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7/25/2019 Monitor Freemason

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Entered Apprentice Mason

WM (Puts on his jewel and hat; displays working tools)+ Brother Junior Deacon, invite the brethrenin and close the door. (Without rod, goes out of the door and invites the brethren in; reenters and closes door;goes to his place and sits down).The brethren will come to order and clothe themselves. (Fills vacantstations and places). The officers(all officers rise)will approach the East and receive their jewels.

OFS(Proceed to the East along the North in the following order: Senior. Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer,Secretary, Chaplain, Marshal, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Organist, to

receive their jewels; then return to their respective places along the South and remain standing. When the Senior

Warden puts on his jewel, others put on theirs)

WM + (All sit down except Senior Warden). Brother Senior Warden, satisfy yourself that allpresent are Masons.

SW - (If satisfied). Worshipful Master, all present are Masons.

- - - - - -

SW - (If not satisfied). Deacons, attend. (Deacons rise and take rods. Junior Deacon steps forward tosouth-west corner of pavement, facing East and waits for Senior Deacon to be in line with him on the north-west

corner. They face each other, meet in front of the station of Senior Warden, facing him, rods at attention).

Ascer tain i f al l present are Masons. (Deacons separate and proceed to the East, Senior Deacon on the Northside and Junior Deacon on the South side of Lodge. They turn around, and on the way back to the West inspect the

brethren, with rods in pass, on their respective sides. If they find any brother who has no right to sit in the Lodge,

or whose right is open to question, they face such brother, put rod at attention, and say: Please rise and remainstanding. They then meet in the West as before, facing Senior Warden, puts rods at attention and report).

(Deacons not satisfied, one or more brother challenged, standing up)

SD - Brother Senior Warden, not all on the North side of the Lodge are Masons.

JD - Brother Senior Warden, not all on the South side of the Lodge are Masons.

WM - The brethren may consider themselves free from restraint until the sound o f the gavel in

the East. + (He arranges for a vouchment or examination of such brother or brothers; while being done,

ceremonies may be continued).

(Deacons satisfied)

SD - Brother Senior Warden, all on the North side of the Lodge are Masons.

JD - Brother Senior Warden, all on the South side of the Lodge are Masons.

(Deacons separate, return to places, put rods in stand, sit down)

SW Worshipful Master, all present are Masons.

- - - - - -

WM - Call the brethren to order as Entered Apprentice Masons, reserving yourself for the last.


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SW - The brethren will come to Order as Entered Apprentice Masons. (Senior Warden does notknock. Brethren rise, come under dueguard followed by the Senior Warden)

WM - + (SIGN is given and all seated except Junior Deacon)

WM Brother Junior Deacon, the first and most important care of a Lodge of EnteredApprent ice Masons, when convened.

JD - SIGNTo see that the Lodge is duly tyled, Worshipful.

WM - Perform that duty and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of EnteredApprent ice Masons in th is place and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD (Takes rod, goes to door, puts rod in left hand, and gives + + +on the door with knuckles of right hand;after hearing the Tylers + + + from outside, opens door with right hand; takes one step back, rod at attention inright hand) Brother Tyler, we are about to open a Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons in this

place, and it is the order of the Worshipfu l Master that you tyle accordingly. (Closes door with righthand, returns to his place, rod at attention in right hand) SIGN.Worshipful Master, the Lodge is tyled.

WM - How tyled?

JD - By a brother Mason without the door, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM - His duty there?

JD - To observe the approach of cowans and eaves-droppers and see that none pass orrepass, without permission of the Worshipful Master in the East. (Places rod in stand, remainsstanding)

WM -+ +

(Only the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary and Senior Deacon rise) BrotherSenior Warden, whence came you?

SW - SIGN. From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem.

WM - What came you here to do?

SW - To learn to subdue my passion and improve myself in Masonry.

WM - Then you are a Mason, I presume?

SW - I am so taken and accepted among brothers and fellows.

WM - Where were you made an Entered Apprentice Mason?

SW - Within a body of a just and legally consti tuted lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons.

WM - How many compose such a Lodge?

SW - Seven or more, Worshipful.

WM - Whence but seven, of whom does it cons ist?

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


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WM The Junior Deacons place in the Lodge?

SW - On the right of the Senior Warden in the West, Worshipful.

WM. - Your duty , Brother Junior?

JD -SIGN.To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in theSouth, and elsewhere about the Lodge as directed; attend to all alarms at the door and see thatthe Lodge is duly tyled.

WM. - The Senior Deacons place?

JD - On the right of the Worshipfu l Master in the East, Worshipful.

WM. - Your duty, Brother Senior?

SD -

SIGN.To carry Orders from the Worshipful Master in the East, to the Senior Warden in theWest, and elsewhere about the Lodge as required; attend to all alarms at the door of thepreparation room, receive and conduct candidates, introduce and accommodate visiting brethren.

WM. - The Secretary s p lace?

SD - On the left of the Worshipful Master in the East, Worshipful.

WM. - Your duty, Brother Secretary?

SEC SIGN To observe the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master, keep a true recordoff all things prepared to be written, turn a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge when required,receive all monies from the brethren, pay the same to the Treasurer and take his receipt therefor.

WM - The Treasurers place?

SEC - On the r ight o f the Worship ful Master in the East, Worshipful.

WM. - Your duty, Brother Treasurer?

TR -SIGN.To receive all monies from the hands of the Secretary, keep a just and accurateaccount thereof and pay the same out by Order of the Worshipful Master, with the consent of theLodge.

WM - The Junior Wardens station?

TR - In the South, Worshipful.

WM. - Your duty in the South, Brother Junior?

JW SIGN As the sun at merid ian height is the beauty and glory of the day, so stands theJunior Warden in the South, the better to observe the time, to call the crafts from labor torefreshment, and from refreshment to labor again, at the will and pleasure of the WorshipfulMaster.

WM - The Senior Wardens Station?

JW - In the West, Worship ful.


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WM - Your duty in the West, Brother Senior?

SW SIGN As the sun i s in the West at the c lose o f day, so is the Senior Warden in the West,to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing his Lodge, to pay the crafts their wages, ifany be due, that none may go away dissatisfied, harmony being the strength and support of allsocieties, especially o f ours .

WM - The station of the Worshipfu l Master?

SW - In the East, Worshipful.

WM. - And his duty, my Brother?

SW As the sun ri ses in the East to open and adorn the day, so rises (Worshipful Masterrises)the Worshipful Master in the East, to open and govern his Lodge, in due time to set the crafts atwork, and give them the necessary instruction whereby they may pursue their labors.

WM - + + +Brother Senior Warden, it is my will and pleasure that a Lodge of Entered

Apprent ice Masons be now opened in th is place for the purpose of conferr ing the f irst degree ofMasonry (Or, for the purpose of examination).This you will communicate to the Junior in the South,that the brethren may have due notice thereof.

SW (Places gavel over the left breast). Brother Junior Warden, it is the Order of the Worship fulMaster that a Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons be now opened in thi s place for the purpose ofconferring the first degree of Masonry (Or, for the purpose of examination). This you will report to thebrethren that they may have due notice thereof.

JW - (Places gavel over left breast) Brethren, it is the Order of the Worshipfu l Master that a Lodgeof Entered Apprentice Masons be now opened in this place for the purpose of conferring the firstdegree of Masonry (Or, for the purpose of examination). Of this take due notice and govern yourselvesaccordingly.

WM - Together, Brethren.

ALL - (Give dueguard and SIGN of EAM)

WM + SW + JW +

SD - (Goes to Altar with rod, arranges the Great Lights, turns on lights, gives the SIGN; takes one step to theleft, rod at attention. If the Senior Deacon does not turn on, or light the lights, he must wait after arranging great

lights until lights are lighted before making the SIGN).

WM -(Removes hat; he or the Chaplain offers the following)

PRAYER

Great Arch itect of the Universe! In Thy name we have assembled and in Thy name wedesire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the sublime principles of Freemasonry may sosubdue every discordant passion within us - so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine ownlove and goodness - that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that order and beauty whichreign forever before Thy throne. Amen.


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ANO THER

Supreme Ruler of the Universe! We reverently invoke Thy blessing at this time. Wilt Thou bepleased to grant that this meeting, thus begun in order, may be conducted in peace and closed inharmony. Amen.

ALL - So mote it be.

WM - I now declare this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons to be duly opened, requiring allherein assembled to conduct themselves with due order and propriety during the time the samemay remain open. Brother Junior Deacon, inform the Tyler that the Lodge is now opened on thefirst degree of Masonry.

