entered apprentice degree - freemasonry · pdf fileentered apprentice degree of freemasonry...

Entered Apprentice Degree

of Freemasonry

as practiced in the

State of Nevadacirca 1986

The following abbreviations are used throughoutthis ritual.

Active Participants

WM….….Worshipful MasterSW….….Senior WardenJW….….Junior WardenTr. ….….TreasurerSec…….SecretarySD….….Senior DeaconJD….….Junior DeaconSS.…….Senior StewardJS….….Junior StewardTyl….….TylerCh….….Chaplain

Cand….Candidate

*; * *; or * * *, normally signifies the number of raps froma gavel. In the case of the Senior Deacon, his staff,pounding on the floor; when it is done at either the outeror inner door, it signifies a knock on the door.

(S) signifies the due-guard and sign being given as asalutation to the Worshipful Master.

Page numbers and line numbers have been placed inthe margins as an aid to identifying specific portions ofthe ritual. By specifying page number, left or right columnand line number, a particular section of ritual may beuniquely identified. Of course, those designations pertainonly to the printed copy of this document.

Since as early as 1727, men have been leaving theMasonic Lodge because Freemasonry is incompatiblewith a sincere expression of Christianity. When a Masonbecomes a born again Christian, he sees Freemasonryclearly for the first time. Many men have left the lodgeto follow Jesus Christ. Usually they do so quietly. Often,it takes a period of time before they are released fromthe spiritual bondage which results from the practice ofoccult religion. Some former Masons have hadsubstantial ministries. Charles Finney, the 19th centuryevangelist, was one such man. God used him in a mightyway.

The following exposure has been translated from aMasonic “cypher.” The cypher was issued to a formerWorshipful Master who has turned his life over to JesusChrist. He has exposed the content of Masonic ritual sothat Christians who wish to witness to Masons will beeducated and equipped to take issue with the teachingsfound within Masonic ritual.

Masonic ritual varies slightly from state to state. Yet,the variations do not change the character of Masonicritual as practiced in any particular lodge. The strikingsimilarity of the rituals of various states can bedemonstrated by examining Masonic Monitors. Monitorsoften contain selected portions of ritual, in addition toexplanations of the meaning of the ritual.

Commercially printed exposures of Masonic ritual arereadily available. LESTER’S LOOK TO THE EAST and DUNCAN ’SRITUAL are two of the better known editions in the UnitedStates. They are available at many book stores.

Masonic “Cyphers” are commonly used as a memoryaid for those who are learning ritual. Such cypherscontain one to several letters which represent each andevery word in the ritual. Masonic ritual is not placedentirely in print by the lodge, for obvious reasons.However, Grand Lodges do publish small books whichare given to men who are raised to Master Mason. TheseMasonic “Monitors” contain statements as to the GrandLodge’s authoritative interpretation of the meaning of theritual. Masonic Monitors are not normally available tothe public. Bound Xerox reprints of Masonic Monitorsare available for most states from Ephesians 5:11, Inc.

An Internet web site which contains information aboutleading men away from the Masonic Lodge can be foundat http://www.ephesians5-11.org

Additional copies of this printed Masonic ritual may beobtained by downloading them from the web site andprinting the file using your laser, or ink jet printer, inconjunction with the Adobe Reader. The Adobe Readeris available FREE from Adobe Systems. A link isavailable on the page where this file is available.

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3ENTERED APPRENTICE OPENING:

WM: *. Officers, take your respective stations andplaces; Brethren, be clothed.

WM: *. Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Worshipful Master.

WM: Are all present Masons?

SW: *Brothers Senior and Junior Deacons; are allpresent Masons?

(Deacons rise, and in a prescribed fashion proceedthroughout the lodge room, observing those in attendance,ascertaining that they are all Masons.

JD: Brother Senior Deacon, all are Masons in theSouth.

SD: Brother Senior Warden, we are all Masons.

SW: We are all Masons, Worshipful Master.

(The Deacons return to their places)

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: Worshipful Master.

WM: The first great care of Masons when convened.

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I amabout to open a Lodge of Entered Apprentices,and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform you that theWorshipful Master is about to open a Lodge ofEntered Apprentices. Take due notice thereof andgovern yourself accordingly.

JD: ***. Tyl: ***

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Mason without, armed with the properimplement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans andeavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-passexcept such as are duly qualified and havepermission from the Worshipful Master.


SW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Whence came you?

SW: From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John ofJerusalem.

WM: What came you here to do?

SW: To learn to subdue my passions and improvemyself in Masonry.

WM: Then you are a Mason, I presume?

SW: I am so taken and accepted among Brethren andFellows.

WM: What makes you a Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constitutedLodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assembledin a place representing the ground floor of KingSolomon’s Temple.

WM: How many compose an Entered ApprenticesLodge?

SW: Seven or more.

WM: When composed of seven, of whom does itconsist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and JuniorWardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and JuniorDeacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon’s placein the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.

JD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

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4JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden in

the West to the Junior Warden in the South, andelsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;attend to alarms at the outer door and report thesame to the Worshipful Master; also to see thatwe are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon’s place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in theEast, to the Senior Warden in the West, andelsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend toalarms at the inner door; also to receive andconduct candidates.

WM: The Treasurer’s place?

SD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Treasurer.

Tr: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Tr: To receive all moneys from the Secretary, keepinga just and accurate account of the same, andpay it out on order of the Lodge, signed by theWorshipful Master; also to perform such otherduties as are prescribed by the Constitution ofthe Grand Lodge.

WM: The Secretary’s place?

Tr: At the left of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Secretary.

Sec: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Sec: To observe the proceedings of the Lodge, make afull record of all that is proper to be written; toreceive all moneys due the Lodge and pay it tothe Treasurer, taking his receipt therefore; and toperform such other duties as are prescribed bythe Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

WM: The Junior Warden’s station?

Sec: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the gloryand beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor torefreshment, superintend them during the hoursthereof, carefully to observe that the means ofrefreshment are not perverted to in temperance orexcess, and see that they return to their labor indue season, that the Worshipful Master mayreceive honor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden’s station?

JW: In the West.

WM: Brother Senior Warden.


WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, sostands the Senior Warden in the West to assistthe Worshipful Master in opening and closing theLodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any bydue, that none may go away dissatisfied, harmonybeing the support of all institutions, especially thisof ours.

WM: The Master’s station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and governthe day,(WM:* * *)so rises the Worshipful Masterin the East to open and govern the Lodge; settingthe Craft at work, giving them proper instructionfor their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that__________ Lodge No. ____ be now opened onthe First Degree of Freemasonry for work andinstruction. This communicate to the JuniorWarden in the South, and he to the Brethrenpresent, that having due notice thereof, they maygovern themselves accordingly.

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5SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that_______ Lodge No. ___ be now opened on theFirst Degree of Freemasonry for work andinstruction. This communicate to the Brethrenpresent, that having due notice thereof. They maygovern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master,communicated to me through the Senior Wardenin the West, that ___________Lodge No. ___ benow opened on the First Degree of Freemasonryfor work and instruction. I communicate the sameto you, that having due notice thereof, you maygovern yourselves accordingly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe theEast.

WM *

SW *

JW *

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, the GreatArchitect of the Universe, the Giver of all goodgifts and graces! Thou hast promised that “wheretwo or three are gathered together in Thy name,Thou will be in their midst and bless them.” InThy name we have assembled, and in Thy namewe desire to proceed in all our doings. Grantthat the sublime principles of Freemasonry mayso subdue every discordant passion within us -so harmonize and enrich or hearts, with Thineown love and goodness - that the Lodge at thistime may humbly reflect that order and beautywhich reign forever before Thy throne. Amen.

(ALL) So mote it be.



WM: Attend at the Altar and display the Three GreatLights in Masonry.

WM: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is forBrethren to dwell together in unity! It is like theprecious ointment upon the head, that ran downupon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went

down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew ofHermon, and as the dew that descended uponthe mountains of Zion: for there the Lordcommanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

WM: In the name of God and the Holy Saints John, Inow declare _______ Lodge No. ___ duly openedand in order for business; at the same time strictlyforbidding any un-Masonic conduct whereby theharmony of the same might be disturbed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.


WM: Inform the Tyler.

JD: * * * Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform youthat the Lodge is now opened on the EnteredApprentice Degree. Take due notice thereof andtyle accordingly.

JD: * * *

Tyl: * * *



WM: Present the flag of our country at the Altar.

