Question--Why was you divested of all metals when you was made a
Mason? Answer--Because Masonry regards no man on account of his
worldly wealth or honors; it is therefore the internal, and not the
external qualifications that recommend a man to Masons.
Q. A second reason? A. There was neither the sound of an axe, hammer,
or any other metal tool heard at the building of King Solomon's
Temple.
Q. How could so stupendous a fabric be erected without the sound of
axe, hammer, or any other metal tool? A. All the stones were hewed,
squared, and numbered in the quarries where they were raised, all the
timbers felled and prepared in the forests of Lebanon, and carried
down to Joppa on floats, and taken from thence up to Jerusalem and set
up with wooden mauls, prepared for that purpose; which, when
completed, every part thereof fitted with that exact nicety, that it
had more the resemblance of the handy workmanship of the Supreme
Architect of the Universe than of human hands.
Q. Why was you neither naked nor clothed? A. As I was an object of
distress at that time, it was to remind me, if ever I saw a friend,
more especially a brother, in a like distressed situation, that I
should contribute as liberally to his relief as his situation
required, and my abilities would admit, without material injury to
myself or family.
Q. Why was you neither barefoot nor shod? A. It was an ancient
Israelitish custom adopted among Masons; and we read in the Book of
Ruth concerning their mode and manner of changing and redeeming, and
to confirm all things, a brother plucked off his shoe and gave it to
his neighbor, and that was testimony in Israel. This, then, therefore,
we do in confirmation of a token, and as a pledge of our fidelity;
therefore signifying that we will renounce our own will in all things,
and become obedient to the laws of our ancient institutions.
Q. Why was you hoodwinked? A. That my heart might conceive before my
eyes beheld the beauties of Masonry.
Q. A second reason? A. As I was in darkness at that time, it was to
remind me that I should keep the whole world so respecting Masonry.
Q. Why had you a cable-tow about your neck? A. In case I had not
submitted to the manner and mode of my initiation, that I might have
been led out of the Lodge without seeing the form and beauties
thereof.
Q. Why did you give three distinct knocks at the door? A. To alarm the
Lodge, and let the Worshipful Master, Wardens and brethren know that a
poor blind candidate prayed admission.
Q. What do those three distinct knocks allude to? A. A certain passage
in Scripture wherein it says, "Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye
shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."
Q. How did you apply this to your then case in Masonry? A. I asked the
recommendation of a friend to become a Mason; I sought admission
through his recommendations and knocked, and the door of Masonry
opened unto me.
Q. Why was you caused to enter on the point of some sharp instrument
pressing your naked left breast in the name of the Lord? A. As this
was a torture to my flesh, so might the recollection of it ever be to
my flesh and conscience, if ever I attempted to reveal the secrets of
Masonry unlawfully.
Q. Why was you conducted to the centre of the Lodge, and there caused
to kneel for the benefit of a prayer? A. Before entering on this, or
any other great and important undertaking, it is highly necessary to
implore a blessing from Deity.
Q. Why was you asked in whom you put your trust? A. Agreeably to the
laws of our ancient institution, no Atheist could be made a Mason; it
was, therefore, necessary that I should believe in Deity; otherwise,
no oath or obligation could bind me.
Q. Why did the Worshipful Master take you by the right hand and bid
you rise, follow your leader, and fear no danger? A. As I was in
darkness at that time, and could neither forsee nor avoid danger, it
was to remind me that I was in the hands of an affectionate friend, in
whose fidelity I might with safety confide.
Q. Why was you conducted three times regularly round the Lodge? A.
That the Worshipful Master, Wardens and brethren might see that I was
duly and truly prepared.
Q. Why did you meet with those several obstructions on the way? A.
This, and every other Lodge is, or ought to be, a true representation
of King Solomon's Temple, which, when completed, had guards stationed
at the East, West, and South gates.
Q. Why had they guards stationed at those several gates? A. To prevent
any one from passing or repassing that was not duly qualified.
Q. Why did you kneel on your left knee and not on your right, or both?
A. The left side has ever been considered the weakest part of the
body; it was, therefore, to remind me that that part I was then taking
upon me was the weakest part of Masonry, it being that only of an
Entered Apprentice.
Q. Why was your right hand placed on the Holy Bible, Square and
Compass, and not your left, or both? A. The right hand has ever been
considered the seat of fidelity, and our ancient brethren worshipped
Deity under the name of FIDES, which has sometimes been represented by
two right hands joined together; at others, by two human figures
holding each other by the right hand; the right hand, therefore, we
use in this great and important undertaking, to signify, in the
strongest manner possible, the sincerity of our intentions in the
business we are engaged.
Q. Why did the Worshipful Master present you with a lamb-skin, or a
white apron? A. The lamb-skin has, in all ages, been deemed an emblem
of innocence; he, therefore, who wears the lamb-skin, as a badge of a
Mason, is thereby continually reminded of that purity of life and
rectitude of conduct, which is so essentially necessary to our gaining
admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect
of the Universe presides.
Q. Why did the Master make a demand of you of something of a metallic
nature? A. As I was in a poor and penniless situation at the time, it
was to remind me if ever I saw a friend, but more especially a
brother, in a like poor and penniless situation, that I should
contribute as liberally to his relief as my abilities would admit and
his situation required, without injuring myself or family.
Q. Why was you conducted to the northeast corner of the Lodge, and
there caused to stand upright, like a man, your feet forming a square,
receiving, at the same time, a solemn charge to walk and act uprightly
before God and man? A. The first stone in every Masonic edifice is, or
ought to be, placed at the northeast corner; that being the place
where an Entered Apprentice Mason receives his first instructions to
build his future Masonic edifice upon.
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