JD - (Takes rod, goes to door, puts rod in left hand, and gives three knocks with right hand, waits for Tylers

+ + +; opens door with right hand, takes one step back, rod at attention). Brother Tyler, the Lodge isnow opened on the first degree of Masonry. (Closes door with right hand, goes to his place, rod atattention)

WM - + (Senior Warden erects column. All sit down; Senior Deacon goes to his place and puts rod in

stand. Junior Deacon also puts rod in stand)

- - - - - -

JD SIGN Worshipful Master, there are several brethren who desire admission.

WM Admit them if properly clothed and vouched for.

- - - - - -

WM Brethren, this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons has convened for the purpose ofexamining Brother A.B. as to his proficiency in the lecture of this degree. Brother A.B. (rises), areyou prepared for examination?

CDT SIGN I am, Worshipful.

WM Brother Senior Deacon, place chairs in the South (or West or East).Brother CD (rises)willconduct the examination.

SD (Places two chairs facing each other in front of station designated. If a Warden or the Worshipful Master

conducts the examination, place only one chair. Candidate takes seat. Senior Deacon returns to his place).

CD (Sits opposite Candidate and conducts examination as given further on. If Warden or Worshipful Master,remains in station).

- - - - - -

CD SIGN Worshipful Master, the examination is concluded.

WM Brother A.B., be seated among the brethren.


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(The Lodge will be closed if opened on the first degree, raised if on a higher, or called off for congratulations;

and to permit Senior Deacon to conduct the Candidate to anteroom. Candidate should not be sent out of open

Lodge),

- - - - - -

WM - Brethren, this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons has convened for the purpose ofconferring the first degree of Masonry upon Mr. A.B., who at our last (or, at a) stated meeting, wasregularly elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this Lodge. If there be no objection, I willdirect the Marshal to retire and propound the usual interrogations to the Candidate. (Pause).There being none, Brother Marshal (rises),you will retire with the Stewards, and propound theusual interrogations to the Candidate, and if answered in a satisfactory manner, the Stewards(rise)wil l prepare Mr. A.B., to receive the first degree of Masonry.

MRL & STS (Go to Altar, Stewards take rods when Worshipful Master stops speaking. Junior Steward goesdirectly to the Altar, Marshal follows, and last Senior Steward. All face East, salute, right face and proceed to

anteroom door in single file. Junior Deacon without rod opens door without alarm, lets them pass, closes door,returns to place and sits down). (Outside the door, Marshal leads, Stewards abreast and one pace behind, the

Senior on his left, the Junior on the right. Proceed to the anteroom)

MRL -(In the anteroom) Mister A.B., before you can be initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason, itwill be necessary for you to answer in a satisfactory manner the following:

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that unbiased by friends and uninf luenced bymercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself as a candidate for the mysteries ofMasonry?

2. Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you are prompted to solic it the privilegesof Masonry by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire for knowledge, and asincere wish to be serviceable to your fellow creatures?

3. Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you will cheerfully conform to all theancient established usages and customs of the Fraternity?

Having answered these questions satisfactorily, I will now leave you with these gentlemen,who will prepare you to receive the first degree of Masonry. It will be necessary for you to bedivested of all minerals and metals, and so much of your clothing that you will be neither nakednor clad, barefooted nor shod. Satisfactory reasons will be given for these and all things elserequired of you. For the present, it is sufficient to say that you will be asked to submit to noth ing,except what all persons who have preceded you have been required to submit to. (Returns to Lodgeroom, without alarm, walks along South, left face to Altar). SIGN. Worshipful Master, the usualinterrogations have been propounded to the candidate; he has answered them in a satisfactorymanner and the Stewards are now preparing Mister A.B. to receive the first degree of Masonry.(Marshall, right face, walks along South to his place and sits down).

WM. - The Brethren may consider themselves free from restraint until the sound o f the gavel

in the East. + (Senior Wardens column down, Junior Wardens column up).

(Stewards conduct Candidate to the preparation room and prepare him to receive the first degree. Senior

Steward gives suit to candidate and tells him to put it on after removing all his clothing. Then leaves the Candidate

alone. When Stewards return they complete the preparation of the Candidate)


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(Candidate is taken to the door of the preparation room, the Senior Steward on the North, the Junior Steward

on the South, the three standing abreast. Candidate is caused to give three distinct knocks with the knuckles of his

right hand)

- - - - - -

CDT - (In preparation room). +++

(Senior Wardens column up, Junior Wardens column down).

WM - +

SD (Rises but does not take rod) SIGN. Worshipful Master, there is an alarm at the door of thepreparation room.

WM. Brother Senior Deacon, ascertain the cause of the alarm.

SD (Takes rod and goes to door of preparation room. Places rod in left hand at attention, gives three knocks

on the door with knuckles of right hand, and opens the door with the right; with rod in right hand takes three steps

back and places rod at attention). Who comes here?

(The Stewards and Candidate stand abreast. Senior Steward on North, Junior Steward on South).

SSTD - A poor blind candidate, who desires to be brought from darkness to light, to receiveand have a part of the rights and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge erected to God anddedicated to the Holy Saints John, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this waybefore.

SD - Is this o f your own free will and accord?

CDT - It is .

SD - Is he duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified?

SSTD - He is.

SD - Of lawful age and properly vouched for?

SSTD - He is.

SD - Who vouches for him?

SSTD - I do.

SD - By what further right does he expect to gain admission into a lodge of Free and AcceptedMasons?

SSTD - By being a man, free born, under the tongue of good report and coming wellrecommended.

SD - It is well. You will await a time with patience until the Worshipful Master in the East isinformed of your request and his answer returned. (Steps toward door, closes it with right hand, turnsaround to right, walks along North, right face to Altar, rod at attention)

WM Brother Senior Deacon, who occasioned the alarm at the door o f the preparation room?


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SD -SIGN. A poor bl ind Candidate, who desires to be brought from darkness to light, toreceive and have a part of the rights and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge erected to God and

dedicated to the Holy Saints John, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this waybefore.

WM - Is it of his own free will and accord?

SD - It is .

WM - Is he duly and tru ly prepared, worthy and well qualified?

SD - He is.

WM - Of lawful age and properly vouched for?

SD - He is.

WM - Who vouches for him?

SD - A brother.

WM - By what further right does he expect to gain admission into a Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons?

SD - By being a man, free born, under the tongue of good report and coming wellrecommended.

WM - It is well. Admit the candidate, (Senior Deacon left face, walks along North, right face, stops infront of East, rod at attention, facing Worshipful Master, who rises, takes instrument and holds it in right hand)and

receive him upon the point of this sharp instrument, piercing his naked left breast, which is toteach him that as this instrument is a torture to the flesh, so may the recollection be to his mindand consc ience, should he ever preserved to reveal any of the secrets of Freemasonry unlawfully.(Hands instrument to Senior Deacon, who advances, rod in pass, receives instrument with right hand, backs to

where he was standing, rod to right hand at attention. Worshipful Master sits down). Let him enter.

SD (Right face, walks along South, right face along West, walks to door of preparation room, opens doorwith right hand without knocking but with noise to call attention of Stewards; takes three steps back, transfers rod to

left and holds instrument in right hand). It is the Order of the Worshipful Master that the Candidate beadmitted; you w ill therefore let him enter (Junior Steward conducts the Candidate towards Senior Deacon.Senior Steward closes door and steps abreast with Junior Steward. Senior Deacon stops Candidate with

instrument in right hand). On your first admission into a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, youare received upon the point of a sharp instrument, piercing your naked left breast, which is to

teach you that as this instrument is a torture to the flesh, so may the recollection be to your mindand conscience, should you ever persist to reveal any of the secrets of Freemasonry unlawfully.(Hands instrument to Senior Steward, Senior Deacon takes Candidates right arm with left hand, rod in right,

conducts Candidate to Northwest corner of pavement, then along West to center, facing East, one step to right,

one forward and faces North, rod at attention. Stewards follow and stop three paces before reaching northwest

corner of pavement, rod at attention). No man should ever enter upon any great or importantundertaking without first invoking the blessing of God; you will therefore kneel for the benefit ofprayer. (Places left hand on Candidate's head)

WM - + + + (Removes hat but does not rise)


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SD (Recites the following)

PRAYER

Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention, andgrant that this candidate for Freemasonry may dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, andbecome a true and faithful brother among us. Endue him with a competency of Thy DivineWisdom, that, by the influence of the pure principles of Freemasonry, he may better be enabled todisplay the beauties of holiness, to the honor of Thy holy name. Amen.

