The New Masonic Trestle Board-Charles W Moore-1850-209pgs-SEC SOC

8/2/2019 The New Masonic Trestle Board-Charles W Moore-1850-209pgs-SEC SOC

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THE

NEW MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD,ADAPTED TO THE

WORK AND LECTURESAS PRACTISED IN

THE LODGES, CHAPTERS, COUNCILS,AND

ENCAMPMENTS OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS,IN THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .

BY CHARLES W. MOORE,EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MONTHLY MAGAZINE:

STEREOTYPE EDITION .

BOSTONPUBLISHED BY CHARLES W. MOORE,AT THE OFFICE OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE, 21 SCHOOL STREET .

Tuttle & Dennett, Printers .1850 .

i


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E n t e r e d a c c o r d i n g t o A c t o f C o n g r e s s , i n t h e y e a r 1 8 5 0 , b yCHARLES W. MOORE,I n t h e C l e r k ' s O f f i c e o f t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t o f M a s s a c h u s e t t s .

STEREOTYPED BYHOBART & ROBBINS ;NEW ENGLAND TYPE AND STEREOTYPE FOUNDERY,BOSTON .


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PREFACE .THIS work was origi nall y prepared by order of the NATIONAL MASONIC

CONVENTION, hel d at Baltimore, Md ., in 1843 ; and was first submitted

to the Fratern ity in that year . It was favorably recei ved, and has sin ce

passed through sever al editions . It is in ver y gene ral use in the Lodges

of the Unite d States, and has met with u nexpected favor in England, and

other parts of Europe .

The present e dition has been carefully revised ; and such correct ions

and additions have been made as were dee med necess ary for t he greater

perfection of the work . In the performance of this duty, the couns el of

experie nced and compete nt Bret hren has been fre ely asked, and given .

All extraneous and use less matter, and all indefensible assu mptions and

fabulous hist ory, with which such works are too frequentl y encumbered,

to the prejudice of the character of our Ins tit uti on, have been carefully

excluded . The work contains jus t what is r equi red for practical purposes,

and n othin g more . Absurd and ridiculous pretensions are no more toler-

able in s ocieties t han in in dividuals . In the beli ef that it is n ow as

perfect as i t can convenie nt ly be made, the work has been handsomely

STEREOTYPED .A SECOND PART has been prepared ; containing the Illustr ations,Scriptu re s, Charges , and forms of Cere moni es , appropriate t o CHAPTERS,COUNCILS, and ENCAMPMENTS . This part of the work has been got u pwith great care . It is enriched with historical illustrations, and is

belie ved to be, in all respects, not only equally correct, but more complete

in matte r and arrangement, and better adapted to the purposes for which

it is designed, than any other similar work extant . In order t o meet t he

wishes of Brethr en, who may not n eed or desi re t he SECOND PART, the

work is published in three forms, and under sli ghtly differen t ti tles, as

follows : -

I . 0 THE MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD," exclu sive ly desi gned for the us e of

Lodges and Bret hren who have not advanced to the higher degrees .

I L ~~THE MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD-PART II," designed as a Text-Book for Chapter s, Counci ls , and Encampmen ts .

III . "THE NEw MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD," including both the pre-ceding works, bound in one volume . This is a complete andaccurate working-book for all the degree s, from the first to that of

the Knight Te mplar .

In the confident beli ef that these works are bett er adapted to the pur-

poses for which they are int ended than any heretofore in use , and that

their gene ral int roduction will ins ure gre ater un iformity of work, in all

the various Order s of Masonry, they are r espect fully su bmitt ed to the

favorable consideration of the Fraterni ty of the United States .C. W. M.BOSTON, MASS . , May, 1850 .


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RECOMMENDATIONSBY THE

GRAND LECTURERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASS .

MASONIC TEMPLE, Boston, April, 1850 .R. W. CHARLES W. MOORE .

Dear Sir, and Brother :-Having examine d the new editi on of the"MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD," allow me to st ate, that, assi ste d bymemory and comparison, I belie ve the work to be bette r adapted t o the

purposes for which it is i nte nded than any other work of the kind .

Should my opinion , or- approval, be thought ben efici al, in r ecommen d-

ing said work to the favorable noti ce of the Masonic Frate rni ty, I will,

in addition, say, that I purpose t o use t he same, in conn ecti on with the

work re cent ly adopted by the "MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE o fMASSACHUSETTS . "

This re commendation is given under t he conscious belie f that it will

have a te ndency, in s ome degree , to consu mmate the purposes of the Grand

Lodge, unde r whose aut hority I am commis si oned, as a Grand Lectu r e r ,

to aid and assi st in accomplishing those pur poses .

Yours, fraternally,W C. MARTINCHARLESTOWN, April , 1850 .

R. W. Brother C. W Moore : -Having carefully examined the"NEW MAsoNIC TRESTLE-BOARD," by you, I take pleasure in recom-mending it to the F ratern ity, as a te xt-book better adapted t o Lodge

purposes than any other simil ar work with which I am acquaint ed .

It contains all that is proper to be written on the subject it is designed

to illus trate, and all that inte lligent Brethren will regard as desirable or

esse nti al, in the acquisi tion of a corre ct knowledge of the Work and

Lectures , and Public Cere monie s of the Insti tut ion . The arrangementis practi cal and compre hens ive, careful ly adapted to the work of the

Lodges, and well calculate d to guide and facilit ate the le arner in t he

acquisition of the ritual . Fraternally yours,

CHARLES B. ROGERS,One of the Grand Lecturers of t h e " Grand Lodge ofMaw"


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- RECOMMENDATIONS .From Gov. DUNLAP, Gen . G. H. P . o f t h e G e n . Grand Chapte r of t h e

U n i t e d S t a t e s .

BRuN swlcx, ME. , J u l y 1 , 1 8 5 0 .Dear Sir:-I

h a v e p e r u s e d w i t h m u c h s a t i s f a c t i o n t h e " N e w M A -

S o N I c T R E S T L E - B O A R D " w h i c h y o u h a d t h e p o l i t e n e s s t o s e n d m e .

I r e g a r d t h e w o r k a s a w e l l a r r a n g e d M A S O N I C T E X T B o o x , r e p l e t e

w i t h v a l u a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n u p o n t h e s u b j e c t s o n w h i c h i t t r e a t s ; a n d I

t r u s t i t w i l l h a v e a w i d e c i r c u l a t i o n a m o n g t h e m e m b e r s o f o u r F r a t e r -

n i t y . W i t h h i g h r e g a r d , F r a t e r n a l l y {~ ~ o u r s ,

ROBERT P . DUNLAP .CHARLES W . MOORE, Esq . , B o s t o n , M a s s .

From M. B . Rev . PAUL DEAN .WESTMINSTER, Aug . 2 7 , 1 8 50 .R . W. Br . Charl es W. Moore : -It a f f o r d s m e p l e a s u r e t o a s s u r e you

that a careful perusal of your "NEW MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD" hasg i v e n m e g r e a t s a t i s f a c t i o n . I n v i e w o f t h e i n t e l l i g e n c e , r e s e a r c h , a n d

care exhibited in its revision, -t h e b e a u t i f u l P l a t e s , a n d t h e e x p l a n a -t i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s M a s o n i c S y m b o l s a n d E m b l e m s , -o f t h e a r r a n g e -m e n t o f t h e P r a y e r s , C h a r g e s , I l l u s t r a t i o n s , a n d C e r e m o n i e s , f r o m t h e

E n t e r e d A p p r e n t i c e t o t h e T e m p l a r D e g r e e s , - t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e q u o -

tations of Scripture, chain of history, traditions, principles, usages of

t h e O r d e r , a n d o f t h e d u t i e s o f t h e B r e t h r e n , i n a l l t h e s t a t i o n s a n d

relations of life, - in view of all this, I feel that the author is entitled

t o t h e r e sp e c t fu l g r a t i tu d e o f t h e F r a t er n i t y ; a n d t h a t t h e w o r k i t se l f

j u s t l y c l a i m s t o b e t h e b e s t a n d m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e e m b o d i m e n t o f

F r e e m a s o n r y y e t g i v e n t o t h e M a s o n i c B r o t h e r h o o d ; a n d , a s s u c h , i s

h e r e b y m o s t r e s p e c t f u l l y r e c o m m e n d e d t o t h e f a v o r a b l e n o t i c e a n d u s e

o f t h e L o d g e s , C h a p t e r s , C o u n c i l s , a n d E n c a m p m e n t s o f t h e U n i t e d

S t a t e s . Y o u r s t r u l y a n d F r a t e r n a l l y , PAUL DEAN,Past Gen . G. H P . Gen. G . Chapter of the U. S t a t e s .

From H W. BENJAMIN B. FRENCH, Esq .R. W . C. W. MOORS : CITY OF WASHINGT ON, Oct . 3 , 1 8 5 0 .

Sir Kt. Comp . gad Brother :-I h a v e c a r e f u l l y e x a m i n e d t h e n e we d i t i o n o f y o u r M A S O N I C T R E S T L E - B O A R D , " c o n t a i n i n g a l l t h a t i s

p r o p e r t o b e w r i t t e n o f t h e w o r k , f r o m E n t e r e d A p p r e n t i c e t o K n i g h t

T e m p l a r , a n d d o n o t h e s i t a t e t o g i v e i t m y f u l l a p p r o v a l .

W e h a v e , f o r y e a r s , u s e d t h e f o r m e r e d i t i o n , c o n t a i n i n g t h e F I R S T

P A R T , i n o u r B l u e L o d g e s , u n d e r t h i s j u r i s d i c t i o n , a n d i t h a s m e t th e

g e n e r a l a p p r o b a t i o n o f t h e B r e t h r e n .

T h e a d d i t i o n o f t h e S E C O N D P A R T m a k e s t h e w o r k a s p e r f e c t a s s u c h

a w o r k c a n w e l l b e m a d e ; a n d w h i l e I g i v e y o u m y p e r s o n a l t h a n k s

f o r t a k i n g u p o n y o u r s e l f t h e t r o u b l e a n d r i s k o f p u b l i s h i n g i t , I a l s o

a d d m y e a r n e s t r e c o m m e n d a t i o n t o t h e M a s o n i c F r a t e r n i t y o f t h e

w h o l e nion to adopt it as t h e i r TEXT-Boox in performing the worxi n t h e i r s e v e r a l L o d g e s , C h a p t e r s , a n d E n c a m p m e n t s .

T r u l y a n d F r a t e r n a l l y y o u r s , B . B . FRENCH,

Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia, and G . G . S e c .

and G . G . R e c o r d e r o f t h e G . G. Chapte r and Enc. o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .


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CONTENTS OF PART I .A p r o n , t h e .

Architecture, Definition of . .

A n t i q u i t y o f . .

O r d e r s o f . . .

Tuscan . . . .

