ssatisfied." R. W. M.--"The Master's place in the
Lodge?" S. W.--"In the East, Right Worshipful." R. W. M.--"His duty
there?" S. W.--"As the sun rises in the East to open and adorn the
day, so presides the Right Worshipful Master in the East to open and
adorn his Lodge, set his crafts to work, and govern them with good and
wholesome laws, or cause the same to be done." R. W. M.--"I thank you,
brother." Gives three raps with the mallet, which calls up all the
brethren, takes off his hat and says, "In like manner, so do I,
strictly prohibiting all profane language, private committees, or any
other disorderly conduct, whereby the peace and harmony of this Lodge
may be interrupted, while engaged in its lawful pursuits; under no
less penalty than the by-laws enjoin, or a majority of the brethren
present may see cause to inflict. Brethren, attend to giving the
signs." The Right Worshipful Master (all the brethren imitating him)
extends his left arm from his body, so as to form an angle of about
forty-five degrees, and holds his right hand transversely across his
left, the palms thereof about an inch apart. This is called the first
sign of a Mason--is the sign of distress in the first degree, and
alludes to the position a candidate's hands are placed when he takes
the obligation of an Entered Apprentice Mason; he then draws his right
hand across his throat, the hand open, with his thumb next his throat,
drops it down by his side. This is called the due-guard of an Entered
Apprentice Mason, and alludes to the penal part of the obligation.
Next he places the palm of his open right hand upon his left breast,
and, at the same time, throws up his left hand, and so extends his
left arm as to form a right angle; from the shoulder to the elbow it
is horizontal, from the elbow to the tip of the finger it is
perpendicular. This is the sign and due-guard of a Fellow Craft Mason,
and also alludes to the penal part of the obligation, which is
administered in this degree. After this, the Right Worshipful Master
draws his right hand across his bowels, with his hand open, and thumb
next his body, and drops it down by his side. This is the sign or
due-guard of a Master Mason, and, like the others, alludes to the
penalty of this degree. He then throws up the grand hailing sign of
distress; this is given by raising both hands and arms to the elbow,
perpendicularly, one on each side of the head, the elbows forming a
square, his arms then drop by h