earth, and li)e its sister, Mercy, lesses him who gives as well as him who receives. !n a society so widely e$tended as %reemasonry, the ranches of which are spread over the four 1uarters of the glo e, it cannot e denied that we have many mem ers of ran) and opulence0 neither can it e concealed that among the thousands who range under its anners, there are some who, perhaps from circumstances of unavoida le calamity and misfortune, are reduced to the lowest e of poverty and distress. 'n their ehalf it is our usual custom to awa)en the feelings of every new3 made Brother y such a claim on his charity as his circumstances in life may fairly warrant. Whatever, therefore, you feel disposed to give, you will deposit with the JD0 it will e than)fully received and faithfully applied. J, "oves to a position in front of WM and facing &andidate, holds out al"s%dish and "akes appeal: (ave you anything to give in the cause of *harity? &andidate: 2 J, lo!ers al"s%dish and, if &andidate does not ans!er )uickly, proceeds !ith second )uestion: Were you deprived of everything valua le previously to entering the Lodge? &andidate gives affir"ative. J,: !f you had not een so deprived would you give freely? &andidate gives affir"ative. J, turns right and faces WM, takes Step and gives #A%Sign !hich he holds, and retains !and in crook of right shoulder: Worshipful Master, our new3made Brother affirms that he was deprived of everything valua le previously to entering the Lodge or he would give freely. &uts Sign and resu"es position on right of &andidate. WM: ! congratulate you on the honoura le sentiments y which you are actuated0 li)ewise on the ina ility which in the present instance precludes you from gratifying them. Believe me, this trial was not made with a view to sport with your feelings0 far e from us any such intention. !t was done for three especial reasons& first, as ! have already premised, to put your principles to the test& secondly. to evince to the Brethren that you had neither money nor metallic su stance a out you, for if you had, the ceremony of your initiation thus far, must have een repeated0 and thirdly, as a warning to your own heart, that should you at any future period meet a Brother in distressed circumstances who might solicit your assistance, you will remem er the peculiar moment you were received into Masonry, poor and penniless, and cheerfully em race the opportunity of practicing that virtue you have professed to admire. I""ediate $ast Master places !orking tools in readiness on WM.s pedestal if has not previously done so. J, takes &andidate-s right hand and places hi" in front of WM, in a position as close as convenient to pedestal and releases it.. WM: ! now present to you the wor)ing tools of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason& they are the =>3 inch "auge, the common "avel, and *hisel. The =>3inch "auge is to measure our wor), the common "avel to )noc) off all superfluous )no s and e$crescences, and the *hisel to further smooth and prepare the stone and render it fit for the hands of the more e$pert wor)man. But, as we are not all operative Masons, ut rather free and accepted or speculative, we apply these tools to our morals. !n this sense, the =>3in "auge represents the twenty3four hours of the day, part to e spent in prayer to ,lmighty "od, part in la our and refreshment, and part in serving a friend or Brother in

time of need, without detriment to ourselves or connections. The common "avel represents the force of conscience, which should )eep down all vain and un ecoming thoughts which might o trude during any of the aforementioned periods, so that our words and actions may ascend unpolluted to the Throne of "race. The *hisel points out to us the advantages of education, y which means alone we are rendered fit mem ers of regularly organised #ociety. ,s in the course of the evening you will e called on for certain fees for your initiation, it is proper you should )now y what authority we act. This is our *harter or Warrant from the "rand Lodge of .ngland opens and sho!s Warrant of (odge to &andidate which is for your inspection on this or any future evening. This is the Boo) of *onstitutions hands &andidate a copy and these are our By3 laws hands &andidate a copy oth of which ! recommend to your serious perusal, as y one you will e instructed in the duties you owe to the *raft in general, and y the other in those you owe to this Lodge in particular. 9ou are now at li erty to retire in order to restore yourself to your personal comforts, and on your return to the Lodge, ! shall call your attention to a *harge, founded on the e$cellences of the !nstitution and the 1ualifications of its mem ers. J, takes &andidate by right hand and guiding hi", "oves anti%clock!ise so as to face West and takes &andidate directly, no s)uaring to 1orth of SW.s pedestal. 4ere he !heels &andidate clock!ise so as to face #ast, halts and releases hand. J,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. J, instructs &andidate in !hisper to take Step and give #A%Sign and cut it, and ensures &andidate does so. J, takes &an by right hand, "akes an anti%clock!ise !heel and conducts hi" to the door. IG goes to door in front of J, and opens it, closing and locking it again after &andidate has gone out. J, and IG resu"e seats. 6utside (odge &andidate resu"es his ordinary dress !ith #A badge. When &andidate is ready, yler gives #A%knocks on door of (odge. IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives #A%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report. IG holds Sign. JW seated gavels once. IG cuts Sign, goes to door, opens it, and looks out !ithout speaking. yler: The *andidate on his return. IG "akes no reply, closes and locks door, returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and gives #A%Sign !hich he holds: Worshipful Master, the *andidate on his return. WM: ,dmit him. IG cuts Sign, a!aits arrival of J, and goes to door. J, follo!s IG to door. IG opens door and ad"its &andidate. J, receives &andidate and conducts hi" by right hand to 1orth of SW.s pedestal both facing #ast. /eleases hand. IG !hen J, has received &andidate, closes and locks door, returns to chair and sits. J,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. +oth re"ain standing !ithout handclasp at 1orth of SW.s pedestal !hile the &harge is delivered. CHARGE AFTER INITIATION WM: Brother 2, as you have passed through the ceremony of your initiation, let me congratulate you on eing admitted a mem er of our ancient and honoura le institution. ,ncient no dou t it is as having su sisted from time immemorial, and honoura le it must e ac)nowledged to e, as y a natural tendency it conduces to ma)e those so who are o edient to its precepts. !ndeed, no institution can oast a more solid foundation than that on which %reemasonry rests0 the practice of every moral and social virtue. ,nd to so high an eminence has its credit een advanced that in every age monarchs themselves have een promoters of the art, have not thought it derogatory to their

dignity to e$change the sceptre for the trowel, have patronised our mysteries and 7oined in our assem lies. ,s a %reemason, let me recommend to your most serious contemplation the 4olume of #acred Law0 charging you to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and 7ustice and to regulate your actions y the divine precepts it contains. Therein you will e taught the important duties you owe to "od, to your, neigh our and to yourself. To "od, y never mentioning (is name ut with that awe and reverence which are due from the creature to his *reator, y imploring (is aid in all your lawful underta)ings, and y loo)ing up to (im in every emergency for comfort and support. To your neigh our, y acting with him on the s1uare, y rendering him every )ind office which 7ustice or mercy may re1uire, y relieving his necessities and soothing his afflictions, and y doing to him as in similar cases you, would wish he would do to you. ,nd to yourself, y such a prudent and well3 regulated course of discipline as may est conduce to the preservation of your corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy, there y ena ling you to e$ert those talents wherewith "od has lessed you, as well to (is glory as the welfare of your fellow creatures. ,s a citi8en of the world, ! am to en7oin you to e e$emplary in the discharge of your civil duties, y never proposing or at all countenancing any act that may have a tendency to su vert the peace and good order of society, y paying due o edience to the laws of any #tate which may for a time ecome the place of your residence or afford you its protection, and a ove all, y never losing sight of the allegiance due to the #overeign of your native land, ever remem ering that nature has implanted in your reast a sacred and indissolu le attachment towards that country whence you derived your irth and infant nurture. ,s an individual, let me recommend the practice of every domestic as well as pu lic virtue& let :rudence direct you, Temperance chasten you, %ortitude support you, and Justice e the guide of all your actions. Be especially careful to maintain in their fullest splendour those truly Masonic ornaments, which have already een amply illustrated0 Benevolence and *harity. #till, as a %reemason, there are other e$cellences of character to which your attention may e peculiarly and forci ly directed& amongst the foremost of these are #ecrecy, %idelity and ' edience. #ecrecy consists in an inviola le adherence to the ' ligation you have entered into0 never improperly to disclose any of those Masonic secrets which have now een, or may at any future period e, entrusted to your )eeping, and cautiously to avoid all occasions which may inadvertently lead you so to do. 9our %idelity must e e$emplified y a strict o servance of the *onstitutions of the fraternity, y adhering to the ancient landmar)s of the 'rder, y never attempting to e$tort or otherwise unduly o tain the secrets of a superior degree, and y refraining from recommending anyone to a participation of our secrets unless you have strong grounds to elieve that y a similar fidelity he will ultimately reflect honour on your choice. 9our ' edience must e proved y a strict o servance of our laws and regulations, y prompt attention to all signs and summonses, y modest and correct demeanour in the Lodge, y a staining from every topic of political or religious discussion, y a ready ac1uiescence in all votes and resolutions duly passed y a ma7ority of the rethren, and y perfect su mission to the Master and his Wardens whilst acting in the discharge of their respective offices. ,nd as a last general recommendation, let me e$hort you to dedicate yourself to such pursuits as may at once ena le you to e respecta le in life, useful to man)ind, and an ornament to the society of which you have this day ecome a mem er0 to study more especially such of the li eral ,rts and #ciences as may lie within the compass of your attainment, and without neglecting the ordinary duties of your station, to endeavour to ma)e a daily advancement in Masonic )nowledge. %rom the very commenda le attention you appear to have given to this charge, ! am led to hope you will duly appreciate the value of %reemasonry. and indeli ly imprint on your heart the sacred dictates of Truth, of (onour, and of 4irtue. J, leads &andidate to seat beside S, and resu"es his seat. Closing

+efore finally closing the (odge at the end of a regular "eeting, there are three risings according to the follo!ing for"ula: WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren. ! rise for the first 7or second or third8 time to as) if any Brother has aught to propose for the good of %reemasonry in general or of this Lodge 2 in particular. 6n each rising such business is transacted as is custo"ary in the (odge. When all business on the third rising is co"pleted: WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to close the Lodge. All rise. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the constant care of every Mason? JW: To prove the Lodge close tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard, prove the Lodge close tyled. IG goes to door, gives #A%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG takes Step and gives #A%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is close tyled. &uts Sign. JW, gives #A%knocks, takes Step and gives #A%Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is close tyled. &uts Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as Masons. WM: To order, Brethren, in the %irst Degree. All take Step !ith #A%Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, your constant place in the Lodge? SW: !n the West. WM: Why are you placed there? SW: ,s the sun sets in the West to close the day, so the #enior Warden is placed in the West to close the Lodge y command of the Worshipful Master, after having seen that every Brother has had his due. WM: Brethren, efore we close the Lodge. let us with all reverence and humility e$press our gratitude to the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse for favours already received0 may (e continue to preserve the 'rder y cementing and adorning it with every moral and social virtue. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the la ours of the evening eing ended, you have my command to close the Lodge. Gives #A%knocks !ith left hand. SW: Brethren, in the name of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse, and y command of the Worshipful Master, ! close All cut Sign the Lodge. SW gives #A%knocks and lo!ers &n. JW: ,nd it is closed accordingly until 2day of 2, emergencies e$cepted, of which every Brother will have due notice. Gives #A%knocks and raises &n. IG goes to door, gives #A%knocks and returning tot position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. I""ediate $ast Master, "ean!hile, re"oves S)uare and &o"pass. &loses 'olu"e of Sacred (a! and places S)uare and &o"pass in convenient position on pedestal. I""ediate $ast Master: Brethren, nothing now remains, ut, according to ancient custom, to loc) up our #ecrets in a safe repository, uniting in the act %idelity, %idelity, %idelity. All touch left breast lightly !ith right hand, !ith each !ord 5idelity.