D o r i co n i c . . . . 2 3.34. 3 5. 3 5. 3 5. 3 5. 3 5 C l o s i n g a L o d g eCommon GavelC o n s e c r a t i o n ,C o n s t i t u t i n gC o r n e r S t o n e s ,C o v e r i n g o f13C e r e m o n y o f . . . 5 7a L o d g e3L a y i n g o f . . . . 6 7L o d g e s5C o r i n t h i a n . . .Composite . . .I n v e n t i o n o f .A r i t h m e t i cstronomy . . . . 3 6. 36. 36. 39. 40 D e c l a r a t i o na C a n d i d a t eD e d i c a t i o n t o b e a s s e n t e d t o b y. . . . 1 9o f M a s o n i c H a l l s . . 7 1o f L o d g e s6A d d r e s s t o G r a n d M a s t e r a t h i s EMBLEMS, t h e

T h r e e S t e p s7P o t o f I n c e n s e . . . . 4 8

B e e - h i v e .48

I n s t a l l a t i o n . . . 87

a t t h e I n i t i a t i o n o f a

SoldierB a d g e o f a M a s o n8 8. 24 B o o k o f C o n s t i t ut i on s ,&c . 48B r o t h e r l y L o v ee n e d i c t i o n2 8. 13

F e e l i n g . .

Sword p o i n t i n g t o a

Naked Heart . . 48A l l - s e e i n g E ye . . . 49

A n c h o r a n d A r k . . . 49

F o r ty- s e v e n t h P r o b -l e m o f E u c l i d . . 49

H o u r - g l a s s9S c y t h e97C a n d i d a t e s , Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n dD u t i e s o f . . .A d m i s s i o n o f . . . 1 5. 1 9C e r e m o n i a l I l l u s t r a t i o n s . . . . 20Ceremony of Constituting aLodge . . . 53o f C o n s e c r a t i o n . . 57of Installation . . . 59

o f L a y i n g F o u n d a -

t i o n S t o n e s . . 6 7

D e d i c a t i n g M a s o n i c

F i r s t D e g r e e7F i r s t s e c t i o n o f . . . 2 1S e c o n d d o . . . . 24Third do . . . . 24F i v e S e n s e s6Form of a Lodge . . . 2 5Form of Petition for a NewLodge . . 51,93D i s p e n s a t i o n f o r a N e wLodge . . . . 9 4

C h a r t e r , o r W a r r a n t . . 9 5

P o w e r f o r C o n s t i t u t i n g

a New Lodge . . . 9 6

Commission for Dist .Dep . G . M a s t e r . . 9 7

F o r m o f C o m m i s s i o n r e - a p poi n t -i n g D . D . G . M . . .98

Proxy for Representa -t i o n i n G . L e d g e . .97

F o r t i t u d e . . . 29

F r e e m a s o n r y , D e f i n i t i o n o f . . . 9

F u n e r a l C e r e m o n i e s . . . 76

S e r v i c e6 3 82H a l l s1a t F u n e r a l s . . . . 7 6C h a r g e s a t O pe n i n g4a t C lo s i n g . 1 4o n t h e P r i v a t e D u t i e sof Masons . . . 1 6o n D u t i e s a s C i t i z e n s . 1 7o n D u t i e s i n t h e Lo d g e . 1 6o n D u t i e s a s N e i g h b o r s 1 8on Duties towards aB r o t h e r . . 18Charge at Initiation to the FirstD e g r e e . 29at Initiation to the Sec-o n d D e g r e e . 4 1a t I n i t i a t i o n t o t h e T h i r dD e g r e e 5 0u p o n t h e I n s t a l l a t i o n o ft h e O f f i c e r s o f aLodge4


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Till

Geometry,9d v a n t a g e s o f . . 39

M o r a l A d v a n t a g e s o f . 4 0

G l o b e s , U s e o f4Grammar8H e a r i n g7I n s t a l l a t i o n , C e r e m o n i e s o f . . . 59J e w e l s _6J u s t i c e9L a y i n g F o u n d a t i o n S t o n e s . . . 67

Lamb Skin3Lodge, Definition ofi t s O r g a n i z a t i o n . . 9t h e F o r m o f . . . . 25t h e C o v e r i n g o f5t h e F u r n i t u r e o f . . . . 25t h e O r n a m e n t s o f . . . . 26t h e J e w e l s o f . . . . 26t o w h o m d e d i c a t e d . . . 26L o g i c9M a s o n r y , O p e r a t i v e3

S p e c u l a t i v e4M u s i c0O p e n i n g . of a Lodge0O p e r a t i v e M a s o n r y3Ornaments6P a s t M a s t e r ' s D e g r e e1First Section1S e c o n d S e c t i o n9T h i r d S e c t i o n7F o u r t h S e c t i o n1F i f t h S e c t i o n6P e t i t i o n f o r De g r e e s . . . . 19P l u m b _ L i n e2,33P r a y e r s a t O p e n i n g . 13, 92Prayers, general, at Closing 13, 92P r a y e r ( B e n e d i c t i o n )3CONTENTS .Prayer at the Initiation of a CanR e m a r k s o n t h e F i r s t D e g r e e . . 2 1o n S e c o n d1o n T h i r d . . . 42o n P a s t M a s t e r ' s D e g . . 51R e l i e f8R h e t o r i c8S e c o n d D e g r e e1F i r s t S e c t i o n1S e c o n d S e c t i o n . 3 3S e v e n L i b e r a l A r t s a n d S c i e n c e s 3 3S e e i n g7Sm e l l i n g7S i x D a y s4S p e c u l a t i v e M a s o n r y4S u p p o r t o f L o d g e5T a s t i n g8Temperance8T h i r d D e g r e e , R e m a r k s o n . . . 42F i r s t S e c t i o n3S e c o n d S e c t i o n5T h i r d S e c t i o n6Trowel5T r u t h8T w e n t y - f o u r I n c h G a u g e . . . . 23didate2P r a y e r a t I n i t i a t i o n t o 2 d D e g . . 31P r a y e r a t I n i t i a t i o n t o 3 d D e g . . 45Prayers at Initiation 89, 92P r a y e r a t O p e n i n g t h e G . L o d g e . 9 0P r a y e r a t C o n s t i t u t i n g a L o d g e . 91P r oc e s si o n a t C o n st i tu ti ng aLodge . . . 5 4P r o c e ss i o n of G . L o d g e a t do . . 55P r o c e s s i o n a t l a y i n g F o u n d a t i o nS t o n e s . .P r o c e s s i o n a t D e d i c a t i o n s . . 6 8. 75P r o c e s s i o n a t F u n e r a l s 78, 83P r u d e n c e . . . . . 29P o i n t w i t h i n a C i r c l e . . . . . 2 7


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THE TRESTLE-BOARD .CHAPTER I

FREEMASONRY.-A LODGE.-ITS ORGANIZATION ."FREEMASONRY," says a learned foreign author, "is a

MORAL ORDER, instituted by virtuous men, with the praise-worthy design of recalling to our remembrance the most

sublime TRUTHS, in the midst of the most inn ocent andsocial ple asur es ,-foun ded on LIBERALITY, BROTHERLY-Lova, and CHARITY. " I t i s a b e a u t i f u l SYSTEM OF MORAL-ITY, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols . TRUTHis i ts cent re-the point whence it s radii diverge -pointi ng

out to its disciples a correct knowledge of the Great Archi-

te ct of the Un iver se , and the moral laws which he has

ordaine d for their government .A LODGE o f MASONS consi sts of a cert ain nu mber ofBre thren , who are asse mbled together to expatiate on the

mysteries of the Craft ; having the HOLY BIBLE open on theAltar, to teach them the sacred principles of religion and

just ice,-the SQUARE and COMPASS, to re mind them of thedutie s t hey owe to society and to themselves , -the Booic

OF CONSTIT UTIONS, where they may stu dy the gene ral st at-

utes of Masonry, -the BY-LAws, to point out their duty

as member s of an individual Lodge,- and the WARRANT,O r CHARTER, by virt ue of which, having been iss ued by theGrand Lodge, they mee t to transact the business of Ma-

sonry .


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1 0 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARn .

A n y n u m b e r o f M a s o n s n o t l e s s t h a n s e v e n , b e i n g w e l l

s k i l l e d i n t h e w o r k a n d m y s t e r i e s o f t h e C r a f t , a n d o f g o o d

r e p o r t a m o n g t h e i r B r e t h r e n , m a y p e t i t i o n t h e G r a n d L o d g e ,

w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s o f w h o s e j u r i s d i c t i o n t h e y r e s i d e , f o r a

D i s p e n s a t i o n , a u t h o r i z i n g t h e m t o ORGANIZE a Lodge for

M a s o n i c p u r p o s e s . When organized, a Lodge consists of

t h e W o r s h i p f u l M a s t e r , S e n i o r a n d J u n i o r W a r d e n s , T r e a s -

u r e r a n d S e c r e t a r y , S e n i o r a n d J u n i o r D e a c o n s , S e n i o r a n d

Junior Stewards, and as many members as a majority of

t h e B r e t h r e n m a y d e t e r m i n e - t h o u g h m o r e t h a n f i f t y w i l l

g e n e r a l l y b e f o u n d i n c o n v e n i e n t . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e o f f i c e r s

h e r e e n u m e r a t e d , i t i s t h e i n d i s p e n s a b l e d u t y o f t h e M a s t e r

o f e v e r y L o d g e t o a p p o i n t s o m e t r u s t - w o r t h y a n d s k i l l f u l

B r o t h e r t o a c t a s T y l e r . A Marshal is also frequently

a p p o i n t e d ; b u t h e i s a n o f f i c e r o f c o n v e n i en c e , n o t o f

n e c e s s i t y .

CHAPTER II,THE CEREMONIES OF OPENING AND CLOSING ALODGE .THE r i t e s a n d c e r e m o n i e s o f F r e e m a s o n r y f o r m t h e d i s -

t i n c t ive pec uli a r i t y o f t h e i n s t i t ut i o n . I n t h e i r n a t u r e , t h e y

are simple-in their end, instructive . They naturally

e x c i t e a h i g h d e g r e e o f c u r i o s i t y , i n a n e w l y i n i t i a t e d

B r o t h e r , a n d c r e a t e a n e a r n e s t d e s i r e t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e i r

m e a n i n g , a n d t o b e c o m e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e i r o b j e c t a n d

d e s i g n . I t r e q u i r e s , h o w e v e r , b o t h s e r i o u s a p p l i c a t i o n a n d

u n t i r i n g d i l i g e n c e , t o a s c e r t a i n t h e p r e c i s e n a t u r e o f e v e r y

c e r e m o n y w h i c h o u r a n c i e n t B r e t h r e n s a w r e a s o n t o a d o p t ,

i n t h e f o r m a t i o n o f a n e x c l u s i v e s y s t e m , w h i c h w a s t o p a s s

t h r o u g h t h e w o r l d , u n c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e r e l i g i o n a n d p o l i -

t i c s o f a l l t i m e s , a n d o f e v e r y p e o p l e a m o n g w h o m i t should


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CEREM'rtF5 Of OPENING AND CLOSING . 1 1flourish and increase .* But the assiduous Mason, with the-

assistance of an in tell igent Master i n the Chair -and none

but intell igent Brethren should ever be placed in that

res ponsi ble station-will not fail to deri ve instruction

from eve ry cer emony he may witn es s, and improvement

from ever y ordin ance wit h which he may become ac-

quainted .

