NOTE: The following is part of a series of 3 booklets entitled A 
Basic Masonic Education Course. This course was created by the Grand 
Lodge of California in 1991 for use by candidates as they advance 
through the three symbolic degrees. Interested non-Masons are encouraged 
to read the material in order to gain a better understanding of the 
Masonic Fraternity. To quote one of our more illustrious Masons, Brother 
Alfred Sawyer, It would be well if we could learn more of what Masonry 
is than what some think it was. 

When the Masonic Education Course was first published, a set of three 
booklets were printed, one for each degree. There is a set of questions 
and answers that were printed for each booklet.

Please remember that some of the information contained in the booklets 
may be specific to the Jurisdiction of California and might not apply to 
other Jurisdictions. This would primarily apply to those parts dealing 
with Masonic Law and procedure.  Some differences in ritual may also be 
noted. Should any Grand Jurisdiction or other Masonic body choose to 
adopt any or part of this program, it would be appreciated it a letter 
indicating such intended use or a courtesy copy of the reprinted 
material be sent to the Grand Lodge of California. 

  Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of California
  1111 California Street
  San Francisco, CA. 94108

Please notice that special care was taken in structuring this file in a 
manner suitable for a majority of personal computers i.e. DOS, Windows, 
Apple etc.. All original tabs, text justification and other desk top 
publishing features normally seen in documents was removed.

This information has been made available on the Masonry Forum, 
CompuServe by William N. Wine #72435,1512. Bill is a Past Master of Mt. 
Diablo No. 448, Concord, California and a member of the Masonic 
Education Committee, Grand Lodge of California. (March 1994)


------------------------------------------------------------------------


"IT WOULD BE WELL IF WE COULD
LEARN MORE OF WHAT MASONRY IS
THAN WHAT SOME THINK IT WAS."
       Alfred Sawyer

A Basic Masonic Education Course

This manual does not disclose any of the esoteric portions of the ritual 
of the Grand Lodge. The contents of this manual therefore maybe 
discussed with, and read by, any person interested in acquiring 
knowledge regarding "Freemasonry".

Masonic organizations are invited to reproduce, extract, copy or reprint 
the contents of this book, providing that the Masonic Education Group of 
the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California be provided 
with courtesy copies of the reprinted material.

Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of California
1111 California Street
San Francisco, CA. 94108

--- PAGE A ----

TABLE OF CONTENTS


GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING FREEMASONRY

Freemasonry Defined                  1
The Purpose of Freemasonry           1
Origin of Freemasonry                1
The Transition from Operative to Speculative Masonry  1

Origin of the First Grand Lodge      2
Titles of Grand Lodges               2
The Title of Free and Accepted     2

Is Freemasonry a Secret Society?     3
Is Freemasonry a Religion?           3

Catholicism and Masonry                        4
Subjects Not Proper for Discussion in Lodge    4
Qualifications of a Petitioner                 4
Preparation for Initiation                     4

No Horseplay or Hazing              5
The Heart of the Masonic Family     5

FAMOUS FREEMASONS

Explorers                           5
World Leaders                       5

United States Presidents            6
Religious Leaders                   6
Entertainment                       6
Unitied States Patriots             6
Military                            6
Sports                              6
Political Leaders                   6
Composers                           6

Inventors and Scientists            7
Youth Organization Founders         7
Writers                             7
Sculptors                           7
Business Leaders.                   7
Astronauts                          7

THE ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE

The Candidates First Requirement   7
The Candidate Must First Be Prepared in His Heart  7

Duly and Truly Prepared             8
The Hoodwink                        8
The Cable-Tow                       8
The Entrance                        8
The Reception                       8

The Holy Saints John                9
Form of a Lodge                     9
The Rite of Perambulation           9
The Alter                           9

The Worshipful Master               10
The Great Light of Freemasonry      10
The Obligation                      10

Penalties for Violation of the Obligation   11
The Lambskin Apron                          11
The Rite of Destitution                     11
The Northeast Corner                        11

The Working Tools                           12
The Charge                                  12
The Lectures                                12
King Solomons Temple                       12
The Proficiency                             12
The Origin of our Ritual                    12