WM Brethren, you will join with me in the pledge ofallegiance to the Flag of our Country.

(All join with the Pledge of Allegiance)

WM: *

WM: If there are present any Present or Past GrandOfficers, Present or Past Masters, they arecordially and fraternally invited to a seat in theEast.

ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE:

WM: *. Brethren; Mr._______ Is in waiting for the FirstDegree of Freemasonry, he having been dulyaccepted. If there is no objection, I shall conferthis degree upon him.

WM: There being none, I will proceed.

WM: *. Brother Stewards.

SS: (S) Worshipful Master.

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6WM: How should a candidate be prepared for the First

Degree of Freemasonry?

SS: By being divested of all metallic substances,neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, leftknee and breast bare, hood-winked, and with acable-tow about his neck.

WM: Repair to the preparation room where Mr._____________ is in waiting. When thus prepared,cause him to make the usual alarm at the innerdoor. Brother Secretary, accompany them.

(In the preparation room)

Sec: Mr. ______, somewhat of your motives in applyingfor admission into our ancient and honorableFraternity we have learned from the declaration,over your signature, contained in your petition;but in order that you may not be misled as to thecharacter or the purpose of the ceremonies inwhich you are about to engage, the Lodgeaddresses to you these preliminary words ofadvice.

Freemasonry is far removed from all that is trivial,selfish and ungodly. Its structure is built uponthe everlasting foundation of the God-given law -the Brotherhood of Man, in the family whoseFather is God. Our ancient and honorableFraternity welcomes to its doors and admits toits privileges worthy men of all creeds and of everyrace, but insists that all men shall stand upon anexact equality, and receive its instructions in aspirit of due humility, emphasizing in demeanor,in conduct, in ceremony and in language thehelpless, groping nature of man at his birth andhis need of reliance upon Divine guidance throughall the transactions of life. You will here be taughtto divest your mind and conscience of all the vicesand superfluities of life, and the Lodge into whichyou are now to be admitted expects you to divestyourself of all those worldly distinctions andequipments which are not in keeping with thehumble, reverent and childlike attitude it is nowyour duty to assume, as all have done who havegone this way before you.

Every candidate, previous to his reception, isrequired to give his free and full assent to thefollowing interrogatories, in a room adjacent tothe Lodge.

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, thatunbiased by the improper solicitation of friend,and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely

and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for themysteries of Freemasonry?

(Candidate answers.)

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, thatyou are prompted to solicit the privileges ofFreemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived ofthe institution, a desire for knowledge, and asincere wish of being serviceable to your fellow-creatures?

(Candidate answers.)

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, thatyou will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usagesand established customs of the Fraternity?

(Candidate answers. The Secretary re-enters the Lodge.)



Sec: The candidate has answered the usual questionsin the affirmative.

(There is now a waiting period, giving time for preparationof the candidate(s) in the proper attire)

Cand: ***.



SD: There is an alarm at the inner door.

WM: Attend to the alarm and ascertain the cause.

SD: * * *. Who comes here?

SS: Mr. _________, a poor blind candidate who isdesirous of having and receiving a part in the rights,lights, and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge ofFree and Accepted Masons, erected to God anddedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints John,as all Brethren and Fellows have done who havegone this way before him.

SD: Mr. _____, is this an act of your own free will andaccord?

Cand: It is.

SD: Brother Stewards, is he worthy and well qualified?

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7SS: He is.

SD: Duly and truly prepared?

SS: He is.

SD: By what further right does he expect to obtainthis important privilege?

SS: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and wellrecommended.

SD: Since the candidate is in possession of thesenecessary qualifications, let him wait until theWorshipful Master can be informed of his request,and his answer returned.

SD: ***. Worshipful Master.


SD: There is without, Mr. _____, a poor blind candidate,who is desirous of having and receiving a part inthe rights, lights, and benefits of this WorshipfulLodge of Free and Accepted Masons, erected toGod and dedicated to the memory of the HolySaints John, as all Brethren and Fellows havedone who have gone this way before him.

WM: Is it an act of his own free will and accord?

SD: It is.

WM: Is he worthy and well qualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: By what further right does he expect to obtainthis important privilege?

SD: Being a man, free born, of lawful age, and wellrecommended.

WM: Since the candidate is in possession of all thesenecessary qualifications, let him enter thisWorshipful Lodge, in the name of God, and bereceived in due and ancient form.

SD: ***. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge, in thename of God, and be received in due and ancientform.

SD: (Stops Cand immediately upon his entering the

lodge room) Mr. _____, I am commanded toreceive you on the point of a sharp instrument,piercing your naked left breast, which is to teachyou that as this is an instrument of torture to theflesh, so should the recollection thereof be to yourmind and conscience, should you ever reveal thesecrets of Freemasonry unlawfully.

SD: (Steps to left side of Cand and takes him by thearm, forearm horizontal, forming the angle of asquare): Mr. _____, as no man should ever enterupon any great and important undertaking withoutfirst invoking the aid of Deity, you will be conductedto the center of the Lodge, caused to kneel andattend prayer.

WM: ***

(All stand; WM is escorted to the center of the lodge,stopping in front of candidate)

Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of theUniverse, to this our present convention; and grantthat this candidate for Masonry may dedicate anddevote his life to Thy service, and become a trueand faithful Brother among us. Endue him with acompetency of Thy divine wisdom, that by theinfluence of the pure principles of our Fraternityhe may be better enabled to display the beautiesof holiness, to the honor of Thy Holy Name. Amen.


WM: Mr. _____, in whom do you put your trust?

(Cand answers without prompting)

(accepted response:”In God”)

WM: Your trust being in God, your faith is well founded.

(WM grasps Cand as a firm handshake, assisting himup)

Rise, follow your conductor, and fear no danger.

(WM returns to the east and raps the gavel for all to beseated)

WM: *

JW: *

Chap: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is forBrethren to dwell together in unity!”

SW: *

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8Chap: “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; asthe dew of Hermon, and as the dew thatdescended upon the mountains of Zion:”

WM: *

Chap: “For there the Lord commanded the blessing, evenlife for evermore.”

SD: ***

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: Mr. ____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirousof having and receiving a part in the rights, lights,and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons, erected to God and dedicatedto the memory of the Holy Saints John, as allBrethren and Fellows have done who have gonethis way before him.

JW: Mr. ____, is this an act of your own free will andaccord?

Cand: It is.

JW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and wellqualified?

SD: He is.

JW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

JW: By what further right does he expect to obtainthis important privilege?


JW: Since the candidate is in possession of all thesenecessary qualifications, conduct him to theSenior warden in the West for his examination.

SD: ***.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SDS: Mr. ____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirousof having and receiving a part in the rights, lights,and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons, erected to God and dedicatedto the memory of the Holy Saints John, as allBrethren and Fellows have done who have gone

this way before him.

SW: Mr. ____, is this an act of your own free will andaccord?

Cand: It is.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and wellqualified?

SD: He is.

SW: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

SW: By what further right does he expect to obtainthis important privilege?


SW: Since the candidate is in possession of all thesenecessary qualifications, conduct him to theWorshipful Master in the East for his examination.

SD: ***.

WM: *. Who comes here?

SD: Mr. ____, a poor blind candidate, who is desirousof having and receiving a part in the rights, lights,and benefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons, erected to God and dedicatedto the memory of the Holy Saints John, as allBrethren and Fellows have done who have gonethis way before him.

WM: Mr. ____, is this an act of your own free will andaccord?

Cand: It is.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, is he worthy and wellqualified?

SD: He is.

WM: Duly and truly prepared?

SD: He is.

WM: By what further right does he expect to obtainthis important privilege?


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9WM: Whence came you, and whither are you traveling?

SD: From the West, traveling East.

WM: Why did you leave the West and travel East?

SD: In Search of Light in Masonry.

WM: Since the candidate is in possession of all thesenecessary qualifications, and in search of Lightin Masonry, reconduct him to the Senior Wardenin the West, who will teach him how to approachthe East in due and ancient form.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that youteach this candidate how to approach to East indue and ancient form.

SW: Cause the candidate to face the East.

??? Mr. ____, advance on your left foot, bringing theheel of your right into the hollow of your left,thereby forming the angle of a square.



SW: The candidate is in order.

WM: Mr. ____, before you can proceed further inFreemasonry, it will be necessary for you to takean Obligation appertaining to this degree. Itbecomes my duty as well as pleasure to informyou that there is nothing contained in the Obligationthat conflicts with the duties you owe to God,your country, your neighbor, your family, or yourself.With this assurance on my part, are you willingto take the Obligation?

