ENTERED APPRENTl:CE STUDY GUIDE Compiled by : Brother Patrick Gray TABLE OF

CONTENTS Entered Apprentice Bible Verse ............ 2 Entered Apprentice

Symbols ............. 3 Entered Apprentice Study Questions ....... 13 Summary of
the Entered Apprentice Degree ... 18 Summary of the Book of Ruth ............... 24
Brief History of Prince Hall Masonry ........ 28 THE BIBLE VERSE OF AN ENTERED
APPRENTICE Psalm 133, quoted in its entirety, is the opening scripture for
Freemasonry. The Psalm is taken from the "Wisdom Psalms" and was one of the Psalms,
or songs, that the worshipers sang as they walked up the mountain to Jerusalem and
the Temple. It was engraved upon the memory of every loyal Jew, for its meaning was
to bind all the people tightly in the bonds of love and loyalty. This Psalm begins
with the characteristic word of introduction, "Behold!" In other words, "Listen,
take heed, this is greatly important." The word "Behold!" had the same power as
that other very familiar phrase, "Thus saith the Lord!". "Behold! How good and
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." This Psalm was written
after the Jews had returned from their Babylonian captivity and they had returned
with foreign wives, foreign ideas, and a very loose hold upon God. They all needed
to draw close together for national strength, for closer religious ties, for strict
observance of the laws of God. Family life had deteriorated under their captivity
and many of the Jews who returned to Palestine had been born in Babylon and had no
familiar ties to their real homeland. In the olden days brethren dwelt in close
proximity; they lived as close to their birthplace as possible; they lived under
the influence of the larger family, or clan, or tribe. They had a closeness; they
felt a closeness; they had a very high and very deep sense of loyalty to all the
brethren. These attributes had been broken down in captivity, and the call was to
remember "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
Therefore, it was necessary to bring a reminder of the glory of the past and the
advantage of the future if men would live and act as brothers. The writer of this
Psalm then brought up a reminder of a past custom. A host would anoint his guest
with the perfumed oil of anointing that would fill the house with its scent.
Turning to the historical Aaron, the writer reminds his readers of the beard of
Aaron and his beautiful priestly robes. Aaron typified the "Called of God man,"The
man separated of God" for a special task. Aaron was anointed for his priestly
office in a beautiful ceremony before the massed people. If brothers will dwell
together in unity it is like this: "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 garments." This oil of perfume, this oil of anointing, gave forth a scent that
all could be conscious of and all would be impressed. "Brethren in unity" brings a
consciousness of the perfume of peace and strength. But there was . , something
more. Palestine was a harsh land of little rainfall, many rocks, hot sun, little
fertile soi_l, and many droughts. The mountains were upon every hand, dry, barren,
and all but hospitable. But there was something about the mountains that appealed.
When brothers dwell in unity, it is as the freshness of the dew upon those
mountains: "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."
Brothers in unity refresh each other for there is strength in unity and the
brotherly spirit is beautiful, refreshing, and restoring. And when unity is
established then there is the blessing of the Lord God. Only in unity, implies the
writer of the Psalm, where the spirit of brotherhood prevails, may the Lord give
His blessing forevermore. ENTERED' APPRENTICE SYMB;OLS 1. WHERE DO MASONS MEET? 2.
WHAT ARE THE SUPPORTS OF A LODGE? .� (: � r '' i: !',1-:[: , 3. WHAT IS THE
COVERING OF A LODGE? 4. WHAT IS THE FURNITURE OF A LODGE? P. �::.:.::; 5. WHAT ARE
THE ORNAMENTS OF A LODGE? , 6. WHAT ARE THE 3 MOVABLE JEWELS? 7. WHAT ARE THE 3
IMMOVABLE JEWELS? 9. WHAT ARE THE 3 LESSER LIGHTS? 10. HOW ARE THE 3 LESSER LIGHTS
REPRESENTED? 11. HOW SHOULD AN EA SERVE HIS MASTER? 12. WHAT ARE THE WORKING TOOLS
OF AN EA? EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING SYMBOLS: 13. 14. 15. 17. 18. 20.9� 21. G -T p , 22.
p -J 23. EXPLAIN HOW THE WHOLE WORLD IS OUR LODGE SYMBOLS OF AN ENTERED APPRENTICE
Study Guide Answers 1. Our Ancient Brethren were accustomed to meet on a high hill
or in a low vale, the better to guard against the approach of cowans and
eavesdroppers either ascending or descending. 2. Three great pillars, denominated
Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty support the Lodge; because it is necessary that there
should be Wisdom to contrive, Strength to support, and Beauty to adorn all great
and important undertakings. These pillars are represented by the three principal
officers of the Lodge -the Worshipful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens. The
Worshipful Master represents the pillar of Wisdom, it being supposed that he has
the wisdom to open and govern his Lodge, set the Craft at work, and give them
proper instruction. The Senior Warden represents the pillar of Strength, it being
his duty to assist the Worshipful Master in opening and governing his Lodge, pay
the Craft their wages if any be due, and see that none go away dissatisfied,
harmony being the support of all institutions, more especially of ours. The Junior
Warden represents the pillar of Beauty, it being his duty in ancient times to
observe the sun at meridian height, which is the beauty and glory of the day. 3.
