Opening in the First Degree

Worshipful Master gavels once, repeated by Senior Warden and Junior Warden
WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge.
All rise.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every Mason?
JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
WM: Direct that duty to be done.
JW: Brother Inner Guard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
IG goes to door, does not open it, gives three distinct knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler responds with same knocks.
IG, no Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled.
JW three distinct knocks, no Sign, to WM: The Lodge is properly tyled.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, the next care?
SW: To see that none but Masons are present.
WM: To order Brethren in the First Degree.
All take Step with Entered Apprentice Sign.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, how many principal officers are there in the Lodge?
SW: Three: the Worshipful Master and the Senior and Junior Wardens.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, how many assistant officers are there?
SW: Three, besides the Tyler or Outer Guard: namely, the Senior and Junior Deacons and the Inner Guard.
WM to JW: The situation of the Tyler?
JW: Outside the door of the Lodge.
WM: His duty?
JW: Being armed with a drawn sword to keep off all intruders and cowans to Masonry and to see that the Candidate's are properly prepared.
WM to SW: The situation of the Inner Guard?
SW: Within the entrance of the Lodge.
WM: His duty?
SW: To admit Masons on proof, receive the Candidate's in due form, and obey the commands of he Junior Warden.
WM to JW: The situation of the Junior Deacon?
JW: At the right of the Senior Warden.
WM: His duty?
JW: To carry all messages and communications of the Worshipful Master from the Senior to the Junior Warden, and to see that the same are punctually obeyed.
WM to SW: The situation of the Senior Deacon?
SW: At or near to the right of the Worshipful Master
WM: His duty?
SW: To bear all messages and commands from the Worshipful Master to the Senior Warden, and await the return of the Junior Deacon.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, your place in the Lodge?
JW: In the South.
WM: Why are you placed there?
JW: To mark the sun at its meridian, to call the Brethren from labour to refreshment and from refreshment to labour, that profit and pleasure may be the result.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, your place in the Lodge?
SW: In the West.
WM: Why are you placed there?
SW: To mark the setting sun, to close the Lodge by command of the Worshipful Master, after having seen that every Brother has had his due.
WM to SW: The Master’s place?
SW: In the East.
WM: Why is he placed there?
SW: As the sun rises in the East to open and enliven the day, so the Worshipful Master is placed in the East to open the Lodge, and employ and instruct the Brethren in Freemasonry.
WM: The Lodge being duly formed, before I declare it open, let us invoke the assistance of the Great Architect of the Universe in all our undertakings; may our labours, thus begun in order, be conducted in peace, and closed in harmony.
Immediate Past Master: So mote it be.
WM: Brethren, in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe, I declare the Lodge duly open all cut Sign for the purposes of Freemasonry in the First Degree.
WM gives EA-gavel.
SW gives EA-gavel and raises Cn.
JW gives EA-gavel and lowers Cn.
IG goes to door, gives EA knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler responds with same knocks.
Immediate Past Master, meanwhile, opens Volume of Sacred Law and arranges Square and Compass.
Volume of Sacred Law is placed so that Worshipful Master can read it; points of the Compass are directed to Worshipful Master and hidden by the arms of the Square angle towards Worshipful Master.
WM sits when this has been completed.
All the brethren take their seats when the Worshipful Master sits.
 

Ceremony of Passing

JD goes to Candidate, takes him by right hand and leads him to position North of SW’s pedestal both facing East and releases hand.
WM: Brethren, Brother … is this evening a Candidate to be passed to the Second Degree, but it is first requisite that he give proofs of proficiency in the former. I shall therefore proceed to put the necessary questions.
Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?
JD must be prepared, if necessary, to prompt Candidate.
Candidate: In my heart.
WM: Where next?
Candidate: In a convenient room adjoining the Lodge.
WM: Describe the mode of your preparation.
Candidate: I was divested of metal and hoodwinked. My right arm, left breast, and knee were made bare, my right heel was slipshod and a cable-tow placed about my neck.
WM: Where were you made a Mason?
Candidate: In the body of a Lodge, just, perfect, and regular.
WM: And when?
Candidate: When the sun was at its meridian.
WM: In this country Freemasons’ Lodges are usually held in the evening; how do you account for that which at first view appears a paradox?
Candidate: The earth constantly revolving on its axis in its orbit round the sun and Freemasonry being universally spread over its surface, it necessarily follows that the sun must always be at its meridian with respect to Freemasonry.
WM: What is Freemasonry?
Candidate: A peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
WM: Name the grand principles in which the Order is founded.
Candidate: Brotherly love, relief and truth.
WM: Who are fit and proper persons to be made Masons?
Candidate: Just, upright and free men., of mature age, sound judgement, and strict morals.
WM: How do you know yourself to be a Mason?
Candidate: By the regularity of my initiation, repeated trials and approbations, and a willingness at all times to undergo an examination when properly called on.