Cand: I am.

WM: Then advance to the Sacred Altar of Freemasonry.There kneel on your naked left knee; your rightforming the angle of a square; your left handsupporting, and your right resting on the HolyBible, Square and Compasses.

SD: (S) Worshipful Master, the candidate is in dueform.

WM: ***.

WM: Mr. ____, if you are still willing to take theObligation, say “I”, pronounce your name in full,and repeat after me.

Cand: I, ____ __ ____,(candidate then repeats theobligation as ministered to him by the WM) of myown free will and accord, in the presence ofAlmighty God and this Worshipful Lodge of Freeand Accepted Masons, erected to God anddedicated to the memory of the Holy Saints ofJerusalem, do hereby and hereon, solemnly andsincerely promise and swear, that I will alwayshele, forever conceal, and never reveal any of thesecret arts, parts, or points of the hiddenmysteries of Freemasonry, which I have received,am about to receive, or may be hereafterinstructed in, to any person unless it shall be to aworthy Brother Entered Apprentice, or within thebody of a just and duly constituted Lodge of such;and not unto him or them whom I shall hear so tobe, but unto him or them only whom I shall find soto be after due trial, strict examination, or lawfulMasonic information.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I willnot write, indite, print, paint, stamp, stain, hue,cut, carve, mark or engrave the same uponanything movable or immovable, whereby orwhereon the least word, syllable, letter, orcharacter may become legible or intelligible tomyself or another, whereby the secrets ofFreemasonry may be unlawfully obtained throughmy unworthiness.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promiseand swear, without any hesitation, mentalreservation, or secret evasion of mind in mewhatsoever; binding myself under no less apenalty than that of having my throat cut across,my tongue torn out, and with my body buried inthe sands of the sea at low-water mark, wherethe tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours,should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this, mysolemn Obligation of an Entered Apprentice. Sohelp me God and make me steadfast to keep andperform the same.

WM: In token of your sincerity, kiss the Holy Bible onwhich your hand rests.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, remove the cable-tow.

WM: My Brother, in your present situation, who do youmost desire?

Cand: Light in Masonry (prompted by Senior Deacon)

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10WM: Brethren, stretch forth your hands and assist me

in bringing this newly made Brother to trueMasonic Light.

WM: In the beginning God created the heaven and theearth. And the earth was without form and void,and darkness was upon the face of the deep. Andthe Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.And God said, “Let there by light!” and there waslight. In humble commemoration of that augustevent, I now say Masonically, let there be Light.

(All clap there hands one time, in unison, as the SeniorDeacon removes the hoodwink.)

WM: My Brother, on being brought to Light inFreemasonry, you first behold the Three GreatLights, by aid of the representatives of the ThreeLesser. The Three Great Lights in Masonry arethe Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, and arethus explained: The Holy Bible is given us as therule and guide for our faith and practice, the Squareto square our actions, and the Compasses tocircumscribe our desires and keep our passionsin due bounds with all mankind, especially theBrethren.

(Bible Lecture)I particularly direct your attention to the Great Lightin Masonry, the Holy Bible. Howsoever men differin creed or theology, all good men are agreedthat within the covers of the Holy Bible are foundthose principles of morality which lay thefoundation upon which to build a righteous life.Freemasonry therefore opens this Book upon itsAltars, with the command to each of its votariesthat he diligently study therein to learn the way toeverlasting life. Adopting no particular creed,forbidding sectarian discussion within itsLodgerooms, encouraging each to be steadfastin the faith of his acceptance, Freemasonry takesall good men by the hand, and leading them to itsAltars, points to the open Bible thereon, and urgesupon each that he faithfully direct his steps throughlife by the Light he there shall find, and as hethere shall find it.

If from our sacred altars the atheist, the infidel,the irreligious man, or the libertine should ever beable to wrest this Book of Sacred Laws, and thusremove, or even obscure, the greatest Light inMasonry - that Light which has for centuries beenthe rule and guide of Freemasons - then could weno longer claim for ourselves the great rank andtitle of Free and Accepted Masons; but so longas that Sacred Light shines upon our altars, solong as it illuminates the pathway of the Craftsmen

by the golden rays of truth, so long and no longercan Freemasonry live and shed its beneficentinfluence upon mankind. Guard then, that Bookof sacred and immutable law as you would guardyour very life. Defend it as you would the flag ofyour country. Live according to its divineteachings, with its everlasting assurance of ablessed immortality.

WM: The Three Lesser Lights are the Sun, Moon, andMaster of the Lodge, and are thus explained: asthe Sun rules the day and the Moon governs thenight, so should the Worshipful Master, with equalregularity, rule and govern the lodge. They arerepresented by three burning tapirs placed in atriangular fashion within the Lodge.

WM: *.

WM: You now observe me as Worshipful Master of thisLodge, approaching you from the East, upon thesquare, under the due-guard and sign of anEntered Apprentice. My Brother, an EnteredApprentice advances on his left foot, bringing theheel of his right into the hollow of his left, therebyforming the angle of a square. This is the due-guard, and alludes to the position of your handswhile taking the Obligation; this is the sign, andalludes to the penalty of the Obligation. This due-guard and sign are always to be given as asalutation to the Worshipful Master, also onentering or retiring from an Entered ApprenticesLodge. I now present my right hand in token offriendship and brotherly love, and will invest youwith the grip and word. As you are uninstructed,he who has hitherto answered for you, will do soat this time.


SD: Worshipful Master.

WM: I hele.

SD: I conceal.

WM: What do you conceal?

SD: All the secrets of a Mason in Masonry, to whichthis token alludes.

WM: What is that?

SD: A grip.

WM: Of what?

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11SD: Of an Entered Apprentice.

WM: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

WM: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive, neither will I so impart it.

WM: How will you dispose of it?

SD: Letter or halve it.

WM: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

WM: Begin You.

SD: A;

WM: B;

SD: O;

WM: Z.

WM: Boaz, my Brother, is the name of this grip, andshould always be given in the customary manner,by lettering or halving. When lettering, alwayscommence with the letter, “A”. Rise, salute theJunior and Senior Wardens and satisfy them thatyou are in possession of the step, due-guard, sign,grip and word of an Entered Apprentice.

SD: ***.

JW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly initiated Entered Apprentice.

JW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

JW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

JW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while takingthe Obligation.

JW: Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

JW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

JW: What is a token?

SD: A certain friendly or brotherly grip, whereby oneMason may know another in the dark as in thelight.

JW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: A grip.

JW: Of what?

SD: Of an Entered Apprentice.

JW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

JW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

JW: How will you dispose of it?


JW: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

JW: Begin you.

Cand: A.;

JW: B:

Cand: O;

JW: Z.

(Cand is prompted by Senior Deacon as necessary)

Cand: Boaz.

JW: The word is right, I am satisfied

SD: ***.

SW: *. Who comes here?

SD: A duly initiated Entered Apprentice.

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12SW: How may I know him to be such?

SD: By certain signs and a token.

SW: What are signs?

SD: Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

SW: Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the position of my hands while takingthe Obligation.

SW Have you a further sign?

SD: I have.

SW: Has that an allusion?

SD: It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

SW: What is a token?

SD: A certain friendly or brotherly grip, whereby oneMason may know another in the dark as in thelight.

SW: Advance and give me a token. What is that?

SD: A grip.

SW: Of what?

SD: Of an Entered Apprentice.

SW: Has it a name?

SD: It has.

SW: Will you give it to me?

SD: I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

SW: How will do dispose of it?


SW: Letter it and begin.

SD: You begin.

SW: Begin you.

Cand: A;

SW: B;

Cand: O;

SW: Z

(Cand is prompted by Senior Deacon as necessary)

Cand: Boaz.

SW: The word is right, I am satisfied. Conduct theBrother to the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: *.

(Apron Lecture)

My Brother, I now present you this lambskin orwhite leather apron. It is an emblem of innocenceand the badge of a Mason - the distinguishedbadge of a Mason.

It may be that, in the coming years, upon yourhead may rest the laurel wreaths of victory; pendentfrom your breast may hang jewels fit to grace thediadem of an Easter potentate; nay, more thanthese, with light added to the coming light, yourambitious feet may tread round after round of theladder that leads to fame in our mystic circle, andeven the purple of the Fraternity may rest uponyour honored shoulders; but never again frommortal hands, never again until your enfranchisedspirit shall have passed upward and inwardthrough the pearly gates, shall any honor sodistinguished, so emblematical of purity and allperfections, be conferred upon you as this whichI now bestow.