The Language of Freemasonry                     13
The Emblems of an Entered Apprentice Mason      13
When to Rise and When to be Seated              13
The Tyler                                       13

The Lodge Prayer                                      14
The Rights of an Entered Apprentice Mason             14
The Responsibilities of an Entered Apprentice Mason   14

--- PAGE B ----

The Entered Apprentice Degree

GENERAL  INFORMATION  REGARDING  FREEMASONRY


FREEMASONRY  DEFINED: 
What is the definition of Freemasonry?  In old England, it was defined 
as a system of morality, veiled in allegory (or a story) and 
illustrated by symbols.  It is a course of moral instruction which uses 
both allegories and symbols to teach its lessons.  Our symbols of the 
Entered Apprentice Mason Degree are the 24" Gauge and the Common Gavel.  
The modern definition is Freemasonry is an organized society of men, 
symbolically applying the principles of Operative Masonry and 
architecture to the science and art of character building.   In other 
words, we are trying to use the old methods to make good men better.

THE  PURPOSE  OF  FREEMASONRY: 
What is the purpose of Masonry?  One of the most basic purposes is to 
make better men out of good men.  We try to place emphasis on the 
individual man by strengthening his character; improving his moral and 
spiritual outlook; and broadening his mental horizons.  We try to 
impress upon the minds of our members the principles of personal 
responsibility and morality; teaching each member to practice in his 
daily life the lessons taught through symbolic ceremonies in the lodge.   
One of the universal doctrines of Freemasonry is the belief in the 
Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God.  The importance of this 
belief is established by each Mason as he practices the three principle 
tenets of Masonry:  Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

--- PAGE 1 ----

ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY: 
How did Freemasonry originate?  We are not sure at what point in time 
our craft was born.  We do know it goes far beyond written record and we 
believe it was not always called Freemasonry.  Some of the ancient 
mysteries of Egypt, Greece and the Orient influenced our ceremonies that 
are used today. These ceremonies were designed to test men and to admit 
only those who were worthy.  Our ceremonies are somewhat the same - only 
of a less physical nature, and in a more spiritual form.

THE  TRANSITION  FROM  OPERATIVE  TO  SPECULATIVE  MASONRY: 
What is the difference between Operative and Speculative Masonry? 
Operative refers to the time in our history where Masons actually did 
the physical labor of building.  They were the best at their craft, and 
they kept secret their methods of building.  Speculative refers to the 
period of time when men were accepted into the Craft as non-operative 
members.  They were not physical builders, but builders of character 
instead.

ORIGIN OF THE FIRST GRAND LODGE: 
By the first part of the 18th century, there were many lodges in 
England.  By the year 1716 A.D., most of the lodges had only non-
operative members.  In December of 1716, on St. Johns Day, a number of 
members met in London and had an informal meeting.  As a result of this 
meeting, the members of the four Lodges met again in London on June 24, 
1717 A.D. and formed the first Grand Lodge.  This became one of the most 
important dates in Masonic history because it marked the start of modern 
Freemasonry as we know it today.  With the exception of a few Lodges, 
every regular Masonic Lodge today was granted a charter or warrant from 
a Grand Lodge.  Every Grand Lodge has a certain jurisdiction or an area 
to represent.  In the United States, every State and the District of 
Columbia is governed by a Grand Lodge.

TITLES  OF  GRAND  LODGES  -  F.  &  A. M.  and  A. F. & A. M.:
Titles of Grand Lodges in the United States also vary.  Some are called 
A. F. & A. M. which means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.  The other 
most commonly used title is F. & A. M., or Free and Accepted Masons.  
The reason for this difference is that in England, when Grand Lodges 
first started, there was a rivalry between the Irish faction and the 
English faction - much like there is, yet, today.  One faction adopted 
the Ancient title and the other did not. This carried over to the United 
States, and we still have both titles in existence. Two other titles 
exist in America.   South Carolina Masons call themselves Ancient Free 
Masons or A. F.  M., the only jurisdiction so designated in the United 
States.  The District of Colombia Masons call themselves  Free Ancient  
and Accepted Masons, or F. A. & A. M., but, no matter what the title, 
all Lodges work toward the same goals.   In California, we call 
ourselves F. & A. M, - Free and Accepted Masons.