All - So mote it be.

WM (Goes down to candidate by way of south side of Altar and stops in front of Candidate. Places left handon Candidates head after the Senior Deacon has removed his. Removes hat with right, asks aloud). In whom do

you put your trust?

CDT - In God.(Must not prompt Candidate, repeat question if necessary)

WM - Your trust being in God,(replaces hat, takes Candidates right hand with his right, place the leftunder the right elbow) arise, follow your gu ide and fear not what man can do unto you. (Returns to

East by way of north side of Altar and sits) +

SD (Conducts Candidate to Northwest corner of pavement to commence perambulation. Stewards followthree paces behind, stop in front of East. Senior Steward advances, hands instrument with right hand to the

Worshipful Master; backs beside Junior Steward. They then proceed to their places, put rods in stand quietly, and

sit down).

(During perambulation, Worshipful Master removes hat - it may be read or recited by Chaplain standing West

of Altar, facing East, or Worshipful Master, sitting in the East, or may be done by Senior Deacon. One rap as

Candidate passes each station commencing at South).

+ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

+ It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's

beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew thatdescended upon the mountains of Zion;

+ For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.

SD (Conducts Candidate to the South, stops in front of Junior Warden; takes one step to West and one

back, in square; with butt of rod gives) +++

JW - + (Rises and places gavel over left breast). Who comes here?

SD - A poor blind candidate, who desires to be brought from darkness to light, to receive andhave a part of the rights and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge erected to God and dedicated tothe Holy Saints John, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this way before.

JW - Is this o f your own free will and accord?

CDT - It is .

JW - Is he duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified?


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SD - He is.

JW - Of lawful age and properly vouched for?

SD - He is.

JW - Who vouches for him?

SD - I do.

JW - By what further right does he expect to obtain this favor?


JW - It is well. It is my direction that you conduct the candidate to the Senior Warden in theWest for his examination. (Senior Deacon does not move until Junior Warden is seated)

SD(Conducts Candidate to the West, stops in front of Senior Warden, takes one step to North and one back,in square; with butt of rod gives)+++

SW +(Rises and places gavel over left breast). Who comes here?

SD - A poor blind Candidate, who desires to be brought from darkness to light, to receive andhave a part of the rights and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge erected to God and dedicated tothe Holy Saints John, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this way before.

SW - Is this o f your own free will and accord?

CDT - It is .

SW - Is he duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified?

SD - He is.

SW - Of lawful age and properly vouched for?

SD - He is.

SW - Who vouches for him?

SD - I do.

SW - By what further right does he expect to obtain this favor?


SW - It is well. It is my direction that you conduct the Candidate to the Worship ful Master inthe East for further examination. (Senior Deacon does not moveuntil the Senior Warden takes seat).

SD-(Conducts Candidate to the East; stops infront of Worshipful Master, takes one step South and one back,in square; with butt of rod gives) + + +

WM - + (Does not rise). Who comes here?


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SD - A poor blind candidate, who desires to be brought f rom darkness to light, to receive andhave a part of the rights and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge erected to God and dedicated to

the Holy Saints John, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this way before.

WM - Is this o f your own free will and accord?

CDT - It is .

WM - Is he duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified?

SD - He is.

WM - Of lawful age and properly vouched for?

SD - He is.

WM - Who vouches for him?

SD - I do.

WM - By what further right does he expect to obtain this favor?


WM - It is well. Reconduct the candidate to the Senior Warden in the West, who wi ll teach himto advance by one regular step, his feet forming a right angle, body erect, facing the East.

SD -(Conducts Candidate along South. When one step West of Altar right face to center; turns so as

to face West and stops; takes one step to North, rod at attention). Brother Senior Warden (rises),it is theOrder of the Worshipful Master that you teach the Candidate to advance by one regular step, hisfeet forming a right angle, body erect, facing the East.

SW -(Comes down, turns candidate about face so as to face East, steps to Southwest corner of Altar and facescandidate. The Junior Deacon takes rod, goes towards the Altar with Senior Warden, and stands in line with the

Senior Deacon. Deacons do not advance with Candidate). Take one step with your naked left foot andbring the heel of the right to the hollow of the left, your feet forming a right angle, (steps behind theCandidate)body erect, facing the East.(Takes one step to the right behind the Candidate)SIGN. WorshipfulMaster, the Candidate is in order.(Then returns behind Candidate)

WM - Before proceeding any further with the ceremonies of this degree, it will be necessaryfor you to take an obligation, by which you will bind yourself to keep inviolate all the mysteries of

Freemasonry appertaining to the degree of Entered Apprentice Mason. This obligation w ill not, Iassure you, interfere with the duties you owe to (uncovers)God, your country, your neighbor oryourself; it appertains to Freemasonry alone. With this assurance on my part, are you willing toproceed?

CDT - I am.

WM - Then Brother Senior Warden(does not leave position), place the Candidate at the Altar indue form, to take the solemn obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason, by causing him tokneel on his naked left knee, his right forming an angle of a square, body erect within a


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square, his left hand supporting, his right resting upon the Holy Bible, square and compasses.(Deacons cross rods but remain where standing)

SW -

(Advances, places Candidate's hands on the edge of the Altar). Kneel on your naked left knee,your right forming the angle of a square, body erect within a square (Deacons take one step forward,hold rods over candidate in form of a square),your left hand support ing, your right resting upon the Holy

Bible, square and compasses. (Takes one step back) SIGN. Worshipful Master, the Candidate is indue form.

WM - + + +(Lights out except lesser lights).

ALL - (Form parallel lines from Altar to East).

WM - (Comes down and goes towards the Altar; stops for an instant one step from it. The Worshipful Masterand Wardens advance as Entered Apprentice Masons forming an equilateral triangle). Say I, pronounce yourname in full , A.B., and in an audible tone of vo ice repeat after me:

OBLIGATION

Of my own free will and accord, in the presence of (removeshat)God at this worshipful Lodgeof Free and Accepted Masons erected to Him and dedicated to the Holy Saints John, do hereby(kneels)and hereon (places right hand on candidates right hand),solemnly and sincerely promise andswear, that I will always hele, forever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts, parts orpoints of the hidden mysteries of Freemasonry, appertaining to the degree of Entered ApprenticeMason, to any person under the canopy of heaven, except it be to a true and lawful brother Mason,or within the body of a just and legally constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, andneither unto him nor them, until by s trict trial, due examination, or legal information, I shall havefound him or them to be as lawfully entitled to the same as I am myself.

I further promise and swear that I will not write, indite, print, cut, carve, hack, hew, etch, letteror engrave the same, upon anything movable or immovable, whereby and whereon the least letter,figure or character might be legible or intelligible to me or to any other person under the wholecanopy of heaven, whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be unlawfully communicated.

To all these, I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and steadypurpose to perform the same, without equivocation, mental reservation or secret evasion of mindin me whatsoever, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut fromear to ear, my tongue taken out by its root, and buried in the rough sands of the sea, a cablelength from shore, where the tide regularly ebbs and f lows.

So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due observance of this, my so lemn obligationas an Entered Apprentice Mason.

WM - (Rises and puts on hat) Detach your hands, (Deacons detach rods and at attention)bow yourhead, and in token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible, upon which you have been obligated.(Done).Brother Senior Warden, release the Candidate from the cable tow, it being once around hisneck which is to s ignify to h im that he is now bound to the Fraternity by a stronger tie.(Done).

WM - Being in a condition of darkness, what do you most desire?

CDT - (Senior Warden prompts if necessary).Light.


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WM - Brethren, assist me(all place hands as in due guard of Entered Apprentice Mason )in bringingthe candidate from darkness to see the light by which Masons work. (Worshipful Master about faceand midway between East and Altar, turns facing the Candidate. Removes hat while reciting the following

passage):

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was withoutform and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Godmoved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and there was light .

(Replaces hat, goes to Altar while repeating next sentence, and so time steps as to reach near the Altar as the

word I is uttered, pointing to great lights with right hand). In humble commemoration of that augustevent, I now masonically say: Let there be light (All clap once).

WM - The first objects presented to your view, on being brought from darkness, are the threegreat lights of Freemasonry, the Holy Bible, square and compasses. The Holy Bible is given to usas the rule and guide of our faith; the square to square our actions; and the compasses tocircumscribe our desires and keep our passions within due bounds towards all mankind.

