Worshipful Society of Freemasons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers
Ritual II° Fellow of the Craft


 
1980s


A period of seven weeks (symbolic of the seven years’ apprenticeship) having elapsed since the Can. was bound as an Apprentice, the Clerk, on instructions from the D.M.M., prints on the Agenda for the next Meeting: “To be made free of his Bond and passed to the second degree, Bro. (name) indentured as an Apprentice on (date).”
The Assemblage of Lodges IV° to I° being open and ordinary business having been transacted: The Can. (having previously completed the Application Form V) is conducted by J.W.’s Deacon to the N.E. Corner, clothed in an Apprentice’s Apron, and facing the D.M.M.
D.M.M. to Candidate: Bro. … name, I understand you have served your seven years’ apprenticeship and having received a certificate of good character from the S.I.W., have made application for advancement. You will read your application aloud to the Fellows assembled. Candidate does so.
D.M.M.: Your application will receive attention.
J.W.’s D. takes Can. to seat, collects form V and takes it to Clerk.
D.M.M.: I must now request all Brethren below the II° to retire, with the exception of the Candidate.
J.W.’s D. places rough Ashlar stone to the North of the Altar and kneeling stool to the East of it.
D.M.M.’s D. conducts Can. to kneeling stool.
D.M.M. to Can.: You will kneel on both knees, symbolically on the rough ashlar stone.
D.M.M. approaches altar, removes blue cord from Can.’s neck and then takes Can. by the right hand. This must be done for each Candidate when there is more than one.
D.M.M.: Rise, Free Brother. You are now superior to an Apprentice but inferior to a Fellow of the Craft of Free Masons, and the Clerk will now cancel your bond of indenture. D.M.M. returns to seat. D.M.M.’s Deacon leads Can. to D.M.M.
D.M.M.: Do you now pledge your honour as a Man and a Mason that you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of being passed as a Fellow of the Craft?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s D.: I do.
D.M.M.: Do you likewise pledge yourself that you will conceal what I am now about to impart to you with the same strict caution as your other secrets as a Mason?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s D.: I do.
D.M.M.: Then I will entrust you with the Passing G. and Passing W. by which you may gain admittance to the II° Lodge. The G. is given by … and the word is ...
The Candidate retires with D.M.M.’s D.
D.M.M. opens Lodge by power.
D.M.M., D.J., D.B., and S.I.W. proceed to altar where D.J. opens H.B. at Ruth IV; v. 7 and all return to their places, after adjusting emblem. S.W.’s Deacon removes rough ashlar stone from North of altar.
Meantime outside the Can. is prepared by being dressed in a white gown with an Apprentice’s apron bound over it. He is also given a rough-dressed ashlar stone— i.e., a stone squared to ⅛-inch to 1/16-inch oversize — which he carries. The Can., instructed by D.M.M.’s Deacon, who has remained outside with the Can., knocks (r) at the outer door of the porch/preparation room leading to the II° Lodge.
O.G., opening outer door: Who comes?
D.M.M.’s D.: Bro. … (name) who has been freed of his Bond and humbly craves this W. Lodge that he may be passed to the honourable rank of a Fellow of the Craft.
O.G.: Give me the passing G. and W.
Can. gives grip and word.
O.G.: Enter. Can. enters with D.M.M.’s D.
O.G. knocks * * * on inner door.
I.G., opens door: Who comes?
D.M.M.’s D.: Bro. … (name) who has been freed of his Bond and humbly craves this W. Lodge that he may be passed to the honourable rank of a Fellow of the Craft.
I.G.: How does he hope to obtain that privilege?
D.M.M.’s D.: By the aid of a passing G. and W. and a specimen of his work.
I.G. to Can.: Give me the passing G. and W.
Can. gives grip and word.
I.G.: Do you swear that this specimen is all your own work and that no other man has used a tool on it?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I do.
I.G.: Wait while I report to the W.D.M.M. in the West. Closes door.
