Page 24 - LESTER'S LOOK TOTHE EAST
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nity. Take it, carry it to the Senior Warden in the West; he will teach
you how to wear it as an Entered Apprentice.
The Master returns to the East and seats the Lodge with one rap. The
Senior Deacon conducts the candidate to the Senior Warden in the West
and says:
S.D. Brother Senior Warden, it is the will and pleasure of the
Worshipful Master in the East that our newly admitted brother be taught
how to wear his apron as an Entered Apprentice.
S.W. to Candidate. My brother, at the building of King Solomon's
Temple there were three principal classes of Masons, and each, as a
distinctive badge, wore his apron in a peculiar manner. Entered
Apprentices being the bearers of burdens, were directed to wear theirs
with the bib turned up, so as to protect their clothing. Thus, my brother,
will you wear yours while laboring among us as a speculative Entered
Apprentice. But remember that, although stains upon this garment
brought credit rather than disgrace to the Ancient Entered Apprentice,
you, as a speculative Entered Apprentice, must keep this apron, as an
emblem of innocence, unspotted before the world.
The candidate is invested by the Senior Deacon, who now conducts
him back to the West of the altar and they salute the Worshipful
Master.
S.D. to W.M. Your orders have been obeyed, Worshipful Master.
W.M. to Candidate. My brother, agreeable to an ancient custom in all
regular and well-governed Lodges, it is now necessary that you be
required to deposit something of a metallic kind, not for its intrinsic
worth or value, but that it may be laid up among the relics in the
archives of this Lodge, as a memorial that you are now made a Mason.
Examine yourself strictly and see if you can find such an object.
Candidate (prompted by S.D.) I find myself entirely destitute.
Worshipful Master.
W.M. to Candidate. This requirement was to remind you of your now
extremely poor and penniless situation. Should you ever afterwards
meet a friend, more especially a brother, in like condition, you must
contribute as liberally to his relief as you can do without inconvenience
to yourself. You will now be reconducted to the place from whence you
came, there be re-invested of what you were divested, and return to the
Lodge for further instruction.
The Senior Deacon conducts the candidate to the altar, they salute the
Worshipful Master and then go to the preparation room, where the
Senior Deacon places the candidate in charge of the Stewards and
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