THE  TITLE  OF  FREE  AND  ACCEPTED: 
How did the words Free and Accepted originate?  The ancient 
craftsmen were very skilled, and their craft was considered to be 
indispensable to the welfare of both Church and State.  For this 
reason, they were not placed under the same restrictions as were other 
workers - they were free to do their work, travel and live their lives 
in a manner which befitted their importance.  Back in old England, this 
type of behavior was rare.  Most workers were under bond to the owners 
of the land on which they worked.  We believe this freedom for the 
Operative Mason dates back to the year 946, in York, England.  The word 
Accepted also goes back to the time of the Operative Mason.  During 
the latter years of the Middle Ages, there were few educated men outside 
the monasteries of the world. Naturally, men wanted to become Freemasons 
to obtain the advantages the craft had to offer.  These men did not, 

--- PAGE 2 ----

necessarily, want to build buildings; they wanted to belong to the 
organization.  These were Accepted Masons, rather than Operative 
Masons.  This practice, probably originated when some of the people, for 
whom craftsmen were working, asked to be admitted and, therefore, the 
practice grew with time.  This was a big boost to Masonry, because the 
secrets of building trades were becoming more widely-known, architecture 
was changing and our membership was declining.  By becoming 
speculative the Craft grew rapidly. As time went on, there became many 
more accepted members than there were operative members and eventually 
we became a speculative rather than an operative organization.

IS  FREEMASONRY  A  SECRET  SOCIETY?: 
The answer is: NO.  A secret society is one in which the membership is 
concealed; the meeting places are kept secret; and knowledge of its 
organization and principles is unknown to the public.  We have a few 
secrets in Freemasonry - a part of our ritual, our modes of recognition 
and the business of the Lodge.  Portions of our ritual have been handed 
down within Freemasonry for centuries and form a part of our traditions.  
However, our purposes, ideals and principles may be learned by anyone 
who inquires.  There are numerous books on these subjects available to 
the public.  All printed masonic information, with the exception of our 
esoteric work, may be freely discussed in public.  We wear lapel pins 
and masonic jewelry, march in parades as Masons with our distinctive 
aprons, advertise the time and place of our meetings, and openly sponsor 
charities.  We can hardly be called a secret society.  Yes, we have some 
secrets, but no more so than most other fraternities or even families.

IS  FREEMASONRY  A  RELIGION?: 
Again, the answer is NO.   Because of the nature of the teachings of 
Freemasonry, we do ask our candidates to acknowledge a belief and trust 
in God.  Otherwise the ceremonies would be meaningless. But we do not 
require that you belong to a particular religion or a particular church.  
An atheist can not become a Mason because he can not express a belief in 
a Supreme Being.  

Religion is defined as:
  1. Belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and 
worshiped as the creator and ruler of the universe.
  2. Expression of this belief in conduct and ritual.
  3. Any specific system of belief, worship conduct, etc., often 
involving a code of ethics and a philosophy.
Masonry, like all its teachings, is not set forth in written creeds.  
The Mason must come upon it for himself and put it in such form as will 
satisfy his own mind, leaving others to do likewise.  This is Masonic 
tolerance, one of the prime principles of the Craft, and protected by 
the Old Charge which forbids all sectarian discussion in our assemblies.  
Our Order seeks only to unite good men for the purpose of brotherhood - 
not to promote a specific religion.

--- PAGE 3 ----

CATHOLICISM  AND  MASONRY:
Can a Catholic become a Mason?  There is nothing within of our doctrines 
which would prohibit a Catholic from becoming a Mason.  There are many 
misunderstandings by the public, and by our own members, concerning this 
issue.  These misunderstandings have led to many false conclusions, and 
created barriers where none exist, so far as Freemasonry is concerned.  
In other eras, some Catholic Popes regarded Masonry with disfavor and 
have issued edicts which condemned Freemasonry and prohibited membership 
to all Catholics.  In spite of this, many prominent Catholics have 
become Masons.  Our organization generally has given no official 
recognition to these edicts.  We have chosen to follow a course of 
silence and circumspection since the first of these edicts was issued, 
in 1738, by Pope Clement XII.

