The Entered Apprentice in the World of Freemasonry

This chapter tells what is expected of you, as you commence learning about Freemasonry.

Firstly, you have certain duties and obligations to your Lodge in particular, and to Freemasonry in
general. These are:

1. that you learn and understand the series of questions and answers which you were given by
the Worshipful Master. You will be examined on these prior to taking the next Degree. You
will be expected to prove yourself proficient in the answers, to be given from memory, to the
Worshipful Master;

2. that you be not only a name on its roll of members, but be an interested, involved, enthusiastic
member, in all its activities; and,

3. that you strictly observe the laws, rules and regulations of Freemasonry. This is easy for a good
man.You should live by them, in both your public and private life, making them the rule and guide
of your conduct.

In addition to these requirements, consideration of the following points will give you a better
understanding of our aims.

THE MASONIC LODGE ROOM:

The entry of the Candidate into the Lodge Room, and taking the First Degree, represents his entry
into a new world - the Masonic World. He is guided into that world by the ceremonies, traditions,
usages and landmarks, which are maintained and performed by the various officers of the Lodge,
who possess the necessary skills to help him understand them.

MASONIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Candidate makes a promise to uphold the standards of Masonic conduct, and acknowledges
his obedience to Masonic authority. There is nothing contained in Freemasonry that conflicts with a
man’s civil, social or religious duties. Men unite together lawfully, and in harmony, in order to achieve
the aims and ideals of Freemasonry.

MORAL:
Freemasons acknowledge a Supreme Being, known to the Entered Apprentice Freemason, as the
Great Architect of the Universe. They make use of a Volume of the Sacred Law, to open and close
their meetings as a rule and guide to their faith.

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 INTELLECTUAL:
Study of Freemasonry offers a profound philosophy, it presents great opportunities for intellectual
consideration and research.

CIVIL:
Freemasonry requires that its members are good, law abiding citizens, and loyal to the country in
which they live. Their relationships with fellow citizens should, at all times, be true and honest, guided
by the principles taught within the Lodge.

Some Attributes Required of a Mason

To fully participate in Freemasonry, an Entered Apprentice Freemason needs to practise certain
qualities. Among these, are:

BROTHERHOOD:
Part of the scope of Freemasonry is a dedication to a world-wide fellowship of its members.
Therefore, it is essential that the Entered Apprentice Freemason be sincerely willing, in the life that he
leads, to act in a brotherly fashion, not only to other Freemasons, but also to all with whom he comes
into contact, acting at all times with honesty and charity. Success in this new Masonic life, will depend
on his dedication to understanding Freemasonry, and practising it in his daily life;

RESPECT:
The Entered Apprentice Freemason should listen carefully to the instructions of the Worshipful
Master of his Lodge, of his sponsors and other experienced Masons, as they seek to tutor him in the
principles and practice of Freemasonry. By so doing he shall be able to apply what he has heard to
shape his own conduct as a Freemason;

HUMILITY:
Humility is an acknowledgment that one can submit to the greater knowledge of another, and learn
from that knowledge.This is a good frame of mind in which to be when seeking advice and guidance.
It demonstrates a willingness to listen and learn; and,

STUDY:
There is an immense body of Masonic literature available.Time spent in early reading of recommended
portions of such literature will be of great value during a long and fruitful membership.

Close attention to this section will, no doubt, have given you a fuller understanding of the functions
of Freemasonry, its foundations, and your part in it.

4 THE FIRST DEGREE

The Masonic Obligation and its Significance
As an Entered Apprentice Freemason you have taken your first Masonic Obligation.

There are a number of different kinds of obligations:

THOSE IMPOSED BY CIVIL AUTHORITY:

The obligations imposed to preserve law and order in society;

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS:
Those obligations undertaken by one’s own free choice, and which are binding;

OBLIGATIONS PROMPTED BY CONSCIENCE:

These are self-imposed obligations, and Masonic obligations fall into this class. Being self-imposed,
their binding strength lies in a person’s conscience, in relation to the value that person places on his
own honour.

Masonic obligations are binding on a man for the whole of his life. There can be no more severe
punishment than the remorse of conscience, nor exceeding that of being seen by one’s fellow men
as a person without honour.

You may wonder why we require an obligation to be taken. We do this because we treasure our
principles and teachings highly, and do not wish to see them misused by people not worthy of them.

The Masonic Obligation is in two parts. The first part deals with the promises a Freemason is
expected to keep. In the conclusion of the obligation, the Candidate promises to observe the
strictest secrecy relating to matters confided to him.

