AN ANALYSIS AND EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST DEGREE QUESTIONS
This is an explanation of a set of questions and answers, for you as an Entered Apprentice, as you owe to memorise and recite them in the Open Lodge prior to your Passing to the Second Degree.
WHERE WERE YOU MADE A MASON?
In the body of a Lodge, Just, Perfect and Regular.
What makes a Lodge JUST?
The Volume of Sacred Law being unfold.
What makes a Lodge PERFECT?
Seven or more regularly made Masons.
What makes a Lodge REGULAR?
The Lodge’s Charter or Warrant of the Constitution.
HOW DO YOU DEMONSTRATE THE PROOF OF YOUR BEING A MASON TO OTHERS?
By Signs, Tokens and the Perfect Points of my entrance.
What are SIGNS?
All Squares, Levels and Perpendiculars are True and Proper sings to know a Mason by.
What are TOKENS?
Certain regular and friendly grips whereby we know a Brother in the dark as well as in the light.
What are PERFECT POINTS?
Of, At and On.
OF my own free will and accord;
AT the door of the Lodge;
ON a sharp instrument presented to my naked left breast.
WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?
A peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
What is the meaning of MORALITY?
Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or between the good and the bad behaviour of a person.
Personal or cultural values or codes of conduct, which are applied and are accepted by an individual.
Thus, a peculiar system of morality indicates a system of law and order in other words the rights we Freemasons expect from the government and the administration of the Junior Warden (the sun), the Senior Warden (the moon) and the Worshipful Master.
What is the meaning of VEILED IN ALLEGORY?
Allegory is synonymous with parable. That being said it means saying one thing and meaning another.
The words "veiled in allegory" imply that some of the truths of Masonry are concealed from the uninitiated, but that they can be discovered by one who is privileged to join. It takes practice to learn how to recognise and appreciate symbol and allegory. Only through sincere, intelligent and sustained effort, reinforced by imaginative and emotional sensitivity, can the reward be obtained.
What are the SYMBOLS?
A symbol is "something that stands for, represents, or denotes something else.
The twenty-four-inch gauge in a quantifying sense can represent the twenty-four-hours of the day, part for prayers, part for labour and part for servicing a person in need.
The chisel represents perseverance and the advantages of education by which we may become acceptable members in a society.
The Common Gavel represents the force of conscience which aims to keep down all vain thoughts which might interfere during certain times, so our words and actions may be pure and unpolluted.
The Doric order of architecture denotes strength and its position is at the Senior Warden’s pedestal in the West; the Corinthian order represents beauty and its position is at the Junior Warden’s pedestal in the South; the Ionic order represents wisdom and its position is at the Worshipful Master’s pedestal in the East.
In the First Degree the darkness symbolises the darkness of ignorance; in the Third Degree, the darkness has a rather different meaning...
The symbols need not always be consistent, but can stand for different things.
The square stands for morality, but also it is the symbol of the Worshipful Master.
NAME THE GRAND PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE ORDER IS FOUNDED
Brotherly love, relief and truth.
Brotherly Love:
It does not only mean being kind to your fellow men, but also to be able to develop a strong bond with your Brethren.
To achieve just that you should treat each other with respect, offer your support when needed in both good times as well as bad times.
Relief:
It means for you as a Brother to be able to assist those in need whether it is for financial, emotional or physical matters.
It can be achieved in many ways such as by providing some financial assistance without any detriment to yourself, by volunteering some of your time to help those rather less fortunate or by just offering a listening ear to a Brother who has been facing some harsh time.
Truth:
It enables you as a Brother to always seek truth in all ways both within yourself as well as in the environment that surrounds you.
Be honest to yourself and to others, search for more knowledge and deeper understanding and always aim to a greater improvement.
After all, it is said that “Masonry makes a good man better”.
This can be achieved by applying the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Some additional points for your reference:
WHAT ARE THE 4 PERFECT POINTS OF AN ENTERED APPRENTICE FREEMASON?
Preparation (outside the Lodge in an adjoining room),
Obligation (kneeling in front of the pedestal),
Sign (demonstrated by the Worshipful Master),
Grip or Token and Word (given by the Worshipful Master).
BENEFITS OF BEING A FREEMASON
Getting a deeper understanding of yourself,
Developing a long lasting relationship with fellow Masons,
Being able to assist and support – physically and mentally – fellow Masons in time of need,
Becoming a better citizen, husband, father, brother or son,
Being part of reputable and benevolent organisation
Being able to freely contribute to various worthy charitable activities.
Thank you Bro Karl for your encouraging words. Best wishes for many Masonic years of enjoyment!