The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge — John Shaqi
The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's LodgeMorgan, William
Religion
The Mysteries of Free Masonry: Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge
Morgan, William
Freemasonry -- United States -- Rituals
Q. What did you next discover? A. The Worshipful Master a second time
approaching me from the East, who presented me with a lamb-skin, or
white apron, which he said was an emblem of innocence, and the badge
of a Mason; that it had been worn by kings, princes, and potentates of
the earth, who had never been ashamed to wear it; that it was more
honorable than the diamonds of kings, or pearls of princesses, when
worthily worn; and more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle;
more honorable than the Star or Garter, or any other order that could
be conferred on me at that time, or any time thereafter, except it be
in the body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of Masons; and
bid me carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who taught me how to
wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason.
Q. What were you next presented with? A. The working tools of an
Entered Apprentice Mason.
Q. What were they? A. The twenty-four-inch gauge and common gavel.
Q. How were they explained? A. The twenty-four-inch gauge is an
instrument made use of by operative masons to measure and lay out
their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make
use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our
time; the twenty-four inches on the gauge are emblematical of the
twenty-four hours in the day, which we are taught so divide into three
equal parts, whereby we find eight hours for the service of God and a
worthy distressed brother; eight hours for our usual vocation, and
eight hours for refreshment and sleep. The common gavel is an
instrument made use of by operative masons to break off the corners of
rough 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
lively and living stone for that spiritual building, that house not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Q. What was you next presented with? A. A new name.
Q. What was it? A. Caution.
Q. What does it teach? A. It teaches me, as I was barely instructed in
the rudiments of Masonry, that I should be cautious over all my words
and actions, especially when before its enemies.
Q. What were you next presented with? A. Three precious jewels.
Q. What were they? A. A listening ear, a silent tongue, and a faithful
heart.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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