One rap calls the Lodge to order; one calls up the Junior and Senior
Deacons; two raps call up the subordinate officers; and three, all the
members of the Lodge.
The Master having called the Lodge to order, and the officers all
seated, the Master says to the Junior Warden, "Brother Junior, are
they all Entered Apprentice Masons in the South?" He answers, "They
are, Worshipful." Master to the Senior Warden, "Brother Senior, are
they all Entered Apprentice Masons in the West?" He answers, "They
are, Worshipful." The Master then says, "They are in the East;" at the
same time he gives a rap with the common gavel, or mallet, which calls
up both Deacons. Master to Junior Deacon, "Attend to that part of your
duty, and inform the Tyler that we are about to open a Lodge of
Entered Apprentice Masons; and direct him to tyle accordingly." The
Tyler then steps to the door and gives three raps, which are answered
by three from without; the Junior Deacon then gives one, which is also
answered by the Tyler with one; the door is then partly opened, and
the Junior Deacon delivers his message and resumes his situation, and
says, "The door is tyled, Worshipful" (at the same time giving the
due-guard, which is never omitted when the Master is addressed). The
Master to the Junior Deacon, "By whom?" He answers, "By a Master Mason
without the door, armed with the proper implements of his office."
Master to the Junior Deacon, "His duty there?" He answers, "To keep
off all cowans and eave-droppers, see that none pass or repass without
permission from the Master." [Some say without permission from the
chair.] Master to Junior Deacon, "Brother Junior, your place in the
Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Senior Warden in the
West." Master to Junior Deacon, "Your business there, Brother Junior?"
He answers, "To wait on the Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as
their proxy in the active duties of the Lodge, and take charge of the
door." Master to Junior Deacon, "The Senior Deacon's place in the
Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the
East." [The Master, while asking the last question, gives two raps,
which call up all the subordinate officers.] Master to Senior Deacon,
"Your duty there, Brother Senior?" He answers, "To wait on the
Worshipful Master and Wardens, act as their proxy in the active duties
of the Lodge, attend to the preparation and introduction of
candidates--and welcome and clothe all visiting brethren." [i.e.,
furnish them with an apron.] Master to Senior Deacon, "The Secretary's
place in the Lodge, Brother Senior?" He answers, "At the left hand of
the Worshipful Master in the East." Master to the Secretary, "Your
duty there, Brother Secretary?" He answers, "The better to observe
the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure, record the proceedings of
the Lodge; transmit a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge, if
required; receive all moneys and money-bills from the hands of the
brethren, pay them over to the Treasurer, and take his receipt for the
same." The Master to the Secretary, "The Treasurer's place in the
Lodge?" He answers, "At the right hand of the Worshipful Master."
Master to the Treasurer, "Your duty there, Brother Treasurer?" He
answers, "Duly to observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure;
receive all moneys and money-bills from the hands of the Secretary;
keep a just and true account of the same; pay them out by order of the
Worshipful Master and consent of the brethren." The Master to the
Treasurer, "The Junior Warden's place in the Lodge, Brother
Treasurer?" He answers, "In the South, Worshipful." Master to Junior
Warden, "Your business there, Brother Junior?" He answers, "As the sun
in the South at high meridian, is the beauty and glory of the day, so
stands the Junior Warden in the South the better to observe the time;
call the crafts from labor to refreshment; superintend them during the
hours thereof; see that none convert the hours of refreshment into
that of intemperance or excess; and call them on again in due season,
that the Worshipful Master may have honor, and they pleasure and
profit thereby." Master to the Junior Warden, "The Senior Warden's
place in the Lodge?" He answers, "In the West, Worshipful." Master to
the Senior Warden, "Your duty there, Brother Senior?" He answers, "As
the sun sets in the West, to close the day, so stands the Senior
Warden in the West, to assist the Worshipful Master in opening his
Lodge; take care of the jewels and implements; see that none be lost;
pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see that none go away
dissatisfied." Master to the Senior Warden, "The Master's place in the
Lodge?" He answers, "In the East, Worshipful." Master to the Senior
Warden, "His duty there?" He answers, "As the sun rises in the East to
open and adorn the day, so presides the Worshipful Master in the East
to open and adorn his Lodge; set his crafts to work with good and
wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done." The Master now gives
three raps, when all the brethren rise, and the Master, taking off his
hat, proceeds as follows: "In like manner so do I, strictly forbidding
all profane language, private committees, or any other disorderly