The covering of a Lodge is the clouded canopy or starry-decked heaven, where all
good Masons hope to at last arrive by the aid of that mysterious ladder which Jacob
in his vision saw extending from earth to Heaven, the three principal rungs of
which are denominated Faith, Hope, and Charity and admonish us to have faith in
God, Hope in Immortality, and Charity to all Mankind. The greatest of these is
Charity; for our Faith will be lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charity
extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity. 4. The Lodge is
furnished by the Holy Bible, Square, and Compasses. The Bible is dedicated to God,
it being the inestimable gift of God to Man, and on which we obligate a newly made
Brother. The Square to the Master, it being the proper emblem of his office, and
should continually remind him of the duty he owes to the Lodge over which he is
elected to preside. And the Compasses to the Craft, for by a due attention to their
use, they are taught to circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within
due bounds with all mankind. 5. The ornaments of a Lodge are the Mosaic Pavement,
the Indented Tessel (or tessellated border), and the Blazing Star. The Mosaic
Pavement is emblematic of human life, checkered with both good and evil; the
beautiful border that surrounds it, of those blessings and comforts which surround
us, and which we hope to obtain by a faithful reliance on Divine Providence which
is hieroglyphically represented by the Blazing Star in the center. 6. The movable
Jewels are the Rough Ashlar, the Perfect Ashlar, and the Trestle-board The Rough
Ashlar is a stone taken from the quarry in its rude and natural state. The Perfect
Ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the workman to be adjusted by the
working tools of the Fellowcraft. The Trestle.board is for the master workman to
draw his designs upon. By the Rough Ashlar we are reminded of our rude and
imperfect state by nature. By the Perfect Ashlar, of that state of perfection at
which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, or own endeavors and the blessing
of God. And by the Trestle.board we are also reminded that as the operative workman
erects his temporal building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the
master on his Trestle-board, so should we, both operative and speculative, endeavor
to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules and designs laid down by the
Supreme Architect of the Universe in the Great Book of Nature and Revelation, which
is our spiritual, moral and Masonic Trestle-board 7. The immovable Jewels are the
Square, Level, and Plumb. The Square teaches morality, the Level equality, and the
Plumb rectitude of conduct. The also represent the three principal officers of the
Lodge without which, the Lodge cannot operate. 8. The three Greater Lights of
Freemasonry are the Holy Bible, Square and Compass. The Bible is dedicated to God,
it being the inestimable gift of God to Man, and on which we obligate a newly made
Brother. The Square to the Master, it being the proper emblem of his office, and
should continually remind him of the duty he owes to the Lodge over which he is
elected to preside. And the Compasses to the Craft, for by a due attention to their
use, they are taught to circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within
due bounds with all mankind. 9. The three Lesser Lights of Masonry are the Sun, the
Moon, and the Master of the Lodge. As the Sun rules the day and the Moon governs
the night, so should the Worshipful Master, with equal regularity, rule and govern
his Lodge. 10. The three Lesser Lights are represented by three burning candles or
tapers, placed upon candlesticks or pedestals, situated East, West, and South. 11.
In ancient times Entered Apprentices served their Masters with Freedom, Fervency,
and Zeal, which are emblematically represented by Chalk, Charcoal, and Clay. There
is nothing freer than Chalk, the slightest touch of which leaves a trace. There is
nothing more fervent
than Charcoal, for to it, when properly ignited, the most obdurate metals will
yield. Nothing more zealous than Clay, or our Mother Earth, whidh is continually
imparting for man's necessities, and is constantly reminding us that as from it we
came, so to it we must all sooner or later return. 12. The working tools of an
Entered Apprentice are the Twenty-Four Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel. The Twenty-
four Inch Gauge is an instrument used by operative masons to measure and lay out
their work; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use it for the more
noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four
equal parts, is emblematical on the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are
taught to divide into three equal parts, whereby are found eight hours for the
service of God and a distressed worthy Brother, eight for our usual vocations, and
eight for refreshment and sleep. The Common Gavel is an instrument used by
operative masons to break off the corners of rough stone, the better to fit them
for the builder's use; but we as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to use 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. 13. This is a token. A certain friendly or brotherly grip where one Mason
may know another in the dark as in the light. 14. This is referred to as "A Point
Within A Circle". The point represents the individual brother; the circle, the
boundary line of his duty, beyond which he is never to suffer his passions,
interests, or prejudices, to betray him. In going around the circle we necessarily
touch on the two parallel lines, as well as the Holy Scriptures; and while a Mason
keeps himself circumscribed with these due bounds, it is impossible that he should
materially err. The festival days set aside for these two saints by Freemasonry are
June 24, for Saint John the Baptist and December 27, for Saint John the Evangelist.
Both of these dates coincide with the Summer and Winter Solstices respectively. The
parallel lines which border the circle are also said symbolize these two solstices.