SUBJECTS  NOT  PROPER  FOR  DISCUSSION  IN  LODGE:
Religion and politics should not be addressed in Lodge, and there are 
very good reasons why these subjects should not be discussed. When we 
meet in a Lodge, we are all on a common level, and are not subject to 
the classes and distinctions of the outside world.  Each Brother is 
entitled to his own beliefs and may follow his own convictions.  Our 
objective is to unite men, not to divide them.  These subjects create 
honest differences of opinion which might well cause friction between 
Brethren.  There will also be subjects concerning the Lodges business 
that should not be discussed.  All deliberations should be kept within 
the bounds of propriety and everyone should show a tolerance for the 
opinion of the other.  Every Master wants harmony in his Lodge; and, 
once a matter has been put to vote in the Lodge and a decision is made, 
the decision should be accepted by all members, regardless of how they 
voted.  We try to teach every Mason to be a good citizen and to perform 
his civic duties.  We do not try to keep anyone from expressing his 
opinion, or from serving his city, county, state, or nation, in an 
honorable manner.  Anyone who serves in political office should not act 
politically as a Freemason.  Nor use the name of Freemasonry, in 
exercising his political rights - such as showing affiliation with any 
Lodge in his campaign advertising.

QUALIFICATIONS  OF  A  PETITIONER: 
The qualifications to be a Mason are few.  The person must be a man, 
have a belief in a Supreme Being, at least 21 years old (in California), 
free of any previous felonious criminal convictions and be of good moral 
character. Loyalty to ones country is an essential qualification in 
Freemasonry, and only those are acceptable who cheerfully render 
obedience to every lawful authority. Disloyalty in any form is abhorrent 
to a Freemason, and is regarded as a serious Masonic Offense.

PREPARATION  FOR  INITIATION: 
While Freemasonry is not a religion, its ceremonies are of a serious 
nature, dignified in its presentation and impart teachings which, if 
properly understood, obligate a man to lead a better life.   To get the 
greatest good from the ceremonies, a candidate should first prepare his 
mind to understand and absorb these teachings.  The 

--- PAGE 4 ----

candidate should pay strict attention to every part of the ceremony, in 
order that he may gain some understanding of the teachings of 
Freemasonry.  The methods we use in teaching will be new and unusual to 
the candidate.  These methods have been used for over two centuries and 
have not changed significantly since they originated.  Finally, he 
should learn that every Mason in the Lodge room is his friend and 
brother.

NO  HORSEPLAY  OR  HAZING: 
There is no place for horseplay or hazing during our ceremonies, and the 
candidate can be assured that there will be none.  The rituals are 
serious and solemn, and we try to teach moral lessons with great 
dignity. Anything which is told to the candidate in a joking manner 
serves only to desecrate the honorable purposes of Freemasonry.   The 
candidate should have no apprehension about entering a Lodge.  He is 
always entering a society of friends and Brothers, where he will be 
treated with dignity and decorum at all times.

THE  HEART  OF  THE  MASONIC  FAMILY: 
Freemasonry is not just another fraternity or association of men banded 
together for social, political or economic advantages.  Our foundation 
is built on a philosophy of friendship and brotherly love.  We also make 
many worthwhile contributions to our society and community. For example, 
the California Grand Lodge manages two magnificent total care homes in 
Union City and Covina for our aged Brethren and their mothers, 
daughters, sisters and widows.  In addition, the Masonic Home in Covina, 
cares for the disadvantaged children or Grandchildren of our membership.

