The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
the candidate has to be obligated. Therefore, he kneels on his naked left knee 1275 ,
his right knee forming the angle of a square, his left hand supporting while the
right 1276 rests upon the Bible, square, and compass. Now, the candidate is "in due
form," (p. 37). The other brethren form equal lines on each side of the altar, the
Stewards pass through and form an arch at the East. The Wardens take position
under the arch, and the Worshipful Master descends from his place on the East
dais and speaks the obligation, which is repeated by the candidate.
In testimony of his sincerity, the candidate kisses the Bible. The cabletow is
removed from his neck. All lights in the lodge are out except those at the altar,
and the candidate is asked what in his present situation he desires most. The
Senior Deacon prompts him to say "Light in Masonry" (p. 39), and his blindfold
is removed, accompanied by the Biblical words "let there be light, and there was
light," and the exclamation of the Worshipful Master: "I now say Masonically,
"Let there be light." (p. 39).
Now, the Worshipful Master explains to the candidate all the symbols he
sees, such as the three Greater Lights, the three Lesser Lights, the square, and the
compass. He imparts to the candidate the secret grips and passwords of the
degree. The candidate also receives his apron with the comment that at the
1275 According to the catechism of the First Degree, the candidate kneels on his left naked knee,
because "[t]he left side has always been deemed the weakest part of the human body; it was
therefore to teach me that I was taking upon myself the weakest part of masonry [sic!], that of E.
A., only." P. 63/64.
1276 According to the catechism of the First Degree, the candidate puts his right hand on the Bible,
because "[t]he right hand, by our ancient brethren, was deemed the seat of fidelity; the ancients
worshipped a deity named Fides, sometimes represented by two right hands joined, at others, by
two human figures holding each other by the right hand. The right, therefore, we use in this great
and important undertaking, testifying thereby in the strongest manner possible the fidelity of our
purposes [...]." P. 63/64.