WM: How do you demonstrate the proof of your being a Mason to others?
Candidate: By signs, tokens. and the perfect points of my entrance.
WM: These are the usual questions: I will put others if any Brother wishes me to do so.
JD conducts Candidate by right hand direct to North-side of WM’s pedestal and a convenient distance from it, both facing South. Releases hand.
WM: Do you pledge your honour as a man, and your fidelity as a Mason,, that you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of being passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft?
JD prompting Candidate aloud: I do.
WM: Do you likewise pledge yourself that you will conceal what I shall now impart to you with the same strict caution as the other secrets in Masonry?
JD prompting Candidate aloud: I do.
WM: Then I will entrust you with a test of merit, which is a pass grip and pass word leading to the Degree to which you seek to be admitted. WM rises, faces Candidate, and takes the latter’s right hand in his own right hand and holds it; The pass grip is given adjusts pass grip by placing Candidate's thumb in position before placing his own by a distinct pressure of the thumb between the first and second joints of the hand. This pass grip demands a pass word, which is Shibboleth.
JD, prompting Candidate, speaks word aloud,
WM: Shibboleth denotes plenty and is usually depicted in our Lodges by an ear of corn near to a fall of water. You must be particularly careful to remember this word, as without it you can not gain admission into a Lodge in a superior degree. Pass Shibboleth. Restores Candidate's right hand to left hand of JD and sits.
JD guiding Candidate, makes a clockwise wheel and conducts Candidate direct to North of SW’s pedestal. Here he wheels Candidate clockwise so as to face East and releases hand.
JD to Candidate aloud: Salute the Worshipful Master as a Mason. Instructs Candidate in whisper to take Step, give EA-Sign and cut it.
JD takes Candidate by right hand, makes anti-clockwise wheel with Candidate and conducts him to door.
IG goes to door in front of JD and opens it, closing and locking it again when Candidate has gone out.
IG and JD return to seats.
 

The Passing
Opening in the Second Degree

WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW.
WM: Brethren, assist me to open the Lodge in the Second Degree.
All rise, if not already standing.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the first care of every Fellow Craft Freemason?
JW: To see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
WM: Direct that duty to be done.
JW: Brother Inner Guard, see that the Lodge is properly tyled.
IG goes to door, gives EA-knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler responds with same knocks.
IG takes Step and gives EA Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is properly tyled. Cuts Sign.
JW gives EA-knocks, takes Step and gives EA-Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is properly tyled. Cuts Sign.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, the next care?
SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as Masons.
WM: To order, Brethren, in the First Degree.
All take Step, with EA-Sign.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, are you a Fellow Craft Freemason?
JW: I am, Worshipful Master, try me and prove me.
WM: By what instrument in architecture will you be proved?
JW: The Square.
WM: What is a Square?
JW: An angle of 90 Degrees, or the fourth part of a Circle.
WM: Being yourself acquainted with the proper method, you will prove the Brethren Craftsmen, and demonstrate that proof to me by copying their example.
JW: Brethren, it is the Worshipful Master's command that you prove yourselves Craftsmen.
All, except WM and JW cut EA-Sign, take Step with FC-Sign.
JW having assured himself that all have proved themselves: Worshipful Master, the Brethren themselves Craftsmen, and in obedience to your command I thus copy their example. Cuts EA-Sign, takes Step with FC-Sign.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, I acknowledge the correctness of the Sign. Cuts EA-Sign, takes Step with FC-Sign.
WM: Before we open the Lodge in the Second Degree, let us supplicate the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, that the rays of Heaven may shed their influence to enlighten us in the paths of virtue and science.
Immediate Past Master: So mote it be.
WM: Brethren, in the name of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, I declare the Lodge duly open on the Square for the instruction and improvement of Craftsmen.
WM gives FC-knocks quietly, repeated by SW and JW, both quietly.
IG gives FC-knocks by right hand on left sleeve
Immediate Past Master exposes one point of Compass. WM sits when this has been completed.
All sit.
Tyler prepares Candidate baring his left breast, left arm, right knee. Left foot of Candidate is slipshod. He wears his Apprentice Apron with the Triangular flap up.
Tyler gives EA-knocks on door. This informs Lodge that a Candidate for Passing is at the door of the Lodge.
IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report.
JW, no knocks, rises, takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Worshipful Master, there is a report.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, inquire who wants admission.
JW cuts Sign and sits: Brother Inner Guard, see who wants admission.
IG cuts Sign, goes to door, opens it, checks that Candidate is properly prepared and remains on threshold with hand on door handle: Whom have you there?
Tyler: Brother … who has been regularly initiated into Freemasonry and has made such progress as he hopes will recommend him to be passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft, for which ceremony he is property prepared.
IG: How does he hope to obtain the privileges of the Second Degree?
Tyler: By the help of God, the assistance of the Square and the benefit of a pass word.
IG: Is he in possession of the pass word?
Tyler: Will you prove him?