15. This is a lambskin or white leather apron. At the building of King Solomon's
Temple the different bands of workmen were distinguished by the manner in which
they wore their aprons. Entered Apprentices wore them with the flap turned up to
prevent soiling the clothing; Masonically, to prevent daubing with untempered
mortar. Thus wear yours until further advanced. 16. This is a Charter. It is the
most powerful and important document held by a Lodge. When it is granted by some
Grand Body of competent jurisdiction, it empowers the Lodge to work. 17. This is
how the Holy Bible, Square, and Compasses look on an Entered Apprentice Altar. The
Bible is turned to Psalms 133rd and the points of the Compasses are beneath the
Square. 18. This is a hoodwink and cable-tow. You were hood-winked and with a
cable-tow about your neck for three reasons; first, that your heart might conceive
before your eyes beheld the beauties of Freemasonry; second, that as you were in
darkness, it was to teach you to keep the whole world so respecting the secrets of
Freemasonry, except to such as were justly entitled to receive the same as you were
about to become; and third, had you not conformed to the ceremony of your
initiation, thereby rendering yourself unworthy to be taken by the hand as a Mason,
you might, by aid of the cable-tow, have been led out of the Lodge without having
beheld even the form thereof. 19. This is the symbolic shoe that you took off when
you were prepared to be initiated as an Entered Apprentice. You were neither
barefoot nor shod, agreeably to an ancient Israeli custom adopted among Masons. We
read in the book of Ruth concerning their manner of changing and redeeming, that,
"to confirm all things, a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor."
That was testimorly in Israel. This therefore we do, testifying thereby in the
strongest manner possible the sincerity of our intentions in the work in which we
are engaged. 20. These are signs ... right angles, horizontals, and perpendiculars.
21. These are the Perfect Points of your entrance, which are four -the Guttural,
Pectoral, Manual and Pedal, and they allude to the four cardinal virtues:
Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. 22. This is the Compasses. It was the
sharp instrument that pierced your naked left breast when you were received into
the Lodge to be made a Mason. It was to remind you that as this is an instrument of
torture to the flesh, so should the recollection thereof be to your mind and
conscience, should you ever reveal the secrets of Freemasonry unlawfully. 23. First
of all, how is a Lodge situated? "Lester's Look to the East" teaches us that a
Lodge is situated from East to West. If you think about it, you will realize that
"from East to West" is infinite -there is no space that this does not cover. If you
start in Florida and continue to go West, you will eventually reach a point that is
East again. Therefore, it is safe to presume that the Lodge is situated "around"
the entire world. Now, we ask, how high is the Lodge? We learn that the Lodge is as
high as "from Earth to Heaven". This statement also proves that the Lodge is all
encompassing. If you start at the ground on which you rest your feet and go
outward, without Earth's gravitational pull, you would float through the Heavens
and into Eternity. Lastly, how deep is the Lodge? The answer is, "from the surface
to the center'' -and one cannot travel deeper than that. Picture a rubber ball in
the palm of your hand; if you were to take a needle and push it in from any part of
the surface and work your way through, once you reach the center, you have gone as
far as you can physically go. We know this to be true because after you push beyond
the center, you are moving closer and closer back to the surface. Once you take
this knowledge into consideration, you have no choice but to come to the conclusion
that our Lodge is all around us. No matter how far, or how deep, or how high we may
travel, we are still within the boundaries of the lodge and therefore, it is
imperative that we always stand as an upright man and Mason. The lessons we learn
at study hall and in ceremony should not be confined to those places, but we should
take them and apply them wherever we may go. ENTERED APPRENTICE Study Guide
Questions 1. Why were you divested of all metallic substances? 2. Why were you
neither naked nor clothed? 3. Why were you neither barefoot nor shod? 4. Why was
your left knee and breast bare? 5. Why were you hoodwinked with a cable-tow about
your neck? 6. Why were you caused to give three distinct knocks at the door? 7. Why
were you received on the point of a sharp instrument? 8. Why were you caused to
kneel iri the center of the Lodge? 9. Why should your trust be in God? 10.Why were
you told to follow your conductor and fear no danger? 11.Why were you conducted
about the Lodge? 12. What is this procedure called? 13. Why were you caused to meet
with several obstructions while being conducted about the Lodge? 14. Why were you
requested to deposit something of value in the archives of the Lodge? 15. Why were
you placed in the Northeast corner of the Lodge? 16. To whom are Lodges dedicated?
17. What are the tenets of Freemasonry? 18. Why are Lodges situated from East to
West? , ENTERED APPRENTICE Study Guide Answers 1. You were divested of all metal
for two reasons; first, that you might carry nothing offensive or defensive into
the Lodge; second, at the building of King Solomon's Temple, there was not heard
the sound of an axe, hammer or any tool of iron. The stone were all hewn, squared
and numbered at the quarry were they were raised. The timber felled and prepared in
the forest of Lebanon, conveyed by sea in floats to Joppa, thence by land to
Jerusalem, where they were set up with wooden mauls prepared for that purpose, and
when the building was completed, its several parts fitted with such exact nicety,
that it had more the appearance of the handiwork of the Supreme Architect of the
Universe than of human hands. 2. You were neither naked nor clothed, because
Masonry regards no man for his worldly wealth or possessions. It was therefore to
signify that it was the internal, and not the external qualifications of a man that
should recommend him to be made a Mason. 3. You were neither barefoot nor shod.