FAMOUS  FREEMASONS: 
Many men whose names have been instrumental to the history and 
development of our civilization have been Freemasons.  For your specific 
information, the following are but a few of the many famous historical 
figures that have engaged in our ceremonies.
EXPLORES: Hiram Bingham (Discoverer of Machu Picchu), James Bruce 
(Discoverer of the source of the Blue Nile), Adm. Richard E. Byrd, 
Christopher Kit Carson, William Clark; Merriwether Lewis, and Robert 
E. Peary.
WORLD  LEADERS: Emilio Aguinaldo (Phillippine Patriot and General),  
Miguel Aleman (Mexican President 1947-52),  Eduard Benes (President of 
Czechoslovakia 1939-48),  Sveinn Bjornsson (1st President of Iceland), 
Simon Bolivar (George Washington of S. America) Napoleon Bonaparte 
(and his four brothers), King Charles XIII (King of Sweden 1748-1818), 
King Edward VII and King Edward VIII (Kings of England, 1901-10 & 36, 
respectively), Francis I and Francis II (Holy Roman Emperors, 1745-65 & 
1768-1806), Frederick the Great (King of Prussia 1740-86), George I & 
George II (Kings of Greece, 1845-1913 & 1922-47), George IV & George VI 
(Kings of England 1760-1820 & 1820-30), Gustavus VI Adolphus (King of 
Sweden 1792-1809), Kamehemeha IV and Kemehemeha V (Kings of Hawaii 
(1854-63 & 1863-72) Leopold I (King of Belgium (1831-65), Peter the 

--- PAGE 5 ----

Great (Emperor of Russia 1689-1725), William I (King of Prussia 1861-
88), William II (King of the Netherlands (1792-1849), William IV (King 
of England (1830-37) and many others.
UNITED  STATES  PRESIDENTS: George Washington, James Monroe, Andrew 
Jackson, James Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James Garfield, 
William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Warren G. 
Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Gerald Ford.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS: James C. Baker (Bishop, Methodist Church, organized 
first Wesley Foundation in U.S.), Hosea Ballou (Founder, Universalist 
Church), Robert E. B. Baylor (Baptist clergyman, founder of Baylor 
University), Preston Bradley (founder of the Peoples Church), Father 
Francisco Calvo (Catholic Priest who started Freemasonry in Costa Rica 
in 1865), Hugh I. Evans (National head of the Presbyterian Church, 
U.S.A.), Most Reverend Geoffrey F. Fisher (former Archbishop of 
Canterbury), Eugene M. Frank (Methodist Bishop), Reverend Dr. Norman 
Vincent Peale (Methodist Episcopal minister and author) Titus Low 
(President of Methodist Council of Bishops) and many others. 
ENTERTAINMENT: John Wayne, Gene Autry,  Ernest Borgnine, Joe E. Brown, 
Bob Burns, Eddie Cantor, Charles D. Coburn, William F. Buffalo Bill 
Cody, Donald Crisp, Cecil B. DeMille, Richard Dix, Douglas Fairbanks 
Sr., W.C. Fields, Clark Gable, Arthur Godfrey, David W. Griffith, Oliver 
Hardy, Jean Hersholt, Harry Houdini, Al Jolson, Charles Buck Jones, 
Harry Kellar, Harold C. Lloyd, Tom Mix, Dick Powell, Will Rogers, 
Charles S. Tom Thumb Stratton, Richard B. Red Skelton,  Paul 
Whiteman, Ed Wynn, Darryl Zanuck and many others.
UNITED  STATES  PATRIOTS: Francis Scott Key (wrote our National Anthem), 
Ralph Bellamy (wrote our Pledge of Allegiance), Paul Revere, John Paul 
Jones, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Patrick Henry and many others.
MILITARY  LEADERS: Generals John J. Pershing, George Marshall, Douglas 
MacArthur, Joseph Stillwell, Johnathon Wainwright, Curtis E. LaMay, Omar 
N. Bradley, Henry H. Hap Arnold, Claire L. Chenault, Mark Clark, James 
Doolittle, Admirals David G. Farragut (First Admiral of the U.S. Navy), 
Ernest J. King, Richard Byrd and many others.
SPORTS: Grover C. Alexander, Cy Young, Jack Dempsey, Arnold Palmer, 
Tyrus R. Ty Cobb, Carl O. Hubbell, Christopher Christy Mathewson, 
Mordecai P.C. Brown, Gordon Mickey Corchran, Avery Brundage, Albert 
Happy Chandler, Branch Rickey, Knute Rockne and many others.
POLITICAL: Sir Winston Churchill, Randolph Churchill, Thomas Dewey, 
Everett Dirksen, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, John Marshall, Barry Goldwater, 
Hubert Humphrey and others.
COMPOSERS: Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John 
Phillip Souza, Richard Wagner, Franz Joseph Haydn, Franz Listz, and many 
others.