Thus you are the better enabled to observe by aid of (points) three lesser lights representingthe Sun, Moon and Master of the Lodge. As the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night,so should the Worshipful Master endeavor, with equal regularity, to rule and govern the lodgeover which he is called to preside. (Worshipful Master goes to East about face and midway between East andAltar turns facing Candidate. - Lights on.)You now observe me as Master of the lodge approaching youfrom the East, under the dueguard and sign of an Entered Apprentice Mason.(Advances as EnteredApprentice Mason and gives dueguard and sign).Entered Apprentice Masons are taught to advance withthe left foot (advances)and bring the heel of the right to the hollow of the left, (does it), their feetforming a right angle. This is the dueguard (gives it),and alludes to the position in which yourhands were placed when you took the solemn obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason, andthis is the Sign (gives it), and alludes to the penalty of your obligation, that of having your throatcut from ear to ear, your tongue taken out by its root, and buried in the rough sands of the sea, a

cable length from shore, where the tide regularly ebbs and f lows. (Steps to north of Altar).

I now take pleasure in presenting to you my right hand, in token of friendship and brotherlylove, and will invest you with the grip and word of th is degree. This, I will do by aid of the SeniorWarden for your benefit. Brother Senior, attend. (Senior Warden takes one step to north and one forward.Senior Deacon steps back, turns right and goes to right side of Candidate in line with Junior Deacon)

WM - I hele.

SW - I conceal.

WM - What do you conceal?

SW - All the secrets of Freemasonry, except it be to a true and lawful brother of this degree,or within the body of a just and legally constituted lodge.

WM - What is this?

SW - A grip .

WM - A grip of what?

SW - The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason.

WM - Has it a name?


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SW - It has.

WM - Give it to me.

SW - I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

WM - What will you do with it?

SW - I will letter it with you.

WM - Begin.

SW - No, you begin.

WM Nay, begin you.

SW - (Begins).II; I; III; IV. I-II; III-IV. I-II-III-IV.

WM - The word is right. I greet you, my brother. Arise, go (Senior Deacon takes Candidate with theleft hand) and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as an Entered Apprentice Mason. (Bows toJunior Warden, then to Senior Warden and returns with Wardens to stations)+

SD - (Conducts candidate directly to South and instructs him by setting example)Advance as an EnteredApprent ice Mason by taking one step wi th your lef t foot and br ing the heel of the right to thehollow of the left, your feet forming a right angle; give the dueguard, drop the left hand, and makethe SIGN thus.

JW - (Does not rise or return the SIGN; merely nods)

SD - (Conducts candidate toward the West by way of South).Do the same.

SW - (Does not rise or return the SIGN; merely nods)

SD - (Conducts candidate towards the East by way of North and stops three feet west of the Altar)

WM - Brother Junior Warden (rises),is the work right in the South?

JW - SIGN. Right in the South, Worshipfu l (Sits down).

WM - Brother Senior Warden, (rises)is the work right in the West?

SW - SIGN. Right in the West, Worshipful (Sits down).

WM - (Rises) I now take pleasure in presenting to you this lambskin or wh ite leather apron.

LAMBSKIN APRON

It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleeceor the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any distinction that can beconferred upon you, at this or any future period, by King, Prince, Potentate or any other person,and which it is hoped you w ill wear with pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity.

(OPTIONAL) It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than theGolden Fleece or the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any distinction


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that may be conferred upon you, at this or any future period by King, Prince, Potentate or anyother person.

It may be that in the coming years, upon your head shall rest the laurel wreath of victory,upon your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of an eastern potentate; nay more thanthese, with light added to the coming light, your ambitious feet may tread round after round theladder that leads to fame in our mystic ci rcle and even the purple of our Fraternity may rest uponyour honored shoulder. But never again from mortal hands, never again until yourenfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the pearly gates shall any honorso distinguished, so emblematical of purity and all perfection, be bestowed upon you as thiswhich I now confer. It is yours your name is written upon it yours to wear throughout anhonorable life and at your death to be placed upon the coffin which shall contain your earthlyremains and with them laid beneath the silent c lods o f the valley.

Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of an emblematical orunblemished puri ty of life and rectitude of conduct, a never-ending argument for nobler deeds, forhigher thoughts, for purer actions, and for greater achievements. And when at last your wearyfeet shall have come to the end of their toilsome journey, and from your nerveless grasp shalldrop forever the working tools of life, may the record of your life and actions be as pure andspotless as this fair emblem which I now place in your hands (hands it). And when your tremblingsoul shall stand naked and alone before the Great White Throne, there to receive judgment fo r thedeeds done while in the body, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sitteth as the JudgeSupreme, the welcome words, Well done, Thou good and faithful servant: enter Thou into the joyof Thy Lord.

It is hoped, my Brother, that you will wear that apron with pleasure to yourself and honor tothe Fraternity.

CDT (Accompanied by the Senior Deacon, advances, receives the apron, backs to former position)

WM (Sits down). You will now be reconducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who willteach you to wear your apron as an Entered Apprentice Mason.

SD - (Conducts Candidate towards the West by way of South; when one step West of Altar, right face to center,left face and advances towards West to within three feet of border of pavement, in front of Senior Wardens station,

and stops; takes one step to North but not back; places rod at attention) Brother Senior Warden (rises), it isthe Order of the Worshipful Master that you teach the Candidate to wear his apron as an Entered

Apprent ice Mason.

SW - (Comes down, walks to Candidate, takes apron from him and ties it). Masonic tradition informs usthat at the building of King Solomon's Temple the crafts were distinguished by the manner inwhich they wore their aprons. Entered Apprentices, being bearers of burden, wore theirs with thetop turned up (illustrates), to protect their clothing from becoming soiled. As an Entered

Apprent ice Mason, you wi ll thus wear yours. (Returns to station). You will now be reconducted tothe Worshipful Master in the East for further instructions (sits down).

SD - (Conducts Candidate to East by way of North, stops in front of Worshipful Master, takes one step toSouth and one back rod at attention).

WM - (Rises). Having the pleasure of seeing you for the first time clad in the habiliments of aMason, I now present to you the working tools o f this degree. They are the twenty four inch gaugeand the common gavel.


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THE TWENTY- FOUR INCH GAUGE

Is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to measure and lay out their work. But we,

as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glor iouspurpose of dividing our time. It, being divided into twenty four equal parts, is emblematic of thetwenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three parts, whereby we find apart for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother; a part for our usual vocations;and a part for refreshment and repose.

THE COMMON GAVEL

Is an instrument used by operative Masons to break off the rough and superfluous parts ofstones, the better to fit them for the builders use. But we, as Free and Accepted Masons, aretaught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts andconsc iences of all the vices and superfluities of life; thereby fitting our minds, as livingstones for that spiritual bu ilding, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

WM -(Sits down). It has been the custom among the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masonsfrom time immemorial, at the initiation of a candidate, to demand that he deposit some mineral ormetallic substance not for its intrinsi c value but that it may be placed in the archives of the Lodgeas testimony that he was then and there made a Mason. I now make this demand of you. Will youmake such a deposit?

CDT - I wil l.

WM - Anything you may leave about you, of a mineral or metallic nature, which you candeposit with our Bro ther, the Secretary?

CDT - I have noth ing.

WM - Do you find yourself entirely destitute?

CDT - I do.

WM - So I expected to find you. Had it been otherwise, you would not have been duly andtruly prepared. Nor was this demand made to trifle with your person or feelings, but to teachyou an important lesson, that should you ever meet a friend, particularly a worthy brother Mason,in as destitute a condition as that in which you now stand, it will be your indispensable duty torelieve him so far as you can do so, without serious in jury to you rself.

You will now be reconducted to the place whence you came, invested with that of which youwere divested, and in due time return to the Lodge.

SD - (Conducts Candidate to Altar by way of South. Stewards rise and take rods when Senior Deacon turns.Junior Steward goes directly to Altar, Senior Deacon with Candidate following, Senior Steward last. All face East,

advance as Entered Apprentice Masons, and with rods at slant give the SIGN. Then rods at attention).

WM - That SIGN,my Brother, you will give on entering and retiring from a Lodge of EnteredApprent ice Masons, and when addressing the Worshipful Master in the East.

SD, STDs & CDT - (Left face and go to preparation room in following order: Junior Steward, SeniorDeacon with Candidate, and Senior Steward). (Junior Steward opens door with right hand, Senior Steward takes

Candidate, Senior Deacon closes door with right hand, goes to place, puts rod in stand, and sits down).


