Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

52 MASONRY.
of the lodge. In accordance with this, the candidate, previous
to his introduction into the lodge, must subscribe a
declaration, from which the following extract is taken:
(page 4.)
" I, A. B., do seriously declare, upon my honour, that I
voluntarily offer myself a candidate for the mysteries of
Free Masonry; that I am solely prompted by a favourable
opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge,
and a sincere wish to be serviceable to my fellow creatures."
We shall see the knowledge he acquires, of which he is
made beforehand to confess his expectation.
Page 43. Describing the constituent parts of a lodge, and
the numbers necessary to constitute a lodge, it is written:
kt more than forty or fifty are found inconvenient for working
to advantage;" that is, as if masons had some profitable
and instructive labour to perforin, when they meet in lodges:
we shall see what working means.
Again, pages 44 and 45. One of the master's duties is to
-' take care that no apprentice, or fellow craft, be taken into
his house, or lodge, unless he has sufficient employment for
him, and finds him duly qualified for learning and understanding
the sublime mysteries of the art. Thus shall apprentices
be admitted upon farther improvement, as fellow
crafts; and in due time be raised to the sublime degree of
Master Mason." Sublime mysteries of the sublime degree
of Master Mason ! We shall see.
Page 53—" Of working."—" All masons should work
faithfully and honestly. All the working hours appointed
by law, or confirmed by custom, are to be strictly observed."
Working again! Think you what working
means ? Building temples! Perhaps an idea of it can be
given without impropriety, but not now. Page 75 is the
form of a warrant from the Grand Lodge, authorizing a
subordinate to work, with power "to receive and enter
apprentices, pass fellow crafts, and raise Master Masons:
also, to make choice of a master, wardens, and other
office bearers, annually, or otherwise, as they shall see