Ronaynes Handbook Of Freemasonry 16

Ronaynes Handbook Of Freemasonry 16

"No man should ever enter upon any great or

important undertaking, without first invoking the bless-

ing of Deity, you will therefore kneel and attend

prayer."

 

The figure on the next page is a correct representa-

tion of the Lodge and candidate during this ceremony.

 

The Master then gives three raps, removes his hat,

and repeats the following

 

prayer.

 

"Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the

universe, to this, our present convention, and grant

that this candidate for Masonry may so dedicate and

devote his life to Thy service, that he may become a

true and faithful brother among us. Endue him with

a competency of Thy divine wisdom, that by the influ-

ence of the pure principles of our Order, he may be

better enabled to display the beauties of Brotherly

 

 

 

WORK ON THE FIRST DEGREE. 6l

 

Love, Relief and Truth, to the honor of holy

name. Amen."

 

 

 

 

 

Candidate kneeling in Mock Worship.

 

 

 

Brethren respond, "So mote it be."

 

The Master, then resuming his hat, approaches the

candidate, still kneeling, and placing his right hand

upon his head, as represented on the next page, de-

mands :

 

Worshipful Master: "Mr. Hunt, in whom do

you put your trust ? "

 

Candidate: "In God."

 

Worshipful M aster: "Give me your right hand.

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

Arise! follow your conductor, and fear no danger."

 

• Cook's Standard Monitor, 1903, p. 9.

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

HAND BOOK 01? FREEMASONRY.

 

 

 

 

(Helping the candidate to his feet.) The Master then

retires to his seat in the East, gives one rap, and the

Lodge is seated.

 

RITE OF CIRCUMAMBULATION.

 

The Senior Deacon again taking the candidate

by the right arm, as represented in the annexed figure,

next page, conducts him slowly once around the Lodge-

room, and as they pass the stations of the Master and

Wardens, each of these officers gives one loud rap with

his gavel, — the Junior Warden giving the first one, —

 

 

 

WORK ON THE FIRST DEGREE.

 

 

 

 

and the candidate being blindfolded, these raps often

startle him considerably.

 

The following Psalm is also read or repeated

while he is being led around, and the reading is so

timed that it is finished just as the Deacon and candi-

date, having made one circuit of the Lodge, arrive

at the Junior Warden's station:

 

"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 unto Aaron's beard, — that went down

to the skirts of his garments, as the dew of Hermon^

and as the dew that descended upon the mountains

of Zion; for there the Lord commanded his blessing,

even life forevermore."*

 

On the next page is correctly represented the jour-

ney of the candidate around the Lodge in the Entered

 

 

 

* "Standard Monitor/' Cook, 1903, p. 9.

 

 

 

WORK ON THE FIRST DEGREE.

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

Apprentice degree. Starting at the point A, where he

has been kneeling for a mock prayer, the Senior Dea-

con conducts him around by way of the East to the

South, thence to the West, and so by way of the East

to the South again, stopping at the point B.*

 

Having arrived at the South, the Deacon gives

one rap with his rod on the floor, and the Junior

Warden, rising to his feet, demands :

 

Junior Warden: "Who comes here?"

 

Senior Deacon: "Dr. James^Hunt, who has long

been in darkness, and now seeks to be brought to

light, and to receive a part in the rights and benefits

of this Worshipful Lodge, erected to God and dedi-

cated to the Saints John, as all brothers and fellows

have done before/'

 

Junior Warden: "Dr. Hunt, is this of your own

free will and accord?"

 

Candidate: "It is."

 

Junior Warden: "Bro. Senior Deacon, is the

candidate worthy arid well qualified?"

Senior Deacon: "He is/*

 

Junior Deacon : "Is he duly and truly prepared ? "

Senior Deacon: "He is."

 

Junior Deacon: "Is he of lawful age, and prop-

erly vouched for?"*

 

Senior Deacon: "He is."

 

Junior Deacon: "Who vouches for this?"

 

Senior Deacon: "A brother."

 

Junior Deacon: "By what further rights and

benefits does he expect to gain this favor ? "

 

Senior Deacon: "By being a man, free born, of

good report, and well recommended."

 

Junior Warden: "It is well. You will con-

 

 

 

* For the origin of thia rite, eee "Maater*s Carpet," pp. 269»

 

272.

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

HAND BOOK OF" FREEMASONRY.

 

 

 

duct the candidate to the Senior Warden in the West

for further examination."

 

He is now conducted to the West, and the Sen-

ior Deacon again giving three raps with his rod, the

Senior Warden rises, gives one rap, and the very same

questions are asked, and like answers returned,! as at

the South, after which, the Senior Warden replies :

 

Senior Warden: "It is well. — You will conduct

the candidate to the Worshipful Master in the East

for further examination/'

 

Being led to tne East, the Deacon again raps

one, and th^ Master, without rising, demands :

 

Worshipful Master: "Who comes here?"

 

Senior Deacon: "Rev. Dr. James Hunt, who

has long been in darkness, and now seeks to be brought

to light, and to receive a part in the rights and bene- .

fits of this Worshipful Lodge, erected to God arid

dedicated to the Saints John, as all brothers and fel-

lows have done before."Worshipful Master: "Mr. Hunt, is this of your own free will and accord ? "