conduct whereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge may be interrupted
while engaged in its lawful pursuits, under no less penalty than the
by-laws, or such penalty as a majority of the brethren present may see
fit to inflict. Brethren, attend to giving the signs." [Here Lodges
differ very much. In some they declare the Lodge open, as follows,
before they give the sign.] The Master (all the brethren imitating
him) extends his left arm from his body, so as to form an angle of
about forty-five degrees, and holds his right hand traversely across
his left, the palms thereof one inch apart. This is called the first
sign of a Mason--is the sign of distress in this degree, and alludes
to the position a candidate's hands are placed in when he takes the
obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason. The Master then draws his
right hand across his throat, the hand open, with the thumb next to
the throat, and drops it down by his side. This is called the
due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason (many call it the sign), and
alludes to the penalty of an obligation. The Master then declares the
Lodge opened in the following manner:--"I now declare the Lodge of
Entered Apprentice Masons duly opened for the dispatch of business."
The Senior Warden declares it to the Junior Warden, and he to the
brethren. "Come, brethren, let us pray."
PRAYER.--Most holy and glorious God! the great Architect of the
Universe: the giver of all good gifts and graces. Thou hast promised
that "Where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt
be in the midst of them, and bless them." In Thy name we assemble,
most humbly beseeching Thee to bless us in all our undertakings, that
we may know and serve Thee aright, and that all our actions may tend
to Thy glory, and our advancement in knowledge and virtue. And we
beseech Thee, O Lord God, to bless our present assembling; and to
illumine our minds through the influence of the Son of Righteousness,
that we may walk in the Light of Thy countenance; and when the trials
of our probationary state are over, be admitted into the temple not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen. So mote it be.
ANOTHER PRAYER.--Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the
head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down
to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew
that descended upon the mountain of Zion, for there the Lord commanded
the blessing, evermore. Amen. So mote it be. [This prayer is likewise
used on closing the Lodge.]
The Lodge being now open and ready to proceed to business, the Master
directs the Secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting, which
naturally brings to view the business of the present. If there are any
candidates to be brought forward, that is the first business attended
to.[1]
* * * * *
CEREMONIES OF THE ADMISSION AND INITIATION OF A CANDIDATE IN THE FIRST
DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY.
At the first regular communication after the candidate has petitioned
for admission, if no objection has been urged against him, the Lodge
proceeds to a ballot. One black ball will reject a candidate. The
boxes may be passed three times. The Deacons are the proper persons
to pass them; one of the boxes has black and white beans or balls in
it, the other empty; the one with the balls in it goes before and
furnishes each member with a black and white ball; the empty box
follows and receives them. There are two holes in the top of this box,
with a small tube in each, one of which is black, and the other white,
with a partition in the box. The members put both their balls into
this box as their feelings dictate; when the balls are received, the
box is presented to the Master, Senior, and Junior Wardens, who
pronounce clear or not clear, as the case may be. The ballot proving
clear, the candidate (if present) is conducted into a small
preparation room adjoining the Lodge; he is asked the following
questions, and gives the following answers. Senior Deacon to
candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these
gentlemen, that, unbiassed by friends, uninfluenced by unworthy
motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the
mysteries of Masonry?" Candidate answers, "I do." Senior Deacon to
candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these
gentlemen, that you are prompt to solicit the privileges of Masonry,
by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of
knowledge, and a sincere wish of being serviceable to your
fellow-creatures?" Candidate answers, "I do." Senior Deacon to
candidate, "Do you sincerely declare, upon your honor before these
gentlemen, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient
established usages and customs of the fraternity?" Candidate answers,
"I do." After the above questions are proposed and answered, and the
result reported to the Master, he says, "Brethren, at the request of
Mr. A. B., he has been proposed and accepted in the regular form. I
therefore recommend him as a proper candidate for the Mysteries of
Masonry, and worthy to partake of the privileges of the fraternity;
and in consequence of a declaration of his intentions, voluntarily
made, I believe he will cheerfully conform to the rules of the Order."