--- PAGE 6 ----

INVENTORS  AND  SCIENTISTS: Samuel Colt (firearms), Sir Alexander 
Fleming (penicillin), Edward Jenner (vaccination) Simon Lake (first 
practical submarine), John L. McAdam (Macadamized roads) and 
many others.
YOUTH  ORGANIZATION  FOUNDERS: Daniel Carter Beard (Boy Scouts), Frank 
S. Land (International Order of DeMolay), William Mark Sexton 
(International Order of Rainbow for Girls)
WRITERS: Robert Burns, Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain), Sir Arthur Conan 
Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), Edward Gibbon (Decline and Fall of the Roman 
Empire), Edgar A. Guest, Rudyard Kipling, Alexander Pope, Sir Walter 
Scott, Johathan Swift, Lowell Thomas, Voltair and many others.  
SCULPTORS: Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum (together carved 
Mt. Rushmore National Memorial), Johann G. Schadow (Prussian Court 
Sculptor) J. Otto Schweizer and many others.
BUSINESS: John Jacob Astor (financier), Lloyd Balfour (Jewelry), 
Lawrence Bell (Bell Aircraft Corp.), William H. Dow (Dow ChemicalCo.), 
Henry Ford, Alfred Fuller (Fuller Brush), King C. Gillett (Gillett Razor 
Co.), Sir Thomas Lipton (tea), Fredrick Maytag, Andrew W. Mellon 
(banker), James C. Penny, George Pullman, David Sarnoff (father of 
T.V.), Leland Stanford (railroads - Stanford Univ.) and many others.
ASTRONAUTS: Ed Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Gordon Cooper, Don Eisle, Virgil 
Grissom, Ed Michell, Tom Stafford, Fred Haise, and Wally Shirra.

Further information concerning famous and historical Freemasons can be 
found in Brother W.R. Denslows book Ten Thousand Famous Freemasons.

THE  ENTERED  APPRENTICE  DEGREE

THE  CANDIDATES   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 mans affections and desires. 
If he is clean within, his life will reflect 

--- PAGE 7 ----

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 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 mans 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 mans 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.  

--- PAGE 8 ----

It also reminds man that his every act has a consequence, either in the 
form of a reward or a penalty.  Man reapeth as he soweth.

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  PERAMBULATION: 
Perambulation 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 candidates journey around the Altar 
enables the Brethren to observe that he is properly prepared.  
Perambulation 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 persons 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 everyones 
thoughts and actions both in the Lodge and abroad in the world.  The 
Altar supporting the Three 

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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 he is chosen by the 
Brethren, they deem him to have sufficient wisdom, integrity and Masonic 
knowledge to govern the Lodge properly.  Why is the Worshipful Masters 
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 
remain 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 mans acknowledgment of his relation to Deity.  The Square is 
a symbol of morality, truthfulness and honesty.  To act on the 
squareis to act honestly.  The Compass signifies the duty which 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 Square and Compass are recognized 
by the general public as the symbol of Freemasonry.

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 which are his for the rest of his life.  The taking of 
the Obligation is visible and audible evidence of the candidates 
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 

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Fraternity against someone revealing its secrets which deal with its 
modes of recognition and symbolic instruction.  The candidate should 
understand the great truths which 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 four-Square on which our great fraternity may safely 
build.  You are the future of Masonry.

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THE  WORKING  TOOLS: 
The Working Tools, 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.  By 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  SOLOMONS  TEMPLE: 
The frequent references to King Solomons 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 

--- PAGE 12 ----

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 
Masters 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....

THE LANGUAGE OF FREEMASONRY: 
Why is the language of Freemasonry so different from that which we 
normally use?  This question is often asked by the candidates.  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 language 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, 
foreach 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.  A wise use of time is suggested by 
this emblem. 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.

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 

--- PAGE 13 ----

owner.)  If a Brother comes to 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 a 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.

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