that none pass or repass but such as are duly qualified, and have permission from the chair.

Worshipful master then gives two raps with his gavel, which brings all the subordinate officers on their feet; and each, standing in his place, recites his duty, as follows:

W. M. The junior deacon's place in the lodge?

J. D. At the right, in front of the senior warden in the west.

W. M. Your duty there, brother junior?

J. D. To carry messages from the senior warden in the west, to the junior warden in the south; and elsewhere about the lodge, as he may direct.

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

S. D. At the right, in front of the worshipful master in the

east.

W. M. Your duty there, brother senior?

S. D. To carry messages from the worshipful master in the east, to the senior warden in the west; and elsewhere about the lodge, as he may direct; to assist in the preparation and initiation of candidates, and to welcome and clothe all visiting brethren.

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

Sec. At the left hand of the worshipful master in the east. W. M. Your duty there, brother secretary?

Sec. To record the doings of the lodge; collect all money; pay it over to the treasurer, and keep a true and correct account of the same.

W. M. The treasurer's place in the lodge?

Treas. At the right hand of the worshipful master in the

east.

W. M. Your duty there, brother?

Treas. To receive all money from the hand of the secretary; to keep a true and correct account of the same, and

Masons, and the most inveterate of them the Chouans. Hence, probably, all opposers of Masons were afterwards designated by the term Chouan, (pronouncing the ch like k.) In like manner, after Morgan was murdered, all who were opposed to Masonry were called Morganites, or Morgan men. This was the appellation given the Anti-masons in various parts of the Union, I believe. So much for Cowans. If this be the etymology of the term, there are already in this country more Cowans than Masons; and it may well be considered the first duty of Masons to 'guard against them.' If we have ventured to say this much of the etymology of Cowans where even Noah Webster and all his predecessors are silent, we hope it will be attributed, not to presumption, but an earnest and sincere desire for-more light!

pay it out by order of the worshipful master, with consent of the brethren.

W. M. The junior warden's place in the lodge?
J. W. In the south, worshipful.

W. M. Your duty there, brother junior?

J. W. As the sun is in the south at high twelve, which is 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 the lodge; pay the craft their wages, if any be due; and see that none go away dissatisfied. W. M. The master's place 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 or close his lodge.

Worshipful master rises and says, After that manner, so do I. It is my will and pleasure that this lodge of entered apprentice Masons be now closed, and stand closed until our next regular communication, unless convened by some sudden emergency; in which case, due and timely notice will be given. Brother senior warden, you will communicate the same to the junior warden in the south, that the brethren present may have due and timely notice, &c. [The senior warden informs the junior warden, and he the brethren, as above.]

Worshipful master says, Attend to the charge, brethren; [which he reads from brother Cross's Chart, or Webb's Monitor.]

May the blessing of Heaven rest upon us, and all regular Masons; may brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us. So mote it be. Amen.'

After the prayer, the following charge ought to be delivered ; but it is seldom attended to; in a majority of lodges, it is never attended to.

Master to brethren. Brethren, we are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties which you have heard so frequently inculcated, and

so forcibly recommended in this lodge. Remember that around this altar you have promised to befriend and relieve every brother who shall need your assistance. You have promised in the most friendly manner to remind him of his errors, and aid a reformation. These generous principles are to extend further; every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. Do good to all. Recommend it more especially to the household of the faithful. Finally, brethren, be ye all of one mind, live in peace, and may the God of love and peace delight to dwell with and bless you.'

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W. M. Attend to the signs, brethren. [Here the signs are given. See plate 4, fig. 1, 2.]

W. M. How do Masons meet, brother senior?

S. W. On the level, worshipful.

W. M.

How do Masons part, brother junior?

J. W.

On the square, worshipful.

W. M. So let us meet, and so let us part, in the name of the Lord.

FELLOW CRAFT'S DEGREE.

I shall omit part of the opening and closing ceremonies of this degree, which is the same as in the first, or entered apprentice's degree, except the difference in signs, &c. which will be hereafter explained; the least number that is allowed to do business in this degree, is five, viz: worshipful master, senior warden, junior warden, senior deacon, and junior deacon; yet seven besides the tyler generally assist, and take their seats as in the entered apprentice's degree.

The worshipful puts on his hat* and says, Brethren I am about opening a lodge of fellow craft Masons in this place for the dispatch of business; I will thank you for your attention and assistance. If there is any person present who is not a fellow craft Mason, he is requested to retire.

The worshipful master then resumes his seat and says, Brother senior warden, you will receive the pass-word in the west, and send it up to the east. The senior and junior deacons now repair to the senior warden in the west, and whisper in his ear, the pass-word of this degree, Shibboleth.' Senior warden says the word is right in the west, you will receive it from the brethrén, and carry it up to the east.

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Senior deacon turns to the north and junior deacon to the south; this is a trying moment for cowans, eaves-droppers and 'rusty masons,' for each deacon unceremoniously puts his ear to the mouth of every person in the room, and if in their travels they meet with one who cannot whisper at low breath the word 'Shibboleth,' he is immediately invited into the preparation room, and a committee appointed to examine him. The

*The master in each degree of Freemasonry always wears his hat. From this circumstance, or custom, a secret question arises, Where does the master hang his hat? A person who had never sat in a lodge would little think he hung it on Nature's Peg.' This question is often put to strangers who visit the lodge.

+ The committee appointed to examine a stranger, are generally the "brightest' in the lodge, and are usually three in number.

The first step in the examination is to administer the test oath; the stranger, if a Mason, and understands himself, will request the committee to take

deacons proceed and receive the word from each person in the lodge, and repair to the master, and whisper in his ear Shibboleth.' The master gives notice that the word has come up right, and that they can with safety open the lodge; which, being done, and the minutes of the last meeting read, the master directs the deacons to prepare the candidate for the second degree of Freemasonry. They perform their duty, and the senior deacon returns to his place in the lodge; the master calls to order, and the junior deacon makes an alarm of two distinct knocks on the outside of the door.

S. D. Worshipful master, there is an alarm at the door.

W. M. Attend to the cause of that alarm, and see who comes there. [The senior deacon steps to the door, and gives two raps on the inside, which is in answer to those given by the junior deacon, who gives one; the senior deacon does the same, and partly opens the door and inquires, 'Who comes here? who comes here?"]

J. D. A worthy brother, who has been regularly initiated, as an entered apprentice Mason, and now wishes for further light in Masonry, by being passed to the degree of fellow craft. S. D. [To candidate.] Is it of your own free will and accord, you make this request?

Can. [Prompted] It is.

S. D.

Is he duly and truly prepared?

J. D. He is.

S. D. degree?

Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding

J. D. He has.

S. D. By what further right and benefit does he expect to gain admission to this lodge of fellow craft Masons?

J. D. By the benefit of a pass.

S. D. Has he a pass?

J. D. He has it not; I have it for him.

S. D. Advance and give it.

The junior deacon whispers in his ear the word 'Shibboleth.' S. D. The pass is right. You will wait a time until the

the oath with him. All then place their hands on the bible, each, calling himself by name, repeats the following oath: [I. A. B.] of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty God, and these witnesses, do hereby and hereon, solemnly and sincerely swear, that I have been regularly initiated, passed, &c. [as the case may be,] in a legally constituted lodge of Freemasons, and have never been expelled, or suspended, and know of no cause why I should be; so help me God, and keep me stedfast. [They kiss the book. After the stranger has taken the oath, he is examined upon the signs grips, and lecture.]