S. D.–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.
S. W. (turning to candidate.)–Brother Gabe, is it of your own free-will and accord?
Candidate–It is, &c., &c.
Precisely the same questions and answers transpire as at the Junior Warden’s station and at the door, and the candidate and conductor are permitted by the Warden to pass to the Worshipful Master’s station in the east.
W. M.–Who comes here?
S. D. (for candidate.)–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.
W. M.–(turning to candidate.)–Brother Gabe, is it of your own free-will and accord?
Brother Gabe.–It is.
W. M.–Brother Senior Deacon (the Master speaking in a very deep tone of voice), is he duly and truly prepared, worthy, and well qualified?
S. D.–He is.
W. M.–Has he made suitable proficiency in the preceding Degree?
S. D–He has.
W. M.–And properly vouched for?
S. D.–He is.
W. M.–Who vouches for him?
S. D.–A brother.
W. M.–By what further right or benefit does he expect to gain admission?
S. D.–By the benefit of the pass.
W. M.–Has he that pass?
S. D.–He has it not. but I have it for him.
W. M.–Advance and give me the pass.
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Senior Deacon advances, and whispers in the Master’s ear, “Shibboleth.”
W. M.–The pass is right; from whence came you, and whither are you travelling?
S. D.–From the west, travelling toward the east.
W. M.–Why leave you the west, and travel toward the east?
S. D.–In search of more light.
W. M.–Since that appears to be the object of the candidate’s search, it is my orders that he be reconducted to the Senior Warden in the west, who will teach him how to approach the east, by two upright regular steps, his feet forming an angle of a square, his body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master in the east.
Senior Deacon conducts the candidate back to the. Senior Warden in the west, and says:
S. D.–Brother Senior Warden, it is the orders of the Worshipful Master, that you teach this candidate to approach the east, by two upright regular steps, his feet forming an angle of a square, his body erect at the altar before the Worshipful Master in the east.
Senior Warden leaves his seat, and, approaching the candidate, he leads him toward the altar, and within two steps of it, and says:
Brother, you will first step off one full step with your left foot, bringing the heel of your right in the hollow of your left foot, now you will step off with your right foot, bringing the heel of your left in the hollow of your right. (Steps 1 and 2, Fig. 14, p. 93.)
The candidate is now within kneeling distance of the altar, and the Senior Warden makes the following report to the Master:–
Worshipful Master, the candidate is now in order, and awaits your further will and pleasure.
W. M.–Brother Senior Warden, you will place him in due form for taking upon himself the solemn oath or obligation of a Fellow Craft.
The Senior Warden, with the assistance of the Senior Deacon, now causes the candidate to kneel on his naked right knee, before the altar, making his left knee form a square. His left arm, as far as the elbow, should be held in a horizontal position, and the rest of the arm in a vertical position, forming another square–his arm supported by the square, held under his elbow, and his right hand resting on the open Bible. (See Fig. 10.)
W. M.–Brother Gabe, you are kneeling for the second time at the sacred altar of Masonry, to take upon yourself the solemn
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oath or obligation of a Fellow Craft; and I take pleasure, as Master of this Lodge, to say to you (as on a former occasion), there is nothing in this oath that will interfere with the duty that you owe to your God, your family, country, neighbor, or self. Are you willing to take it?
FIG. 10. CANDIDATE TAKING THE OATH OF A FELLOW CRAFT.
(left to right: Master. Altar and Lights. Candidate. Conductor.) “Kneeling on my naked right knee, my left forming a square; my right hand on the Holy Bible, square, and compasses, my left arm forming an angle, supported by the square, and my hand in a vertical position.”
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FIG. 10. CANDIDATE TAKING THE OATH OF A FELLOW CRAFT.