IG receives pass grip and pass word from Candidate.
IG: Halt while I report to the Worshipful Master. IG closes and locks door, returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and gives FC-Sign, which he holds.
IG: Worshipful Master, Brother … who has been regularly initiated into Freemasonry and has made such progress as he hopes will recommend him to be passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft, for which ceremony he is properly prepared.
WM: How does he hope to obtain the privileges of the Second Degree?
IG: By the help of God, the assistance of the Square and the benefit of a pass word.
WM: We acknowledge the propriety of the aid by which he seeks admission. Do you, Brother Inner Guard, vouch that he is in possession of the pass word?
IG: I do, Worshipful Master.
WM: Then let him be admitted in due form.
IG cuts Sign.
WM: Brother Deacons.
JD places kneeling stool in position.
IG takes Square and goes to door followed by JD and SD, SD on left.
IG opens door, retaining hold on it, and applies the angle of the Square to Candidate's naked left breast, and then raises Square above his head to show that he has so applied it.
SD with left hand takes Candidate by right hand, JD on Candidate's left, and leads him to the kneeling stool; about one short pace from it and releases hand. All three stand facing East.
IG after Candidate is admitted closes and locks door and resumes his seat.
SD: Advance as a Mason.
WM: Let the Candidate kneel while the blessing of Heaven is invoked on what we are about to do.
SD ensures Candidate kneels and gives Sign of Reverence.
WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW.
Deacons hold wands in left hand, cross them over head of Candidate. And give Sign of Reverence.
All give Sign of Reverence.
WM: We supplicate the continuance of Thine aid, O merciful Lord, on behalf of ourselves and him who kneels before Thee. May the work begun in Thy Name be continued to Thy Glory and evermore established in us by obedience to Thy precepts.
Immediate Past Master: So mote it be.
All drop Sign of Reverence.
Deacons uncross wands and hold them again in right hand.
WM: Let the Candidate rise.
WM sits.
All except Deacons and Candidate sit.
JD draws kneeling stool aside to his left, out of way of SD and Candidate.
SD takes Candidate's right hand firmly, instructs him in a whisper to step off with the left foot and leads Candidate up North towards Eastern part of Lodge.
JD as soon as SD and Candidate have moved off replaces kneeling stool in normal position and resumes seat.
SD leads Candidate to North-East corner where they square the Lodge. SD instructs Candidate to step off with left foot and proceeds with him to point in front of WM’s pedestal, halts there and releases hand.
SD: Salute the Worshipful Master as a Mason.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with left foot and conducts him to South-East corner where they again square the Lodge. SD again instructs Candidate to step off with left foot and conducts him to East-side of JW’s pedestal where they stand parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance from it. Releases hand.
SD: Advance to the JW as such, showing the Sign and communicating the Token and Word .
JW: Have you anything to communicate?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I have.
JW rises, faces Candidate with Step and offers hand.
SD places right hand of Candidate in that of JW and adjusts EA-grip from above.
JW gives grip after SD has adjusted Candidate's right thumb and retains grip throughout the whole of the colloquy: What is this?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Grip or Token of an Entered Apprentice Freemason.
JW: What does it demand?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: A word.
JW: Give me that word freely and at length.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Boaz.
JW: Pass. Replaces Candidate's right hand in left hand of SD and sits.
SD leads Candidate on to floor of Lodge, instructs him to step off with left foot and leads him via South-West corner which is squared to a point in front of SW’s pedestal, halts and releases hand.
SD: Salute the Senior Warden as a Mason.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with left foot and leads him to North of SW’s pedestal, wheels clockwise so that both face WM and releases hand.
WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW.
WM: The Brethren will take notice that Brother ..., who has been regularly initiated into Freemasonry, is about to pass in view before them, to show that he is the Candidate properly prepared to be passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with left foot and leads him up North-side of Lodge, squares North-East corner as before, halts in front of WM’s pedestal, and releases hand.
SD: Salute the Worshipful Master as a Mason.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with left foot and continues perambulation, squaring South-East corner, halts in front of JW’s pedestal and releases hand.
SD: Salute the Junior Warden as a Mason.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with the left foot and continues perambulation, squaring South-West corner, leads Candidate to South of SW’s pedestal where they stand parallel to pedestal and at a convenient distance from it. Releases hand.
SD: Advance to the Senior Warden as such, showing the Sign and communicating the pass grip and pass word you received from the Worshipful Master, previously to leaving the Lodge.
SW: Have you anything to communicate?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I have.
SW rises, faces Candidate and offers hand. SD places Candidate's right hand in that of SW and with left hand adjusts pass grip from above.
SW gives pass grip after SD has adjusted Candidate's right thumb and retains pass grip throughout colloquy.
SW: What is this?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The pass grip leading from the First to the Second Degree.
SW: What does this pass grip demand?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: A pass word.
SW: Give me that pass word.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Shibboleth.
