Masonic Official Monitor Texas: Entered Apprentice

SECTION I

[The first section of this degree teaches the candidate, by Symbols, many important lessons, and among other things, that Masonry is a moral institution, founded upon the morality as taught in the Bible, and that he has to take the Holy Bible as the rule and guide to his faith and practice; it being the great light in Masonry and the source whence we, as Masons, derive all our ethics.

The ceremonies as taught in this section not only serve as marks of distinction, but communicate useful and interesting knowledge, when they are thoroughly investigated and understood.]

Prayer Used at the Initiation of a Candidate

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 wisdom, that by the influence of the pure principles of our Order he may the better be enabled to display the beauties of holiness to the honor of Thy Holy Name. Amen.

Response: So mote it be.

[The following passage of Scripture may be used during the ceremony:]

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity:

"It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garment:

"As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

[Since the more general introduction of music into the Lodges, the following hymn is sometimes used as a substitute for this passage of Scripture, with excellent effect:]

(Music)--"AULD LANG SYNE"

Behold how pleasant and how good,
For brethren such as we,
Of the Accepted brotherhood,
To dwell in unity!
’Tis like the oil on Aaron's head,
Which to his feet distills;
Like Hermon's dew so richly shed
On Zion's sacred hills.

For there the Lord of light and love
A blessing sent with pow’r;
Oh! may we all this blessing prove.
E’en life for evermore; [In the course of this section the badge of a Mason is introduced and explained.]

The Lambskin, or white leather apron, is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason; more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other order that could be conferred, at this, or any future period, by king, prince or potentate, or any person, except he be a Mason; and which every one ought to wear with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity.

[This Section closes with a moral explanation of the Twenty-four Inch Gauge and Common Gavel.]

The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge

Is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to measure and lay out their work. But we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of 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

The Common Gavel

Is an instrument made use of by operative Masons, to break off the rough and superfluous parts of stones, the better to fit them for the builder's use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our minds and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting ourselves as living stones, for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

SECTION II

[This section rationally accounts for the ceremony of initiating a candidate into our ancient institution, and fully explains the first section.]

The lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of innocence; he, therefore, who wears the lambskin as the badge of a Mason is constantly reminded of that purity of heart and

SECTION III

[This section sets out with the definition of a Lodge, and contains instructions relative to the form, supports, covering, furniture, ornaments, lights, jewels, situation and dedication of Lodges. We also here derive instruction as to the tenets of a Mason's profession, the manner in which our ancient brethren served their Masters, and the section closes with an explanation of the four cardinal virtues. Much of this section is monitorial, and is open and free to the perusal of any and all persons. By a perusal of our monitors the uninitiated may learn much of the workings of Masonry.]

The Form of a Lodge

A Lodge is said to be supported by Wisdom, Strength and Beauty; because there should be wisdom to contrive, strength to support, and beauty to adorn, all great and important undertakings.

The Covering of a Lodge

The covering of a Lodge is no less than the clouded canopy, or starry-decked heavens, where all good Masons

The Furniture of a Lodge

is the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

The Bible is dedicated to the service of God, it being the inestimable gift of God to man; * * * * * the Square to the Master, it being the proper Masonic emblem of his office; and the Compasses to the Craft, because, by a due attention to their use, they are taught to circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds towards all mankind, more especially, a Brother Mason.

The Ornaments of a Lodge

Are the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star.

Jewels of a Lodge

There are six Jewels belonging to a Lodge, three immovable and three movable. The immovable Jewels are the Square, Level and Plumb; these are said to be immovable, because they have fixed stations in a Lodge.

The movable Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle-Board.

The Rough Ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry, in its rude

[By the Rough Ashlar we are reminded of our rude and imperfect state by nature; by the Perfect Ashlar, of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, our own endeavors, and the blessing of God; and by the Trestle-Board, we are also reminded that, as the operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the Master on his Trestle-Board, so should we, as Speculative Masons, endeavor to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the Universe, in the great volume of nature and revelations, which is our moral and Masonic Trestle-Board.]

Dedication

Lodges were anciently dedicated to King Solomon, who was our first Most Excellent Grand Master; but Masons

Brotherly Love

1. By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family--the high and low, the rich and poor; who, as created by one Almighty Parent,

Relief

2. To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent upon all men; but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the grand aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

Truth

3. Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown

Manner of Service

Our Ancient Brethren served their Masters with

The Four Cardinal Virtues,

Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice, are * * * * * in this manner:

Temperance is that due restraint upon our affections and passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the allurements of vice. This virtue should be the constant practice of every Mason, as he is thereby taught to avoid excess, or the contracting of any vicious habit, which might lead him to betray his trust, and subject him to the contempt of all good Masons.

Fortitude is that noble and steady purpose of the mind, whereby we are enabled to undergo any pain, peril or danger, when prudentially deemed expedient. This virtue should be deeply impressed on the mind of every Mason,

Charge

My Brother:--Having passed through the ceremonies of your initiation, I congratulate you on your admission into this ancient and honorable Order; ancient, as having existed from time immemorial; honorable, as tending to make all men so, who are strictly obedient to its teachings and precepts. It is an institution having for its foundation the practice of the social and moral virtues, and to so high an eminence has its credit been advanced that, in every age and country, men pre-eminent for their moral and intellectual attainments have encouraged and promoted its interests. Nor has it been thought derogatory to their dignity that monarchs have, for a season, exchanged the scepter for the trowel, to patronize our mysteries, and join in our assemblies.

As a Mason, you are to regard the Holy Scriptures as the great light in your profession; they are the unerring standard of truth and justice; and you are to regulate your life and