This was in conformity to an ancient Israeli custom. We read in the book of Ruth
that it was the manner in former time, concerning redeeming and changing, that to
confirm all things, a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor, and
this was a testimony in Israel. This, therefore, was done to testify to the
sincerity of your intentions, in the business in which you were then about to
engage. 4. You were caused to kneel at the Altar on your naked left knee, because
the left is said to be the weaker part of man. It was, therefore, to signify that
it was the weakest part of Masonry you were then entering upon, it being that of
Entered Apprentice. 5. You were hoodwinked, with a cable-tow around your neck for
three reasons. First, as you were then in darkness, so should you keep the whole
world respecting the secrets of Freemasonry until they should obtain them as
lawfully as you were then about to do. Second, that your heart might be taught to
conceive, before your eyes beheld the beauties of Masonry. Third, had you refused
to submit to the forms and ceremonies of your initiation, or been found unworthy to
be taken by the hand as a brother,
you might, by the help of the cable-tow, have been led out of the Lodge, without
being able to discover even the form thereof. 6. You were caused to give three
distinct knocks upon the door, to alarm the Lodge and inform the Worshipful Master
that you were prepared for initiation, and this alludes to a certain text in
scripture: "ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock, and it shall
be opened unto you." This applied to your then situation in that you asked the
recommendation of a friend to be made a Mason, through his recommendation, you
sought initiation, you knocked at the door of the Lodge, and it was opened unto
you. (MATTHEW 7:7) 7. You are received into this lodge of Entered Apprentices upon
the point of a sharp instrument piercing your naked left breast, which is to teach
you as this is an instrument of torture to the flesh, so the remembrance of it be
to your mind and conscience, should you ever presume to reveal any of the secrets
of Freemasonry unlawfully. 8. You were conducted to the center of the Lodge, caused
to kneel, and attend prayer, because no man should ever engage in any great or
important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity. 9. You were
asked in whom you put your trust, because according to Masonic usage, no atheist
can be made a Mason. You were therefore required to profess a belief in Deity,
otherwise no obligation would have been considered binding upon you. 10. You were
taken by the right hand, ordered to arise, follow your conductor, and fear no
danger, to signify at a time when you could neither foresee or avoid danger, you
were in the hands of a true and trusty friend, in whose fidelity you could with
safety confide. 11. You were conducted once around the Lodge, that all the brethren
might see that you were duly and truly prepared. 12. This procedure is called
CIRCAMBULATION. 13. You were caused to meet with the several obstructions on your
passage around the Lodge, because there were guards placed at the South, West and
East gates of the court of King Solomon's Temple, to see that none passed or
repassed except such as were duly qualified and had permission. It was, therefore
necessary that you should meet with these several obstructions that you might be
duly examined before being made a Mason. 14. You were requested to deposit
something of a metallic kind to remind you of your then extremely poor and
penniless situation, and that, should you ever meet a friend, more especially a
brother Mason in like destitute circumstances, you should contribute as liberally
to his relief as you could, without material injury to yourself. 15. On your return
to the Lodge, you were placed in the Northeast corner because, in operative
Masonry, the first stone of a building is usually laid in the Northeast corner. You
were, therefore, placed there to receive your first instruction whereon to build
your future moral and Masonic edifice. 16. Lodges were anciently dedicated to King
Solomon, who was said to have been our first Most Excellent Grand Master. But
Masons in modern times dedicate theirs to St. John the Baptist and St. John the
Evangelist, who were said to be two eminent Christian patrons of Masonry; and since
their time, there is, or ought to be, represented in every regular and well-
governed lodge a certain Point within a Circle. The Point representing an
individual brother, the Circle the boundary line of his duty, beyond which he is
never to suffer his passions or prejudices to betray him. This Circle is embordered
by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St. John
the Evangelist; upon the top rest the Holy Scriptures. In passing around this
circle, we necessarily touch upon both lines, as well as upon the Holy Scriptures,
and while a Mason keeps himself thus circumscribed, it is impossible that he should
materially err. 17. The tenets of our profession are Brotherly Love, Relief, and
Truth. 18. All lodges are, or ought to be, situated due east and west, because King
Solomon's Temple was so situated. King Solomon's Temple was so situated because,
after Moses had safely conducted the Children of Israel through the Red Sea, when
pursued by Pharaol1 and his hosts, he, by Divine command, erected a tabernacle and
situated it due east and west to perpetuate the remembrance of that remarkable east
wind which wrought their mighty deliverance, and likewise the better to receive the
rays of the rising sun. As this tabernacle was a model for King Solomon's Temple,
so ought all lodges to be situated due east and west. 17 SUMMARY OF THE ENTERED
APPRENTICE DEGREE THE CANDIDATE'S FIRST REQUIREMENT: Among the first requirements
of the Apprentice is that he shall offer himself as a rough stone to be shaped
under Masonic laws and influences in the world of the Brotherhood of Masonry.
