ing each other by the grip as before described, the Master says: "What is
this?"  Candidate--" A Grip."  Master--"A grip of what?"  Candidate--"The
grip of an Entered Apprentice Mason."  Master--"Has it a name?"
Candidate--"It has."  Master--"Will you give it to me?"  Candidate--"I did
not so receive it, neither can I so impart it?"  Master--"What will you do
with it?"  Candidate--"Letter it, or halve it."  Master--"Halve it, and
begin."  Candidate--"You begin."  Master-"Begin you."  Candidate --"B O."
Master--"A Z."  Candidate--"B O A Z."  Master says "Right, brother Boaz, I
greet you.  It is the name of the left hand pillar of the porch of King
Solomon's Temple -arise, brother Boaz, and salute the Junior and Senior
Wardens as such, and convince them that you have been regularly initiated
as an Entered Apprentice Mason, and have got the sign, grip, and word."
The Master returns to his seat while the Wardens are examining the
candidate, and gets a lamb-skin or white apron, presents it to the
candidate, and observes, "Brother, I now present you with a lamb-skin or
white apron; it is an emblem of innocence, and the badge of a Mason; it
has been worn by kings, princes, and potentates of the earth, who have
never been ashamed to wear it; it is more honorable than the diadems of
kings, or pearls of princesses, when worthily worn; it is more ancient
than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle; more honorable than the Star and
Garter; or any other that can be conferred upon you at this, or any other
time, except it be in the body of a just and fully constituted Lodge; you
will carry it to the Senior Warden in the West, who will teach you how to
wear it as an Entered Apprentice Mason."  The Senior Warden ties the apron
on and turns up the flap instead of letting it fall down in front of the
apron.  This is the way Entered Apprentice Masons wear, or ought to wear,
their aprons until they are advanced.  The candidate is now conducted to
the Master in the East, who says, "Brother, as you are dressed, it is
necessary you should have tools to work with; I will now present you with
the working tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason, which are the
twenty-four inch gauge and common gavel; they are thus explained:  The
twenty four inch gauge is an instrument made use of by operative Masons to
measure and lay out their work, but we as Free and Accepted Masons, make
use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time.
The twenty four inches of the gauge, are emblematical of twenty -four
hours in the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts,
whereby we find eight hours for the service of God, and worthy distressed
brother; eight hours for our usual vocations, and eight for refreshment
and sleep; the common gavel is an instrument made use of by operative
Masons to break off the corners of rough stones,, the better to fit them
for the builder's use; but we as Free and Accepted Masons, use it for the
more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of
all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds as
living and lively stones, for that spiritual building, that house not made
with hands, eternal in the Heavens.  I also present you with a new name;
it is CAUTION; it teaches you as you are barely instructed in the
rudiments of Masonry, that you should be cautious over all your words and
actions, particularly when before the enemies of Masonry.  I shall next
present you with three precious jewels, which are a LISTENING EAR, A
SILENT TONGUE, and a FAITHFUL HEART.  A listening ear teaches you to
listen to the instructions of the Worshipful Master; but more especially
that you should listen to the cries of a worthy distressed brother.  A
silent tongue teaches you to be silent while in the Lodge, that the peace
and harmony thereof, may not be disturbed, but more especially, that you
should be silent before the enemies of Masonry, that the craft may not be
brought into disrepute by your imprudence.  A faithful heart teaches you
to be faithful to the instructions of the Worshipful Master at all times,
but more especially, that you should be faithful and keep and conceal the
secrets of Masonry, and those of a brother when given to you in charge as
such, that they may remain as secure and involiable in your breast as his
own, before communicated to you.  I further present you with the check
words two; their names are TRUTH and UNION, are thus explained:  Truth is
a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue; to be good and
true, is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry; on this theme we
contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct; hence,
while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among
us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and tongue
join in promoting each other's welfare, and rejoicing in each other's
prosperity.  Union, is that kind of friendship which ought to appear
conspicuous in every Mason's conduct.  It is so closely allied to the
divine attribute, truth, that he who enjoys the one, is seldom destitute
of the other.  Should interest, honor, prejudice, or human depravity, ever
induce you to violate any part of the sacred trust we now repose in you,
let these two important words, at the earliest insinuation, teach you to
put on the check-line of truth, which will infallibly direct you to pursue
that straight and narrow path which ends in the full enjoyment of the
Grand Lodge above; where we shall all meet as Masons and members of the
same family, in peace, harmony, and love; where all discord on account of
politics, religion, or private opinion shall be unknown, and banished from
within our walls.  "Brother, it has been a custom from time immemorial to
demand, or ask from a newly made brother, something of a metallic kind, not
so much on account of its intrinsic value, but that it may be deposited in
the archives of the Lodge, as a memorial that you was herein made a Mason;
-- a small trifle will be sufficient; even a button will do."  [The
candidate says he has nothing