mysteries
of Freemasonry?

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you are prompted to
solicit the privileges of Freemasonry by a favorable opinion conceived
of the institution, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere wish of being
serviceable to your fellow-creatures?

Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you will cheerfully
conform to all the ancient usages and established customs of the
Fraternity?

(Let there be no levity--but dignity and decorum.)

FIRST SECTION.

The preparation to which the candidate must submit before
entering the Lodge serves allegorically to teach him, as well as
to remind the brethren who are present, that it is the man
alone, divested of all the outward recommendations of rank,
state, or riches, that Masonry accepts, and that it is his
spiritual and moral worth alone which can open for him the door
of the Masonic Temple.

Reception.

[Illustration]

* * *

Let no man enter upon any great or important undertaking without
first invoking the aid of Deity.

* * *

Prayer.

Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our
present convention; and grant that this candidate for Masonry may
dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, and become a true and
faithful brother among us. Endue him with a competency of Thy divine
wisdom, that by the influence of the pure principles of our Fraternity
he may be better enabled to display the beauties of holiness, to the
honor of Thy holy name. Amen!

Response: So mote it be!

[Illustration: TRUST in GOD.]

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity.

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the
beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains
of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for
evermore.--133d Psalm.

[Illustration]

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the
earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the
face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of
the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was
light.

[Illustration]

The three Great Lights in Masonry are the Holy Bible, the Square
and the Compasses, and are thus explained:

The Holy Bible is given