The candidate, during the time, is divested of all his apparel (shirt
excepted), and furnished with a pair of drawers, kept in the Lodge for
the use of candidates; he is then blindfolded, his left foot bare, his
right in a slipper, his left breast and arm naked, and a rope, called
a cable-tow, 'round his neck and left arm (the rope is not put 'round
the arm in all Lodges) in which posture the candidate is conducted to
the door, where he is caused to give, or the conductor gives, three
distinct knocks, which are answered by three from within; the
conductor gives one more, which is also answered by one from within.
The door is then partly opened, and the Junior Deacon generally asks,
"Who comes there? Who comes there? Who comes there?" The conductor
_alias_ the Senior Deacon, answers, "A poor, blind candidate, who has
long been desirous of having and receiving a part of the rights and
benefits of this worshipful Lodge, dedicated (some say erected) to
God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, as all true fellows
and brothers have done, who have gone this way before him." The Junior
Deacon then asks, "Is it of his own free will and accord he makes this
request? Is he duly and truly prepared? Worthy and well qualified? And
properly avouched for?" All of which being answered in the
affirmative, the Junior Deacon says to the Senior Deacon, "By what
further right does he expect to obtain this benefit?" The Senior
Deacon replies, "By being a man, free born, of lawful age, and under
the tongue of good report." The Junior Deacon then says, "Since this
is the case you will wait till the Worshipful Master in the East is
made acquainted with his request, and his answer returned." The Junior
Deacon repairs to the Master, when the same questions are asked, and
answers returned as at the door; after which the Master says, "Since
he comes endowed with all these necessary qualifications, let him
enter this worshipful Lodge in the name of the Lord, and take heed on
what he enters." The candidate then enters, the Junior Deacon at the
same time pressing his naked left breast with the point of the
compass, and asks the candidate, "Did you feel anything?" ANS.--"I
did." Junior Deacon to the candidate, "What was it?" ANS.--"A
torture." The Junior Deacon then says, "As this is a torture to your
flesh, so may it ever be to your mind and conscience, if ever you
should attempt to reveal the secrets of Masonry unlawfully." The
candidate is then conducted to the centre of the Lodge, where he and
the Senior Deacon kneel, and the Deacon says the following prayer:
"Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this, our
present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may
dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, and become a true and
faithful brother among us! Endue him with a competency of Thy divine
wisdom, that by the secrets of our art, he may be the better enabled
to display the beauties of holiness, to the honor of Thy holy name. So
mote it be. Amen!"
The Master then asks the candidate, "In whom do you put your trust?"
The candidate answers, "In God." The Master then takes him by the
right hand, and says, "Since in God you put your trust, arise, follow
your leader, and fear no danger." The Senior Deacon then conducts the
candidate three times regularly around the Lodge and halts at the
Junior Warden in the South, where the same questions are asked, and
answers returned as at the door.
As the candidate and the conductor are going around the room, the
Master reads the following passage of Scripture, and takes the same
time to read it that they do to go around the Lodge three times.
"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 garment; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended
upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing,
even life forevermore."
The candidate is then conducted to the Senior Warden in the West,
where the same Questions are asked, and answers returned as before;
from thence he is conducted to the Worshipful Master in the East,
where the same questions are asked, and answers returned as before.
