The First, or Entered Apprentice, degree of Masonry is intended,
symbolically, to represent the entrance of man into the world in which
he is afterwards to become a living and thinking actor. Coming from the
ignorance and darkness of the outer world, his first craving is for
light--not that physical light which springs from the great orb of day
as its fountain, but that moral and intellectual light which emanates
from the primal Source of all things--from the Grand Architect of the
Universe--the Creator of the sun and of all that it illuminates. Hence
the great, the primary object of the first degree is to symbolize the
birth of intellectual light in the mind; and the Entered Apprentice is
the type of the unregenerate man, groping in moral and mental darkness,
and seeking for the light which is to guide his steps and point him to
the path which leads to duty and to Him who gives to duty its reward.

Charge at Initiation.

Brother: As you are now introduced to the first principles of
Freemasonry, I congratulate you on being accepted into this ancient and
honorable Fraternity. Ancient, as having existed from time immemorial;
and honorable, as tending in every particular so to render all men who
will be comformable to its precepts. 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 contained in the several
Masonic lectures. The wisest and best of men in all ages have been
encouragers and promoters of our Art, and have never deemed it
derogatory to their dignity to level themselves with the Fraternity, to
extend its privileges, and to patronize its assemblies.

There are three great duties which as a Mason you are charged to
inculcate: To God, to your neighbor and to yourself. To God, in never
mentioning His name save with that reverential awe which is due from the
creature to his Creator, to implore His aid in all your laudable
undertakings, and to esteem Him as the chief good. To your neighbor, in
acting upon the square and doing unto him as you would that he should do
unto you. And to yourself, in avoiding all irregularities and
intemperance, which may impair your faculties or debase the dignity of
your profession.

A zealous attachment to these duties will insure public and private
esteem.

In the State you are to be a quiet and peaceable citizen, true to your
government and just to your country. You are not to co