The Initiation of the Entered Apprentice.

The candidate is prepared for the initiation ceremony in the following manner. This may vary between lodges but generally the essentials remain the same. His coat etc is removed and he must submit all metal objects. His shirt is un buttoned exposing the left breast, the right arm exposed and the left leg up to the knee is similarly exposed. Some Lodges may require the initiate to wear a white suit which may resemble a karate outfit which facilitates the bearing of the body parts.

The right foot is shod with a slipper, a noose is placed around his neck with the end hanging down over his back and he is blindfolded or hood winked.

There is an initial ‘greeting’ ceremony between the inner guard, worshipful master and the tyler to allow the initiate to enter the hall.

The candidate then confirms that he seeks admission by his own free will and that he is over 21 years of age (18 for family members).

The worshipful master then gives the initial presentation which contains numerous references to ‘god’ or as the deity is described, the almighty father, governor of the universe etc and confirms the initiate’s faith.

The initiate is presented as being of good report, but in a state of darkness and wishes to obtain the privileges of Freemasonry without having an ulterior worldly motive for self-gain. He then promises to complete the initiation avoiding fear and rashness.

The initiate is then required to take three steps towards the worshipful master in a particular fashion, led with the left foot each step being bigger than the last. He promises to keep the secrets of Freemasonry then kneels and places the point of the compass to his bare left breast.

On the Bible, Volume of Sacred Law the initiate then swears secrecy under the punishment of having his throat cut, tongue ripped out by the root and buried in the sand where the tide flows twice in 24 hours or alternatively being branded an individual of no moral worth. He then kisses the bible.

He goes on to declare that the predominant wish of his heart is to seek ‘Light’. At this the worshipful master removes the blindfold and simultaneously the attending brothers clap.

The worshipful master associates the compass, square etc with moral attributes and advises the initiate that he has avoided two great dangers already. The first being that he managed to avoid rushing forward and killing himself upon the point of the compass. The second that he managed to resist the urge to retreat and therefore strangle himself with the noose. In each case he would have been an accessory to his own death.

The initiate is then instructed in the secrets of the first degree, ie the word the sign and the grip. The word is BOAZ, the sign imitates the punishment. The right hand thumb is placed to the left of the windpipe and drawn across in a cutting motion. The grip is a handshake with the thumb being placed upon the upper joint of the other persons first finger and a distinct pressure applied.

The remainder of the dialogue repeats the fore going, emphasises the honourable intentions of a Freemason, eg the importance of charity, with the initiate being ‘tested’ to ensure he is a charitable man. He is given a copy of the book of constitution and a copy of the bylaws. The initiate then leaves and is allowed to re-dress himself.

He then re-enters and is given a ‘charge’ after the initiation.

This charge emphasises the need to read the bible. It emphasises the practices of prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice. It closes with a statement referring to Truth, Honour and Virtue.

Following this charge is an explanation of the first degree tracing board.

It begins by drawing parallels between Freemasonry and the Egyptian religions. It explains that the lodges stand on holy ground because of the biblical offerings of Abraham, King David and King Solomon. It explains that the lodges are situated due east and west because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west and learning originated in the east and spread west.

It explains that the Freemasonic intention is to progressively rise to the heavens with the aid of Jacobs ladder, which essentially represents faith hope and charity among other noble virtues.

It romantically explains the interior of a Freemasonic lodge and then goes on to explain that through Freemasonry and upon entering a man may be considered as being like a rough stone which once properly worked emerges as a modelled stone ready for its intended purpose, a perfect ashlar stone.

These are the essentials of the initiation of the entered apprentice.

Review of the Initiation to the First Degree.

Upon casual appraisal it appears romantic, over dramatic, school boyish and apparently harmless.

However the important points to note at this stage are the willingness of the entered apprentice to progress through something of which he has no knowledge.

The number of references, in the full script, to a supreme being are so frequent that to suggest this ceremony does not have a strong religious theme would be ridiculous.

The statement of similarity of Freemasonry and Egyptian religions is important. This statement is followed quickly with numerous, if somewhat dubious, biblical references.

This statement of similarity is particularly strange since Exodus essentially begins with the plagues that freed the Israelites from the Egyptians. Therefore the initiation essentially attempts to unite two opposing belief systems. This is specifically discussed in a later section.

It is interesting to note that when the initiate has the blindfold removed the attending brothers all clap, of which there may be many. This is similar to a common technique employed by many stage hypnotists. The shock impresses a sense of authority. Typically this would be the authority of the person making the suggestion over the subject. This renders the subject more open to influence. In the case of the initiate it is likely that this technique imposes a sense of authority for the proceedings and would typically influence an individual to proceed as instructed rather than renege.

Notice also that the initiate is specifically instructed to study the bible.

If the initiate did this and read the story of Solomon he would find a chronicle detailing the building of the temple. The temple does indeed contain a pillar made of brass called Boaz. The story goes on to describe Solomon being visited by the queen of Sheba and receiving 666 talents of gold every year before finally being led astray by his many wives and led to worship other gods. The connection with Sheba is significant to Freemasonry. In one of the earliest written Hiram legends, dated 1730, Solomon is supposed to have fathered a child with Sheba prior to her return to her home country.

I was rather amused by a recent example of this extension to the legend in action recently.

This concerned one of the American TV shows which presents real life court cases. The most popular of these is ‘Judge Judy’, however the programme in question had a male judge.

A Philippine attendee made a prolonged statement to the judge concerning Solomon, Sheba and how she had returned to her country bearing his child. Essentially he identified himself as a Freemason in the hope the judge would recognize it.

It didn’t work in the manner intended, as the judge was on TV and open to scrutiny.

However, the judge appeared to have recognized the theme and so advised the man in the form of a reprisal in his closing address, that if the man wished to discuss the matter further, outside of chambers, in another capacity, he would be happy to do so.

Imagine the impertinence of using Freemasonic techniques on national American TV.

The man was found guilty and given a punitive fine.

However it must beg the question. What if it had not been televised? Would the man have been found innocent?