Fellow Craft Ritual - Emulation

Opening in the First Degree Worshipful Master gavels once, repeated by Senior Warden and Junior Warden WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge. All rise. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every Mason? JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled. IG goes to door, does not open it, gives three distinct knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG, no Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled. JW three distinct knocks, no Sign, to WM: The Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that none ut Masons are present. WM: To order Brethren in the %irst Degree. All take Step !ith #ntered Apprentice Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, how many principal officers are there in the Lodge? SW: Three& the Worshipful Master and the #enior and Junior Wardens. WM: Brother #enior Warden, how many assistant officers are there? SW: Three, esides the Tyler or 'uter "uard& namely, the #enior and Junior Deacons and the !nner "uard. WM to JW: The situation of the Tyler? JW: 'utside the door of the Lodge. WM: (is duty? JW: Being armed with a drawn sword to )eep off all intruders and cowans to Masonry and to see that the *andidate+s are properly prepared. WM to SW: The situation of the !nner "uard? SW: Within the entrance of the Lodge. WM: (is duty? SW: To admit Masons on proof, receive the *andidate+s in due form, and o ey the commands of he Junior Warden. WM to JW: The situation of the Junior Deacon? JW: ,t the right of the #enior Warden. WM: (is duty? JW: To carry all messages and communications of the Worshipful Master from the #enior to the Junior Warden, and to see that the same are punctually o eyed. WM to SW: The situation of the #enior Deacon? SW: ,t or near to the right of the Worshipful Master WM: (is duty? SW: To ear all messages and commands from the Worshipful Master to the #enior Warden, and await the return of the Junior Deacon. WM: Brother Junior Warden, your place in the Lodge? JW: !n the #outh. WM: Why are you placed there? JW: To mar) the sun at its meridian, to call the Brethren from la our to refreshment and from refreshment to la our, that profit and pleasure may e the result. WM: Brother #enior Warden, your place in the Lodge? SW: !n the West. WM: Why are you placed there?

SW: To mar) the setting sun, to close the Lodge y command of the Worshipful Master, after having seen that every Brother has had his due. WM to SW: The Master-s place? SW: !n the .ast. WM: Why is he placed there? SW: ,s the sun rises in the .ast to open and enliven the day, so the Worshipful Master is placed in the .ast to open the Lodge, and employ and instruct the Brethren in %reemasonry. WM: The Lodge eing duly formed, efore ! declare it open, let us invo)e the assistance of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse in all our underta)ings0 may our la ours, thus egun in order, e conducted in peace, and closed in harmony. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. WM: Brethren, in the name of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse, ! declare the Lodge duly open all cut Sign for the purposes of %reemasonry in the %irst Degree. WM gives #A%gavel. SW gives #A%gavel and raises &n. JW gives #A%gavel and lo!ers &n. IG goes to door, gives #A knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. I""ediate $ast Master, "ean!hile, opens 'olu"e of Sacred (a! and arranges S)uare and &o"pass. 'olu"e of Sacred (a! is placed so that Worshipful Master can read it* points of the &o"pass are directed to Worshipful Master and hidden by the ar"s of the S)uare angle to!ards Worshipful Master. WM sits !hen this has been co"pleted. All the brethren take their seats !hen the Worshipful Master sits. Ceremony of Passing J, goes to &andidate, takes hi" by right hand and leads hi" to position 1orth of SW.s pedestal both facing #ast and releases hand. WM: Brethren, Brother 2 is this evening a *andidate to e passed to the #econd Degree, ut it is first re1uisite that he give proofs of proficiency in the former. ! shall therefore proceed to put the necessary 1uestions. Where were you first prepared to e made a Mason? J, "ust be prepared, if necessary, to pro"pt &andidate. &andidate: !n my heart. WM: Where ne$t? &andidate: !n a convenient room ad7oining the Lodge. WM: Descri e the mode of your preparation. &andidate: ! was divested of metal and hoodwin)ed. My right arm, left reast, and )nee were made are, my right heel was slipshod and a ca le3tow placed a out my nec). WM: Where were you made a Mason? &andidate: !n the ody of a Lodge, 7ust, perfect, and regular. WM: ,nd when? &andidate: When the sun was at its meridian. WM: !n this country %reemasons- Lodges are usually held in the evening0 how do you account for that which at first view appears a parado$? &andidate: The earth constantly revolving on its a$is in its or it round the sun and %reemasonry eing universally spread over its surface, it necessarily follows that the sun must always e at its meridian with respect to %reemasonry. WM: What is %reemasonry? &andidate: , peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated y sym ols.

WM: 5ame the grand principles in which the 'rder is founded. &andidate: Brotherly love, relief and truth. WM: Who are fit and proper persons to e made Masons? &andidate: Just, upright and free men., of mature age, sound 7udgment, and strict morals. WM: (ow do you )now yourself to e a Mason? &andidate: By the regularity of my initiation, repeated trials and appro ations, and a willingness at all times to undergo an e$amination when properly called on. WM: (ow do you demonstrate the proof of your eing a Mason to others? &andidate: By signs, to)ens. and the perfect points of my entrance. WM: These are the usual 1uestions& ! will put others if any Brother wishes me to do so. J, conducts &andidate by right hand direct to 1orth%side of WM.s pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it, both facing South. /eleases hand. WM: Do you pledge your honour as a man, and your fidelity as a Mason,, that you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of eing passed to the Degree of a %ellow *raft? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Do you li)ewise pledge yourself that you will conceal what ! shall now impart to you with the same strict caution as the other secrets in Masonry? J, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Then ! will entrust you with a test of merit, which is a pass grip and pass word leading to the Degree to which you see) to e admitted. WM rises, faces &andidate, and takes the latter.s right hand in his o!n right hand and holds it* The pass grip is given ad3usts pass grip by placing &andidate-s thu"b in position before placing his o!n y a distinct pressure of the thum etween the first and second 7oints of the hand. This pass grip demands a pass word, which is #hi oleth. J,, pro"pting &andidate, speaks !ord aloud, WM: #hi oleth denotes plenty and is usually depicted in our Lodges y an ear of corn near to a fall of water. 9ou must e particularly careful to remem er this word, as without it you can not gain admission into a Lodge in a superior degree. :ass #hi oleth. /estores &andidate-s right hand to left hand of J, and sits. J, guiding &andidate, "akes a clock!ise !heel and conducts &andidate direct to 1orth of SW.s pedestal. 4ere he !heels &andidate clock!ise so as to face #ast and releases hand. J, to &andidate aloud: #alute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. Instructs &andidate in !hisper to take Step, give #A%Sign and cut it. J, takes &andidate by right hand, "akes anti%clock!ise !heel !ith &andidate and conducts hi" to door. IG goes to door in front of J, and opens it, closing and locking it again !hen &andidate has gone out. IG and J, return to seats. The Passing Opening in the Secon Degree WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the #econd Degree. All rise, if not already standing. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every %ellow *raft %reemason? JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled. IG goes to door, gives #A%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG takes Step and gives #A Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled. &uts Sign. JW gives #A%knocks, takes Step and gives #A%Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is properly

tyled. &uts Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as Masons. WM: To order, Brethren, in the %irst Degree. All take Step, !ith #A%Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, are you a %ellow *raft %reemason? JW: ! am, Worshipful Master, try me and prove me. WM: By what instrument in architecture will you e proved? JW: The #1uare. WM: What is a #1uare? JW: ,n angle of ?@ Degrees, or the fourth part of a *ircle. WM: Being yourself ac1uainted with the proper method, you will prove the Brethren *raftsmen, and demonstrate that proof to me y copying their e$ample. JW: Brethren, it is the Worshipful Master+s command that you prove yourselves *raftsmen. All, e0cept WM and JW cut #A%Sign, take Step !ith 5&%Sign. JW having assured hi"self that all have proved the"selves: Worshipful Master, the Brethren themselves *raftsmen, and in o edience to your command ! thus copy their e$ample. &uts #A%Sign, takes Step !ith 5&%Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, ! ac)nowledge the correctness of the #ign. &uts #A%Sign, takes Step !ith 5&%Sign. WM: Before we open the Lodge in the #econd Degree, let us supplicate the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse, that the rays of (eaven may shed their influence to enlighten us in the paths of virtue and science. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. WM: Brethren, in the name of the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse, ! declare the Lodge duly open on the #1uare for the instruction and improvement of *raftsmen. WM gives 5&%knocks )uietly, repeated by SW and JW, both )uietly. IG gives 5&%knocks by right hand on left sleeve I""ediate $ast Master e0poses one point of &o"pass. WM sits !hen this has been co"pleted. All sit. yler prepares &andidate baring his left breast, left ar", right knee. (eft foot of &andidate is slipshod. 4e !ears his Apprentice Apron !ith the riangular flap up. yler gives #A%knocks on door. his infor"s (odge that a &andidate for $assing is at the door of the (odge. IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report. JW, no knocks, rises, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign: Worshipful Master, there is a report. WM: Brother Junior Warden, in1uire who wants admission. JW cuts Sign and sits: Brother !nner "uard, see who wants admission. IG cuts Sign, goes to door, opens it, checks that &andidate is properly prepared and re"ains on threshold !ith hand on door handle: Whom have you there? yler: Brother 2 who has een regularly initiated into %reemasonry and has made such progress as he hopes will recommend him to e passed to the Degree of a %ellow *raft, for which ceremony he is property prepared. IG: (ow does he hope to o tain the privileges of the #econd Degree? yler: By the help of "od, the assistance of the #1uare and the enefit of a pass word. IG: !s he in possession of the pass word? yler: Will you prove him? IG receives pass grip and pass !ord fro" &andidate. IG: (alt while ! report to the Worshipful Master. IG closes and locks door, returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign, !hich he holds. IG: Worshipful Master, Brother 2 who has een regularly initiated into %reemasonry and has made

such progress as he hopes will recommend him to e passed to the Degree of a %ellow *raft, for which ceremony he is properly prepared. WM: (ow does he hope to o tain the privileges of the #econd Degree? IG: By the help of "od, the assistance of the #1uare and the enefit of a pass word. WM: We ac)nowledge the propriety of the aid y which he see)s admission. Do you, Brother !nner "uard, vouch that he is in possession of the pass word? IG: ! do, Worshipful Master. WM: Then let him e admitted in due form. IG cuts Sign. WM: Brother Deacons. J, places kneeling stool in position. IG takes S)uare and goes to door follo!ed by J, and S,, S, on left. IG opens door, retaining hold on it, and applies the angle of the S)uare to &andidate-s naked left breast, and then raises S)uare above his head to sho! that he has so applied it. S, !ith left hand takes &andidate by right hand, J, on &andidate-s left, and leads hi" to the kneeling stool* about one short pace fro" it and releases hand. All three stand facing #ast. IG after &andidate is ad"itted closes and locks door and resu"es his seat. S,: ,dvance as a Mason. WM: Let the *andidate )neel while the lessing of (eaven is invo)ed on what we are a out to do. S, ensures &andidate kneels and gives Sign of /everence. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. ,eacons hold !ands in left hand, cross the" over head of &andidate. And give Sign of /everence. All give Sign of /everence. WM: We supplicate the continuance of Thine aid, ' merciful Lord, on ehalf of ourselves and him who )neels efore Thee. May the wor) egun in Thy 5ame e continued to Thy "lory and evermore esta lished in us y o edience to Thy precepts. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. All drop Sign of /everence. ,eacons uncross !ands and hold the" again in right hand. WM: Let the *andidate rise. WM sits. All e0cept ,eacons and &andidate sit. J, dra!s kneeling stool aside to his left, out of !ay of S, and &andidate. S, takes &andidate-s right hand fir"ly, instructs hi" in a !hisper to step off !ith the left foot and leads &andidate up 1orth to!ards #astern part of (odge. J, as soon as S, and &andidate have "oved off replaces kneeling stool in nor"al position and resu"es seat. S, leads &andidate to 1orth%#ast corner !here they s)uare the (odge. S, instructs &andidate to step off !ith left foot and proceeds !ith hi" to point in front of WM.s pedestal, halts there and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and conducts hi" to South% #ast corner !here they again s)uare the (odge. S, again instructs &andidate to step off !ith left foot and conducts hi" to #ast%side of JW.s pedestal !here they stand parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. S,: ,dvance to the JW as such, showing the #ign and communicating the To)en and Word . JW: (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. JW rises, faces &andidate !ith Step and offers hand. S, places right hand of &andidate in that of JW and ad3usts #A%grip fro" above. JW gives grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate-s right thu"b and retains grip throughout the !hole of the collo)uy: What is this?

