“All this I most solemnly, sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steady resolution to perform the same, without any hesitation, mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind what-ever, binding myself, under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in two, 1 my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven, that no more remembrance might be had of so vile and wicked a wretch as I would be, should I ever, knowingly, violate this my Master Mason’s obligation. So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same.”
W. M.–You will detach your hands and kiss the book. In your present condition, what do you most desire?
Candidate (prompted by conductor.)–Further light in Masonry.
W. M.–Let him receive further light.
Conductor here takes off the hoodwink and removes the cable-tow, and all around the altar place their hands in the position of the duegard of a Master Mason. (See Fig. 5, p. 17.) The Worshipful Master gives one rap with his gavel, when all the brethren retire to their seats, leaving at the altar the Master, conductor, and candidate.
W. M.–Brother Gabe, on receiving further light, you perceive more than you have heretofore. Both points of the compasses are elevated above the square, which is to teach you never to lose sight of those truly Masonic virtues, which are friendship, morality, and brotherly love.
The Master now steps back about three paces from the altar, and says.
Brother Gabe, you discover me approaching you from the east, under the duegard (some say–step, duegard, and sign) of a Master Mason; and, in token of the further continuance of my brotherly love and favor, I present. you with my right hand, and with it the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason.
Takes the candidate by the “real grip” of a Fellow Craft, and says.
Your conductor will answer for you.
W. M.–Will you be off or from?
Conductor–From.
W. M.–From what and to what?
p. 97
Conductor–From the “real grip” of a Fellow Craft to the pass grip of a Master Mason.
FIG. 16. PASS GRIP OF A MASTER MASON.
W. M.–Pass.
Conductor here instructs candidate to pass his thumb from the second joint to space beyond, which is the second space.
W. M. (looking conductor in the eye.)–What is that?
Conductor–The pass grip of a Master Mason.
W. M.–Has it a name?
Conductor–It has.
W. M.–Will you give it me?
Conductor–I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it.
W. M.–How will you dispose of it?
Conductor–I will letter it or halve it.
W. M.–Halve it, and begin.
Conductor–No, you begin.
W. M.–Begin you.
Conductor–Tu.
W. M.–Bal.
Conductor–Cain. (Pronounced by the conductor–Tubal Cain.)1
W. M. (lifting the candidate up.)–You will arise, and salute the Junior and Senior Wardens as an obligated Master Mason.
Here Lodges differ in their mode of work; some only pass the candidate around the Lodge once, and as he passes the Junior and Senior Wardens he gives the Master’s sign. (See Fig. 6, p. 18.) The Master should instruct the candidate (and he generally does) how to make the signs before he gets up from the altar, after taking the obligation.
The following appears to be the proper way:–After the candidate gets up from the altar, the conductor should lead him from the altar direct to the Junior Warden’s station in the south,
p. 98
and give three raps on the floor with his rod, the Junior Warden responding by three raps with his gavel.
J. W.–Who comes here?
Conductor–Brother Gabe, an obligated Master Mason.
J. W.–How shall I know him to be such?
Conductor–By the pass and token of the pass of a Master Mason.
J. W. (offering his hand to candidate.)–Advance the token. (They take hold of each other’s hands by the real grip of a Fellow Craft. See real grip of a Fellow Craft, Fig. 12, p. 67.)
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FIG. 16. PASS GRIP OF A MASTER MASON.