The Master likewise demands of him from whence he came, and whither he
is traveling. The candidate answers, "From the West, and traveling to
the East." Master inquires, "Why do you leave the West and travel to
the East?" He answers, "In search of light." Master then says "Since
the candidate is traveling in search of light, you will please conduct
him back to the West from whence he came, and put him in the care of
the Senior Warden, who will teach him how to approach the East, the
place of light, by advancing upon one upright regular step, to the
first step, his feet forming the right angle of an oblong square, his
body erect at the altar before the Master, and place him in a proper
position to take upon himself the solemn oath or obligation of an
Entered Apprentice Mason." The Senior Warden receives the candidate,
and instructs him as directed. He first steps off with his left foot
and brings up the heel of the right into the hollow thereof; the heel
of the right foot against the ankle of the left, will, of course, form
the right angle of an oblong square; the candidate then kneels on his
left knee, and places his right foot so as to form a square with the
left, he turns his foot around until the ankle bone is as much in
front of him as the toes on the left; the candidate's left hand is
then put under the Holy Bible, square and compass, and the right hand
on them. This is the position in which a candidate is placed when he
takes upon him the oath or obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason.
As soon as the candidate is placed in this position, the Worshipful
Master approaches him, and says, "Mr. A. B., you are now placed in a
proper position to take upon you the solemn oath or obligation of an
Entered Apprentice Mason,[2] which I assure you is neither to affect
your religion nor politics. If you are willing to take it, repeat your
name, and say after me:
"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty
God, and this worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, dedicated
to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, do hereby and
hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will
always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any part or parts, art or
arts, point or points of the secrets, arts and mysteries of ancient
Free Masonry, which I have received, am about to receive, or may
hereafter be instructed in, to any person or persons in the known
world, except it be a true and lawful brother Mason, or within the
body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, and not unto
him, nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto them only
after strict trial and due examination or lawful information.
Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not write, print,
stamp, stain, hew, cut, carve, indent, paint, or engrave it on
anything moveable or immoveable, under the whole canopy of heaven,
whereby, or whereon the least letter, figure, character, mark, stain,
shadow, or resemblance of the same may become legible or intelligible
to myself or any other person in the known world, whereby the secrets
of Masonry may be unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness. To all
which I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without the
least equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me
whatever; $1$2: so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the true
performance of the same."
After the obligation, the Master addresses the candidate in the
following manner: "Brother, to you the secrets of Masonry are about to
be unveiled, and a brighter sun never shone lustre on your eyes; while
prostrate before this sacred altar, do you not shudder at every crime?
Have you not confidence in every virtue? May these thoughts ever
inspire you with the most noble sentiments; may you ever feel that
elevation of soul that shall scorn a dishonest act. Brother, what do
you most desire?" The candidate answers, "Light." Master to brethren,
"Brethren, stretch forth your hands and assist in bringing this
new-made brother from darkness to light." The members having formed a
circle round the candidate, the Master says, "And God said, Let there
be light, and there was light." At the same time, all the brethren
clap their hands and stamp on the floor with their right feet as heavy
as possible, the bandage dropping from the candidate's eyes at the
same instant, which, after having been so long blind, and full of
fearful apprehensions all the time, this great and sudden transition
from perfect darkness to a light brighter (if possible) than the
meridian sun in a midsummer day, sometimes produces an alarming
effect.
After the candidate is brought to light, the Master addresses him as
follows: "Brother, on being brought to light, you first discover three
great lights in Masonry by the assistance of three lesser; they are
thus explained: The three great lights in Masonry are the Holy Bible,
Square and Compass. The Holy Bible is given to us as a rule and guide
for our faith and practice; the Square, to square our actions, and the
Compass to keep us in due bounds with all mankind, but more especially
with the brethren. Three lesser lights are three burning tapers, or
candles placed on candlesticks (some say, or candles on pedestals),
they represent the Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge, and are thus
explained: As the sun rules the day, and the moon governs the night,
so ought the Worshipful Master, with equal regularity, to rule and
govern his Lodge, or cause the same to be done; you next discover me,
as Master of this Lodge, approaching you from the East upon the first
step of Masonry, under the sign and due-guard of an Entered Apprentice
Mason, as already revealed to you. This is the manner of giving them;
imitate me, as near as you can, keeping your position. First, step off
with your left foot, and bring the heel of the right into the hollow
thereof, so as to form a square." [This is the first step in Masonry.]