The first business which occupies the Brethren, when

assembled at their s tated meet ings, is what is t echnically

te rmed the Openi ng of the Lodge . The ceremonies cannot

here be described -with any cons iderable degree of minut e-

ness . We may, howeve r, re mark, that, at the wel l- known

signal, the officers and members and visi tin g Bret hren,

clothed in their appropriate regalia, repair to their respect-

ive stations, and await the commands of the Worshipful

Maste r . It having been previously ascertained t hat a l l

pres en t are Masons, the aven ue s of the Lodge are se-

cured, and the ceremony of openin g proceeds .

The cer emony of closing differs from that of opening

only in the necessary change of phraseology, and in certain

precautionary measu res . The Brethren pres ent are a l l

expected to assis t i n t he performance of both duti es, and

much of the beauty and harmony of the scene depends on

t h e i r q u i e t d e p o r t m e n t a n d s t r i c t a t t e n t i o n t o t h e b u s i n e s s b e -

fore them . I n t h i s , a s i n a l l o t h e r M a s o n i c c e r e m o n i e s , e v e r y -

t h i n g l i k e l e v i t y o r r u d e n e s s i n s p e e c h o r a c t i o n i s t o b e d e p -

recated and avoided. A Mason should neve r forget that he

is a gentleman, and that all the peculiarities he witnesses,

or in which he is required to participate, while in the Lodge,

are designed to il lus trate and inculcate some great moral

t r u t h . The peculiar beauty of our ceremonie s is, that they

all te nd to improve the mind, and consecrate the affections

t o virtue .

The l abors and duti es of the Lodge should begin and

* Phil osophy of Freemasonry .


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i

1 2 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .end w i t h p r a y e r . The Brethren cannot be too often re-

m i n d e d o f t h e i r d e p e n d e n c e o n t h e A l m i g h t y A r c h i t e c t o f

t h e U n i v e r s e f o r e v e r y b l e s s i n g t h e y e n j o y . P r a y e r i s a n

a n c i e n t a n d b e a u t i f u l c u s t o m o f t h e I n s t i t u t i o n . I t w a s t h e

c o n s t a n t p r a c t i c e o f o u r a n c e s t o r s . I t i s e n j o i n e d b y t h e

C o n s t i t u t i o n s , a n d c a n n o t , w i t h p r o p r i e t y , b e o m i t t e d .

T h e r e a r e a l s o c e r t a i n a n c i e n t C h a r g e s , o n e o r m o r e o f

w h i c h m a y b e p r o p e r l y r e h e a r s e d , e i t h e r i m m e d i a t e l y s u b -

s e q u e n t t o t h e o p e n i n g , o r j u s t p r e v i o u s l y t o t h e c l o s i n g , o f

the Lodge . W h e n b u s i n e s s d o e s n o t p r e v e n t , t h e r e a d i n g

o f a t l e a s t o n e o f t h e m , f r o m t h e B o o k o f C o n s t i t u t i o n s ,

o u g h t n e v e r t o b e o m i t t e d . A k n o w l e d g e o f t h e i r d u t i e s

t o t h e C r a f t , t o s o c i e t y , a n d t o e a c h o t h e r , c a n n o t b e t o o

f i r m l y f i x e d o n t h e m i n d s o f t h e B r e t h r e n .

It has been beautifully said, by an eminent English

B r o t h e r , t h a t t h e M a s t e r o p e n s t h e L o d g e a t s u n r i s e , w i t h

solemn prayer ; the Junior Warden calls the men from

l a b o r w h e n t h e S u n a t t a i n s i t s m e r i d i a n h e i g h t ; and the

Senior Warden* closes the Lodge with prayer at sunset- w h e n t h e l a b o r s o f o u r a n c i e n t B r e t h r e n e n d e d . T heg r e a t l u m i n a r y o f c r e a t i o n r i s e s i n t h e E a s t , t o o p e n t h e

day, with a mild and genial influence, and all nature

r e j o i c e s i n t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f h i s b e a m s . He gains his

m e r i d i a n i n t h e S o u t h , i n v i g o r a t i n g a l l t h i n g s w i t h t h e p e r -

f e c t i o n o f h i s r i p e n i n g q u a l i t i e s . W i t h d e c l i n i n g s t r e n g t h ,

h e s e t s i n t h e W e s t , t o c l o s e t h e d a y , l e a v i n g m a n k i n d a t

r e s t f r o m t h e i r l a b o r s . T h i s i s a t y p e o f t h e t h r e e m o s t

p r o m i n e n t s t a g e s i n t h e l i f e o f m a n - infancy, manhood,

and age . T h e f i r s t , c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h e b l u s h o f i n n o -

c e n c e , i s p u r e a s t h e t i n t s w h i c h g i l d t h e e a s t e r n p o r t a l s o f

t h e d a y ; t h e h e a r t r e j o i c e s i n t h e u n s u s p e c t i n g i n t e g r i t y o f

i t s o w n u n b l e m i s h e d v i r t u e s , n o r f e a r s d e c e i t , b e c a u s e i t

knows no guile . Manhood succeeds ; t h e r i p e n i n g i n t e l -

* I n t h i s c o u n t r y , t h e M a s t e r o p e n s a n d c l o s e s t h e L o d g e ,


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PRAYERS AND CHARGES . 13l e c t a r r i v e s a t t h e m e r i d i a n o f i t s p o w e r s . At the approach

of o l d a g e , m a n ' s s t r e n g t h d e c a y s ; h i s s u n i s s e t t i n g i n t h eWest E n f e e b l e d b y s i c k n e s s , o r b o d i l y i n f i r m i t i e s , h e l i n -g e r s o n t i l l d e a t h f i n a l l y c l o s e s h i s e v e n t f u l d a y ; and happy

i s h e , i f t h e s e t t i n g s p l e n d o r s o f a v i r t u o u s l i f e g i l d h i s d e -

parting moments with the gentle tints of hope, and close

h i s s h o r t c a r e e r i n p e a c e , h a r m o n y , a n d B r o t h e r l y - L o v e .

CHAPTER III .PRAYERS AND CHARGES AT THE OPENING ANDCLOSING OF LODGES .

PRAYER AT OPENINGG r e a t A r c h i t e c t o f t h e U n i v e r s e ! I n t h y n a m e w e h a v e a s s e m -

b l e d , a n d i n t h y n a m e w e d e s i r e t o p r o c e e d i n a l l o u r d o i n g s .

G r a n t t h a t t h e s u b l i m e p r i n c i p l e s o f F r e e m a s o n r y m a y s o s u b -

d u e e v e r y d i s c o r d a n t p a s s i o n w i t h i n u s - s o h a r m o n i z e a n d e n r i c h

o u r h e a r t s w i t h t h i n e o w n l o v e a n d g o o d n e s s-h a t t h e L o d g e a tt h i s t i m e m a y h u m b l y r e f l e c t t h a t o r d e r a n d b e a u t y w h i c h r e i g n

f o r e v e r b e f o r e t h y t h r o n e . Amen.Response . So m o t e i t b e .

ANOTHERS u p r e m e R u l e r o f t h e U n i v e r s e ! W e w o u l d r e v e r e n t l y i n v o k e

t h y b l e s s i n g a t t h i s t i m e . W i l t t h o u b e p l e a s e d t o g r a n t t h a t

t h i s m e e t i n g , t h u s b e g u n i n o r d e r , m a y b e c o n d u c t e d i n p e a c e ,

a n d c l o s e d i n h a r m o n y . Amen .Response . So m o t e i t b e .

PRAYER AT CLOSINGS u p r e m e G r a n d M a s t e r ! R u l e r o f H e a v e n a n d E a r t h ! Now

t h a t w e a r e a b o u t t o s e p a r a t e , a n d r e t u r n t o o u r r e s p e c t i v e p l a c e s

o f a b o d e , w i l t t h o u b e p l e a s e d s o t o i n f l u e n c e o u r h e a r t s a n d

m i n d s , t h a t w e m a y e a c h o n e o f u s p r a c t i s e , o u t o f t h e L o d g e ,

t h o s e g r e a t m o r a l d u t i e s w h i c h a r e i n c u l c a t e d i n i t , a n d w i t h

r e v e r e n c e s t u d y a n d o b e y t h e l a w s w h i c h t h o u h a s t g i v e n u s i n

thy Holy Word . Amen .Response . So m o t e i t b e .

BENEDICTIONM a y t h e b l e s s i n g o f H e a v e n r e s t u p o n u s , a n d a l l r e g u l a r

2


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1 4 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .Masons! May Brother ly-Love prevail, an d every moral andsocial virtue cement us ! Amen .

Response . So mote it be .CHARGE AT OPENING

The ways of Virt ue are beautiful : Knowledge is attaine d by

degrees : Wisdom dwell s with conte mplati on : There we mustseek her . Let us, then, Brethren, apply ourselves with becoming

ze al to the practice of the excell ent principle s in culcated by our

Order . Let us ever remember that the great objects of our associa-

tion, are the re straint of improper desir es and passions, the culti-

vation of an active benevolence, and the promotion of a correct

knowledge of the dut ie s we owe to God, our n eighbor and our-

selves . Let us be unit ed, and practise with- assi duity the sacred

ten ets of our Order . Let all pri vate animositi es, if any unhappily

exis t, give place to affecti on and Brotherly-Love . I t i s a u s e l e s s

parade to talk of the su bjection of irregular passions within t he

walls of the Lodge, if we permit them to triu mph in our i nte r-

course with each other . Unitin g in the grand design, let us be

happy ourse lves , and endeavor to promote t he happine ss of

others . Let us cultivate the great moral virtu es which are laid

down on our Masonic Tr es tl e-Board, and improve in ever ything

that is good, amiable, and us eful . Let the benign Geni us of the

Mysti c Art preside over our council s, and, under her sway, let us

act with a dignit y becomin g the high moral character of our ven -

erable Insti tution .

ANOTHER CHARGE AT OPENING' Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Bre thre n t o dwell

together in unity !

" It i s l ike t he precious oint ment upon the head, that r an 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 desce nded upon

the mountains of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the bles s-

ing, even life forevermore ."

CHARGE AT CLOSINGBrethren : You are now to quit this sacred retreat of friend-

ship and virtu e, to mix again with the world . Amidst its con-cerns and employmen ts, forget not the dutie s you have so fre-

quently heard inculcated and forcibly recommended in this Lodge .

