Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

As soon as the candidate has taken the obligation, some brother makes an alarm on the
outside of the door.
J. D. (rising.)--There is an alarm at the door, Right Worshipful.
R. W. M.--Attend to the alarm, brother, and see who comes there.
Junior Deacon inquires the cause of the alarm, and returns with a letter for the Right
Worshipful Master, who opens it and reads as follows, or something to this effect:--
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL MASTER ST. JOHN'S MARK LODGE:
DEAR BROTHER--I am at present in a position where the possession of twenty-five
dollars will greatly benefit me. Will you please see Brother Gabe, and ask him if he will
loan me that amount? I regret to say that the only security I can offer for the loan is my
mark, which I pledge until I refund him the money. Please see that he gets it, and send the
money per the bearer.
Yours, fraternally,
JOHN JAY.
R. W. M. (to candidate, at the same time handing him the mark.)--Well, can you
accommodate Brother Jay with this money he asks the loan of?
Candidate receives the mark, says he has no money about him; he cannot grant the
request.
S. G. W.--Right Worshipful, I can accommodate Brother Jay with twenty-five dollars, if
he will leave his mark with me as a pledge.
R. W. M. (to candidate.)--Will you return the mark, then? Candidate hands it back.
R. W. M.--How is this? Do you return it without the price, and thus break your oath
before you rise from the altar? Have you not sworn, that where you could not grant a
brother's request you would return his mark, with the price thereof, viz.: half a Jewish
shekel of silver, or the fourth of a dollar?
p. 168
Candidate is generally embarrassed, and replies that all his money was taken from him in
the preparation-room.
R. W. M.--Are you sure that you have not even a quarter-dollar about you?
Candidate--I am.