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l&tdtb |kp of §pt
FREEMASONRY ;
OB THE
:REEMASON'S POCKET COMPENDIUM.
BT
BRO. WM. GAREY,
ABERDEEN. EDITED BT
BRO. JAMES STEVENSON,
01 "The Freemason's Magaeine," and "The Universal Masonic Calendar," Hon. Cor. Mem. Ger. Mas. Union, &c.
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PREFACE.
IT is with much diffidence and doubt that this little volume is launched on the eddying tide of "Masonic Opinion;" but the author trusts his zeal for the cause of Freemasonry, and the especial object for which this hand-book is intended, namelv, as a preparatory work for the Masonic neophyte, adapted to prepare him for more pro- found search into the mysteries and teachings of Freemasonry, will be sufficient apology, if any be needed, for the addition of this unassuming con- tribution to Masonic literature.
In addressing himself to the preparation of the following pages, the author has endeavoured to display the beauties of Freemasonry in as brief, yet comprehensive, and withal in as inexpensive a shape as possible— indeed, he is unaware of any similar work having yet been isstsed at such a comeatable price, and in so convenient a form— to serve as an unpretentious yet useful Masonic vade
yd Preface.
tnecutn. Commending itself not alone to the junior Masonic student, but also to many Brethren, who, from their inability to attend at Lodge meetings and Lodges of Instruction, remain, owing to their unacquaintance with Masonry, as " Sleeping" Masons, or "Masonic fungi," to such it is hoped the present volume may serve as an incentive to awaken the dormant Brother, direct him in search of the beautiful inculcations of Masonry, and stimulate him to become conversant with the vari- ous impressive ceremonials of the Order ; for his ultimate improvement must depend upon his own application and assiduity.
Whilst the ancient landmarks, too, of our Order have been studiously guarded from the intrusive gaze of the non-Masonic world, still, to such of the uninitiated who may chance to peruse the work, nothing appears but what will show them that our Order is founded on the purest principles of moral rectitude.
The exigencies of publishing arrangements have unavoidably prevented the author attending to various suggested emendations on the part of his Editor, but the indulgence of the Brethren is
Preface. *ii
claimed for the First Edition, which, it is contem- plated, will soon be exhausted, and necessitate a second and amended issue of the work.
In addition to the author's gratefulness for the valuable and voluntary co-operation received at the hands of his Editor, Bro. James Stevenson, he has also to return his sincere and grateful thanks to numerous other friends who have assisted him in his labours with their advice, and have afforded him access to various Masonic and other valuable works of reference.
. W. GAREY.
AB£*iFE£Jr, April, 1869.
The First Degree,
fo, gipprentia.
SYMBOLISM.
f^HE First or Entered Apprentice Degree is intended to symbolise man, helpless and ^ ignorant, entering into the world ; also youth groping in mental darkness for in- tellectual light.
QUALIFICATION.
Every Candidate for initiation must believe in the existence of a Supreme Being and future state ; he must be of good moral character, and mature age, and able to conscientiously answer the follow- ing questions in the affirmative : —
DECLARATION. 11 Do you seriously declare, upon your honour, se gentlemen, that, unbiassed by friends mi inclination, and uninfluenced by
2 Reflected Rays of Light.
unworthy motives, you freely, and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry ? "
" Do you seriously declare that you are solely prompted to solicit those privileges, by a favourable opinion conceived of the Order, a desire of know- ledge, and a wish of being more serviceable to your fellow-creatures ? "
" Do you also seriously declare, upon your honour, that you will cheerfully conform to the established usages and customs of the Fraternity V*
THE PREPARATION.
" Oh Hindu ess to the future! kindly given.
That each may fill the circle marked by Heaven."
The- Candidate is required to close his eyes on the past, and think of the dark mysterious future. This blindness is emblematical of our ignorance, and of the Designs of the great Architect of the Universe being beyond the utmost stretch of the Human Mind. Yet the study of Nature will develop intellectual light, dispel ignorance; and the more it is studied the loftier and more com- prehensive will be our ideas of the Great Creator and First Cause of all things.
" Nature is but a name for an effect. Whose cause is God."
Equality. — As Masonry does not regard, or admit any person on account of rank or fortune, he should divest his mind of all selfish and worldly considerations, and lay aside the trinkets and trappings of the outward world, and for a time become poor and penniless ; so that he may remember, when asked to assist a Brother in dis- tress, that Masonry received him in poverty, and
The First Degree. 3
that he should then embrace the opportunity of practising that virtue, Charity,
« Which is the spirit that, with widest plan, ~ Brother to brother binds, and man to man.
His Sincerity of purpose and purity of mind are symbolised by the left breast being made bare ;— in token of implicit, or unreserved Confidence, the right arm is uncovered ; so also in token of Humi- lity is the left knee made bare, to bend before the Great Author of his existence ; and to follow the ancient custom of the Israelites, he will be prepared to slip the shoe from off his foot, as a testimony or token of Fidelity (Ruth iv. Tow with a running noose, is emblematical ot tne Dangers which surround us in this life, especially if we should stray from the paths of duty. It will also remind the initiated to submit, while he is in ignorance, to being guided by those whom he knows to be enlightened.
« Convince the world that yon' re devout and true, Be just in all you say, in all you do.
THE INITIATION.
« Ask and it shall be given you v seek, and you shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."-MATT. vu. 7.
The knocks at the door denote Peace, Harmony, and Brotherly Love. Before the ceremony of Initiation begins, the Candidate is informed that FreemasonnTis an institution founded on the purest principles of Morality-^-, on Truth, Brotherly Love, and Charity ; and requires a cheerful com- pliance, to maintain the established usages and customs of the Order. The moment we enter the world, and draw the first breath of life, the Sword
4 Reflected Rays of Light.
of Justice is pointed to our heart, and will sooner or later overtake us ; so in Masonry, at our hrst entrance we are taught to be cautious, and trust m God.