S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason. JW: What does it demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. JW: "ive me that word freely and at length. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: #hi oleth. JW: :ass. /eplaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of S, and sits. S, leads &andidate on to floor of (odge, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" via South%West corner !hich is s)uared to a point in front of SW.s pedestal, halts and releases hand. S,: #alute the #enior Warden as a Mason. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" to 1orth of SW.s pedestal, !heels clock!ise so that both face WM and releases hand. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: The Brethren will ta)e notice that Brother ..., who has een regularly initiated into %reemasonry, is a out to pass in view efore them, to show that he is the *andidate properly prepared to e passed to the Degree of a %ellow *raft. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" up 1orth%side of (odge, s)uares 1orth%#ast corner as before, halts in front of WM.s pedestal, and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and continues pera"bulation, s)uaring South%#ast corner, halts in front of JW.s pedestal and releases hand. S,: #alute the Junior Warden as a Mason. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith the left foot and continues pera"bulation, s)uaring South%West corner, leads &andidate to South of SW.s pedestal !here they stand parallel to pedestal and at a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. S,: ,dvance to the #enior Warden as such, showing the #ign and communicating the pass grip and pass word you received from the Worshipful Master, previously to leaving the Lodge. SW: (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. SW rises, faces &andidate and offers hand. S, places &andidate-s right hand in that of SW and !ith left hand ad3usts pass grip fro" above. SW gives pass grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate-s right thu"b and retains pass grip throughout collo)uy. SW: What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The pass grip leading from the %irst to the #econd Degree. SW: What does this pass grip demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , pass word. SW: "ive me that pass word. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: #hi oleth. SW: What does #hi oleth denote? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: :lenty. SW: (ow is it usually depicted in our Lodges? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: By an ear of corn near to a fall of water. SW: :ass, #hi oleth. /eplaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of S, and re"ains standing. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and conducts hi" to 1orth% side of SW.s pedestal. 4ere he "akes an anti%clock!ise !heel and places &andidate-s right hand in left of SW* he lines up on left of &andidate and ensures both are facing #ast. SW holding up &andidate-s right hand, takes Step, and gives Sign of 5idelity: Worshipful Master, ! present to you Brother 2, a *andidate properly prepared to e passed to the #econd Degree. WM: Brother #enior Warden, you will direct the #enior Deacon to instruct the *andidate to advance to the .ast in due form. SW cuts Sign, replaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of S,, and sits. S, takes up a position on right of &andidate, ensures both face #ast and releases hand.

SW: Brother #enior Deacon, it is the Worshipful Master+s command that you instruct the *andidate to advance to the .ast in due form. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads &andidate up 1orth%side of (odge to a convenient distance fro" 1orth%#ast corner and turns !ith hi" so as to face South. (eaving &andidate, S, "oves for!ard to center line of (odge, turns and faces &andidate. S,: The method of advancing from West to .ast in this Degree is y five steps, as if ascending a winding staircase. %or your information ! will go through them, and you will afterwards copy me. S, then turns about, and stands at a point opposite WM.s pedestal and about three paces fro" it, facing South. 4e places his feet at right angles, heel to heel, right foot pointing West and left foot pointing South. 4e steps off !ith the left foot, lifting his feet at each step as if ascending a !inding staircase. In doing so he co"pletes a se"i%circle starting on the center line of (odge and also finishing on it in front of WM.s pedestal !ith right foot pointing #ast, left foot pointing 1orth, heel to heel. S, then returns to &andidate, follo!ing the se"i%circular line in the reverse direction. 4e then places &andidate at the sa"e point opposite WM.s pedestal, releases hand and instructs hi" to go through prescribed steps by standing in front of hi" and indicating !ith !and !here &andidate-s feet should fall. 4e then places hi"self on &andidate-s right as he co"pletes steps. J, goes to WM.s pedestal and stands on &andidate-s left at sa"e ti"e as &andidate and S, arrive there. All three are no! in front of WM.s pedestal, S, on right and J, on left of &andidate, all facing #ast. WM: ,s in every case the Degrees in %reemasonry are to e )ept separate and distinct, another ' ligation will now e re1uired of you, in many respects similar to the former. ,re you willing to ta)e it? &andidate: ! am. WM: Then you will )neel on your right )nee, your left foot formed in a s1uare, place your right hand on the 4olume of #acred Law, while your left arm will e supported in the angle of the s1uare. S, takes S)uare and passes it behind &andidate to J,. J, arranges ar" of &andidate in angle of S)uare as in 4ailing Sign, ar" for!ards at right ar" to body forear" to ar" and thu"b pro3ecting back!ards. J, supports S)uare in his right hand. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. ,eacons hold !ands in left hand, cross the" over head of &andidate* both take Step. S, gives Sign of 5idelity. All stand, !ith Step and Sign WM: 6epeat your name at length and say after me& !, 2, in the presence of the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse and of this worthy and worshipful Lodge of %ellow *raft %reemasons, regularly held, assem led, and properly dedicated, of my own free will and accord, do here y and hereon solemnly promise and swear that ! will always hele, conceal, and never improperly reveal any or either of the secrets or mysteries of or elonging to the #econd Degree in %reemasonry, denominated the %ellow *rafts to him who is ut an .ntered ,pprentice, any more than ! would either of them to the uninstructed and popular world who are not Masons. ! further solemnly pledge myself to act as a true and faithful *raftsman, answer #igns, o ey summonses, and maintain the principles inculcated in the former degree. The several points ! solemnly swear to o serve without evasion, e1uivocation or mental reservation of any )ind. #o help me, ,lmighty "od, and )eep me in this my solemn ' ligation of a %ellow *raft %reemason. All cut Sign. ,eacons lo!er !ands to right hand. J, re"oves S)uare, and passes it behind &andidate to S,, !ho replaces it* J, lo!ers &andidate-s left hand to his side. WM: ,s a pledge of your %idelity, and to render this a #olemn ' ligation which might otherwise e

considered ut a serious promise, you will seal it with your lips twice on the 4olume of #acred Law. 9our progress in Masonry is mar)ed y the position of the #1uare and *ompasses. When you were made an .ntered ,pprentice, oth points were hid0 in this Degree one is disclosed, implying that you are now in the midway of %reemasonry, superior to an .ntered ,pprentice, ut inferior to that to which ! trust you will hereafter attain. WM takes &andidate-s right hand fro" 'olu"e of Sacred (a! !ith his right hand: 6ise, newly o ligated %ellow *raft %reemason. /estores &andidate-s right hand to S,. J, returns to seat. WM sits. All, e0cept S, and &andidate sit. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, turns left and conducts hi" to 1orth%side of WM.s pedestal so that both are in a position parallel to the pedestal and about t!o feet fro" it, facing South to!ards WM, and releases hand. WM: (aving ta)en the #olemn ' ligation of a %ellow *raft, ! shall proceed to entrust you with the secrets of the Degree. 9ou will therefore advance to me as at your initiation. 9ou will now ta)e another short pace towards me with your left foot, ringing the right hand into its hollow as efore. That is the second regular step in %reemasonry, and it is in this position that the #ecrets of the Degree are communicated. They consist, as in the former instance, of a #ign, To)en, and Word, with this difference, that in this Degree the #ign is of a three3fold nature. WM rises, faces &andidate, !ith Step. WM: The first part of the threefold #ign is called the #ign of %idelity and is given placing the right hand on the left reast with the thum e$tended in the form of a s1uare, WM illustrates and ensures &andidate copies, em lematically to shield the repository of your secrets from the attac)s of the insidious. The second part is called the (ailing #ign, or #ign of :erseverance, and is given y throwing up the left hand with the thum level e$tended in the form of a s1uare WM illustrates and ensures &andidate copies. This too) its rise at the time that Joshua fought the attles of the Lord, when it was in this position he prayed fervently to the ,lmighty to continue the light of day, that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies. The third part is the :enal #ign and is given y dropping the left hand, drawing the right smartly across the reast and dropping it to the side. WM illustrates and ensures &andidate copies. This is in allusion to the sym olic penalty at one time included in the ' ligation in this degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a %ellow *raft %reemason would rather have had his heart torn from his reast than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him. The full penalty was that of having the left reast laid open, the heart tore therefrom, and given to the ravenous irds of the air, or devouring easts from the field as a prey. The "rip or To)en is given takes &andidate-s right hand ad3usts grip by placing &andidate-s thu"b in position before placing his o!n y a distinct pressure of the thum on the second 7oint of the hand. This "rip or To)en demands a word, a word to e given with the same strict caution as that in the former degree0 that is to say, never at length, ut always y letters or sylla les, to ena le you to do which ! must tell you that the word is Jachin. S, repeats !ord aloud and ensures &andidate repeats it aloud after hi". WM spells !ord. S, spells !ord aloud and ensures &andidate spells it aloud after hi". WM, retaining grip: ,s in the course of the ceremony you will e called on for this word the #D will now dictate the answers you are to give. What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of a %ellow *raft %reemason. WM: What does it demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. WM: "ive me that word. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! was taught to e cautious in this Degree as well as in the former. ! will letter or halve it with you.

WM: Which you please and egin. S,: Ja. WM& *hin. S,: Jachin. WM: This word is derived from the right hand pillar at the porchway or entrance of <ing #olomon+s Temple, so named after Jachin, the ,ssistant (igh :riest who officiated at its dedication. The import of the word is, To esta lish0 and when con7oined with that in the former Degree, sta ility, for "od said, A!n strength ! will esta lish this Mine house to stand firm for ever-. :ass Jachin. WM places right hand of &andidate in left hand of S, and sits. S, turns right, controlling &andidate by holding his right hand regains floor of (odge, turns left, instructs &andidate in !hisper to step off !ith left foot passes in front of WM.s pedestal to South% #ast corner of (odge !hich they s)uare. 4e leads &andidate to #ast side of JW.s pedestal !here they stand parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it and releases hand. S, rests butt of !and on floor !ith top resting against right shoulder. akes Step and gives 5&% Sign: Brother JW, ! present to you Brother 2, on his eing passed to the #econd Degree. JW: ! will than) Brother 2 to advance to me as a %ellow *raft. S, instructs &andidate in !hisper to take Step, give 5&%Sign and then to cut Sign, and ensures &andidate does so. JW: (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. JW rises, faces &andidate, takes Step and offers hand. S, places &andidate-s right hand in that of JW, ad3usting grip fro" above. JW gives grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate-s right thu"b: What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of a %ellow *raft %reemason. JW: What does it demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. JW: "ive me that word. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! was taught to e cautious in this Degree as well as in the former0 ! will letter or half it with you. JW: Which you please, and egin. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: J. JW: ,. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: *. JW: (. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: !. JW: 5. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Ja. JW: *hin. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Jachin. JW: :ass Jachin. /eplaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of S, and sits. S, leads &andidate via South%West corner, s)uaring as before, to South of SW.s pedestal both &andidate and S, facing 1orth, parallel to SW.s pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it and releases hand. S, rests butt of !and on floor !ith top resting against right shoulder, takes Step and gives 5&% Sign: Brother #enior Warden, ! present to you Brother ... on his eing passed to the #econd Degree. &uts Sign and takes !and in right hand again. SW: ! will than) Brother 2 to advance to me as a %ellow *raft, first as an .ntered ,pprentice. S, instructs &andidate in !hisper to take Step, give #A%Sign and cut it and to take second Step ensuring he does not give 5&%Sign at this stage. SW: What is that? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The second regular step in %reemasonry. SW: Do you ring anything else?

S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. S, instructs &andidate to give and hold Sign of 5idelity and ensures he does so. SW: What is that? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The #ign of %idelity, em lematically to shield the repository of my secrets from the attac)s of the insidious. SW: Do you ring anything else? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. S, instructs &andidate to give and hold 4ailing Sign, and ensures he does so. SW: What is that? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The (ailing #ign or #ign of :erseverance. SW: When did it ta)e its rise? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ,t the time that Joshua fought the attles of the Lord, when it was in this position he prayed fervently to the ,lmighty to continue the light of dar)ness that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies. SW: Do you ring anything else? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. S, instructs &andidate to cut both parts of Sign in se)uence and ensures he does so. SW: What is that? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The :enal #ign. SW: To what does it allude? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The sym olic penalty of this degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a %ellow *raft %reemason would rather have had his heart torn from his reast than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him. SW& (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. SW rises, faces &andidate, takes Step and offers hand. S, places &andidate-s right hand in that of SW and ad3usts grip fro" above !ith left hand. SW gives grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate-s right thu"b: What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of a %ellow *raft %reemason. SW: What does it demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. SW: "ive me that word. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! was taught to e cautious in this Degree as well as in the former0 ! will letter or halve it with you. SW: Which you please and egin. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Ja. SW: *hin. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Jachin. SW: Whence is this word derived? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: %rom the right hand pillar at the porchway or entrance of <ing #olomon+s Temple, so named after Jachin, the ,ssistant (igh :riest who officiated at its dedication. SW: The import of the word? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: o establish. SW: ,nd what when con7oined with that in the former Degree? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: stability, for God said 2In strength I !ill establish this Mine house to stand fir" for ever.. SW: :ass, Jachin. /eplaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of S, and re"ains standing. S, takes &andidate by right hand and leads hi" to 1orth side of SW.s pedestal by passing in front of it. 4e then "akes an anti%clock!ise !heel, places &andidate-s right hand in left hand of SW, and lining up on left of &andidate ensures they are both facing #ast. SW raises &andidate-s right, takes Step and gives Sign of 5idelity: Worshipful Master, ! present to you Brother 2 on his eing passed to the #econd Degree for some further mar) of your favour.

