The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AXI) KXKIHTS TEMPLARDegrees ofFreemasonry.Symbol!* Degrees.ENTERED APPRENTICE.The first degree of Freemasonry in all the ritesis that of Entered Apprentice. Like the lesser mysteriesof the ancient initiations, it is a primary degreeintended to preparethe candidate for thehigher and fuller instructions of the succeedingdegrees. It is therefore, although supplying novaluable historical inf01 mation, replete in its lecturewith instructions on the internal structure of theOrder, and istypical of youth.FELLOW CRAFT.The second degree of Freemasonry in all therites is that of the Fellow Craft. Like the degreeof Apprentice, it is only preparatory to the higherinitiation of the Master; and yetit differs essentiallyfrom it in its symbolism. For as the first degreewas typical of youth, the second is supposed torepresent the stage of manhood, and hence theacquisition of science is made its prominent characteristic.While the former is directed in all itssymbolsand allegorical ceremonies to the purificationof the heart, the latter is intended byits lessons tocultivate the reasoning faculties and improve theintellectualIn allpowers.MASTER MASON.the rites of Masonry, no matter how variantmay be their organization in the high degrees,the Master Mason constitutes the third degree.85