SW: What does Shibboleth denote?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Plenty.
SW: How is it usually depicted in our Lodges?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: By an ear of corn near to a fall of water.
SW: Pass, Shibboleth. Replaces Candidate's right hand in left hand of SD and remains standing.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with left foot and conducts him to North-side of SW’s pedestal. Here he makes an anti-clockwise wheel and places Candidate's right hand in left of SW; he lines up on left of Candidate and ensures both are facing East.
SW holding up Candidate's right hand, takes Step, and gives Sign of Fidelity: Worshipful Master, I present to you Brother …, a Candidate properly prepared to be passed to the Second Degree.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, you will direct the Senior Deacon to instruct the Candidate to advance to the East in due form.
SW cuts Sign, replaces Candidate's right hand in left hand of SD, and sits.
SD takes up a position on right of Candidate, ensures both face East and releases hand.
SW: Brother Senior Deacon, it is the Worshipful Master's command that you instruct the Candidate to advance to the East in due form.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, instructs him to step off with left foot and leads Candidate up North-side of Lodge to a convenient distance from North-East corner and turns with him so as to face South. Leaving Candidate, SD moves forward to center line of Lodge, turns and faces Candidate.
SD: The method of advancing from West to East in this Degree is by five steps, as if ascending a winding staircase. For your information I will go through them, and you will afterwards copy me.
SD then turns about, and stands at a point opposite WM’s pedestal and about three paces from it, facing South. He places his feet at right angles, heel to heel, right foot pointing West and left foot pointing South. He steps off with the left foot, lifting his feet at each step as if ascending a winding staircase. In doing so he completes a semi-circle starting on the center line of Lodge and also finishing on it in front of WM’s pedestal with right foot pointing East, left foot pointing North, heel to heel.
SD then returns to Candidate, following the semi-circular line in the reverse direction. He then places Candidate at the same point opposite WM’s pedestal, releases hand and instructs him to go through prescribed steps by standing in front of him and indicating with wand where Candidate's feet should fall. He then places himself on Candidate's right as he completes steps.
JD goes to WM’s pedestal and stands on Candidate's left at same time as Candidate and SD arrive there. All three are now in front of WM’s pedestal, SD on right and JD on left of Candidate, all facing East.
WM: As in every case the Degrees in Freemasonry are to be kept separate and distinct, another Obligation will now be required of you, in many respects similar to the former. Are you willing to take it?
Candidate: I am.
WM: Then you will kneel on your right knee, your left foot formed in a square, place your right hand on the Volume of Sacred Law, while your left arm will be supported in the angle of the square.
SD takes Square and passes it behind Candidate to JD.
JD arranges arm of Candidate in angle of Square as in Hailing Sign, arm forwards at right arm to body forearm to arm and thumb projecting backwards. JD supports Square in his right hand.
WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW.
Deacons hold wands in left hand, cross them over head of Candidate; both take Step. SD gives Sign of Fidelity.
All stand, with Step and Sign
WM: Repeat your name at length and say after me:
I, …, in the presence of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe and of this worthy and worshipful Lodge of Fellow Craft Freemasons, regularly held, assembled, and properly dedicated, of my own free will and accord, do hereby and hereon solemnly promise and swear that I will always hele, conceal, and never improperly reveal any or either of the secrets or mysteries of or belonging to the Second Degree in Freemasonry, denominated the Fellow Crafts to him who is but an Entered Apprentice, any more than I would either of them to the uninstructed and popular world who are not Masons. I further solemnly pledge myself to act as a true and faithful Craftsman, answer Signs, obey summonses, and maintain the principles inculcated in the former degree. The several points I solemnly swear to observe without evasion, equivocation or mental reservation of any kind.
So help me, Almighty God, and keep me in this my solemn Obligation of a Fellow Craft Freemason.
All cut Sign.
Deacons lower wands to right hand.
JD removes Square, and passes it behind Candidate to SD, who replaces it; JD lowers Candidate's left hand to his side.
WM: As a pledge of your Fidelity, and to render this a Solemn Obligation which might otherwise be considered but a serious promise, you will seal it with your lips twice on the Volume of Sacred Law.
Your progress in Masonry is marked by the position of the Square and Compasses. When you were made an Entered Apprentice, both points were hid; in this Degree one is disclosed, implying that you are now in the midway of Freemasonry, superior to an Entered Apprentice, but inferior to that to which I trust you will hereafter attain.
WM takes Candidate's right hand from Volume of Sacred Law with his right hand: Rise, newly obligated Fellow Craft Freemason. Restores Candidate's right hand to SD.
JD returns to seat.
WM sits.
All, except SD and Candidate sit.
SD takes Candidate's right hand, turns left and conducts him to North-side of WM’s pedestal so that both are in a position parallel to the pedestal and about two feet from it, facing South towards WM, and releases hand.
WM: Having taken the Solemn Obligation of a Fellow Craft, I shall proceed to entrust you with the secrets of the Degree. You will therefore advance to me as at your initiation.
