Candidate–It is.

S. D.–Brother Junior Deacon, is he duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified?

J. D.–He is.

S. D.–Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree?

J. D.–He has.

S. D.–And properly vouched for?

J. D.–He is.

S. D.–Who vouches for him?

J. D–A brother.

S. D.–By what further right, or benefit, does he expect to gain admission?

J. D.–By the benefit of a pass.

S. D.–Has he that pass?

J. D.–He has it not, but I have it for him.

S. D.–Advance, and give me the pass. (Some say, advance the pass.)

Junior Deacon whispers in the Senior Deacon’s ear the pass-word, “Shibboleth.”

S. D.–The pass is right. You will wait with patience until the Worshipful Master is informed of your request, and his answer returned.

The Senior Deacon then closes the door, and repairs to the centre of the Lodge, before the Worshipful Master in the east, and sounds his rod twice on the floor, which is responded to by the Master with his gavel, when the same interrogations and answers are repeated by the Master and Deacon as at the door. The Master then says:

W. M–Let him enter, in the name of the Lord, and be received in due form.

The Senior Deacon then takes the square from the altar, and, repairing to the door, he opens it, and says:

S. D.–Let him enter in the name of the Lord, and be received in due form.

The Junior Deacon advances through the door, followed by the

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two Stewards, when the Senior Deacon stops them by placing the angle of the square against the candidate’s right breast.

S. D. (pressing square against candidate’s breast.)–Brother Gabe, on entering this Lodge the first time you were received on the points of the compass: I now receive you on the angle of the square, which is to teach you that the square of virtue should be the rule and guide of your conscience in all future transactions with mankind.

The Senior Deacon now takes the candidate by the right arm, followed by the Stewards, and conducts him twice around the Lodge, counting from the Junior Warden’s station in the south, during which time the Master reads the following passage of Scripture:

“Thus he showed me: and behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb-line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.”–Amos vii. 7, 8.

While going around the Lodge, as the conductor and candidate pass the officers’ stations in the south, west, and east, they (the officers) sound the gavel as follows: the first time going round, one rap each; the second time, two raps each. By the time the Master has finished reading the above passage of Scripture, the candidate and conductor have passed around the room twice, and arrived at the Junior Warden’s station in the south.

J. W. (giving two raps, which are responded to by the deacon.)–Who comes here?

S. D. (conductor.)–Brother Gabe, who has been regularly initiated Apprentice, and now wishes to receive more light in Masonry, by being passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft.

J. W. (turning to candidate.)–Brother Gabe, is it of your own free-will and accord?

Candidate–It is.

J. W.–Brother Senior Deacon, is he duly and truly prepared, worthy, and well qualified?

S D.–He is.

J. W.–Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degree?

S. D.–He has.

J. W.–And properly vouched for?

S. D.–He is.

J. W.–Who vouches for him?

S. D.–A brother.

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J. W.–By what further right, or benefit does he expect to gain admission?

S. D.–By the benefit of the pass.

J. W.–Has he that pass?

S. D.–He has it not, but I have it for him.

J. W.–Advance, and give me the pass.

Senior Deacon advances, and whispers in the Junior Warden’s ear, “Shibboleth.”

J. W.–The pass is right; I will suffer you to pass on to the Senior Warden’s station in the west.

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