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

642
Chapter 7 - Rituals
There is no cruel oath and no punishment in case of betrayal mentioned, only
the stranger by this vow is "bound until death" (p. 36). The Prelate presents to
him a sprig of myrtle which reminds us of the acacia of the Freemasons.
However, the symbolism is not yet explained to the stranger, and he is conducted
back to the ante-room for further instruction. There, the white sash is removed.
Under the direction of the Master of the Work, the paraphernalia are removed as
well. Then, the Master at Arms with the candidate approaches again the wicket
of the Inner Guard. This time, he announces him with "a friend who desires to
receive further instruction in the mysteries" (p. 38). The Vice Chancellor asks
how he is to know that the "friend" has taken the obligation of the Rank of Page,
and the answer is that he possesses the sprig of myrtle, which symbolizes the
friendship which bound Damon and Pythias. The Vice Chancellor accepts this
emblem and takes it from him, and instructs him in the secret work, comprising
the knocks, the password, the signs, the motto, and the grip. After reciting the
story of Damon and Pythias, the Vice Chancellor invests the "friend" with the
blue jewel of a Page, bearing the letter F for friendship, and confers upon him the
rank.
The second rank is much more dramatic. The entry procedure is the same as
for the first rank, but the candidate is escorted twice around the lodge-room by
the Master at Arms, before he is presented at the altar. Then, the Prelate prompts
him: "Advance your left foot, place your left hand on your left breast, close your
right hand, raise your right arm as if to strike a downward blow, and repeat after
me." (p. 48). In this "chivalric" pose, the candidate delivers the obligation of the
Rank of Esquire. After that, he is explained that the jewel of the second rank is
yellow and bears a C for charity; he likewise obtains the signs, motto, password,
knocks, and grip. Then, he is led into the ante-room, where a test is applied: The
Keeper of Records and Seal takes him to his station and directs him to fill out a
form containing blanks for name, age, residence, occupation and mottos. The
trap consists in the prohibition to write down the motto. If the candidate
remembers his obligation, the Chancellor Commander praises him for his caution
and confers the rank of Esquire on him. If the candidate has attempted, however,
to fill in the blank, the Chancellor Commander holds an earnest speech about
security that lulls to sleep, and the mistake he has made, and finally burns the
sheet: "And now, as this, the only evidence of your error, turns to ashes, these
friends blot from their memories all unpleasant recollections of the mistake by
you made." (p. 59/60). The candidate is then invested with the jewel and obtains
the rank.
For the conferral of the third rank, the Master at Arms is clad in armor with
sword at a "carry," when he enters the ante-room to fetch the candidate. The
latter has to pledge that he will not reveal anything he may see or hear this night,
and then he is likewise disguised, which has a symbolic meaning:
To typify the protection which this lodge assures to all who worthily
enter its castle hall, I place this shield upon your breast and this helmet