You will now take another short pace towards me with your left foot, bringing the right hand into its hollow as before. That is the second regular step in Freemasonry, and it is in this position that the Secrets of the Degree are communicated. They consist, as in the former instance, of a Sign, Token, and Word, with this difference, that in this Degree the Sign is of a three-fold nature.
WM rises, faces Candidate, with Step.
WM: The first part of the threefold Sign is called the Sign of Fidelity and is given b placing the right hand on the left breast with the thumb extended in the form of a square, WM illustrates and ensures Candidate copies, emblematically to shield the repository of your secrets from the attacks of the insidious. The second part is called the Hailing Sign, or Sign of Perseverance, and is given by throwing up the left hand with the thumb level extended in the form of a square WM illustrates and ensures Candidate copies. This took its rise at the time that Joshua fought the battles of the Lord, when it was in this position he prayed fervently to the Almighty to continue the light of day, that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies. The third part is the Penal Sign and is given by dropping the left hand, drawing the right smartly across the breast and dropping it to the side. WM illustrates and ensures Candidate copies.
This is in allusion to the symbolic penalty at one time included in the Obligation in this degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a Fellow Craft Freemason would rather have had his heart torn from his breast than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him. The full penalty was that of having the left breast laid open, the heart tore therefrom, and given to the ravenous birds of the air, or devouring beasts from the field as a prey.
The Grip or Token is given takes Candidate's right hand adjusts grip by placing Candidate's thumb in position before placing his own by a distinct pressure of the thumb on the second joint of the hand. This Grip or Token demands a word, a word to be given with the same strict caution as that in the former degree; that is to say, never at length, but always by letters or syllables, to enable you to do which I must tell you that the word is Jachin.
SD repeats word aloud and ensures Candidate repeats it aloud after him.
WM spells word.
SD spells word aloud and ensures Candidate spells it aloud after him.
WM, retaining grip: As in the course of the ceremony you will be called on for this word the SD will now dictate the answers you are to give. What is this?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Grip or Token of a Fellow Craft Freemason.
WM: What does it demand?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: A word.
WM: Give me that word.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I was taught to be cautious in this Degree as well as in the former. I will letter or halve it with you.
WM: Which you please and begin.
SD: Ja.
WM: Chin.
SD: Jachin.
WM: This word is derived from the right hand pillar at the porchway or entrance of King Solomon's Temple, so named after Jachin, the Assistant High Priest who officiated at its dedication. The import of the word is, To establish; and when conjoined with that in the former Degree, stability, for God said, ‘In strength I will establish this Mine house to stand firm for ever’. Pass Jachin. WM places right hand of Candidate in left hand of SD and sits.
SD turns right, controlling Candidate by holding his right hand regains floor of Lodge, turns left, instructs Candidate in whisper to step off with left foot passes in front of WM’s pedestal to South-East corner of Lodge which they square. He leads Candidate to East side of JW’s pedestal where they stand parallel to pedestal and a convenient distance from it and releases hand.
SD rests butt of wand on floor with top resting against right shoulder. Takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Brother JW, I present to you Brother …, on his being passed to the Second Degree.
JW: I will thank Brother … to advance to me as a Fellow Craft.
SD instructs Candidate in whisper to take Step, give FC-Sign and then to cut Sign, and ensures Candidate does so.
JW: Have you anything to communicate?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I have.
JW rises, faces Candidate, takes Step and offers hand.
SD places Candidate's right hand in that of JW, adjusting grip from above.
JW gives grip after SD has adjusted Candidate's right thumb: What is this?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Grip or Token of a Fellow Craft Freemason.
JW: What does it demand?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: A word.
JW: Give me that word.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I was taught to be cautious in this Degree as well as in the former; I will letter or half it with you.
JW: Which you please, and begin.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: J.
JW: A.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: C.
JW: H.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I.
JW: N.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Ja.
JW: Chin.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Jachin.
JW: Pass Jachin. Replaces Candidate's right hand in left hand of SD and sits.
SD leads Candidate via South-West corner, squaring as before, to South of SW’s pedestal both Candidate and SD facing North, parallel to SW’s pedestal and a convenient distance from it and releases hand.
SD rests butt of wand on floor with top resting against right shoulder, takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Brother Senior Warden, I present to you Brother ... on his being passed to the Second Degree. Cuts Sign and takes wand in right hand again.
SW: I will thank Brother … to advance to me as a Fellow Craft, first as an Entered Apprentice.
SD instructs Candidate in whisper to take Step, give EA-Sign and cut it and to take second Step ensuring he does not give FC-Sign at this stage.
SW: What is that?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The second regular step in Freemasonry.
SW: Do you bring anything else?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I do.
SD instructs Candidate to give and hold Sign of Fidelity and ensures he does so.
SW: What is that?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Sign of Fidelity, emblematically to shield the repository of my secrets from the attacks of the insidious.
