Keep the Center Sound
Chemistry of the individual.
The nucleus of every normal character is purity, love and truth, the three fundamentals, and the basis of all ethical and spiritual truths.
Closely connected and interconnected revolve the other electrons. If the nucleus is bad, we are but whited sepulchres.
Normality consists in the balanced development and functioning of these various parts.
A normal individual is represented by a perfect circle.
Working Ritual
MASTER ARCHITECT: It is time the doors are closed and properly guarded; you will perform this duty.
SERGEANT: Comrade …, you will take position as watchman at the door of the Temple, there to guard against intrusion or eave droppers that this Architect Guild may proceed with its business uninterrupted.
The watchman takes his position at the door.
SERGEANT: Master, the duty is performed.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Against whom have we the most reason to guard ourselves?
SERGEANT: Our greatest enemy is our own self.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Chief Marshal, are all present Novitiates?
CHIEF MARSHAL: I will direct my proper officer to prove those present by collecting the pass and make due report.
Initiative, it is the order of the Master Architect that you proceed to collect the pass, and thus prove that all present are Novitiates.
Initiative collects the pass and reports to Chief Marshal.
INITIATIVE: Chief Marshal, the pass is collected.
CHIEF MARSHAL: All present are Novitiates, your Honor.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Truth, you will arrange the altar, placing thereon the cloth of blue.
Truth performs this duty.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Watchman, what of the night?
WATCHMAN: The night is dark and dank without. Ignorance, with her ill-favored brood, Superstition and Fear, lurk without. Light ye the Lamp of Truth that all may be bright within.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Sergeant, you may perform this duty.
Sergeant lights the lamp.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Self-Respect, upon what plane do we meet?
SELF-RESPECT: Upon the high level of a pure moral character.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Industry, art thou satisfied?
INDUSTRY: Never satisfied. In our obligation we are admonished to a noble discontent, ever striving for a higher level.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Wherefore art thou there and thy duty?
INDUSTRY: To see that all are properly employed and make due progress in the sublime art of building character.
MASTER ARCHITECT: And thou Purity, what dost thou represent?
PURITY: Correct habits and a sound body. These in turn produce a sound mind. "My strength is as the strength of ten because my heart is pure."
MASTER ARCHITECT: Chief Marshal, art thou bond or free?
CHIEF MARSHAL: Truth did sever my bonds, and Love removed the scales from mine eyes; so I now perceive that all men are brethren and the same before God.
MASTER ARCHITECT: I now declare this lodge opened upon the degree of a Novitiate, for the transaction of such business as may belong thereto.
WATCHMAN: You will ascertain if there be any duly qualified members at the door waiting for admission.
Watchman makes report.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Chief Marshal, are all present, members of the Honor Degree?
CHIEF MARSHAL: I will direct my proper officer to prove those present by collecting the pass, and make due report.
Initiative, it is the order from the Master Architect in the North that you proceed to collect the pass, and thus prove that all present are Honor members.
Initiative collects the pass.
INITIATIVE: Chief Marshal, the pass is collected.
CHIEF MARSHAL: All present are Honor members, Master.
MASTER ARCHITECT: You will take the symbols of this degree, the Holy Bible, the Jewel of Honor, and the whip, and place them on the altar.
Chief Marshal performs this duty.
CHIEF MARSHAL: Master, your order has been obeyed; the altar is arranged.
MASTER ARCHITECT: What are the directive forces of our character?
DECISION: The directive forces of our character are Self, Control, represented by the Chief Marshal, Ideals, represented by the Star, and Trained Judgment, represented by Wisdom on your right.
The steady hand of Self-Control is the rudder of our character; trained judgment is the habit of correctly and judiciously weighing the various evidences of life's problems; our ideals and purposes are what we desire to be, they are the high standards which raise us to a nobler and better life.
MASTER ARCHITECT: What is our most precious possession?
CHIEF MARSHAL: It is the Jewel of Honor.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Self-Respect, the position of the Jewel of Honor and its teachings?
SELF-RESPECT: In the center of the lodge upon the altar of blue, that it may be beholden of all eyes. In its center are the symbols of industry, honor and purpose; all of which is surrounded by the Girdle of Character, which teaches love, purity and truth.