Unless he is willing, in all sincerity, to abide by his obligations and the laws,
which define, regulate and control the brotherly life, he will be out of harmony
with the Fraternity, unable to find a foothold in the world he seeks to enter. All
of our ritual, symbols, emblems, allegories and ceremonies, in the richness and
variety of their meaning, point in the same direction. Unless an Apprentice
understands and accepts them, he will fail to comprehend Masonic teaching. Finally,
he must develop a spirit of industry, because Freemasonry requires that those who
want to know more about Masonry spend their time learning. THE CANDIDATE MUST FIRST
BE PREPARED IN HIS HEART: As a man thinketh, so is he; but as he purposes in his
heart, so will his life be. The heart is the center of man's affections and
desires. If he is clean within, his life will reflect that condition -but the
reverse is also true. We are concerned with the building of character. Working
toward this goal must begin within the heart; for, if your heart is not ready, we
cannot expect to make an impression on your mind. Therefore, each candidate, who
comes seeking light, must be first prepared in his heart. DULY AND TRULY PREPARED:
Being duly and truly prepared refers to the wearing of special garments furnished
by the Lodge to emphasize our concern with man's internal qualifications, rather
that his worldly wealth and honors. By wearing the garments of humility, the
candidate signifies the sincerity of his intentions. THE HOODWINK: The Hoodwink
represents the darkness in which the uninitiated stands regarding Masonry. It is
removed at the moment of enlightenment, suggesting that we do not create the great
things of life, such as goodness, truth and beauty, but find them. They always
exist, regardless of the blindness of any individual. THE CABLE.TOW: The Cable-Tow
is a rope such as would be used to tow or restrain. It is also generally regarded
as a symbol of the voluntary and complete acceptance of, and pledged compliance
with, whatever Masonry may have in store. The subsequent release after taking the
obligation indicates this symbol is no longer needed, since the candidate has
assumed the definite and irrevocable pledge of the Degree. THE ENTRANCE: As an
Entered Apprentice takes his first step into the Lodge room, he enters into a new
world, the world of Masonry. He leaves the darkness, destitution and helplessness
of the world for the light and warmth of this new existence. This is the great
meaning of the Degree. It is not an idle formality but a genuine experience -the
beginning of a new career in which duties, rights, and privileges are real. If a
candidate is not to be an Apprentice in name only, he must stand ready to do the
work upon his own nature that will make him a different man. Members are called
Craftsmen because they are Workmen. Lodges are quarries because they are scenes of
toil. Freemasonry offers no privileges or rewards except to those who earn them; it
places working tools, not playthings, in the hands of its members. To become a
Mason is a solemn and serious undertaking. Once the step is taken, it may well
change the course of a man's life. THE ENTRANCE: As an Entered Apprentice takes his
first step into the Lodge room, he enters into a new world, the world of Masonry.
He leaves the darkness, destitution and helplessness of the world for the light and
warmth of this new existence. This is the great meaning of the Degree. It is not an
idle formality but a genuine experience .the beginning of a new career in which
duties, rights, and privileges are real. If a candidate is not to be an Apprentice
in name only, he must stand ready to do the work upon his own nature that will make
him a different man. Members are called Craftsmen because they are Workmen. Lodges
are quarries because they are scenes of toil. Freemasonry offers no privileges or
rewards except to those who earn them; it places working tools, not playthings, in
the hands of its members. To become a Mason is a solemn and serious undertaking.
Once the step is taken, it may well change the course of a man's life. THE
RECEPTION: The reception of the candidate into the Lodge room (this is where the
Senior Deacon stops you just inside the door and tells you the significance of how
and why he is receiving you into the Lodge.) is intended to symbolize the fact that
the obligations which he will assume are solemn and that there is a symbolic
penalty if these are violated. It also reminds man that his every act has a
consequence, either in the form of a reward or a penalty. Man reaps as he sows. THE
HOLY SAINTS JOHN: Freemasonry, long ago, chose as its patron saints, John the
Baptist and John the Evangelist. By doing this, the Brethren arrived at the
conclusion that their patron saints belonged to a Lodge and that it must have been
in the city in which they lived -Jerusalem. By this tradition, all Lodges
symbolically come from one at Jerusalem. By tradition,
also, every Mason hails from such a Lodge. By coming from this mythical Lodge, he
proves that he hails from a "just and legally constituted Lodge." FORM OF A LODGE:
The form of a Lodge is an oblong square, or a rectangle. It extends from East to
West and between North and South. The East in a Masonic Lodge does not,
necessarily, mean the actual point of the compass. The East in the Lodge is the
station of the Worshipful Master -from which he dispenses light and instruction to
all his brethren. Some Lodges may have the Master sitting in other actual compass
locations, but the important point is that the Master is always symbolically,
located in the East and the other symbolic points of the West, South and North are
located in proper relation to the station of the Master. , THE RITE OF
CIRCAMBULATION: Circambulation means to walk around some central point or object.
In Masonry, the act is performed in a clockwise manner, patterned after the
movement of the sun as it is seen from the earth, moving from East to West, by way
of the South. The candidate's journey around the Altar enables the Brethren to
observe that he is properly prepared. Circambulation should teach the Entered
Apprentice that Freemasonry is a progressive science, and man may gather truth as
he progresses. It also teaches that life is a progressive journey through which
each must travel toward his ultimate destiny. THE ALTAR: The central piece of
furniture in the Lodge is the Altar; and, upon it, rest the three Great Lights of
Masonry, the Holy Bible, Square and Compass. The Altar is symbolic of many things.