SW: Do you bring anything else?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I do.
SD instructs Candidate to give and hold Hailing Sign, and ensures he does so.
SW: What is that?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Hailing Sign or Sign of Perseverance.
SW: When did it take its rise?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: At the time that Joshua fought the battles of the Lord, when it was in this position he prayed fervently to the Almighty to continue the light of darkness that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies.
SW: Do you bring anything else?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I do.
SD instructs Candidate to cut both parts of Sign in sequence and ensures he does so.
SW: What is that?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Penal Sign.
SW: To what does it allude?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The symbolic penalty of this degree, which implied that, as a man of honour, a Fellow Craft Freemason would rather have had his heart torn from his breast than improperly disclose the secrets entrusted to him.
SW: Have you anything to communicate?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I have.
SW rises, faces Candidate, takes Step and offers hand.
SD places Candidate's right hand in that of SW and adjusts grip from above with left hand.
SW gives grip after SD has adjusted Candidate's right thumb: What is this?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: The Grip or Token of a Fellow Craft Freemason.
SW: What does it demand?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: A word.
SW: Give me that word.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: I was taught to be cautious in this Degree as well as in the former; I will letter or halve it with you.
SW: Which you please and begin.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Ja.
SW: Chin.
SD prompting Candidate aloud: Jachin.
SW: Whence is this word derived?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: From the right hand pillar at the porchway or entrance of King Solomon's Temple, so named after Jachin, the Assistant High Priest who officiated at its dedication.
SW: The import of the word?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: To establish.
SW: And what when conjoined with that in the former Degree?
SD prompting Candidate aloud: stability, for God said ‘In strength I will establish this Mine house to stand firm for ever’.
SW: Pass, Jachin. Replaces Candidate's right hand in left hand of SD and remains standing.
SD takes Candidate by right hand and leads him to North side of SW’s pedestal by passing in front of it. He then makes an anti-clockwise wheel, places Candidate's right hand in left hand of SW, and lining up on left of Candidate ensures they are both facing East.
SW raises Candidate's right, takes Step and gives Sign of Fidelity: Worshipful Master, I present to you Brother … on his being passed to the Second Degree for some further mark of your favour.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, I delegate you to invest him with the distinguishing badge of a Fellow Craft Freemason.
SW cuts Sign, releases Candidate's hand and with Candidate facing him puts on him badge of Fellow Craft Freemason.
SW picks up lower right hand corner of badge with his left hand: Brother …, by the Worshipful Master's command I invest you with the distinguishing badge of a Fellow Craft Freemason to mark the progress you have made in the science. With his left hand restores Candidate's right hand to left hand of SD and sits.
SD takes Candidate's right hand from SW. positions himself on right of Candidate both facing East and releases hand.
WM: Let me add to what has been stated by the Senior Warden that the badge with which you have now been invested points out that, as a Craftsman, you are expected to make the liberal Arts and Sciences your future study, that you may the better be enabled to discharge your duties as a Mason and estimate the wonderful works of the Almighty.
Brother Senior Deacon, you will place our Brother at the South-Eastern part of the Lodge.
SD takes Candidate's right hand and leads him to South-Eastern part, squaring at North-East and South-East corners. Both face North as near as convenient to the corner of the Lodge. Releases hand.
SD: Right foot across the Lodge, left foot down the Lodge; pay attention to the Worshipful Master.
WM: Masonry being a progressive science, when you were made an Entered Apprentice you were placed at the North-Eastern part of the Lodge to show that you were newly admitted; you are now placed at the South-Eastern part to mark the progress you have made in the science. You now stand to all external appearance a just and upright Fellow Craft Freemason, and I give it you in strong terms of recommendation ever to continue and act as such; and as I trust the import of the former charge neither is nor ever will be effaced from your memory, I shall content myself with observing that, as in the previous Degree you made yourself acquainted with the principles of Moral Truth and Virtue, you are now permitted to extend your researches into the hidden mysteries of Nature and Science.
Immediate Past Master places working tools in readiness on WM’s pedestal.
SD takes Candidate's right hand places him in front of WM in a position as close as convenient to pedestal from which he Candidate see working tools. Releases hand.
WM: I now present to you the working tools of a Fellow Craft Freemason, they are the Square, Level and Plumb Rule. The Square is to try, and adjust rectangular corners of buildings, and assist in bringing rude matter into due form; the Level to lay levels and prove horizontals; the Plumb Rule to try, and adjust uprights while fixing them on their proper bases. But as we are not all operative Masons, but rather free and accepted, or speculative, we apply these tools to our morals. In this sense, the Square teaches morality, the Level equality, and the Plumb Rule justness and uprightness of life and actions. Thus by square conduct, level steps, and upright intentions we hope to ascend to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates.
You are now at liberty to retire in order to restore yourself to your personal comforts, and on your return to the Lodge I shall call your attention to an explanation of the Tracing Board.