MASTER ARCHITECT: What other symbol is laid therewith upon the altar?
INITIATIVE: The whip that belongs to the Chief Marshal, Master.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Wherefore the whip, Chief Marshal?
CHIEF MARSHAL: It is the symbol of necessity, and is made use of by the driver to compel the obedience of the horse; but we as Master Builders, standing upon the high level of a pure moral character, are taught to be obedient and perform our duties from a high sense of honor and fidelity to our ideals.
MASTER ARCHITECT: "Mine honor is my life; both grow in one; take honor from me and my life is done."
I now declare this lodge to be opened on the degree of Honor for the transaction of such business as may belong thereto. Watchman, you will ascertain if there be any duly qualified members at the door waiting for admission.
Watchman examines and makes report.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Chief Marshal, are all present Master Builders?
CHIEF MARSHAL: I will direct my proper officer to prove those present by collecting the pass, and make due report.
Initiative, it is the order of the Master Architect in the North that you proceed to collect the pass, and thus prove that all present are Master Builders.
Initiative collects the pass.
INITIATIVE: Chief Marshal, the pass is collected.
CHIEF MARSHAL: All present are Master Builders, your honor.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Chief Marshal, wherefore are we here?
CHIEF MARSHAL: To build character and assist our weak and erring brethren to do the same.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Whither do we go?
CHIEF MARSHAL: We travel upon the road of time to that mysterious bourne from whence no traveler e'er returns, where latent powers will be developed and an enlarged existence awaits us.
WISDOM: Well hast thou spoken my son. "The wise man does two things; he abandons the world before it abandons him; prepares his sepulcher before entering it; and it is all with the design of pleasing God before entering into his presence." Ye are harassed by the lusts of the flesh, and the prejudices of the world; but know ye that the hours perish and are laid to our charge; that like footsteps upon the sands ye do perish from off the earth therefore rise ye above the petty Jealousies that assail the hearts of men, for we are all of the dust, and to dust will return, and one day, in our nakedness, stand before the same God.
Through the fanaticisms and superstitions of the past, rivers have run red with the blood of the innocent; therefore ye, standing on a higher level, humble yourselves and be ye not fanatical but open-minded, that the light of Truth may shine in; be ye charitable and forgiving, for therein lies greatness of character.
Blest are ye my children, for in this brotherhood of Master Builders dedicated to character, their is neither Jew nor Gentile, Catholic nor Protestant, but all are children of God.
LOVE: Love is harmony, but hatred and prejudice are discords; love is ennobling, but hatred and prejudice are debasing.
Love is the golden tie that binds our hearts one to another and links us to God.
MASTER ARCHITECT: I now declare this lodge consecrated to the study of character, opened on the Degree of a Master Builder for the transaction of such business as may belong thereto.
Watchman, you will ascertain if there be any duly qualified members at the door waiting for admission.
Watchman does so.
Order of Business
Reading of minutes.
Report of committees.
Old business.
New business.
For the good of the order.
Collection.
Closing ritual.
Law of Growth or First Degree of Architect Guild / Degree of a Novitiate
Though you may have known
clever men who were indolent; you
never knew a great man who was
so; and when I hear a young man
spoken of as giving promise of great
genius, the first question I ask about
him always is, Does he work?
-Ruskin .
Normality of the Individual Means a Correct Perspective of Life's Values
Normality means that: all avenues leading to brain must be in good working order.
imperfect organs functioning poorly means poor blood, poor blood means a poor brain.
vivid impressions cannot be made on imperfect brain material.
clear ideas follow vivid impressions.
The Law of Growth
Candidate is conducted by attendant to the door of the lodge.
Attendant raps and continues rapping.
WATCHMAN, after investigating: Master, a traveler and attendant, with staves in their hands stand without.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Sergeant, art thou armed?
SERGEANT: Thrice armed is he whose cause is just.
MASTER ARCHITECT: It is well; investigate and see who it is that thus importunes so earnestly at the door of our lodge.
SERGEANT: Wherefore this noise? Who art thou that thus disturbs our peace?
WAYFARER: I am a traveler from afar and seek for a famous lodge known as the Architect Guild.