He is still quite free to proclaim himself to be a Freemason if he so desires. But if he does, he must show
by his words and actions that he lives by certain principles and that these are very dear to him.

Freemasonry, as you are now beginning to realise, can be summed up as a body of men with
common aims and objectives, and with a system of rules and laws designed to maintain them. This is
expressed by its teachings, ritual, traditions, symbols and allegories.

In an organization as large as Freemasonry, which has hundreds of thousands of members of almost

every creed, race and level of society on earth, there can be, occasionally, breaches of this code of
behaviour. Although the Book of Constitutions of the relevant Grand Lodge prescribes the action
to be taken, and the punishment to be imposed for such breaches, none can be as severe as those
associated with the stain of dishonour, self-imposed, by the breaking of the obligation.

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 We trust that throughout your whole life, you will retain a vivid recollection of the obligation you
have taken, on the Volume of the Sacred Law, and that you will ever regard that Volume as a guide
to your path through life.

The Symbols of the First Degree

As you learn the list of questions and answers given to you by the Worshipful Master, you will see that
Freemasonry is described as being illustrated by symbols. Each symbol and emblem forms part of the
ceremonies of Freemasonry, and has a deep and important meaning. They explain the principles and
teachings of that degree. You will come to realise that every part of the ritual is filled with interesting
messages, which each Mason should try to learn and understand.

As an Entered Apprentice Freemason, you have been made aware that the uninitiated man is in
darkness, as regards to Masonic way of life.Your initiation was the means by which that darkness was
swept aside, and goodness, truth, and beauty were revealed to you. From the very beginning you
were taught to realise that we depend, in all things, on God, the Great Architect of the Universe, and
the duties we owe to Him.

During the ceremony you were made aware that Freemasonry has means of recognition by which
we are able to prove others, or ourselves, to be regular Masons. Special caution should be observed
outside the Lodge room in the use of these means of recognition. You have been taught that, to a
Freemason, a man’s material wealth is not the criterion of his real worth. By not being allowed to
bring his material wealth into the Lodge room, the candidate learns that he is assessed by his true
worth as a man, and not by his possessions. As the operative mason, of old, used tools to shape and
form the rough stone of the earth, and use it in building structures, so the speculative or “free mason”
figuratively develops usages and customs, by which he is enabled to reshape the crude and often
stubborn material of his own nature, and thus becomes more fitted to the needs and requirements
of human society.

As an Entered Apprentice Freemason you have been instructed to make a systematic use of time, to
control your relationships with others, and to improve your qualifications to fit you for a useful role
in society, so that you may make the best use of your talents and potential.

According to an old and widely accepted custom, the builder laid the foundation stone of a building
in the most favoured position, in order to achieve a lasting structure. As Freemasons, we look upon
the Entered Apprentice Freemason as the foundation stone of the future of our Craft. On him, we
build our hopes and our faith for the future of our Fraternity.

The Entered Apprentice Freemason represents youth, vigour and ambition, which should be
developed to master the art and science of living a full rich life, as portrayed by the symbols and
legends of Freemasonry.

6 THE FIRST DEGREE

 The Newly Initiated Brother
At your Initiation you were presented with copies of the By-laws of your Lodge and the Book
of Constitutions of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland. Your first Masonic obligation to
yourself should be to familiarise yourself with your Lodge By-laws and two sections of the Book
of Constitutions. The section, relating to Lodges, will give you a good understanding of the basic
structure of the Craft. The section on the Charges of a Freemason, will reinforce the principles and
tenets of the Craft; in particular, Antient Charge No. 6, which deals in detail with behaviour.

Some Masonic Do’s and Don’ts

1. The night of your Lodge meeting should be a permanent entry in your diary. Only the most
pressing emergencies should be allowed to interfere with your obligation to attend.

2. Do everything possible to avoid any commitment which may clash with your Lodge meeting.

3. If you are unable to be present ensure you record an apology with the Master or Secretary.

4. Ensure that you are properly attired when attending. In Freemasonry, Masonic clothing has two
distinct meanings. One relates to regalia and jewels - the other to personal attire.

5. Be punctual in your attendance. Arrive in sufficient time to clothe yourself in the appropriate
regalia and sign the attendance book.

6. Greet all Brethren with a pleasant smile and a brotherly hand-shake. Be particularly attentive to
visitors. Make sure that they are introduced and made welcome.