Its location, in the center of the Lodge, symbolizes the place which God has in
Masonry, and which he should have in every person's life. It is also a symbol of
worship and faith. The candidate approaches the Altar in search of light and also
assumes his obligations there. In the presence of God and his Brethren, he offers
himself to the service of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and to mankind, in
general. The Altar is the point on which life in our Masonic Lodges is focused. The
principles for which the Three Great Lights stand should serve to guide everyone's
thoughts and actions both in the Lodge and abroad in the world. The Altar
supporting the Three Great Lights should remind each Brother who stands before it
that "faith supports life itself'. THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER: Why is the presiding
officer of the Lodge called Worshipful? This is an Old English word meaning worthy
of respect. Since the Brethren choose him, they deem him to have sufficient wisdom,
integrity and Masonic knowledge to govern the Lodge properly. Why is the Worshipful
Master's station in the East? In the world of nature, the sun rises in the East to
shed light and luster on earth. In a like manner, it is the province of the Master
to be the source of Masonic knowledge for his Brethren as they "approach the East
in search of light." Why does the Master wear a hat in the Lodge? He wears the hat,
and the remainder of the Brethren remains uncovered, for several reasons. Keeping
the head covered while others are uncovered has long been a symbol of superior
rank. Men, as a mark of respect, usually uncover in the presence of those they deem
to be of superior rank. Also, it is possible that the Worshipful Master wears a hat
because King Solomon wore a crown as a mark of dignity. The title Master is not
unlike the Master of a ship or one who has received a Masters Degree in his chosen
discipline. He is capable of teaching his subject -thus imparting "light" or
knowledge. THE GREAT LIGHT OF FREEMASONRY: The Great Light of Freemasonry is the
Volume of the Sacred Law (no matter what religion) and it is an indispensable part
of the furniture of a Lodge. The Grand Lodges of the United States use the Holy
Bible on their Altars. In other jurisdictions, the candidate may have his own
sacred book substituted for the Bible. In some Lodges in other countries, the
Altars of Masonry have more that one Book on them, and the candidate may choose the
one on which he is to be obligated. No Lodge in California may stand officially
open, unless the Holy Bible is opened upon its Altar with the Square and Compass
displayed thereon. The open Bible signifies that we should regulate our conduct
according to its teachings, because it is the rule and guide of our faith and is a
symbol of man's acknowledgment of his relation to Deity. The Square is a symbol of
morality, truthfulness and honesty. To "act on the square" is to act honestly. The
Compass signifies the duty that we owe to ourselves, and , is a symbol of
restraint, skill and knowledge. We might also properly regard the Compass as
excluding beyond its circle that which is harmful or unworthy. The general public
recognizes the symbol of Freemasonry as the Square and Compass. THE OBLIGATION: The
Obligation is the heart of the Degree; for when it is assumed by the candidate, he
has solemnly bound himself to Freemasonry, and assumed certain duties that are his
for the rest of his life. The taking of the Obligation is visible and audible
evidence of the candidate's sincerity of purpose. The Obligation has a two-fold
purpose. In addition to binding the candidate to Freemasonry and its duties, it
also protects the Fraternity against someone revealing its secrets, which deal with
its modes of recognition and symbolic instruction. The candidate should understand
the great truths that Masonry teaches are not secret, but the manner in which
Freemasonry teaches these truths is considered secret. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF
THE OBLIGATION: The penalties incurred for willful violation of your Masonic
Obligation will not be of a physical nature. The penalties that you recite at the
conclusion of you Obligation are purely symbolic. This should have been explained
in the preparatory address. The Mason who violates his Obligation will subject
himself to Masonic discipline, which could include the loss of membership in the
Lodge and the Fraternity, either by suspension or expulsion. He will also be
subject to the scorn and contempt of all good Masons. The ancient oral penalties,
already mentioned, are retained in our ritual to impress upon the mind of each
Brother how serious a violation will be regarded by the members of the Fraternity.
The Obligations were voluntarily assumed, and every means possible is used to
impress the new Mason with the solemnity and the necessity for faithful performance
of them. THE LAMBSKIN APRON: The Apron is at once an emblem of innocence and the
badge of a Mason. By innocence is meant clean thinking and clean living, a loyal
obedience to the laws of the Craft and sincere good will to the Brethren. The Badge
of a Mason signifies that Masons are workers and builders, not drones and
destructionists. THE RITE OF DESTITUTION: The symbolism of the Rite of Destitution
reverts to those ancient times when men believed that the planets determined human
fate and controlled human passions, and that there were metals by which each planet
was itself controlled. In ancient initiations, candidates were compelled to leave
all metals behind, lest they bring into the assembly disturbing planetary
influences. While with us, this symbolism no longer has an astrological character.