Prayer.— Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father, and Supreme Architect of the Universe, to this our present convention ; and grant this Candidate for Masonry may dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, so as to become a true and faithful Brother among us. Endow him with a competency of Thy Divine Wisdom, that, assisted by the lessons of our Moral Science, he may be better enabled to display the beauties of Godliness, to the Honour and Glory of Thy Most Holy Name. (So mote it be.) Amen.
THE PILGRIMAGE.
Where the blessing of God is invoked, the can- didate may fear no danger, but arise, and follow his enlightened guide, who will enable him to travel safely through the dark emblematic pilgrimage of ignorance, and overcome the obstructions and difficulties which beset the way of knowledge.
This part of the ceremony symbolises the progress of human intelligence, from a state of ignorance, to the highest state of civilisation and mental enlightenment. During the time of this part, in some lodges the 133rd Psalm is read, to impress the Candidate and Brethren with a feeling of Brotherly Love.
" Perfect love has power to soften
Cares that might our peace destroy ', Nay, does more— transforms them often, Changing sorrow into joy"
The First Degree. 5
Or the following may be sung with good effect — Tune — " Artaxerxes."
" Behold ! how pleasant and how good
For brethren such as we, Of the accepted brotherhood,
To diuell in unity. 1 Tis like the oil on Aaron's head,
Which to his feet distills ; Like Hermorts dew so richly shed,
On Zion's sacred hills !
For there the Lord of light and love,
A blessing sent with power , Oh, may we all this blessing prove,
E'en life for evermore ! On Friendship's altar, rising here,
Our hands now plighted be. To live in love, with hearts sincere,
In peace and unity.
The hand placed on the Bible will remind us of the obligations we owe to God and our fellow-
men.
THE SECRECY AND VOWS OF FIDELITY.
" Heaven from all creatures hides the book offaie,^ All but the page prescribed, their present state.
Having completed the symbolic journey in search of enlightenment, Vows of Fidelity or Secrecy are required; but these are voluntary, and the Candidate must be assured, previous to his taking them, that there is nothing in those Vows incompatible with his civil, moral, or re- 1 imous duties. The Veil of Secrecy which shrouds Freemasonry has attracted the attention of the
6 Reflected Rays of Light.
uninitiated more than anything else ; and by their conjectures, have attributed to it many erroneous notions, some of which, none but the most igno- rant could believe — such as using incantations, and raising unearthly-like beings, or performing some waggish mischief on the Candidate. The writer has often seen a Candidate enter the Lodge trem- bling with fear, and has known of others, who, after being partly prepared, became so suspicious or afraid of some evil, that they would not pro- ceed, even though assured by members of the contrary. But some may naturally reason in their own mind : — " If the objects and pretensions of Freemasonry be honest and praiseworthy, what need is there for an obligation to secrecy ? If it be really a system of morality, and have a ten- dency to elevate the mind, or be a benefit to man- kind, why not make it free to all ? And charity being boasted of as one of its characteristic features, is it not Masons' bounden duty, as charitable men, to make it known without fee or price, instead of binding the members by fearful oaths to secrecy V The only answer which we can give to these ques- tions is, That nature is shrouded in mystery ; and mystery has charms for all men. Whatever is familiar to us, however novel, beautiful, or elevat- ing, is often disregarded, unnoticed, or despised ; whilst novelty, however trifling or devoid of in- trinsic value, will charm and captivate the imagi- nation, and become the fuel of curiosity, which cannot bear to be ignorant of what others know. And so Freemasonry, taking the example of Nature, veils its beauties in mystery, and illus- trates them by symbols. In support of this, we will conclude this part by quoting two distin- guished modern writers ;—
The First Degree.
« Thoughts will not work, except in silence ; neither will virtue work, except in secrecy. . Like other plants, virtue will not grow unless its root be hidden, buried from the light of tne .sun Let the sun shine on it-nay, do but look at it privily hvself-the roots wither, and no flowers will glad *h£e »__ Thomas Carlyle, ' ' Sartor Resartus.
-God has put the veil of secrecy before the soul for its preservation; and to thrust it : rudely as de without reason, would be suicidal. Neither heret'n^r, as I think, hereafter, will our thoughts and feelings He open to the world. -H. W. Beecher, " Life Thoughts.
THE ENLIGHTENMENT.
- The light shineth in darkness ; and the darkness comprehended ""SS skid, let there be light, and there was light.»~GEK. i. 3.
This particular part of the ceremony symbolises the victory of Knowledge over Ignorance, and the impression intended to be made on the mind of the Candidate on first beholding the Three Grea Lights of Masonry, is to make him recollect that the light of Wisdom is beautiful, and that all he paths are peace.
" ' Tis the Great Spirit, wide diffused Through everything we see, That with our spirits communeth Of things mysterious— life and death, Time and Eternity ! " The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light : they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death ; upon them hath the light shined. —Isaiah ix. 2.
8 Reflected Rays of Light
THE ***** ***** ******
Are the Holy Bible,* Square, and Compasses. The Bible to govern our faith and practice, being the gift of God to man for that purpose ; the Square to regulate our actions ; and the Com- passes to keep us in due bounds with all mankind.
THE ****** ******
Are three burning Candles or Tapers, emblemati- cal of the Spirit of God, whereby His chosen people are enlightened, and are also meant to represent, the Sun to rule the day, the Moon to rule the night, and the Master to rule and govern his Lodge with equal regularity. They are also emblematical of the Master and his Wardens, and are placed in the east, south, and west ; as the sun rises in the east, so the Worshipful Master is placed in the east, to open his lodge, and enlighten his brethren in Masonry.