Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

MADE A FREE MASON. 281
duties of every true Frenchman, and that in spite of all my
resistance, I should nevertheless be admitted. The venerable
soon restored order with a few strokes of his mallet.
He then informed me that I was passed to the degree of
Master* adding, that if the secret was not given to me, it
was only because a more regular lodge, and Tield with the
ordinary ceremonies, was necessary on such an occasion.
In the mean while he gave, me the signs and the pass-words
for the third degree, as he had done for the other two.*
This was sufficient to enable me to be admitted into a regular
lodge, and now we were all brethren. As for me, I
had been metamorphosed into apprentice, fellow-crafty and
master, in one evening, without having ever dreamt of it in
die morning.
w I was too well acquainted with those who had received
me, not to believe their protestation sincere, when they declared
that they had never pretended to engage in any thing
contrary to their duty. And injustice I am bound to declare,
that, excepting the venerable, who turned out a violent
Jacobin, they all showed themselves loyal subjects at
the Revolution. I promised to be present at a regular meeting,
provided the oath was never mentioned to me. They
promised that it never should be insisted on, and they kept
their word. They only requested that I would inscribe my
name on the list, that it might be sent to the Grand Lodge
of the East I refused again, and asked time to consider
of it; and when I had sufficiently attended to see what
these lodges were, I retired, without even consenting to inscribe
my name.
" On my first appearance in a regular lodge, I was quit
for a fine speech on Masonry, of which I knew but little at
* u Here's words, and here's signs, and here's problems and lineg,
u And here's room too for deep speculation;
" Here virtue and truth [!!] are taught to the youth,
" When first he's called up to a Mason."
Book of Constitutions of JMoft. ed. 1792. p. 256.
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