Be dili gent, prudent, temperate, discre et . Remember thataround this altar you have promise d to befrie nd and reli eve e very

Brother who shall nee d your assist ance . Remember that youhave promise d to remind him, in the most tender manner, of his

faili ngs, and aid his reformation . Vindicate his character, when


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QIIALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CANDIDATES. 15w r o n g f u l l y t r a d u c e d . S u g g e s t , in h i s b e ha l f , t he m o s t ca n d i d an d

f a v o r a b l e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . I s h e j u s t l y r e p r e h e n d e d 1 - L e t t h e

w o r l d o b s e r v e h o w M a s o n s l o v e o n e a n o t h e r .

T h e s e g e n e r o u s p r i n c i p l e s a r e t o e x t e n d f u r t h e r . E v e r y h u -

m a n b e i n g h a s a c l a i m u p o n y o u r k i n d o f f i c e s . " D o g o o d u n t o

a l l . " R e c o m m e n d i t m o r e " e s p e c i a l l y u n t o t h e m t h a t a r e o f t h e

h o u s e h o l d o f FAITH."B y d i l i g e n c e i n t h e d u t i e s o f y o u r r e s p e c t i v e c a l l i n g s , b y l i b -

e r a l b e n e v o l e n c e a n d d i f f u s i v e c h a r i t y , b y c o n s t a n c y a n d f i d e l i t y

i n y o u r f r i e n d s h i p s , d i s c o v e r t h e b e n e f i c i a l a n d h a p p y e f f e c t s o f

t h i s a n c i e n t a n d h o n o r a b l e I n s t i t u t i o n .

L e t i t n o t b e s u p p o s e d t h a t y o u h a v e h e r e " LABORED in vain,a n d s p e n t y o u r STRENGTH f o r n o u g h t ; f o r y o u r WORK i s w i t h t h eLORD, a n d Y o u r RECOMPENSE w i t h y o u r GOD."

F i n a l l y , B r e t h r e n , b e y e a l l o f o n e m i n d , - l i v e i n p e a c e ; a n d

m a y t h e G o d o f l o v e a n d p e a c e d e l i g h t t o d w e l l w i t h a n d b l e s s

you !

CHAPTER IV.ON THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CAN-DIDATES FOR FREEMASONRY .

' W HosoEVER, f r o m l o v e o f k n o w l e d g e , i n t e r e s t , o r c u r i -o s i t y , " s a y t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n s , " d e s i r e s t o b e a FREEIrASON,i s t o k n o w t h a t , a s h i s f o u n d a t i o n a n d g r e a t c o r n e r - s t o n e ,

h e i s t o b e l i e v e f i r m l y i n t h e ETERNAL GOD, a n d t o p a y t h a tworship which is due to him as the Great Architect and

Governor of the Universe . A F r e e m a s o n i s o b l i g e d , b y h i s

t e n u r e , t o o b s e r v e t h e m o r a l l a w ; a n d , i f h e r i g h t l y u n d e r -

s t a n d t h e r o y a l a r t , h e c a n n o t t r e a d i n t h e i r r e l i g i o u s p a t h s

of the unhappy LIBERTINE, o r s t u p i d ATHEIST ; n o r , i n a n ycase, act against the great inward light of his own con-

s c i e n c e .

" H e w i l l l i k e w i s e s h u n t h e g r o s s e r r o r s o f b i g o t r y a n d

s u p e r s t i t i o n ; makin g a due us e of his own re ason, ac-

cording to that liberty wherewith a Mason is made free .

He is charged to adhere t o those grand es se nt ials of

r e l i g i o n , i n w h i c h a l l m e n a g r e e ; l e a v i n g e a c h B r o t h e r t o

h i s o w n p r i v a t e j u d g m e n t , a s t o p a r t i c u l a r m o d e s a n d f o r m s .


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I

16 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .W h e n c e i t f o l l o w s , t h a t a l l F r e e m a s o n s a r e t o b e GOOD MENAND TRUE-men of honor and hone st y-by whateve rr e l i g i o u s n a m e s o r p e r s u a s i o n s d i s t i n g u i s h e d - a l w a y s f o l -

l o w i n g t h e g o l d e n p r e c e p t , ' Of doing unto all men as they

would that all men should do unto them,' and of worship-

p i n g G o d a f t e r t h a t m a n n e r a n d f o r m , w h i c h t h e y c o n s c i e n -

t i o u s l y b e l i e v e t o b e m o s t a c c e p t a b l e i n h i s s i g h t . "

Another of the Constitutions further provides, that no

person shall be admit ted a member, unless he be "fre e

born ; of matur e and discree t age ;* of good report ; o f

sufficient natural endowments, and the senses of a man ;

w i t h a n e s t a t e , o f f i c e , t r a d e , o c c u p a t i o n , o r s o m e v i s i b l e w a y

of acquiring an honest livelihood, and of working in his

Craft, as becomes the members of this most ancient and

h o n o r a b l e F r a t e r n i t y , w h o o u g h t , n o t o n l y t o e a r n w h a t i s

s u f f i c i e n t f o r t h e m s e l v e s a n d f a m i l i e s , b u t l i k e w i s e s o m e -

t h i n g t o s p a r e f o r w o r k s o f CHARITY, a n d s u p p o r t i n g t h e t r u ed i g n i t y o f t h e r o y a l C r a f t . "

" N o B r o t h e r s h a l l p r o p o s e , f o r a d m i s s i o n i n t o t h i s a n -

c i e n t a n d h o n o r a b l e S o c i e t y , a n y p e r s o n , t h r o u g h f r i e n d s h i p

o r p a r t i a l i t y , w h o d o e s n o t p o s s e s s t h e m o r a l a n d s o c i a l v i r -

t u e s , a s o u n d h e a d a n d a g o o d h e a r t ; and who has not an

entire exemption from all those ill qualities and vices

which would bring dishonor on the Craft . "

ANCIENT CHARGES .THE PRIVATE DUTIES OF MASONSWHOEVER w o u l d b e a M a s o n s h o u l d k n o w h o w t o p r a c t i s e a l l

t h e p r i v a t e v i r t u e s . H e s h o u l d a v o i d a l l m a n n e r o f i n t e m p e r a n c e

o r e x c e s s , w h i c h m i g h t p r e v e n t h i s p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e l a u d a b l e

d u t i e s o f h i s C r a f t , o r l e a d h i m i n t o e n o r m i t i e s w h i c h w o u l d

* Not under twenty - one years .


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ANCIENT CHARGES . 17reflect dishonor upon the ancient Fr aterni ty . He is to be in dustri-

ous in his profession, and true to the Maste r he ser ves . He is to

labor justly, and not to eat any man's bread for nought ; but to

pay tru ly for his meat and drink . What leisure his labor allows,

he is to employ in s tudying the arts and sciences , wit h a diligen t

mind, that he may the bett er per form all his duti es , to his Crea-

tor, his count ry, his nei ghbor, and himsel f .

He is to seek and acquire, as far as possible, the virtues of

pati en ce, mee knes s, sel f-denial, forbearance, and the li ke, which

give him the command over hi msel f, and en able him to govern

his own family with affection, dignity, and pruden ce ; at the

same t ime, checking ever y disposit ion in juri ous to t he world, and

promotin g that l ove and servi ce which Bre thre n of the same

household owe to each other .

Therefore, to a f f o r d succor to the distre ssed, to divide our

bread with the industrious poor, and to put the misguided trav-

ell er into the way, are dutie s of the Craft, suitable to its dignity,

and express ive of its usefulne ss . But, though a Mason is ne ver

to shut his ear unkindly against t he complaints of any of the

human race, yet when a Brother is oppress ed or suffers , he i s in

a more peculi ar manner call ed to open his whole s oul in love and

compassion to him, and to rel ie ve him, without preju dice, ac-

cording to his capacity .

It i s also ne cess ary, that all who would be tr ue Masons s houl d

learn to abstain from all malice, slander and evil-s peaking ; fromall provoking, reproachful and ungodly language : keeping al-

ways a tongue of good report .A Mason s houl d know how to obey t hose who are s et overhim, however i nferior they may be in worldly rank or condition .

For, although Masonry divests no man of his honors and title s,

yet, in the Lodge, pre&ni nen ce of virtu e, and knowledge in the

art, is considered as the tr ue source of all nobility, rule and gov-

ernment .

The virtue i ndispensably requisit e in Masons is -SECRECY .This i s the guard of their confidence , and the secu rit y of their

t r u s t . So great stre ss i s to be laid upon it, that it is e nforced

under the strongest obligations ; nor, in thei r es tee m, is any man

to be account ed wise, who has not int ell ectual stre ngth and abili ty

sufficient to cover and conceal such honest secrets as are com-

mi tt ed t o hi m, as we ll as his own more ser ious and private affairs .

DUTIES A S CITIZENSA Mason is a peaceable citiz en, and is ne ver to be concerned in

plots and conspiracies agains t the peace and welfare of the nation,

nor to behave himsel f undutiful ly to inferi or magist rates . He is

cheerfully to conform to every lawful authority ; to uphold, on

every occasion, the in ter est of the communi ty, and ze alously pro-

mote the prosperi ty of his own count ry . Masonry has ever

flourished in t imes of peace, and been always i njur ed by war,2*


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is MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .bloodshed, and confusion ; so that kings and prin ces, in e very

age, have bee n much disposed to encourage the craftsmen, on ac-

count of their peaceablene ss and loyalty, whereby they practically

answer the cavils of their adversaries, and promote the honor of

the Fraternity . Craftsmen are bound, by pecul iar t ie s, to promote

peace, culti vate harmony, and live i n concord and Brother ly-Love .

DUTIES IN THE LODGE .Whil e t he Lodge is open for work, Masons must hold no p r i -

vate conversation or committees, without leave from the Master ;

nor talk of anything foreign or impertin ent ; nor interrupt the

Maste r or Wardens , or any Brother address ing himself t o the

Chair ; nor behave inatt entively, while the Lodge is engaged in

what is s eri ous and solemn ; but e very Brother s hall pay due

rever ence t o the Maste r, the Wardens, and all his fellows .

Every Brother guilt y of a faul t s hall submit to the Lodge,

unl ess he appeal to the Grand Lodge .

No private offence s, or disput es about nations , famili es, re li-

gions, or politi cs, must be brought wit hin t he doors of the Lodge .

DUTIES AS NEIGHBORS .Masons ought to be moral men . Consequently, they should be

good hus bands, good pare nt s, good son s, and good ne ighbors ;

avoiding all excess i njur ious t o themsel ves or families , and wise

as to all affairs, both of their own household and of the Lodge,

for cert ain re asons known to themselves .

DUTIES TOWARDS A BROTHER .Fre e and Accepted Masons have ever been charged to avoid

all slander of true and faithful Brethren, and all malice and unjust

rese ntment, or talking disres pectfully of a . Brother's person or

performance . Nor must they suffer any to spread unjust re-

proaches or calumnie s again st a Brother, behind his back, nor t o

injur e him in his fortune , occupation or character ; but they shall

defend such a Brother, and give him notice of any danger or in -

jury where with he may be threaten ed, to enable him to escape

the same, as far as is consistent with honor, prudence, and the

safety of religion, moralit y, and the State ; but no further . *

* A Chapter of Prayers and Charges, for occasional use, is given in

a n o t h e r p a r t o f t h i s w o r k .