SD takes Candidate by right hand moves anti-clockwise so as to face West and leads Candidate directly, no squaring, to North of SW’s pedestal. Here he wheels Candidate clockwise so as to face East halts and releases hand.
SD: Salute the Worshipful Master as a Fellow Craft, first as an Entered Apprentice.
SD takes Candidate by right hand, makes an anti-clockwise wheel and takes him to door.
IG goes to door in front of SD and opens it, closing and locking it again when Candidate has gone out.
SD and IG resume seats.
While Candidate is outside Tracing Board is placed on the floor in the Center of the Lodge.
Outside Lodge Candidate resumes his ordinary dress with FC badge. When Candidate is Tyler gives FC-knocks on door of Lodge.
IG rises in front of his chair, takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Brother Junior Warden, there is a report.
JW, seated gavels once.
IG cuts Sign, goes to door, opens and looks out without speaking.
Tyler: The Candidate on his return. IG makes no reply, closes and locks door and returns to position in front of his chair, takes Step and gives FC-Sign which he holds: Worshipful Master, the Candidate on his return.
WM: Admit him.
IG cuts Sign, awaits arrival of SD and then goes to door.
SD follows IG to door.
IG opens door and admits Candidate.
SD receives Candidate and leads him by right hand to North of SW’s pedestal, both facing East. Releases hand.
IG, when SD has received Candidate, closes and locks door and resumes his seat.
SD: Salute the Worshipful Master as a Fellow Craft, first as an Entered Apprentice.
SD leads Candidate direct to West-side of Tracing Board and facing it. Releases hand.
JD goes to left side of Candidate so that all three face East in a line.
WM leaves his pedestal by the left side, goes to the East side of Tracing Board.
JD hands wand to WM.
All stand and, except Wardens and IG, gather round Tracing Board.
 

Explanation of the Second Degree Tracing Board

WM: When the Temple at Jerusalem was completed by King Solomon, its costliness and splendour became objects of admiration to the surrounding nations, and its fame spread to the remotest parts of the then known world. There was nothing, however, in connection with this magnificent structure more remarkable, or that more particularly struck the attention, than the two great Pillars which were placed at the porchway or entrance. That on the left was called Boaz, which denotes in strength; that one the right Jachin, which denotes to establish; and when conjoined stability; for God said ‘In strength I will establish this Mine house to stand firm for ever'.
The height of those Pillars was seventeen cubits and a half each, their circumference twelve, their diameter four. They were formed hollow, the better to serve as archives to Masonry, for therein were deposited the constitutional rolls. Being formed hollow, the outer rim or shell was four inches, or a hand’s-breadth, in thickness. They were made of molten brass, and were cost in the plain of Jordan in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeradathah, where King Solomon ordered those end all his holy vessels to be cast. The superintendent of the casting was Hiram Abiff.
Those Pillars were adorned with two chapiters, each five cubits high; the chapiters were enriched with network, Lily-work end pomegranates. Network, from the connection of its meshes, denotes unity, Lilly-work, from its whiteness, peace; and pomegranates, from the exuberance of their seed, denote plenty. There were two rows of pomegranates on each chapiter, one hundred in a row. Those Pillars were further adorned with two spherical balls on which ware delineated maps of the celestial and terrestrial globes, pointing out Masonry Universal. They were considered finished when the network or Canopy was thrown over them.
They were set up as a memorial to the children of Israel of that miraculous pillar of fire and cloud which had two wonderful effects. The fire gave light to the Israelites during their escape from their Egyptian bondage, and the cloud proved darkness to Pharaoh and his followers when they attempted to overtake them. King Solomon ordered them to be placed at the entrance of the Temple, as the most proper and conspicuous situation for the children of Israel to have the happy deliverance of their forefathers continually before their eyes in going to and returning from Divine worship.
At the building of King Solomon's Temple an immense number of Masons were employed. They consisted of Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts. The Entered Apprentices received a weekly allowance of corn, wine and oil; the Fellow Crafts were paid their wages in specie, which they went to receive in the middle chamber of the Temple. They got there by the porchway or entrance on the south side. After our ancient Brethren had entered the porch, they arrived at the foot of the winding staircase which led to the middle chamber. Their ascent was opposed by the Junior Warden, who demanded of them the pass grip and pass word leading from the First to the Second Degree. The pass grip you are all in possession of, and the pass word, I dare say you recollect is Shibboleth; Shibboleth denotes plenty and is here depicted by an ear of corn near to a fall of water.
