The preparation to which the candidate must submit before
entering the Lodge serves allegorically to teach him, as well as
to remind the brethren who are present, that it is the man
alone, divested of all the outward recommendations of rank,
state, or riches, that Masonry accepts, and that it is his
spiritual and moral worth alone which can open for him the door
of the Masonic Temple.
Reception.
[Illustration]
* * *
Let no man enter upon any great or important undertaking without
first invoking the aid of Deity.
* * *
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 influence of the pure principles of our Fraternity
he may be better enabled to display the beauties of holiness, to the
honor of Thy holy name. Amen!
Response: So mote it be!
[Illustration: TRUST in GOD.]
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 mountains
of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for
evermore.--133d Psalm.
[Illustration]
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the
earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the
face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of
the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was
light.
[Illustration]
The three Great Lights in Masonry are the Holy Bible, the Square
and the Compasses, and are thus explained:
The Holy Bible is given us as the rule and guide for our faith
and practice, the Square to square our actions, and the
Compasses to circumscribe our desires and keep our passions in
due bounds with all mankind, especially the brethren.
The three Lesser Lights are 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
should the Worshipful Master, with equal regularity, endeavor to
rule and govern the Lodge.
The Representatives of the three Lesser Lights are three burning
tapers, placed in a triangular form about the altar.
* * *
[Illustration]
=The Lamb-Skin or White Leathern Apron= is an emblem of innocence
and the badge of a Mason; more ancient than the Golden Fleece; more
honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that can be
conferred upon you at this or any future period by King, Prince or
Potentate, or any other person except he be a Mason and in the body
of a lodge. I trust you will wear it with equal pleasure to yourself
and honor to the fraternity.
* * *
The following may be used:
It may be that, in the coming years, upon your head may rest the laurel
wreaths of victory; pendant from your breast may hang jewels fit to
grace the diadem of an Eastern potentate; nay, more than these, with
light added to the coming light, your ambitious feet may tread round
after round of the ladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle, and
even the purple of the Fraternity may rest upon your honored shoulders;
but never again from mortal hands, never again until your enfranchised
spirit shall have passed upward and inward through the pearly gates,
shall any honor so distinguished, so emblematical of purity and all
perfections, be conferred upon you as this which I now bestow. It is
yours; yours to wear throughout an honorable life, and at your death to
be deposited upon the coffin which shall inclose your lifeless remains,
and with them laid beneath the clods of the valley.
Let its pure and spotless surface be to you an ever-present reminder of
a "purity of life and rectitude of conduct," a never-ending argument for
nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for greater achievements. And when at
last your weary feet shall have come to the end of life's toilsome
journey, and from your nerveless grasp shall drop forever the working
tools of life, may the record of your life and actions be as pure and
spotless as this fair emblem which I place in your hands; and when your
trembling soul shall stand naked and alone before the Great White
Throne, there to receive judgment for the deeds done while here in the
body, may it be your portion to hear from Him who sitteth as the Judge
Supreme the welcome words: "Well done, good and faithful servant! Thou
hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many
things! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
* * *
Working Tools.
The Working Tools of Entered Apprentice are the Twenty-four-Inch Gauge
and the Common Gavel.
The Twenty-four-inch Gauge is an instrument used by operative masons to
measure and lay out their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are
taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our
time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts, is emblematical of
the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into
three equal parts, whereby are found eight hours for the service of God
and a distressed worthy brother, eight for our usual vocations, and
eight for refreshment and sleep.
The Common Gavel is an instrument used 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, are taught to 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 stones, for that spiritual building--that house not made with
hands--eternal in the heavens.
[Illustration]
* * *
Reinvested.
Northeast Corner.
* * * an upright man and Mason, and I give it you strictly in charge
ever to walk and act as such before God and man.