Entered Apprentice Degree.

"MASONRY is an art. In every art there is a mystery, which requires a progress of study and application, to arrive at any degree of perfection. Without much instruction and more exercise, no man can be skillful in any art; in like manner, without an assiduous application to the various subjects treated of in Masonry, no person can be sufficiently acquainted with its true value. From this remark, it must not be inferred, that persons who labor under the disadvantage of a confined education, or whose sphere of life requires assiduous attention to business, are to be discouraged in their endeavors to gain a knowledge of Masonry. To qualify an individual to enjoy the benefits of the society at large, or to partake of its privileges, it is not absolutely necessary that he should be acquainted with all its intricate parts. These are only intended for persons who may have leisure and opportunity to indulge such pursuits. Some may be more able than others: some more eminent; some more useful; but all, in their different sphere, may prove advantageous to the community, and our necessities, as well as our consciences, bind us to cherish one another. It must be admitted that those who accept offices and exercise authority in the Lodge, ought to be men of prudence and address, enjoying all the advantages of a well cultivated mind and retentive memory. All men are

not blessed with the same powers and talents; all men, therefore, are not equally to govern. He who wishes to teach, must submit to learn; and no one is qualified to support the higher offices of the Lodge, who has not previously discharged the duties of those which are subordinate. Experience is the best preceptor. All men rise by gradation, and merit and industry are the first steps to preferment."

Masonry was originally an operative society, and in that form those who worked as ENTERED APPRENTICES, were styled the first class; but in Speculative or Free-masonry, the degree of which we are now treating, has, for centuries, been regarded as the first of the order. Its reception places the noviciate in possession of the masonic alphabet, and discloses to him the fundamental principles of this time-honored institution. It is divided into three sections, viz: 1st. The ceremony; 2d. Its moral, and 3d. Its necessity and consistency.

SECTION I.

Consists in the presentation of the working-tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason, and the introduction of the candidate to the mysteries of our FRATERNAL COMPACT.

PRAYER TO BE USED AT THE INITIATION OF A

CANDIDATE.

O, Thou great and everlasting JEHOVAH, by whose omnipotent fiat this fair fabric of the universe first sprang into existence, and by whose almighty hand it is still upheld. Deign, we beseech thee, to be with us, and guide us in this our present undertaking, and grant

that this candidate, now before thee, may prove a true and faithful brother among us. Be with him, O GOD, and guide him through life, and may his conduct be such, that when the last foot-fall of time shall sound in his ears, he, with us, may be received in the Grand Lodge above, that Temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen. Amen. Response-So mote it be.

THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE IS 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 garments:

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 for evermore.

OR THE FOLLOWING ODE MAY BE SUNG:

Behold! how pleasant and how good,

For brethren such as we,

Of the "Accepted" brotherhood
To dwell in unity!

"T is 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;
Oh, may we all this blessing prove,
E'en life for evermore;

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

To live in love with hearts sincere,
In peace and unity.

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 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.

That ancient and spotless ensign of Masonry, the lamb-skin, or white apron, is presented in behalf of the Lodge and the fraternity in general.

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, crowns of kings, or diadems of princes, when worthily worn as a Mason. It is hoped the candidate will wear it with equal pleasure to himself and honor to the fraternity.

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The newly initiated brother is then conducted to his、 proper station ; and the section closes with a beautiful and impressive illustration of the first, and one of the grand principles of the Institution.

SECTION II.

This section is one of vital importance, not only to the candidate, but to the craft generally, and should be properly understood by every presiding officer; as all ceremonies would appear light and frivolous, unless accompanied by those moral lessons and fraternal

impressions which they are intended so strongly to impress on the minds of all who pass through or witness them, that neither time nor circumstance can eradicate them from the memory.

THE WORKING TOOLS ARE HERE EXPLAINED.

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 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 twentyfour 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 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 living stones for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

THE BADGE OF A MASON.

Every candidate, at his initiation, is presented with a lamb-skin, or white apron.

The lamb has, in all ages, been deemed an emblem of innocence: the lamb-skin is therefore to remind him of that purity of life and conduct, which is so