7. Take your seat in the Lodge before the appointed time of tyling.

8. Strive to the best of your ability to be proficient in ritual work. Take pride in the correctness of
your signs.

9. Don’t talk during any ceremony in the Lodge. Maintain interest in all ceremonies.

10. Don’t sprawl in your seat.

11. Don’t engage in religious or political discussion either in the Lodge or at the festive board. Avoid
questionable anecdotes and profane language at all times.

12. Reply promptly to all Masonic communications addressed to you.

13. Visit other Lodges as often as possible, having regard to your domestic and private obligations.
Your Worshipful Master will be pleased to have your company on such visits.

8 THE FIRST DEGREE

The Organisation of a Lodge
Having taken the First Degree of Craft Masonry, you are now a member of your Lodge. As such, you
should know something of its organization. The following, together with the Book of Constitutions
and the By-laws of your Lodge, which were presented to you at your Initiation, gives some broad
outline of this.

A Lodge formally consists of five or more regular Freemasons; it is empowered by Grand Lodge to
confer the three degrees of Craft Freemasonry. This authority is conferred by a Warrant or Charter
issued by the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland.

This Warrant will be withdrawn should the number of members, at any time, be less than five. The
Lodge may retain its Warrant, as long as it works according to the traditions and usages of the
Masonic Fraternity, and in accordance with the Book of Constitutions of the United Grand Lodge
of Queensland.

This Book of Constitutions also defines the areas within which the Lodge may govern itself.The rules
and laws relating to this self-government, are set out in the Lodge By-laws. These By-laws will have
had the approval of the Grand Master, and any amendments must also be submitted for approval.

The main officers of the Lodge are:

The Worshipful Master:

The executive power of the Lodge is vested in the Worshipful Master. He has the authority to
preside over every meeting of the Lodge; to chair the meetings of every committee of the Lodge;
to assemble the members of the Lodge upon any emergency; and, to order the issue of summonses
to the members. It is his responsibility to see that all records and books are properly kept, and to
discharge all the executive functions of the Lodge, including the safe custody of the Warrant or
Charter.

The Senior Warden:

He is the next ranking officer of the Lodge. Should the office of Worshipful Master become vacant,
through death or incapacity of the Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden acts as Master for the
purpose of summoning the Lodge, pending the next installation of a duly elected Worshipful
Master.

The Junior Warden:

The Junior Warden is the third ranking officer of the Lodge. It is part of his duty to ensure that only
those who are duly qualified, are permitted to enter the Lodge. The Worshipful Master delegates to
the Junior Warden, the responsibility for the smooth running of the festive board, and quite often, the
organization of the social activities of the Lodge.

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 The Deacons:
The Senior Deacon and Junior Deacon are the two officers who conducted you around the Lodge
during the ceremony. They are the conductors and it is under their guidance, you were led around
and given the answers to those questions asked of you.

The Director of Ceremonies:

The DC (as he is often referred to) is in charge of the ceremonies of the Lodge. It is under his
guidance that the ceremonies are rehearsed and presented.

Secretary:
This Brother keeps the minutes and records of the Lodge, he sends reports and returns to the Grand
Lodge; attends to the Lodge correspondence; issues the summonses (also called the notice paper)
for the meetings; and generally deals with all clerical matters. He also receives all monies paid to the
Lodge and hands such monies to the Treasurer.

Treasurer
He receives all the Lodge monies from the Secretary, and keeps a correct account of it. He pays out
money as approved by the Lodge or in exceptional circumstances outlined in the Constitutions or
By-laws as instructed by the Worshipful Master. He is responsible for the preparation of the annual
Statement of Accounts, including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Inner Guard and Tyler:

These two officers guard the door of the Lodge, under the direction of the Junior Warden. This is to
ensure that only those who are qualified and correctly dressed, are permitted to enter the Lodge
Room. The Tyler is also responsible for the preparation of the Lodge Room, for the maintenance and
safety of the Lodge regalia, and for the special requirements relating to the Attendance Book.

The Almoner
We constantly speak of Charity being one of the cornerstones of the Craft. The Lodge Almoner is
charged with keeping in touch and reporting to the Lodge on the welfare of those members and
their families who are ill or have fallen on hard times.

The Chaplain
Although we are definitely not a religion, we do have scripture read from the Volume of the Sacred
Law (usually the Bible). The officer of the Lodge who is charged with this duty is known as the
Chaplain.

10 THE FIRST DEGREE