[1] A person wishing to become a Mason must get some one who is a Mason
to present his petition to a Lodge, when, if there are no serious
objections, it will be entered on the minutes, and a committee of two
or three appointed to inquire into his character, and report to the
next regular communication. The following is the form of a petition
used by a candidate; but a worthy candidate will not be rejected for
the want of formality in his petition.
_To the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren of Lodge No. ----, of
Free and Accepted Masons._
The subscriber, residing in ----, of lawful age, and by occupation a
----, begs leave to state that, unbiassed by friends, and uninfluenced
by mercenary motives, he freely and voluntarily offers himself a
candidate for the mysteries of Masonry, and that he is prompt to
solicit this privilege by a favorable opinion conceived of the
institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish of being
serviceable to his fellow-creatures. Should his petition be granted, he
will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and
customs of the Fraternity.
(Signed) A. B.
[2] In many Lodges this is put in the form of a question, thus: "Are
you willing to take an obligation upon you that does not affect your
politics or religion?" The promise "to conform," made before entering
the Lodge, the "assurance that the oath is not to interfere with their
political or religious principles" and the manner the obligation is
administered, only two or three words being repeated at a time,
consequently not fully understood, are among the reasons which have led
many great and good men to take oaths incompatible with the laws of God
and our country.
[3] Literally a rope several yards in length, but mystically three
miles; so that a Master Mason must go on a brother Master Mason's
errand whenever required, the distance of three miles, should he have
to go barefoot and bareheaded. In the degrees of knighthood the
distance is forty miles.
[4] In some Lodges the Master takes the candidate by the Master's grip
and says, "Brother, you will please rise," assisting him.
[5] There is much diversity of opinion among Masons respecting this
word; some insist that GIBLEM is the right word; others, that GIBELUM
is the right word; the latter word was rejected, because it was used by
"Jachin and Boaz."
[6] This charge is frequently omitted when conferring the degree on a
candidate, but never when really installing a Master of a Lodge.
[7] Here the brethren divest themselves of their jewels, sashes,
aprons, etc.
[8] The ark, which had been carried by two brethren in the procession,
is here placed on the altar.
[9] At these words the candidate is received into the procession.
[10] Here all kneel in a circle around the altar.
[11] At the words, "For He is good," the Most Excellent Master, who is
High Priest of the Chapter, kneels and joins hands with the rest; they
all then repeat in concert the words, "For He is good, for His mercy
endureth forever" six times, each time bowing their heads low towards
the floor.
[12] There is a great difference in the manner of giving the Royal Arch
word in the different Chapters. Sometimes it is given at the opening,
as above stated; sometimes they commence with the word GOD, each one
pronouncing a letter of it in succession, until they have each
pronounced every letter of the word, then the word JEHOVAH, a syllable
at a time, and then the word JAHBUHLUN as described. There are also
Chapters in which the latter word is not known, and there are others in
which the word is not given at all at opening.
[13] This clause is sometimes made a distinct point in the obligation
in the following form, viz.: Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that
I will vote for a companion Royal Arch Mason before any other of equal
qualifications; and in some Chapters both are left out of the
obligation.
[14] In some Chapters this is administered: All the secrets of a
companion without exception.
[15] This is frequently represented in this manner: When the person
reading comes to that part where it says, "God called to him out of the
midst of the bush and said," etc., he stops reading, and a person
behind the bushes calls out, "Moses, Moses." The conductor answers,
"Here am I." The person behind the bush then says, "Draw not nigh
hither; put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou
standeth is holy ground (his shoes are then slipped off). Moreover, I
am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." The
person first reading then says, "And Moses hid his face; for he was
afraid to look upon God." At these words the bandage is placed over the
candidate's eyes.
[16] By this tremendous imprecation, the candidate, of his "own free
will and accord," volunteers (in case of a violation) to come forth to
the resurrection of damnation and receive the sentence, "Depart thou
accursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
[17] See the Apocryphal books, 1 Esdras, chapters iii. and iv.
[18] Diplomas of this degree, "In the name of the HOLY and UNDIVIDED
TRINITY," recommend the bearer as a true and faithful soldier of Jesus
Christ.
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