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

758
Chapter 9 - Masonic and Anti-Masonic Literature
[...] I furthermore promise and
swear that I will not print, paint,
stamp, stain, cut, carve, mark, or
engrave them, or cause the same to
be done [...]." [...]
Q: What did you then behold? Q: What did you then discover? [...]
A: The train-master's clerk approached
me and presented me with a Bowie
Safety Coupling Knife, and
instructed me to take it to the yardmaster,
who would teach me how
to use it.
A: The Worshipful Master
approaching me […], who
presented me with a lambskin or
white linen apron [...]; and ordered
me to carry it to the Senior Warden
in the west, who taught me how to
wear it as an Entered Apprentice.
Q: How are Bowie Coupling Knives Q: How should an Entered
used?
Apprentice wear his apron?
A: By sticking them in the left hip- A: With the flap turned up.
pocket, with the blade turned up.
[...]
[...]
Q: Have you any cigars? Q: Has it a name?
A: I have. A: It has.
Q: Will you give them to me? Q: Will you give it me?
A: That is not the manner in which I A: I did not so receive it, neither will
got them, and can not so dispose of
them.
I so impart it.
Q: How can I get them, then? Q: How will you dispose of it?
A: I will match you heads or tails for A: I will letter it or halve it.
them.
Q: I'll go you; begin.
Q: Letter it, and begin.
A: You begin.
A: No, you begin.
Q: No, begin yourself; you have the Q: Begin you. [...]
cigars.
A: A.
A: Board.
Q: B.
Q: A.
A: O.
A: All.
Q: Z.
Q: All aboard. You are O.K. A: Bo.
Q: Az.
A: Boaz.
The satire employs the technical language of railroad men, in contrast to the
technical terms of the stonemasons. Comparing these two catechetical versions,
the reader who is accustomed to the Masonic Entered Apprentice ritual (Section
7.1.1.1) will easily recognize the various Masonic customs that are made fun of.
For example, in Freemasonry an Entered Apprentice is received "on the point of