WM: Brother #enior Warden, ! delegate you to invest him with the distinguishing adge of a %ellow *raft %reemason. SW cuts Sign, releases &andidate-s hand and !ith &andidate facing hi" puts on hi" badge of 5ello! &raft 5ree"ason. SW picks up lo!er right hand corner of badge !ith his left hand: +rother 9, by the Worshipful Master-s co""and I invest you !ith the distinguishing badge of a 5ello! &raft 5ree"ason to "ark the progress you have "ade in the science. With his left hand restores &andidate-s right hand to left hand of S, and sits. S, takes &andidate-s right hand fro" SW. positions hi"self on right of &andidate both facing #ast and releases hand. WM: Let me add to what has een stated y the #enior Warden that the adge with which you have now een invested points out that, as a *andidate, you are e$pected to ma)e the li eral ,rts and #ciences your future study, that you may the etter e ena led to discharge your duties as a Mason and estimate the wonderful wor)s of the ,lmighty. Brother #enior Deacon, you will place our Brother at the #outh3.astern part of the Lodge. S, takes &andidate-s right hand and leads hi" to South%#astern part, s)uaring at 1orth%#ast and South%#ast corners. +oth face 1orth as near as convenient to the corner of the (odge. /eleases hand. S,: 6ight foot across the Lodge, left foot down the Lodge0 pay attention to the Worshipful Master. WM: Masonry eing a progressive science, when you were made an .ntered ,pprentice you were placed at the 5orth3.astern part of the Lodge to show that you were newly admitted0 you are now placed at the #outh3.astern part to mar) the progress you have made in the science. 9ou now stand to all e$ternal appearance a 7ust and upright %ellow *raft %reemason, and ! give it you in strong terms of recommendation ever to continue and act as such0 and as ! trust the import of the former charge neither is nor ever will e effaced from your memory, ! shall content myself with o serving that, as in the previous Degree you made yourself ac1uainted with the principles of Moral Truth and 4irtue, you are now permitted to e$tend your researches into the hidden mysteries of 5ature and #cience. I""ediate $ast Master places !orking tools in readiness on WM.s pedestal. S, takes &andidate-s right hand places hi" in front of WM in a position as close as convenient to pedestal fro" !hich he &andidate see !orking tools. /eleases hand. WM: ! now present to you the wor)ing tools of a %ellow *raft %reemason, they are the #1uare, Level and :lum 6ule. The #1uare is to try, and ad7ust rectangular corners of uildings, and assist in ringing rude matter into due form0 the Level to lay levels and prove hori8ontals0 the :lum 6ule to try, and ad7ust uprights while fi$ing them on their proper ases. But as we are not all operative Masons, ut rather free and accepted, or speculative, we apply these tools to our morals. !n this sense, the #1uare teaches morality, the Level e1uality, and the :lum 6ule 7ustness and uprightness of life and actions. Thus y s1uare conduct, level steps, and upright intentions we hope to ascend to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates. 9ou are now at li erty to retire in order to restore yourself to your personal comforts, and on your return to the Lodge ! shall call your attention to an e$planation of the Tracing Board. S, takes &andidate by right hand "oves anti%clock!ise so as to face West and leads &andidate directly, no s)uaring, to 1orth of SW.s pedestal. 4ere he !heels &andidate clock!ise so as to face #ast halts and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a %ellow *raft, first as an .ntered ,pprentice. S, takes &andidate by right hand, "akes an anti%clock!ise !heel and takes hi" to door. IG goes to door in front of S, and opens it, closing and locking it again !hen &andidate has gone out. S, and IG resu"e seats. While &andidate is outside racing +oard is placed on the floor in the &enter of the (odge. 6utside (odge &andidate resu"es his ordinary dress !ith 5& badge. When &andidate is yler gives 5&%knocks on door of (odge.

IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report. JW, seated gavels once. IG cuts Sign, goes to door, opens and looks out !ithout speaking. yler: The *andidate on his return. IG "akes no reply, closes and locks door and returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign !hich he holds: Worshipful Master, the *andidate on his return. WM: ,dmit him. IG cuts Sign, a!aits arrival of S, and then goes to door. S, follo!s IG to door. IG opens door and ad"its &andidate. S, receives &andidate and leads hi" by right hand to 1orth of SW.s pedestal, both facing #ast. /eleases hand. IG, !hen S, has received &andidate, closes and locks door and resu"es his seat. S,& #alute the Worshipful Master as a %ellow *raft, first as an .ntered ,pprentice. S, leads &andidate direct to West%side of racing +oard and facing it. /eleases hand. J, goes to left side of &andidate so that all three face #ast in a line. WM leaves his pedestal by the left side, goes to the #ast side of racing +oard. J, hands !and to WM. All stand and, e0cept Wardens and IG, gather round racing +oard. E!planation of the Secon Degree Tracing "oar WM: When the Temple at Jerusalem was completed y <ing #olomon, its costliness and splendour ecame o 7ects of admiration to the surrounding nations, and its fame spread to the remotest parts of the then )nown world. There was nothing, however, in connection with this magnificent structure more remar)a le, or that more particularly struc) the attention, than the two great :illars which were placed at the porchway or entrance. That on the left was called Boa8, which denotes in strength0 that one the right Jachin, which denotes to esta lish0 and when con7oined sta ility0 for "od said A!n strength ! will esta lish this Mine house to stand firm for ever+. The height of those :illars was seventeen cu its and a half each, their circumference twelve, their diameter four. They were formed hollow, the etter to serve as archives to Masonry, for therein were deposited the constitutional rolls. Being formed hollow, the outer rim or shell was four inches, or a hand-s3 readth, in thic)ness. They were made of molten rass, and were cost in the plain of Jordan in the clay ground etween #uccoth and ;eradathah, where <ing #olomon ordered those end all his holy vessels to e cast. The superintendent of the casting was (iram , iff. Those :illars were adorned with two chapiters, each five cu its high0 the chapiters were enriched with networ), Lily3wor) end pomegranates. 5etwor), from the connection of its meshes, denotes unity, Lilly3wor), from its whiteness, peace0 and pomegranates, from the e$u erance of their seed, denote plenty. There were two rows of pomegranates on each chapiter, one hundred in a row. Those :illars were further adorned with two spherical alls on which ware delineated maps of the celestial and terrestrial glo es, pointing out Masonry /niversal. They were considered finished when the networ) or *anopy was thrown over them. They were set up as a memorial to the children of !srael of that miraculous pillar of fire and cloud which had two wonderful effects. The fire gave light to the !sraelites during their escape from their .gyptian ondage, and the cloud proved dar)ness to :haraoh and his followers when they attempted to overta)e them. <ing #olomon ordered them to e placed at the entrance of the Temple, as the most proper and conspicuous situation for the children of !srael to have the happy deliverance of their forefathers continually efore their eyes in going to and returning from Divine worship. ,t the uilding of <ing #olomon+s Temple an immense num er of Masons were employed. They consisted of .ntered ,pprentices and %ellow *rafts. The .ntered ,pprentices received a wee)ly allowance of corn, wine and oil0 the %ellow *rafts were paid their wages in specie, which they went

to receive in the middle cham er of the Temple. They got there y the porchway or entrance on the south side. ,fter our ancient Brethren had entered the porch, they arrived at the foot of the winding staircase which led to the middle cham er. Their ascent was opposed y the Junior Warden, who demanded of them the pass grip and pass word leading from the %irst to the #econd Degree. The pass grip you are all in possession of, and the pass word, ! dare say you recollect is #hi oleth0 #hi oleth denotes plenty and is here depicted y an ear of corn near to a fall of water. The word #hi oleth dates its origin from the time that an army of .phraimites crossed the 6iver Jordan in a hostile manner against Jephtha, the renowned "ileaditish general. The reason they assigned for this unfriendly visit was that they had not een called out to parta)e of the honours of the ,mmonitish war, ut their true aim was to parta)e of the rich spoils with which, in conse1uence of that war, Jephtha and his army were then laden. The .phraimites had always een considered a clamorous and tur ulent people, ut then ro)e out into open violence, and after many severe taunts to the "ileadites in general, threatened to destroy their victorious commander and his house with fire. Jephtha, on his part, tried all lenient means to appease then, ut finding these ineffectual had recourse to rigorous ones. (e therefore drew out his army, gave the .phraimites attle, defeated, and put them to flight0 and to render his victory decisive, and to secure himself from li)e molestation in future, he sent detachments of his army to secure the passages of the 6iver Jordan, over which he )new the insurgents must of necessity attempt to go in order to regain their own country, giving strict orders to his guards that if a fugitive came that way, owning himself an .phraimite, he should immediately e slain0 ut if he prevaricated, or said Anay-, a test word was to e put to him to pronounce0 the word #hi oleth. They, from a defect in aspiration peculiar to their dialect, could not pronounce it properly ut with a small variation which discovered their country and cost them their lives. ,nd #cripture informs us that there fell on that day, on the field of attle and on the an)s of the Jordan, forty and two thousand .phraimites0 and as was then a test word to distinguish friend from foe, <ing #olomon afterwards caused it to e adopted as a pass word in a %ellow *raft+s Lodge to prevent any un1ualified person ascending the winding staircase which led to the middle cham er of the Temple. ,fter our ancient Brethren had given those convincing proofs to the Junior Warden, he said A:ass #hi oleth+. They then passed up the winding staircase, consisting of three, five, seven, or more steps. Three rule a Lodge, five hold a Lodge, seven or more ma)e it perfect. The three who rule a Lodge are the Master and his two Wardens0 the five who hold a Lodge are the Master, two Wardens and two %ellow *rafts0 the seven who ma)e it perfect are two .ntered ,pprentices added to the former five. Three rule a Lodge ecause there were ut three "rand Master+s who ore sway at the uilding of the first Temple at Jerusalem, namely #olomon <ing of !srael, (iram <ing of Tyre, and (iram , iff. %ive hold a Lodge in allusion to the five no le orders of architecture, namely the Tuscan, Doric, !onic, *orinthian and *omposite. #even or more ma)e a perfect Lodge, ecause <ing #olomon was seven years and upwards in uilding, completing, and dedicating the Temple at Jerusalem to "od-s service. They have li)ewise a further allusion to the seven li eral ,rts and #ciences, namely "rammar, 6hetoric, Logic, ,rithmetic, "eometry, Music and ,stronomy. ,fter our ancient Brethren had gained the summit of the winding staircase, they arrived at the door of the middle cham er which they found open, ut properly tyled against all under the Degree of a %ellow *raft y the #enior Warden, who demanded of them the #ign, To)en and Word of a %ellow *raft. ,fter they had given him those convincing proofs he said A:ass #hi oleth+. They then passed into the middle cham er of the Temple, where they went to receive their wages, which they did without scruple or diffidence& without scruple, well )nowing they were 7ustly entitled to them, and without diffidence, from the great reliance they placed on the integrity of their employers in those days. When our ancient Brethren were in the middle cham er of the Temple their attention was peculiarly drawn to certain (e rew characters which are here depicted y the letter ", WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW, denoting "od, all give Sign of /everence, the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse, to whom we must all su mit and whom we ought hum ly to adore. All drop Sign of /everence.

WM restores !and to J, and returns to his seat by 1orth side. J, returns to his seat. S, leads &andidate direct to a seat and returns to his seat. All sit. Closing in the Secon Degree WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to close the Lodge in the #econd Degree. All rise. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the constant care of every %ellow *raft %reemason? JW: To prove the Lodge close tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard prove the Lodge close tyled. IG goes to door, gives 5&%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG takes Step and gives 5&%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is close tyled. *uts #ign. JW gives 5&%knocks, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is close tyled. &uts Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as *raftsmen. WM: To order, Brethren, in the #econd Degree. All take Step !ith 5&%Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, in this position, what have you discovered? JW: , sacred #ym ol. WM: Brother #enior Warden, where is it situated? SW: !n the *enter of the uilding. WM: To whom does it allude? JW: The "rand "eometrician of the /niverse. WM: Then. Brethren, let us remem er that wherever we are, and whatever we do, (e is with us, and (is all3seeing eye o serves us, and whilst we continue to act in conformity with the principles of the *raft, let us not fail to discharge our duty to (im with fervency and 8eal. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the la ours of this Degree eing ended, you have my command to close the Lodge. Gives 5&%knocks !ith left hand. SW: Brethren, in the name of the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse, and y command of the Worshipful Master, ! close this %ellow *rafts Lodge. Gives 5&%knocks. JW: (appy have we met, (appy may we part, ,nd happy meet again. "ives %*3)noc)s. IG goes to door, gives 5&%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. I""ediate $ast Master, "ean!hile, conceals both points of the &o"pass. WM sits !hen this has been co"pleted All sit.