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ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES .

CHAPTER V .ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES .

By t h e r e g u l a t i o n s o f t h e F r a t e r n i t y , a c a n d i d a t e f o r t h em y s t e r i e s o f M a s o n r y , c a n n o t b e i n i t i a t e d , i n a n y r e g u l a r

Lodge, without having stood proposed one lunar month,

u n l e s s a D i s p e n s a t i o n b e o b t a i n e d i n h i s f a v o r . A l l a p p l i -

c a t i o n s f o r i n i t i a t i o n s h o u l d b e m a d e i n w r i t i n g , a n d i n t h e

f o l l o w i n g f o r m

" To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren, of

Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons .

0 0 T h e p e t i t i o n o f t h e s u b s c r i b e r r e s p e c t f u ll y r e p r e s e n t s , t h a t

h a v i n g l o n g e n t e r t a i n e d a f a v o r a b l e o p i n i o n o f y o u r a n c i e n t I n s t i -

t u t i o n , h e i s d e s i r o u s , i f f o u n d w o r t h y , o f b e i n g a d m i t t e d a

m e m b e r t h e r e o f .

" H i s p l a c e o f r e s i d e n c e i sh i s a g ee a r s , h i so c c u p a t i o n( S i g n e d . ) A. B . "[ R e c o m m e n d e d b y t h r e e o r m o r e m e m b e r s o f t h e L o d g e . ]T h i s p e t i t i o n , h a v i n g b e e n r e a d i n o p e n L o d g e , i s p l a c e d

o n f i l e . A c o m m i t t e e i s t h e n a p p o i n t e d t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e

c h a r a c t e r a n d q u a l i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e p e t i t i o n e r . I f , a t t h e

n e x t r e g u l a r m e e t i n g o f t h e L o d g e , t h e r e p o r t o f the com-

m i t t e e b e f a v o r a b l e , a n d t h e c a n d i d a t e i s a d m i t t e d , h e i s

t a k e n i n t o a n a d j o i n i n g a p a r t m e n t , a n d r e q u i r e d t o g i v e h i s

f r e e a n d f u l l a s s e n t t o t h e f o l l o w i n g i n t e r r o g a t i o n s

1 . " D o y o u s e r i o u s l y d e c l a r e , u p o n y o u r h o n o r , b e f o r e t h e s e

g e n t l e m e n , * t h a t , u n b i a s e d b y f r i e n d s , a n d u n i n f l u e n c e d b y m e r -

c e n a r y m o t i v e s , y o u f r e e l y a n d v o l u n t a r i l y o f f e r y o u r s e l f a c a n d i -

d a t e f o r t h e m y s t e r i e s o f M a s o n r y ?

2 . " D o yo u s er i o u s ly d e cl a r e , u p o n y o u r h o n o r , b e f o r e t h e s e

g e n t l e m e n , t h a t y o u a r e p r o m p t e d t o s o l i c i t t h e p r i v i l e g e s o f

M a s o n r y , b y a f a v o r a b l e o p i n i o n c o n c e i v e d o f t h e I n s t i t u t i o n , a

d e s i r e o f k n o w l e d g e , a n d a s i n c e r e w i s h o f b e i n g s e r v i c e a b l e t o

y o u r f e l l o w - c r e a t u r e s ?

3 . " D o y o u s e r i o u s l y d e c l a r e , u p o n y o u r h o n o r , b e f o r e t h e s e

*The Stewards of the Lodge are usually present .

1 9


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20 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .gentlemen, that you will cheerful ly conform to all the ancien t

established usages and customs of the Fraternity?"

The candidate , if no objecti ons be u rged to the contr ary,

is t hen int roduced in due and ancient form .

CHAPTER VI .CEREMONIAL ILLUSTRATIONS .

GENERAL REMARKS .ANCIENT CRAFT MASONRY is divided into three degrees .

It was probably so divided at the bui ldin g of King Solo-

mon's Temple, perhaps with the design to bear a generalreference to the three Orders of the Jewish Priesthood .The same arrangement was subsequently adopted by theChristian Church. It also prevailed in all the ancientmysterie s . In a majority of them, the firs t s tep, or degree ,

consis te d of probation, purifi cation, and expiati on . Thesecond was called the Lesser Mysteries, -into which thecandidate passed by solemn ceremonies. The third -towhich he was advanced after a long period of additionaltrial-was denominated the Greater Mysteries. Theseconsi sted of fearful r ite s, int roductory to a full revelation

of all the in effable doctrin es t aught by the Prie sts ; andwhich the candidate was bound, under an obligation andheavy penalti es, neve r to reveal .

The Essenes, who, says Dr . Oliver, preser ved the tr ueFreemasonry from extinction in the dark ages which pre-

ceded the advent of Chri st , admit te d onl y three s te ps, or

degrees, and the probationary term extended to one year .

If, during this period, the candidate gave sati sfactory proofs

of his t emper ance, fortit ude, prudence, and just ice, he was

accepted, and received the firs t degree . In this novitiate he


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REMARKS ON THE FIRST DEGREE . 2 1r e m a i n e d a n o t h e r y e a r , b e f o r e h e w a s p a s s e d t o t h e s e c o n d

d e g r e e ; a n d i t w a s n o t u n t i l t h e e x p i r a t i o n o f t h r e e y e a r s ,

t h a t h e w a s a d n 1 i t t e d t o a f u l l p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e s e c r e t s

a n d b e n e f i t s o f t h e s o c i e t y . And even then the utmost

p r e c a u t i o n w a s u s e d . T h e c a n d i d a t e w a s p r e v i o u s l y b o u n d ,

b y t h e m o s t s o l e m n v o w s , t o k e e p i n v i o l a b l y s e c r e t t h e

m y s t e r i e s o f h i s O r d e r , a n d t o a c t u p o n a n d a b i d e b y t h e

a n c i e n t u s a g e s a n d e s t a b l i s h e d c u s t o m s o f t h e F r a t e r n i t y .

T h e B r e t h r e n d i s t i n g u i s h e d e a c h o t h e r , i n d a r k n e s s a n d i n

l i g h t , b y p e c u l i a r s i g n a l s . T h e m o s t p r o f o u n d s i l e n c e w a s

i m p o s e d a t t h e i r a s s e m b l i e s ; t h e L e c t u r e r , o n l y , e x p o u n d -

i n g t h e t e n e t s o f t h e i r c r e e d ,-h i c h w e r e e n f o l d e d i n as e r i e s o f a l l e g o r i c a l s y m b o l s , - t h e r e s t l i s t e n i n g w i t h ag r a v e a n d s o l e m n a t t e n t i o n .

REMARKS ON- THE FIRST DEGREE .FIRST SECTION .

IT h a s b e e n t r u l y r e m a r k e d , t h a t t h e f i r s t s t e p t a k e n b ya c a n d i d a t e , o n e n t e r i n g a L o d g e o f F r e e m a s o ns , t e a c h e s

h i m t h e p e r n i c i o u s t e n d e n c y o f i n f i d e l i t y , a n d s h o w s h i m

t h a t t h e f o u n d a t i o n o n w h i c h M a s o n r y r e s t s i s t h e b e l i e f

and acknowle dgment of a Supreme Being ; t h a t t o H i m ,

a l o n e , h e c a n l o o k f o r p r o t e c t i o n i n a l l t h e d a n g e r s a n d

d i f f i c u l t i e s h e m a y b e c a l l e d t o e n c o u n t e r , i n h i s p r o g r e s s

t h r o u g h l i f e ; a n d i t a s s u r e s h i m , t h a t , i f h i s f a i t h b e

w e l l f o u n d e d i n t h a t B e i n g , h e m a y c o n f i d e n t l y p u r s u e h i s

c o u r s e , w i t h o u t f e a r a n d w i t h o u t d a n g e r . T h e f i r s t s e c t i o n

o f t h e d e g r e e a l s o t e a c h e s h i m , t h a t h e i s t o t a k e t h e H o l y

B i b l e a s t h e r u l e a n d g u i d e o f h i s f a i t h , - t h a t h e i s t o

S q u a r e h i s a c t i o n s b y t h e p r e c e p t s t h e r e i n c o n t a i n e d , - t o

c i r c u m s c r i b e h i s d e s i r e s a n d p a s s i o n s w i t h i n t h e C o m p a s s

o f v i r t u e a n d m o r a l i t y , - a n d t o r e l i e v e t h e n e c e s s i t i e s o f

o t h e r s w i t h t h e s u p e r f l u i t i e s o f h i s o w n s u b s t a n c e .


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I

22 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .A f u l l and perfect knowle dge of this se ction is indispen-

sably necess ary to every Mason, who woul d be se rviceable

to the Institution, and avail himself of its privileges

and its enjoyments . It i s t he alphabet of Masonr y ; andmust be learned before any progress can be made in themore abstruse and important branches of the study . I tconsi sts in general heads, which, while they ser ve as marks

of distin ction, enable us not only to try and examine the

rights of others, but to prove oursel ves .

PRAYER USED AT THE INITIATION OF ACANDIDATEVouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Univers e, to this

our pres ent convention ; and grant that t his candidate for Masonry

may dedicate and devote his l ife t o thy ser vice, and become a tru e

and faithful Brother among us . Endue him with a competency

of thy Divine Wisdom, that, by the influence of the pure prin-

ciples of our Order, he may the bet te r be e nabled to display the

beauti es of holine ss , to the honor of thy holy name . Amen .Response . So mote it be .

The following passage of Scripture may be rehearsedduring the ceremony

" Behol d ! how good and how pleasant it is for Bre thre n t o

dwell t ogether in u nity :

ii It i s l ike the precious ointment u pon the head, that r an down

upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that wen t down t o the skirt s

of his garment

" As the dew of Her mon, and as the dew that descended upon

the moun tain s of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the

bless ing, even life foreve rmore ."*

* S i n c e t h e m o r e g e n e r a l i n t r o d u c t i o n o f m u s i c i n t o t h e L o d g e s , t h e f o l -

l o w i n g H y m n i s s o m e t i m e s u s e d a s a s u b s t i t u t e f o r t h i s p a s s a g e o f S c r i p .

t u r e Music -"Auld Lang Sine . "Behold ! how ple asant and how good,

For Brethren such as we,Of the "Accepted" Brotherhood,

To dwell in unity!

' T i s l i k e t h e o il on Aaron's head,

W h i c h t o h i s f e e t d i s t i l s ;

Like Hermon's dew, so richly shed

O n Z i o n ' s s a c r e d h i l l s .