SERGEANT: Why stand ye here? Go upon your way.
WAYFARER: I have already lost my way in the bogs and quick-sands of life, and have been blinded by ignorance and superstition. But this lodge, I would find this lodge. It must be somewhere near.
SERGEANT: Well what of it?
WAYFARER: O sir, we hear that this is a wonderful lodge, and that the ruler thereof is a person of great distinction and renown.
It is reputed that Love, Purity and Truth are ever present with him. And they do say that great and mighty Wisdom is there as his counsellor day and night.
Sir, I too, would enter this goodly company and learn the wonderful secrets of life.
SERGEANT: Wayfarer, from a far country, my heart warms unto thee for thou art near of kin. An unseen hand hath guided thee to the door of the lodge thou seekest.
WAYFARER: Is it possible? May I enter in?
SERGEANT: Nay, I know you not and thou mayst be a spy.
Perchance thou hast come for an evil purpose.
WAYFARER: Do me no wrong. See, in my bosom I carry a document certifying who I am, signed and given me by one Experience, an ancient Patriarch of my native land, and directed to the Master Architect of your lodge.
SERGEANT: The Patriarch whom thou dost mention is well known in our midst and highly esteemed. Give unto me your credentials and I will present them unto the Master of our lodge.
WAYFARER: My name is John Doe. Take the papers and even as thou hast said, present them unto the ruler of your lodge.
SERGEANT: Whilst I am absent, rest ye here. I shall soon return.
Closes the door, steps to the center and salutes.
SERGEANT: Master, a blind travel er, weary and ready to faint stands without. He, having heard of the fame of our lodge has sought for it earnestly and would be admitted within, so that he may learn to build character.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Thy zeal oversteppeth. thy prudence. Know ye not that he may be a spy.
SERGEANT: He has an honest countenance; moreover he gave me these papers directed to you personally and which I was to deliver unto you.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Bring them hither (after reading) Sergeant, you may return to your position.
LETTER
To the Supreme Master Architect of Architect Guild No. 1, Chicago, Ill.
GREETING: The bearer, John Doe, belongs to the House of Adam, a family whose antiquity is as old as man. He is heir to all of the riches of past generations, a prince by right of inheritance.
In the community in which he lives, vice and immorality are ever in attendance. He has been blinded by ignorance and superstition, the arch enemies of man.
After due and careful consideration we have concluded by reason thereof to send him to the Lodge of Penetralia Mentis over which thou art ruler, to the end that thou mayst restore to him his vision and sever the bonds of evil habits that you may initiate him into the secrets of your most venerable lodge, and unfold to his immature mind the wonderful wealth of possibilities to which he is heir, that he may be duly qualified to enter into the full enjoyment of his rightful heritage, and be a man among men, I am
Yours for a full attainment,
Experience.
It is John Doe of ancient and honorable lineage; but, judging from this letter, he is the slave of the baser elements of his nature. Shall we admit the stranger?
Wisdom, what has thou to say?
WISDOM: My son, withhold not the hand of welcome to the stranger; neither do thou shirk the responsibility that is now laid upon thee. Thou art thy brother's keeper.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Chief Marshal, as Master of Ceremonies, you will take charge of the Wayfarer, arrange the details, and, taking with you two officers of distinction, personally conduct him into my presence in a manner befitting his high lineage.
CHIEF MARSHAL: Decision and Initiative, it is the will of the Master Architect in the North that we welcome the stranger at our gate, and with proper ceremony conduct him into the Master's presence.
Chief Marshal, Decision and Initiative pass round the room, salute the Master Architect, and go out to prepare the candidate.
Chief Marshal and Initiative remain within.
DECISION: A s you are about to enter our most holy temple, and your garments are travel- stained and torn, it is meet that you put on the symbol of the strong man's secret, this garment of white, that you may make a suitable appearance when in the presence of the Supreme Master Architect.
Candidate enters the room and 1neets Initiative.
INITIATIVE: Candidate, on entering our most holy Temple of Character, you are charged to conduct yourself with all due gravity and decorum. Any laughter or unseemly conduct on your part will result in your being returned to the chamber from whence you came, there to await the will of the Master Architect or some future period for your initiation.