I.G.: W.D.M.M., Bro. … (name), who has been freed of his Bond and humbly craves this W. Lodge that he may be passed to the honourable degree of a Fellow of the Craft. He has given me the passing G. and W. and carries a specimen of his work as a test of merit which he swears is all his own work and that no other man has used a tool on it.
D.M.M.: Let him be admitted in due form.
I.G. applies □ to Can.’s chest — the “pectoral part of the body”.) D.M.M.’s Deacon enters with Can.
I.G.: Bro. … (name), in the name of El Shaddai enter this Lodge of Fellows of the Craft of Free Masons, on the square.
Can. enters with D.M.M.’s Deacon and stands in N.E. Corner facing West. Right foot pointing W., left foot pointing S., heels together.
D.M.M.: W.S.I.W. pray inspect this specimen of work.
S.I.W. examines the ashlar carried by the Can.
S.I.W.: It is excellent work, W.D.M.M. I have approved and passed it accordingly.
S.I.W. places Rough-dressed Ashlar Stone at South Side of Altar. Kneeling stool put in position in N.E. by LW.’s Deacon.
D.M.M.: Let the Candidate kneel.
All stand.
J.: Most Holy and Glorious El Shassai, Thou Grand Geometrician of Heaven and Earth, we humbly beseech Thee to bless this Apprentice who is about to be admitted a Fellow of the Craft, so that he may serve Thee aright, and be found worthy to receive the wages promised to those that work diligently in Thy Holy Temple. This we beg in Thy Name Oh El Shaddai.
All: So mote it be.
All sit.
D.M.M.: Let the Can. rise. J.W.’s Deacon removes kneeling stool.
D.M.M.: Fellows in the E., S., W. and N. take notice that Bro. … (name) is about to pass in view before you to show that he is a Candidate properly prepared to be made a Fellow of the Craft.
D.M.M.’s Deacon instructs Can. how to proceed using “header and stretcher or one and one work”. It is sufficient to take three or four steps in this manner after each corner.
D.M.M.’s Deacon, after explaining steps: You must be careful not to fall over at the corners otherwise you must go over it again. D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. round the “Candidate’s track”, finishing in front of the S.W.’s Ped. and facing W. In olden times the Candidate in this degree would have perambulated twice round the Candidates’ track.
D.M.M. to Can.: Before you can be accepted as a member of this Lodge of Fellows another Oath will be required of you. Are you willing to take it?
Can., prompted by D.M.M.’s Deacon: I am.
S.I.W. places large □ E. of Altar with kneeling stool within it. D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to Altar.
D.M.M.: Then you will kneel, symbolically on the Rough-dressed Ashlar stone, with both knees bare.
S.I.W. provides suitable Bible open at Ruth IV; v. 7.
D.M.M. continues: Hold out your left hand with your forearm square with your body. It will support the H.B. while your right hand will rest thereon, so as to square the forearm. I apply this square to your breast S.I.W. provides small □. Repeat your names at length and mentally assent to the obligation I shall now read to you.
All rise.
I, … name, in the presence of El Shaddai, and this worshipful Lodge of Fellows of the Craft of Free Masons, do most solemnly swear that I will always conceal the secrets of a Fellow of the Craft from an Apprentice Mason, and those of an Apprentice or a Fellow of the Craft, or either of them,. from anyone in the world, unless it be to a true and lawful Brother or Fellow to whom they justly belong, or in the body of a Lodge which is just, perfect and regular, legally met and assembled for that purpose. I do furthermore swear that I will be a true and faithful Fellow of the Craft and that I will answer all Signs and Summonses made to me by a Fellow or sent to me by a lawful Lodge if within the length of my cable-tow (or a distance of two miles) the same not being detrimental to myself or family. That I will conform to the ancient charges and usages and established customs of the fraternity as Free Masons have done in all ages. That I will aid and assist all Brothers and Fellows as far as my circumstances will allow. That I will not wrong a Brother or Fellow nor cause him to be wronged by others, but will give him timely notice of all apparent dangers that may come to my knowledge. That in all times and in all places I will defend and maintain his honour and will strictly respect the chastity of his wife, sister and child. That if a Brother or Fellow is in danger and gives the sign of distress and requires help, I will fly at once to his assistance.
