rs the word,
"GIBLEM,"[5] in the ear of the candidate. Then they clap their left
hand on each other's right arm, between the wrist and elbow,
disengaging (at the same moment) their right hand from the Master's
grip; they each seize the left arm of the other with their right
hands, between the wrist and elbow, and (almost at the same instant)
yielding their left hand hold on each other's right arm, and moving
their left hands with a brisk motion, they clasp each other's right
arm with their left hands, above the elbow, pressing their finger
nails hard against the arms, as they shift their hands from place to
place; and the Master says (in union with these movements), "From
grips to spans, and from spans to grips: a twofold cord is strong, but
a threefold cord is not easily broken." The Master then conducts the
candidate to the chair, and, as he ascends the steps, the Master says,
"Brother, I now have the pleasure of conducting you into the oriental
chair of King Solomon;" places a large cocked hat on his head, and
comes down to the front of the newly-installed Master, and addresses
him as follows: "Worshipful brother, I now present you with the
furniture and various implements of our profession; they are
emblematical of our conduct in life, and will now be enumerated and
explained as presented. The HOLY WRITINGS, that great light in
Masonry, will guide you to all truth; it will direct your path to the
temple of happiness, and point out to you the whole duty of man. The
SQUARE teaches to regulate our actions by rule and line, and to
harmonize our conduct by the principles of morality and virtue. The
COMPASS teaches to limit our desires in every station; thus rising to
eminence by merit, we may live respected, and die regretted. The RULE
directs that we should punctually observe our duty; press forward in
the path of virtue, and neither inclining to the right or to the left,
in all our actions have ETERNITY in view. The LINE teaches the
criterion of moral rectitude; to avoid dissimulation in conversation
and action, and to direct our steps to the path that leads to
IMMORTALITY. The BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS you are to search at all times;
cause it to be read in your Lodge, that none may pretend ignorance of
the excellent precepts it enjoins. Lastly, you receive in charge the
by-laws of your Lodge, which you are to see carefully and punctually
executed. I will also present you with the mallet; it is an emblem of
power. One stro