Master Mason Ritual - Emulation

Opening in the Secon Degree WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the #econd Degree. All rise, if not already standing.

WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every %ellow *raft %reemason? JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled. IG goes to door, gives #A%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG takes Step and gives #A Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled. &uts Sign. JW gives #A%knocks, takes Step and gives #A%Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is properly tyled. &uts Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as Masons. WM: To order, Brethren, in the %irst Degree. All take Step, !ith #A%Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, are you a %ellow *raft %reemason? JW: ! am, Worshipful Master, try me and prove me. WM: By what instrument in architecture will you e proved? JW: The #1uare. WM: What is a #1uare? JW: ,n angle of ?@ Degrees, or the fourth part of a *ircle. WM: Being yourself ac1uainted with the proper method, you will prove the Brethren *raftsmen, and demonstrate that proof to me y copying their e$ample. JW: Brethren, it is the Worshipful Master+s command that you prove yourselves *raftsmen. All, e0cept WM and JW cut #A%Sign, take Step !ith 5&%Sign. JW having assured hi"self that all have proved the"selves: Worshipful Master, the Brethren themselves *raftsmen, and in o edience to your command ! thus copy their e$ample. &uts #A%Sign, takes Step !ith 5&%Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, ! ac)nowledge the correctness of the #ign. &uts #A%Sign, takes Step !ith 5&%Sign. WM: Before we open the Lodge in the #econd Degree, let us supplicate the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse, that the rays of (eaven may shed their influence to enlighten us in the paths of virtue and science. I""ediate $ast "aster: #o mote it e. WM: Brethren, in the name of the "rand "eometrician of the /niverse, ! declare the Lodge duly open on the #1uare for the instruction and improvement of *raftsmen. WM gives 5&%knocks )uietly, repeated by SW and JW, both )uietly. IG gives 5&%knocks by right hand on left sleeve I""ediate $ast Master e0poses one point of &o"pass. WM sits !hen this has been co"pleted. All sit. WM re)uests 5&s other than &andidate to !ithdra! and indicates !ith appropriate !ords that the ne0t business is to raise +rother 9. S, goes to &andidate, takes hi" by right hand, leads hi" to position 1orth of SW.s pedestal, both facing #ast, and releases hand. WM: Brethren, Brother 2 is this evening a *andidate to e raised to the Third Degree, ut it is first re1uisite that he give proofs of proficiency in the #econd. ! shall therefore proceed to put the necessary 1uestions. (ow were you prepared to e passed to the #econd Degree? S, "ust be prepared, if necessary, to pro"pt &andidate. &andidate: !n a manner somewhat similar to the former, save that in this Degree ! was not hoodwin)ed, my left arm, reast and )nee were made are and my left heel was slipshod. WM: 'n what were you admitted? &andidate: The s1uare. WM: What is a s1uare? &andidate: ,n angle of ?@ degrees or the or the fourth part of a circle.

WM: What are the peculiar o 7ects of research in this Degree? &andidate: The hidden mysteries of 5ature and #cience. WM: ,s it is the hope of reward that sweetens la our, where did our ancient rethren go to receive their wages? &andidate: !nto the middle cham er of <ing #olomon+s Temple. WM: (ow did they receive them? &andidate: Without scruple or diffidence. WM: Why in this peculiar manner? &andidate: Without scruple, well )nowing they were 7ustly entitled to them, and without diffidence, from the great reliance they placed on the integrity of their employers in those days. WM: What were the names of the two great :illars which were placed at the porchway or entrance of <ing #olomon+s Temple? &andidate: That on the left was called Boa8, and that on the right Jachin. WM: What are their separate and con7oint significations? &andidate: The former denotes in strength, the latter, to esta lish0 and when con7oined, sta ility, for "od said, A!n strength ! will esta lish this Mine house to stand firm for ever.WM: These are the usual 1uestions0 ! will put others if any Brother wishes me to do so. S, conducts &andidate by right hand direct to 1orth%side of WM.s pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it, both facing South and releases hand. WM: Do you pledge your honour as a man and your fidelity as a *raftsman that you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of eing raised to the su lime Degree of a Master Mason? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Do you li)ewise pledge yourself that you will conceal what ! shall now impart to you with the same strict caution as the other secrets in Masonry? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! do. WM: Then ! will entrust you with a test of merit, which is a pass grip and pass word leading to the Degree to which you see) to e admitted. 6ises, faces *andidate, and ta)es the latter+s right hand in his own right hand and holds it. The pass grip is given y a distinct pressure of the thum etween the second and third 7oints of the hand. The pass grip demands a pass word, which is Tu al *ain. Tu al *ain was the first artificer in metals. The import of the word is worldly possessions. 9ou must e particularly careful to remem er this word as without it you cannot gain access into a Lodge in a superior degree. :ass, Tu al *ain. /estores &andidate.s right hand to left hand of S, and sits. S, guiding &andidate, "akes a clock!ise !heel and conducts hi" direct to 1orth of SW-s pedestal. 4ere he !heels &andidate clock!ise so as to face #ast and releases hand. S, to &andidate aloud: #alute the Worshipful Master as a %ellow *raft first as an .ntered ,pprentice. S, takes &andidate by right hand, "akes anticlock!ise !heel !ith &andidate and conducts hi" to door. IG goes to door in front of S, and opens it, closing and locking it again !hen &andidate has gone out. IG and S, return to seats. The Raising Opening in the Thir Degree WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the Third Degree. All rise. WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first we of every Master Mason? JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done.

JW: Brother !nner "uard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled. IG goes to door, gives 5&%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG takes Step and give 5&%Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled. &uts Sign. JW gives 5&%knocks, takes Step and gives 5&%Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is properly tyled. &uts Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as *raftsmen. WM: To order, Brethren. #econd Degree. All take Step !ith 5&%Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, are you a Master Mason? JW: ! am, Worshipful Master, try me and prove me. WM: By what instruments in ,rchitecture will you e proved? JW: The #1uare and *ompass. WM: Being yourself ac1uainted with the proper method, you will prove the Brethren Master Masons y #igns and demonstrate that proof to me y copying their e$ample. JW: Brethren, it is the Worshipful Master-s command that you prove yourselves Master Masons y #igns. All, e0cept WM and JW take Step and give Signs. JW: Worshipful Master, the Brethren have proved themselves Master Masons y #igns, and in o edience to your command ! thus copy their e$ample. Ta)es #tep and gives the three #igns. WM: Brother Junior Warden, ! ac)nowledge the correctness of the #igns. Whence come you? JW: The .ast. WM: Brother #enior Warden, whither directing your course? SW: The West. WM: What inducement have you to leave the .ast and go to the West? JW: To see) for that which was lost, which, y your instruction and our own industry, we hope to find. WM: What is that which was lost? SW: The genuine secrets of a Master Mason. WM: (ow came they lost? JW: By the untimely dead of our Master, (iram , iff. WM: Where do you hope to find them? SW: With the *entre. WM: What is a *entre? JW: , point within a circle, from which every part of the circumference is e1uidistant. WM: Why with the *entre? SW: That eing a point from which a Master Mason cannot err. WM: We will assist you to repair that loss and may (eaven aid our united endeavours. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. WM: Brethren, in the name of the Most (igh, ! declare the Lodge duly open, on the *enter for the purposes of %reemasonry in the Third Degree. WM gives MM%knocks )uietly, repeated by SW and JW. racing +oard is attended to !hen JW has given knocks. IG gives MM%knocks by right hand on left sleeve, standing in his place.. I""ediate $ast Master, "ean!hile, e0poses both points of &o"pass. ,eacons lay do!n and open sheet, on !hich is dra!n an -open grave, surrounded by skulls and cross%bones. yler prepares &andidate including 5&%badge and &ere"ony proceeds: yler gives 5&%knocks on door. his infor"s (odge that a &andidate for /aising is at the door of the (odge.

IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives $enal Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report. JW, takes Step and gives $enal Sign: Worshipful Master, there is a report. WM: Brother Junior Warden, in1uire who wants admission. JW cuts Sign and recovers, and sits: Brother !nner "uard, see who wants admission. IG cuts Sign and recovers, goes to door, opens it, checks that &andidate is properly prepared, and re"ains on threshold !ith hand on door handle: Whom have you there? yler: Brother 2, who has een regularly initiated into %reemasonry, passed to the Degree of a %ellow *raft, and has made such further progress as he hopes will entitle him to e raised to the su lime Degree of a Master Mason, for which ceremony he is properly prepared. IG: (ow does he hope to o tain the privileges of the Third Degree? yler: By the help of "od, the united aid of the #1uare and *ompass, and the enefit of a pass word. IG: !s he in possession of the pass word? yler: Will you prove him? IG receives pass grip and pass !ord fro" &andidate. IG: (alt, while ! report to the Worshipful Master. &loses and locks door, returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and gives $enal Sign !hich he holds. IG: Worshipful Master, Brother 2, who has een regularly initiated into %reemasonry, passed to the degree of a %ellow *raft, and has made such further progress as he hopes will entitle him to e raised to the su lime Degree of a Master Mason, for which ceremony he is properly prepared. WM: (ow does he hope to o tain the privileges of the Third Degree? IG: By the help of "od, the united aid of the #1uare and *ompass, and the enefit of a pass word. WM: We ac)nowledge the powerful aid y which he see)s admission0 do you, Brother !nner "uard, vouch that he is in possession of the pass word? IG: ! do, Worshipful Master. WM: Then let him e admitted in due form. IG cuts Sign and recovers. WM: Brother Deacons. J, places kneeling stool in position. IG takes &o"pass and goes to door follo!ed by J, and S,, S, on left. It is at this point that all lights e0cept that of the WM are e0tinguished. IG opens door, retaining hold on it as before, applies e0tended &o"pass to both breasts of &andidate and then raises &o"pass above his head to sho! that he has so applied the". S, !ith left hand takes &andidate by right hand, leads hi" to kneeling stool, t!o short paces fro" it and releases hand. All three stand facing #ast. IG after &andidate is ad"itted closes and locks door and resu"es his seat S,: ,dvance as a %ellow *raft, first as an .ntered ,pprentice. WM: Let the *andidate )neel while the lessing of (eaven is invo)ed on what we are a out to do. S, ensures &andidate kneels and gives Sign of /everence. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. ,eacons hold !ands in left hand, cross the" over head of &andidate and give Sign of /everence. All stand !ith Sign of /everence. Prayer WM: ,lmighty and .ternal "od, ,rchitect and 6uler of the /niverse, at Whose creative fiat all things first were made, we, the frail creatures of Thy providence, hum ly implore Thee to pour down this convocation assem led in Thy (oly 5ame the continual dew of Thy lessing. .specially, we eseech Thee to impart Thy grace to this Thy servant, who offers himself a *andidate to parta)e with us the mysterious #ecrets of a Master Mason. .ndue him with such fortitude that in the hour of trial he fail not, ut that, passing safely under Thy protection through the valley of the shadow of

death, he may finally rise from the tom of transgression, to shine as the stars for ever and ever. I""ediate $ast Master: #o mote it e. All drop Sign of /everence. ,eacons uncross !ards and hold the" again in right hand. WM: Let the *andidate rise. WM sits. All, e0cept ,eacons and &andidate sit. J, dra!s kneeling stool aside to his left out of !ay of S, and &andidate. S, takes &andidate.s right hand fir"ly, instructs hi" in a !hisper to step off !ith left foot and leads &andidate up 1orth to!ards #astern part of (odge. J, follo!s close behind &andidate and continues to do so for co"plete pera"bulation. IG replaces kneeling stool in nor"al position. S, leads &andidate to 1orth%#ast corner !here they s)uare (odge* S, instructs &andidate to step off !ith left foot and proceeds !ith hi" to point in front of WM.s pedestal, halts there and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. S, takes &andidate by right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" via South #ast corner !hich is s)uared to #ast side of JW.s pedestal !here they stand parallel to pedestal at a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. J, stands as nearly behind &andidate as is possible. S,: ,dvance to the Junior Warden as such, showing the #ign and communicating the To)en and Word. JW: (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. JW rises, faces &andidate !ith Step and offers hand. S, places right hand of &andidate in that of JW and ad3usts #A%grip fro" above. JW gives grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate.s right thu"b and retains grip throughout the !hole of the collo)uy: What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of an .ntered ,pprentice %reemason. JW: What does it demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. JW: "ive me that word freely and at length. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Boa8. JW: :ass, Boa8. /eplaces &andidate.s right hand in left hand of S, and sits. S, leads &andidate on to floor of (odge, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" via South West corner !hich is s)uared to a point in front of SW.s pedestal halts and releases hand. S,: #alute the #enior Warden as a Mason. S, takes &andidate.s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot. leads hi" to 1orth West corner of (odge !hich is s)uared and proceeds !ith &andidate to!ards #ast end of (odge to pera"bulate a second ti"e. J, continues to follo! close behind &andidate on this pera"bulation. S, leads &andidate to 1orth #ast corner of (odge !hich is s)uared and on to point in front of WM.s pedestal halts there and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a %ellow *raft. S, takes &andidate.s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" via South #ast corner !hich is s)uared to a point in front of JW.s pedestal, halts, and releases hand. S,: #alute the Junior Warden as a %ellow *raft. S, takes &andidate.s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" via South West corner !hich is s)uared to South side of SW.s pedestal !here they stand parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. J, stands as nearly behind &andidate as possible. S,: ,dvance to the #enior Warden as such, showing the #ign and communicating the To)en and

