THE FIRST STEP

To be presented to the Recipient of the ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE

GRAND LODGE A.F. & A.M. OF CANADA IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
1958

The degree of Entered Apprenticed Mason has been conferred on you, and
you have, therefore, taken the First Step in becoming a Freemason.  You
are now a member of your Mother Lodge, and of the Grand Lodge of
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada, in the Province of Ontario. 
You now have voting and other privileges and must assume the
responsibilities involved in those duties.

You have received the Book of Constitution and the By-Laws of your
Lodge. You should study them carefully in order that you may understand
the organization of this Grand Jurisdiction.  In the "Constitution" you will find
certain portions of the ceremony in which you have participated Why not
study them, and perhaps even memorize the "Charge"?

Before you advance you must be familiar with the progress you have
already made: you must memorize certain parts of the ceremony and the
answers to certain questions.  A minimum of twenty-eight days must elapse
before you will be permitted to take the next step.

Perhaps you have been somewhat confused by the experiences through
which you have passed and you may be amazed at the wealth of
intellectual and spiritual information which has been presented to you by
lecture, allegory, and symbol.  A brief clarification seems advisable.

YOUR ENTRANCE

Certain formalities were necessary before you were admitted. These were
intended to emphasize the fact that spiritual values are required in all
members of our Fraternity and that equality of admission must prevail.  A
prayer for guidance was offered upon your entrance to the Lodge.

Freemasonry has been said by some to represent Youth, Manhood, and
Old Age.  You have entered the youth stage of your Masonic life.  Your
preparation and the early part of the ceremony emphasized the uncertainty
of the child and the necessity for guidance.  You repeated, and made your
own, a somewhat lengthy, but a most impressive obligation which was
couched in somewhat ancient terms. When this was completed, you were
entitled to be called "Brother". You were then made aware of the great
Masonic Light - the Volume of the Sacred Law.  This again emphasized the
necessity for guidance and the source from which it may be obtained.

THE TEMPLE

You will have observed that frequent reference to the Temple of King
Solomon was made throughout the ceremony.  The antiquity of
Freemasonry is great and its actual origin is unknown.  In the Grand Lodge
of Canada, in the Province of Ontario, the building of the Temple at
Jerusalem around 3000 B.C. is accepted as fundamental to the Masonic
legend. Certain references to the Egyptian Mysteries suggest an even
earlier origin.  Modern Organized Masonry commenced in 1717, but the
ceremonies, of course, have been derived from much more ancient
allegories and mythologies.

While the Lodge is compared to the Temple, the teachings all emphasize
the Spiritual Temple.  Symbolically the latter Temple is supported by
Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, qualities associated with the Ionic, Doric and
Corinthian pillars of architecture, with the Grand Masters who directed the
building of King Solomon's Temple, and with the Master and the Wardens
of the Lodge.

The Lodge or Temple is universal in extent, emphasizing the boundless
application of charity as a virtue.  The pavement or floor is the earth with
its many varied mosaics, representing the many trials, difficulties, and
dangers which confront the youth in his journey through life.  His progress
is facilitated by the practice of charity, the cultivation of harmony, and an
honest effort to live a life of peace.

The visible limits of human vision, the horizon, or the skirting around the
pavement, emphasize the necessity for faith and hope in the future.

The covering - a celestial canopy - was pointed out.  In ancient time
temples were not covered, the starry sky being the only roof.  In the sky the
sun - the blazing star - gives light and warmth to the earth, thus stimulating
life.  The Youth is encouraged to place his dependence on Divine Light.

In one part of the ceremony you were specially clothed to enable you
symbolically to work on the Temple, and special emphasis was placed on
innocence and purity. Later, you figuratively represented the Corner-Stone
of the Temple and generosity and charity were stressed as essential
characteristics.

The fundamental lights of Freemasonry are symbolized by the Bible,
Square and Compasses.  You will remember them as the source of Divine
Guidance, as a rule for conduct and as a caution to observe due respect
for the rights of others.

The tools presented to the beginner are the twenty-four inch rule, the gavel
or mallet, and the chisel; these enable him to perform certain simple tasks
in building. For the Spiritual Temple they encourage the proper use of time
for prayer, labour, refreshment and rest; the proper recognition of the
necessity and dignity of work; and the fact that perseverance is necessary
in striving for perfection.

You may also recall a Tracing Board on which the plans for building were
laid out, a rough stone on which the Apprentice might develop his skill and
a smooth stone or ashlar on which tools and jewels might be tested and
adjusted.  These all emphasize the need for a carefully-planned life which
requires early labour in smoothing out difficulties and overcoming
obstacles, and the necessity for constant adjustment of conduct through
repeated examination and correction.

Four virtues - temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice are associated
with the tassels of the Lodge.  These and other qualities of spirit and soul
are manifestly important and should be acquired and practised early in life!

THE VIRTUES

In the course of the ceremony you were informed of many virtues and
qualities, some of which have been mentioned.  They are again
summarized.

The ceremony, the methods of recognizing brethren, and the business of
the Lodge are matters which concern Freemasons alone, and are not to be
disclosed.  The qualities and virtues of a Freemason are no secrets and
should be displayed to all and sundry in the daily life of every member of
a Masonic Lodge.

Fidelity, Obedience, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice, Generosity,
Square Dealing, and Recognition of the Rights of Others are common and
necessary characteristics in the life of every individual - they need no
explanation.

Those fundamental principles, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth cannot be
over-emphasized. Brotherly Love is the basis of Freemasonry and its
practice must inevitably result in harmony and peace.  Relief is the exercise
of Charity in both a practical and a spiritual sense.  It includes relief for
physical ills but more especially for mental and spiritual suffering. The
search for Truth must be the constant quest of the Freemason and, indeed,
of all mankind.

The progress of the ages is represented in the gradual revelation of truth. 
Hope for the survival of the human race rests largely on the recognition of
physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual truth, and the practice of the same.

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