The following is the sign of an Entered Apprentice Mason, and is the
sign of distress in this degree; you are not to give it unless in
distress. [It is given by holding your two hands traversely across
each other, the right hand upwards, and one inch from the left.] The
following is the due-guard of an Entered Apprentice Mason. [This is
given by drawing your right hand across your throat, the thumb next to
your throat, your arm as high as the elbow, in a horizontal
position.] "Brother, I now present you my right hand, in token of
brotherly love and esteem, and with it the grip and name of the grip
of an Entered Apprentice Mason." The right hands are joined together,
as in shaking hands, and each sticks his thumb nail into the third
joint or upper end of the forefinger; the name of the grip is BOAZ,
and is to be given in the following manner and no other: The Master
gives the grip and word, and divides it for the instruction of the
candidate; the questions are as follows: The Master and candidate
holding each other by the grip as before described, the Master says,
"What is this?" Candidate--"A grip." Master "A grip of what?"
Candidate--"The grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason." Master--"Has it
a name?" Candidate--"It has." Master--"Will you give it to me?"
Candidate--"I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it."
Master--"What will you do with it?" Candidate--"Letter it, or halve
it." Master--"Halve it and begin." Candidate--"You begin."
Master--"Begin you." Candidate--"BO." Master--"AZ." Candidate--"BOAZ."
Master says, "Right, Brother BOAZ, I greet you. It is the name of the
left hand pillar of the porch of King Solomon's Temple--arise, Brother
Boaz, and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as such, and convince
them that you have been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice
Mason, and have got the sign, grip, and word." The Master returns to
his seat, while the Wardens are examining the candidate, and gets a
lamb-skin or white apron, presents it to the candidate and observes,
"Brother, I now present you with a lamb-skin, or white apron; it is an
emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason; it has been worn by
kings, princes, and potentates of the earth, who have never been
ashamed to wear it; it is more honorable than the diamonds of kings,
or pearls of princesses, when worthily worn; it is more ancient than
the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and
Garter, or any other order that can be conferred upon you at this or
any other time, except it be in the body of a just and fully
constituted Lodge; you will carry it to the Senior Warden in the West,
who will teach you how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason." The
Senior Warden ties the apron on, and turns up the flap, instead of
letting it fall down in front of the apron. This is the way Entered
Apprentice Masons wear, or ought to wear, their aprons until they are
advanced. The candidate is now conducted to the Master in the East,
who says, "Brother, as you are dressed, it is necessary you should
have tools to work with; I will now present you with the working tools
of an Entered Apprentice Mason, which are the twenty-four-inch gauge
and common gavel; they are thus explained: 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, make use of it
for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. The
twenty-four inches on the gauge are emblematical of the twenty-four
hours in the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal
parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a worthy
distressed brother; eight hours for our usual vocations; and eight for
refreshment and sleep; the common gavel is an instrument made use of
by operative Masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the
better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted
Masons, use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting
our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life,
thereby fitting our minds as living and lively stones for that
spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the
Heavens. I also present you with a new name; it is CAUTION; it teaches
you, as you are barely instructed in the rudiments of Masonry, that
you should be cautious over all your words and actions, particularly
when before the enemies of Masonry. I shall next present you with
three precious jewels, which are a LISTENING EAR, a SILENT TONGUE, and
a FAITHFUL HEART. A listening ear teaches you to listen to the
instructions of the Worshipful Master, but more especially that you
should listen to the cries of a worthy distressed brother. A silent
tongue teaches you to be silent while in the Lodge, that the peace and
harmony thereof may not be disturbed, but more especially that you
should be silent before the enemies of Masonry, that the craft may not
be brought into disrepute by your imprudence. A faithful heart teaches
you to be faithful to the instructions of the Worshipful Master at all
times, but more especially that you should be faithful, and keep and
conceal the secrets of Masonry, and those of a brother when given to
you in charge as such, that they may remain as secure and inviolable
in your breast as his own, before communicated to you. I further
present you with check-words two; their names are TRUTH and UNION, and
are thus explained: Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of
every virtue; to be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in
Masonry; on this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to
regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this principle,
hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain dealing
distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each
other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's prosperity. Union is
that kind of friendship which ought to appear conspicuous in every
Mason's conduct. It is so closely allied to the divine attribute,
truth, that he who enjoys the one is seldom destitute of the other.