F o r t h e r e t h e L o r d o f l i g h t a n d l o v e

A blessing sent with power ;


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REMARKS ON THE FIRST DEGREE .It i s t he duty of the Mast er of the Lodge, as one of t he

precautionary measure s of initi ation, to explain to the can-

didate the nature and design of the Inst itu tion . And whilehe informs him, that it i s founded on t he pures t prin ciples

of piety and virt ue, that it posse sse s great and invaluable

privileges, and that, in order t o secure t hose privil eges to

worthy men, and worthy men alone, voluntary pledges offidelity are required,-he will at the same time assurehim, that nothing will be expected of him incompatiblewith his civil, moral or re ligious duties .

In t he cours e of this secti on, is given an explanation of

that peculiar and appropriate e nsi gn of Free masonry,

THE LAMB SKIN, OR WHITE LEATHER APRONIt is an emblem of innocen ce, and the badge of a Mason,-

more ancien t t han t he Golden Fl ee ce, or Roman Eagle , -more

honorable than the Star and Garter, or any other Order that can

be conferred upon the candidate at that or any future period, by

King, Prin ce, Potentate, or any other person, except he be aMason ; and which it is hoped he will wear with equal pleasureto himsel f and honor to the Fr aterni ty .

This section close s with a moral explication of the TWEN-TY-FOUR INCH GAUGE and COMMON GAVEL.

THE TWENTY-FOUR INCH G U A G EIs an inst rument made use of by operati ve Masons, to measur e

and lay out their work . But we, as free and accepte d Masons ,

are taught to make u se of it for the more noble and glorious pur-

pose of dividin g our t ime . It being divided into twent y-four

equal parts , is emblematical of the twent y-four hours of the day ;

which we are taught to divide into three parts, whereby we find

a part for t he se rvice of God and a distr ess ed worthy Brother ; a

part for our us ual avocations ; and a part for refre shment and

sleep . THE COMMON GAVELIs an ins trument made use of by oper ative Masons, to break off

Oh! may we all this blessing prove,

E ' e n l i f e f o r e v e r m o r e ;

O n F r i e n d s h i p ' s a l t a r r i s i n g h e r e ,

Our hands now plighted he,

T o l i v e i n l o r e , w i t h h e a r t s s i n c e r e ,

I n peace and unit y .

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24 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .the rough and superfluous parts of stone s, the better to fit t hem

for the builder's u se ; but we, as fre e and accepted Masons, are

taught to make u se of it for t he more noble and glorious pur pose

of divesti ng our hearts and conscie nces of all t he vices and super-

fluitie s of life, thereby fitti ng our minds as living stones, for that

spirit ual building, that house not made with hands, eter nal in the

heaven s .

SECOND SECTION .THIS secti on is altogether explanatory of the preceding .

It beauti fully and comprehensively il lust rates the ceremo-

nies of init iation ; and while i t gratifies, it cannot fail to

impre ss, the min d of the int ell igent and right-hearte d can-

didate, with a high sens e of the great moral excel le nces

of the degree through which he is passing. It does not,however, admit of prin ted i llu str ations . We may onlyadd, that the Lamb Skin , or whit e Leat her Apron , is

THE BADGE OF A MASON .The Lamb has in a l l ages been deemed an emblem of inn o-

cence . He, there fore, who wears the Lamb Skin as t he " Badge

of a Mason," is continually reminded of that purity of life and

conduct, which is so ess ent ially ne cess ary to his gainin g admis-

sion i nto the Cel es tial Lodge above, where t he Supreme Archit ect

of the Universe presides .

THIRD SECTION .THE third and last section of this degree is, perhaps, the

most int eres ting and instru ctive of the three . Nor is aperfect knowledge of it l ess ess ent ial to a proper u nder-

standing of the ceremonies of initiation . Indeed, the Brother

who has not made himsel f famil iar wit h it ne ed not be at

the tr ouble of urging his claims to any great proficien cy as aMason. The principal points i llustrated by it are-. TheFoRM.-2. The SUPPORTS.-3. The COVERING-4. TheFURNITURE .-. The ORNAMENTS .-. The LIGHTS .7. The JEWELS.-8. The SITUATION-and 9. The DEDI-CATION, of Lodges.


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REMARKS ON THE FIRST DEGREE . 25L o d g e m e e t i n g s , a t t h e p r e s e n t d a y , a r e u s u a l l y h e l d i n

u p p e r c h a m b e r s ,-r o b a b l y f o r t h e b e t t e r s e c u r i t y w h i c hs u c h p l a c e s a f f o r d . I t m a y b e , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e c u s t o m

h a d i t s o r i g i n i n a p r a c t i c e o b s e r v e d b y t h e a n c i e n t J e w s ,

o f b u i l d i n g t h e i r t e m p l e s , s c h o o l s , a n d s y n a g o g u e s , o n h i g h

h i l l s , - a p r a c t i c e w h i c h s e e m s t o h a v e m e t t h e a p p r o b a -

t i o n o f t h e A l m i g h t y , w h o s a i d u n t o t h e p r o p h e t E z e k i e l ,

" U p o n t h e t o p o f t h e m o u n t a i n , t h e w h o l e l i m i t t h e r e o f ,

r o u n d a b o u t , s h a l l b e m o s t h o l y . " B e f o r e t h e e r e c t i o n o f

t e m p l e s , t h e c e le s t i a l b o d i e s w e r e w o r s h i p p e d o n HILLS, andt h e t e r r e s t i a l o n e s i n VALLEYS . A t a l a t e r p e r i o d , t h eC h r i s t i a n s , w h e r e v e r i t w a s p r a c t i c a b l e , e r e c t e d t h e i r

c h u r c h e s o n e m i n e n c e s .

T h e F o a M o f a L o d g e i s f a m i l i a r t o e v e r y M a s o n .

A Lodge is metaphorically said to be SUPPORTED byt h r e e g r e a t p i l l a r s , c a l l e d W i s d o m , S t r e n g t h , a n d B e a u t y ;

b e c a u s e i t i s n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e r e s h o u l d b e W i s d o m t o

c o n t r i v e , S t r e n g t h t o s u p p o r t , a n d B e a u t y t o a d o r n , a l l

g r e a t a n d i m p o r t a n t u n d e r t a k i n g s .

And the COVERING i s n o l e s s t h a n t h e c l o u d e d .anopy ofh e a v e n , w h i t h e r a l l g o o d M a s o n s h o p e a t l a s t t o a r r i v e , b y

a i d o f t h e t h e o l o g i c a l l a d d e r w h i c h J a c o b , i n h i s v i s i o n , s a w

r e a c h i n g f r o m e a r t h t o h e a v e n , - t h e t h r e e p r i n c i p a l r o u n d s

of which are denominated Faith, Hope, and Charity,-t e a c h i n g F a i t h i n G o d , H o p e i n i m m o r t a l i t y , a n d C h a r i t y

t o a l l m a n k i n d . T h e g r e a t e s t o f t h e s e i s CHARITY : f o r o u rFaith m a y b e l o s t i n s i g h t ; Hope e n d s i n f r u i t i o n ; b u t

C h a r i t y e x t e n d s b e y o n d t h e g r a v e , t o t h e b o u n d l e s s r e a l m s

of e t e r n i t y .

E v e r y w e l l g o v e r n e d L o d g e i s FURNISHED w i t h t h e H o l yB i b l e , S q u a r e , a n d C o m p a s s . *

*"Compass or compasses , -o! a pairof compass es , so named from itsl e g s ,- u t pai r is superfluous or improper, and the singular number, com-pass, is the preferable name . " -Webst e r .

3


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27/209

REMARKS ON THE FIRST DEGREE . 21babel, the builder of the second Temple ; and from that

t i m e t o t h e f i n a l d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e T e m p l e b y T i t u s , i n t h e

reign of the Emperor Vespasian, they were dedicated to

St . J o h n t h e B a p ti s t . T h e t r a d i t i o n g o e s o n t o s a y , t h a t

o w i n g t o t h e m a n y m a s s a c r e s a n d d d i s o r d e r s w h i c h a t t e n d e d

that memorable event, Free masonry fell very much into

decay . Many o f the Lodges were entirely broken up, andb u t f e w c o u l d m e e t i n s u f f i c i e n t n u m b e r s t o c o n s t i t u t e t h e i r

l e g a l i t y . Under these circumstances, a general meet ing

o f t h e C r a f t w a s h e l d i n t h e c i t y o f B e n j a m i n , w h e n i t w a s

o b s e r v e d t h a t t h e p r i n c i p a l r e a s o n f o r t h e d e c l i n e o f M a -

s o n r y , w a s t h e w a n t o f a G r a n d M a s t e r t o d i r e c t i t s a f f a i r s .

T h e y , t h e r e f o r e , d e p u t e d s e v e n o f t h e i r m o s t e m i n e n t m e m -

b e r s t o w a i t u p o n S t . J o h n t h e E v a n g e l i s t , w h o wa s a t t h a t

t i m e B i s h o p o f E p h e s u s , t o r e q u e s t h i m t o t a k e t h e o f f i c e

of Grand Master . He returned for answer, that, though

w e l l s t r i c k e n i n y e a r s , ( b e i n g u p w a r d s o f n i n e t y , ) y e t h a v -

i n g b e e n i n t h e e a r l y p a r t o f h i s l i f e i n i t i a t e d i n t o M a s o n r y ,

he would take upon himself that office . He did so, and

t h e r e b y c om p l e t e d b y hi s l e a r n i n g , w h a t t h e o t h e r S t . J o h n

had accomplished by his zeal, and thus drew what the old

r e c o r d s t e r m a l i n e - p a r a l l e l . A f t e r h i s d e c e a s e , t h e C h r i s -

tian Lodges were dedicated to him and St . John the Bap-

t i s t , t h e y b o t h b e i n g r e g a r d e d a s e m i n e n t C h r i s t i a n P a t r o n s

of Free masonry .

S i n c e t h e i r t i m e , t h e r e h a s b e e n r e p r e s e n t e d , i n e v e r y r e g u l a r

a n d w e l l f u r n i s h e d L o d g e , a c e r t a i n POINT WITHIN A CIRCLE,e m b o r d e r e d b y t w o p e r p e n d i c u l a r p a r a l l e l l i n e s , r e p r e s e n t i n g S t .

J o h n t h e B a p t i s t a n d S t . J o h n t h e E v a n g e l i s t . U p o n t h e t o p

o f t he C i r cl e r e st s t h e Bo o k o f Ma s on i c C on s ti t u ti o ns ; * t h e P o i n t

r e p r e s e n t s a n i n d i v i d ua l B r o t h e r , - t h e C i r c l e , t h e b o u n d a r y l i n e

o f h i s d u t y . I n g o i n g r o u n d t h i s C i r c l e , w e n e c e s s a r i l y t o u c h

o n t h e t w o p a r a l l e l l i n e s , a s w e l l a s o n t h e B o o k o f C o n s t i t u -

tions ; a n d w h i l e a M a s o n k e e p s h i m s e l f c i r c u m s c r i b e d w i t h i n

t h e i r p r e c e p t s , i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t h a t h e s h o u l d m a t e r i a l l y e r r .

*The Book of Holy S c r i p t u r e s i s sometimes substituted for the Booko f C o n s t i t u t i o n s .