However, the old point about excluding disturbing influences remains. The candidate
is not to bring into the Lodge room his passions or prejudices, lest that harmony,
which is one of the chief concerns of Masonry, be destroyed. THE NORTHEAST CORNER:
The Northeast Corner is traditionally the place where the cornerstone of a building
is laid. The Apprentice is, therefore, so placed to receive his first instruction
on which to build his moral and Masonic edifice. As such, you are a cornerstone on
which the Fraternity is to be erected. It is our hope and expectation that you will
prove a solid foundation, true and tried, set foursquare on which our great
fraternity may safely build. You are the future of Masonry. THE WORKING TOOLS: The
Working T9ols, presented to the candidates, are those used by the ancient operative
craftsman in the erection of the building on which he was working. To the
Speculative Mason, these represent the moral habits and forces by which man shapes
and reshapes the essence of his human nature. !:iv these symbolic tools, he also
fits his own behavior to society and community. While they do not contain the whole
philosophy of Masonry, the various Working Tools allocated to the three degrees, by
their very presence, they declare that there is constructive work to be done; and
by their nature, indicate the direction this work is to take. THE CHARGE: In each
Degree, at the end of the ceremony and instruction, the candidate is charged to
perform his Masonic duties. The Charge given him explains these duties. THE
LECTURES: The Lectures given to the candidate by the Worshipful Master are intended
to elaborate certain phases of the ritual, giving a broader explanation of the
ceremonies in order for the candidate to understand the lessons of Freemasonry.
KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE: The frequent references to King Solomon's Temple, in this
and other Degrees, lead to the false conclusion that the Fraternity was founded by
him. Freemasonry became an organized craft many years after the reign of Solomon.
However, our ritual is based upon Masonic legends connected with both Solomon and
the Temple at Jerusalem, which has helped enrich the symbolism. THE PROFICIENCY:
The series of questions and answers that you are requested to commit to memory
following each Degree are intended to: (1) Teach each candidate the language of
Freemasonry. (2) Fix in his mind the teachings of the Degree. (3) Impress upon his
consciousness the different points of the Obligation he has assumed. (4) To enable
him to prove, to his satisfaction
and that of his Brethren, that he is a Mason. THE ORIGIN OF OUR RITUAL: Where and
when did the ritual work originate? The origin of our Ritual cannot be traced much
beyond the years of the 18th century, or around 1700. The father of the English
Ritual was undoubtedly, William Preston. This Ritual has been refined and polished
without being basically changed in character in the nearly three centuries since
Preston first used it in London. Prior to this, the Ritual of Freemasonry was a
continuation of the practices and customs of the day-to-day work of the Operative
Freemason. The emphasis gradually shifted from the practical to the moral and
spiritual values as the Accepted Masons began to outnumber the Operative Brethren
in the Lodges. In early Speculative Masonry, there may have been but one degree and
a Master's part. After a few years, three Degrees were used. Around 1813, the
United Grand Lodge of England declared: "Ancient Craft Masonry consists of three
degrees and no more .... ". Why is the language of Freemasonry so different from
that which we normally use? The candidates often ask this question. The Ritual of
Freemasonry is a product of the early decades of the 18th century. It contains much
of the language of that century and other words and phrases from the very old work
have been incorporated. This is why the (anguage is written and spoken as it is. If
the time and effort is spent to study the words of our Ritual, you will discover
that the thoughts and teachings imparted cannot be put in fewer words and still
retain their meaning. THE EMBLEMS OF AN ENTERED APPRENTICE MASON: The Entered
apprentice should study all the Emblems of the Degree, for each is important and
should be thoroughly understood by him. For example, the lamb is usually an emblem
of innocence. The emblem suggests truth to the mind. The twenty-four inch gauge is
an emblem of the twenty-four hours of the day. This emblem suggests a wise use of
time. The common gavel reminds us that as rough ashlars (rough stones) our
characters can be made into perfect ashlars (polished stones) by applying the
teachings of Freemasonry in our daily thoughts and actions. 22 WHEN TO RISE AND
WHEN TO BE SEATED; The gavel in the hands of the Master of a Lodge is one of the
symbols of authority by which he governs. When the gavel is sounded once in the
East, at the beginning of Lodge, the Brethren must come to order. Two raps call the
Officers to their feet, and three raps mean that all Brethren must stand. If
everyone standing, one rap seats everyone in the Lodge. If the Worshipful Master
addresses you by name, arise, face the East, give the due guard and sign of the
Degree and listen to his instructions. If you wish to speak, arise and wait until
the Master recognizes you; give the due guard and sign of the Degree and then
address your remarks to him. THE TYLER: The Tyler guards the avenues approaching
the Lodge. A Lodge is said to be duly tyled when the necessary precautions have
been taken to guard against intrusion by cowans, eavesdroppers, or other
unauthorized persons. (A cowan is one who tries to masquerade as a Mason. He is one
who has not done the work, but says he has in order to gain admittance. An
eavesdropper is one who tries to steal the secrets of our Society. He is the one
who would forge a good dues card, or finds one and masquerades as the owner.) If a
Brother comes to the Lodge late and wants in, the Tyler sees that he is properly
clothed and then vouches for him as qualified to enter. It is the duty of the Tyler
to inform the Junior Deacon when a Qualified Brother wishes to enter the Lodge and