Should interest, honor, prejudice, or human depravity ever induce you
to violate any part of the sacred trust we now repose in you, let
these two important words, at the earliest insinuation, teach you to
put on the check-line of truth, which will infallibly direct you to
pursue that straight and narrow path which ends in the full enjoyment
of the Grand Lodge above, where we shall all meet as Masons and
members of the same family, in peace, harmony, and love; where all
discord on account of politics, religion, or private opinion, shall be
unknown, and banished from within our walls.
"Brother, it has been a custom from time immemorial to demand, or ask
from a newly-made brother, something of a metallic kind, not so much
on account of its intrinsic value, but that it may be deposited in the
archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that you was herein made a Mason;
a small trifle will be sufficient--anything of a metallic kind will
do; if you have no money, anything of a metallic nature will be
sufficient; even a button will do." [The candidate says he has nothing
about him; it is known he has nothing.] "Search yourself," the Master
replies. He is assisted in searching--nothing is found. "Perhaps you
can borrow a trifle," says the Master. [He tries to borrow, none will
lend him; he proposes to go into the other room where his clothes are;
he is not permitted: if a stranger, he is very much embarrassed.]
Master to candidate, "Brother, let this ever be a striking lesson to
you, and teach you, if you should ever see a friend, but more
especially a brother, in a like penniless situation, to contribute as
liberally to his relief as his situation may require, and your
abilities will admit, without material injury to yourself or family."
Master to Senior Deacon, "You will conduct the candidate back from
whence he came, and invest him of what he has been divested, and let
him return for further instruction. A zealous attachment to these
principles will insure a public and private esteem. In the State, you
are to be a quiet and peaceable subject, true to your government, and
just to your country; you are not to countenance disloyalty, but
faithfully submit to legal authority, and conform with cheerfulness to
the government of the country in which you live. In your outward
demeanor be particularly careful to avoid censure or reproach.
Although your frequent appearance at our regular meetings is earnestly
solicited, yet it is not meant that Masonry should interfere with your
necessary vocations; for these are on no account to be neglected:
neither are you to suffer your zeal for the institution to lead you
into argument with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule it. At
your leisure hours, that you may improve in Masonic knowledge, you are
to converse with well-informed brethren, who will be always as ready
to give, as you will be to receive information. Finally, keep sacred
and inviolable the mysteries of the Order, as these are to distinguish
you from the rest of the community, and mark your consequence among
Masons. If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person
desirous of being initiated into Masonry, be particularly attentive
not to commend him, unless you are convinced he will conform to our
rules; that the honor, glory, and reputation of the institution may be
firmly established, and the world at large convinced of its good
effects." Here the initiation ends, and the candidate is congratulated
by his Masonic friends.
After this, the business of the meeting proceeds according to the
by-laws or regulations of the Lodge. Before adjourning, it is a very
common practice to close a Lodge of Entered Apprentices, and open a
Lodge of Fellow Crafts, and close that, and open a Master Mason's
Lodge, all in the same evening.
* * * * *