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28 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .The Principal Poin t of Masonry is t hree fold, and com-

prises the exalted virtu es of Brotherly Love, Relief, and

Truth-which are the tenets of a Mason's profession .They are thus explained

BROTHERLY-LOVE .B y t h e e x e r c i s e o f B r o t h e r l y L o v e , w e a r e t a u g h t t o r e g a r d

the whole human specie s as one family,-the high and low,

rich and poor ; who, as created by one Almighty Parent, and

i n h a b i t a n t s o f t h e s a m e p l a n e t , a r e t o a i d , s u p p o r t a n d p r o t e c t

e a c h o t h e r . On this principle, Masonry uni tes men of every

c o u n t r y , s e c t a n d o p i n i o n , a n d c o n c i l i a t e s t r u e f r i e n d s h i p a m o n g

t h o s e w h o m i g h t o t h e r w i s e h a v e r e m a i n e d a t a p e r p e t u a l d i s t a n c e .

RELIEF .T o r e l i e v e t h e d i s t r e s s e d i s a d u t y i n c u m b e n t o n a l l m e n ; b u t

p a r t i c u l a r l y o n M a s o n s , w h o p r o f e s s t o b e l i n k e d t o g e t h e r b y a n

i n d i s s o l u b l e c h a i n o f s i n c e r e a f f e c t i o n . T o s o o t h e t h e u n h a p p y , t o

s y m p a t h i z e w i t h t h e i r m i s f o r t u n e s , t o c o m p a s s i on a t e t h e i r m i s e r i e s ,

a n d t o r e s t o r e p e a c e t o t h e i r t r o u b l e d m i n d s , i s t h e g r a n d a i m w e

h a v e i n v i e w : O n t h i s b a s i s w e f o r m o u r f r i e n d s h i p s , a n d e s t a b -

l i s h o u r c o g n e c t i o n s .

TRUTH .T r u t h i s a d i v i n e a t t r i b u t e , a n d t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f e v e r y v i r t u e .

T o b e g o o d a n d t r u e i s t h e f i r s t l e s s o n w e a r e t a u g h t i n M a s o n r y .

O n t h i s t h e m e w e c o n t e m p l a t e , a n d b y i t s d i c t a t e s e n d e a v o r t o

r e g u l a t e o u r c o n d u c t . H e n c e , w h i l e i n f l u e n c e d b y t h i s p r i n c i p l e ,

h y p o c r i s y a n d d e c e i t a r e u n k n o w n a m o n g u s , s i n c e r i t y a n d p l a i n

d e a l i n g d i s t i n g u i s h u s , a n d t h e h e a r t a n d t o n g u e j o i n i n p r o m o t i n g

e a c h o t h e r ' s w e l f a r e , a n d r e j o i c i n g i n e a c h o t h e r ' s p r o s p e r i t y .

To this explanation of the above principles, succeeds an

illustration of the four cardinal virtues,-emper ance,Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice

TEMPERANCEI s t h a t d u e r e s t r a i n t u p o n o u r a f f e c t i o n s a n d p a s s i o n s , w h i c h

r e n d e r s t h e b o d y t a m e a n d g o v e r n a b l e , a n d f r e e s t h e m i n d f r o m

t h e a l l u r e m e n t s o f v i c e . T h i s v i r t u e s h o u l d b e t h e c o n s t a n t

p r a c t i c e o f e v e r y M a s o n , a s h e i s t h e r e b y t a u g h t t o a v o i d . excess,

o r t h e c o n t r a c t i n g o f a n y l i c e n t i o u s o r v i c i o u s h a b i t , t h e i n d u l -

g e n c e i n w h i c h m i g h t l e a d h i m t o d i s c l o s e s o m e o f t h o s e v a l u -

a b l e s e c r e t s w h i c h h e h a s p r o m i s e d t o c o n c e a l a n d n e v e r r e v e a l ,

a n d w h i c h w o u l d c o n s e q u e n t l y s u b j e c t h i m t o t h e c o n t e m p t a n d

d e t e s t a t i o n o f a l l g o o d M a s o n s . * * 4


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REMARKS ON THE FIRST DEGREE . 29FORTITUDE

I s t h a t n o b l e a n d s t e a d y p u r p o s e o f t h e m i n d , w h e r e b y w e a r e

e n a b l e d t o u n d e r g o a n y p a i n , p e r i l o r d a n g e r , w h e n p r u d e n t i a l l y

d e e m e d e x p e d i e n t . T h i s v i r t u e i s e q u a l l y d i s t a n t f r o m r a s h n e s s

a n d c o w a r d i c e ; a n d , l i k e t h e f o r m e r , s h o u l d b e d e e p l y i m p r e s s e d

u p o n t h e m i n d o f e v e r y M a s o n , a s a s a f e g u a r d o r s e c u r i t y a g a i n s t

a n y i l l e g a l a t t a c k t h a t m a y b e m a d e , b y f o r c e o r o t h e r w i s e , t o

e x t o r t f r o m h i m a n y o f t h o s e v a l u a b l e s e c r e t s w i t h w h i c h h e h a s

b e e n s o s o l e m n l y i n t r u s t e d , a n d w h i c h w a s e m b l e m a t i c a l l y r e p r e -

s e n t e d u p o n h i s f i r s t a d m i s s i o n i n t o t h e L o d g e . * * *PRUDENCE

T e a c h e s u s t o r e g u l a t e o u r l i v e s a n d a c t i o n s a g r e e a b l y t o t h e

d i c t a t e s o f r e a s o n , a n d i s t h a t h a b i t b y w h i c h w e w i s e l y j u d g e ,

a n d p r u d e n t i a l l y d e t e r m i n e , o n a l l t h i n g s r e l a t i v e t o o u r p r e s e n t

a s w e l l a s t o o u r f u t u r e h a p p i n e s s . T h i s v i r t u e s h o u l d b e t h e

p e c u l i a r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f e v e r y M a s o n , n o t o n l y f o r t h e g o v e r n -

m e n t o f h i s c o n d u c t w h i l e i n t h e L o d g e , b u t a l s o w h e n a b r o a d i n n

t h e w o r l d . I t s h o u l d b e p a r t i c u l a r l y a t t e n d e d t o i n a l l s t r a n g e

a n d m i x e d c o m p a n i e s , t h a t t h e s e c r e t s o f M a s o n r y m a y n o t b e

u n l a w f u l l y o b t a i n e d . * * *JUSTICE

I s t h a t s t a n d a r d , o r b o u n d a r y o f r i g h t , w h i c h e n a b l e s u s t o

r e n d e r u n t o e v e r y m a n h i s j u s t d u e , w i t h o u t d i s t i n c t i o n . This

v i r t u e i s n o t o n l y c o n s i s t e n t w i t h D i v i n e a n d h u m a n l a w s , b u t i s

t h e v e r y c e m e n t a n d s u p p o r t o f c i v i l s o c i e t y ; a n d , a s J u s t i c e i n

a g r e a t m e a s u r e c o n s t i t u t e s t h e r e a l g o o d m a n , s o s h o u l d i t b e t h e

i n v a r i a b l e p r a c t i c e o f e v e r y M a s o n n e v e r t o d e v i a t e f r o m t h e

m i n u t e s t p r i n c i p l e s t h e r e o f . * * *The illustration of these virtues is accompanied with

s o m e g e n e r a l o b s e r v a t i o n s p e c u l i a r t o M a s o n s .

S u c h i s t h e a r r a n g e m e n t o f t h e d i f f e r e n t s e c t i o n s i n t h e

f i r s t l e c t u r e , w h i c h , w i t h t h e f o r m s a d o p t e d a t t h e o p e n i n g

a n d c l o s i n g o f a L o d g e , c o m p r e h e n d s t h e w h o l e o f t h e f i r s t

degree of Masonry . This plan has the advantage of reg-

u l a r i t y t o r e c o m m e n d i t , t h e s u p p o r t o f p r e c e d e n t a n d a u -

thority, and the sanction and r espect which flow from

a n t i q u i t y .

CHARGE AT INITIATION INTO THE FIRSTDEGREE .M r BROTHER : -Having passed through the ceremonies of

y o u r i n i t i a t i o n , a l l o w m e t o c o n g r a t u l a t e y o u o n y o u r a d m i s s i o n

i n t o o u r a n c i e n t a n d h o n o r a b l e F r a t e r n i t y . A n c i e n t , a s h a v i n g

3*


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30 MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .existed from time immemorial ; honorable, as ten ding to make

all men so, who are st ri ctly obedien t to it s precepts . It is an

Ins titut ion having for its foundation the practice of the social and

moral virtue s . And to so high an emine nce has its credit been

advanced, that, in every age and countr y, men pree minen t for

their moral and int ell ectual attainments , have encouraged and

promoted its inte res ts . Nor has it been t hought derogatory to

thei r digni ty, that Monarchs have, for a season, exchanged the

sceptre for the trowel, to patroniz e our myste rie s, and join in our

assemblies .

As a Mason , you are to regard the volume of the Sacred Law

as the great light in your profossion ; to consider it as the unerring

standard of tru th and justi ce, and to re gulate your actions by the

Divine precepts it contains . In it you will learn the important

duties you owe to God, your neighbor, and yourself . To God,by never ment ioning his name but with that awe and reveren ce

which are due from the creatu re to his Cre ator ; by imploring his

aid on all your l awful u nder takings, and by looking up to him, in

every emergency, for comfort and support . To your nei ghbor,by actin g with him upon the Square : by render ing him every

kind office which jus ti ce or mercy may re quir e ; by rel ieving his

distr esses, and soothing his afflictions ; and by doing to him as,

in s imilar case s, you would that he should do un to you . And t oyourself, by such a pruden t and well regulated course of disci-

pline as may best conduce to the pres ervation of your corporeal

and mental facultie s in their fulles t ene rgy ; thereby enabling you

to exert the tale nt s wherewit h God has bles t you, as well to his

glory, as to the welfare of your fell ow-creatu res .

As a Citizen, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the dis-

charge of your civil duties, by never proposin g, or counte nancin g,

any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good

order of societ y ; by paying due obedien ce to t he laws un der

whose protection you li ve, and by never l osing sight of the alle-

giance due to your country .

As an Individual, you are charged to practi se t he domesti c and

public virtu es. Let Te mper ance chasten, Fortitude support, P r u -dence direct you, and J u s t i c e be the guide of all your actions .

Be especially careful to maintain, in their full est splendor, those

tru ly Masonic ornaments , - Brotherl y-Love, Reli ef an d T ru th .


