the glory and beauty of the day, so stands the junior warden, in the south, to call the craft from labor to refreshment, and from refreshment to labor, that the worshipful master may have profit and pleasure thereby.

W. M. The senior warden's place in the lodge?

S. W. In the west, worshipful.

W. M. Your duty there, brother Senior?

S. W. As the sun sets in the west, to close the day, so stands the senior warden in the west to assist the worshipful master in opening and closing his lodge; to pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see that none go away dissatisfied;-harmony being the strength and support of all institutions, but more especially this of ours.

W. M. The master's station in the lodge?

S. W. In the east, worshipful.

W. M. His duty there, brother senior?

S. W.

As the sun rises in the east to open and adorn the day, so rises* the worshipful master in the east to open and adorn his lodge, and set the craft to work with proper instructions for their labor.

W. M. After that manner so do I. It is my will and pleasure, that a lodge of entered apprentice Masons be opened in this place, for the dispatch of business. Brother senior, you will please communicate the same to the junior warden in the south, that the brethren may have due and timely notice thereof.

S. W. (Addressing the junior warden.) Brother Junior, it is the worshipful master's order, that a lodge of entered apprentice Masons be opened in this place, for the dispatch of business. You will please inform the brethren thereof.

J. W. Gives three raps with his gavel, and says;-brethren, it is our worshipful master's order, that a lodge of entered apprentice Masons be opened in this place, for the dispatch of business. You are ordered to take due notice thereof, and govern yourselves accordingly.

W. M. Then says:-Attend to the signs, brethren.

The signs of this degree are three, viz. Right angles, Horizontals, and Perpendiculars; and are given by the master and brethren, with great accuracy and precision. [See plate 4, fig. 1, and 2.]

1. This sign is made by placing the hands at right angles, about one foot in front of the centre of the body-the palms together, and the left hand under. 2.-To draw a horizontal; raise the right hand, with a quick motion, to the neck; the hand

* At these words the Master rises,

6

open, the palm down, the thumb partly under the hand, parallel with the fingers, the main joint of the first finger pressed against the guttural,' the elbow raised as high as the hand; with a quick motion draw the hand from left to right, until the hand comes nearly over the right shoulder. 3.-Let the hand drop perpendicularly by the side, the palm in the rear.

The worshipful master then gives one rap with his gavel, (the senior warden one, and junior warden one,) and says,-I now declare this lodge opened in due and ancient form; hereby forbidding all improper conduct, whereby the peace and harmony of this lodge may be disturbed; under no less penalty than the by-laws, or a majority of the lodge may see fit to inflict. The master then reads the passage of scripture commencing, 'Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity,' &c. [See Cross' chart, page 12th.]

The worshipful master gives one rap, with his gavel, and all the brethren are seated.

W. M. Brother senior, have you any thing in the west, for the good of Masonry, or this lodge in particular?

S. W.

W. M. J. W. W. M.

Nothing in the west, worshipful.

Any thing in the south, brother junior?
Nothing in the south, worshipful.

Has any brother present, any thing to lay before this lodge of entered apprentice Masons? [Some brother now proposes that the minutes of the last meeting be read.]

W. M.

last meeting.

Brother secretary, you will read the minutes of the

[Sec. reads as follows.]

'Sept. 10, 5825.

Rising Sun Lodge, No.-opened on the first degree.

Officers present.

Joseph E. Tipple, Master.

William Gamester, Senior Warden.

Simon Jockey, Junior Warden.

Peter Scribble, Secretary.

John W. Catchpenny, Treasurer.

Samuel R. Drowers, Senior Deacon.

Judah C. Hoodwink, Junior Deacon.

The Lodge voted $5 for the relief of the widow and orphan children of brother Drinkall.

The Bill of brother David Barter, (grocer,) for candles, &c. &c! for the last meeting, $17,94, was presented and paid.

Timothy Seekoffice, Geo. L. Redface, and Josiah G. Counterfeit, were present as visiting brethren.

Jonathan Lovetavern balloted for, and elected a member in ancient form.

Received of brother J. Lovetavern, cash $15.

Brother J. W. Catchpenny proposes Mr. James Dupeasy, to become a Mason, and a member of this lodge, who left a deposit of $3.

Half past eight o'clock. Lodge called from labor to refreshment.* Nine o'clock; called from refreshment to labor.

A stranger examined, and admitted to sit. A committee of three persons was appointed by the chair, to inquire into the character of James Dupeasy, viz: brother Simon Hatelaw, Oliver Playcard, and Joshua Swearwell.

Half past eleven o'clock. Lodge closed, until the next 'regu lar communication.'

W. M. Brethren, you see there was a proposition at our last regular meeting; how shall we dispose of it?

Some brother now proposes that the candidate be balloted for. W. M. Brethren, if there are no objections, the ballots will be sent round.-Brother senior deacon, you will distribute the ballots.

Senior deacon places a black and a white ball in the hand of each brother present, who is a member of the lodge.