They now pass round the room and on coming to the rear again, candidate is placed in position and attendants step a little to the rear.
INITIATIVE: John Doe, son of Adam, now, even now, thou standest before him whom thou so earnestly did seek. In this very solemn moment, in darkness, in the solemnity of silence, do thou stand and meditate. Listen ye for the still small voice that will speak unto thy soul from out of the depths.
Absolute silence now reigns in the room for the space of five minutes, after which is the sound of the wind whistle; then music by the violin, very low, gradually swelling and dying away as it came.
FIRST VOICE: Life of man is but a breath between two eternities. Today he eateth and drinketh. Tomorrow he is not. Naked and helpless came he into the world, and when he leaveth it, he taketh nothing with him but his character. We enter upon the stage of life from the east, for a little while play our part, with shame or honor, and leaveth it from the west.
MASTER ARCHITECT: You may conduct the candidate to the front.
After the candidate is placed in position.
MASTER ARCHITECT: John Doe, son of Adam, most ancient of lineage, wherefore hast thou come hither.
WAYFARER: I came that I might join this lodge and be taught how to build character.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Is it of your own free will that you come hither?
WAYFARER: It is.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Thy wish shall be granted; but before taking upon yourself the solemn obligation of the first degree, you are informed that in it there is nothing that conflicts with your religion, with your duty to your parents or your country. If you still persevere in your determination to become a member of this degree, and it is of your own free will, you will raise your right hand and repeat after me the following:
I, repeating your name, do solemnly promise never to reveal by word of mouth, sign, printing, or any manner whatsoever, the method of my initiation, except it be to my parents, minister, priest or rabbi, and then only on their special request.
I furthermore promise to be obedient to the laws of God as He may give me light to see; obedient to the laws of my country; obedient to my parents and teachers; obedient to the rules of the Off-the-Street Club, and more particularly of this degree of which I am about to be made a member.
I furthermore promise to be ever industrious; never to be satisfied with my present attainment, but always striving to reach a higher level.
I furthermore promise to keep my mind and body clean and pure, or do aught that will impair the strength of either mind or body. That I will accord the same treatment and respect to those of the opposite sex that I would give to my father, mother, brother or sister. So help me God and keep me steadfast in the same.
May God give you a correct understanding of the solemn promise you have this night made.
You will conduct the candidate to the rear that the ceremony of induction may continue.
He is conducted, music playing, to the rear of the room and placed as before.
MASTER ARCHITECT: The candidate will now kneel.
In all great and important undertakings it is wise to invoke Divine aid. The brethren, rapping once, will arise.
The chaplain will now pray.
CHAPLAIN: Our Heavenly Father, we implore Thou wilt vouchsafe Thy Divine blessing and guidance upon the proceedings of this night. May there be nothing said or done that will be contrary to Thy will. May Truth be our aim, and Wisdom our guide and companion. May the bonds of this brotherhood, erected to God and dedicated to character, be cemented by brotherly love to one another and to all mankind.
MEMBERS: So mote it be.
MASTER ARCHITECT: The candidate will now arise.
I perceive that the candidate is still bound by the chains of evil habits and blinded by ignorance and superstition.
Herald, sound ye the trumpet that Truth may come hence.
TRUTH: Here, Master.
MASTER ARCHITECT: It is now my will that this candidate, who, by virtue of solemn obligation which he has taken upon himself, is now our brother in the first degree, through you, assisted by Love and Purity, be brought to light and set free from those fetters that do bind him.
Love and Purity now range themselves behind Truth, and the three proceed round the room to the front of the candidate.
TRUTH: The great heart of our Master Architect has been touched by your deplorable condition, and hath bidden me to bring you from darkness into light. Love, do thou remove the bandages.
LOVE: I, Love, do remove these bandages that so long has kept thee from seeing Truth.
The sword of Truth is cold; but I am warmth, I am life.
Behold, on the bosom of Truth-"God is love."
TRUTH: Reach hither thy hands, that with this sword, the sword of Truth, I may sever the fetters of evil habits. With a light touch he severs the bonds.
Thus I sever the shackels of ignorance, superstition and prejudice and set you free. Freedom is the blessing of Truth.