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REMARKS ON SECOND DEGREE . 3 1F i n a l l y : B e f a i t h f u l t o t h e t r u s t c o m m i t t e d t o y o u r c a r e , a n d

m a n i f e s t y o u r f i d e l i t y t o y o u r p r i n c i p l e s , b y a s t r i c t o b s e r v a n c e o f

t h e C o ns t it u ti o ns o f t h e F r a t er n it y ; b y a d h e r i n g t o t h e a n c i e n t

l a n d - m a r k s o f t h e O r d e r ; a n d b y r e f r a i n i n g t o r e c o m m e n d a n y

o n e t o a p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n o u r p r i v i l e g e s , u n l e s s y o u h a v e s t r o n g

r e a s o n s t o b e l i e v e , t h a t , b y a s i m i l a r f i d e l i t y , h e w i l l u l t i m a t e l y

r e f l e c t h o n o r o n o u t a n c i e n t I n s t i t u t i o n .

CHAPTER VII .REMARSS ON SECOND DEGREE .

LIKE all sciences, whether moral or physical, Freema-

s o n r y i s p r o g r e s s i v e ; and a perfect knowledge of it can

o n l y b e a c q u i r e d b y t i m e , p a t i e n c e , a n d a s e d u l o u s a p p l i c a -

t i o n t o e l e me n ta r y p r in c ip l e s . T h e f i r s t d e g r e e i s a d m i r a -

b l y c a l c u l a t e d t o e n f o r c e t h e d u t i e s o f m o r a l i t y , a n d i m p r i n t

on the memory some of the noblest principles which can

enr ich and adorn the mind . The se cond degree exte nds

the same plan, but comprehends a more diffusive system

o f m o r a l s c i e n c e ; a m o r e e n l a r g e d v i e w i s p r e s e n t e d t o t h e

mind of the candidate ; the heart is improved, while the

ideas expand under a cour se of trainin g which blends

i n t e r e s t w i t h i n s t r u c t i o n . A n d a l l t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n s t e n d t o

inculcate a knowledge of those three great branches of

M a s o n i c m o r a l i t y a n d t r u e r e l i g i o n-h e d u t i e s w e o w e t oG o d , o u r n e i g h b o r , a n d o u r s e l v e s .

FIRST SECTION .T h e f i r s t s e c t i o n o f t h i s d e g r e e i s i n i t i a t o r y , a n d s h o u l d

be familiar to every Craftsman, but particularly to the

o f f i c e r s of the Lodge . I f p r o p e r l y i l l u s t r a t e d , t h e c a n d i -

d a t e i s d e e p l y i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e c e r e -

monies through which he is passing, and of the necessity

o f a d h e r i n g t o a l l t h e e s t a b l i s h e d u s a g e s o f t h e O r d e r .


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3 3 MASONIC TRESTLE-EOARb.PRAYER THAT MAY BE USED IN THIS DEGREE .

W e s u p p l i c a t e t h e c o n ti n u a n c e o f t h i n e a i d . 0 Me r c if u l L o r d,

i n b e h a l f o f o u r s e l v e s , a n d t h e c a n d i d a t e w h o k n e e l s b e f o r e t h e e .

M a y t h e w o r k , b e g u n i n t h y n a m e , b e c o n t i n u e d t o t h y g l o r y , a n d

e v e r m o r e b e e s t a b l i s h e d i n u s , i n o b e d i e n c e t o t h y D i v i n e p r e c e p t s .Amen.The following passages of Scripture are appropriate t o

t h i s degree

I CORINT HIANS : CHAPT ER BM*f T h o u g h I s p e a k w i t h t h e t o n g u e s o f m e n a n d o f a n g e l s , an d

h a v e n o t c h a r i t y , I a m b e c o m e a s s o u n d i n g b r a s s , o r a t i n k l i n g

cymbal . A n d - t h o u g h I h a v e t h e g i f t o f p r o p h e c y , a n d u n d e r s t a n d

a l l m y s t e r i e s , a n d a l l knowledge ; a n d t h o u g h I h a v e a l l faith, so

t h a t I co u l d re m o ve m o u nt a i n s, a n d h av e n ot c h a r it y , I a m n o t h -

i n g . A n d t h o u g h I b e s t o w a l l m y g o o d s t o f e e d t h e p o o r , a n d

t h o u g h I g i v e m y b o d y t o b e b u r n e d , a n d h a v e n o t c h a r i t y , i t p r o f -

iteth me n o t h i n g . C h a r i t y s u f f e r e t h l o n g , a n d i s k i n d ; c h a r i t ye n v i e t h n o t ; c h a r i t y v a u n t e t h n o t i t s e l f , i s n o t p u f f e d u p , d o t h n o t

b e h a v e i t s e l f u n s e e m l y , s e e k e t h n o t h e r o w n , i s n o t e a s i l y p r o -

v o k e d , t h i n k e t h n o e v i l ; r e j o i c e t h n o t i n i n i q u i t y , b u t r e j o i c e t h i n

t h e t r u t h ; b e a re t h a l l th i n gs , b el i e ve t h a l l t h in g s, ho p et h al l

t h i n g s , e n d u r e t h a l l t h i n g s .* * * And now abideth faith,

hope, c h a r i t y , t h e s e t h r e e ; b u t t h e g r e a t e s t o f t h e s e i s c h a r i t y . "

AMOS : CHAPTER VII : 7 , 8 .'~ Thus he showed me ; a n d b e h o l d t h e L o r d s t o o d u p o n a w a l l

m a d e b y a p l u m b - l i n e , w i t h a p l u m b - l i n e i n h i s h a n d . And the

Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou ? And I said, a

p l u m b - l i n e . T h e n s a i d t h e L o r d , B e h o l d , I w i l l s e t a p l u m b - l i n e

i n t h e m i d s t o f m y p e o p l e I s r a e l ; I w i l l n o t a g a i n p a s s b y t h e m

any more . "

The PLUMB, SQUARE, and LEVEL, ar e implemen ts k pe -c u l i a r t o t h i s d e g r e e .

* T h e f o l l o w i n g h y m n , f r o m B r . THOMAS POWER'S Masonic Melodies,i s s o m e t i m e s s un g a s a s ub s t i t ut e f o r t h i s S c r i p t ur e : -

C o m e , C r a f t s m e n , a s s e m b l e d o u r p l e a s u r e t o s h a r e ,

W h o w a l k b y t h e PLUMB, a n d w h o w o r k b y t h e SQUARE ;W h i l e t r a v e l l i n g i n lo v e o n t h e LEVEL of time,S w e e t h o p e s h a l l ' l i g h t o n t o a f a r b e t t e r c l i m e .

W e'll seek, in our l abors, the Spirit Divine,

Our temple to bless, and our hearts to refine ;

And thus to our altar a tribute we'll bring,

W h i l e , j o i n e d i n t r ue f r i e n d s h i p , o ur a n t h e m w e s i n g .

S e e O r d e r a n d B e a u t y r i s e g e n t l y t o v i e w ,

Each Brother a column, so perfect and true!

W h e n O r d e r s h a l l c e a s e , a n d w h e n t e m p l e s d e c a y ,

M a y e a c h , f a i r e r c o l u m n s , i m m o r t a l , s u r v e y .


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REMARKS ON THE SECOND DEGREE . 33The PLUMB i s a n i n s t r u m e n t m a d e u s e o f b y o p e r a t i v e M a s o n s ,

t o t r y p e r p e n d i c u l a r s ; t h e SQUARE, t o s q u a r e t h e i r w o r k ; andt h e LEVEL, t o p r o v e h o r i z o n t a l s ; b u t w e , a s F r e e a n d A c c e p t e d

M a s o n s , a r e t a u g h t t o m a k e u s e o f t h e m f o r m o r e n o b l e a n d g l o -

r i o u s p u r p o s e s . T h e P l u m b a d m o n i s h e s u s t o w a l k u p r i g h t l y i n

o u r s e v e r a l s t a t i o n s b e f o r e G o d a n d m a n , s q u a r i n g o u r a c t i o n s b y

t h e s q u a r e o f v i r t u e , a n d e v e r r e m e m b e r i n g t h a t w e a r e t r a v e l l i n g

u p o n t h e l e v e l o f t i m e , t o " t h a t u n d i s c o v e r e d c o u n t r y , f r o m

w h o s e b o u rn n o t r a v e l le r r e t u r n s . "

SECOND SECTION.THE s e c o n d s e c t i o n o f t h i s d e g r e e i s p r i n c i p a l l y d e v o t e d

t o t h e e x p l i c a t i o n o f p h y s i c a l s c i e n c e , a n d t h e t r a c i n g o f t h e

goodness and majesty of the Creator, by minut ely ana-

lyzing his works . T h e i n t e l l e c t u a l f a c u l t i e s e x p a n d , a s a

d e s i r e o f k n o w l e d g e i n c r e a s e s . B y t h e s t u d i e s a t t a c h e d t o

t h i s s e c t i o n , t h e m i n d i s e l e v a t e d t o a c o m m u n i o n w i t h i t s

Maker . W h a t a s u b l i m e f i e l d f o r m o r a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n a n ,'

critical research do the seven liberal arts and science :

a f f o r d ! The subtlet ies of Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic-he wonderful combinations of Arithmetic -the univer-sal application of Geometry-h e d e l i c a c y o f M u s i c , a n dt h e s u b l i m i t y o f A s t r o n o m y , h a v e e a c h a s e p a r a t e c h a r m t o

win the heart and point to a Creator . Circumstances of

importance to the Craft, and of peculiar interest to the

M a s o n w h o d e l i g h t s i n t h e s t u d y o f t h e m y s t i c b e a u t i e s o f

h i s p r o f e s s i o n , a r e h e r e d e v e l o p e d a n d e x p l a i n e d . We may,

however, only add, that Masonry is considered under two

denominations -Operative and Speculative .

OPERATIVE MASONRY .B y O p e r a t i v e M a s o n r y , w e a l l u d e t o a p r o p e r a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e

u s e f u l r u l e s o f a r c h i t e c t u r e , w h e n c e a s t r u c t u r e w i l l d e r i v e f i g u r e.

s t r e n g t h , a n d b e a u t y , a n d f r o m w h i c h w i l l r e s u l t a d u e p r o p o r t i o n

a n d j u s t c o r r e sp o n d en c e i n a l l i t s p ar t s . I t f u r n i s h e s u s w i t h

d w e l l i n g s , a n d c o n v e n i e n t s h e l t e r s f r o m t h e v i c i s s i t u d e s a n d i n -

c l e m e n c i e s o f t h e s e a s o n s ; a n d w h i l e i t d i s p l a y s t h e e f f e c t s o f

h u m a n w i s d o m , a s w e l l i n t h e c h o i c e a s i n t h e a r r a n g e m e n t o f

t h e s u n d r y m a t e r i a l s o f w h i c h a n e d i f i c e i s c o m p o s e d , i t d e m o n -

s t r a t e s t h a t a f u n d o f s c i e n c e a n d i n d u s t r y i s i m p l a n t e d i n U l a n ,

f o r t h e b e s t , m o s t s a l u t a r y , a n d b e n e f i c e n t p u r p o s e s .


35/209

MASONIC TRESTLE-BOARD .SPECULATIVE MASONRY .

By Speculative Masonry, we learn to subdue the passions, act

up

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The New Masonic Trestle Board-Charles W Moore-1850-209pgs-SEC SOC