MANUAL OF FREEMASONRY - Masonic High Council the Mother ...

MANUAL OF FREEMASONRY 27
Q. Explain this mystery.
A. It is the tongue of good report, ever ready to pro-
tect, never to betray.
Q. What are its distinguishing characteristics ?
A. To defend the interests of a Brother in his absence,
to speak favourably of him, if truth will permit ; and
when that cannot be done with propriety, to adopt a
Mason’s peculiar virtue, silence.
MORAL.
We have now, Brethren, closed the first section of our
lecture ; which, though it professes to embrace little more
than preliminaries, will serve to teach us that the zeal of
Masons in the acquisition of knowledge is bounded by no
space, since they travel from East to West in its pursuit,
and the principles which actuate the pursuit are highly
conducive to morality,—namely, the attempt to rule and
subdue the passions ; and lastly, where candour cannot
commend, their silence will at least avoid reproach.
SECOND SECTION.—First Clause.
Q. What preparation is necessary to be made a Mason ?
A. A preparation of a twofold nature, internal and external.
Q. Where does the first take place ?
A. In the heart.
Q. That being internal, how is it to be exemplified ?
A. By the declaration I was called on to make with re-
spect to the motives which induced me to seek the privi-
leges of Freemasonry.
Q. Of how many parts is that declaration composed?
A. Three.
Q. Repeat them.
A. First, that I was free by birth, and of the full age
of twenty-one years. Second, that unbiassed by the im-
proper solicitation of friends, and uninfluenced by mer-
cenary or other unworthy motive, I freely and voluntarily
offered myself a candidate for the mysteries of Free-
masonry. Thirdly, that I was prompted solely by a fav-
ourable opinion preconceived of the institution, and a de-
sire of knowledge ; and that I would cheerfully conform to
all the ancient usages and established customs of the
order.