Word of that Degree. SW: (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. SW rises, faces &andidate !ith Step and offers hand. S, places right hand of &andidate in that of SW and ad3usts 5&%grip fro" above. SW gives grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate.s right thu"b and retains grip throughout the !hole of the collo)uy. SW: What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The "rip or To)en of a %ellow *raft %reemason. SW: What does it demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , word. SW: "ive me that word, freely and at length. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Jachin. SW: :ass, Jachin. S, takes &andidate.s right hand and leads hi" on to floor of (odge, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" to 1orth of SW.s pedestal, !heels clock!ise so that both face WM and releases hand. J, follo!s &andidate till S, and &andidate face WM, then passes behind the" and stands on left of &andidate so that all three are in line facing #ast. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: The Brethren will ta)e notice that Brother 2, who has een regularly initiated into %reemasonry and passed so the Degree of a %ellow *raft, is a out to pass is view efore them, to show that he is the *andidate properly prepared to he raised to the su lime Degree of a Master Mason. S, takes &andidate.s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" up 1orth side of (odge to pera"bulate a third ti"e. J, falls in behind &andidate as on previous pera"bulations and again continues to follo! close behind &andidate. S, leads &andidate to 1orth #ast corner !hich is s)uared and proceeds to point in front of WM.s pedestal halts and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master as a %ellow *raft.. S, takes &andidate.s right hand, continues pera"bulation, s)uaring South #ast corner, halts in front of JW.s pedestal and releases hand. S,: #alute the Junior Warden as a %ellow *raft. S, takes &andidate.s right hand instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and continues pera"bulation, s)uaring South West corner and leads &andidate to South of SW.s pedestal standing parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance fro" it. /eleases hand. S,: ,dvance to the #enior Warden as such, showing the #ign and communicating pass grip and pass word you received from the Worshipful Master previously to leaving the Lodge. SW: (ave you anything to communicate? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: ! have. SW rises, faces &andidate and offers hand. S, places &andidate.s right hand in that of SW and, !ith left hand ad3usts pass grip fro" above. SW gives pass grip after S, has ad3usted &andidate.s right thu"b and retains pass grip throughout collo)uy. SW: What is this? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The pass grip leading from the #econd to the Third Degree. SW: What does this pass grip demand? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: , pass word. SW: "ive me that pass word. S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Tu al *ain. SW: What was Tu al *ain?

S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: The first artificer in metals. SW: The import of the word? S, pro"pting &andidate aloud: Worldly possessions. SW: :ass, Tu al *ain. S, takes &andidate.s right hand and leads hi" on to floor of (odge, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" to 1orth side of SW.s pedestal. 4ere he "akes an anti%clock!ise !heel and places &andidate.s right hand in left hand of SW* he lines up on left of &andidate and ensures that both are in line, facing #ast. J, follo!s &andidate and as S, and &andidate !heel continues on and takes up position on left of S, so that all three are in line, facing #ast. SW holding up &andidate.s right hand, Step and Master Mason $enal Sign: Worshipful Master, ! present to you Brother 2, a *andidate properly prepared to e raised to the Third Degree. WM: Brother #enior Warden, you will direct the Deacons to instruct the *andidate to advance to the .ast y the proper steps. SW cuts Sign and recovers, replaces &andidate-s right hand in left hand of S, and sits. S, takes up a position on right of &andidate, ensures that both face #ast and releases hand. J, re"ains in position, no! on left of &andidate. SW: Brother Deacons, it is the Worshipful Master-s command that you instruct the *andidate to advance to the .ast y the proper steps. S, takes &andidate-s right hand, instructs hi" to step off !ith left foot and leads hi" up 1orth side of (odge, halts and turns !ith hi" to face South. J, follo!s close behind &andidate and !hen S, halts passes behind &andidate and turns South so that all three are in line. S, leaves &andidate and goes, by passing outside West end of sheet, to far side of sheet fro" &andidate, turns and halts facing hi". S,: The method of advancing from West toast in this degree is y seven steps, the first three as if stepping over a grave. %or your information ! will go through them, and you will afterwards copy me. S, goes to head or West end of grave and stands facing #ast, feet for"ed in a s)uare, heel to heel, left foot pointing #ast, right foot pointing South. &o""encing !ith left foot he takes a Step across the grave in a 1orth%#ast direction, the left foot being placed at the 1orth side of the grave about one%third of the latter.s length and pointing 1orth. he Step is co"pleted by bringing the right foot up to the left foot heel to heel in the for" of a s)uare and !ith the right foot pointing #ast. &o""encing !ith the right foot, he takes a second Step across the grave in a South%#ast direction, the right foot being placed at the South side of the grave about t!o%thirds of the latter.s length and pointing South. his Step is co"pleted by bringing the left foot up to the right foot heel to heel in the for" of a s)uare, the left foot pointing #ast. &o""encing !ith the left foot he takes a third Step to the foot on #astern end of the grave, the left foot pointing #ast. he Step is co"pleted by bringing up the right foot to the left, heel to heel in the for" of a s)uare and the right foot pointing South. &o""encing !ith the left foot he takes four Steps in a direction due #ast, finishing in front of WM.s pedestal !ith the feet heel to heel in the for" of a s)uare, left foot pointing 1orth #ast and right foot pointing South #ast. S, then returns to &andidate, going via the South and West of the sheet, takes hi" by right hand, places hi" in position at West end of grave and keeping ahead of hi", on South side of grave instructs hi" in a !hisper ho! to take Steps, pointing out position for &andidate.s feet. 4e does not retain handclasp. When &andidate reaches #astern end of grave at third Step, S, !alks beside hi" for last four Steps and re"ains on his right in front of WM.s pedestal. J, re"ains stationary !hile &andidate is taking first three Steps and then "oves so as to arrive at WM.s pedestal si"ultaneously !ith S, and &andidate and takes position on left of &andidate so that all three are in line facing #ast. WM: !t is ut fair to inform you that a most serious trial of your fortitude and fidelity and a more solemn ' ligation await you. ,re you prepared to meet them as you ought?

&andidate: ! am. WM: Then you will )neel on oth )nees, place are hands on the 4olume of #acred Law. WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. All rise !ith Step and Master Mason $enal Sign. ,eacons hold !ands in left hands, cross the" over head of &andidate, take Step and give Master Mason $enal Sign. WM: 6epeat your name at length, and say after me& !, 2, in the presence of the Most (igh, and of this worthy and worshipful Lodge of Master Masons, duly constituted, regularly assem led and properly dedicated, of my own free will and accord, do here y and hereon most solemnly promise and swear that ! will always hele, conceal, and never reveal any or either of the secrets or mysteries of or elonging to the Degree of a Master Mason to anyone in the world, unless it e to him or them to whom the same may 7ustly and lawfully elong, and not even to him or them until after due trial, strict e$amination, or full conviction that he or they are worthy of that confidence, or in the ody of a Master Mason-s Lodge duly opened on the *entre. ! further solemnly pledge myself to adhere to the principles of the #1uare and *ompass, answer and o ey all lawful #igns, and summonses sent to me from a Master Mason-s Lodge, if within the length of my ca le tow, and plead no e$cuse, e$cept sic)ness or the pressing emergencies of my own pu lic or private avocations. ! further solemnly engage myself to maintain and uphold the %ive :oints of %ellowship in act as well as in word& that my hand, given to a Master Mason, shall e a sure pledge of rotherhood0 that my feet shall travel through dangers and difficulties to unite with his in forming a column of mutual defense and support0 that the posture of my daily supplications shall remind me of his wants, and dispose my heart to succour his wea)ness and relieve his necessities, so far as may3fairly e done without detriment to myself or connections0 that my reast shall e the sacred repository of his secrets when entrusted to my care 3 murder, treason, felony, and all other offences contrary to the laws of "od and the ordinances of the realm eing at all times most especially e$cepted. ,nd finally, that ! will maintain a Master Mason-s honour and carefully preserve it as my own& ! will not in7ure him myself or )nowingly suffer it to e done y others if in my power to prevent it, ut, on the contrary, will oldly repel the slanderer of his good name, and most strictly respect the chastity of those nearest and dearest to him, in the persons of his wife, his sister and his child. ,ll these points ! solemnly swear to o serve, without. evasion, e1uivocation or mental reservation of any )ind. #o help me the Most (igh, and )eep me steadfast in this my solemn ' ligation of a Master Mason. All cut $enal Sign, recover and drop hands. ,eacons lo!er !ands to right hand WM: ,s a pledge of your fidelity, and to render this inding as a #olemn ' ligation for so long as you shall live, you will seal it with your lips thrice on the 4olume of #acred Law. Let me once more call your attention to the position of the #1uare and *ompass. When you were made an .ntered ,pprentice oth points were hid0 in the #econd Degree one was disclosed0 in this the whole is e$hi ited implying that you are now at li erty to wor) with oth those points in order to render the circle of your Masonic duties complete. WM takes &andidate.s right hand fro" 'olu"e of Sacred (a! !ith his right hand: 6ise newly o ligated Master Mason. WM sits. All, e0cept ,eacons and &andidate, sit. ,eacons, assisting &andidate, step back!ards !ith hi" till standing at foot of grave and there halt in line still facing #ast The E!hortation

