gentlemen, that you will cheerfully conform to all the ancient established usages and customs of the Fraternity?"

The candidate, if no objections be urged to the contrary, is then introduced 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 building of King Solomon's Temple, perhaps with the design to bear a general reference to the three Orders of the Jewish Priesthood. The same arrangement was subsequently adopted by the Christian Church. It also prevailed in all the ancient mysteries. In a majority of them, the first step, or degree, consisted of probation, purification, and expiation. The second was called the Lesser Mysteries, — into which the candidate passed by solemn ceremonies. The third — to which he was advanced after a long period of additional trial was denominated the Greater Mysteries. These consisted of fearful rites, introductory to a full revelation of all the ineffable doctrines taught by the Priests; and which the candidate was bound, under an obligation and heavy penalties, never to reveal.

The Essenes, who, says Dr. Oliver, preserved the true Freemasonry from extinction in the dark ages which preceded the advent of Christ, admitted only three steps, or degrees, and the probationary term extended to one year. If, during this period, the candidate gave satisfactory proofs of his temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice, he was accepte, and received the first degree. In this novitiate he

remained another year, before he was passed to the second degree; and it was not until the expiration of three years, that he was admitted to a full participation in the secrets and benefits of the society. And even then the utmost precaution was used. The candidate was previously bound, by the most solemn vows, to keep inviolably secret the mysteries of his Order, and to act upon and abide by the ancient usages and established customs of the Fraternity. The Brethren distinguished each other, in darkness and in light, by peculiar signals. The most profound silence was imposed at their assemblies; the Lecturer, only, expounding the tenets of their creed, - which were enfolded in a series of allegorical symbols, the rest listening with a grave and solemn attention.

REMARKS ON THE FIRST DEGREE.

FIRST SECTION.

Ir has been truly remarked, that the first step taken by a candidate, on entering a Lodge of Freemasons, teaches him the pernicious tendency of infidelity, and shows him. that the foundation on which Masonry rests is the belief and acknowledgment of a Supreme Being; that to Him, alone, he can look for protection in all the dangers and difficulties he may be called to encounter, in his progress through life; and it assures him, that, if his faith be well founded in that Being, he may confidently pursue his course, without fear and without danger. The first section of the degree also teaches him, that he is to take the Holy Bible as the rule and guide of his faith, that he is to Square his actions by the precepts therein contained, -to circumscribe his desires and passions within the Compass of virtue and morality, and to relieve the necessities of others with the superfluities of his own substance.

A full and perfect knowledge of this section is indispensably necessary to every Mason, who would be serviceable to the Institution, and avail himself of its privileges and its enjoyments. It is the alphabet of Masonry; and must be learned before any progress can be made in the more abstruse and important branches of the study. It consists in general heads, which, while they serve as marks of distinction, enable us not only to try and examine the rights of others, but to prove ourselves.

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 Divine 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.

Response. So mote it be.

Amen.

The following passage of Scripture may be rehearsed 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 forevermore."*

* Since the more general introduction of music into the Lodges, the fol lowing Hymn is sometimes used as a substitute for this passage of Scrip

ture:

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 distils;

Like Hermon's dew, so richly shed

On Zion's sacred hills.

For there the Lord of light and love
A blessing sent with power;

It is the duty of the Master of the Lodge, as one of the precautionary measures of initiation, to explain to the candidate the nature and design of the Institution. And while he informs him, that it is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue, that it possesses great and invaluable privileges, and that, in order to secure those privileges to worthy men, and worthy men alone, voluntary pledges of fidelity are required, he will at the same time assure him, that nothing will be expected of him incompatible with his civil, moral or religious duties.

In the course of this section, is given an explanation of that peculiar and appropriate ensign of Freemasonry,

THE LAMB SKIN, OR WHITE LEATHER APRON. It 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 can be conferred upon the candidate at that or any future period, by King, Prince, Potentate, or any other person, except he be a Mason; and which it is hoped he will wear with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the Fraternity.

This section closes with a moral explication of the TWENTY-FOUR INCH GAUGE and COMMON GAVEL.

THE

TWENTY-FOUR

INCH GUAGE

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 taught to divide into three parts, whereby we find a part for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother; a part for our usual avocations; and a part for refreshment and sleep.

THE COMMON GAVEL

Is an instrument made use of by operative Masons, to break off

Oh! may we all this blessing prove
E'en life forevermore;

On Friendship's altar rising here,
Our hands now plighted be,

To live in love, with hearts sincere,
In peace and unitu

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 hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds as living stones, for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

SECOND SECTION.

THIS section is altogether explanatory of the preceding. It beautifully and comprehensively illustrates the ceremo-. nies of initiation; and while it gratifies, it cannot fail to impress, the mind of the intelligent and right-hearted candidate, with a high sense of the great moral excellences of the degree through which he is passing. It does not, however, admit of printed illustrations. We may only add, that the Lamb Skin, or white Leather Apron, is

THE BADGE O F A MASON.

The Lamb has in all ages been deemed an emblem of inno cence. He, therefore, who wears the Lamb Skin as the "Badge of a Mason," is continually reminded of that purity of life and conduct, which is so essentially necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.

THIRD SECTION.

THE third and last section of this degree is, perhaps, the most interesting and instructive of the three. Nor is a perfect knowledge of it less essential to a proper understanding of the ceremonies of initiation. Indeed, the Brother who has not made himself familiar with it need not be at the trouble of urging his claims to any great proficiency as a Mason. The principal points illustrated by it are-1. The FORM. 2. The SUPPORTS. 3. The COVERING. 4. The FURNITURE. 5. The ORNAMENTS. 6. The LIGHTS. ·

and 9. The DEDI