Truth is charitable; it is the eye of reason; it is sacred; it, regardless of creed or dogma, leads direct to God. "Seize upon the truth wherever it may be found, amongst our friends amongst our foes, on christian or heathen grounds; the flower's divine where'er it grows."
PURITY: Reach hither thy right arm, 'tis the symbol of strength, thy strength shall be the strength of ten if thine heart be pure.
Truth, Purity and Love each take off their girdle and pass one end to each, forming a triangle with Truth at the apex and candidate in center.
TRUTH: You find yourself surrounded by the triangle of Divine character, Love, Purity and Truth, these are the three fundamental principles of character.
Turning upon heel and saluting with sword.
Master, the candidate has been brought to light and is now set free.
MASTER ARCHITECT: The duty performed, you may return to your several stations.
Truth, Purity and Love now proceed to their respective stations.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Before you can proceed upon your way, it will be necessary for you to pass through an inner chamber, called the Chamber of Truth, where are to be found the most vital principles of our order.
The entrance to this chamber is barred by massive rocks of sloth, and only one there is who is able to roll them back, even he who is called Industry; therefore seek ye him, and when thou hast found him, let him not go.
Members sing "Work for the Night is Coming."
MASTER ARCHITECT: Though the scales have fallen from thine eyes and thy hands are set free, thou art not yet ready to set forth upon this quest. Thou art yet weak and inexperienced, and knowest naught of the dangers that do he before thee. Behold, I send thee Wisdom, my most trusted counsellor to guide thee upon the way.
Herald, sound ye the trumpet.
Wisdom appears in front of the Master Architect, who kneels on his right knee while he is addressing Wisdom.
WISDOM: At thy summons I have appeared before thee.
How can I serve thee my son?
MASTER ARCHITECT: Most Reverend and Ancient of Days, behold yonder candidate, he is but a babe and knows naught of those dangers that do lie before him; therefore I do commission thee as his companion and guide.
WISDOM: Master, wise are thy words, as thou hast spoken, so shall I do.
He proceeds to the rear in pro per manner and steps to the front of the candidate. They salute each other. The candidate with his attendants kneel, remaining until bidden to rise.
WISDOM: I am Wisdom, Most Ancient of Days; before the world was created and before the morning stars sang together, I was.
The Master Architect hath commissioned me to be thy companion and guide thee on thy travels in foreign countries. Listen to my counsels, for ye will meet with sundry adventures; many and mighty temptations will assail thee; at times thy very soul will be in jeopardy and thou wilt quake with fear; yet unscathed will ye go if thou forsake me not. Arise, let us be on our way.
They now proceed round the room once, coming to Fool.
INITIATIVE: Hey, good fellow, come hither. Do thou know one called Industry? Canst thou tell me the road to success?
Fool falls to laughing as though his sides would burst.
INITIATIVE: Wherefore laughest thou?
FOOL: O! Marry me! 'Tis a good joke indeed. (Laughs again.) And who sent thee upon this fool's errand? See the sunshine glints upon the leaves and the butterfly sips the honeyed dew from the flowery cup; all is life, (pirouetting on toe) come and dance with me.
WISDOM: Listen to him not, 'tis Fool's voice. His "mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul."
INITIATIVE: I like not your way; it lacketh sense. We live not for the present, but for the future.
They continue on their way. Pleasure perceiving them in the distance, runs after them.
PLEASURE: Hello! Hello!
INITIATIVE: What would ye?
PLEASURE: Tis a hard road thou travelest, and, judging from your dress, ye do seem to be strangers.
DECISION: As thou sayest, we are strangers and seek for one called Industry. Know ye such any one?
PLEASURE: Yea, and beshrew him for an ill-natured fellow who knows naught of the joys and pleasures of life. See thou yonder path? Follow it, and it will lead you to the Valley of Pleasure, where thou mayst sip the sweets of life and know naught of the pains of labor thereof.
WISDOM: She is fair to look upon; but her heart is deceitfull and through her wily ways hath led many to destruction, if thou wouldst grow and be strong, shun folly.
Passing on they come to Indolence reclining at ease.
INITIATIVE: Young man, awake; who art thou that sleeps?
Know thou the country hereabouts?