WM: (aving entered upon the #olemn ' ligation of a Master Mason, you are now entitled to demand that last and greatest trial y which alone you *andidate e admitted to a participation of the secrets of this Degree0 ut it is first my duty to call your attention to a retrospect of those degrees in %reemasonry through which you have already passed, that you may the etter e ena led to distinguish and appreciate the connection of our whole system, and the relative dependency of its several parts. 9our admission among Masons in a state of helpless indigence was an em lematical representation of the entrance of all men on this, their mortal e$istence. !t inculcated the useful lessons of natural e1uality and mutual dependence0 it instructed you in the active principles of universal eneficence and charity, to see) the solace of your own distress y e$tending relief and consolation to your fellow3creatures in the hour of their affliction. , ove all, it taught you to end with humility and resignation to the will of the "reat ,rchitect of the /niverse0 to dedicate your heart, thus purified from every aneful and malignant passion, fitted only for the reception of truth and wisdom, to (is glory and the welfare of your fellow3mortals. :roceeding onwards, still guiding your progress y the principles of moral truth, you were led in the #econd Degree to contemplate the intellectual faculty and to trace it from its development, through the paths of heavenly science, even to the throne of "od (imself. The secrets of 5ature and the principles of intellectual truth were then unveiled to your view. To your mind, thus modeled y virtue and science, 5ature, however, presents one great and useful lesson more. #he prepares you, y contemplation, for the closing hour of e$istence0 and when y means of that contemplation she has conducted you through the intricate windings of this mortal life, she finally instructs you how to die. #uch, my Brother, are the peculiar o 7ects of the Third Degree in %reemasonry& They invite you to reflect on this awful su 7ect0 and teach you to feel that, to the 7ust and virtuous man, death has no terrors e1ual to the stain of falsehood and dishonour. 'f this great truth the annals of Masonry afford a glorious e$ample in the unsha)en fidelity and no le death of our Master (iram , iff, who was slain 7ust efore the completion of <ing #olomon+s Temple, at the construction of which he was, as no dou t you are well aware, the principal ,rchitect. The manner of his death was as follows. Brother Wardens. Wardens leave their seats* SW by 1orth side taking (evel !ith hi", JW by West side taking $lu"b /ule !ith hi". SW proceeds east!ards straight up the (odge* JW !aits until SW is level !ith hi" and then both advance abreast until they arrive behind the ,eacons. SW touches J,.s right shoulder and JW, si"ultaneously, touches S,-s left shoulder. ,eacons step one pace out!ards. Wardens co"e up in line bet!een ,eacons and the &andidate, SW on left and JW on right of &andidate. his line of five is held "o"entarily fro" 1orth to South, facing #ast. ,eacons then turn out!ards and return to their seats. JW directs &andidate to cross right foot over left. Wardens hold &andidate securely by his hands so that they have full control over hi" and he does not at any ti"e lose his balance. WM: %ifteen %ellow *rafts, of that superior class appointed to preside over the rest, finding that the wor) was nearly completed and that they were not in possession of the secrets of the Third Degree, conspired to o tain them y any means, even to have recourse to violence. ,t the moment, however, of carrying their conspiracy into e$ecution, twelve of the fifteen recanted0 ut three, of a more determined and atrocious character than the rest, persisted in their impious design, in the prosecution of which they planted themselves respectively at the .ast, 5orth, and #outh entrances of the Temple, whither our Master had retired to pay his adoration to the Most (igh, as was his wonted custom at the hour of high twelve. (aving finished his devotions, he attempted to return y the #outh entrance, where he was opposed y the first of those ruffians, who, for want of other weapon, had armed himself with a heavy :lum 6ule, and in a threatening manner demanded the secrets of a Master Mason, warning him that death would e the conse1uence of a refusal. 'ur Master, true to his ' ligation, answered that those

secrets were )nown to ut three in the world and that without the consent and co3operation of the other two he neither could nor would divulge them, ut intimated that he had no dou t patience and industry would, in due time, entitle the worthy Mason to a participation of them, ut that, for his own part, he would rather suffer death than etray the sacred trust reposed in him. This answer not proving satisfactory, the ruffian aimed a violent low at the head of our Master0 ut eing startled at the firmness of his demeanour, it missed his forehead and only glanced on his right temple JW touches &andidate.s right te"ple !ith $lu"b /ule ut with such force as to cause him to reel and sin) on his left )nee. SW in !hisper instructs &andidate to kneel on left knee and then to regain upright position* Wardens assist and ensure &andidate recrosses feet. WM: 6ecovering from the shoc) he made for the 5orth entrance where he was accosted y the second of those ruffians, to whom he gave a similar answer with undiminished firmness, when the ruffian, who was armed with a Level struc) him a violent low on the left temple SW touches &andidate on left te"ple !ith (evelwhich rought him to the ground on his right )nee. SW in !hisper instructs &andidate to kneel on right knee and then to regain upright position. Wardens assist and ensure &andidate recrosses feet. WM: %inding his retreat cut off at oth those points, he staggered, faint and leeding, to the .ast entrance where the third ruffian was posted, who received a similar answer to his insolent demand, for even at this trying moment our Master remained firm and unsha)en, when the villain, who was armed with a heavy Maul, struc) him a violent low on the forehead WM, seated, lifts heavy Maul and goes through "ove"ent of striking !ithout touching &andidate which laid him lifeless at his feet. Wardens lo!er &andidate back!ards to supine position, !ith ar"s at sides and right foot still crossed over left foot. Wardens stand on each side of &andidate at head of grave facing east. WM: The Brethren will ta)e notice that in the recent ceremony, as well as in his present situation, our Brother has een made to represent one of the rightest characters recorded in the annals of Masonry, namely (iram , iff, who lost his life in conse1uence of his unsha)en fidelity to the sacred trust reposed in him, and ! hope this will ma)e a lasting impression on his and your minds should you ever e placed in a similar state of trial. Brother Junior Warden, you will endeavour to raise the representative of our Master y the .ntered ,pprentice+s "rip. JW proceeds on right side of &andidate to level of &andidate.s knees, steps across hi" !ith his right foot, lifts &andidate.s right hand !ith his left hand, gives #A%grip !ith his right hand, slips it, and !ith left hand gently replaces &andidate.s right hand to his side. 4e returns to his for"er position at head of grave. JW takes Step and gives MM $enal Sign: Worshipful Master, it proves a slip. WM: Brother #enior Warden, you will try the %ellow *raft+s. SW proceeds on left side of &andidate to level of &andidate.s knees, steps across hi" !ith his left foot, lifts &andidate.s right hand !ith his left hand, gives 5&%grip !ith his right hand, slips it and !ith left hand gently replaces &andidate.s right hand to his side. 4e returns to his for"er position at head of grave. SW takes Step and gives MM $enal Sign: Worshipful Master, it proves a slip li)ewise. WM: Brother Wardens, having oth failed in your attempts, there remains a third method, y ta)ing a more firm hold of the sinews of the hand and raising y the %ive :oints of %ellowship, which with your assistance, ! will ma)e trial of. (eaves chair by South, advances to feet of &andidate !hich he uncrosses, so that heels are about : inches apart. WM puts right foot to right foot, takes &andidate.s right hand by MM%grip, and !ith the aid of the Wardens raises &andidate on the 5ive $oints of 5ello!ship. WM& !t is thus all Master Masons are raised from a figurative grave to a reunion with the former companions of their toils. Brother Wardens, resume your seats. Wardens return direct to seats and replace (evel and $lu"b /ule.

WM takes &andidate by both hands and gently "oves hi" round clock!ise so that he stands in the 1orth facing South. WM places &andidate.s hands at his sides, steps back!ards beyond the line of grave and halts there. WM and &andidate are no! directly facing each other. The Charge WM: Let me now eg you to o serve that the Light of a Master Mason is dar)ness visi le, serving only to e$press that gloom which rests on the prospect of futurity. !t is that mysterious veil which the eye of human reason cannot penetrate, unless assisted y that Light which is from a ove. 9et, even y this glimmering ray, you may perceive that you stand on the very rin) of the grave into which you have 7ust figuratively descended, and which, when this transitory life shall have passed away, will again receive you into its cold osom. Let the em lems of mortality which lie efore you lead you to contemplate, on your inevita le destiny, and guide your reflections to that most interesting of all human studies, the )nowledge of yourself. Be careful to perform your allotted tas) while it is yet day. *ontinue to listen to the voice of 5ature, which ears witness that even in this perisha le frame resides a vital and immortaB principle, which inspires a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will ena le us to trample the <ing of Terrors eneath our fee, and lift our eyes to that right Morning #tar, whose rising rings peace and salvation to the faithful and o edient of the human race. WM steps for!ard, takes both hands of &andidate, and gently "oves round anti% clock!ise until they have e0changed places. &andidate is no! in the South, facing 1orth, about three short paces fro" centre line of (odge. ! cannot etter reward the attention you have paid to this e$hortation and charge than y entrusting you with the secrets of the Degree. 9ou will therefore advance to me as a %ellow *raft, first as an .ntered ,pprentice. 9ou will now ta)e another short pace towards me with your left foot, ringing the right heel into its hollow as efore. That is the third regular step in %reemasonry, and it is in this position that the secrets of the Degree are communicated. They consist of #igns, a To)en and Word. 'f the #igns, the first and second are casual, the third penal. The first casual #ign is called the #ign of (orror, and is given from the %ellow *rafts. #tand to order as a %ellow *raft y dropping the left hand into this position ,o!n, pal" out!ards as if shielding eyes fro" so"ething on the ground elevating the right back of hand to face, shielding eyes with the head turned over the right shoulder, as if struc) with horror as some dreadful and afflicting sight. The second casual #ign is called the #ign of #ympathy, and is given y ending the head forward, and smiting the forehead gently with the right hand. :lace your hand in this position with the thum e$tended in the form of a s1uare. The :enal #ign is given y drawing the hand smartly across the ody, dropping it to the side, and recovering with the thum to the navel. This is in allusion to the sym olic penalty at one time included in the ' ligation of this degree, which implied that as a man of honour, a Master Mason would rather have een severed in two than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him. The full penalty was that of eing severed in two, the owels urned to ashes, and those ashes scattered over the face of the earth and wafted y the four cardinal winds of heaven, that no trace or remem rance of so vile a wretch might longer e found among men, particularly Master Masons. The "rip or To)en is the first of the %ive :oints of %ellowship. They are hand to hand, foot to foot, )nee to )nee, reast to reast and hand over ac) and may e thus riefly e$plained. WM illustrates during e0planation again !ith &andidate as !ords re)uire and ensures &andidate.s correct co%operation: (and to hand, ! greet you as a Brother0 foot to foot, ! will support you in all your lauda le underta)ings0 )nee to )nee the posture of my daily supplications shall remind me of your wants0 reast to reast, your lawful secrets when entrusted to me as such ! will )eep as my own0 and hand over ac), ! will support your character in your a sence as in your presence. !t is in this position, and this only, and then only in a whisper, e$cept in open Lodge, that the word is given& it is Macha en or Mach inna. 9ou are now at li erty to retire in order to restore yourself to your personal comforts, and on your return to the Lodge the #igns, To)en and Word, will e further e$plained. WM resu"es seat by

1orth side. S, goes to &andidate and !ith his left hand takes &andidate.s right hand and leads hi" direct to 1orth of SW.s pedestal. 4ere he !heels &andidate clock!ise so as to face #ast, halts and releases hand. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master in the three Degrees. S, then takes &andidate by right hand, "akes anticlock!ise !heel and leads hi" to door. IG goes to door in front of S, and opens it, closing and locking it again after &andidate has gone out. he lights are no! restored. S, and IG resu"e seats. 6utside (odge &andidate resu"es his ordinary dress !ith 5&%badge. When &andidate is ready yler gives MM%knocks on door of (odge. IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives MM%$enal Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report. JW, seated, gavels once. IG cuts Sign and recovers, goes to door, opens it and looks out !ithout speaking. yler: The *andidate on his return. IG "akes no reply, closes and locks door, returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and "akes MM%$enal Sign !hich he holds: Worshipful Master, the *andidate on his return. WM: ,dmit him. IG cuts Sign and recovers, a!aits arrival of S,, then goes to door. S, follo!s IG to door. IG opens door and ad"its &andidate. S, receives &andidate and leads hi" by right hand to 1orth of SW-s pedestal both facing #ast. IG closes door and resu"es his seat. S,: #alute the Worshipful Master in the three Degrees. S, takes &andidate by right hand and dra!s hi" back to 1orth of SW. SW rises. S, places &andidate.s right hand in left hand of SW and lines up on left of &andidate ensuring they are both facing #ast. SW !ith left hand raises &andidate.s right hand, takes Step and gives MM%penal Sign: Worshipful Master, ! present to you Brother 2, on his eing raised to the Third Degree, for some further mar) of your favour. WM: Brother #enior Warden, ! delegate you to invest him with the distinguishing adge of a Master Mason. SW cuts Sign and recovers, releases &andidate.s hand and !ith &andidate facing hi" puts on hi" badge of Master Mason. SW picks up lo!er right hand corner of badge !ith his left hand: +rother ..., by the Worshipful Master-s co""and, I invest you !ith the distinguishing badge of a Master Mason to "ark the further progress you have "ade in the science. S, takes &andidate.s right hand fro" SW, positions hi"self on right of &andidate, both facing #ast, and releases hand. WM: ! must state that the adge with which you have now een invested not only points out your ran) as a Master Mason, ut is meant to remind you of those great duties you have 7ust solemnly engaged to o serve0 and whilst it mar)s your own superiority, it calls on you to afford assistance and instruction to the rethren in the inferior degrees. S, takes &andidate.s right hand and leads hi" direct to face WM.s pedestal about a pace a!ay fro" it. /eleases hand. Tra itional History