W. M. Brethren, we are now about to ballot for James Dupeasy, to become a Mason, and a member of this lodge. All those who are in favor of it, will so signify, by putting a white ball into this box. All those opposed to it, will put in a black one. Brother senior deacon, you will collect the ballots.

Senior deacon presents the ballot-box to each member, who puts in the affirmative or negative ball, as he may see cause. Senior deacon then brings the box to the master, who looks into it, and orders him to carry it to the senior warden. W. M. How stands the ballots in the west, brother senior? S. W. The ballot is clear in the west, worshipful.

W. M.

How stands the ballot in the south, brother junior?
The ballot is clear in the south, worshipful.

J. W.
W. M. Brethren, I have the pleasure to inform you, that

* Refreshment.This means tippling, or drinking; in some lodges it is taught systematically, and performed with mechanical accuracy. The stewards furnish each officer and brother, in his place, with a glass of whatever he chooses to drink. The master then says, are you all charged in the west brother senior?

S. W. All charged in the west, worshipful.

W. M.

Are you all charged in the south, brother junior? J. W. All charged in the south, worshipful.

Worshipful master then gives a toast, and then all drink, giving a sign, &c.

the ballot is clear, and the candidate is elected a member of this lodge-brother senior deacon, you will collect the negative balls.

S. D.

Collects the balls, and returns to his seat.

W. M. Does any brother know whether the candidate has come on this evening?

J. D. Worshipful, he is below in waiting.

W. M. Brother senior and junior deacons, you will prepare the candidate for the first degree of Freemasonry, and cause him to make the regular alarm, at the inner-door.

The deacons now introduce the candidate into the preparation room, and the following short conversation sometimes takes place, before the candidate is prepared.

S. D. Well, friend, I perceive you look rather pale;— you feel somewhat frightened, don't you?

Can. Pale?-No, I am not frightened. Is your gridiron pretty_warm to-night?

J. D. I guess you'll think so in the course of half an hour. [Laugh.]

S. D. Friend, you must have a great deal of fortitude, if you intend to appear in this lodge as a candidate for the mysteries of Freemasonry! [very gravely.]

J. D. Yes; and he must remember too, that we don't joke with candidates. We shall be under the necessity of adjusting his apparel, more appropriately, to fit the occasion.

S. D. O yes! but we shall require nothing of you but what is absolutely necessary. Some of our ceremonies may, at first sight, appear trifling; but after you have taken the degree, you will be satisfied, that every ceremony is truly mysterious, and right.

J. D. You will consent, I presume, to conform to all the ceremonies which a Washington, a Warren, and a Clinton, have done? Or does your heart fail you?

Can. Heart fail? No! my heart is not very apt to fail. S. D. Ha, ha, ha!-no, no; not if our committee has been correctly informed as to your stability and courage. Can. I guess I shall be able to stand it.

S. D. Well then, you will take off your coat, shoes and stockings, also vest and cravat; and then your pantaloons; we have a pair that will become you much better as a Mason. [Handing him a pair of red flannel drawers.] The candidate, by this time, begins to suspect they are jesting with him; but being told they are not, he proceeds.

S. D. You will now slip your left arm out of your shirt.

sleeve, and put it through the bosom of your shirt, that your arm and breast may be naked.

The candidate now puts on the old red drawers, which are prepared for the occasion. The conductor then ties a handkerchief or hoodwink over his eyes, and afterwards puts a rope, called a cable-tow, round his neck. The senior deacon now returns to the lodge, and informs the worshipful master that the candidate is prepared. The master gives a rap, which brings the lodge to order, and is a signal for the junior deacon to make the alarm :—which he does by taking the candidate by the wrist, and raps his knuckles three times, pretty hard, against the outside of the door..

S. D. Then rises in his place, and says, Worshipful, there is an alarm at the door!

W. M. Attend to the alarm, brother, and see who comes there.

Senior Deacon steps to the door, and raps three times on the inside; the candidate gives one rap, which the senior deacon answers. The door is then opened about two inches.

S. D. Who comes here? who comes here? who comes here?

J. D. A poor blind candidate, who has long been desirous of being brought from darkness to light; he wishes to receive and enjoy part of the rights and benefits of this worshipful lodge, erected to God and dedicated to the holy St. Johns; as all true fellows and brothers have done, who have gone this way before him.

S. D. Is this of your own free will and accord?
J.D. Prompts the candidate to say, 'It is.'
Is he duly and truly prepared?

S. D.

J. D. He is.

S. D.

Is he of lawful age, and properly vouched for? J. D. He is.

S. D. By what further right or benefit does he expect to gain admission into this lodge of entered apprentice Masons? J. D. By being a man, free born, of good report, and well recommended.

S. D. Since this is the case, you will let him wait for a time, until the worshipful master in the east, is informed of his request, and his answer returned.

Senior deacon now returns to the master, and gives three raps upon his desk which the master answers by three raps ;junior deacon one;—master one.