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WM - The Brethren may considerthemselves free from restraint until the sound o f the gavel inthe East.

- - - - - -

LECTURE

CDT - (In preparation room + + +with knuckles of right hand at the door)

WM +

SD - (Rises but does not take rod) SIGN. Worshipful Master, there is an alarm at the door of thepreparation room.

WM - Brother Senior Deacon, ascertain the cause of the alarm.

SD - (Takes rod and goes to door of preparation room. Places rod in left hand, gives + + + on door withknuckles of right hand, and opens door with right; with rod in right hand takes three steps back and places rod atattention). Who comes here?

(The Stewards and Candidate stand abreast, rods at attention. Senior Steward on North of Candidate, Junior

Steward on South).

SSTD - Our newly obligated brother desires admission.

SD - (Without closing door, turns around facing East, salutes, places rod at attention). Worshipful Master,our newly obligated brother desires admission.

WM - Admit him, conduct him to the North-east corner of the Lodge and place him on the firststep of a Mason.

(The Junior Steward conducts candidate towards Senior Deacon, who takes him by the right arm. Senior

Steward closes door and steps abreast of Junior Steward. They return to places by way of West. Senior Deacon

conducts candidate to Northeast corner; asks candidate to advance as Entered Apprentice Mason and give SIGN;

Senior Deacon goes back to place, puts rod in stand, sits down)

WM (Rises) My Brother, you there stand a just and upright Mason, and as such I give it to youstrictly in charge, ever to walk and act. There is a lecture appertaining to thi s degree, which ,when you are seated in a chair provided for you, I will proceed to give. (Or, I will request BrotherC.D. to give it) (Worshipful Master stands).

SD - (Places chair in East, near Northeast of Altar).

WM - (Or some qualified Brother designated by him, stands in front of Candidate facing him). My Brother,the lecture for the Entered Apprentice Mason degree is d ivided into three sections, the first, beinga recapitulation of the ceremonies through which you have just passed, will be omitted.

The second rationally explains why you were caused to submit to the various forms andceremonies made use of during your initiation.

You were divested of all minerals and metals for two reasons. First, that you might bringnothing offensive or defensive into the Lodge, whereby its peace and harmony might bedisturbed; secondly, at the building of King Solomons Temple there was not heard the sound ofax, hammer, or any tool of iron, that stupendous edifice having been erected in the followingmanner: the stones were hewn, squared, marked and numbered in the quarries whence they were


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raised; the timbers were felled and prepared in the forest of Lebanon, transported on floats by seato Joppa, and thence conveyed by land to Jerusalem, where they were put together by aid ofwooden mauls prepared for the purpose; and, when the whole building was completed, its several

parts fitted with such exact nicety, that it had more the appearance of the handiwork of theSupreme Architect of the Universe, than that of human hands.

You were neither naked nor clad, because Masonry regards no man on account of his worldlywealth or honors. It was to signify to you that it is the internal and not the external qualificationswhich recommend a man to be made a Mason.

You were neither barefooted nor shod, in allusion to an ancient Israelic custom, adoptedamong Masons. Concerning redeeming and changing, we read in the book of Ruth, that toconfirm all things, a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor; this was testimony inIsrael. This, therefore, we do, when on solemn occasions like this, we do to testify in thestrongest manner possible, to the sincerity of our intentions in the business in which we areengaged.

You were hoodwinked and a cable-tow was placed around your neck for several reasons, firstthat your heart might be taught to conceive, before your eyes behold the beauties ofFreemasonry; secondly, as you were in darkness at that time, it was to signify to you that youshould so keep the whole world regarding the mysteries of Freemasonry, except him or them whoare as lawfully entitled to the same as you yourself were then about to become; and lastly, hadyou proven refractory and refused to conform to the ceremonies of your initiation, therebyrendering yourself unworthy to be taken by the hand as a brother, you might , by aid of the cable-tow around your neck, have been led out of the Lodge without even beholding the form thereof.

You were caused to give three distinct knocks at the door, to alarm the Lodge and inform theWorshipful Master that a candidate was prepared for initiation. Those knocks allude to a passageof scriptu re, wherein it is written: ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,and it shall be opened unto you. This passage was applicable to your situation at the time in the

following manner: you asked the recommendation of a friend to be made a Mason; that requestwas granted and you sought admission; you knocked, and the door of Freemasonry was openedunto you.

You were received upon the point of a sharp instrument, piercing your naked left breast, forreasons which were at that time explained to you. You were conducted to the center of the Lodgeand caused to kneel for the benefit of prayer, because no man should ever enter upon any great orimportant undertaking without first invoking the blessing of God.

You were asked in whom you put your trust, it being necessary that you should express abelief in the Supreme Being, otherwise no obligation would be considered binding upon you; forbe it known unto you, my bro ther, no atheist can ever be made a Mason.

You were taken by the righ t hand, told to arise, follow your gu ide and fear not what man coulddo unto you, being at that time when you cou ld neither foresee nor avoid danger, it was to sign ifyto you that you were then in the hands of a true and trustwor thy friend, in whose fidelity youcould with the utmost conf idence rely.

You were conducted once around the Lodge, that the Worshipful Master and brethren mightsee that you were duly and tru ly prepared.

You were caused to stop at the South, West and East stations, because at the building ofKing Solomon's Temple, guards were placed at the South, West and East entrances, who sufferednone to pass except such as were duly qualified and had permission.


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You were caused to kneel at the Altar on your naked left knee, and not on your r ight or both,because the left has always been considered the weaker side of man. It was to signify to you thatit was the weaker part of Masonry you were then entering upon, it being that of the degree of

Entered Apprentice only.

Your right hand was placed upon the Holy Bible, square and compasses, and not your left o rboth, because the right hand has always been considered the seat of fidelity. The ancientsworshipped the Deity under the name of Fides, sometimes represented by two human figuresholding each other by the right hand, at others, by two right hands joined. The right hand,therefore, we make use of as a pledge of our fidelity, thereby renouncing our own wills in allthings appertaining to Freemasonry and becoming obedient to the rules and regulations of ourancient and honorable Fraternity.

You were presented with a lambskin apron, because the Lamb, in all ages, has been deemedan emblem of innocence. He, therefore, who wears the lambskin as the badge of a Mason, iscontinually reminded of that purity of life and conduct so essentially necessary to his gainingadmission into the Celestial Lodge above where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

A demand was made that you deposit some mineral or metall ic subs tance, for reasons whichwere at that time explained to you.

You were then reconducted to the place whence you came, invested with that of which youhave been divested, and on your return to the Lodge, you were conducted to the north-east cornerthereof, and placed on the first step of a Mason, because in operative Masonry the first s tone of abuilding, is usually laid in the north-east corner thereof whereupon to erect the futuresuperstructure. You were thus placed, being the youngest Entered Apprentice Mason in theLodge, that you might be near the Worshipful Master in the East, and receive from him thosenecessary instructions whereupon to erect your future moral and Masonic edifice.

This, my brother, concludes the second section of the lecture of this degree.

In the third section we receive instructions relative to the Form, Supports, Covering, Furniture,Ornaments, Lights , and Jewels of a Lodge; how it is situated and to whom dedicated.

A Lodge is a cer tain number of brethren duly assembled, wi th a Holy Bible, a Square andCompasses, and a Charter or Dispensation authorizing them to meet.

A Charter is an inst rument emanat ing f rom a Grand Lodge, and, in th is Jurisdiction, signed bythe Grand Master and Grand Secretary, authorizing certain brethren therein named, when dulyassembled, to Initiate, Pass, and Raise all good men and true who may apply for the purpose andwhom they may find worthy. A Dispensation is a like instrument, issued by the Grand Masterduring the recess of the Grand Lodge, which, for a limited period, confers sim ilar powers.

Our ancient brethren assembled on the highest hills and in the lowest vales, the better toobserve the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers.

The Form of a Lodge is oblong. It extends from east to west and from nor th to south , and it issaid to be thus extensive to denote the universality of Masonry and to teach us that a Masonscharity should be equally extensive; for in every country and in every clime are Masons to befound.

A Lodge i s metaphor ically said to be suppor ted by three great pi llars, denominated Wisdom,Strength, and Beauty; it being necessary that there should be wisdom to contrive, strength tosuppor t, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings. These pillars are representedin the Lodge by the Worshipful Master, and the Senior and Junior Wardens.


