Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

66 APPRENTICE'S DEGREE.
four cardinal virtues; and take up the charge of initiation
into the first degree, (20 p. of Mas. Chart.)
An extract from the Charge:
" No institution was ever raised on a better principle, or
more solid foundation; nor were ever more excellent rules
and useful maxims laid down, than are inculcated in the
several masonic lectures. The greatest and best of men, in
all ages, have been encouragers and promoters of the art;
and have never deemed it derogatory to their dignity, to
level themselves with the fraternity, extend their privileges,
and patronize their assemblies."
While Free Masonry thus exalts herself above all the
forms of government and religion; above all systems of
truth, and maxims of duty; and freely takes to herself the
greatest and best of men of all ages, the reader may be
exercising his imagination to conceive what kind of a revelation,
or heavenly wonder this secret art must be; but it a
master may explain the,above, this is its meaning: the
newly entered apprentice is in the greatest danger of sickening
with disgust at the disappointment he has suffered.
The promises of the books, at least, had led him to expect,
that Masonry was more than an outside show, and that,
coming inside, he would, at the first degree, catch some
glimpse* of those charms which promise to ravish the hearts
of the faithful in the sublime degree of a Master Mason;
and, having taken the first degree, he is in the greatest danger
of fainting, and of forsaking the lodge, and Free Masonry,
for ever.
I have known those who did it. To prevent such a cala-
* " In the first degree, I perceived that inappreciable blessings were before
me, solemn and extremely important principles of divine truth were inculcated."
This is the same, who in the K. T. degree, was crucified with the
Lord, and " triumphed over death and hell."—See Free Matoru* Library,
preface, p. 6. And let the Gr. Lodge o£Maryland look to it. Also, Free
Mason's Library, p. 155.