If you accept this obligation you will now repeat after me. All this I swear most scrupulously and religiously to perform to the full extent and meaning of every word and sentence, if within the sphere of prudence and justice, without the least evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation in me whatsoever under no less a penalty than the loss of life by having …
So help me El Shaddai and keep me steadfast in this my great and solemn Obligation being that of a Fellow of the Craft of Free Mason.
D.M.M.: You will kiss the H.B. once with your lips. Can. does so. Take good heed to keep it right well for it is perilous and a great danger for a man to fore-swear himself upon the Holy Book.
S.I.W. takes Bible from Can.
Rise, accepted Fellow of the Craft of Free Mason.
D.M.M. returns to his seat. D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to D.M.M. Remaining Fellows sit.
D.M.M.: In all the rites of this Society the Candidate represents a “living stone” which is being wrought from the rough, in which it is received from the Quarry, to a state of perfection. As an Apprentice you were taught how to rough hew the stone ⅛ inch to 1/16inch over measure. Now, as a Fellow of the Craft of Masonry, you have to dress the ashlar to a perfect finish both operatively and symbolically. You will therefore study all the liberal arts and sciences and especially Geometry. You will thus gradually become a “living stone” which can be erected in the most glorious of Temples.
I will now instruct you in the necessary G.W. and S. of a Fellow. The Grip is ... The Grip must always be covered by the Fellow who is challenged. It is never complete without the Word. Nor can the Word be given without the Grip. The word is … which is Hebrew for ... The D.G. or H.S. which must be given when entering or leaving a II° Lodge or when addressing the D.M.M. thereof, is … and must be maintained until it is answered by the P.S. which is ... The Emblematical Sign is ... The signs of Secrecy and of Distress are the same as for Apprentices and throughout the Society. You may now take your seat while the Clerk/Asst. S.I.W. reads the Traditional History, the Charges of Nimrod and the Ancient Charge. The possession of an authentic copy of these in olden times being the authority under which a Lodge worked.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to his seat and returns to his own. Clerk reads History and Charges.
D.M.M., not Clerk: The Traditional History and Charges which have just been read to you are the foundation stone and the commencement of the Worshipful Society of Free Masons in all parts of the world and in all ages.
D.M.M.’s D. conducts Can. to D.M.M. in West.
D.M.M. to Can.: You must now pass the test of the Ashlar square as a living stone.
S.I.W. places square frame on the ground behind candidate. S.W. and J.W. take position each side of frame, S.I.W. instructs Can, to step backwards into frame, S.I.W. holds straight edge vertically to Candidate’s back whilst S.W. and J.W. raise square over Candidate’s head.
S.I.W.  reports: The Candidate passes the test.
S.I.W. and Wardens resume seats.
D.M.M.: Let this remind you to square yourself for use. A stone that is fit for the Temple is not left long in the way.
I invest you with the Apron of a Squareman or Fellow of the Craft; it is decorated with a representation of the gauge and the Working Tools of the Degree. I also invest you with the jewel of a Fellow, the square gauge.
You are now a square Mason and I present to you the three working tools of a Fellow — the square, the level and the plumb-rule.
D.M.M. receives tools from S.I.W., shows them to Can. and returns them to S.I.W.
In this degree we represent the perfect ashlar in this form.
D.M.M. shows first development of the cube.
The rule is 12 units long with a hinge dividing it into lengths of 3 units and 9 units. The knocks are ...
The H.B. is open at Ruth IV; v. 7.
You will now sign the roll of Fellows at the Clerk’s table.
D.M.M.’s Deacon conducts Can. to Clerks’ table where roll is signed.
Clerk: Your Bond of Indenture as an Apprentice, now duly cancelled, is returned to you. Hands to Can. It now becomes your first degree Certificate and has recorded on it the details of your registration. It should be carefully preserved as it is proof of your admittance into our Worshipful Society.
D.M.M.’s Deacon then conducts Can. to the S.E. Corner.
D.M.M.: You are now no longer known as “Brother” but as “Fellow” and are at liberty to work in the second stone yard.
We wish you well.


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