(Done) It is yours; yours to wear throughout anhonorable life, and at your death to be depositedupon the coffin which shall enclose your lifelessremains, and with them laid beneath the clods ofthe valley. Let its pure and spotless surface be toyou an everpresent reminder of a purity of life andrectitude of conduct,” a never ending argumentfor nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for greaterachievements. And when at last your weary feetshall have come to the end of life’s toilsomejourney, and from your nerveless grasp shall dropforever the working tools of life, may the record ofyour life and actions be as pure and spotless asthis fair emblem which I place within your handstonight; and when your trembling soul shall standnaked and alone before the Great White Throne,there to receive judgment for the deeds done whilehere in the body, may it be your portion to hearfrom Him who sitteth as the Judge Supreme thewelcome words: “Well done, thou good andfaithful servant! Thou hast been faithful over a few

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13things; I will make thee ruler over many things!Enter thou into the joy of Thy Lord.”

WM: Carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, whowill teach you how to wear it as an EnteredApprentice.

SD: Brother Senior Warden.

SW: Brother Senior Deacon.

SD: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that youteach this Brother how to wear his apron as anEntered Apprentice.

SW: Cause the Brother to face the East. My Brother,at the building of King Solomon’s Temple thedifferent bands of workmen were distinguished bythe manner in which they wore their aprons.Entered Apprentices wore them with the flap turnedup to prevent soiling the clothing; Masonically, toprevent daubing with untempered mortar. Thuswear yours until further advanced.

SD: Worshipful Master, your order has been obeyed.

WM: My Brother, agreeably to an ancient customadopted in every regular and well governed Lodge,it becomes my duty at this time to demand ofyou some metallic substance; not so much onaccount of its intrinsic value, as that it may bedeposited in the archives of the Lodge, as amemorial that you were at this time and placemade a Mason. Any metallic substance you mayhave, the Secretary will be pleased to receive.

Cand: ___________ (of course, he has nothing)

WM: Nothing, not even a penny, to commemorate oneof the most important events of your life? MyBrother, this is to teach you that should you evermeet a member of the human family, especially aBrother Mason, in a like destitute situation, itwould be your duty to contribute to his relief asliberally as his necessities might require, and yourability permits.

WM: As you are now clothed as an Entered ApprenticeI present you, emblematically, the working toolswhich are the Twenty-four Inch Gauge and theCommon Gavel, and are thus explained.

The Twenty-four Inch Gauge is an instrument usedby operative masons to measure and lay out theirwork; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, aretaught to use it for the more noble and gloriouspurpose of dividing our time. It being divided into

twenty-four equal parts, is emblematical of thetwenty-four hours of the day, which we are taughtto divide into three equal parts, whereby are foundeight hours for the service of God and a distressedworthy Brother, eight for our usual vocations, andeight for refreshment and sleep.

The Common Gavel is an instrument used byoperative masons to break off the corners of roughstones, the better to fit them for the builder’s use;but we as Free and Accepted Masons, are taughtto use it for the more noble and glorious purposeof divesting our hearts and consciences of all thevices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting ourminds, as living stones, for that spiritual building -that house not made with hands - eternal in theHeavens.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, conduct the Brother tothe Northeast corner of the Lodge.

WM: My Brother, you there stand an upright man andMason, and I give it you strictly in charge ever towalk and act as such before God and man. I alsopresent you with a new name, which is Caution.It is to teach you to be cautious over all your wordsand actions, especially on the subject ofFreemasonry when in the presence of its enemies.

WM: Brother Senior Deacon, re-conduct the Brother tothe place whence he came, invest him with thatof which he has been divested, and return him tothe Lodge for further instruction.

WM: My Brother, salute as you have been instructed.

WM: *. Brother Junior Warden.


WM: Call the Craft from labor to refreshment, to resumelabor at the sound of the gavel in the East.

JW: ***.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Masterthat you be now called from labor to refreshment,to resume labor at the sound of the gavel in theEast.

JW: *.

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14ENTERED APPRENTICE LECTURE

WM: *

(The lecture is given by the WM or a designee of hischoosing)

The forms and ceremonies of your initiation mayhave seemed to you light and frivolous, if notabsolutely unmeaning; yet, it may with truth besaid of Masonry that all its forms and ceremonieshave emblematical meaning, and those throughwhich you have just passed will now be explainedto you.

You were first prepared to be made a Mason inyour heart; next, in a room adjoining the body of ajust and duly constituted Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons.

You were prepared by being divested of all metallicsubstances, neither naked nor clothed, barefootnor shod, left knee and breast bare, hood-winked,and with a cable-tow about your neck, in whichcondition you were conducted to a door of theLodge and caused to give three distinct knocks,which were answered by three within.

You were divested of all metallic substances fortwo reasons; first, that you might carry nothingoffensive or defensive into the Lodge: second, atthe building of King Solomon’s Temple, there wasnot heard the sound of axe, hammer, or any metaltool. The question naturally arises, how could sostupendous an edifice have been erected withoutthe sound of axe, hammer, or metal tool?

The stones were hewn, squared, and numberedin the quarries where raised; the timbers felledand prepared in the forests of Lebanon, conveyedby sea in floats to Joppa, and thence by land toJerusalem, where they were set up by the aid ofwooden instruments prepared for that purpose;and when the building was completed, every partthereof fitted with such exact nicety that itresembled more the handiwork of the SupremeArchitect of the Universe than that of humanhands.

You were neither naked nor clothed becauseMasonry regards no man on account of his worldlywealth or honors. It is the internal and not theexternal qualifications that recommend a man toMasonry.

You were neither barefoot nor shod, agreeably toan ancient Israelitish custom adopted among

Masons. We read in the book of Ruth concerningtheir manner of changing and redeeming, that, “toconfirm all things, a man plucked off his shoe andgave it to his neighbor.” That was testimony inIsrael. This therefore we do, testifying thereby inthe strongest manner possible the sincerity of ourintentions in the work in which we are engaged.

You were hood-winked and with a cable-tow aboutyour neck for three reasons; first, that your heartmight conceive before your eyes beheld thebeauties of Freemasonry; second, that as youwere in darkness, it was to teach you to keep thewhole world so respecting the secrets ofFreemasonry, except to such as were justlyentitled to receive the same as you were about tobecome; and third, had you not conformed to theceremony of your initiation, thereby renderingyourself unworthy to be taken by the hand as aMason, you might, by aid of the cable-tow, havebeen led out of the Lodge without having beheldeven the form thereof.

You were caused to give three distinct knocks toalarm the Lodge and inform the Worshipful Masterthat a poor blind candidate craved admission.The three knocks allude to a certain portion of theScriptures which reads: “Ask and it shall be givenyou; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shallbe opened unto you.”

You found your circumstances in Masonry at thattime verified by that passage as follows; youasked the recommendation of a friend to be madea Mason; through his recommendation you soughtinitiation; you knocked, and the door ofFreemasonry was opened unto you.

You were received on the point of a sharpinstrument piercing your naked left breast, to teachyou that as it was an instrument of torture to theflesh, so should the recollection thereof be to yourmind and conscience should you ever reveal thesecrets of Freemasonry unlawfully.

You were conducted to the center of the Lodgeand caused to kneel for the benefit of prayer, forbefore entering upon any great or importantundertaking, we ought always to invoke the aid ofDeity.

You were asked in whom you put your trust,agreeably to our ancient laws, as no atheist canbe made a Mason; it was therefore necessarythat you express a belief in Deity, otherwise noobligation would have been regarded as binding.

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15You were taken by the right hand, ordered to rise,follow your conductor and fear no danger, for asyour were in darkness and could neither foreseenor avoid danger, it was to teach you that youwere in the hands of faithful friends, in whosefidelity you might with safety confide.

You were conducted once regularly around theLodge that the Worshipful Master, Wardens andBrethren might see that you were duly and trulyprepared.

You were caused to meet with several obstructionson your passage around the Lodge, because thisand every regular and well governed Lodge is orought to be a correct representation of the groundfloor of King Solomon’s Temple, which had guardsplaced at the south, west and east gates to preventany from passing or re-passing except such aswere duly qualified and had permission from KingSolomon; it was therefore necessary that youmeet with these several obstacles and at each ofthose stations be duly examined.