The word Shibboleth dates its origin from the time that an army of Ephraimites crossed the River Jordan in a hostile manner against Jephtha, the renowned Gileaditish general. The reason they assigned for this unfriendly visit was that they had not been called out to partake of the honours of the Ammonitish war, but their true aim was to partake of the rich spoils with which, in consequence of that war, Jephtha and his army were then laden. The Ephraimites had always been considered a clamorous and turbulent people, but then broke out into open violence, and after many severe taunts to the Gileadites in general, threatened to destroy their victorious commander and his house with fire. Jephtha, on his part, tried all lenient means to appease then, but finding these ineffectual had recourse to rigorous ones. He therefore drew out his army, gave the Ephraimites battle, defeated, and put them to flight; and to render his victory decisive, and to secure himself from like molestation in future, he sent detachments of his army to secure the passages of the River Jordan, over which he knew the insurgents must of necessity attempt to go in order to regain their own country, giving strict orders to his guards that if a fugitive came that way, owning himself an Ephraimite, he should immediately be slain; but if he prevaricated, or said ‘nay’, a test word was to be put to him to pronounce; the word Shibboleth. They, from a defect in aspiration peculiar to their dialect, could not pronounce it properly but with a small variation which discovered their country and cost them their lives. And Scripture informs us that there fell on that day, on the field of battle and on the banks of the Jordan, forty and two thousand Ephraimites; and as was then a test word to distinguish friend from foe, King Solomon afterwards caused it to be adopted as a pass word in a Fellow Craft's Lodge to prevent any unqualified person ascending the winding staircase which led to the middle chamber of the Temple.
After our ancient Brethren had given those convincing proofs to the Junior Warden, he said ‘Pass Shibboleth'. They then passed up the winding staircase, consisting of three, five, seven, or more steps. Three rule a Lodge, five hold a Lodge, seven or more make it perfect. The three who rule a Lodge are the Master and his two Wardens; the five who hold a Lodge are the Master, two Wardens and two Fellow Crafts; the seven who make it perfect are two Entered Apprentices added to the former five. Three rule a Lodge because there were but three Grand Master's who bore sway at the building of the first Temple at Jerusalem, namely Solomon King of Israel, Hiram King of Tyre, and Hiram Abiff. Five hold a Lodge in allusion to the five noble orders of architecture, namely the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. Seven or more make a perfect Lodge, because King Solomon was seven years and upwards in building, completing, and dedicating the Temple at Jerusalem to God’s service. They have likewise a further allusion to the seven liberal Arts and Sciences, namely Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.
After our ancient Brethren had gained the summit of the winding staircase, they arrived at the door of the middle chamber which they found open, but properly tyled against all under the Degree of a Fellow Craft by the Senior Warden, who demanded of them the Sign, Token and Word of a Fellow Craft. After they had given him those convincing proofs he said ‘Pass Shibboleth'. They then passed into the middle chamber of the Temple, where they went to receive their wages, which they did without scruple or diffidence: without scruple, well knowing they were justly entitled to them, and without diffidence, from the great reliance they placed on the integrity of their employers in those days.
When our ancient Brethren were in the middle chamber of the Temple their attention was peculiarly drawn to certain Hebrew characters which are here depicted by the letter G, WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW, denoting God, all give Sign of Reverence, the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, to whom we must all submit and whom we ought humbly to adore.
All drop Sign of Reverence.
WM restores wand to JD and returns to his seat by North side.
JD returns to his seat.
SD leads Candidate direct to a seat and returns to his seat.
All sit.
 

Closing in the Second Degree

WM gavels once, repeated by SW and JW.
WM: Brethren, assist me to close the Lodge in the Second Degree.
All rise.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, what is the constant care of every Fellow Craft Freemason?
JW: To prove the Lodge close tyled.
WM: Direct that duty to be done.
JW: Brother Inner Guard prove the Lodge close tyled.
IG goes to door, gives FC-knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler responds with same knocks.
IG takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Brother Junior Warden, the Lodge is close tyled. Cuts Sign.
JW gives FC-knocks, takes Step and gives FC-Sign: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is close tyled. Cuts Sign.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, the next care?
SW: To see that the Brethren appear to order as Craftsmen.
WM: To order, Brethren, in the Second Degree.
All take Step with FC-Sign.
WM: Brother Junior Warden, in this position, what have you discovered?
JW: A sacred Symbol.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, where is it situated?
SW: In the Center of the building.
WM: To whom does it allude?
JW: The Grand Geometrician of the Universe.
WM: Then. Brethren, let us remember that wherever we are, and whatever we do, He is with us, and His all-seeing eye observes us, and whilst we continue to act in conformity with the principles of the Craft, let us not fail to discharge our duty to Him with fervency and zeal.
Immediate Past Master: So mote it be.
WM: Brother Senior Warden, the labours of this Degree being ended, you have my command to close the Lodge. Gives FC-knocks with left hand.
SW: Brethren, in the name of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe, and by command of the Worshipful Master, I close this Fellow Crafts Lodge. Gives FC-knocks.
JW: Happy have we met, Happy may we part, And happy meet again. Gives FC-knocks.
IG goes to door, gives FC-knocks and returns to position in front of his chair.
Tyler responds with same knocks.
Immediate Past Master, meanwhile, conceals both points of the Compass.
WM sits when this has been completed
All sit.

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