Indolence yawns lazily and turns over as if to sleep again.
INITIATIVE, shaking him by the shoulder vigorously: Awake thou that sleepest. The sun is high in the heavens and night comes on apace. Hast thou naught to do?
INDOLENCE: Wherefore do thou handle me so roughly? If ye are robbers I have neither gold nor silver.
INITIATIVE: Robbers we are not, but strangers seeking for one who is able to open the door of an inner chamber said to hold the secret of character building. Know ye him or aught of his whereabouts?
INDOLENCE: I know naught of him thou seek; nor do I understand that about which ye do prate; go upon your way and trouble me not.
WISDOM: Talk not to him; he is first cousin to Pleasure; a weed that cumbereth the ground; seek ye further for that which ye would find.
INITIATIVE: Stand here while I ascend this eminence and survey the country round about. (Returning in haste) I see one in the distance who seems of giant stature; let us hasten thither and perhaps we may gain the information we seek.
WISDOM: No doubt 'tis he whom thou seek. Haste ye on. Passing on they come to Industry striking heavy blows on an anvil, and pause to observe him. They exchange a few words among themselves.
INITIATIVE: See, what manner of man is this?
DECISION: What a noble looking specimen of manhood; see those wonderful muscles. Truly this must be he whom we seek.
WISDOM: It is even he. Address ye him.
DECISION: Who art thou? What means these mighty blows?
INDUSTRY, without looking up: Trouble me not with idle questions, life is too short.
DECISION: A gruff old fellow this, we are not like to get much from him.
WISDOM: Be not cast down; try yet again.
DECISION: And if thou wilt but spare a little time, we seek information.
INDUSTRY: Spare your words (still hammering) for I have much to do; the fate of the world rests upon my shoulders.
What, eyeing his metal, would ye know?
DECISION: We are strangers from a far country and by the order of the Master Architect , seek for one called Industry, a mighty captain, who only is able to roll back the barriers of sloth and disclose to us the principles of character building.
INDUSTRY: I am he.
DECISION, uncovering his head and bowing: Truly, thou art a man of valor and wonderful strength. Long and earnestly have we sought for thee and fain would have thee reveal unto us that which we seek.
INDUSTRY: I am strong and virile. To me hard things are easy; difficulties are an incentive; it is a pleasure to do; a joy to create that which was not. Canst thou swim up the stream? Art thou able to face the north wind's blast.
DECISION: Adversity hath given us strength; Experience hath been our teacher; behold, we have made Wisdom our guide and companion.
INDUSTRY: For what thou sayst, I like thee well and wilt reveal unto thee that which thou seek. See thou this chamber? Only the wise and strong are able to enter therein, and there is no arm but mine strong enough to roll back the barriers of sloth. And if thou wish, I will be one of thy captains, and, acting conjointly with thy noble companions, will fight for thee the battles of life.
DECISION: Most gladly do we avail ourselves of thy proffered aid. Even now I do feel strong and thirst for action.
INDUSTRY: Thy enthusiasm is fine and bespeaks the noble nature that lies within thee, but thou must tarry yet awhile, that thou mayst learn the principles of character that are concealed within this holy chamber.
Here the curtain is pulled aside and casket disclosed. See thou this casket upon thy left, within its narrow confines there lies a giant, more potent than gold or the mighty armies of man. In this nut, removing the lid, lies the same mysterious force that was deposited in the primordial cell countless eons ago, and which has since developed into the human race. The nut represents you, yourself, and the growth of the human soul.
Placed in the bosom of old Mother Earth and coaxed into life by the dew and the sun, a tender sprout comes forth, and in the course of time there is a great tree that beareth fruit. The cattle do lie in the shade thereof, and the birds of the air do lodge in its branches; even so wilt thou be, if thou follow in Wisdom's ways.
Look again at this sweet babe, the same force and possibilities that lie within the nut are to be found within its tiny body. Here it is a ragged urchin, vibrant with life, learning from nature's fountain. Now he has become one of the world's great men.
Yet all those possibilities were locked within the frail body of that wondrous babe; and mine was the hand, actuated by love, that nourished the young life and brought it to fruition.