You were caused to kneel on your naked left kneeand not your right or both, because the left sidehas ever been deemed the weaker part of thehuman body; it was therefore to teach you thatyou were taking upon yourself the weaker part ofMasonry, it being that of the Entered Apprenticeonly.

Your right hand and not your left or both, restedon the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses,because the right hand, by our ancient Brethren,was deemed the sign of fidelity. The ancientsworshipped a deity named Fides, sometimesrepresented by two right hands joined, at othersby two human figures holding each other by theright hand. The right, therefore was used in thisgreat and important undertaking, testifying therebyin the strongest manner possible the fidelity ofour purpose in the work in which we are engaged.

You were presented with a lambskin or whiteleather apron, because the lamb, in all ages hasbeen deemed an emblem of innocence. Thelambskin is therefore to remind you of that purityof life and rectitude of conduct which is soessentially necessary to your gaining admissionto that Celestial Lodge above, where the SupremeArchitect of the Universe presides.

A demand was made of you for some metallicsubstance, to teach you that should you ever meeta member of the human family, especially aBrother Mason, in a like destitute situation, it

would be your duty to contribute to his relief asliberally as his necessities might require and yourability permits.

You were placed in the north-east corner of theLodge, because in the erection of all publicbuildings, especially those of Masonic form, thefirst stone is, or ought to be placed in the north-east corner; you were therefore placed in the north-east corner of the Lodge to receive your firstinstruction, whereon to build your moral andMasonic edifice.

This brings us to the third and last section of thedegree, which explains the manner of constitutingand the proper authority for holding a Lodge. Herealso, we learn where Lodges were anciently held;their Form, Support, Covering, Furniture,Ornaments, Lights and Jewels; how situated, andto whom dedicated, as well in former times as atpresent.

You are taught, by the aid of impressive symbols,to discharge with propriety the duties that devolveupon you as a man and Mason. The word Lodgeis analogous to that of church, referring not somuch to the place of meeting as to the personsassembled. A lodge may therefore at this time bedefined as a certain number of Free and AcceptedMasons, duly assembled, furnished with the HolyBible, the Square and the Compasses, togetherwith a Charter, or Dispensation, from some GrandBody of competent jurisdiction empowering it towork.

The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses have beenpartially explained to you; the Charter has not.This is the one in possession of this Lodge. TheGrand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons ofthe State of Nevada was pleased to grant thisCharter to __________ Lodge No. ___. Itempowers us to confer the three degrees ofMasonry, which powers we are this eveningpartially exercising. It is signed by the GrandOfficers, with the seal of the Grand Lodgeattached, and contains all the necessaryinstructions for retaining the same.

Our ancient Brethren held their Lodges on highhills or in low vales, the better to observe theapproach of cowans and eavesdroppers,ascending or descending.

Lodge meetings at the present day are usuallyheld in upper chambers - probably for the securitywhich such places afford. This custom may havehad its origin in a practice observed by the ancient

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16Jews of building their temples, schools andsynagogues on high hills, a practice which seemsto have met the approbation of the Almighty, whosaid unto the Prophet Ezekiel, “Upon the top ofthe mountain, the whole limit thereof round aboutshall be most holy.”

The form of a Lodge is oblong. In length fromeast to west, in breadth between north and south,as high as heaven, and as deep as from thesurface to the centre. A Lodge is said to be thusextensive to denote the universality ofFreemasonry, and teaches that a Mason’s charityshould be equally extensive.

A Lodge is supported by three great pillars,denominated Wisdom, Strength and Beauty;because there should be wisdom to contrive,strength to support, and beauty to adorn all greatand important undertakings. They are representedby the three principal officers of the Lodge; thepillar Wisdom by the Worshipful Master in theEast, who is presumed to have wisdom to openand govern the Lodge; the pillar Strength by theSenior Warden in the West, whose duty it is toassist the Worshipful Master in the discharge ofhis arduous labors; and the pillar Beauty, by theJunior Warden in the South, whose duty it is tocall the Craft from labor to refreshment, superintendthem during the hours thereof, carefully to observethat the means of refreshment are not pervertedto intemperance or excess, and see that theyreturn to their labor in due season, that theWorshipful Master may receive honor, and theypleasure and profit thereby.

The covering of a Lodge is no less than the cloudedcanopy, or starry decked heaven, where all goodMasons hope at last to arrive by the aid of thatladder which Jacob in his vision saw extendedfrom earth to heaven, the principal rounds of whichare denominated Faith, Hope and Charity, whichadmonish us to have Faith in God, Hope inImmortality, and Charity to all mankind. Thegreatest of these is Charity; for our Faith may belost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charityextends beyond the grave, through the boundlessrealms of eternity.

Every regular and well governed Lodge is furnishedwith the Holy Bible, the Square, and theCompasses, together with a Charter orDispensation. The Holy Bible is dedicated to theservice of God, because it is the inestimable giftof God to man, and on it we obligate our newlymade Brethren. The Square to the Master,because it is the proper Masonic emblem of his

office, and the Compasses to the Craft, because,by a due attention to their use, they are taught tocircumscribe their desires and keep their passionsin due bounds with all mankind, especially theBrethren.The Ornaments of a Lodge are theMosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and theBlazing Star.The Mosaic Pavement is arepresentation of the ground floor of KingSolomon’s Temple; the Indented Tessel, of thatbeautiful tessellated border or skirting whichsurrounded it. The Mosaic Pavement isemblematical of human life, checkered with goodand evil; the Indented Tessel, or tessellated border,of the manifold blessings and comforts whichconstantly surround us, and which we hope toenjoy by a firm reliance on Divine Providence,which is hieroglyphically represented by theBlazing Star in the centre.

A Lodge has Three Symbolic Lights, situatedEast, West and South. There is none in the North,because King Solomon’s Temple was situated sofar north of the ecliptic that the sun, even atmeridian, did not dart its rays into thenorthernmost parts thereof. The North, therefore,we Masonically term a place of darkness.

A Lodge has six Jewels - three movable and threeimmovable. The Immovable Jewels are the Square,the Level and the Plumb. They are so termedbecause they are appropriated to particular partsof the Lodge, where alone they should be found -the Square to the East, the Level to the West andthe Plumb to the South. Although the Brethrenoccupying those stations may from time to timebe changed, still the Jewels will always be foundin their respective stations in the Lodge.

The Movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, thePerfect Ashlar, and the Trestle-board. The RoughAshlar is a stone in its rude and natural state, astaken from the quarry; the Perfect Ashlar, oneprepared by the workmen, to be adjusted by theworking tools of a Fellow Craft; and the Trestle-board is for the master workman to draw hisdesigns upon.

By the Rough Ashlar we are reminded of our rudeand imperfect state by nature; by the PerfectAshlar, of that state of perfection at which we hopeto arrive by aid of a virtuous education, our ownendeavors and the blessing of Deity; and as theoperative workman erects his temporal buildingin accordance with the designs laid down uponthe Trestle-board by the master workman, soshould we, both operative and speculative,endeavor to erect our spiritual building in

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17accordance with the designs laid down by theSupreme Architect of the Universe in the GreatBook of Nature and Revelation, which is ourspiritual, moral and Masonic Trestle-board.Lodges are situated due east and west, becauseKing Solomon’s Temple was so situated. Moses,by divine command, after having conducted theChildren of Israel out of the land of Egypt, fromthe house of bondage, through the Red Sea andinto the wilderness, erected a Tabernacle to God,which he situated due east and west, tocommemorate that miraculous east wind whichwrought their mighty deliverance. King Solomon’sTemple is said to have been a representation ofthat Tabernacle.

Lodges were anciently dedicated to King Solomon,as he is said to have been our first Most ExcellentGrand Master; but modern Masons dedicate theirLodges to St. John the Baptist and St. John theEvangelist, and since their time there isrepresented in every regular and well governedLodge a certain point within a circle, the pointrepresenting the individual Brother, the circlerepresenting the boundary line of his duty to Godand man, beyond which he is never to suffer hispassions, prejudices or interests to betray himon any occasion. This circle is embordered bytwo perpendicular parallel lines, representing St.John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, andupon the vertex rests the book of Holy Scriptures,which points out the whole duty of man.

In going around this circle we necessarily touchupon these lines as well as upon the HolyScriptures, and while a Mason keeps himself thuscircumscribed, it is impossible that he shouldmaterially err.

The principal tenets of our profession are three-fold, including the inculcation and practice of thosetruly commendable virtues, Brotherly Love, Reliefand Truth.