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The Covering of a Lodge is no less than the clouded canopy or star-decked heaven where allgood Masons hope at last to arrive by aid of that theological ladder which Jacob, in his visionsaw, reaching from earth to heaven--- the three principal rounds of which are denominated Faith,

Hope, and Charity; which admonish us to have faith in God, hope of immortality, and charity for allmankind. The greatest of these is Charity; fo r our Faith may be lost in sight, Hope ends in fru ition,but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity.

Every regular Lodge is furnished with a Holy Bib le, Square and Compasses.

The Holy Bible is dedicated to God, it being his i nestimable gift to man as the rule and guideof his faith; and upon it always, regular Masons have been obligated; the Square to the Master,because it is the proper Masonic emblem of his office; and the Compasses to the Craft, for, bydue attention to its use, we are taught to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions withindue bounds toward all mankind.

The Ornamentsof a Lodge are the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel and the Blazing Star.The Mosaic Pavement is a representation of the ground floor of King Solomons Temple, and isemblematic of human life, checkered with good and evil. The Indented Tessel is a representationof the beautiful tessellated border or skirting which surrounded the pavement, and is emblematicof the manifold blessings and comforts which surround us, and which we hope to enjoy by afaithful reliance upon Divine Providence, hieroglyphically represented by the Blazing Star in thecenter.

The Lights of a Lodge are three, situated in the East, West and South . As you may observe,there is none in the North, because King Solomons Temple, of which every Lodge is arepresentation, was situated so far north of the Ecliptic that neither the Sun nor Moon, at meridianheight, could dart its rays into the north part of the building. The North, therefore, among Masons,has always been termed a place of darkness.

The Jewels of a Lodge are six, three immovable and three movable. The Immovable Jewels

are the Square, the Level, and the Plumb; and they are termed immovable because they are thejewels of the three pr incipal of ficers of the Lodge, the Worshipful Master and the Senior andJunior Wardens, who are always stationed in the East, West, and South. The Square denotesmorality, the Level equality, and the Plumb rectitude of life.

The Movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar and the Trestle Board. TheRough Ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state. The Perfect Ashlaris a stone made ready by the hands of the workman, to be adjusted by the working tools of theFellow Craft. The Trestle Board is for the Master Workman to draw his designs upon.

By the Rough Ash lar we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature; by thePerfect Ashlar, of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, ourown endeavors and the blessings of God; and by the Trestle Board we are reminded that , as the

operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down bythe Master on his Trestle Board, so should we, both operative and speculative, endeavor to erectour spirit ual building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the Supreme Architect ofthe Universe in the great book of nature and revelation, which is our spiritual, moral, and MasonicTrestle Board.

Lodges are situated due East and West because Moses, after having been instrumental inconducting the children of Israel through the Red Sea when pursued by Pharaoh and his hosts, bydivine command erected a tabernacle which he placed due east and west, to commemorate themighty east wind by which their miraculous deliverance was wrought. This tabernacle was anexact model for King Solomons Temple, for which reason all Masonic Lodges are, or should be,situated due east and west.


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Lodges were anciently dedicated to King Solomon, as it is said that he was our first MostExcellent Grand Master. Lodges at present time are dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and SaintJohn the Evangelist, who were two eminent patrons of Masonry; and since their time there is, or

should be, represented in every regular Lodge a certain point within a circle---the pointrepresenting an individual brother, and the circle the boundary line of his conduct, beyond whichhe should never suffer his passions, his prejudices, or his interests to betray him. This circle issupported by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing Saint John the Baptist and Saint Johnthe Evangelist, and on its top rest the Holy Writings. In tracing its circumference we necessarilytouch upon the parallel and also upon the Holy Bible; and while a Mason keeps himself thuscircumscribed, it is impossible that he can materially err.

The three principal tenets o f Masonry are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

BROTHERLY LOVE

By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human species as onefamily, - the high and the low, the rich and the poor, - who, as created by one Almighty Parent, andinhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect each other. On this principleMasonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion; and causes true friendship to existamong those who might o therwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

RELIEF

To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly in Masons, who arelinked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, tosympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to theirtrobled minds , is the great aim we are in view. On this basis we form our friendsh ips and establishour connections.

TRUTH

Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To good and true is the firstlesson we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate; and by its d ictates endeavor toregulate our conduct . Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknownamong us; sincerity and plain dealings distinguish us;and with heart and tongue, we join inpromoting each others welfare and rejoicing each others prosperity. Masons makes themselvesknown by certain Signs, a Token, a Word and the Perfect Points of Entrance. Signs (givesdueguard) right angle,horizontal and perpendicular, a Token(gives grip) is a firm grip whereby onebrother may know another in the dark as well in the light; a Word(gives word) is the name of thetoken. These were explain to you at the altar but the Perfect Pointsof Entrance were not. These arethe Gotteral, Pectoral, Manual and Pedal which exemplified by the Four Cardinal Virtues:Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice.

TEMPERANCE

Is that due restraint upon the affections and passions which renders our body tame andgovernable, and frees our mind from the allurements of vice. This virtue should be the constantpractice of every Mason, as he is thereby taught to avoid excess or the contracting of anylicentious or vicious habits, the indulgence in which might lead him to disclose some of thosevaluable secrets which he has promised to conceal and never reveal, which would consequentlysubject him to the contempt and detastation of all good Masons @ the penalty of your Obligation,that of your having throat cut from ear to ear, which is the Goterral, or the first perctect points ofentrance.


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FORTITUDE

Is that noble and steady purpose of the mind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain,

peril, or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. This virtue is equally distant from rashnessand cowardice, and, like the former virtue, should be deeply impressed upon the mind of everyMason, as a safeguard or security against any illegal attempt which may be made, by force orotherwise, to extort from him any of those valuable secrets with which he has been so solemnlyentrusted, and which was emblematically represented on his fir st admission into the Lodge, whenyou were received upon the point of a sharp instrument, piercing your naked left breast, which isthe pectoral, or second perfect point of entrance.

PRUDENCE

Teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is thatfaculty by which we wisely judge and prudentially determine on all things relative to our present,as well as our future happiness. This virtue should be the peculiar characteristic of every Mason,not only for the government of his conduct while in the Lodge, but also when abroad in the world.He should be particularly careful, in all strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the leastsign, token, or word, whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be unlawfully obtained; everremembering the solemn obligation you took at the Altar, your left hand support ing, your righthand resting upon the Holy Bible, square and compasses, which is the manual or third perfectpoint of entrance.

JUSTICE

Is that standard or boundary of right wh ich enables us to render unto every man his just due,without distinct ion. This virtue is not only consistent with divine and human laws, but is thevery cement and support of civil society; and as justice in a great measure constitutes the reallygood man, so should it be the invariable practice of every Mason never to deviate from theminutest principles thereof; ever bearing in mind the solemn injunction you received from the

Worshipful Master, ever to walk and act as a just and upright Mason, when on your return to theLodge you were conducted to the northeast corner thereof, and placed on the first step of aMason, which is the pedal, or fourth perfect point o f entrance.

Our ancient brethren served their master with freedom, fervency and zeal, emblematicallyrepresented by chalk, charcoal and clay, there being noth ing frail than chalk, the slightest touchof which will leave a trace behind; nothing more fervent than charcoal, for to it, when properlyignited, the most obdurate metal will yield; and nothing more zealous than clay, our mother earth,which is daily employed for mans use, and which so constantly reminds us that as from it wecame, so to it we must return.

This my brother, concludes the lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree. (Lecturer facesWorshipful Master, gives SIGN returns to seat)

- - - - - -

WM - Brother A.B., if you w ill rise, I will deliver to you the charge. (Or, I will request WorshipfulBrother CD to deliver the charge).


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CHARGE

MY BROTHER - Having passed through the ceremonies of your initiation, allow me to

congratulate you on your admission into our ancient and honorable Fraternity. Ancient, ashaving existed from time immemorial; and honorable, as tending to make all men so who arestrictly obedient to its precepts. It is an institution having for its foundation the practice of thesocial and moral virtues; and, to so high an eminence has its c redit been advanced, that, in everyage and country, men preeminent for their moral and intellectual attainments have encouragedand promoted its interests. Nor has it been thought derogatory to their dignity that monarchshave, for a season, exchanged the scepter for the trowel, to patronize our mysteries and join inour assemblies.

