5115

I am.

The obligation.

Within the body of a just and legally constituted lodge, duly assembled in a room or place representing the sanctum sanctorum of King Solomons Temple.

In a room adjoining the lodge.

By being divested of all metallic substances, being neither naked nor clad, barefooted, hoodwinked and with a cable tow three times around my naked body. 

In which condition I was led to the door of the lodge by a brother.

By first meeting with resistance and afterwards gaining admission.

By three distinct knocks upon the outside of the door.

Who comes, who comes, who comes here.

Brother _________ who has been regularly initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, served a proper time as such and now desires more light in Masonry by being raised to the sublime degree of A Master Mason.

If it was of my own free will and accord that I made the request, if I was duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified,

had made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree and WAS  properly vouched for.

All of which being answered in the affirmative, I was asked by further right I expected to gain admission.

Be benefit of the password.

I had it not, but my conductor had it for me.

To await the time with patience until my request should be made known to the Worshipful Master and his answer returned.

Let the candidate enter and be received in due and ancient form.

Upon the points of the compasses extending from my naked left to my naked right breast,

which was to teach me, that as the vital parts of man are contained within the breast

so are the principle tenants of Free Masonry contained within the extended points of the compasses.

I was led three times regularly around the lodge room, then to the Junior Warden in the south, the Sr, Warden in the West and the Worshipful Master in the East.

At each of which stations, the same questions were asked and like answers returned as at the door.

He ordered me to the Sr. Warden who taught me how to approach the Holy Alter of Free Masonry.

The place of Masonic light, in due and ancient form.

Taking three regular upright steps, the first two as in the preceding degree,

then stepping off upon my left foot, bringing the heel of the right to the heel of the left.

My feet forming a right angle and my body erect.

I was made a Master Mason.

In due and ancient form?

Kneeling upon my naked knees, both hands resting upon the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses,

in which due form I took upon myself the Master Masons obligation.

I have.

I will, with your assistance.

I _________ of my own free will and accord, in the presence of almighty God and this Master Masons lodge do hereby and hereon, sincerely and solemnly, promise and swear, as I have here to for done with these additions:

That I will not communicate the secrets of this degree to anyone, accept it be to a true and lawful brother or within the body of a just and legally constituted lodge and not to him or them whom I may hear so to be, but unto him AND them only whom I shall find so to be. After strict trial, due examination or lawful information.

I further more promise and swear that I will stand to and abide by the constitution, resolutions and edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas or any other Grand Lodge under whose jurisdiction I may be.

I further more promise and swear that I will stand to and abide by the by-laws, rules and regulations of this or any other Master Masons lodge of which I may become a member, so far as they may come to my knowledge.

I further more promise and swear that I will answer and obey all due signs and summons handed or sent me from a Master Masons Lodge or FROM a brother Master Mason if within length of my cable tow.

I further more promise and swear that I will help, aid and assist all poor and penniless Master Masons, their widows and orphans so far as their necessities may require and my ability will permit.

They applying to me as such and I deeming them worthy.

I further more promise and swear that I will keep the secrets of a brother Master Mason when communicated to me AS SUCH,

Murder and treason alone accepted and these left at my option.

I further more promise and swear that I will not defame the good name of a brother Master Mason.

Neither BEFORE his face or behind his back knowingly, nor permitted to be done if within my power to prevent it.

I further more promise and swear that I will not be at the making of a MASON of an old man in his dotage, a young man in his non-age, an atheist, a libertine, madman, bondman, woman or fool

knowingly, nor permitted to be done if within my power to prevent it.

I further more promise and swear that I will not sit in a clandestine lodge.

Nor hold Masonic communication with a clandestine Mason.

Nor with a suspended or expelled Mason

knowingly, nor permitted to be done if within my power to prevent it.

I further more promise and swear that I will not cheat, wrong, nor defraud a Master Masons Lodge NOR a brother Master Mason out of the value of anything

knowingly, nor permitted to be done if within my power to prevent it.

I further more promise and swear that I will not in anger strike, nor spill the blood of a brother Master Mason knowingly,

nor permitted to be done if within my power to prevent it.

I further more promise and swear that I will not violate the chastity of,

nor hold unlawful carnal communication with a brother Master Masons wife, widow, mother, sister or daughter knowingly,

nor permitted to be done if within my power to prevent it.

I further more promise and swear that I will not communicate the word of a Master Mason

in any other manner

than that

in which

I shall hereafter receive it.

And I further more promise and swear that I will not give the grand hailing sign of distress,

nor utter the words accompanying it, unless I am in actual distress or real danger or for instruction.

and should I see the sign given, or hear the words accompanying it,

then I WILL fly to the relief of the brother giving the same

should there be a greater probability of saving their life than losing my own.

All of which I solemnly promise and swear to keep and perform without the least equivocation, mental reservation or secret evasion of mind

binding myself under the penalty of having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken thence and burned to ashes

and the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven.

That there might not remain among men or Masons trace nor recollection of so vile a wretch as I

should I knowingly or wittingly, violate or transgress any part of the Master Masons obligation, so help me God and keep me steadfast.

In my then condition, what I most desired.

More light.

Yes.

By order of the Worshipful Master and the assistance of the brethren.

Tha both points of the compasses were elevated above the Square,

which was to teach me that I was entitled to receive ALL the lights this lodge could bestow.

The Worshipful Master approaching me from the east, upon the step, under the due guard and penal sign of a Master Mason.

Who extended to me his right hand in continuation of friendship and brotherly love and proceeding to instruct me in the pass grip and word of a Master Mason.

Then bad me arise, salute the wardens as a Master Mason and step to the Sr. Warden who would teach me how to wear my apron as such.

Then return to the east for further instruction.

With the bib and left left hand corner turned down.

We are taught in the building of King Solomon's Temple that Master Masons were Master workmen and drew their designs upon the trestle-board,

whereby the craft might pursue their labors

and wore their aprons with the bib and left hand corner turned down to distinguish them from Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Masons.

The working tools of a Master Mason

All the implements of masonry indiscriminately,

but MORE especially the trowel

The trowel is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to spread the cement which unites a building into one common mass.

But we, as free and accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of brotherly love and affection,

that cement which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and Brothers, among WHOM no contention should ever exist,

but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.

I was ordered to the room whence I came to be invested of what I had been divested and return to the lodge room for further instruction.

From

From the grip of an Fellow Craft Mason to the pass grip of a Master Mason.

It is the pass grip of a Master Mason.

It has.

I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it.

I will letter or syllable it with you. Prefer syllable.

You begin.

Bul

Cain

Bul

Tubulcain

It is the grip of a Master Mason

It has

I will if you will place yourself in the proper position to receive it.