ENTERED APPRENTICE CHARGE
My 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
conformable 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 a 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
in 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.
As a Mason, you are to study the Sacred Law, to
consider it as the unerring standard of truth and
justice, and to regulate your life and actions by
its divine precepts. 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 countenance disloyalty
or rebellion, but patiently submit to legal authority
and conform with cheerfulness to the government
of the country in which you live, yielding obedience
to the laws which afford you protection. In your
outward demeanor be particularly careful to avoid
censure and reproach, and beware of all who may
artfully endeavor to insinuate themselves into your
esteem with a view of betraying your virtuous
resolutions or to make you swerve from the
principles of our institution. Let not interest, favor
or prejudice bias your integrity or influence you to
be guilty of a dishonorable action, but let your
conduct be uniform and your deportment suitable
to the dignity of your profession.
Above all, practice benevolence and charity, for
these virtues have distinguished Masons in every
age and country. The inconceivable pleasure of
contributing to the relief of our fellow-creatures is
truly experienced by persons of a humane
disposition, who are naturally excited by sympathy
to extend their aid in alleviation of the misery of
others. This encourages the generous Mason to
distribute his bounty with cheerfulness. Supposing
himself in the situation of an unhappy sufferer, he
listens to the tale of woe with attention, bewails
misfortune, and speedily relieves distress.
The Constitutions of the Fraternity are to engage
your attention. These consist of two parts, oral
and written communications. The former,
comprehending the mysteries of the Art, are only
to be acquired by practice and experience in the
Lodge; the latter include the history of Masonry,
the lives and characters of its patrons, and the
ancient charges and general regulations of the
Craft.
A punctual attendance on the duties of the
Fraternity we earnestly enjoin, especially in that
assembly in which your name will be enrolled as
a member. There, and in all regular meetings of
the Fraternity, you are to behave with order and
decorum, that harmony may be preserved and
the business of Masonry be properly conducted.
The rules of good breeding you are never to violate
by using unbecoming language in derogation of
the name of God or toward the corruption of good
morals; neither are you to enter into any dispute
about religion or politics, nor behave irreverently
while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious
and important. On every occasion you are to pay
a proper deference and respect to the Master and
presiding officers, and diligently apply to the work
of Freemasonry, that you may the sooner become
proficient therein, as well for your own credit as
for the honor of the company with whom you
associate.
Although your frequent appearance at our regular
meetings is earnestly solicited, yet it is not meant
that Freemasonry should interfere with your
necessary vocations for these are on no account
to be neglected; neither are you to suffer your
zeal for the institution to lead you into argument
with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule
it.
At your leisure hours, that you may improve in
Masonic knowledge, you are to converse with
well-informed Brethren, who will always be as
ready to give as you will be to receive instruction.
Finally, my Brother, keep sacred and inviolate the
mysteries of the Order, as these are to distinguish
you from the rest of the community and mark your
consequence among Masons.
WM: My Brother, there is a lecture in connection with
this degree that it will be necessary for you to
commit to memory, and on which you must pass
a suitable examination, in open Lodge, or as
provided by our Code, before you can be
passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft. I will appoint
Brother _______ _______ to instruct you.
(This concludes the initiation portion of the First Degree.
The WM then proceeds to close lodge.)