As a Mason, you are to regard the volume of the Sacred Law as the great ligh t in yourprofession; to consider it as the unerring standard of truth and justice; and to regulate youractions by the divine precepts it contains. In it you will learn the important duties which you oweto God, your neighbor, and yourself. To God, by never mentioning His name but with that aweand reverence which are due from the creature to his Creator; by imploring His aid in all yourlawful undertakings; and by looking up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support. Toyour neighbor, by acting with him upon the Square; by rendering him every kind office which

just ice or mercy may requi re; by rel ieving his dist resses and soothing his aff lict ions; and bydoing to him as, in similar cases, you would that he should do unto you. And to yourself, by sucha prudent and well-regulated course of discipline as may best conduce to the preservation ofyour corporeal and mental faculties in their fullest energy; thereby enabling you to exert thetalents wherewith God has blest you, as well to His glory as the welfare of your fellow-creatures.

As a ci tizen, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the d ischarge of your civi l du ties, by neverproposing or countenancing any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and goodorder of society; by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live; and bynever losing sight o f the allegiance due to your count ry.

As an individual , you are charged to practice the domest ic and publ ic virtues . Let Temperancechasten, Fortitude support, and Prudence direct you, and let Justice be the guide of all youractions. Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendor, those truly Masonic ornaments

Brother ly Love, Relief and Truth.

Finally: Be faithful to the trust committed to your care, and manifest your fidelity to yourprincip les by a strict observance of the Constitution of the Fraternity; by adhering to the

Ancient Landmarks thereof; and by refusing to recommend any one to a par ticipat ion in ourprivileges, unless you have strong reasons to believe that, by a similar fidelity, he will ultimatelyreflect honor on our ancient Institution .

- - - - - -

WM - You will now be seated among the Brethren (done). Brother AB, before you can bepassed to the degree of Fellowcraft, it will be necessary for you to commit to memory theobligation and a portion of the lecture of this degree. Brother F.D. will be your inst ructor.

(If opened on higher degree, call off for congratulations so candidate may be conducted to ante-room. Senior

Deacon conducts him during recess. Then returns to Lodge. Do not order candidate to leave opened Lodge)


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CLOSING

WM - Brother Senior Warden (rises),have you anything further in the West to bring before this

lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons?

SW - SIGN. Nothing in the West, Worshipful (Sits).

WM Have you anything in the South, Brother Junior?

JW (Rises) SIGN.Nothing in the South, Worshipful (Sits).

WM Is there anything upon your table, Brother Secretary?

SEC - (Rises) SIGN. Nothing, Worship ful(Sits).

WM Has any bro ther anything to offer for the benefit of Masonry in general or this Lodge ofEntered Apprentice Masons in particular? (Any remarks). If not, we will proceed to close. BrotherJunior Deacon,(rises but does not take rod)the last as well as the first and most important care of aLodge of Entered Apprentice Masons when convened?

JD - SIGN. To see that the Lodge is duly tyled, Worshipful.

WM Perform that duty and inform the Tyler that we are about to close this Lodge of EnteredApprent ice Masons and direct him to ty le accordingly.

JD (Takes rod, goes to door, puts rod in left hand, and gives +++with knuckles of his right hand; waits forTylers +++, opens door with right hand, takes one step back, puts rod at attention in right hand). Brother Tyler,we are about to close this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons and it is the order of theWorshipful Master that you tyle accordingly. (Closes door with right hand, returns to his place, rod atattention in right hand). SIGN. Worshipful Master, the Lodge is tyled.

WM How tyled?

JD By a brother Mason without the door, armed with the proper implement of his office.

WM His du ty there?

JD To observe the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers and see that none pass orrepass, without permission of the Worshipful Master in the East. (Places rod in stand, remainsstanding).

WM + + (Only Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, and Senior Deacon rise). Brother

Senior Warden, at the opening of this Lodge you informed me that you were an Entered

Apprent ice Mason made wi th in the body of a just and legally consti tuted Lodge of EnteredApprent ice Masons. How many compose such a Lodge?

SWSIGN. Seven or more, Worshipful.

WM Whence but seven, of whom does it consist?

SW The Worshipfu l Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior andJunior Deacons.

WM The Junior Deacon's p lace in the Lodge?


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SW On the right of the Senior Warden in the West, Worshipful.

WM Your duty, Brother Jun ior?

JD SIGN. To carry messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden inthe South, and elsewhere about the Lodge as directed; attend to all alarms at the door and seethat the Lodge is duly tyled.

WM The Senior Deacons place?

JD On the right of the Worshipful Master in the East, Worshipful.

WM Your duty , Brother Senior?

SD - SIGN. To carry orders from the Worship ful Master in the East to the Senior Warden inthe West, and elsewhere about the Lodge as required; attend to all alarms at the door of thepreparation room, receive and conduct candidates, introduce and accommodate visiting brethren.

WM - The Secretarys place?

SD - On the left of the Worshipful Master in the East, Worshipfu l.

WM Your duty, Brother Secretary?

SEC - SIGN. To observe the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master, keep a true record ofall things prepared to be written, turn a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge when required,receive all monies from the brethren, pay the same to the treasurer and take his receipt therefor.

WM The Treasurers place?

SEC - On the right o f the Worshipful Master in the East, Worshipfu l.

WM Your duty, Brother Treasurer?

TR - SIGN. To receive all monies from the hands of the Secretary, keep a just and accurateaccount thereof, and pay the same out, by order of the Worshipful Master, with the consent of theLodge.

WM - The Junior Wardens station?

TR In the South, Worshipful.

WM Your duty in the South, Brother Junior?

JW - SIGN. As the sun at meridian height is the beauty and glory of the day, so stands theJunior Warden in the South, the better to observe the time, to call the crafts from labor torefreshment, and from refreshment to labor again, at the will and pleasure of the WorshipfulMaster.

WM - The Senior Wardens station?

JW - In the West, Worshipful.

WM Your duty in the West, Brother Senior?


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SW SIGN. As the sun is in the West at the close of day, so is the Senior Warden in theWest, to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and closing his Lodge, to pay the crafts theirwages, if any be due, that none may go away dissatisfied, harmony being the strength and

support of all societies, especially of ours .

WM - The station of the Worshipful Master?

SW In the East, Worshipful.

WM - And his duty, my Brother?

SW - As the sun rises in the East to open and adorn the day, so rises (Worshipful Master rises)the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern his Lodge, in due time to set the crafts atwork, and give them the necessary instruction whereby they may pursue their labors.

WM - + + +Brother Senior Warden, it is my will and pleasure that this Lodge of Entered

Apprent ice Masons be now closed. Th is you wil l communicate to the Junior in the South that thebrethren may have due noti ce thereof.

SW (Places gavel over left breast) Brother Junior Warden, it is the Order of the WorshipfulMaster that this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons be now closed. This you will report to thebrethren that they may have due notice thereof.

JW - (Places gavel over left breast)Brethren, it is the Order of the Worshipful Master that thisLodge of Entered Apprentice Masons be now closed. Of this take due notice and governyourselves accordingly.

WM - Together, brethren.

All - (Give Dueguard and SIGN of Entered Apprentice Masons.)

WM + SW + JW +

WM (Removes hat; he or the Chaplain offers the following)

PRAYER

Supreme Grand Master! Ruler of Heaven and Earth! Now that we are about to separate andreturn to our respective places of abode, wilt Thou be pleased so to influence our hearts andminds that we may, each one of us, practice out of the Lodge those great moral duties which areinculcated in it, and with reverence study and obey the laws which Thou hast given us in Thy HolyWord. Amen.

All So mote it be.

(All come down to the level, Worshipful Master and the Wardens form a triangle, three steps forward of those

immediately around them).

WM - Brother Senior Warden, how should Masons meet?

SW - (Takes jewel)On the level, Worship ful.


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WM - How act, B rother Junior?

JW - (Takes jewel)By the plumb, Worshipful.

WM (Takes jewel)And part upon the square. So may we ever meet, act and part, my brethren.(Removes hat and recites the following).

BENEDICTION

May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regular Masons! May Brotherly Love prevail,and every moral and social virtue cement us ! Amen.

All - So mote it be.

SD - (Goes to Altar with rod, gives SIGN; puts out light, or waits until lights are extinguished; disarrangesGreat Lights; takes one step to North, rod at attention).

WM I now declare this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons to be duly closed. BrotherJunior Deacon, inform the Tyler that the Lodge is closed.