By the exercise of Brotherly Love we are taughtto regard the whole human race as one family -the high, the low, the rich, the poor - who, beingcreated by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitantsof the same planet, ought to aid, support andprotect each other. On this principle Masonryunites men of every country, sect and opinion,and conciliates true friendship among those whomight otherwise have remained at a perpetualdistance.

To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent onall men, but particularly on Masons, who are linked

together by an indissoluble chain of sincereaffection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathizewith them in their misfortunes, to compassionatetheir miseries, and to restore peace to theirtroubled minds is the great aim we have in view.On this basis we form our friendships and establishour connections.

Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation ofevery virtue. To be good men and true is the firstlesson we are taught in Freemasonry. On thistheme we contemplate, and by its dictatesendeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, whileinfluenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceitare unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealingdistinguish us, and the heart and the tongue joinin promoting each others welfare and rejoicing ineach others prosperity. My Brother, in order thatyou may better understand what is to follow, I willask the Senior Deacon a question.


SD: Worshipful Master (or else, if the lecture is notbeing delivered by the WM, the name or title ofthe actual lecturer.)

WM: How may I know you to be a Mason?

SD: By certain signs, a token, a word, and the perfectpoints of my entrance.

(Lecturer resumes):

My Brother, signs, grips, and words have beenparticularly explained to you, but the perfectpoints of your entrance have not. They are four,the Pectoral, Manual, Guttural and Pedal. Theyrepresent the four cardinal virtues, Fortitude,Prudence, Temperance and Justice.

Fortitude is the noble and steady purpose of themind whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain,peril or danger, when prudently deemed expedient.This virtue is equally distant from rashness andcowardice, and should be deeply impressed uponyour mind as a safeguard or security against anyattempt that may be made, by force or otherwise,to extort from you any of those valuable secretswith which you have been so solemnly entrusted,and which was emblematically represented uponyour first admission into the Lodge, when you werereceived on the point of a sharp instrument piercingyour naked left breast. This, my Brother, is thefirst perfect point of your entrance, the Pectoral.

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18Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives andactions agreeably to the dictates of Reason, andis the habit by which we wisely judge andprudently determine on all things relative to ourpresent as well as our future happiness. Thisvirtue should be your peculiar characteristic, notonly for the government of your conduct while inthe Lodge, but also when abroad in the world.You should be particularly cautious in all strangeor mixed companies, never to let fall the leastsign, token or word whereby the secrets ofFreemasonry might be obtained ever bearing inmind that solemn moment while kneeling at theAltar of Freemasonry, your left supporting, yourright resting on the Holy Bible, Square andCompasses, you solemnly promised to concealand never reveal the secrets of Freemasonry. Thisis the second perfect point of your entrance, theManual.

Temperance is that due restraint upon ouraffections and passions which renders the bodytame and governable, and frees the mind of theallurements of vice. This virtue should be yourconstant practice, as you are thereby taught toavoid excess or the contracting of any licentiousor vicious habits, the indulgence of which mightlead you to disclose some of those valuablesecrets which you have promised to conceal andnever reveal, and which would consequentlysubject you to the contempt and detestation ofall good Masons, if not to the penalty of yourObligation, that of having your throat cut across,you tongue torn out and with your body buried inthe sands of the sea, at low-water mark, wherethe tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours.This is the third perfect point of your entrance,the Guttural.

Justice is that standard or boundary of right whichenables us to render to every man his just duewithout distinction. This virtue is not onlyconsistent with divine and human laws, but is thevery cement and support of civil society; and asjustice in a great measure constitutes the reallygood man, so should it be your invariable practicenever to deviate from the minutest principlesthereof; ever remembering that while standing inthe north-east corner of the Lodge before theWorshipful Master, you were informed that youthere stood an upright man and Mason, and itwas given you strictly in charge ever to walk andact as such before God and man. This is thefourth perfect point of your entrance, the Pedal.

Entered Apprentices should serve their masterswith freedom, fervency and zeal, which are

represented by Chalk, Charcoal, and Clay.

There is nothing freer than Chalk, the slightesttouch of which leaves a trace; there is nothingmore fervent than Charcoal, for to it, when properlyignited, the most obdurate metals will yield; thereis nothing more zealous than Clay, our motherEarth, for it alone of all the elements has neverproved unfriendly to man. Bodies of water delugehim with rain, oppress him with hail and drownhim with inundation; the air rushes in storms andprepares the tempest; the fire lights up the volcano;but the Earth, ever kind and indulgent, is foundsubservient to his wishes. Though constantlyharassed, more to furnish the luxuries than thenecessaries of life, she never refuses heraccustomed yield, spreading his pathway withflowers and his table with plenty. Though sheproduces poison, still she supplies the antidote,and returns with interest every good committedto her care; and when at last we are called uponto pass through the “dark valley of the shadow ofdeath”, she once more receives us, and piouslycovers our remains within her bosom, thusadmonishing us that as from it we came, so to itwe must shortly return.

WM: This, my Brother, concludes the ceremony of yourinitiation, and if you will rise I will repeat to youthe Charge. (Or, if the Charge is not being deliveredby the WM, the name or title of the person doingso)

ENTERED APPRENTICE CHARGE

My Brother, as you are now introduced to the firstprinciples of Freemasonry, I congratulate you onbeing accepted into this ancient and honorableFraternity. Ancient, as having existed from timeimmemorial; and honorable, as tending in everyparticular so to render all men who will beconformable to its precepts. No institution wasever raised on a better principle or more solidfoundation; nor were ever more excellent rulesand useful maxims laid down than are containedin the several Masonic lectures. The wisest andbest of men in all ages have been encouragersand promoters of our Art, and have never deemedit derogatory to their dignity to level themselveswith the Fraternity, to extend its privileges, and topatronize its assemblies.

There are three great duties which as a Masonyou are charged to inculcate: ( * * * ), To God, toyour neighbor, and to yourself. To God, in nevermentioning His name save with that reverentialawe which is due from a creature to his Creator;

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19to implore His aid in all your laudable undertakings;and to esteem Him as the Chief Good. ( * ).To your neighbor, in acting upon the square andin doing unto him as you would that he should dounto you. And to yourself, in avoiding allirregularities and intemperance, which may impairyour faculties or debase the dignity of yourprofession.

As a Mason, you are to study the Sacred Law, toconsider it as the unerring standard of truth andjustice, and to regulate your life and actions byits divine precepts. A zealous attachment to theseduties will insure public and private esteem.

In the State you are to be a quiet and peaceablecitizen, true to your government and just to yourcountry. You are not to countenance disloyaltyor rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authorityand conform with cheerfulness to the governmentof the country in which you live, yielding obedienceto the laws which afford you protection. In youroutward demeanor be particularly careful to avoidcensure and reproach, and beware of all who mayartfully endeavor to insinuate themselves into youresteem with a view of betraying your virtuousresolutions or to make you swerve from theprinciples of our institution. Let not interest, favoror prejudice bias your integrity or influence you tobe guilty of a dishonorable action, but let yourconduct be uniform and your deportment suitableto the dignity of your profession.

Above all, practice benevolence and charity, forthese virtues have distinguished Masons in everyage and country. The inconceivable pleasure ofcontributing to the relief of our fellow-creatures istruly experienced by persons of a humanedisposition, who are naturally excited by sympathyto extend their aid in alleviation of the misery ofothers. This encourages the generous Mason todistribute his bounty with cheerfulness. Supposinghimself in the situation of an unhappy sufferer, helistens to the tale of woe with attention, bewailsmisfortune, and speedily relieves distress.

The Constitutions of the Fraternity are to engageyour attention. These consist of two parts, oraland written communications. The former,comprehending the mysteries of the Art, are onlyto be acquired by practice and experience in theLodge; the latter include the history of Masonry,the lives and characters of its patrons, and theancient charges and general regulations of theCraft.

A punctual attendance on the duties of theFraternity we earnestly enjoin, especially in thatassembly in which your name will be enrolled asa member. There, and in all regular meetings ofthe Fraternity, you are to behave with order anddecorum, that harmony may be preserved andthe business of Masonry be properly conducted.The rules of good breeding you are never to violateby using unbecoming language in derogation ofthe name of God or toward the corruption of goodmorals; neither are you to enter into any disputeabout religion or politics, nor behave irreverentlywhile the Lodge is engaged in what is seriousand important. On every occasion you are to paya proper deference and respect to the Master andpresiding officers, and diligently apply to the workof Freemasonry, that you may the sooner becomeproficient therein, as well for your own credit asfor the honor of the company with whom youassociate.