Here is a symbolic representation of Indolence. It was he whom thou didst meet on the way. The mighty powers of his brain are stupefied by inaction. Notice the bulging muscles and mighty limbs, a veritable Hercules; but Pleasure symbolized by the leopard's skin, hath instilled her poisoned sweets and now he lies a weakling. The law of growth for mind and body is industry. The race is not to him who has talents but the plodder who never gives up.
MASTER ARCHITECT: You will place the candidate in front of the Master Architect that he may receive the pass.
DECISION: He is in position, Master.
MASTER ARCHITECT: You have been duly initiated into the sublime secrets of the degree of a Novitiate, and are now adjudged worthy of receiving the pass, and which you are never to reveal to any but a brother of this degree, and then only in a low whisper.
CHIEF MARSHAL: John Doe, son of Adam, thou art now a full member of the first degree of our Character Guild, and in full possession of its secret, the basic elements of character.
Through the application of the teachings of this degree, thou mayst be a man.
Industry in pulling aside the curtain of this most holy chamber, revealed unto thee the marvelous possibilities that lie within thee. Behold! The wealth of Golconda is but dust and ashes in comparison.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Decision will now conduct the candidate to his seat.
Closing
MASTER ARCHITECT: Watchman, what of the night?
WATCHMAN: The hours wane, the morning cometh and the duties of another day crowd upon us. It is now time for the Master to close his lodge.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Mr. Secretary, what of the night?
SECRETARY: The transactions of this night have been duly recorded.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Your position and your duty?
SECRETARY: As the secretary of the lodge on your right, your honor; as secretary of the soul, I occupy countless chambers in the mind; to unfold the wonders thereof and the vast treasures contained therein, would require many volumes.
MASTER ARCHITECT: And my Lord Treasurer, what are thy duties?
TREASURER: To receive all money and deposit the same in the bank; to pay it out again at the order of the Master Architect.
I admonish thee to lay up the treasures of the mind, for in a little while we cross to the other side leaving behind our gold and silver; and where the attendant virtues of a noble character will constitute our wealth.
FIRST VOICE: "For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul."
MASTER ARCHITECT: The beauty and appearance of our lodge largely depends upon what officer?
TREASURER: The Master of the Wardrobe.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Thy duties, Master of the Wardrobe?
MASTER OF THE WARDROBE: To receive and take care of the regalia and all other appurtenances belonging to this most holy lodge, to carefully guard the Jewel of Honor and the various symbols of our order.
MASTER ARCHITECT: The position of the Jewel of Honor when worn?
MASTER OF THE WARDROBE: On the left breast near the heart.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Fellow Master Builders, the labor of the day is ended; we do rest therefrom and the record thereof is complete. The thing we have this day said and done can never be erased, and are now a part of the record above. Therefore my brethren and sisters, be ye industrious, modest in your actions and circumspect in your dealings with all mankind, that it may be said unto you in that last and great day-"Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many, enter thou into the joy of thy Father."
Master Architect raps three times and everybody stands, placing their right hand on their heart and raising their left hand towards heaven.
Together brethren-
Before High Heaven I pledge My support and loyalty to the Architect Guild, and to defend the same against all its enemies, be they traitors or otherwise.
That the honor of the Architect Guild shall be as dear to me as my own personal honor, and under no manner of circumstances will I ever do aught, or will ever permit an erring brother to do aught, if in my power to prevent it, that will tarnish the fair escutcheon of our Guild.
That I will revere its teachings, that I will love it with all my heart, and in every manner show my gratitude thereto.
To be especially helpful and true to every member in the Guild.
That I shall do all that I can to increase its membership and extend its power and influence to the end that a greater good may be done for humanity.
So help me God, and keep me steadfast in the same.
MASTER ARCHITECT: Let us sing our hymn. "Blest be the tie."
After singing-
In conclusion, now, do I, Supreme Master Architect of this lodge of Master Builders, declare the same to be closed. Sergeant, you will so inform the Watchman; Chief Marshal, you will take charge of the altar and deliver the symbols thereon into the care of the Master of the Wardrobe.
After which the Master says: I now declare Architect Guild, No. 1, adjourned until the next
regular meeting.
He raps once with the gavel whereon all are at liberty.