to let the Brethren know in which Degree the Lodge is working. THE LODGE PRAYER: No
Lodge can be opened, stay open or be closed, without prayer -which is offered by
the Master or Chaplain. The prayer is universal in nature, and not peculiar to any
one religion or faith. At the end of prayer, each member responds with the words
"So Mote it Be", which means in modern English "So may it ever be". THE RIGHTS OF
AN ENTERED APPRENTICE MASON: These are very limited, since he cannot vote or hold
office. He is, however, entitled to a Masonic funeral. The Entered Apprentice is
not entitled to organized Masonic Charity, but it does not bar him from receiving
assistance from a Mason, as an individual. He can attend a Lodge while an Entered
Apprentice Degree is being presented. He has a right to be instructed in his work
and in matters pertaining to his degree. If charged with violating his obligation,
he is entitled to a trial. He has the right to apply for advancement to a higher
degree. He may not receive the Degrees of Craft Masonry elsewhere without consent
of the Lodge. In other words, if he should move and want to continue his work, he
may request the Lodge Secretary to write the Secretary of the Lodge at his new
location, informing him of your good standing and request that the new Lodge
perform the remainder of the ritualistic work. Also, the Apprentice possesses modes
of recognition by which he can make himself known to other Masons. THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ENTERED APPRENTICE MASON: An Entered Apprentice Mason has
very few actual Lodge responsibilities. He must keep secret everything entrusted to
him; conduct himself with proper decorum and diligently work to learn his
proficiency and as much about the Craft as possible. He should not be content with
learning the words letter-perfect, but should study the meanings also. If he cannot
interpret these for himself, he should seek help from others. Complete faithfulness
to his obligations, and implicit obedience to the charge are among his important
and lasting responsibilities. Freemasonry preserves secrecy about all its work in
the Lodge: it meets behind closed doors; it throws over it its principles and
teaching a garment of symbolism and ritual; its Art is a mystery; a great wall
separates it from the world. Nor is its work easy to understand. If this be true,
we urgently advise you not to be content with the letter and outward form of this,
your beginning period, but to apply yourself with freedom, fervency and zeal to the
sincere and thorough mastering of our Royal Art. Chapter 1 In the days before the
kings of Israel, during a famine, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, took his wife and
his sons to Moab. The man, Elimelech, died, and the woman, Naomi, was left with her
two sons. Both sons married Moabite women. One was named Orpah, and the other was
named Ruth. In time, both of the sons died, and Naomi was left with her two
daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi heard that the famine was over in
Bethlehem, so she started to return to Judah. She told her daughters-in-law to go
back to their own families. They had done enough for her. Orpah and Naomi both
said, "No, we will return with you." Naomi: Turn back, my daughters! Why should you
go with me? Do I have any more sons in my body who might be husbands for you? In
those days, the law was that if a woman's husband died and she was childless, the
husband's brother married the woman so that the dead husband would have an heir and
the woman would have security. Naomi: Even if I were to get married tonight and
bore sons, would you wait for them to grow up? Should you keep yourself from
marriage? Oh no! My lot is far more bitter than yours, for the hand of the Lord has
struck out against me. So they cried, and they hugged, and Orpah went back to her
family, but Ruth stayed with Naomi. Naomi: .ee, your sister-in-law has returned to
her people and her gods. Go follow your sister-in-law. Ruth: Do not urge me to
leave you, or to turn back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go;
wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my
God. Where you die, I will die and be buried. So Naomi and Ruth returned to
Bethlehem together at the beginning of the barley harvest. Chapter 2 It turned out
that Naomi had a relative on her late husband's side. He was a wealthy man named
Boaz. One day, Ruth told Naomi that she wanted to go glean in fields behind the
people harvesting the barley crop. The Bible tells us that when we reap, we are not
to pick up the stalks that fall, that we must leave them for the poor. So that's
what Ruth was doing gleaning in the fields. It turned out that the field she chose
to glean in was one that belonged to Boaz. Soon enough, Boaz comes around to see
what's going on, and he asks about the woman gleaning in his fields. His workers
tell him that she's the Moabite girl who came back with Naomi. Boaz goes to Ruth
and says: Boaz: Listen to me. Don't go glean in another field. Stay here close to
my girls. Keep your eyes on where they're reaping, and follow them. I have ordered
the men not to bother you. And when you're thirsty, go drink from the jars of water
that the men have drawn. Ruth: Why are you so kind to single me out when I am a
foreigner? Boaz: I have been told all that you did for your mother-in-law after the
death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your
birth and came to a people you had not known before. May the Lord reward your
deeds. May you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose
wings you have sought refuge. Boaz makes sure she gets enough to eat, and tells his
workers to make sure that they leave some extra stalks for her to glean. When Ruth
gets home, Naomi notices that she gleaned quite a bit of barley. Ruth tells her
about Boaz, and Naomi says: Naomi: Blessed be he of the Lord who has not failed in
His kindness to the living or to the dead! For this man is related to us. He is one
of our redeeming kinsmen. That meant that Boaz could serve to provide an heir for
Ruth's late husband and, of course, provide security for Ruth.