Although your frequent appearance at our regularmeetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meantthat Freemasonry should interfere with yournecessary vocations for these are on no accountto be neglected; neither are you to suffer yourzeal for the institution to lead you into argumentwith those who, through ignorance, may ridiculeit.

At your leisure hours, that you may improve inMasonic knowledge, you are to converse withwell-informed Brethren, who will always be asready to give as you will be to receive instruction.

Finally, my Brother, keep sacred and inviolate themysteries of the Order, as these are to distinguishyou from the rest of the community and mark yourconsequence among Masons.

WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection withthis degree that it will be necessary for you tocommit to memory, and on which you must passa suitable examination, in open Lodge, or asprovided by our Nevada Code, before you can bepassed to the Degree of Fellow Craft. I will appointBrother _______ _______ to instruct you.

(This concludes the initiation portion of the First Degree.The WM then proceeds to close lodge.)

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20ENTERED APPRENTICE CLOSING

WM: * Brother Senior Warden.


WM: Have you anything to bring before the Lodge beforeI proceed to close?

SW: Nothing in the West.

WM: Anything in the South, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: (S) Nothing in the South

WM: Has any Brother anything to bring before the Lodgebefore I proceed to close?

WM: *. Brother Junior Deacon.


WM: The last as well as the first great care of Masonswhen convened?

JD: To see that they are duly tyled.

WM: Attend to that duty and inform the Tyler that I amabout to close this Lodge of Entered Apprentices,and direct him to tyle accordingly.

JD: * * *. Brother Tyler, I am directed to inform youthat the Worshipful Master is about to close thisLodge of Entered Apprentices. Take due noticethereof and govern yourself accordingly.

JD: * * * Tyl: * * *

JD: (S) Worshipful Master, we are duly tyled.

WM: How are we tyled?

JD: By a Brother Mason without, armed with the properimplement of his office.

WM: His duty there?

JD: To observe the approach of cowans andeavesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or re-passexcept such as are duly qualified and havepermission from the Worshipful Master.



WM: Whence came you?

SW: From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John ofJerusalem.

WM: What came you here to do?

SW: To learn to subdue my passions and improvemyself in Masonry.

WM: Then you are a Mason, I presume?

SW: I am so taken and accepted among Brethren andFellows.

WM: What makes you a Mason?

SW: My Obligation.

WM: Where were you made a Mason?

SW: Within the body of a just and duly constitutedLodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assembledin a place representing the ground floor of KingSolomon’s Temple.

WM: How many compose an Entered ApprenticesLodge?

SW: Seven or more.

WM: When composed of seven, of whom does itconsist?

SW: The Worshipful Master, Senior and JuniorWardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior and JuniorDeacons.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, the Junior Deacon’s placein the Lodge?

SW: At my right.

WM: * *. Brother Junior Deacon.


WM: Your duty?

JD: To carry messages from the Senior Warden inthe West to the Junior Warden in the South, andelsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;attend to alarms at the outer door and report thesame to the Worshipful Master; and to see thatwe are duly tyled.

WM: The Senior Deacon’s place?

JD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

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21WM: Brother Senior Deacon.


WM: Your duty?

SD: To carry orders from the Worshipful Master in theEast to the Senior Warden in the West, andelsewhere about the Lodge as he may direct;welcome and clothe visiting Brethren, attend toalarms at the inner door, and to receive andconduct candidates.

WM: The Treasurer’s place?

SD: At the right of the Worshipful Master in the East.

WM: Brother Treasurer.

Tr: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Your duty?

Tr: To receive all moneys from the Secretary, keepinga just and accurate account of the same, andpay it out on orders of the Lodge, signed by theWorshipful Master; and to perform such otherduties as are prescribed by the Constitution ofthe Grand Lodge.

WM: The Secretary’s place?

Tr: At the left of the Worshipful Master in the East.



WM: Your duty?

Sec: To observe the proceedings of the Lodge, makinga fair record of all that is proper to be written; toreceive all moneys due the Lodge and present itto the Treasurer, take his receipt thereof; and toperform such other duties as are prescribed bythe Constitution of the Grand Lodge.

WM: The Junior Warden’s Station?

Sec: In the South.

WM: Brother Junior Warden.


WM: Your duty in the South?

JW: To observe the sun at meridian, which is the gloryand beauty of the day; call the Craft from labor torefreshment, superintend them during the hoursthereof, carefully to observe that the means ofrefreshment are not perverted to intemperance orexcess, and see that they return to labor in dueseason, that the Worshipful Master may receivehonor, and they pleasure and profit thereby.

WM: The Senior Warden’s Station?

JW: In the West.



WM: Why in the West?

SW: As the sun is in the West at close of day, sostands the Senior Warden in the West, to assistthe Worshipful Master in opening and closing theLodge; paying the Craft their wages, if any bedue, that none may go away dissatisfied; harmonybeing the support of all institutions, especially thisof ours.

WM: The Master’s station?

SW: In the East.

WM: Why in the East?

SW: As the sun rises in the East to rule and governthe day, (WM: ***) so rises the Worshipful Masterin the East to rule and govern the Lodge; settingthe Craft at work, giving them proper instructionfor their labor.

WM: Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that __________ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the FirstDegree of Freemasonry, and stand closed untilopened by proper authority, of which due andtimely notice will be given. This communicate tothe Junior Warden in the South, and he to theBrethren present, that having due notice thereof,they may govern themselves accordingly.

SW: Brother Junior Warden.

JW: Brother Senior Warden.

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22SW: It is the order of the Worshipful Master that ____

____ Lodge No. ___ be now closed on the FirstDegree of Freemasonry, and stay closed untilopened by proper authority, of which due andtimely notice will be given. This communicate tothe Brethren present, that having due noticethereof, they may govern themselves accordingly.

JW: Brethren; it is the order of the Worshipful Master,communicated to me through the Senior Wardenin the West, that ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ benow closed on the First Degree of Freemasonry,and stay closed until opened by proper authority.Of which due and timely notice will be given. Icommunicate the same to you, that having duenotice thereof, you may govern yourselvesaccordingly.

WM: Brethren; attend to giving the signs; observe theEast.

WM: *.

SW: *.

JW: *.

WM: Brethren, give your attention to the Chaplain.

Chap: And now, Almighty Father, we ask Thy blessingupon the proceedings of this communication, andas we are about to separate, we ask Thee to keepus under Thy protecting care until again we arecalled together. Teach us, O God, to realize thebeauties of the principles of our time-honoredinstitution, not only while in the Lodge, but whenabroad in the world. Subdue every discordantpassion within us. May we love one another inthe bonds of union and friendship.

AMEN.


WM: Brother Senior Warden


WM: How should Masons meet?

SW: On the Level.

WM: And how act, Brother Junior Warden?

JW: By the Plumb.

WM: And part upon the Square. So should we, my

Brethren, ever meet, act, and part. May theblessing of Heaven rest upon us and all regularMasons. May brotherly love prevail, and everymoral and social virtue cement us. AMEN.


WM: Brother Senior Deacon.SD: (S) Worshipful Master.

WM: Attend at the Altar and close the Three Great Lightsin Masonry.

WM: I now declare ____ ____ Lodge No. ___ dulyclosed.

WM: Brother Junior Deacon.


WM: Inform the Tyler.

WM: *.

ENTERED APPRENTICE EXAMINATION

Q. Whence came you?

A. From a Lodge of the Holy Saints John ofJerusalem.

Q. What came you here to do?

A. To learn to subdue my passions and improvemyself in Masonry.

Q. Then you are a Mason, I presume?

A. I am so taken and accepted among Brethren andFellows.

Q. What makes you a Mason?

A. My Obligation.

Q. Where were you made a Mason?

A. Within the body of a just and duly constitutedLodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assembledin a place representing the Ground Floor of KingSolomon’s Temple.

Q. How do you know yourself to be a Mason?

A. By having been tried, never denied, and ready tobe tried again.

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23Q. How may I know you to be a Mason?