WM: We left off at that part of our traditional history which mentions the death of our Master (iram , iff. , iff loss so important as that of the principal architect could not fail of eing generally and severely felt. The want of those plans and designs which had hitherto een regularly supplied to the different classes of wor)men was the first indication that some heavy calamity had efallen our Master. The Menatschin, or :refects, or, more familiarly spea)ing, the 'verseers, deputed some of the most eminent of their num er to ac1uaint <ing #olomon with the utter confusion into which the a sence of (iram had plunged them, and to e$press their apprehension that to some fatal catastrophe must e attri uted his sudden and mysterious disappearance. <ing #olomon immediately ordered a general muster of the wor)men throughout the different departments, when three of the same class of overseers, were not to e found. 'n the same day the twelve *raftsmen who had originally 7oined in the conspiracy efore the <ing and made a voluntary confession of all they )new down to the time of withdrawing themselves from the num er of the conspirators. This naturally increased the fears of <ing #olomon for the safety of his chief artist. (e therefore selected fifteen trusty %ellow *rafts and ordered them to ma)e diligent search after the person of our Master, to ascertain if he were yet alive, or had suffered death in the attempt to e$tort from him the secrets of his e$alted Degree. ,ccordingly, a stated day having een appointed for their return to Jerusalem, they formed themselves into three %ellow *raft Lodges and departed from the three entrances of the Temple. Many days were spent in fruitless search0 indeed, one class returned without having made any discovery of importance. , second, however, were more fortunate, for on the evening of a certain day, after having suffered the greatest privations and personal fatigues, one of the rethren, who had rested himself in a reclining posture, to assist his rising caught hold of a shru that grew near, which to his surprise came easily out of the ground. 'n a closer e$amination he found that the earth had een recently distur ed. (e therefore hailed his companions and with their united endeavours reopened the ground and there found the ody of our Master very indecently interred. They covered it again with all respect and reverence, and to distinguish the spot stuc) a sprig of acacia at the head of the grave. They then hastened to Jerusalem to impart the afflicting intelligence to <ing #olomon. (e, when the first emotions of his grief had su sided, ordered them to return and raise our Master to such a sepulture as ecame his ran) and e$alted talents, at the same time informing them that y his untimely death the secrets of a Master Mason were lost. (e therefore charged them to e particularly careful in o serving whatever casual sign, to)en or word might occur whilst paying this last sad tri ute of respect to departed merit. They performed their tas) with the utmost fidelity0 and on reopening the ground one of the rethren loo)ing round, WM rises, o served some of his companions in this position WM gives Sign of 4orror struc) with horror at the dreadful and afflicting sight WM drops Sign while others, viewing the ghastly wound still visi le on his forehead, smote their own WM gives Sign of Sy"pathy in sympathy with his sufferings WM drops Sign, sits. Two of the rethren then descended the grave and endeavoured to raise him y the .ntered ,pprentice+s "rip which proved a slip. They then tried the %ellow *raft-s, which proved a slip li)ewise. (aving oth failed in their attempts, a 8ealous and e$pert rother too) a more firm hold on the sinews of the hand, and with their assistance, raised him on the five points of fellowship, while others, more animated, e$claimed Macha en or Mach inna, oth words having a nearly similar import, one signifying the death of the uilder, the other the uilder is smitten. <ing #olomon therefore ordered that those casual #igns and that To)en and Word should designate all Master Masons, throughout the universe until time or circumstances should restore the genuine. !t only remains to account for the third class, who had pursued their researches in the direction of Joppa, and were meditating their return to Jerusalem, when accidentally passing the mouth of a cavern they heard sounds of deep lamentation and regret. 'n entering the cave to ascertain the cause, they found three men answering the description of those missing, who, on eing charged with the murder and finding all chance of escape cut off, made a full confession of their guilt. They were then ound and led to Jerusalem, when <ing #olomon sentenced them to that death the

heinousness of their crime so amply merited. I""ediate $ast Master hands racing +oard and pencil to WM. WM !ith pencil points to various ite"s on racing +oard as !ords re)uire: 'ur Master was ordered to e reinterred as near to the #anctum #anctorum as the !sraelitish law would permit0 there in a grave from the centre three feet .ast and three feet West, three feet etween 5orth and #outh, and five feet or more perpendicular. (e was not uried in the #anctum #anctorum, ecause nothing common or unclean was allowed to enter there, not even the (igh :riest ut once a year, nor then until after many washings and purifications against the great day of e$piation for sins, for y the !sraelitish law all flesh was deemed unclean. The same fifteen trusty %ellow *rafts were ordered to attend the funeral, clothed in white aprons and gloves as em lems of their innocence. 9ou have already een informed that the wor)ing tools with which our Master was slain were the :lum 6ule, Level and (eavy Maul. The ornaments of a Master Masons Lodge are the :orch, Dormer and #1uare :avement. The :orch was the entrance to the #anctum #anctorum, the Dormer the window that gave light to the same, and the #1uare :avement for the (igh :riest to wal) on. The (igh :riest-s office was to urn incense to the honour and glory of the Most (igh, and to pray fervently that the ,lmighty, of (is un ounded wisdom and goodness, would e pleased to estow peace and tran1uility on the !sraelitish nation during the ensuing year. The coffin, s)ull and cross ones, eing em lems of mortality allude to the untimely death of our Master (iram , iff. (e was slain three thousand years after the creation of the world. WM returns racing +oard and pencil to I""ediate $ast Master. !n the course of the ceremony you have een informed of three #igns in this Degree. The whole of them are five, corresponding in num er with the five points of fellowship. They are the #ign of (orror, the #ign of #ympathy, the :enal #ign, the #ign of "rief and Distress and the #ign of Joy .$ultation, li)ewise called the "rand or 6oyal #ign. %or the sa)e of regularity ! will go through them and you will copy me. WM illustrates Signs as he repeats appropriate !ords: This is the #ign of (orror0 this, of #ympathy0 this, the :enal #ign. The #ign of "rief and Distress is given y passing the right hand across the face, and dropping it over the left eye row in the form of a s1uare. This too) its rise at the time our Master was ma)ing his way from the 5orth to the .ast entrance of the Temple, when his agony was so great that the perspiration stood in large drops on his forehead, and he made use of this #ign as a temporary relief to his sufferings. This is the #ign of Joy and .$altation. !t too) its rise at the time the Temple was completed, and <ing #olomon with the princes of his household went to view it, when they were so struc) with its magnificence that with one simultaneous motion they e$claimed +'h Wonderful MasonsC'n the *ontinent of .urope the #ign of "rief and Distress is given in a different manner, y clasping the hands and elevating them with their ac)s to the forehead, e$claiming +*ome to my assistance, ye children of the widow- on the supposition that all Master Masons are rothers to (iram , iff, who was a widow+s son. !n !reland and the #tates of ,merica the #ign of "rief and Distress is given in a still different manner, y throwing up the hands with the palms e$tended towards the (eavens and dropping them with three distinct movements to the sides, e$claiming +'h Lord my "od, 'h Lord my "od, 'h Lord my "od, is there no help for the widow+s son?+ WM sits. ! now present to you the wor)ing tools of a Master mason. They are the #)irret, :encil and *ompass. The #)irret is an implement which acts on a centre pin, whence a line is drawn to mar) out ground for the foundation of the intended structure. With the :encil the s)ilful artist delineates the uilding in a draft or plan for the instruction and guidance of the wor)men. The *ompasses ena le him with accuracy and precision to ascertain and determine the limits and proportions of its several parts. But as we are not all operative Masons ut free and accepted, or speculative, we apply these tools to our morals. !n this sense, the #)irret points out that straight and undeviating line of conduct laid down for our pursuit in the 4olume of #acred Law0 the :encil teaches us that our words and actions are o served and recorded y the ,lmighty ,rchitect, to Whom we must give an account of our conduct through life0 the *ompasses remind us of (is unerring and impartial 7ustice,

Who, having defined for our instruction the limits of good and evil, will reward or punish as we have o eyed or disregarded (is Divine commands. Thus the wor)ing tools of a Master Mason teach us to ear in mind, and act according to, the laws of our Divine *reator, that, when we shall e summoned from this su lunary a ode, we may ascend to the "rand Lodge a ove, where the world-s "reat ,rchitect lives and reigns for ever. S, conducts &andidate to seat in (odge. Closing in the Thir Degree WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW. WM: Brethren, assist me to close the Lodge in the Third Degree. All rise. WM: Brother Junior Warden , what is the constant care of every Master Mason? JW: To prove the Lodge close tyled. WM: Direct that duty to e done. JW: Brother !nner "uard, prove the Lodge close tyled. IG goes to door, gives MM%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks. IG takes Step and gives $enal Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is close tyled. JW gives MM%knocks, takes Step and gives $enal Sign: Worshipful master, the Lodge is close tyled. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the ne$t care? SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as Master Masons. WM: To order, Brethren, in the Third Degree. All take Step !ith $enal Sign. WM: Brother Junior Warden, whence come you? JW: The West, whither we have een in search of the genuine #ecrets of a Master Mason. WM: Brother #enior Warden, have you found them? SW: We have not, Worshipful Master, ut we ring with us certain su stituted #ecrets, which we are an$ious to impart for your appro ation. WM: Let those su stituted #ecrets e regularly communicated to me. SW holding $enal Sign leaves pedestal by 1orth side and proceeds #ast, keeping to 1orth of centre line of (odge until he reaches a convenient point 3ust past JW.s pedestal !here he turns in!ards to face South and stands !ith Step and Sign. JW holding $enal Sign leaves pedestal by West side at convenient "o"ent to proceed #ast in line !ith SW keeping to South of centre line of (odge until SW turns in!ards and halts !ith Step and Sign* JW then turns in!ards to face SW, halting !ith Step and Sign a convenient distance fro" hi". JW takes further Step, holds out right hand to SW and taking his right hand co""unicates pass grip leading fro" Second to hird ,egree, raises hands head high and co""unicates pass !ord in a !hisper. 4ands are released and JW resu"es Sign. SW resu"es Sign. JW takes further Step, gives Sign of 4orror, Sign of Sy"pathy and $enal Sign to recovery. JW then co""unicates 5ive $oints of 5ello!ship and !hispers !ords of a Master Mason* on co"pletion he resu"es position, holding Step and $enal Sign. SW follo!s JW, receiving 5ive $oints of 5ello!ship, and after co""unication of !ords resu"es position holding Step and $enal Sign. JW salutes SW !ith $enal Sign to recovery and holding it returns to pedestal !ith Step. SW holding Sign turns on centre line of (odge to WM and !ith Step: Worshipful Master, condescend to receive from me the su stituted #ecrets of a Master Mason. WM: Brother #enior Warden, ! will receive them with pleasure, and for the information of the Brethren you will spea) the words aloud. WM leaves pedestal by South side still holding Sign and faces SW !ith Step at a convenient distance.

SW takes Step, holds out right hand to WM and taking his right hand !ith pass grip, raises hands head high and co""unicates pass !ord aloud. 4ands are released and SW resu"es Sign. WM takes SW.s right hand at appropriate "o"ent and on release of hands resu"es Sign. SW takes further Step, gives Sign of 4orror, Sign of Sy"pathy and $enal Sign to recovery. 4e then co""unicates 5ive $oints of 5ello!ship and, aloud, !ords of a Master Mason, and on co"pletion resu"es position holding Step and $enal Sign. WM follo!s SW receiving 5ive $oints of 5ello!ship and after co""unicating !ords, resu"es position holding Step and $enal Sign. SW salutes WM !ith $enal Sign to recovery and holding it returns to pedestal !ith Step. WM after salute, at the sa"e ti"e returns to pedestal !ith Step and holding Sign. WM: Brethren, the su stituted #ecrets of a Master Mason, thus regularly communicated to me, !, as Master of this Lodge, and there y the hum le representative of <ing #olomon, sanction and confirm with my appro ation, and declare that they shall designate you, and all Master Masons throughout the /niverse, until time or circumstances shall restore the genuine. All bend a little for!ard: With gratitude to our Master we end. WM: ,ll gratitude to the Most (igh. All give Grand or /oyal Sign and than resu"e $enal Sign. WM: Brother #enior Warden, the la ours of this Lodge eing ended, you have my command to close the Lodge. WM gives MM%knocks !ith left hand. SW: Brethren, in the name of the Most (igh and y command of the Worshipful Master, ! close this Master Masons Lodge. SW gives MM%knocks. JW: ,nd it is closed accordingly. JW gives MM%knocks. IG goes to door, gives MM%knocks and returns to position in front of his chair. yler responds !ith sa"e knocks.