you conducted to the centre of the Lodge, and there caused
to kneel for the benefit of a prayer? A. Before entering on this, or
any other great and important undertaking, it is highly necessary to
implore a blessing from Deity.

Q. Why was you asked in whom you put your trust? A. Agreeably to the
laws of our ancient institution, no Atheist could be made a Mason; it
was, therefore, necessary that I should believe in Deity; otherwise,
no oath or obligation could bind me.

Q. Why did the Worshipful Master take you by the right hand and bid
you rise, follow your leader, and fear no danger? A. As I was in
darkness at that time, and could neither forsee nor avoid danger, it
was to remind me that I was in the hands of an affectionate friend, in
whose fidelity I might with safety confide.

Q. Why was you conducted three times regularly round the Lodge? A.
That the Worshipful Master, Wardens and brethren might see that I was
duly and truly prepared.

Q. Why did you meet with those several obstructions on the way? A.
This, and every other Lodge is, or ought to be, a true representation
of King Solomon's Temple, which, when completed, had guards stationed
at the East, West, and South gates.

Q. Why had they guards stationed at those several gates? A. To prevent
any one from passing or repassing that was not duly qualified.

Q. Why did you kneel on your left knee and not on your right, or both?
A. The left side has ever been considered the weakest part of the
body; it was, therefore, to remind me that that part I was then taking
upon me was the weakest part of Masonry, it being that only of an
Entered Apprentice.

Q. Why was your right hand placed on the Holy Bible, Square and
Compass, and not your left, or both? A. The right hand has ever been
considered the seat of fidelity, and our ancient brethren worshipped
Deity under the name of FIDES, which has sometimes been represented by
two right hands joined together; at others, by two human figures
holding each other by the right hand; the right hand, therefore, we
use in this great and important undertaking, to signify, in the
strongest manner possible, the sincerity of our intentions in the
business we are engaged.

Q. Why did the Worshipful Master present you with a lamb-skin, or a
white apron? A. The lamb-skin has, in all ages, been deemed an emblem
of innocence; he, therefore, who wears the lamb-skin, as a badge of a
Mason, is thereby continually reminded of that purity