A. By certain signs, a token, a word, and the perfectpoints of my entrance.

Q. What are signs?

A. Right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.

Q. Advance a sign. Has that an allusion?

A. It has; to the position of my hands while takingthe Obligation.

Q. Have you a further sign?

A. I have.

Q. Has that an allusion?

A. It has; to the penalty of the Obligation.

Q. What is a token?

A. A certain friendly or brotherly grip whereby oneMason may know another in the dark as in thelight.

Q. Advance and give me a token. What is that?

A. A grip.

Q. Of what?

A. Of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. Has it a name?

A. It has.

Q. Will you give it to me?

A. I did not so receive it, neither will I so impart it.

Q. How will you dispose of it?

A. Letter or halve it.

Q. Letter it and begin.

A. You Begin.

Q. Begin you.

A. A;

Q. B;

A. O;

Q. Z.

A. Boaz.

Q. Where were you first prepared to be made aMason.

A. In my heart.

Q. Where next?

A. In a room adjoining the body of a just and dulyconstituted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.

Q. How were your prepared?

A. By being divested of all metallic substances,neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, leftknee and breast bare, hood-winked, and with acable-tow about my neck, in which condition Iwas conducted to a door of the Lodge and causedto give three distinct knocks which were answeredby three within.

Q. What was said to you from within?

A. Who comes here?

Q. Your answer?

A. A poor, blind candidate, who is desirous of havingand receiving a part in the rights, lights, andbenefits of this Worshipful Lodge of Free andAccepted Masons, erected to God and dedicatedto the memory of the Holy Saints John, as allBrethren and Fellows have done who have gonethis way before me.

Q. What were you then asked?

A. If this was an act of my own free will and accord,if I was worthy and well qualified, duly and trulyprepared, all of which being answered in theaffirmative, I was then asked by what further rightI expected to obtain this important privilege.

Q. Your answer?

A. Being a man, free-born, of lawful age, and wellrecommended.

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24Q. What were you then told?

A. Since I was in possession of all these necessaryqualifications, I should wait until the WorshipfulMaster could be informed of my request and hisanswer returned.

Q. What was his answer when returned?

A. Let him enter this Worshipful Lodge, in the nameof God, and be received in due and ancient form.

Q. How were you received?

A. On the point of a sharp instrument, piercing mynaked left breast.

Q. How were you then disposed of.

A. Conducted to the center of the Lodge and causedto kneel for the benefit of prayer.

Q. After prayer, what were you asked?

A. In whom I put my trust.

Q. Your answer.

A. In God.

Q. What were you then told?

A. My trust being in God, my faith was well founded.I was taken by the right hand, ordered to rise,follow my conductor, and fear no danger.

Q. How were you then disposed of?

A. Conducted once regularly around the Lodge, andto the Junior Warden in the South, where the samequestions were asked and answers returned asat the door.

Q. How did the Junior Warden dispose of you?

A. Directed me conducted to the Senior Warden inthe West, where the same questions were askedand answers returned as before.

Q. How did the Senior Warden dispose of you?

A. Directed me conducted to the Worshipful Masterin the East, where the same questions wereasked and answers returned as before, who alsodemanded of me whence I came and whithertraveling.

Q. Your answer.

A. From the West, traveling East.

Q. Why did you leave the West and travel East?

A. In search of Light in Masonry.

Q. How did the Worshipful Master dispose of you?

A. Ordered me re-conducted to the Senior Wardenin the West, who taught me how to approach theEast in due and ancient form.

Q. What is that due and ancient form?

A. Advancing on my left foot, bringing the heel of myright into the hollow of my left, thereby formingthe angle of a square, body erect, facing East.

Q. What did the Worshipful Master then do with you?

A. Made me a Mason.

Q. How?

A. In due form.

Q. What is that due form?

.A. Kneeling on my naked left knee, my right formingthe angle of a square, my left hand supporting,my right resting on the Holy Bible, Square, andCompasses, in which due form I took the solemnObligation of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. Have you that Obligation?

A. I have.

Q. Repeat it.

A. I, ____ __ ____,of my own free will and accord,in the presence of Almighty God and thisWorshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons,erected to God and dedicated to the memory ofthe Holy Saints of Jerusalem, do hereby andhereon, solemnly and sincerely promise andswear, that I will always hele, forever conceal, andnever reveal any of the secret arts, parts, or pointsof the hidden mysteries of Freemasonry, which Ihave received, am about to receive, or may behereafter instructed in, to any person unless itshall be to a worthy Brother Entered Apprentice,or within the body of a just and duly constituted

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25Lodge of such; and not unto him or them whom Ishall hear so to be, but unto him or them onlywhom I shall find so to be after due trial, strictexamination, or lawful Masonic information.

Furthermore: I do promise and swear that I willnot write, indite, print, paint, stamp, stain, hue,cut, carve, mark or engrave the same uponanything movable or immovable, whereby orwhereon the least word, syllable, letter, orcharacter may become legible or intelligible tomyself or another, whereby the secrets ofFreemasonry may be unlawfully obtained throughmy unworthiness.

To all of which I do solemnly and sincerely promiseand swear, without any hesitation, mentalreservation, or secret evasion of mind in mywhatsoever; binding myself under no less a penaltythan that of having my throat cut across, mytongue torn out, and with my body buried in thesands of the sea at low-water mark, where thetide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours,should I ever knowingly or willfully violate this,my solemn Obligation of an Entered Apprentice.So help me God and make me steadfast to keepand perform the same.

Q. After the Obligation, what were you asked?

A. What I most desired.

Q. Your answer?

A. Light in Masonry.

Q. Did you receive it?

A. I did, by order of the Worshipful Master with theassistance of the Brethren.

Q. On being brought to Light in Freemasonry, whatdid you first behold?

A. The Three Great Lights in Masonry, by aid of therepresentatives of the Three Lesser.

Q. What are the Three Great Lights in Masonry?

A. The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

Q. How are they explained?

A. The Holy Bible is given us a the rule and guide forour faith and practice, the Square to square ouractions and the Compasses to circumscribe ourdesires and keep our passions in due bounds withall mankind, especially the Brethren.

Q. What are the Three Lesser Lights?

A. The Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge.


A. As the Sun rules the day and the Moon governsthe night, so should the Worshipful Master, withequal regularity, rule and govern the Lodge.

Q. What are the representatives of the Three LesserLights?

A. They are three burning tapirs placed in a triangularform within the Lodge.

Q. What did you next behold?

A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from theEast upon the step, under the due-guard andsign of an Entered Apprentice, who presented hisright hand in token of friendship and brotherly love,and invested me with the grip and word, orderedme to rise, salute the Junior and Senior Wardensand satisfy them that I was in possession of thestep, due-guard, sign, grip and word of an EnteredApprentice.

Q. What did you next behold?

.A. The Worshipful Master approaching me from theEast a second time, who presented me alambskin or white leather apron, told me it wasan emblem of innocence and the badge of aMason, ordered me to carry it to the SeniorWarden in the West, who taught me how to wearit as an Entered Apprentice.

Q. How should an Entered Apprentice wear hisapron?

A. With the flap turned up, to prevent soiling theclothing; Masonically, to prevent daubing with un-tempered mortar.

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26Q. What demand was then made of you?

A. Some metallic substance, not so much on accountof its intrinsic value as that it might be depositedin the archives of the Lodge as a memorial that Iwas at that time and place made a Mason, butupon strict search found myself entirely destitute.

Q. With what were you then presented?

A. The working tools of an Entered Apprentice.

Q. What are they?

A. The Twenty-four Inch Gauge and the CommonGavel.


A. The Twenty-four Inch Gauge is an instrument usedby operative Masons to measure and lay out theirwork; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, aretaught to use it for the more noble and gloriouspurpose of dividing our time. It being divided intotwenty-four equal parts is emblematical of thetwenty-four hours of the day, which we are taughtto divide into three equal parts, whereby are foundeight hours for the service of God and a distressedworthy Brother, eight for our usual vocations, andeight for refreshment and sleep.

The Common Gavel is an instrument used byoperative masons to break off the corners of roughstones, the better to fit them for the builder’s use;but we, as Free and Accepted Masons are taughtto use it for the more noble and glorious purposeof divesting our hearts and consciences of all thevices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting ourminds as living stones, for that spiritual building -that house not made with hands - eternal in theHeavens.


A. Conducted to the Northeast corner of the Lodgeand informed by the Worshipful Master that thereI stood an upright man and Mason, and he gave itme strictly in charge, ever to walk and act assuch before God and man.

Q. With what were you then presented?

A. A new name, which is Caution. It is to teach meto be cautious over all my words and actions,especially on the subject of Freemasonry, whenin the midst of its enemies.


A. Re-conducted to the place whence I came,invested with that of which I had been divested,and returned to the Lodge for further instruction.

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