Union is that kind of friendship that ought to appear conspicuous in the
conduct of every Mason.  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 influence 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 one
family; where all discord on account of religion, politics, or private
opinion, shall be unknown and banished from within our walls.
Q.  What followed?
A.  The Worshipful Master in the East made a demand of me of something of
a metallic kind, which, he said, was not so much on account of its
intrinsic value, as that it might be deposited in the archives of the
Lodge, as a memorial that I had therein been made a Mason.
Q.  How did the Worshipful Master then dispose of you?
A.  He ordered me to be conducted out of the Lodge and invested of what I
had been divested, and return for further instructions.
Q.  After you returned how was you disposed of?
A.  I was conducted to the Northeast corner of the Lodge, and there caused
to stand upright like a man, my feet forming a square, and received a
solemn injunction, ever to walk and act uprightly before God and man, and
in addition thereto received the following charge.  [For this charge see
pages 7 and 8.]

SECOND SECTION.
Question.  why was you divested of all metals when you was made a Mason?
Answer.  Because Masonry regards no man on account of his worldly wealth
or honors; it is therefore the internal, and not the external
qualifications that recommends a man to Masons.
Q.  A second reason?
A.  There was neither the sound of an axe, hammer, or any other metal tool
heard at the building of King Solomon's temple.
Q.  How could so stupendous a fabric be erected without the sound of axe,
hammer or any other metal tool?
A.  All the stones were hewed, squared and numbered in the quarries where
they were raised, all the timbers felled and prepared in the forests of
Lebanon, and carried down to Joppa on floats, and taken from thence up to
Jerusalem and set up with wooden malls, prepared for that purpose;  which,
when completed, every part thereof fitted with that exact nicety, that it
had more the resemblance of the handy workmanship of the Supreme Architect
of the Universe, than of human hands.
Q.  Why was you neither naked nor clothed?
A.  As I was an object of distress at that time, it was to remind me, if
ever I saw a friend, more especially a brother, in a like distressed
situation, that I should contribute as liberally to his relief as his
situation required, and my abilities would admit, without material injury
to myself or family.
Q.  Why was you neither barefoot nor shod?
A.  It was an ancient Israelitish custom, adopted among Masons; and we
read in the Book of Ruth concerning their mode and manner of changing and
redeeming, and to confirm all things, a brother plucked off his shoe and
gave it to his neighbor, and that was a testimony in Israel.  This then,
therefore, we do in confirmation of a token, and as a pledge of our
fidelity; thereby signifying that we will renounce our own will in all
things, and become obedient to the laws of our ancient institutions.
Q.  Why was you hood-winked?
A.  That my heart might conceive before my eyes beheld the beauties of
Masonry?
Q.  A second reason?
A.  As I was in darkness at the time, it was to remind me that  should
keep the whole world so respecting Masonry.
Q.  Why had you a cable-tow about your neck?
A.  In case I had not submitted to the manner and mode of my initiation
that I might have been led out of the Lodge without seeing the form and
beauties thereof.
Q.  Why did you give three distinct knocks at the door?
A.  To alarm the Lodge, and let the Worshipful Master, Wardens and
brethren know that a poor blind candidate prayed admission.
Q.  What do those three distinct knocks allude to?
A.  A certain passage in Scripture wherein it says "ask and it shall be
given, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."
Q.  How did you apply this to your then case in Masonry?
A.  I asked the recommendations of a friend to become a Mason; I sought
admission through his recommendations and knocked, and the door of Masonry
opened upon me.
Q.  Why was you caused to enter on the point of some sharp instrument
pressing your naked left breast in the name of the Lord?
A.  As this was a torture to my flesh, so might the recollection of it
ever be to my flesh and conscience, if ever I attempted to reveal the
secrets of Masonry unlawfully.
Q.  Why was you conducted to the centre of the Lodge and there caused to
kneel for the benefit of a prayer?
A.  Before entering on this, or any other great and important undertaking,
it is highly necessary to implore a blessing from Deity.
Q.  Why was you asked in whom you put your trust?
A.  Agreeably to the laws of our ancient institution, no Atheist could be
made a Mason; it was therefore necessary that I should believe in Deity,
otherwise, no oath or obligation could bind me.
Q.  Why did the Worshipful Master take you by the right hand, and bid you
rise, follow you leader, and fear no danger?
A.  As I was in darkness at that time, and could neither forsee nor avoid
danger, it was to remind me that I was in the hands of an affectionate
friend, in whose fidelity I might with safety confide.
Q.  Why was you conducted three times