JD (Takes rod, goes to door, puts rod in left hand, and gives with right hand; waits for Tylers ;opens door with right hand, takes one step back, puts rod at attention) Brother Tyler, the Lodge is closed.

WM - (Goes to his station and raps. Senior Deacon goes to his place and puts rod in stand. Junior Deacondoes likewise).

- - - - - -


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C C

(The examination of an Entered Apprentice may be conducted in a Lodge opened on the first or higher degree.

In the latter case the Lodge must be reconducted down to the first degree and afterwards raised)

(Examiner and Candidate sit facing each other in front of the East, West or South. If the Master or Warden

himself is the examiner he does not come down from his station).

Ex-Whence came you ?

CDT - From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem.

What came you here to do?

To learn to subdue my passion and improve myself in Masonry.

Then you are a Mason, I presume?

I am so taken and accepted among brothers and fellows.

What makes you a Mason?

My obligation.

Where were you made a Mason?

Within the body of a just and legally constituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

How may I know you to be a Mason?

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

What are signs?

Right angle, horizontal and perpendicular.

What is a token?

A certain fr iendly gr ip whereby one brother Mason may know another in the dark as well as inthe light.

What is a word?

The name of the token.

What are the perfect points of entrance?

The guttural, pectoral, manual and pedal and are exemplified by the four cardinal virtues:temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?

In my heart.


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Where next?

In a room or place adjacent to the body of a just and legally constituted Lodge of Free and

Accepted Masons.

How were you prepared?

By being divested of all minerals and metals, neither naked nor clad, barefooted nor shod,hoodwinked and with a cable-tow once around my neck, in which condition I was conducted to adoor by a friend whom I afterward found to be a brother.

Being hoodwinked, how did you know it to be a door?

By first meeting with resistance and afterwards gaining admission.

How gained you admission?

By giving three distinc t knocks on the door from without, which were answered by a likenumber from within, followed by the inquiry : "Who comes here?"

Your answer?

A poor b lind candidate, who desires to be b rought from darkness to light, to receive and havea part of the rights and benefits of this Worshipfu l Lodge erected to God and dedicated to the HolySaints John, as all brothers and fellows have done, who have gone this way before.

What was then asked?

If it was of my own free will and accord, if I was duly and truly prepared, worthy and wellqualified, of lawful age and properly vouched for; all of which being answered in the affirmative, I

was then asked by what further right I expected to gain admission into a Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons.

Your answer?

By being a man, free born, under the tongue of good report and coming well recommended.

What were you then told to do?

To await a time with patience, until the Worshipful Master in the East had been informed ofmy request and his answer returned.

What was his answer?

Let him enter.

On your first admission into a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons how were you received?

Upon the point of a sharp instrument piercing my naked left breast, which was to teach methat as that instrument is a threat to the flesh, so may the recollection be to my mind andconsc ience, should I ever persist to reveal any of the secrets of Freemasonry un lawfully.


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What was then done?

I was conducted to the center of the Lodge, caused to kneel for the benefit of prayer, for noman should ever enter upon any great or important undertaking, without first invoking theblessing of God.

What were you then asked?

In whom I put my trust.

Your answer?

In God. My trust being in God, I was taken by the right hand, told to arise, follow my guideand fear not what man could do unto me.

What was then done?

I was conducted once regularly around the Lodge that the Worshipful Master and brethrenmight see that I was duly and truly prepared, and caused to stop at the South, West and Eaststations, where the same questions were asked and like answers returned as at the door.

What was then done?

I was reconducted to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me to advance by oneregular step, my feet forming a right angle, body erect, facing the East.

What was then said to you?

That before proceeding any further with the ceremonies of this degree, it would be necessary

for me to take an obligation, by which I would bind myself to keep inviolate all the mysteries ofFreemasonry, appertaining to the degree of Entered Apprentice Mason. This obligation, I wasassured, would not interfere with the duties I owe to God, my country, my neighbor or myself; itappertains to Freemasonry alone. With that assurance, I was asked if I was willing to proceed.

Your answer?

I was.

What was then done?

I was made an Entered Apprentice Mason in due form.

What is that due form?

Kneeling at the Altar on my naked left knee, my right forming the angle of a square, body erectwithin a square, my left hand supporting, my right resting upon the Holy Bible, square andcompasses, in which due form I took the solemn obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason.

Repeat the obligation.


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OBLIGATION

Of my own free will and accord, in the presence of God at this worshipful Lodge of Freeand Accepted Masons erected to Him and dedicated to the Holy Saints John, do hereby andhereon solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will always hele, forever conceal, andnever reveal any of the secret arts, parts or points of the hidden mysteries of Freemasonry,appertaining to the degree of Entered Apprentice Mason, to any person under the canopy ofheaven, except it be to a true and lawful brother Mason, or within the body of a just and legallyconstituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and neither unto him nor them, until by stricttrial, due examination, or legal information, I shall have found h im or them to be as lawfullyentitled to the same as I am myself.

I further promise and swear that I will not write, indite, print, cut, carve, hack, hew, etch, letteror engrave the same, upon anything movable or immovable, whereby and whereon the least letter,figure or character might be legible or intelligible to me or to any other person under the wholecanopy of heaven, whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be unlawfully communicated.

To all these, I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and steadypurpose to perform the same, without equivocation, mental reservation or secret evasion of mindin me whatsoever, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of having my throat cut fromear to ear, my tongue taken out by its root, and buried in the rough sands of the sea, a cablelength from shore, where the tide regularly ebbs and f lows.

So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due observance of this, my so lemn obligationas an Entered Apprentice Mason.

What were you then told to do?

Detach my hands, bow my head, and in token of my sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible, upon whichI had been obligated.

Of what were you then released?

The cable-tow, it being once around my neck was to signify to me that I was bound to thefraternity by a stronger tie.

What was then asked you?

Being in a condition of darkness what I most desired.

Your answer?

Light.

Did you receive it and how?

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

On being brought from darkness, what were the first objects presented to your view?

The three great lights of Masonry, the Holy Bible, square and compasses. The Holy Bible isgiven to us as the rule and guide of our faith, the square to square our actions, and thecompasses to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions within due bounds toward all


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mankind. These I was the better enabled to observe by the aid of three lesser lights representingthe sun, moon, and master of the Lodge. As the sun rules the day and the moon governs thenight, so should the Worshipful Master endeavor, with equal regularity, to rule and govern the

Lodge over which he is called to preside.

What did you then observe?

The Worshipful Master approaching me from the East under the dueguard and sign of anEntered Apprentice Mason. He presented me with his right hand, in token of friendship andbrotherly love, and invested me with the grip and word of this degree. Bade me arise, go andsalute the Junior and Senior Wardens as an Entered Apprentice Mason.

What was then done?

I was reconducted to the Worshipful Master in the East, who presented me with a lambskinapron

Repeat apron lecture

LAMBSKIN APRON

It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than the Golden Fleeceor the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any distinction that can beconferred upon you, at this or any future period, by King, Prince, Potentate or any other person,and which it is hoped you w ill wear with pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity.

(OPTIONAL) It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, more ancient than theGolden Fleece or the Roman Eagle, more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any distinctionthat may be conferred upon you, at this or any future period by King, Prince, Potentate or anyother person.

It may be that in the coming years, upon your head shall rest the laurel wreath of victory ,upon your breast may hang jewels fit to grace the diadem of an eastern potentate; nay more thanthese, with light added to the coming light, your ambitious feet may tread round after round theladder that leads to fame in our mystic ci rcle and even the purple of our Fraternity may rest uponyour honored shoulder. But never again from mortal hands, never again until yourenfranchised spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the pearly gates shall any honorso distinguished, so emblematical of purity and all perfection, be bestowed upon you as thiswhich I now confer. It is yours your name is written upon it yours to wear throughout anhonorable life and at your death to be placed upon the coffin which shall contain your earthlyremains and with them laid beneath the silent c lods o f the valley.

Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of an emblematical or

unblemished puri ty of life and rectitude of conduct, a never-ending argument for nobler deeds, forhigher thoughts, for purer actions, and for greater achievements. And when at last your wearyfeet shall have come to the end of their toilsome journey, and from your nerveless grasp shalldrop forever the working tools of life, may the record of your life and actions be as pure andspotless as this fair emblem which I now place in your hands (hands it). And when your tremblingsoul shall stand naked and alone before the Great White Throne, there to receive judgment fo r thedeeds done while in the body, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sitteth as the JudgeSupreme, the welcome words, Well done, Thou good and faithfu

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